CURRENT MISSION

I am now single and want to travel as part of my working retirement, mostly to keep my sanity.

ABOUT ME

Even though I am a structural engineer, I don't wear plaid! In fact, after becoming an engineer, I grew back the ponytail of my youth (thinner now), sport a handlebar mustache, and got my first tattoo this year. I am deeply interested and involved in green and sustainable design and construction. If we don't curb the hungry energy beast, we will be in deep trouble soon. Green is not just a buzzword any longer, it is our children's future.

PHILOSOPHY

I agree with Thomas Fielding in Hot, Flat and Crowded. He warns that if America doesn't lead the green revolution, it will be left behind. Being a quasi-world leader, America needs to show by example. We are too far behind some true leaders like Passive House in Europe, with 20,000 buildings using 10% of the energy of a code built home. America only has 2 dozen such buildings, because the 5 year return on investment is not there. I am not gung-ho American, just gung-ho green.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am looking for a fun and affordable place to sleep and stash my stuff while traveling to conferences and vacation spots.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I stayed with a young mother and her kids in Dresden Germany and couldn't have had a more gracious hostess. She even came to the train station to gather me at 5 am.

Interests

I am deeply involved in green and sustainable construction methods, specifically Passive House. I also have a 1976 Honda Goldwing motorcycle. I love music, especially girl singers, and my new favorite is either Cassidy and the Music or Wasteland Hop, from Ft. Collins CO.

• design
• traveling
• coding
• music
• sports
• engineering
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I like chick flicks. I don't do horror, reluctantly watch war flicks, but do like a good drama. But the ones that choke you up at the end, like French Kiss, Notting Hill, are my favorite.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Opening my home to over 20 kids, and adopting 7 of them.

Teach, Learn, Share

My Masters final thesis/report was on what role structural engineers can and must play in green/sustainable design and construction. My Masters of Science Civil Engineering ended well, but I have so much more to do and learn.

Countries I’ve Visited

United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

•