CURRENT MISSION

Learn to become a seasoned traveler, at home anywhere.

ABOUT ME

Hello fellow couchsurfer!

*The short summary:
creative optimist
laidback poet
concerned earthling

*The longer "about myself" rant:
Recently I've discovered that I spend way too long formulating online texts, like comments on Facebook. Writing and rewriting the text until I get the right wording and a nice flow of thought without repeating myself too much. It helps when I write poetry, which you can check out here: http://vimeo.com/nilsnh

Tried writing, and performing some poetry in public when I was studying in Cape Town (summer 2009). Although I enjoyed it immensely, almost a full year went before I decided to pick it up again (autumn 2010).

I enjoy being creative (http://aengelius.deviantart.com/). Though, most of my creativity is currently spent on business ideas (one mad idea after another.:) ). Last year I started a small one-man company and tried some freelance webdesigning.

I'm a nerd (the sociable kind), meaning I like to dive into things like learning webdesign on my own. Buying self-help books on mindfullness, productivity and books that are more mostly IT or Design related. I enjoy buying books, and so far I've managed to build up quite a "buffer" of books I need to get through (someday).

Like:
*Nerdy conversations & conversing in general
*Keeping up with world issues, and discussing them.
*Talking about how to make sense of life.
*Talk about ideas, and work on achieving them.
*Dancing salsa, and just dancing in itself.
*Being creative
*A cold beer, on a hot day.
*Learning
*Optimistic people with goals they dare to pursue.
*Long walks on the beach (just had to put this in here. Because that *is* what this list reminded me off). ^^

PHILOSOPHY

Hmm. There's a couple of things I tend to live by:

1. Once you get old enough you stop caring as much about what you think other people think is cool, and instead care more about what you think is cool.

2. The only constant is change. Everything changes, so it's better to aknowledge that and try to steer that change towards something good.

3. I used to say "a rolling stone gathers no moss." However it's been pointed out to me that a rolling stone can indeed gather moss.

4. Learn everything, be good at everything. Try, why not? (Though I often have to bite the bitter defeat, when following such a philosophy.) Doesn't mean I'm a very competitive person, just that I'll give a bunch of stuff a go.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

So, far I guess I'm just trying to help the CS Project by being a good couchsurfer. :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Will be making my first trip soon, finally!

Interests

• writing
• books
• poetry
• design
• perfumes
• dancing
• capoeira
• beer
• traveling
• cars
• business
• teaching
• entrepreneurship
• freelancing
• science
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Series, I'm not a big tv-series fan. However there are a couple of series I've enjoyed a lot recently: Big Bang Theory & In Treatment.

Movie: The Mask, Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2, Lost in Translation, Scott Pilgrim.

Music: Lounge music, trip hop, dubstep, chiptunes, pop & rock, salsa music, classical. I just can't make up my mind, so I usually just surf soundcloud.com for all sorts of music I've never heard before.

Books: My bookshelves are filled with books on designing, programming, and self-help stuff for nerds and entrepreneurs. Would recommend a book called Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky. I do enjoy fiction, but those books are a minority compared to the other books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Studied in San Francisco, USA, in the period 08/09, as part of my Norwegian Bachelor. A wonderful city. Was thoroughly impressed by my hardworking classmates. Studies were tough, but rewarding. I took on some courses that were beyond my skill level, which led to my teacher stating in front of my class "Nils, you have yet to produce anything of value in my class." Nevertheless on the last day of class he shook my hand in recogniton of my apparant hard labour. Landed a C. Phew. Great experience though. Hanging out with friends, doing homework together. Always thinking about that next assignment. On two occasions I worked all through the night, just to go to school and deliver the assignment. Almost miss that, but then again no. ^^ Lesson learned, moving on. :)

As part of my Social Entrepreneurship program, I got to spend five months in Cape Town. I worked at a senior center in the Nyanga township. Me and my partner was tasked with helping the center leader explore ways to achieve financial self-sustainability. We created a business plan for the center, with several suggestions on how to improve the administration and where to focus its efforts. It was three tough, but rewarding months of work followed by two months of traveling exploring the beautiful South Africa. Got to visit Namibia briefly, as well. We ended up making some crazy 3000km trips with small cars. Rented beetles that felt like thin boxes, strapped on top of lawnmovers going 120km/hrs!

Teach, Learn, Share

There's a nice Norwegian poem on this (I'll translate the essence):

"There is one that is so wise
spending time with him makes me realize
how dumb I am. And then there's another one
that is so wise
next to him I feel wise as well."

(Guess this is also a sort of personal philosophy)

Anyhow. I love to learn! And I'm actually very eager to talk about various topics, teaching and explaining. I've been an student for quite a few years by now (in danger of becoming one of those eternal students.) Anyhow. We probably know more than we think. ;)

What I might teach you:

1. Capoeira (I'm a bit rusty, but it's fun.)
2. Salsa, I'm an avid salsa dancer, and my style is cuban salsa.
3. Making games (Want to learn the science of fun?) I studied basic game design in the US, and I would be happy to pass along some ideas.
4. Webdesign & simple programming. I'm currently learning this myself, but I'm all up for sharing the know-how I've accumulated.
5. Basic Norwegian, simple phrases and such. Perhaps some grammar.

Here's my wishlist of things I'd like to learn and improve upon: :)

1. Spanish! I'm aiming (it's an ambitious goal) to go study in South America next spring. So, practicing my Spanish would be essential.
2. Programming & webdesign. If you got skills in these areas we might might be able to throw together some projects. Enjoy talking about these things. :)

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