At this point in my life I am most interested in the inner lives of myself and others. I value deep connection and appreciate finding out about others' interior perspectives and experience. I have been on an inner journey for many years. I've also become a bit less outgoing and more shy as I've gotten older - sometimes I feel a little awkward at the beginning with new people.

I am a passionate photographer and "community" builder. I also enjoy gardening and dogs. I'm endlessly curious about the world around me. I can also sometimes be quite cynical - about politics and how humans are destroying so much in the world. I find a lot of what is happening in the US very disturbing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'll be traveling in Norway and Sweden in July/August 2023. I'll need a place to stay in Sweden for a few days from the 20th of August to the 23rd of August when I will return home.

Interests

• dogs
• photography
• environment
• gardening
• nature
• community
• climate change
• sustainable building

Music, Movies, and Books

Books (waaaaay too many books to mention, here are just a few!
Different Drum and also The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck.
The Overstory
Charles De Lint!
Jane Austen

Music
I love folk rock and Brazilian jazz but I listen to almost everything. Not a fan of hard rock though.

Movies
Wings of Desire
Fanny and Alexander (yes, this has been a top fave since it came out years ago!)
Groundhog Day

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the 1990s I got to take thousands of black and white photographs with James Bergin of 17 very high end restaurants and food markets mainly in New York City, Boston and Washington DC. Two books were printed (Culinary Artistry, and Becoming a Chef: Journal) and both covers were photographs I had taken. This was one of the very best projects I ever got to work on!!!

Here's a second very cool thing I got to do, also in the 1990's: For about 8 weeks I worked with the New York City Ballet as a very lowly assistant to the assistant stage manager. It was fantastic to see these international ballet stars dance from just off stage. Everyone on the crew was amazing to work with and Peter Martins the ballet master even hugged me at the end. Wow!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Sense of humor, I can cook a souffle if you have the right oven dish for it, street photography, and.... grief about our world.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, France, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turks and Caicos Islands