CURRENT MISSION

quit being so serious!

ABOUT ME

I haven't figured out which one of these I am:

(Article in German newspaper about "Couchsurfing Types")
http://jetzt.sueddeutsche.de/texte/anzeigen/497561/1/1#texttitel

I love languages, travel, meeting people more than seeing sights. I´m a literature major with a broad background. I think art/literature is the best way to study both the world and human nature besides direct experience (the Buddha´s favorite), we too quickly intellectualize and rationalize things from our religion of ´science.´

Where ever I go, there is home. I've gone from corporate work to more creative work, building a business which will probably allow me to keep working as I travel. As a journalist I try to write and film pieces with multiple perspectives, including those with which I disagree. I believe respecting differences is essential, and can involve conflict in the process of learning. I think most violence to the spirit is done casually and with the best of intentions, so I try to be mindful and conscious of what I say and do. That makes me a slowpoke writer, though! I am also a software engineer of 30 years, been on the Internet and its precursors longer than that! (I started young)

PHILOSOPHY

I live to do what I can, but not to worry about outcome, I can't predict it anyway. To try to gain wisdom by being aware and honest. To be ready for what's next, and thankful for the opportunity to be in the now. And to become more aware of the beauty of the material world, even as I expand in the spiritual world as well - it's all connected, of course, we all are. Sometimes that can be a disturbing thought! While I have strong feelings and opinions, I recognize that as Native Americans have said, humility opens the path to Spirit. Arrogance is such a human temptation, with rationalization alongside it. If I have to justify what I do, I know to question it.

Por que estou no Couchsurfing?

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've only recently found the community, but I've been an "unofficial" couch surfer for decades, often returning years later, and hosting when I can. I keep tabs on groups around the world for future return visits. I contribute ideas and heart!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been surfing my friend Ted's couch in Frankfurt, Germany for decades! He's visited as well, and I have had acquaintances from Tokyo, visited other German friends, and even just strange West Coast folks. Of course, now I am in Denver, not Boston, so I can't say that anymore. There is a Mark Twain quote about travelers being the only sensible people, it's totally true. My ´couch surfing´ community is mostly beyond the confines of CS, but I look forward to CS-surfing as well.

Interesses

Experiences, sharing them through images and words. Writing and talking about different ways to see things. Verbal jam sessions. Hiking and citywalking. Breaking through the trance. Music of all kinds, making it too! Creating. Buddhism as a personal practice. Culture jamming. Non-hierarchical organizations. Taming my ego like a pet.

• pets
• arts
• culture
• writing
• literature
• beauty
• cooking
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• hiking
• surfing
• buddhist
• business
• engineering
• journalism
• languages
• religion
• software

Músicas, Filmes e Livros

My favorite author has been Janwillem van de Wetering for a long time. Books I can reread the way some people watch old movies. Movies, my favorites are usually funny, but some make me cry in a wonderful way, like an odd Peter O'Toole movie, "Creator." Music is all over the map, returning to classical over and over. PDQ Bach, also, ridiculous and inspiring. Poetry, too, I love to get lost in the levels of meaning and just letting it wash over me as well.

Uma Coisa Incrível que Eu Fiz

Drove the the top of Mt. Haleakala in Hawaii - didn't see a darned thing, it was socked in, cloudy, the vast crater invisible. But man, did I feel connected to the earth that could spew out of there, and the sky, at 10,000 feet. I wish I had joined the folks bicycling down, though!

Ensine, Aprenda, Compartilhe

I want to learn new perspectives on life, new ways of perceiving. Also to share cooking! I once had a fantastic experience in Germany where people from all over Europe were in the kitchen together, cooking. Small kitchen, too! I want to share faith, that is, the belief that what people do is worthwhile, no matter what it is. You don't have to know the purpose to believe in it. It is the root of adventure!

The biggest thing I can share is that if you think you know something, you stop learning in that area.