CURRENT MISSION

To get some Greek back!

ABOUT ME

Hello. It's me, Danny. I like people. I like music. I like playing guitar. I like singing. I like experiencing live music. I like kicking a ball around. I like running fast, in short bursts. I like time out. I like reflection. I like long conversations of random deep thought. I like to dance (to my own rhythm). I like to make up words. I like witty one liners. I like random trains of thought. I like telling stories. I like listening. I like throwing in a little quiet chill time to mix it up. I like life having a soundtrack. I like being incognito. I like exclamation marks! I like the ocean. I like soft sand. I like late afternoons, when the sun stops burning. I like sleep ins. I like rain, when there's no wind. I like snow, when there's no wind. I like sailing (but man, it's been a looooong time). I like rugby league. I like football. I like feeling fresh. I like coffee. I like distractions. I like taking time to enjoy the details. I like variety. I like actually "being there". I like learning how to use my gifts to help others. I like feeling supported. I like believing in and supporting my friends. I appreciate the present moment, forgive the past, and have faith in the future.

PHILOSOPHY

Daing, guess I should really try to narrow myself down... How abouts "Take it easy, while also thinking and talking alot. And trust your gut. And throw in a little faith that everything will work out if you keep honestly following your own compass. And sing! Whenever you feel like it."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Been blending with the Welli Couchie scene since the start of '10. Looking forward to meeting good peeps around the world on my travels, and showing them around Wellington when I'm back home.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I'm pretty new around here, but have found myself in the company of couchsurfers for some time now. I've been amazed at how warm, open, generous and full of life you all are. And you've helped me to open my horizons too. The couchsurfing ethos is contagious. It's like getting drawn in to the mob. Only, pretty much the exact opposite of the mob! Except maybe for the loyalty, good food, lifelong bonds, sense of family...

I've just started my Mini OE (a Kiwi tradition), so I'm not really able to host at the mo. When I return to NZ I'll be crashing at my parent's pad until I figure out what's happening next with my life, at which point in time couch hosting shall ensue!

Interests

• singing
• folklore
• make up
• dancing
• dining
• coffee
• running
• working out
• music
• live music
• guitar
• sailing
• soccer
• rugby
• sign language

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite movies: Science of Sleep, I Heart Huckabees. There are more but my brain is Jello (I also seem to have a Star Wars quote for almost any occassion).

Music: Pearl Jam - Well this should really be in it's own category, as I can't really compare the influence this band has had in my life to any other musical artist.

Currently also on my Athens playlist: Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, Ben Harper, Blur, Springsteen, Counting Crows, Dean Martin, Eddie Vedder, Elliot Smith, Elton John, Fat Freddy's Drop, Fleet Foxes, Fly My Pretties, Frank Sinatra, Gomez, Hootie, Jack Johnson, John Mayer Trio, Maps, MGMT, Michael Franti, Mutton Birds, My Morning Jacket, Neil Finn, Neil Young, Noah Gunderson, Odessa, Peter Bjorn and John, Phoenix Foundation, PJ Harvey, REM, Ray Charles, Rolling Stones, Ryan Adams, Salmonella Dub, Shihad, Smashing Pumpkins, Split Enz, Black Seeds, Doors, Eagles, Strokes, Verve, Weakerthans, Third World, Trinity Roots, TV on the Radio, U2, Iron and Wine, Weezer, Who, Wilco, Yeaysayer, Breaks Co-op, and a selection of disco classics.

I really need to listen to more chicks. Not of the Dixie variety though! Can you help?

Books: I am chronic for not reading novels! I've got quite a collection of unfinished books at home. It usually helps if the content is music related. The last book I actually finished was the Wilco biography. I do read quite alot, but usually it's short attention span, news and magazine article kinda stuff. Sad I know! I think other people's reading time is my music listening/generally doing most things slower than other people time....

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

There's an awesome, ancient rock in Athens, on the same hill as the Acropolis. It's a great place to sit and think, or just chill. I "discovered" it during my first time in Greece in 2006, and it was the place I kept coming back to. I particularly remember enjoying being the only person up there one night in the middle of winter, when it was partly covered in snow. The other night I finally climbed up there again, four years later. I threw my bag under my head as a pillow and enjoyed the sunset with a relaxed crowd of anonymous travellers and locals, until the city lights had finally taken over from the sun. Kapai!

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, I could teach you a few chords on the guitar. I actually think I've got a good nouse for songwriting, although my output is really slow. Collaboration seems to be the key. perhaps I could pull some words of wisdom out of the air for you? Greeks always seem to have advice! Ooooh, I can also teach you a grand total of TWO Greek dances!

I also have a couple of words of Greek I could share with you, or New Zealand Sign Language if I can remember that far back.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Greece, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand

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