CURRENT MISSION

To read every book ever written, visit every dinosaur collection in the world, be a better writer, lover, and thinker.

ABOUT ME

I consider myself laid-back and generally easy to get along with most anyone, but I am usually a bit shy at first. Love to have deep philosophical conversations, but I can let loose and have fun or keep to myself if need be. I am legally blind; though I have a lot of usable vision, and can get around pretty well on my own, unfamiliar places are always tricky for me.

PHILOSOPHY

Trying always to increase my knowledge, love, and understanding. Looking for a sense of belonging and purpose in a meaningless universe. Hoping to challenge my own and others' desire for normalcy, use reason instead of judgment to make decisions, embrace multiplicity.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I don't travel much, but when I travel far, it's most likely for academic purposes, to present at conferences. This usually costs a lot of money that graduate students don't have, so a site like this really helps to make travel for accessible and affordable. All I really need is a place to sleep near the conference so I can go in and get out without much hassle. I've only formally participated on this site once, and I've mostly hosted or stayed with friends and people I know, but I've heard a lot of good things about this site. I greatly appreciate the generosity of hosts who open up their homes for those of us who don't have a big budget to fall back on!

Interests

Writing, literature, poetry, disability studies & activism, philosophy, science, music (especially rock and metal), movies (indie, horror, sci-fi, smart comedies)

• writing
• books
• literature
• poetry
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• music
• history
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Right now I'm digging the poetry of James Wright and Sharon Olds. Some recent novels I've read: Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses (it was ok); Katherine Dunn's Geek Love (weird and great); Patrick Suskind's Perfume (disturbing, interesting, though flawed). Being in academia, I read a lot of nonfiction--theory and history--too.

Movies: Been recently turned on to Jim Jarmusch films (Dead Man, Ghost Dog, Broken Flowers). I like a lot of horror and sci-fi (Night of the Living Dead, The Omen, Jurassic Park, The Man Who Fell to Earth). I can appreciate most kinds of films, but tend toward the quirky and fantastical.

Music: Pretty eclectic. I might be listening to Tori Amos, Megadeth, Warren Zevon, Slayer, Tom Waits, Poe, The Beatles, Skinny Puppy, or Immolation on any given day.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I had a tombstone fall on my leg when I was 5. Still have the scars and cast. My dad lifted it off my leg even though it was 500 lbs; when he went back the next day to try to lift it with my grandfather, they couldn't budge it.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you're interested in talking or learning about writing, the history of disability and disability politics, or literature, we'll probably be able to teach other a thing or two.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My knowledge and passion! Any other way I can help reciprocate--buying meals, helping out with chores, etc.--I'll be happy to do.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, Scotland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States