CURRENT MISSION

Branching out, pruning branches, growing roots. I try to constantly reinvent myself.

ABOUT ME

Happily married since 1985. We have two kids who are now more mature than I am, and we have an ongoing relationship that is the joy of my life. Me, I love to travel, design stuff, make stuff, play guitars, write songs, read, write, converse, contemplate, meditate, philosophize, and go out for draft beer. I'm a progressive, vegetarian animal lover and social justice proponent, but I won't ever get in your face about that stuff (unless you ask me).

PHILOSOPHY

I don't subscribe to any particular dogma, but I do believe in some kinda something that ties us all together. I'm open to hearing anyone's ideas about what's behind the metaphysical curtain (in fact that might be the only real conversation there is), but I'll push back if you claim to have a monopoly on the truth.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We're lucky to have a too-big house with acres around us, and I want to share. I love the idea of Couchsurfing so I can see the belly of a place (instead of just the back).

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Only used CS twice as a couchsurfer, but have hosted lots of folks. We've yet to have a negative experience. Since the pandemic, I have to admit that my partner and I have drifted away from Couchsurfing, but building community is more important than ever, and we’re ready to get back into it.

Interests

I fell in love with songwriting around 2009, and my life sort of shifted toward music in a big way about that time.

We have a music venue/community arts resource center here on our property called Doodad Farm, built around an old log tobacco barn. It's not about making money; it's about building community and sharing art and ideas. It's the best thing we've ever done. Search “Doodad Farm” and you’ll find images and videos that will help you see the magic that goes on here.

• animals
• arts
• architecture
• design
• beer
• vegetarian
• meditation
• traveling
• woodworking
• music
• songwriting

Music, Movies, and Books

Tom Robbins writes my books with help from folks like Carl Sagan, Barbara Kingsolver, and Dr. Seuss. Some guys from Liverpool do my music. I also like classical (but know nothing about it), bluegrass, blues without grass, singer songwriter stuff (Prine, Cliff Eberhardt, James Taylor). All pretty mellow. Movies, yep.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once had an experience during meditation that was the most "real" moment of my life, and those few seconds had a huge effect on the direction of my life.

I spent several weeks in India -- the dirtiest, stinkiest and in many ways the most miserable place I've ever witnessed. It was also completely beautiful and magical. Oddly, I felt very much at home there, like I somehow belonged there.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love songwriting (and writing in general) and have hosted a monthly songwriter circle at my home since 2012. I never tire of the conversation, especially the mystery of where songs come from.

I like designing things and used to be an aerospace engineer, so I know how to build things that hold up. I’ve renovated a few houses and really love the process of rescuing and improving architectural gems.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can help you learn how to play guitar, design and build stuff out of wood, composite materials, metal, etc.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, France, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Togo, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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