What to say?? I'm on the move between career directions, semi-permanent addresses, and animal companions--I just finished an adjunct teaching appointment at a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, and, sadly, my last feline friend moved on to prowl other planes of existence a few months ago. Meanwhile, my part-time job--tutoring and teaching LSAT prep classes--is portable, so I decided a move of my own was in order.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I recently watched Amanda Palmer's TED talk (http://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking?language=en), read her recent book (The Art of Asking), and was inspired by her discussions in the talk and in the book about the community-building aspects of couchsurfing. (Her music video for her song, Ukulele Anthem, also inspired me...to buy a ukulele: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njDQsQpFIqA)

I've criss-crossed the country several times, living everywhere from California to Maryland, but always with a feline companion in the car, and always staying in hotels--neither aspect lends itself to getting to know people and places! I'm hoping to take advantage of couch-surfing opportunities during this cross-country adventure, then to "pay it forward" when I'm semi-permanently relocated.

Interests

If you "google" my name, you'll see my scholarly history and the titles of various academic talks I've given on the topic of legal personhood, psychiatric rights, and animal rights. More recently, I've been putting together humanities research proposals related to the neuroscientific study of meditation.

Less professionally-speaking, I love inspired vegan cooking, meeting people who are interested in alternatives to the standard in any regard, and, recently, studying qigong (I've received certification as a practice leader by the IIQTC).

• animals
• arts
• humanities
• books
• cooking
• vegan
• meditation
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• surfing
• history
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy many sorts of alternative or edgy music, though I'm not an expert in any of them.

My favorite movie over the years has been Groundhog Day. More recently, on the serious side, I loved Beasts of the Southern Wild, and also Birdman. This is the End made me laugh 'til I cried, maybe against my better judgment.

Most of my book-reading in the last few decades has been academic, but I took time to read Russell Brand's Revolution a couple of months ago and was impressed by the message and the humor.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I presented a paper in November at the International Symposium for Contemplative Studies, where I got to see the Dalai Lama in conversation with western neuroscientists. That was fun.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Lots of talk on any of the subjects mentioned above, plus some. I'm also traveling with my new ukulele, which I'll graciously *not* to try to play in polite company. But if the hosts are musicians, I'm happy to learn from them!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Colombia, England, Mexico