I’m a full-time, freelance web designer and technical consultant. I enjoy the intersection between technology, art, and design. As an artist I specialize in transmedia, immersive art, and experience design. You can see some examples of my work on my website at https://www.mikerezl.com

I’ve had a life-long interested in non-ordinary experiences. I’m especially curious about what they can teach us in terms of the nature of consciousness and universe. I’ve consistently studied spiritual experiences, psychedelics, near-death experiences, and ufology. I help moderate r/UFO (the largest online forum focused on the subject) and attend the largest annual conference dedicated to it and related issues.

I’m deeply interested in systemic issues, the metacrisis, and notion of civilizational collapse. I’ve helped moderate r/collapse for several years (the largest online community focused on these topics).

I love traveling, meeting new people, and learning more about their world and unique experiences.

I'm very interested in the French language and have been studying it regularly for a few years, but still do not speak it fluently. I deeply enjoy French and European culture in general.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I was stuck in New York without a place to stay in 2008 and wrangled a host who completely blew me away with his generosity and enthusiasm. His gift was so inspiring I've been trying to pay it forward ever since! There's also no better way to meet locals abroad or take in travelers and share the best parts of your hometown.

Interests

I'm interested in intentional communities, art, technology, dreams, ufology, mindfulness, psychedelics, cyberpunk, transmedia, and understanding fundamentals of what bring people together.

• arts
• culture
• books
• design
• graphic design
• technology
• freelancing

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Synthwave / Nu-Disco / French House / 80s pop / Outrun / Futurecop! / Keenhouse / She / Daft Punk / Nine Inch Nails / Steve Moore / Junior Senior / Justice / Chromeo / Ninja Sex Party / Kai Lavatai / Matt Uelme

Movies & TV: Portrait of a Lady on Fire / Donnie Darko / The Thing / Super 8 / Community / Game of Thrones / Firefly / Neon Genesis Evangelion / Stranger Things / Star Trek: The Next Generation

Books: Richard Dolan / Ender's Game / Watchmen / Daemon / Ready Player One / The End of All Evil / The Art of Loving / Hellbound Heart

Other: The Jejune Institute / Lucid Dreaming / Singularity / Alternate Reality Games / Burning Man / Robots / Explosions / The Latitude Society

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've been helping build a temporary city and turn it back to dust each year since 2008. Black Rock City is an unparalleled nexus of creativity and diversity set within the harshness of the Nevada desert. It's notoriously difficult to translate what happens there; I've recounted most of my trips here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlc9LpgBFC1l_0yDxOYUaPjL_VFEn354B

Teach, Learn, Share

I am skilled technologist, artist, and designer. I can probably fix your computer or show you some ways to save more time with it. I do freelance web and graphic design for a living. I can also make you a website, pretty picture, or anything in between.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I would love to share my passion for French, art, and technology. I can fix your computer, share some good electronica, or offer a good book.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States

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