HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING The prospect of sleeping on someone else's couch, bed, or rattan mat half-way around the world is very appealing to me. I was very excited to host two CouchSurfers this summer in New York. Next year, I hope to do the same on a more regular basis. COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE Surfing, Zürich. My hosts were fantastic, I drove a boat for the first time, and every meal was accompanied by schnapps. Hosting, New York: Two great guests from Switzerland and Germany, respectively. Hosting, Brooklyn: Some guy from Pittsburgh who I went to school with and now lives in D.C.

Movies: Fight Club, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Ocean's 11, 12, & 13, Good Will Hunting, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Music: Sufjan Stevens, Jack Peñate, The Xx, The Walkmen, Junip, José González, Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Crookers, Sondre Lerche, Cold War Kids, The Clipse, Kanye West, Crystal Castles, Major Lazer, Theophilus London, The Streets, Daniel Merriweather, The National, et al. Books: "You Shall Know Our Velocity", Dave Eggers. "Fight Club", Chuck Palahniuk. "On the Road", Jack Kerouac