CURRENT MISSION

Simply, I am on a quest to "Find the Others." I have been there and done that, but have not had the opportunity or courage to travel outside certain circles. I want to share Love, be Love, and know Love. I'm an artist. a corny, corny artist.

ABOUT ME

Passionate, nurturing, curious, caring, loyal, and resourceful. A Cancer, Scorpio rising, Moon in Leo. Positive 90's hip-hop taught me most of what I know. I am an artist. 37 years old. I think and speak in metaphors. I paint and write songs to rap and play on my ukulele. I was a bartender for 6 years and a notable artist in a small town. I've built and owned two tattoo shops in the south. Tattooing is not my bliss. I also operated an art gallery I called Law*Mart. When I moved to New York City, I was a graphic designer, a senior editor of two ridiculous adult-oriented publications, a burlesque host and ukulele performer, and started and continue to run a dog walking company in Brooklyn. I was married to a notable burlesque performer for 5 years. She is now busy with her cats and her career. And I am couchsurfing. It was a hard lesson learned, but an eye-opening experience to be pushed from the nest. I decided to use this time in my life as an opportunity. "Do Not Be Afraid." I have no family to speak of, except my sister who I love dearly. I've lived in Washington DC, Cincinnati Ohio (5 years), Athens GA (10 years), and New York City (10 years). I have broken up with what few possessions I acquired in NYC and am ready to open up to traveling and meeting new and talented and creative and loving and HAPPY people. I have no vices to speak of, claiming yerba mate tea as my guilty pleasure. I am a fierce defender of the underdog and value honesty above all other qualities. I am loyal and nurturing, I am respectful and clean. My sense of humor has always served me well, and I am attracted to people who have worked hard emotionally and physically to get to where they are. I love telling stories and am appreciative of kindness. I always go above and beyond to reciprocate and believe that the best is always yet to come. I love a challenge. I haven't watched television in about four years and don't consume anything other than food. I don't wear my politics on my sleeve and believe we are all "that guy" to somebody at some point during the day. I see myself in everyone I pass. I know the power of empathy. We are all responsible for what we say and do, and we are accountable for all the choices we make. This is just a bit about me, freestyling off the top of my head. People say nice things about me behind my back.

PHILOSOPHY

Stay weird. Be honest. Support the underdog. Love without fear. Dreams inform. Imagination is the next realm. The 3rd dimension is sooooo 2001.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I give more than I take. I listen and engage. I never point out a problem without offering a solution or three. I fix stuff. I create stuff. I trust honesty above all else. I share. I believe empathy and laughing can save the world. I make you smile and laugh.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I am just starting out now, moving on from Sunset Park, Brooklyn up to the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Interests

Passion. Art. Metaphor. Talking. Sharing. Learning. Studying language and the mind. I read weird books about the brain. I have a fascination with all things, excluding none. I believe in "yes, and" as opposed to "either, or." I want to Create. I want to share. I want to learn.

• cats
• dogs
• arts
• books
• design
• graphic design
• tattoos
• dining
• cooking
• running
• walking
• politics
• traveling
• painting
• cycling
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

When I started my writing career, I idolized Hunter Thompson and Charles Bukowski. My palette leans nowadays towards the scientific, psychedelic, and historic. I don't really watch movies or really participate in "culture." I did. But I got my fill. If it's been commodified, I'm done with it. Books, art, music of any kind, and people are what I'm into. I must admit, I still love my Beastie Boys, Mos Def, and all Native Tongue hip-hop. All my inspiration. But I can listen to Pacabell's Cannon or Ride of the Valkyries on loop for hours on end too. Or sit perfectly content in complete silence.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

This may seem a bit morbid, but it's the first thing that comes to mind. I saw a man get killed riding his bicycle in Brooklyn on a beautiful sunny day on my bike ride to my best friend's wedding. That day I saw the fragility of Life 15 feet from my face, and I carry that with me in everything that I do. The most amazing aspect of the experience though? Not what I saw, but the split second decision I made to make this horrible thing happening before my face an opportunity to learn and be positive. To this day, I Love more and am kinder, more understanding, more patient, and more HERE in the NOW because of that " amazing thing." I hope that makes sense. There's other more sweet "amazing things," but that jumped to the front of the line while typing.

Teach, Learn, Share

My mind is a Rube Goldberg metaphor factory. I'm handy and resourceful. Creative and artistic. I'm endlessly curious and can't stop learning. Everything I learn I instantly attempt to practically apply it. I've dedicated my life to fighting self-delusion and bettering myself at every opportunity. I tend to instill these qualities in the people I share company with. I believe in Leading by Example. I also clean, cook, build, dismantle, and brainstorm better than most. Short of that, I've always got the ukulele, weird stories, and a sense of humor.

Countries I’ve Visited

Puerto Rico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States