I am going to be filming a video for CouchSurfing in Nairobi on December 3-4 and we're looking for surfers and hosts to participate.
This video is focused on how CouchSurfing works, tips for surfing, hosting, safety and events.
Videos are a quick and easy way for new members to get acquainted with our community. We'll be filming more videos to keep members informed about the community, tips, and features. The more that members know about how to get the most out of their CouchSurfing experiences, the stronger this network is!
Have you seen the new video on the home page? (You have to log out of your account then go to CouchSurfing.org to get to the page.)
Please read this carefully and email me ONLY if you are willing to participate in this video project.
You will be interviewed on camera talking about CS and filmed participating in activities (safari, volunteering, exploring town) with other CSers.
Thanks!!
You can also check out this news article:
http://www.couchsurfing.org/news/article/155
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The regular couch info--though I won't be back in SF for a couple of months!
I live right next to Candlestick park in San Francisco--home of the 49ers football team. I'm not much of a football fan, so that doesn't mean a whole lot to me.
My exact neighborhood is called Candlestick point, but that's not always on the map. The surrounding area is called Bayview. This neighborhood is a little rough in some areas, but my house is in a little oasis of two dead-end streets that are pretty nice. So, even though the area around us is a little scary, these blocks are great and don't get any sketchy foot traffic.
I live with roommates in a large, beautiful, modern house. We've got great views of the city and the surrounding bay and a nice garden in the back witha large hot tub. Unfortunately this area isn't easy to get to by public transportation and it's not very centrally located at all. It's not impossible, though. The T-line train stops about 1/2 a mile away and I'd be happy to pick you up there. There's also a bus (#29) that comes very close, but I'm not all that familiar with the schedule. It's easy to get that info at 511.org though.
You'd be staying in the large living room, so not a lot of privacy, but we do have a nice futon, some couches and enough blankets and pillows for you. The living room has huge window (that great view I told you about!) and gets a lot of early morning light. You probably want to use a sleep mask!
I can't always host all the time, since I have to check with my roommates. If I can't host you, I'm still happy to meet up for some fun times in SF, perhaps show you some things you won't find in a travel guide. As many of my testimonials will attest, I know what's going on in this town and I love to go out and make the most of it.
Casey Fenton 33, Male San Francisco, California United States Friends since January 2005 "I'm so thankful and overjoyed that I finally know Heather. She inspires me and I have the deepest respect for her abilities." Friendship Type: Best Friend 30+30+10
Jim 34, Male San Francisco, California United States Friends since April 2005 "I first met this Wondergirl on a secret, undisclosed island and crazy/mad adventures have unfolded ever since - some in Montreal, many, many in San Francisco, etc. Watch out for this girl - she's one hell of a wonderful temptress and a fantastic friend!" Friendship Type: Best Friend I vouched for Heather O'Brien 30+30+30+
Camtastic 36, Male San Francisco, California United States Friends since July 2004 "Divine Providence, of course..." Friendship Type: Close Friend I vouched for Heather O'Brien
Jonathan Caplan 44, Male Los Angeles, California United States Friends since January 2002 "BFF" Friendship Type: Best Friend 30+30+30+
Hillary Murray 27, Female Ubud, Bali (Lesser Sunda) Indonesia Friends since August 2005 "She's my Meather!" Friendship Type: Best Friend 30+
YEAHLENA 26, Female Berkeley, California United States Friends since September 2006 "She gave me a home at burningman..." Friendship Type: Best Friend I vouched for Heather O'Brien
Excelsus Remington 33, Female San Francisco, California United States Friends since January 2005 "This woman-about-town is everywhere, rallying the troops with her battle cry "Shame is Lame!"" Friendship Type: Best Friend I vouched for Heather O'Brien 10510
Phil Sadow 43, Male Berkeley, California United States Friends since April 2005 "Met on the Playa" Friendship Type: Best Friend 21
Nico Casias 30, Male Denver, Colorado United States Friends since February 2006 "Penny Lane is my ears and in my heart!" Friendship Type: Good Friend I vouched for Heather O'Brien
DANI! 35, Female Toronto, Ontario Canada Friends since August 2005 "I've spent good quality time with Heather. We are part of the same family and I'm happy we are part of each others world." Friendship Type: Close Friend I vouched for Heather O'Brien 43
I'm currently on a CouchSurfing video production tour. We're making videos for the CS site to help educate members about safety, surfing, hosting and events. Check out this news article:
http://www.couchsurfing.org/news/article/155
We need your help! Do you want to be a part of a video? Read my Couch Info and let me know!
Je suis la Terroriste Zen. I believe this present moment is all we really have, so we’d better make the most of it! I’m a seeker and adventurer and explorer. My main job is working for Love—being an example of its unconditional power to lift us all up. I’m building a lifestyle empire. I'm a freak, a freestyler, a singing telegram, MC and party performer. I'm crafty, meaning that I'm unusually good at taking advantage of the advantageous situations I often find myself in (like traveling for 6 months or always managing to be on the guest list); also, I like making things, whether it's a new outfit, a new song on the spot, a gift for a friend, or some crazy art piece to take to our company picnic in the desert (Burning Man).
I’m active. I’ve run a couple of marathons, but I would much rather hike these days. I love anything outdoorsy and especially stuff I haven’t done yet.
How I Participate in CS
I work on media projects, (What's that? You want to make a CS documentary? Awesome! Let's talk!) and help navigate the course of CS's trip around the sun each year. I give big hugs and big ups to all the amazing volunteers who make this lil' ol' network my favorite corner of the web, and the planet.
CouchSurfing Experience
An "experience" is something that can be filed away in a notebook, or captured on film and pasted into an album. 'Experiencing' is the feeling of wonder itself, the thrill of communion, the gentle touch of our connectedness to all that surrounds us. I've experienced some of the best adventures ever with CouchSurfing. I've wandered and wondered in California, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Mexico, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Guatemala, The Caribbean, China...
Next I'm off to... meet you?
Interests
Freestylin', smilin', beguilin', whilin' away my time and ryhmin' shinin' like a diamond... BURNING MAN!! stretching time out till it's longer, play!, dressing up/getting down, theatre, improv, film, art, music, travel, hosting travelers, rock climbing, running, yoga, candy, dancing, NPR, "This American Life," newness, clothing, shoes, making amazing outfits and costumes, laughing, crying... living the big life
Philosophy
A note about what it means to be "Shameless": Contrary to what the initial impression of shamelessness might be, for me it's not about being sexy or a vixen (though I don't deny that part of me), nor about acting unethically or being immoral. It's more about leading a life free of shame.Shame is lame! Shame holds us back from being our most vibrant, amazing selves. Be unabashed about being wonderful! You don’t help people by playing small. I believe in acting with principles--I don't do things I ought to be ashamed of. I'm living the life I want and I believe in myself and my actions. I have a good dose of humility, too. I'm not perfect and I'm always trying to learn more so I can be better. Life is too short to be feeling bad about ourselves! I know I'm doing the best I can with what I know. When I know better, I do better. Shamelessly.
Music, Movies, Books
love, love, love: Freestylin' with Breakbeat DJs (freestyle is improv--I like to make up songs in the moment). Love to dance so music in that vein--breaks, bootie mash-up, and the poetry and heart of music, like Ani Difranco and Liz Phair and Mazzy Starr... oh jeez.. this is a tough category, cause my heart is full of appreciation for so many masters of art. Also Hitchcock, PT Anderson, Coen Bros. movies, any book by
David Sedaris, Tom Robbins, John Irving, the classics and so many others...
Types of People I enjoy
I love smart people. Teach me something!
I love those who know the fine art of responsible hedonism. You can get it on, have a ridiculously fantastic time and keep your head about you.
I'm also particularly drawn to people who are doing their inner-personal work, yo. Look deeper.
Teach, Learn, Share
I'm an improvisation teacher, I can teach you some mad skills to apply not only to performance, but also to life. I have done a lot of work in spiritual healing and have some techniques I employ that I'm happy to share. I know how to sew like a mo'fo' and can give some tips. I have a million costumes and can help you turn your stuff up a notch. I know a thing or two about running and training for races.
One Amazing Thing I've Seen or Done
For the summer solstice with no setting of the sun, I drove with CS founder, Casey Fenton, up the Dalton Highway in Alaska, a crazy, tumultuous dirt and gravel road following the pipeline for 500 miles, through mountains, tundra, forest fires, and all kinds crazy terrain all to the end of the line. We took a "secure" tour with an Oil Company guard to the Arctic Ocean, stripped down and plunged ourselves into the freezing water. Woah.
Opinion on the CouchSurfing.org Project
CouchSurfing is not only a cool way to stay, but it is a revolutionary tool in social evolution! Woo-hoo!
This summary is not a replacement for reading references; it's a quick summary to help you get started. At a glance, you can see how many references a member has, and how many of them are positive, neutral, and negative.
In the second line, you'll see how many references came from people who hosted this member, surfed with them, and traveled with them. These numbers won't always add up to the total: some references are not categorized, and some may be categorized as more than one thing.
When viewing this summary, don't jump to conclusions! Things that are negative for one person may be positive for another, and vice versa. It's important to read references carefully and evaluate what that information means to you.
Heater,Quin of CS,brought a wonderful atmosphere,a great positive energy to İstanbul in 2011.She organized a wonderful home party and joined some events in İstanbul.It was a privillage for me to meet her,I hope she will come İstanbul again.Thanks Heater.
From Sean Conrad San Francisco, United States Jan 27
Positive
heather is one of the most welcoming and open people i have ever worked with - i value her input on the work we do, and love to hear stories of the things she's done!
oh.....she breathes out fun!!, had a brilliant time with her on the CS video shoot.she has good taste i must say...baby girl that cottage i loved it. you gotta fill me on the details.she is an awesome dancer especially on the remix video or HOLIDAY by madonna. oh i could go on and on and on about her, you need to meet her, wether you are off or infront of the camera with her. i had fun!!!
She is one of the best friends who i have met in Cs community. I met Heather Nov 2011 at her Home party in Istanbul. She is very nice and generous. Hope to meet her again. Maybe in SF.
When I met her in company of other CSers in the Nairobi gathering, one thing clicked my heart;-Heather is such a real asset to the C.S fraternity! Though could not meet up again as planned due to a busy work schedule, I won't hesitate hosting or surfing with her anytime... Highly recommend her..
We met at the Marble Arch Hotel in Nairobi as she was planning for a couchsurfing video in nairobi.It was fun meeting with other CS members from Nairobi.
We met on the CS meeting for the CS video through Sebastian.... she is all about singing rapping freestyle her iPod sounds like mine.. lots of 90's yeah babe!!!! Cypress Hill... Shameless girl hope to see you again.. someday..
PD: Thanx for doing what you r doing for CouchSurfing.. making it better is making a better world for all of us.. ;)
We met each other at a houseparty...
They say that you can not see energy, but I saw it for the first time on this girl!
She was singing, talking and laughing with an energy wave around herself, which was fascinating! It was so glad to meet her. I am sure she will be with us in Istanbul soon ;) kisses Princess *
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Family Welcome Group
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