CURRENT MISSION

To not die or go broke during a six-week trip this summer through Germany, the Netherlands, and France.

ABOUT ME

I'm a 27 year old video artist, dog walker, and graduate student, originally from rural Pennsylvania, lived in Brooklyn for a long while, and now I'm traveling around. I spend my days walking dogs, answering emails for Videoart.net, eating cheese sandwiches, taking naps outside, and taking 10000 pictures of my cute, sassy cat Basil. Several of these pictures are on my photo page!

I photoblog at http://hotbirds.tumblr.com and my portfolio website is http://accornell.carbonmade.com

PHILOSOPHY

I believe that what you put out there comes back to you, and that kindness and gratitude make life beautiful. My life is about curiosity, exploration, and connection.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'd love to help you cook dinner, buy some groceries and/or wine, babysit your children and/or pets, and show you some good Youtube videos!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couchsurfed around the southern and western USA during the winter, spring, and summer of 2012. It was through a friend's account though, so I've lost contact with my hosts, which is sad, because they were great! We went on hikes in Albuquerque and saw the cattle drive in Fort Worth, my friend Laura met her (now ex-)boyfriend at a punk house in Florida.

Interests

I am interested in art history, especially outsider and folk art. I love to see regional arts and crafts. I like talking about movies and television, and learning about space and science. I always like to see museums and galleries, whether they're about art, science, history, or regional culture. I love to hike and camp, and spend time outdoors.

• pets
• cats
• dogs
• arts
• culture
• cooking
• wine
• cheese
• walking
• crafts
• flying
• gardening
• movies
• traveling
• pottery
• painting
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• art history
• history
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I love the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, Wong Kar Wai, Maya Deren, Claire Denis, Kelly Reichart, Alfonso Cuaron, and Terry Gilliam. I also love Cabin in the Woods.

My all-time favorite musicians are Jonathan Richman, Patti Smith, Kate Bush, Nico, and Klaus Nomi. I'm always getting really into different styles and musicians. Right now I'm on kind of a dancehall kick, it's perfect for the summer! The northeast US had a rough winter, and I've been ready for summer to start since April.

I spent my melodramatic teenage years with Rimbaud and Baudelaire, and I can't help myself, they're still my favorites, along with Emily Dickinson. I also have a big thing for Raymond Carver, Anais Nin, Tao Lin, Don Delillo, and Miranda July.

I take television really seriously. Super seriously. I love everything by Joss Whedon, but especially Firefly. The X-files, Archer, House of Cards (I watched season two in three days), Peep Show, Broad City, anything by Charlie Brooker, and Star Trek.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I sat shotgun in a helicopter flying over the Canadian Rockies!

Teach, Learn, Share

1: I am a practicing pet masseuse. I can give your cats or dogs a massage, and easily teach you some tips!

It started as a joke, honestly. But then, I researched, and found out it was a real thing! I tried it out on my cat, who is usually a little crazy, jumpy, and scared of her own shadow, and she calmed right down. I started practicing on her more regularly, took lessons online, and ended up apprenticing. I give massages to dogs I walk, and even the most hyper puppies relax. It's really benefited me, my cat, and our relationship with each other. I would love to teach anybody some pet massage tips.

2. I study herbalism, particularly using herbs to treat female reproductive problems. I would love to learn more, or share what I've learned, or talk about it!

3. I have experience with organic gardening, especially with apple and pear trees. If you are trying to take care of fruit trees, I can lend a hand or give some tips.

4. I've always wanted to learn techniques in pottery and watercolor painting. If this is something you could teach, I would be so grateful.