CURRENT MISSION

See beyond the obvious .

ABOUT ME

Respectful and considerate. Was an inhibited youth (self-conscious, religious, narrow and "straight"), ... but found life full of surprises, diversity, and boundless options.

My partner (Gary) and I own individual residences, but share our lives. "Home" is anyplace we share with friends.

Before you visit here, please google the short video, "Portlandia, Dream of the 90s" ... seriously, watch it!

I was surprised by Portland, and chose to relocate here.
I like to "share," and enjoy giving morning pedestrian tours of downtown to Surfers (regardless of where they bunk).

NOTE:
- I am a "morning person",... (those desiring nite-life or bars need to look elsewhere);
- I expect surfers to give me a couple hours to show them some of Portland.
- I do not "decline" anyone because of gender or sexuality.
- I live as a naturist/nudist at home; ... friends and surfers are invited to dress (or not) to suit their own level of comfort;
- I respect all homes and host expectations when asking to surf elsewhere.

- My condo is under repair and there are some inconveniences.

PHILOSOPHY

"It's not what we don't know that gets us into trouble, it's what we know for certain that ain't so." -Will Rogers

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Share TIME (beverage and tour of downtown) ... or ...
share HOME (tour of downtown and place to refresh).

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

CS is not about a "free bed," ...
CS is new friendships and experiences with diverse MEMBERS (mature or inexperienced - straight or gay or unlabeled - masculine or feminine or unconfined - costumed or nudist - typically respectful and interesting).
[I've traveled extensively with international hospitality exchanges (eg. LGHEI) for decades. CS is one of the best and most accessible.]

Interests

Eclectic; ... travel, cuisine, landscaping, living "green", visual and performing arts, contemporary and ancient cultures, scuba, candid photography; ... friends.

Music, Movies, and Books

Diverse, ... tending towards classical and historical.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Life's full of them, ... these come to mind:
The awesome silence of Antarctica's desolate interior; ... Deafening, pounding roar of Iguasu Falls (Brazil/Argentina) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe); ... Playful nose-to-nose encounters with Galapagos sea lions as they pulled on my arm or flippers with their jaws, and mimicked my exhalation of scuba air bubbles; ... Awareness that my literal survival during an independent Sahara-crossing to Timbuktu was due to unsolicited and merciful intervention (on four occasions) by unrelated, non-white, non-Christian, non-English-speaking African Muslims, with whom nothing was shared in common save our humanity.

Teach, Learn, Share

Don't be afraid to speak up and defend others. One of the greatest privileges of my life was the opportunity (while teaching in Montana) to participate in legal case "Gryczan v. Montana" as one of 6 plaintiffs to successfully challenge and overturn that state's anti-gay laws.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Experiences, ... perspective, ... enthusiasm.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Antarctica, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Scotland, Singapore, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S., Wales, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Fiji, Italy, South Africa, United States

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