I'm a freelance writer, so part of my work in life is to go have as many experiences as possible. My "beat" is somewhat focused on science and technology, but these days that covers just about everything; I've profiled the world's 13th-best Donkey Kong player, a guy who wants to DNA test John Wilkes Booth's body, and a programmer who created an operating system to talk to God. (So maybe I'm also interested in what happens at the margins of the expected.) This year I'd like to devote myself to traveling more, whether that's for work or just to expand my sense of the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm eager to meet people whose life experience is different from my own. I'm always interested in seeing how others live and think.

Interests

I read a lot about politics and current events ("news"). I dabble in almost everything else; my undergraduate degree was in information science, so I have a computer/tech background, but I also went on to study and teach writing. Living outside of Detroit, I've been fascinated by the city's changes and the question of its future -- to me, it faces questions that almost all American cities are going to face in the coming decades.

• writing
• cooking
• politics
• technology
• news
• traveling
• socializing
• economics
• freelancing
• neuroscience
• science
• software

Music, Movies, and Books

Right now I'm very into Paul Thomas Anderson and Werner Herzog; Anderson's adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice was the collision of two of my favorite creative worlds. I'm reading a book of Herzog interviews, and I find his worldview fascinating.

I'd like to say unselfconsciously that Infinite Jest is my favorite book, but I don't think I can do that. (Say it unselfonsciously, I mean. It's pretty great and I once left a copy on the subway in hopes someone would pick it up and love it.) I've read a lot of pretty great stuff, and always enjoy talking about books.

I'm kind of deficient when it comes to talking about music. I like Clutch (stoner-metal?) and can listen to almost anything. One day I'd like to take a course in classical music so I can understand it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I traveled to the West Bank to write about a group of medical students creating a neuroscience lab there. It was really inspiring to see what they'd accomplished.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm constantly curious and interested in almost everything, so I think I can offer good conversation on many topics. I'll bring my newest copy of The Economist and we can talk about how annoying it is. I can also cook a few things, sort of.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Costa Rica, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States