CURRENT MISSION

To make new friends and see more of the world

ABOUT ME

I've recently moved to Manchester, having lived in Leeds for the previous 8 years. I joined this website out of curiosity and a desire to see more of the world, and learn more about it by having proper contact with the people who live in the places I visit.

I felt like I ought to do some more travelling, having spent over a year in New Zealand at the turn of the millennium. I've got a natural curiosity about the world and an enquiring mind. I can be quite shy to start with, but usually open up more once I get to know people. By participating in this site, I don't want to just surf people's couches because it's a cheaper option than staying in a hotel - it seems like a great opportunity to make new friends, as I discovered when I couch-surfed in Copenhagen in 2008, making two great new friends, and again when I couch-surfed in Reykjavik in 2009.

PHILOSOPHY

If something feels right, then do it. If it doesn't feel right, or it causes others unnecessary hurt, then don't. It sounds obvious enough, but from my experience it's a difficult one to get right.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I couch-surfed in Copenhagen in July 2008, staying with two different hosts, and again in Reykjavik in August 2009. I intend to carry on participating, whenever I travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I surfed with two great people when I stayed in Copenhagen in July 2008. For the first couple of nights my host was Pau, then for the rest of my stay the fabulous Kirstine. I ate pistachios by the waterfront, got mistaken for the Hulk, took part in a treasure hunt and generally had an amazing time. I'd recommend those two as hosts to anyone else staying in Copenhagen.

Interests

Reading, music, TV, films, going for long walks, cooking (I do a mean sponge cake), spending far too much time on the internet.

• causes
• cooking
• movies
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• music

Music, Movies, and Books

This bit could go on forever. If I'm being concise, films that I've seen in the last year or so and really enjoyed include There Will Be Blood, The Orphanage, No Country for Old Men and Zodiac. Favourite directors include Almodovar, PT Anderson and Roeg.

Music-wise, my tastes are pretty eclectic, although more alternative and pop (proper pop, as opposed to the bland hegemony of Simon Cowell) than anything. Particular favourites include the Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, the Go-Betweens, Magnetic Fields, Pet Shop Boys, Sigur Ros and (most of all) Kate Bush.

As for books, again probably too many to list here, but favourite authors include Jonathan Coe, Angela Carter, Ian McEwan, Margaret Attwood and Ian Rankin. Probable favourite novel of all time would be The House of Sleep by Jonathan Coe.

Countries I’ve Visited

Denmark, New Zealand

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom

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