CURRENT MISSION

Ending this dissertation and becoming a human being again; eating oatmeal

ABOUT ME

I grew up in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. In 2002, I graduated from college after three years there and took a full ride to law school. For two years after graduation, I practiced law, working for the state government. That job left me feeling bad at the end of the day because I felt like I was screwing people over on a regular basis, and that wasn't what I went into law to do. I looked for other jobs and also applied around for some doctoral program fellowships in American history, which I always got a kick out of. At about the same time in the spring of 2007, I got offered both a new job and a spot in a doctoral program. I tried the job, but the history program was too tempting, and in the fall I went into the doctoral program. Now it's down to the dissertation.

I don't smoke or do drugs, and I drink socially but not to excess. I'm straight and unmarried but clean, travel fairly lightly, and won't make a mess or get in your way.

PHILOSOPHY

Give it your best try

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Been either traveling or working a temp job as a lawyer with very long hours since early February. I'm planning on hosting people when I get back home to Philly and get my act together.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My experience is limited thus far to searching other people's couches. I used to host prospective students a lot in college, if that counts.
In Missouri, someone who heard where I come from pointed out a tv show that made Philly look like Sarajevo circa 1995. It's not that bad; you'll like it. But you've got to know where you're going in town before you start out, because the signage stinks on ice.
Also, the Jersey Shore doesn't really have anything to do with what was depicted on that show. At least not the part of the shore that's in South Jersey.

Interests

Going out and having a good time when any chance to do so arise, running and swimming, and the price of apples.

• running
• drinking
• tv
• traveling
• swimming
• history
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

Pink Panther movies (the Peter Sellers ones), and other movies that look like they took more than a night or two to write; Paddy Chayefsky, old Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock, Coen brothers, Kevin Smith; all kinds of music with a slight preference for '90s-type rock; in the event I wind up reading a lot of history, but I've also come to enjoy many old writers-- American ones, especially-- who seemed like such a pain in the ass in high school lit. Especially Emerson and Thoreau, and English-language poets from back when they still bothered with rhyme and structure.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Grand Canyon
View of Prague from tower of St. Vitas's Cathedral
The bottom of a 747 about 30 feet directly above on a still summer day, seen from on my back on the ramparts of Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia, at the end of the runway of the airport's International Terminal.

Teach, Learn, Share

"objects in mirror are closer than they appear"
"there is water at the bottom of the ocean"

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States