CURRENT MISSION

Live and learn.

ABOUT ME

I dunno about "all" about me, but here are a few tidbits:

- I was, once upon a time, a halfway decent runner. I'm working on making it back to that point and then some.
- I like being outside. I know there are certainly people who are more outdoorsy than I, but I'd like to think that I score in the 50th percentile at least.
- I enjoy music. I still can geek out over a DCI show. I like harmonizing on songs.
- I grew up less than an hour from Washington DC yet can probably still count the number of times I actually visited there on my fingers. Cities aren't really my thing; I'd rather go count the stars.
- Currently I live in the outer northwest suburbs of Chicago. My position has me traveling a lot (so much for my carbon footprint...).
- Someday I think I'd like to know what I'm gonna do with my life. Until then I'll putz around wherever it feels right.
- I really like spaghetti.

PHILOSOPHY

I recently got an e-mail from a friend who has one of those signature quote things at the bottom of every message that clicked with me. I don't know who said it but it goes something like this:

"Everyday we need to wake up and say to ourselves, 'Today, in my own crazy sort of way, I'm going to make the world a better place.'"

Basically, I try to live in reality but boy is it fun to dream and imagine the possibilities of what we can do individually and together.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I can't afford (time and money) to travel much for personal trips right now. I live in an intentional community house with some of my co-workers and don't have my own car (but we do have a 12-passenger house van). I'm not all that mobile if I can't run or walk there. Visitors are welcome, though. Maybe you could stop by for supper, grab a cup of coffee (or tea), or swing through for a walk/run.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Most of my couch surfing has been with folks I already know though occasionally it ends up being at a friend's friend's place or something like that. Good times were had regardless.

Interests

Running
Hiking
Traveling
Peace
Eating
Window shopping
Cooking
Conservation
"Fiber Arts" (knitting/crocheting)
Music
Photography
Learning

• arts
• writing
• photography
• dancing
• cooking
• coffee
• desserts
• baking
• running
• shopping
• traveling
• crochet
• knitting
• music
• piano
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• surfing
• law
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Van Wilder, The Emperor's New Groove, The Mission, Man of the Year, Pitch Perfect

Music: Nickel Creek and Wailin' Jennys are just about always a win. Some good Baroque choir music can really hit the spot, too.

Books: Dave Barry is a good read. I've lately become a fan of the food chain/industry books. Omnivore's Dilemma was a very good read. Books are also good for propping up video projectors.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Dec. 1, 2007

For the first time in maybe a trillion years it was warm enough to rain in December in Alamosa, CO. My housemate and I decided mid-way through the afternoon after the rain stopped to go check out Zapata Falls partway up the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. We arrived at the parking lot and it began to snow. It was late enough in the day that basically everybody else had left and there was a near-tangible stillness even with the wind whipping by. It was one of those moments where we could almost believe that we were the only two people in the world. As the swirling snowflakes danced around us there was an energy in the air I'd never felt before. All we could do was dance. It may not sound spectacular to tell, but to experience it... certainly amazing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy discussing what leads people to give of their time for salaried and non-salaried ventures. A good long conversation of processing what you and/or I have done in recent journeys is always good, too.

I do enjoy running; I'm working to get back into some sort of decent racing form these days. I like to talk running and swap stories and if you aren't too hardcore, I'd love to head out for a few miles in the neighborhood. If you are hardcore, go easy on me, please. If you're thinking, "Man, he sounds hardcore...", don't worry; I'm not.

I enjoy cooking even if it isn't always a successful venture. Cooking with friends can be even more fun. Most of my original culinary skills came from being a camp counselor and cooking outdoors. That said, I make a mean Ring-tum-ditty.

I knit and crochet. I'm not going pro anytime soon, but I know the basics. I can try to teach you if you have the patience and don't mind making stuff like potholders, scarves, or hats.

I have a few recorders like the one you probably had in third grade. They're fun to play on. I can play with my nose. Don't worry, I'll clean it first if you want to use it. There's a piano downstairs if you wanna drop a few notes. I can play some but trust me, it's nothing worth writing home about.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I oftentimes have the aforementioned recorders with me for comic relief or legit music. I don't mind cooking or baking desserts. Washing dishes is fine by me, too. A backrub might be an option as long as neither of us is picking up on too high of a creeper vibe. Lately I've been told that I tell some really good stories from things I've seen or done in the past. If I can get on a roll, they tend to be decent, I reckon.