CURRENT MISSION

Neighborhood Exploration

ABOUT ME

I'm a freelance writer, researcher, and photographer and a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of Chicago (but yes, based in New York). I'm interested in the links between urban design/development and local culture and identity. My dissertation concerns so-called "DIY urban design" phenomena, like guerrilla gardening, etc. I'm also working with the US Pavilion team for the 13th Venice Biennale of Architecture. I've been obsessed with cities and the things in them for as long as I can remember.

More broadly, I'm a 31-year-old guy who grew up mostly in Northern California. I'm friendly, very open-minded, and mellow; I like riding bikes, drinking good beer, eating good food, and of course traveling. I live (and travel) with my partner, Emily, a school teacher and administrator in Brooklyn.

PHILOSOPHY

Not that much of a 'personal philosophy' kind of a guy, other than, I suppose, "everything in moderation",,, except of course for travel.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I travel a lot... always have. Growing up with a Californian mother and a Scottish father will do that to you. These days I travel for one of two main reasons: vacation, or research/writing (though the two sometimes overlap). The former I often do with my partner Emily, we love backpacking and visiting off-the-beaten-path locales, sampling local foods and crafts, etc. The latter takes me to a number of cities, predominantly in the U.S. but also abroad.

I use couchsurfing especially for research travel, when I'm looking for a comfy, friendly place to stay for a few days and, frankly, don't have enough research funding to pay much for lodging. I will usually stay in a place for a few days, packing in interviews with people and visits to sites or events. I always like to get my hands on a bike when possible, or take public transit. It's nice to have a friendly couch-surfing spot to get to know some more locals (and local tips).

Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn, we're always happy to have folks staying on our comfy futon.

Interests

Cities, neighborhoods, cycling, graffiti, photography, food, craft ale. And good conversation about almost anything.

• culture
• writing
• architecture
• design
• photography
• diy
• dining
• beer
• drinking
• crafts
• gardening
• traveling
• cycling
• backpacking
• surfing
• teaching
• freelancing
• sociology
• mountains

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Here are four similar ones: the first time I stood atop Victoria Peak looking over Hong Kong, the Griffith Observatory looking over Los Angeles, the top of Roppongi Hills tower looking over Tokyo, and the mountains of Tlalpan looking over Mexico City... I am seriously moved by trying to comprehend the sheer expanse of humanity, ingenuity, and craziness of of urban expanse. That said, I have felt much the same way looking over the Pacific from the cliffs of Northern California, or over the endless green and brown of the Amazon Basin in eastern Peru. And there are some more personal moments that have left me pretty awestruck too.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, United Kingdom, United States

•