General Information
| GmU has been vouched for | | VERIFIED MEMBER (1) more info | | Couch available | Definitely! |
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| CouchSurf requests replied to | 100% |
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| member since | February 28th, 2006 |
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| profile views | 14033 |
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| age | 35 |
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| gender | Male |
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| membername | GmU |
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| occupation | Works with homeless youth, saving the world one kid at a time. |
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| education | Life, man, life! |
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| grew up in | Urodzony w Krakowie. Ani Polak niż Kanadyjczyk. Polczyk? |
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| ethnicity | Ethnicity? Yes. He also has a black, black heart! |
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| Direct Profile URL |
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Languages- EnglishIntermediate
- PolishIntermediate
- SpanishBeginner
- GermanBeginner
- FrenchBeginner
Groups I Belong ToCouch Information
Couch Available: Definitely!
Preferred Gender: Any
Max Surfers Per Night: 27
The COUCH is OPEN
For the time being, that is. I've been over-inundated with requests, and I've a domestic situation that's left things all fucked up but feel free to write me and we'll make sure to hook you up. If you've read this far, you'll know to actually use my name (Greg) in your CouchRequest. Feel free to refer to a personal detail, too; it will make all the difference. Otherwise, I'll consider it with all the other freeloading yearns. And that will not help your chances... Furthermore, if I'm having a bad day, I will reply with a curt "Fuck you", though I will try to use your name instead of just "Freeloader".
 John Turturro—CouchSurfing membername: The Jesús—missed out on the Back Bowling Alley Festival—with some excuse about not finding "The Couch"—but vows to take in some random future local event.
You, too, can be a Calgary Couching Scenester: Start by clocking the Calgary Group. Membership is highly coveted, therefore limited, so get in there before some damn immigrant takes your spot!
* * * * * * * * * * *
 Fast Forward, Calgary's News and Entertainment Weekly, offers an abbreviated Winter Guide, in addition to its regular dose of goodnessness. It's published freely every Thursday; available for free. Ask the cool kids where to snag yourself a copy.
While you're "in" with the youngins, ask 'em where to u-pick an issue of the BeatRoute—also a free treat—highlighting Calgary's Indie Arts and Entertainment, monthly.
Couch Location
For Canadian travellers (or those in the know), I live in Calgary's next-best/worst version of Winnipeg's North End or Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Although "Forest Heights" sounds lovely, really, it isn't. It's a residential neighbourhood within walking distance to...more walking. No restaurants, no bookstores, no shops. No problem.
Calgary, 1996 by K80
Couch Description
I live with my younger brother or, rather, he lives with me. A...umm...friendly, though potentially psychotic...cat lives in the house, too—don't make any eye contact and you should be all right. I repeat: DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT (this IS NOT a joke). At least until he begins to attend his sessions with the pet psychologist (this IS a joke).
There's lots of floorspace should the couch strike you as too comfortable. Given the flurry of couching activity this summer, I may set up a bed/futon (a buton?) in the spare room where you will be free to stare at the smoke-stained walls and curse The Cat for incessantly scratching at the door. Don't worry about packing a sleeping bag or towels. Or toilet paper, I have toilet paper! But do remember to pack your toothbrush and do not use my razor—I shave my back with it. Every Sunday.
Couch Transportation
 Taxis in the city are expensive (airport to Couch is $30). Buses ($2.50) will get you downtown in 20 or 60 minutes; the LRT (also $2.50) is in a sorry state but may take you to where you want to go. Otherwise, I may be able to arrange a ride, or a piggyback.
Couch Requests
Smoking kills, so I prefer you do it outside as my neighbour's an ass. While smoking, drape yourself over his fence for maximum effect but be sure to say, "Hello," as you are, no doubt, a polite and civilised coucher on a CouchSurfing Mission upon this Great Big Ball of Dirt.
NO ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS. Please! (The Cat is a recovering drug addict. And alcoholic. I have a feeling, too, that he'd be gambling nightly at the casinos if he had any money. Or some fake ID.)
I do welcome your requests as well, as the rumour is that I can be quite accomodating and flexible if you catch me in the right mood. Just don't ask for anything right now. Right now I'm in a terrible mood! I'm looking for a fight. D'you wanna go? Eh? Do ya?! Hmm...this may be a good time for me to...just...breathe... And read up on some CouchSurfing Tips. I can always use more tips.
Beyond the Couch
I work a lot so it's best if you have an itinerary of your own. Interesting sights and activities around the city will obviously depend on your tastes. However, Calgary was, indeed, the site of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games so you can luge the Olympic Park and skate the Olympic Oval. Then, once you visit the Glenbow Museum, you'll have plenty of time left in the day to drive to Canmore or Banff. Or maybe catch a two-hour flight to Vancouver—now that is where it's at! "Van, baby, Van!"
Many people will recommend that you come in July for the Stampede. These people may be delusional or drunk, or both: DO NOT TRUST THEM. Thank them politely (as they'll be drunk and you don't want to anger them) for their time and casually (as they'll be delusional and you don't want set them off) walk away before breaking into a sprint. Instead, wait a couple of weeks for the Folk Festival. You will love the Folk Fest—love it! For those of you who do not love it, I will offer you a stay on my couch. For free! (Toilet paper will be ten cents a sheet but don't worry, it'll be two-ply.) Or arrive earlier in June for Carifest, Canada's second-largest Caribbean festival, or later in August for GlobalFest. It's no Folklorama but, hey, Calgary is no Winnipeg!
 For all-season attractions, I would also recommend a visit to the Drop-In Centre for a tour of Alberta's "gift" to the homeless population. Or a visit to Mount Royal to see how the other "half" lives and to roll around on luscious, delicately manicured lawns. Just you try and find a couch to surf in that neighbourhood...go ahead, I dare ya!
And then, of course, there is the Calgary Tower. Five hundred thousand—500,000!—visitors per year can't be wrong, can they? Can they?! I imagine most of them would also suggest a walk downtown to admire the "trees" on Stephen (8th) Avenue. Concrete and steel monstrosity at its finest!
Finally, did I mention the 1988—1988!—Winter Olympics? Yes, I know I did (just seeing if you were paying attention), but I will again: millions and millions of people all over the world enjoyed that incredible spectacle of seasonal athletics. At least four of them were black.
Contact Method: CS has a "CouchSurf With GmU/Greg Yu!" button, no? Yes, it does. And I'm obsessed with e-mail! It's quite sick, really. Please help me...puh-leeease! Friends (115)
 Kate L.
0, Female
San Antonio de Ibarra, Imbabura
Ecuador
Friends since July 2003
""Met on the job trying to salvage the damaged lives of child welfare kids - Was impressed with his style, his strong ethical convictions and his ability to build amazing rapport with even the most resistant kid. Couldn't have a better friend!""
Friendship Type: 6 - Close Friend
I vouched for GmU
  30+  9 |
 Marieluise Röttger
22, Female
Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate
Germany
Friends since February 2007
"it was such a cold day and we went out for a coffee"
Friendship Type: 7 - Best Friend
I vouched for GmU
 30+ |
 Janine Muster
21, Female
Leipzig, Saxony
Germany
Friends since February 2007
"we are addicted to coffe."
Friendship Type: 6 - Close Friend
30+ |
 CROQUE
45, Several people
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Friends since May 2006
"Greg organized the first Calgary CS meeting."
Friendship Type: 5 - Good Friend
I vouched for GmU
|
 Erinn Hale
29, Female
Seattle, Washington
United States
Friends since January 2007
"the man surfed my studio"
Friendship Type: 5 - Good Friend
I vouched for GmU
1 3 |
 Derek Wallace
29, Male
North Hollywood, California
United States
Friends since January 2007
"Met at the 2007 San Francisco Meet-up and platonically fell in love with him"
Friendship Type: 4 - Friend
I vouched for GmU
|
 Mito Yu
28, Male
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Friends since November 2002
"Not allowing me escape, but two or three times taste freedom. Give me food for free and change litter of kitty. Ha, ha! 'Good Friend', he think. Ha, ha!"
Friendship Type: 2 - Acquaintance
30+ 30+ |
 Justin B
26, Male
San Francisco, California
United States
Friends since January 2007
"He chilled for a few days in SF"
Friendship Type: 3 - CouchSurfing Friend
2 |
 Andrea Carrera
27, Female
Coapa, Distrito Federal
Mexico
Friends since 2006
"I met him in Mexico in Chapultepec"
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 Brad Cridland
23, Male
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Friends since May 2006
"Met through CS. Greg has a wicked sense of humor, I love it."
Friendship Type: 3 - CouchSurfing Friend
I vouched for GmU
| | 105 more friends |
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Personal Description
Read the rest of my profile, please. Do it. Do it now! I've buried a personal secret here and there among the inanity that is a web profile. After you finish reading, have a drink of water and fry some rye bread. Call your mom. Maybe take a nap. And don't forget to turn off the stove.
How I Participate in CS2
There's this "CouchSurfing" thing I have going on, here and there. Get this: something about surfing and couches and something, something...
Now, how many bona fide CouchSurfing experiences do I need before I present a list without seeming a dork about it all? And should I divide it according to Couchers' heights, weights, or their volume or length of hair? (You know, just to give this list some heft.) Come on, people, a little help over here!
CouchSurfing Experience
Before CouchSurfing, there was couch-surfing, which was always—always, dammit!—strictly a glamorous experience but only due to addiction, irresponsibility, and poverty. Did I remember "stupidity"? Yeah, that one, too. Especially that one.
In addition to surfing couches, I've had the fortune to surf bathtubs, benches, floors, backyards, patios (thank you, kind souls, you all know who you are), and pavement and bus shelters (thank you, Mayor Susan Thompson of Winnipeg, 1992 to 1998). One day, if I'm lucky, I hope to surf a closet. I also hope that, one day, I'm senile and have the ignorantly blissful freedom to go to the toilet without removing my pants. But then again, don't we all? Don't we all?
InterestsTravelling Duh! A requirement of the CouchSurfing Terms of Use. It's in there somewhere, I'm sure...
Earth The Earth. You know, the planet.
Photography If I can squeeze two decent shots out of a single roll, I'm a happy boy.
Reading Recently, I've adopted a short attention span and can only manage (short) short stories. Sometimes I get through a entire one in one sitting.
Skiing Only in the spring. I'd like it more if it wasn't so damn cold! Or expensive. Or white.
Dancing Two minutes into a Goa trance, vocal trance—any trance, really—track and I'm sweating profusely, hooked for hours.
Sweating Not exactly an "interest" but more of a "reflex".
Sarcasm Apparently comes from late Greek for "tearing of the flesh". Too true, too true.
Interesting Things No doubt!
Eating I'd like to write "Cooking" instead but that would be a lie.
Vegetarianism Because I love animals. Please don't tell me that you do, too: "Mmm...animals." I've heard it before.
Picking at Cuticles Mine or yours, I don't care. I just can't help myself.
Political Debate But only with drunks.
Religious Debate But only with the Pope.
My Motorcycle It rarely fails to quiet the noise in my head.
Hair Metal A guilty, nostalgic pleasure. I'm amazed that make-up and hairspray still find their way onto a club stage. And spandex, can't forget the spandex.
Spandex But only in my underwear, preferably in the single-digit percentile rounding out the cotton.
New Wave See "Hair Metal".
Dead Languages I would like to learn one but then it wouldn't be a dead language, would it?
Water If it's the ocean or bathtub, I'm there. Good for drinking, too,but not from the ocean or bathtub.
SCUBA In Cuba. Well, at least that's the plan.
Hang Gliding Also on my "To Do" list. Introductory lessons are a three-day commitment so I gotta make sure I'm interest...huh? What was I writing about?
Music, Movies, Books Canadian content (Can-Con), as defined by the Government of Canada:
Simply put, it's about Canadian artists and Canadian stories having access to Canadian airwaves.So, in the spirit and duty of a decent, law-abiding Canadian, I offer you these gems of Canadiana:
Heard
Now hear this!
The Be Good Tanyas Like, umm... the littlest birds singing...music to my ears.
Bent Outta Shape Chris Ladd, man! Are you out there?
Bif Naked I like her much better sober than drunk. Her sober, not me. Well, me, too. Maybe I'm just nostalgic; please forgive me if she no longer shreds the stage.
The Blue Meanies Not to be confused with the Blue Meanies, but The New Meanies. Confused?
Bill Bourne Mr Bill Bourne. Not only cool because he wears a top hat but because he has no need for shoes. (It's a MySpace link—sorry!)
Buck 65 Yes, he speaks like Pokey Jones from Highway 61
Crash Vegas "Red Earth" is truly one of those Desert Island albums. Look for it on LimeWire or plead a copy from a friendly, generous Canadian with a decent record collection.
 From Calgary. Yes, this Calgary. You've heard the stories, seen the videos, grooved to Broken Social Scene, and yet you did not know that she is from Calgary...
Great Lake Swimmers Can "folk" music "rock"? Yes, it can!
The Inbreds Drums and bass. Not drum and bass.
¡Viva Los Inbreds!
Terry Jacks Sure, he only had one song, but it was a gooder! And he's from Winnipeg, eh?
Justin Rutledge (and the Junction Forty) Sad, sad drinking music—even when you're sober.
King Cobb Steelie Canada's. Greatest. Band. Ever!
Mood Ruff Representing Peg City, I, too, do my own stunts.
Rheostatics Go see them play. Bring the kids. Leave the dog at home to watch reruns of Twitch City on television. Or DVD, if he can afford it.
 Speaking from experience, you will absolutely dance your ass off—right off!—when you see the skassault live. Notably, you would be very fortunate to see them live. Unfortunately, an ass replacement is expensive. And, I imagine, painful. So, take the pain, or pick up a CD and listen to it in the car.
Tegan and Sara Formerly Sara and Tegan.
The Tragically Hip This band, admittedly, is an afterthought as I've been pleading with them ever since 1994: "Stop, please stop. For the love of all that is loved, puhlease...just...stop!" Alas, my pleas have gone unanswered but those early 90s were gooders, weren't they?
The Watchmen Dammit! Where are they now?
The Weakerthans John K. Samson needs to bust out a CouchSurfing profile! Suggested username: Propagandhi-Nothin'!
Watched
Most Recent Gooder, eh?
Read
Margaret Atwood The Handmaid's Tale
David Bergen A Year of Lesser
Douglas Coupland Generation X / Shampoo Planet / Life After God et al.
Brian Fawcett Gender Wars: A Novel and Some Conversation About Sex and Gender
Margaret Gibson Sweet Poison
Tomson Highway Kiss of the Fur Queen
Thomas King One Good Story, That One / Coyotes Sing to the Moon
W.P. Kinsella Dance Me Outside / The Miss Hobbema Pageant / The Moccasin Telegraph et al. except for the baseball stuff
Brian Maracle Crazy Water: Native Voices on Addiction and Recovery
 Farley Mowat My Discovery of America
Hal Niedzviecki Concrete Forest
Lisa Priest Conspiracy of Silence
Monique Proulx Aurora Montrealis
Paul Quarrington Whale Music / The Life of Hope / Galveston
Josef Škvorecký The Cowards
Cordelia Strube Milton's Elements / Teaching Pigs to Sing
Michael Turner Kingsway / Hard Core Logo
Rudy Wiebe, Yvonne Johnson Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman
...This will have to remain a work in progress.
Please stay tuned...
All right, now take a break, man! Have a bite to eat, go for a bike ride, anything--this machine will rot your brain! What I meant to write is:
Please come back and visit soon.
I will milk the milk, if you cook the cookies...Teach, Learn, Share
English. I can teach you English.
Spanish. I needs to learn me some Spanish.
Cookies. We'll share frothy milk and delicious cookies.
Opinion on the CouchSurfing.com Project
Day 1
Well, so far, so cool. Immediately skeptical, I'm nevertheless intrigued that people can use the Web to share experience and hospitality instead of porn and music files. And, should I return from my first CS venture, I shall rave all the more.
Day 25
And, I have returned with my first CS experience...and now go back to work so I can earn some money for the next one. This site, along with some common sense, has allowed me to experience travel as I always knew it to be: fresh, exciting, comfortable (though not too comfortable), and comforting. Bless all those people for opening their homes, hearts, and experience to those who strive to do the same.
Day 72
It's interesting how I'm all for surfing someone else's couch but when someone requests to stay with me I get bent out of shape. With my first "Couch Request" a few weeks ago, I got a little annoyed, felt immediately inconvenienced, and sought plausible excuses that would not plague my conscience. Then I gave my head a shake, remembered how grateful I felt when someone accomodated me and remembered that I still feel grateful.
First off, my wannabe Coucher only gave me one month's notice prior to his intended arrival. However, he indulged me with some scanned identification, contact and reference information that spanned three generations of his family tree, and a lock of hair that would serve as a DNA sample should it be needed at a later time. He gave me plenty of time to install an alarm system and video surveillance, too. Some friends—suspicious of this site and its aims—insisted they be on drive-by alert should serious crimes occur during his stay.
But—as They say—seriously, a little common sense went a long way and I was able to help someone save that $30 per night at the hostel, and learn something in the process. Plus, I now have myself an "Add to my friends..." request to send. And maybe type up a Reference...
Day 395
More "opinion". Wait for it...
This can't be good. It just can't!
Locations TraveledTRAVELED: Austria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Slovakia, United Kingdom, United States
LIVED: Austria, Canada, Poland
WANTS TO GO: Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Suriname, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela
IS GOING TO: Hungary
References
 From Carlos de la Torre Cordoba, Argentina
Apr 26 Positive I met Greg at a party while I was in Calgary. He is so friendly and outgoing that I hope I'll be able to Couch Surf with him someday!!!
Greg, hope to see you soon in Argentina!!!  From Arthur McAtee High River, Canada
Feb 14 Positive Met Greg at a CS group. A very positive supportive person.  From Felix D. Revelstoke, Canada
Jan 7 Extremely Positive the polish man was much fun to go sliding and moose watching with!?!
but watch out he might ram you, when you least expect it, using his super mega jet powered Doc Marten boots!
I will no doubt see this true cs addict, when I hitch to calgary for the next big event!
 From Rebecca Lavallee Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Dec 24, 2007 Extremely Positive from the start i liked greyg. how can you not like someone who drives people from one province to the next AND has such a wicked sense of humour?! i hope he does come and find me and TREVOR to surf our mobile apartment!  From Aidan McWatt Wicklow, Ireland
Dec 22, 2007 Extremely Positive very helpful fellow, always keen to make sure you're set up okay and that you'll fare well in his city. glad to have met him.  From Peter Atkins Calgary, Canada
Dec 15, 2007 Extremely Positive met Greg at various CS events. Always up for a good time and interesting to talk two.  From BOwM LiBRa.ROch Kunming, China
Oct 23, 2007 I wanna to visit the ZOo.. I have experience it and than escape the cell .. We will meet again for sure.. with more matches.. I am glad, I have stopped bY ... From Marieluise Röttger Mainz, Germany
Oct 19, 2007 Extremely Positive The first time I met Greg: it was such a cold day in Whitehorse and I wasn't really in a talking mood... I can remember that he was full of energy and he talked a lot! So polish!
Well, we drove a few weeks later down to Calgary cause we promised to visit him for a day or two... But actually we stayed 2months. 2months! What the! But hey, we had a good time. He Is Great. I love when he is getting excited for little things (motorbikes(ok, it´s huge!), music(crazy taste, he knows what he is talking about), goats(it´s our insider, sry)...). And all the coffee and the cigarettes... We shared the Aschenbecher.
I miss my polish man and I promised: I will be back!
And as I promised, I came back. And again: we shared the Aschenbecher. He is still so Polish and I guess I am still so German. But we never had a border. Greg, I will be back! Again? Again! Watch the signs!  From Arielle Muriel Calgary, Canada
Oct 19, 2007 Extremely Positive He rocks, and is totally cool with me showing up randomly at 2:15am. To give some context, we both work nights though. =) From Janine Muster Leipzig, Germany
Oct 15, 2007 Extremely Positive i didn't let him steal my car.
it was totally cool to meet greg. he is an ineresting guy with a really good sense of humor.
yeah, we cried and laughed a lot.
marie and me, we are looking foward to meet him again.
either in calgary or maybe in poland. but hopefully soon.
if he comes to germany, east part he definetley gets a couch.
and than there is the second part and the third part. greg became one of my best friends in canda.
i can't believe that he actually got the car in the end.
the more i hope he will stop by in germany.
 From Fred Missick Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Oct 13, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is one of a kind. Few would have done for me what he did. I was hitch-hiking through canada, and he picked me up and dropped me off outside of the city. made me feel really comfortable in his house. Has interesting ideas about music, politics and travelling. Hope i can host him one day, it would be a pleasure, he is welcome to my house.  From Blaine Pengelly Halifax, Canada
Sep 15, 2007 Positive I had fear of his cat before I even met him and I have never met his cat.  From Ryan Pengelly Calgary, Canada
Sep 14, 2007 Positive Greg is an eccentric, caring couchsurfer. He is highly dedicated to the couchsurfing principles and couchsurfers passing through Calgary.  From Pierre-Alexandre Paquet Quebec, Canada
Sep 13, 2007 A great guy even when he's not around. Keep on the good work pal! When some sleep some other have to take care of the kids, that's for sure. Thanks again for the lovely stay in Calgary's hottest 'hood!  From Cristey Bartus Oregon, United States
Sep 13, 2007 Extremely Positive Very helpful in getting me oriented to the city and fetching last minute things using his account at MEC. Had a delightful time going through all the neighborhoods, HAVE HIM TAKE YOU TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD STORE WITH THE OLD GUY WITH THE BUCKET OF CHEESE WOW!  From Amanda Foran Halifax, Canada
Sep 12, 2007 Extremely Positive Even in my brief meeting with him, I believe that Greg has an incredible ability to not only make you feel super comfortable with his intense curiousity for others but he could also make you laugh (ALOT) in mere seconds!  From Adam Bathe Calgary, Canada
Sep 8, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is an integral part to the Calgary CS community. I would jump at the chance to surf or host with Greg, though I have heard stories about his psychotic cat since before I joined CS. I imagine that it would be more than worth the danger.  From Jenelle Matson Calgary, Canada
Sep 8, 2007 Extremely Positive Gregory and I work together however it never quite feels like work when he is around. Instead I get to enjoy my time bantering back and forth with Greg, and rhapsodically chatting for hours on end while consuming way to many cigarettes and coffees to be considered healthy. Gregory is a wonderful friend to me. He is honest, caring, sarcastic, and wise. And don’t worry Greg, I promise not to hate you because I’m angry!  From BERLINADIAN Berlin, Germany
Sep 5, 2007 Extremely Positive I asked him to surf his couch - I ended up surfing Sonjas couch and Croques/ Randys.
But we met at the after show party Randy took us to. Nice guy, fun company who knows maybe I'll surf his couch next time I am in Calgary ;-)I would if he had time just as well as I would let him surf my couch!  From COOKSOWELL Montreal, Canada
Aug 31, 2007 Positive I have meet Greg at the Glasgow CS Subcrawl and even he is from Canada we live miles apart we were stranger in a new world. We had a really great time and good discussion emerge. Look forward to meet him again  From Benjamin Maze Calgary, Canada
Aug 24, 2007 Positive I thought I would update this since I have known Greg a bit longer now. Greg is a great guy. Organizing surfer events and such. From what I know he is an great host.  From Marshall Hartlen Edmonton, Canada
Aug 21, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg, see i do remember! Was a great guest whois a quite knowledgeable and i am sure that i will get to know him a bit better as sooner or later i will have to head to the town of cows and it seems he can't get enough of this place either.(I was at a wedding last weekend Bud sorry i missed you) Great taste in beer also!  From Sonja L. Calgary, Canada
Jul 27, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg's a great friendly guy!  From Cliff Liu Toronto, Canada
Jul 21, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is a VERY NICE host!!!!!! We didn't get to talk/hang out lot because of his work and sleeping schedule...but Greg is super cool! I really enjoyed the bike ride!!!!! His cat Meto is also a very interesting character ;-) dziekuje bardzo
------- he is a truly original being  From Lorna Duffy Brighton, United Kingdom
Jul 16, 2007 Extremely Positive Finally! Well Greg had just landed from Canada had a quick glass of water and then got down and dirty in bird shit for the making of a "horror". We ate, drank, danced, chatted, laughed, painted.... Greg was extremely generous, feeding me well, taking me to a modest mouse concert, thanks for that - they're certainly not morbid! He is full of interesting stories and great fun to be with. I really enjoyed when he was over, hopefully one day ill get over to him. A gentleman who always walks on the outside of the foothpath, thanks Greg our peace lilly is doing well. x  From Mehdi Gharib Sydney, Australia
Jun 19, 2007 Extremely Positive I had written a comment that was pretty lame compared to Greg's comment on mine.
so I will write another; Greg is someone who has a very different background to mine, yet in a few days I really began to notice that humanity flows from him. People make travelling, and awesome people like Greg give me hope in humanity and this world.
 From Bryan Simpson Calgary, Canada
Jun 10, 2007 Positive Yeah, I remember Greg. I was a little too drunken to remember his well, but I do. Haha, Hey Greg!  From Deborah Waters Glasgow, United Kingdom
Jun 3, 2007 Positive greg is one of those people who i clicked with right away i'm so sorry his time in glasgow was so short...next time it had better be longer (or else)  From Romain Goupil Paris, France
Jun 1, 2007 Extremely Positive This guy has very good vibes, is really easy going and has good stories to tell. He really loves Canada and Canadian stuff We had v good fun during a crazy night out in Glasgow, ending up in a flat full of crazy Irish people.
Nice bloke, see you in Alberta or wherever pal!!  From Colin Macleod Edinburgh, United Kingdom
May 29, 2007 Extremely Positive From what I can remember (after about 6 pints, and two bottls of wine) is that Greg was a good guy. He even let me drunkenly talk crap most of the night! Next time you're here man I'll wear my kilt for you. Have a safe trip.  From Umang Shah Mumbai, India
May 9, 2007 Positive Cool guy...really helpful...and knows the amazing places in town!...like Michaelangelo's...a discovery!  From Beat Stauffer Richterswil, Switzerland
May 7, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is excellent!!! He organizes many CS meetings in Calgary and is a really cool and helpful guy. We went to Sunshine Village with Jesus who helped us against a cop!  From Andrés Vielma Montreal, Canada
May 6, 2007 Positive Greg's a great guy, he offered me a ride to go with him and his friends skiing/snowboarding in Sunshine Village (sorry, I had have to say "next time")...well, pretty good guy, nice to talk with, full of stories...  From Darren Tanguay Calgary, Canada
May 1, 2007 Extremely Positive I've sat and had food, drink and nothing but good times with Greg. He is truely an awesome person who really embodies the spirit of Couchsurfing.  From Jennifer Maley Calgary, Canada
Apr 15, 2007 Extremely Positive pros - he has a bright orange bowling shirt, a fantastic must hear list, super out-going (yes, thats a pro), can bowl under the weight of a massive afro.
cons - has disdain for gravy and advertising.
overall - one of the best cs'ers i've met yet!  From Luke Moilliet Calgary, Canada
Apr 7, 2007 Positive Greg is the life of the party and great at meeting everyone and ensuring your laughing and having a good time. Hope to hang out again soon.  From MissE Goodwin Wakefield, Canada
Mar 29, 2007 Extremely Positive one funny little note, from a lute, piped by a skipping/trotting pan, off to frolick at a feast on a sunny morning...
and then when we actually met, i realized that he was a glow in the dark lawn dwarf, with a smile that could light up an entire subburb in during the end of the world!  From Japhy Dhungana Kathmandu, Nepal
Mar 27, 2007 Extremely Positive I couldn't ask for a better couchsurfer than Greg! He's well traveled and has a great perspective on life and love. Great conversations and stories, and wish he'd stay longer.
And what a kind soul to bring gifts of some delicious coffee (which, btw, I just tried out this past weekend at my 12,000 ft camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains). If you get a chance to meet this guy, by all means - it'll be an experience you'll never forget.
Looking forward to crossing paths again soon, hopefully under a full moon. : ]  From Eric Smiley Seattle, United States
Mar 27, 2007 Extremely Positive Dangit, I wish Greg would've stayed more than one night! This guy had me cracking up to no end. Like a true adventurer, he is able to travel far and wide, meet hundreds of people and yet always be fully present with each individual he encounters. And ladies, don't be fooled by the pictures: this guy is HAWT!  From Lauren Tuck Whitehorse, Canada
Mar 5, 2007  Positive greg is full of energy and he is very funny.
He stayed with my folks in the Yukon and they had really great things to say about him.
Greg writes great emails and he has a really positive vibes which comes across when you speak with him.
He stayed in the Yukon when it was freezing but had a positive attitude the whole time
he fell for the city so you know he must be cool.Greg is a really geniune, good person. looking forward to meeting you sometime!
best of luck on your journey,
cheers, lauren  From Jessica MacMillan Halifax, Canada
Feb 25, 2007 Positive fun times at the Pogue - great meeting Greg and contrary to popular belief there was no nicking of any packsacks, hard ot believe, i know!  From Dali Daigle Halifax, Canada
Feb 24, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is my favorite kind of guest - one that can keep them-self busy while I slave away in school. Other than being perfectly self-sufficient he was really a great guest. So what if we didn't have matching wind breaker jackets or highly advanced winter camouflage suits? It doesn't make us any less of a team right?
The ferrets approved, so he's got my vote!  From RAINBOWHAVEN Dartmouth, Canada
Feb 23, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg was an unexpected guest couch surfer. He was good company and put up with my endless talking like a trooper! =) Very easy going guy!  From Meredith Binder Seattle, United States
Feb 14, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg stayed wiht my friend, Eric Smiley here in Seattle. They both came to the wrap party for a film that I made adn Eric worked on (he did hair, acted and did some still photography for us). Greg was very congenial. I was impressed with the way he spent time engaged in good converstations with everyone, including my anti social 83 year old dad. From CROQUE Montreal, Canada
Feb 5, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is an amazing person! Outgoing, friendly, funny...you must meet him!  From Brian Oman Edmonton, Canada
Jan 28, 2007 Greg is a goofball. Seriously, a large ball of goof. Roll him down the stairs and you'll just hear him squeeze out a "goof" on every bounce. He bounces because goof is bouncy and bouncing is what it doesn. Silly bouncy goof-greg.  From Kathleen Jarvis Sunnyvale, United States
Jan 26, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg and I emailed about him possibly surfing with us, then met at a CS dinner in SF. He is incredibly kind and accomodating (when ordered to accompany me back to feed the parking meter in the dark, he went without complaining although he had just arrived) and fun to talk with, energetic and delightful. Makes us want to go to Calgary just so see his cat and his couch.  From Rachel Gregg Sacramento, United States
Jan 26, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is an amazingly nice guy, but he's from Canada so that is almost to be expected right? Anyhow, he managed to bite his tounge while we were being zipped around the city while some pretentious lady in the front seat was droning on about mispronouncing the word "crepe" - good work Greg!  From Jennifer Narindra San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive Greg would meld into SF perfectly - he's funny, charming, vegetarian, funny!! We met only briefly but I can already tell he's a joy to be around. From Justin B San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive Greg is a totally cool guy who really loves Couchsurfer and it shows...Just look at this profile...It rocks! I am really glad he was able to hang at our house, taking on feats like 15 mile uphill bike rides and secretly taking out our trash....He's the man! Thanks Greg! See you soon!  From Katja Smirnov San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive I promised to visit you and I will! It was great to meet you…you were so much fun. Plus, Canada rocks and you are from there and you rock with Canada I guess…Comeback to SF soon and we shall meet again…  From Jesse N. San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive This guy is a bundle of energy and tons of fun. I would've hosted him on the weekend of the CS dinner, but I had a lot of stuff going on. You're welcome back to SF anytime, my good man.  From Princess Rachelina San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive this guy is very observant! he noticed me off of another friend's profile! funny! very friendly and nice! From Derek Wallace North Hollywood, United States
Jan 23, 2007 Extremely Positive Look, it's like this: Greg is who I signed on here to meet, I just didn't know it at the time. I'm not gonna get all flowery for you and use a bunch of adjectives. Rather, I'll sum it up like this: he makes a damn good case for why we should allow cloning. Experience Greg if you can. PERIOD.  From Nicole Hickerty Calgary, Canada
Jan 19, 2007 Extremely Positive oh, i couldn't ask for a better CS friend than greg here!  From Jenn Kaplan Seattle, United States
Jan 18, 2007 Extremely Positive Greg is a very cool person who does meaningful things with his life and brings very delicious curry to people's houses. Sorry this weekend was so hectic; next time I'll show you around. From Erinn Hale Seattle, United States
Jan 15, 2007 Extremely Positive greg is the type of person that walks right into your life and makes you feel as though you've just run into a dear friend that you've known for years. he has incredible stories, intriguing life gifts and lessons, a sense of humor that makes you want to introduce him to everyone around you, and a deep appreciation for singing fijis in irish pubs. the man can dance and doesn't mind being thrown into soul night at my favorite joint or crazy techno gay night at the insane, late-night gay bar. he has pride in everything he does, especially when it comes to merely living in canada. i can't say enough about greg. i would have gladly appreciated his company for many more days. enjoy your u.s. travels my friend! you'll have to let me know how truly high i set the bar!  From Merissa Bakos Calgary, Canada
Jan 13, 2007 Extremely Positive Not the best bowler, but an awesome guy.  From Ismael Pineda Paris, France
Dec 17, 2006 Positive we were listened music with some others Cs and walking a little bit aroun down town.  From Tiana Mik Bogota, Colombia
Dec 10, 2006 Extremely Positive He is a good person,, cheerful,,
In spite of the short time we spend together -just 2 days - we had good conversations, we talked about everything until late in the night... thanks Greg for encouraged me to take the challenge of learning Russian again,, Thanks for the Canada team too!!
yeap!! the arepas!! I'll buy some more when u come back....
!! До свидания ;) !!  From Daniel Concha Rivera Cali, Colombia
Dec 3, 2006 Positive Greg is really easy going person. And it was a pleasure for me to host him! Unfortunately we had not much time to talk a bit but hopefully we will next time! He's a really trustable and likeable person. And if you ever have the chance to host him: Don't miss it!!!
From Kate L. San Antonio de Ibarra, Ecuador
Dec 1, 2006 Extremely Positive Although I did not surf Greg's couch, I can't relay how that experience would be -- perhaps his cat is a much better reference to this --
I can however be a personal reference, and can assert with confidence that personality wise you will have a positive experience if you so choose to surf at Greg's.
He is a witty, funny and a very intelligent guy who --just to warn you-- will always win any debate. So don't try to slough off any facts, figures or unproven theories that you don't have a 100% knowledge or proof of, because you are bound to lose.
Seriously though you might actually learn something from him, even if at the time it seems rather trivial. It might even come in handy, if you didn't learn the first time around and attempt to rechallenge him for another round of debates. (He will check the facts...he has Wikipedia bookmarked for quick reference!).  From Marie Anne Guichandut St. John's, Canada
Sep 4, 2006 Extremely Positive Greg has a good sense of humour,a strange cat, wonderful spices on his cupboard, and on top of all the best blender in town. I don't think I could have asked for more... well maybe if he had a cowboy hat...  From GARMENTLADY Dayton, United States
Aug 18, 2006 Extremely Positive Greg is lots of fun! hospitable, relaxed, interesting, great job u guys with the meet too, one of the largest I have been to so far in N. America so keep it going! next time have to check out that redneck place just for the experience of it all ;)I'll be back!  From Catherine Plamondon Candiac, Canada
Aug 1, 2006 Extremely Positive Do stay with him and DEFINETLY host him! From Brad Cridland Calgary, Canada
Jul 21, 2006 Extremely Positive Greg is a really cool guy. Hes got a great sense of humor and if you can ever go for a coffee with him you won't regret it. Although he will probably drink 5 or so coffees for every one you can polish off. And if you ever have the chance to surf with him, take it! Very trustworthy! From Andrea Carrera Coapa, Mexico
Jul 19, 2006 Greg is a very nice person. I met him in Mexico , we went to Chapultepec and Williy Colon Concert.
He is very funny .
If you come to Mexico please visit us again.
References GmU left others
For BOwM LiBRa.ROch Kunming, China
Oct 15, 2007 03NOV06
What was to be a night's stay on my couch turned into barely an hour's visit. And then there was...THE ASSAULT! My cat Mito is a bad, bad cat. Baaad Kitty! He is responsible for possibly the shortest surfing/hosting experience EVER. Nevertheless, in that sliver of time, my potential Coucher made a decent impression. I would be open to "host" him "again" should The Cat be away at a boot camp, or jail. Or the cat-nuthouse!
Roch, je suis très, très désolé. Retournez s'il vous plaît autrefois quand Le Chat a lieu en vacances. Je pense qu'il est malade dans la tête. For Fred Missick Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Oct 14, 2007 If I had any complaints, it would be that he thanked me too much. Having escaped the barren landscape of Edmonton, it was a pleasure to pick him up in the hell-hole that is Airdrie, Alberta (city motto: Once you come, you will never leave!).
Fred was up for hanging out with some local Couching flavour, and he did just fine on his own, too. No maintenance.
If I don't see him on his way back to la belle province, I will surely look him up in Brasil. For GARMENTLADY Dayton, United States
Sep 27, 2007 I can't believe I haven't yet got to a ref on this girl. Damn!
Lisa loves CouchSurfing. That's all there is to it! She LOVES it! Mind you, I found her quiet and calm, two qualities I'm not used to. I think she would've warmed up if she'd stayed longer. But, she'll be back. I know it! For Brad Cridland Calgary, Canada
Sep 27, 2007 I vouched for the man so the LEAST he deserves is a glowing reference. Brad, one of the Original Four, has rarely—if ever—failed to make it to a local event from the very first, spreading his love of CouchSurfing with all-comers.
At risk of personal safety and property, I don't think the man has EVER turned down a request to surf his Couch—yes, even from the sketchers originating from Québec. That practice has taught me a lot.
Stay cool, brother. Remember the revolution! (Oh, and don't hate Brad for his unnatural, misguided, naive love of All Things Jack White. He means well...) For Beat Stauffer Richterswil, Switzerland
Sep 27, 2007 All right, it's about time I type up this deal for THE BEAT: Initially, he came across as quiet and shy, but that was before the beers came. Eventually, I realised that he was not a "typical" Schweizer as he was friendly, outgoing, and always open for...well, anything.
He didn't make me feel like an ass when I attempted my skiing comeback despite his prowess on a snowboard. What impressed me most, I think, is that when I loaned him my dearly coveted collection of CDs, he returned them with more added. Sweet!
The Beat Man makes my list of Couchers to Know. It's a short list. Get on it, man! For Rebecca Lavallee Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Sep 25, 2007 Bexx was on top of my couch request like...um, like...a zucchini on a...sidewalk. Yeah! That always eases my anxiety of not wanting to sleep in a park... She did, however, mix up the dates but was undeterred when The Germans and I barged in earlier than expected. The fact that there were already four other German Couchers at her place (yeah, scary, I know!) only made the experience cosier.
It was a brief visit, though long enough to scope a fine veggie resto, enjoy some local flavour, and realise that John Fluevog DOES still hawk his wares on Granville (don't believe her lies!).
I can't bloody wait until I get to surf her and Jhordahn's Winnebago!  For Kookie Monster San Francisco, United States
Sep 12, 2007 Olga from San Francisco. Well, a Los Angeleno from San Diego. With an Israeli passport. But from Russia though born in Ukraine. With THAT as a background, you KNOW she's gotta have a lotta great stories of travelling and living in this world—and she does! But while in SF for the time being, she stepped up to a stand-by request and was great the whole way through. Driving me to the airport much, much too early in the morning was going well, well beyond...
Спасибо, Olga, for your spontaneity and being a woman of your word. Thanks much to Emily, too. Remember that in Alberta and British Columbia we laugh at the "snow" in Tahoe... For CROQUE Montreal, Canada
Sep 12, 2007 Now that Randal has come over from the Dark Side (that OTHER hospitality site), he surely warrants a ref. Yup, I deem it so!
He is one of the Original Four and continues to make his presence known at each event bursting onto the Calgary Couching Scene. With him he brings enthusiasm, innovation, and pride to those of us that share the CouchSurfing experience outside of simply hosting and surfing.
I love that he prefers to lend the hospitality of his house and home instead of utilising others'. His Couch is always open to travellers, revellers, and those of us who drop in unannounced, Polish-style, and come away loaded down not only with a sense of time well spent, but also cucumbers and carrots, thanks to Margaret's green thumb and orange generosity.
As of this writing, les Croques are making a pitch for la ville de Montréal; sadly our loss but joyously their gain. It's time for me to spam out Couch Requests before I have to do it in la belle province. Why are you still waiting on YOURS? For Pierre-Alexandre Paquet Quebec, Canada
Sep 12, 2007 I am not only leaving a Reference because he left me one...he just beat me to the computer. PA has the honour of being the First Couchsurfer at Casa Polonia. He has won another free stay on the couch! Respectable, polite, and surprisingly generous, particularly because he's a starving student. He also has some surprisingly great travel stories given that he's just a punk kid! Should you get a request to surf your couch from this man, do not even hesitate before saying, "Yes." In fact, go and pick him up. And maybe buy him a present. For Marshall Hartlen Edmonton, Canada
Sep 12, 2007 Yeah, sure, he says he remembers my name but that's only because I wear a name tag! I forgive him, however, because he's a Winnipeg Jets fan and we all gotta stick together, ya know?
Marsh was quick with a reply to my request and didn't mind that I showed up that first night at 5 o'clock in the morning. Though we didn't have much opportunity to hang over the weekend, we did get a chance to chat while doing a little slave labour in his backyard on the Sunday aft.
I appreciated that he shares a passion for hosting, unlike any I've seen recently nor any I expected in the City of Champs. We gotta get this man down to Calgary where we can show 'em what CouchSurfing's all about! For Cliff Liu Toronto, Canada
Sep 12, 2007 It was great to see Cliff—immediately at a disadvantage due to hailing from Toronto—get excited about the smallest things, like a ride on a motorcycle. He also helped me realise that Calgary doesn't suck as much as I think it does by sharing his passion for the seemingly insignificant. He scores no points, however, for his love of the Stampede, but wins them back for not ironically getting decked out in Stampede gear.
He was easygoing and willing to try all things new and unknown. Also, not only did he seek travelling advice but took it, too. I liked that he was conscientious of my whacked sleep schedule and yet still made the most of his trek out West. |
Brainstorm - the old and original one.... 
Sziget Fesztival 2008
Calgary
