CURRENT MISSION

To help people experience living life and to stay safe during the 2015 forest fire season

ABOUT ME

Sorry I can't host at the moment, I am up north fighting forest fires. If you happen to be going through Sioux Lookout, let me know. I can't change my location as it's locked because I'm a verified member.

I love travelling, I guess you all do as well or you wouldn't be a member of this organization. I enjoy meeting people, seeing new things, talking with people, the beach, riding motorcycles and spend time outdoors.

I referee Ice Hockey and Inline hockey.

I travel as much as my bank account allows.

I have travelled extensively in SE Asia and have lived/worked in Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, China, Alaska and Canada. I am happy to offer tips or suggestions on any of the above.

I have lived/worked in 6 countries and I hope this is just the start of a lifetime of country hopping!

I have worked in a variety of jobs throughout my life, I've worked as a teacher, forest fire fighter, wilderness guide, field biologist, sports administrator, hockey coach, business manager, construction worker, I could go on but I think this is enough.

PHILOSOPHY

If I were to die tomorrow:

- I would be happy with how I lived my life

- I would be happy with the things I did with my life

- I would be happy with the things I did in my life

- I would be happy with the contributions I made to this world

- I would be confident that the people I Love/care about know how much I Love /care about them, how important they were to me, and how much their Love/friendship meant to me

- I would like to be content with the impact I had on others and the Earth

- I would like to know I did my best

- I would like to be at Peace

Life is the sum total of the decisions we make.

The ideals we pursue determine who we are and what we will become.

It's all about RESPECT. Respect for our fellow human beings, respect for the planet, respect for everything and everyone. If more people showed more respect the world would be a much better place and people would be much happier. Do your part and RESPECT.

Live each day to the fullest.
Take time to enjoy life.
Treat everyone as best you can.
Take time to learn a thing or two about everyone you interact with (like the security guy at your office or the server at your local breakfast place).
Smile at people.
Offer your seat on public transport to people who need it more than you.
Sun sets are amazing.
The beach is my happy place.
Street performers are trying to make a living, if you enjoy what you see toss them a bit of cash; these people make the world a better place.
Do NOT talk loud on your mobile phone in public……yes this means YOU.
Do your best to leave the world in better shape than you found it in when you arrived. (This includes leaving each person with whom you interact better than when you found him/her).

Life is NOT about discovering yourself....Life is about creating yourself. Make life what you want it to be and do not settle for less. You CAN create your own destiny!

Donate Blood and be an organ donor (this is serious...think how happy people are when you give them a nice, small, thoughtful gift. Now, imagine how happy that person would be if you saved his/her life or the life of someone that person holds dearly)

Take time to enjoy the small things in life, to go slow, and to realize it's not worth rushing around all the time.

Think of all the hours you spend watching TV. Now, think of all the living you could do in that same amount of time.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I host as often as I can!

I am always happy to meet up for drinks/meals or offer advice on any of the places I've lived or visited.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

As I have lived in several places people like to visit, I’ve played host to many guests over the years. I also attend CS functions as often as I can.

I have yet to attend a Couch Crash event but I am very much looking forward to my first one. If anyone knows of any upcoming Couch Crashes please let me know. I have a 7-seater and would be happy to take people along with me.

Interests

Travel, motorbikes, SCUBA, the beach, fire fighting, anything outdoors (camping, canoeing), cooking, watching the sun set, watching the starts, sitting by a fire. Did I mention travel?

I'm just learning to surf and have my beginner paragliding license so if you are into either of these sports and want to enjoy them together that would be great. If you could help me learn more about either of these that would be excellent.

• birds
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• breakfast
• coach
• drinking
• clubbing
• motorcycles
• boating
• tv
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• live music
• jazz
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• canoeing
• camping
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sports
• hockey
• paragliding
• swimming
• biology
• business
• teaching
• mathematics
• science
• tourism
• hitchhiking
• solo travel
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Book: The Count of Monte Cristo, Around the World in Eighty Days

Movie: Black Cat, White Cat. Brave Heart. Withnail and I.

Music: Jazz, Rock, World, Folk, almost anything live, almost anything. I would have liked to get to Burning Man a few years ago but I'll have to settle for the new version. I can't wait to experience Tomorrowland with my wife. Despite getting up there in age I still like to get out and enjoy live DJs. My favourite venue was a small club in Hong Kong that had very good DJ spinning Sunday afternoons (often after doing shows the night before), the place was not pretensions at all, I would often show up in board shorts, flip flops, and a t-shit (after a day on the beach) and dance till I could dance no more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Done: Married the most amazing woman in the world! Solo motorbike SE Asia for several months. Buy an old boat with some complete strangers and paddled through Laos till we sank it. Hitchhiked Laos, most of Canada and various other places in the world (hitchhiking is an amazing opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people). Fight a forest fire. Spent 10 years living and travelling aboard. Spent most of 2.5 years in a state of continuous travel. Bathed in the Ganga. Hung out with the people who take care of cremations in Varanasi. Live Life.

While solo travelling around SE Asia by motorbike, my bike broke down in a very remote part of Vietnam. I had no hope of fixing it before nightfall. A local, with whom I could not speak a common language, took me in for the night. The whole family and I shared two beds. The next day there was a terrific celebration in the village and I was invited as a guest!

Seen: The first time the Taj Mahal came into view as I approached by motorcycle, Sun set at the Taj Mahal, sun rise over the Temples at Angkor, mist rising out of the rain forest from my outdoor laboratory in the heart of the jungle, a whale sharks swimming into visibility from the depths and darkness of the ocean, remote parts of various countries before westernization took its hold, the Northern Lights while laying on a dock with my wife, stars on a clear night when in places so remote that there is no lite pollution, the madness of a forest while approaching at low-level in a helicopter, a forest fire from the ground while fighting it, lightning storms rolling while watching from a hill overlooking Lake Huron, people bathing in the Ganga (Ganges River), the chaos of Varanasi, eating breakfast in the heart of the jungle while surrounded by primates, birds and other amazing sights of the rainforest, the Pushkar Camel Fair.

Teach, Learn, Share

I’m happy to help you learn to skate (ice or inline). I also work as a Math, Science, English teacher so can help you there.

I am also handy with a chainsaw and in the bush so any bush craft questions I can try to help you with.

If you can help me learn more about surfing that would be great as I'm learning now.

I have my beginner paragliding license and am keen to learn more.

I love cooking and we can teach/learn from each other about dishes from places we've been.

I am trying to learn guitar and the bagpipes.

I'm trying to learn to speak Thai better.

Any help with any/all of the above would very much appreciate.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love to cook. I've lived and visited many places in the world and love food from around the world. If you would like to try something, let me know.

I am a huge fan of live music. I enjoy everything from dancing to amazing D.J.s at huge outdoor venues to chilling in jazz clubs and most everything in-between. If you are looking for someone to catch some music with, I'm your guy.

I have travelled extensively throughout South East Asian, mostly solo, by motorcycle. I am most happy to offer advice on travel and living in any of the places I've visited and/or lived.

I am up for almost anything, if you want someone to do something with, I'm probably most happy to tag along.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Japan, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, United States

• 

•