More to come, but until then my website is a good place to start http://arlequin.nyc

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I wish to give back what I had received in my past when I needed it most; guidance towards local flavor.

I find great pleasure in veering one off of being lost, overwhelmed and missing out on anything with local character.

Interests

You will find me most of the time wandering and making pictures on the streets of New York City, my favorite canvas of everything. While I don't live off of photography, I do live by it.

Also I am most passionate about diving and I am currently a certified rescue diver with serious aspirations of becoming a dive-master within a year and eventually a skipper of my own boat.

Though I did traditional Japanese Shotokan for twenty something years I had to stop due to an old injury involving a motorcycle accident, I am still at heart one with this traditional form of art as it forged me into who I am today; humble, calm, giving, meditative.

• arts
• photography
• cooking
• boating
• scuba diving
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

I listen mostly to classical (Giuseppe Verdi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), ambient (Biosphere, Woob, Jean-Michel Jarre) and at times to synth-pop (Depeche Mode, The Cure), dub/ethnic (Blockhead, Toires, Youth, ) and trip-hop (Tricky, Massive Attack, Garbage, Portishead). Anything Mstislav Rostropovich is a joy to listen to.
You will find me either at the Metropolitan Opera, NYPhilharmonic, Juilliard School, Carnegie Hall or The Armory at least once a month, as I love both opera and chamber music. My favorite baritone is Thomas Hampson, so I make sure I get my Hampson treat once or twice a year when he performs in NYC.

Hmm, movies, ... Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain , Chocolat, American Beauty, The Dark Knight, Fight Club, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, District 9, Moon, Lord Of The Rings, Drive, Snatch and many more.

I have a lot of respect for Allan Watts and most notably for his "The Wisdom of Insecurity", this book influenced me, or should I say calmed me in many ways no other book did. I also find great pleasure in reading Naomi Klein, Elizabeth Kolbert, Noam Chomsky, Daniel Dennett and others (mostly non-fiction at this point).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Becoming one who lives in the now.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you are into photography and specifically film photography boy you are in for a treat. You wish to learn of off-the-beaten-tourist-path streets and places? I'll be your guide.

I am quite passionate about cooking but have shied away really, would quite enjoy learning more, much more; oh and cellos, it has been many years I would like to pick up a cello and learn how to play.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My home, a room, a smile and plenty of knowledge on New York City. I walk the streets a lot and I frequent quite a few galleries, venues and whatnots.

Countries I’ve Visited

Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Romania, United States