CURRENT MISSION

Hello all, my name is Mike and my goal is to see as much as I can and create a positive impact on everyone I come into contact with.

ABOUT ME

My name is Mike, and I am awesome. I am open for most things, and will try most things at least once. You do only live once after all. I am very easy going, and easy to talk to.
I am very respectful and polite after being raised by a single mom, which has made me a stronger person for it. I volunteer at a camp for people with special needs (mental illness along with physical), which is one of the most rewarding experiences in my short 22 years on this planet.

PHILOSOPHY

I always think of this quote from Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead when I think philosophy.
“I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York's skyline. Particularly when one can't see the details. Just the shapes. The shapes and the thought that made them. The sky over New York and the will of man made visible. What other religion do we need? And then people tell me about pilgrimages to some dank pesthole in a jungle where they go to do homage to a crumbling temple, to a leering stone monster with a pot belly, created by some leprous savage. Is it beauty and genius they want to see? Do they seek a sense of the sublime? Let them come to New York, stand on the shore of the Hudson, look and kneel. When I see the city from my window - no, I don't feel how small I am - but I feel that if a war came to threaten this, I would throw myself into space, over the city, and protect these buildings with my body"

I was raised Roman Catholic due to my 13 years in Catholic school. I no longer can relate to any religion, except my own brand of morals and principles. I believe that everyone gets what is coming to them, and I believe in myself and the friends I surround myself with. That is why I try to do the best I can at everything I apply myself to

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have a strong desire to couch surf because I want locals to show me the local hot spots, instead of the big touristy spots.

Regretfully I cannot host anyone on my couch because I have no couch to offer. I am however very down to hang out and show anyone around the greatest city that is New York. (Yes, I am egocentric)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have met couch surfers from France through my terrific friend Francis Pastorelle. I am very excited to get better acquanted with this network of people.

Interests

I am very interested in bettering myself and to never ever stop learning. I have an infatuation with reading, and as of late I have been reading some Icelandic epics to better prepare myself for my upcoming trip to Iceland. I am into seeing live music, and making great memories. I plan to remain a kid at heart for as long as I live.

• beauty
• exercise
• reading
• music
• live music
• guitar
• camping
• religion
• volunteering
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk, and Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band), the Killers, Nirvana, Weezer, Explosions in the Sky, M. Ward (and his project with Zoey Deschanel called She & Him), Bon Iver, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Grouplove amongst others.

I absolutely love Tarantino's work (especially Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Kill Bill). My top 5 movies are Reservoir Dogs, Casablanca, Star Wars ( original trilogy of course), Homeward Bound, and Billy Madison.

My favorite book has got to be one I have read back when I was 13, which is The Outsiders. Now I am very much into the fantasy author Neil Gaiman (go read American Gods or the Sandman!)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most sights I have ever seen in my life was in the beginning of October when me and my friends went to Niagara Falls. No, it was not the falls, but it was a sunset overlooking the Hudson Valley in upstate New York. It was overlooking a farm that was surrounded by mountains in the background, while circled by the Hudson River. I aspire to see more beautiful things similar to that as much as possible.

Teach, Learn, Share

Due to my background in English I can help others write, edit and sometimes give inspiration. I am a terrific listener. I am currently learning more about nutrition and exercising to better oneself.

I really want to learn how to play an instrument. I currently own a guitar and a ukulele, but I can't seem to find the time to learn.