CURRENT MISSION

To make the most of life and have a positive impact on the world and its people.

ABOUT ME

I'm an Australian by birth, but have spent most of my adult life in Colorado or traveling. I spent an awesome year in Latin America, and another cumulative year in Europe, the Middle East, East Africa and Australia/NZ. So many stories to share!

I love mountain sports (esp. climbing and mountain biking). But I also enjoy thought-provoking conversations and books, the odd strategy game, and a good salsa dance.

As for work, my background is in engineering, in hard drives and then renewable energy. I'm now getting into energy economics and policy, with an eye towards slowing global warming. I'll soon be starting a PhD at UBC, Vancouver. Come and stay with me up there!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

As a guest, I'm considerate and fun. I like to share stories, learnings and chocolate. I always leave a place cleaner than I found it, with a few extra beers in the fridge.

When I'm done traveling, I'll have a couch to offer in Vancouver, Canada.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My CS experience so far has been informal. eg. I recently stayed at a new friend's place in Chamonix, leaving it nicely cleaned up afterwards. As for hosting, last year I offered my couch to a long-lost schoolmate when he came to Colorado. It was great to catch up the last 15 years over beers and show him around!

Interests

Renewable energy and climate change (I'll soon be doing a PhD in this field). Travel, history, and science. Mountaineering, mountain biking and kayaking. The human experience, and how to make the most of it.

• books
• dancing
• chocolate
• beer
• technology
• traveling
• cycling
• kayaking
• mountaineering
• sports
• rock climbing
• economics
• engineering
• history
• psychology
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I just read Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything" - an entertaining overview of science and its history. Before that was "The Age of Oil", which brought to light the dark side of many modern events, like the Fall of the Shah of Iran.
My favorite all-time books include "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond, and "Undercover Economist" by Tim Harwood. I also love a good Sci-Fi, like an Asimov or Niven.
For movies, I loved the Lord of the Rings and the Terminator trilogies, but my favorite movie ever is the German film "In July" - a tale of travel, love and personal growth.
Music: Dido, Green Day, Mana, Manu Chao, Lounge - all over the boat, really.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Here's a few: Climbed 6000m peaks in Peru, Skydived NZ, 4WD'ed across Australia's Outback and Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, hitch-hikied around Cuba and Jordan, and earned my 20th US Patent. No whale-riding or camel-taming. Yet.

Teach, Learn, Share

Renewable energy and cimate change. Developing world travel (esp. Latin America). Friendly but effective bargaining strategies. Why Obama has his work cut out for him. Some social dynamics and psychology. Lotsa stuff about science and technology and history.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Guatemala, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United States

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