Gosh, Couchsurfing has changed a bit since I joined almost 20 years ago but I do miss it.

I still really like meeting cool people so write to me if you like that too. I have a wife (we actually met originally on CS) and a three year old son now.

I have been on Couchsurfing since 2005 and it has changed my life. Since joining I have traveled in dozens of countries, hosted hundreds of guests, and made new friends around the world.

My mission used to say "to be a good person" and this is still true. Now I specifically focus on doing the greatest amount of good I can.

I used to live in NYC but these days I live in south Florida.

From my old profile here are some things I wrote about myself that are still true:

I love meeting people for coffee, drinks, or walks.

If you want to meet me, just write me a nice email that shows you read what I wrote. Have something in common with me or want to get to know me or think I'd like to get to know you.

I lived in NYC for about 13 years and I loved it there. Though I love traveling and there are plenty of cities around the world where I'd want to live for a while, I will always miss New York when I am not here.

I have a lot of books. I spend a lot of time reading them and reading the internet and absorbing things that interest me. I never feel like I have enough time to accomplish this. I also spend a lot of time on music, both listening to it and playing it. I also have a strong interest in learning languages. I have been learning Chinese for a long time now and I'm okay at it though not as good as I'd like. I have been vegan for almost 14 years and I know almost everything about vegetarian restaurants in New York. This is now true for New Haven as well though now I cook far more than I did in my NYC days so if you stay here the great likelihood is that I will cook you a great vegan meal rather than take you out for one. I also run a website about vegetarian and vegan restaurants around the world, so if you're looking for good veggie meals, you have come to the right place!

PHILOSOPHY

Do the right thing. Be kind and generous and honest always. Give without expectation of reciprocation. Be grateful to people who give to you. Be amazed by the world and the people in it. Learn constantly. Think carefully about how to do the most good you can.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have been on Couchsurfing for a long time now. It has changed my life. I meet people when I travel and it always makes my trip better. Meeting CSers when they visit the US or when we cross paths elsewhere makes me glad to help and also gives me a better appreciation and a different view of my own city.

I have hosted LOTS of people, met up with LOTS all over the world. Many who I have met through the site are now good friends. One of them is my girlfriend and future wife.

I can't imagine traveling with CS. It's like having local friends everywhere in the world. Even these days when CS isn't quite what it used to be, still CSers can take care of each other like old friends. I continue to be amazed by the wonderful people I meet through this site and I am inspired by their examples.

Interests

I probably talk about animal rights and effective altruism these days more than anything else but I am one of those people who kind of comes up with a story related to whatever you mention. I enjoy meeting people who do the same.

• animals
• books
• animal welfare
• dining
• coffee
• vegetarian
• vegan
• running
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• history
• languages
• philosophy
• activism
• animal rights
• effective altruism
• altruism

Music, Movies, and Books

These days I read mostly books about effective altruism and animal advocacy.

I used to read a lot of non-fiction particularly history, but i'm pretty flexible and open to almost anything I hear is good. I study a lot of Chinese and hope I can start reading Chinese non-fiction soon but there's just so many characters to memorize it's taking a long time. I have a reading list several hundred books long and I'm always shifting around the next selection.

As far as music goes, I studied jazz piano and I play drums in metal bands so that tells you something. I really do like almost everything as long as instruments are involved. I lose interest with a lot of electronic music but even that I can enjoy under certain circumstances.

For television and movies mostly fart jokes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My first trip to China in 2006 for six months when I was new to travel and really green changed my life.

Teach, Learn, Share

I speak Chinese reasonably well and I can speak a little bit of many languages. I studied music and can play various instruments. I know a little about a lot of things. I believe there is something to be learned in almost any situation from almost any person. I'm a pretty good vegan cook these days too so have a lot to share in that department.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States

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