CURRENT MISSION

Do the things I love, make new friends, and coach others to lives they love.

ABOUT ME

Born and raised on a fifth generation family farm between Baltimore Maryland and Washington DC. Lived in a wonderful commune as a high school student and hitchhiked around the country after. Put myself through college in Philadelphia and Baltimore as a massage therapist. Spent most of my career in the hotel business, most recently focused on sales, marketing and Internet distribution. Developed my own bed & breakfast and retreat center near York, PA from 12/05 to 11/09 - visit DestroyedByYorkTownship.com to learn the story. I am an avid photographer, enthusuastic personal coach, make helmet stickers and magnets with over 600 slogans. My greatest joy is interacting with and getting to know all kinds of people. I have traveled to England, France, Mexico, Canada, Greece and 39 states in the United States.

PHILOSOPHY

I tend to fall somewhere between moderate and liberal. Socially more liberal, fiscally a bit more to the right. I strive to meet people where they are and understand their culture, beliefs. I respect peoples right to believe as they wish and strive to extract the best from all religions. Values and integrity are far more important to me than dogma. I strive not to discriminate on any basis and appreciate the same in return. Open-minded...still a bit of a hippy at heart.
Currently in school studying to be a certified life coach.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

During my hotel career I traveled extensively for business and pleasure. Have stayed and had a number of people visit me based on shared interests over the years - photography/massage/politics etc. Hosted many travelers at my bed and breakfast. I welcome guests at my home and am often looking for a place to stay in the Bradenton/Sarasota Florida area - I have friends and family there....among other places.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

As a teenager I traveled every chance I got. No formal couch surfing at that time but I always seemed to land with nice people. At 16 in New York City I met someone that has become a life-long friend. I met two older women in New Mexico that gave me a place to stay and introduced me to Rebirthing. I was invited to stay in a very elegant house in Seattle with ferns and palm trees everywhere. I recently worked on a photo documentary comparing hitchhiking in the 70's to cyberhiking in the next century. A young man from Belgium that I interviewed and photographed to compare and contrast hitchhiking in the 60's and 70's with "cyber travel" over the past decade...told me about couchsurfers.org.

Interests

I am keenly interested in learning and understanding peoples views on just about any subject. I enjoy discussing peoples life experiences, politics, religion, families...just about everything. I love "rockstar photography", taking 100's of photos while engaged in conversation in a variety of settings to arrive at a few shots that truly capture a person's personality. Love to travel. Put myself through college as a massage therapist and still like to trade massages.

• culture
• photography
• documentaries
• breakfast
• coach
• politics
• traveling
• socializing
• surfing
• business
• law
• religion
• hitchhiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Typically much more interested in non-fiction and documentaries and love an occasional movie for fun. Love many kinds of music; Techno, dance, jazz, classical, some country and more. Very interested in mind-body connection, mind mapping and related topics. Like auctions, flea markets, museums, consignment shops, and coffee shops.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I left home as a teenager to escape religious fundamentalism and lived in a wonderful, healthy, personal growth oriented collective/commune. Co-led the effort in Howard County Maryland to get the first "county" gay rights law passed in the United States. Realized a life-long dream to create a bed & breakfast and retreat center that would form the canvas for people to make their lives more fulfilling. Even though it was short lived...for now...it actually happened. visit distroyedbyyorktownship.com for details. Since the b&b I have had an opportunity to see the world...not from an ivory tower...but from the perspective of a person without substantial resources. I have met and become friends with folks that I would probably never encountered in my past life. And...I am as happy as I have ever been.

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy meeting all kinds of people. I especially like those that enjoy sharing and learning from others without judgement. There are very few subjects that are off-limits for a good respectful debate. I respect other peoples choices and boundrys. I have learned a great deal about life by meeting and getting to know people along my travels...and have developed some wonderful friendships. I believe: Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone - this life is a journey not a destination.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Anything to do with my life and travels. Love hearing peoples stories and learning about their journey.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, Greece, Mexico