To have fun, meet interesting people and learn to cook their food!

I'm a laid back kind of guy. When I first meet people I'm a bit quiet. It's not so much from being shy as it is from learning how I'll fit in. I prefer to watch the dynamic of a group for a little bit before I jump in with both feet (not always true). If it's a small group it doesn't take me long to warm up to people but large groups if I don't know anyone I'll stay out of the way for the most part and wander around until someone starts talking to me. If I've met you once I consider you a friend, but not always a confidant. Although I will tell you my life story by accident.

I do have a crazy sense of humor and occasionally find humor in things others don't. I am a little rough but only on those who know me fairly well. I am a pet lover and a happy dog owner. I love traveling with my dog but I don't do it very often because she's getting on in years.

PHILOSOPHY

Love unconditionally no matter the circumstances, forgive at all times, be up front, be real, speak none but the truth, and live life like you won't wake up tomorrow.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am up for anything, and am willing to go out of my way to do it. I want to meet new people and it doesn't matter how many people I meet, I want to meet more. I love hearing a person's story. Each of us have one and each time we talk to one another we learn just a bit more about humanity as a whole. We have all faced down dark times and we have all enjoyed the brighter moments of life. And sharing these events in our lives brings us all closer together. Learning about a person, knowing their story, gives us room to connect both intellectually and emotionally and that's what life is about, connecting with others to make our lives full.

Interests

I love hiking and exploring new areas. I am also into Geocaching. So if I'm going some place new I normally like to find one or two caches before I leave the area. I am always up for trying new things. I especially relish trying new foods. I'm very big into cultural foods and prefer to get them as authentic as possible. I am at home in a kitchen, and I take joy in cooking for other people. To see someone truly enjoy a food I've prepared is a sense of satisfaction that can't be beat.

• pets
• dogs
• dining
• cooking
• walking
• traveling
• socializing
• hiking
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

I am extremely musically inclined, everything in my life revolves around music in some way. Unfortunately I am not musically talented. I can bang on the drums some but I'm not that good. When it comes to listening to music, I listen to everything from rap to christian rock. I love all of it and it's not uncommon for my mp3 player to switch from bluegrass to an opera piece and go on to heavy metal. I am also a big fan of live music, any kind, it doesn't matter.

I am a voracious reader. If I can get my hands on it I'll read it. I have a bad habit of not being able to put down even a bad book. I am particular to reading fiction, dragons, wizards and the like. I love that kind of stuff set in modern day times.

One of my favorite pastimes is going through art galleries of little known and unknown artists. I love seeing the way new people perceive life and one of the best ways to do that is in any type of art form.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One amazing thing I was a part of for almost a year was a group of open minded individuals who met on a regular night once a week to discuss our varying religions. In this group we had a couple of Christians from different doctrines (one a priest), a Buddhist, a Jewish Rabbi, a Druid Priest, two Wiccans, a Muslim, an agnostic, and a few people who were searching for something. One of the most amazing things was that we could share and discuss the differences and commonalities between our beliefs without any type of animosity or argument between us. This, more than anything in my life, has shaped a lot of my attitude towards others, and opened an unquenchable desire to learn about how others view the world. (A big part of the reason I am here.)

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to learn.

It doesn't really matter what I'm learning, almost anything will hold my interest. I have been known to hold conversations ranging from particle and astrophysics to to the merits of skinny jeans and my plans for the zombie apocalypse. I can be serious when required and as frivolous as anyone. As for teaching I cannot say I am an expert on anything but I do love to share what I know. I have been told on innumerable occasions, and definitely take it as a compliment, that I am a walking encyclopedia of useless information, and sometimes not so useless.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I cannot say what I can do as a guest other than attempt, in some small way, to brighten the lives of those around me. I am, however, always up for a good conversation.

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Qatar, Spain, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Iraq, United States