Hi, I'm Charity!

I'm a recovering academic, socially oriented introvert, role-playing and speculative fiction nerd, amateur game developer, and utilitarian vegan, polyamorous, analytical.

A couple years back I had a divorce and a gender transition and I've had to throw out a lot of assumptions about what I wanted my life to look like. I'm like weirdly cooler and happier now, and I find myself with the confidence and openness to really experiment and experience life in ways I never could before.

I'm on the autism spectrum and do best with open, direct communication about expectations. I'm plenty smart and conscientious; I'm just not always good at picking up hints or body language and my ideas of what constitutes common sense is might not naturally line up with yours even if we do share a culture. Mostly it doesn't come up but I think it's good for people to know where I'm operating from.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm a homebody at heart, and probably always will be, but I think one of the things that has deterred me from traveling in the past, aside from the cost, is the difficulty of making any sort of meaningful connections in the places I go.

I love people, especially in small groups or one on one. I'm hoping my next traveling experiences will include more opportunities for memorable times with new friends.

Interests

I spend my time running too many distinct Dungeons and Dragons games for my friends, writing and coding for various long term projects, cooking for myself and anyone I can get to come over, and working just enough to survive.

• cooking
• reading
• philosophy
• lgbt
• cuddling
• conversation
• nerdy stuff
• game design
• tabletop rpgs

Music, Movies, and Books

Fiction fiction fiction.

Books
I mostly read fantasy novels and sci fi a bit. Danial Abraham, Joe Abercrombie, Brandon Sanderson, George R. R. Martin, Neal Stephenson. I've lacked as much focus for reading lately, but I'm following the webserial Ward by wildbow (John McCrea) pretty religiously and I have a pretty big soft spot for all of his stuff I've read. Also Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality in all its didactic, internet rationalist glory.

Film & Television
I like longform storytelling a lot so I watch a lot more of it than standalone films and then forget which filmsI like. I accidentally got addicted to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I love well written kids shows like Avatar/The Dragon Prince, Hilda, Steven Universe. Superhero dramadies. Prestige dramas. BoJack Horseman. Crazy Ex Girlfriend. The Wire. Wes Anderson. Things about teenagers fascinate me.

Music
Background music often overstimulates me so I only occasionally have stuff playing. Mostly when I listen it ends up being metal or indie stuff, soundtracks. MC Frontalot. I'm pretty open to expanding my musical palette.

Internet stuff
My Brother My Brother and Me, The Adventure Zone, Critical Role, Homestuck, Oglaf, Unraveled. Left-leaning video essayists.

Games
I imprinted on JRPGs and Point and Click Adventures in the late 90s and I think I'm stuck there? Mother/Earthbound, Undertale, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, Monkey Island, Quest of Glory, The Longest Journey/Dreamfall. I recently played through the Trails in the Sky trilogy and I have so many opinions. Stardew Valley ate my life for a while.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I would love to cook some tasty veggie dishes for you, or maybe run a short RPG scenario for you and a couple friends - all the better if you've never played before.

I'm a warm and open conversationalist, a great hugger who knows how to ask first and respect boundaries, and I'm good at meeting people where they are at.

I also make a point to not take up too much space or leave messes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Japan

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States