CURRENT MISSION

Becoming the best me that I can be each day.

**Please read all this info, including My Home section, as your request will be declined if it is obvious you have not read and understood.***

ABOUT ME

Single guy just trying to make his way in the world. I'm very open-minded and love discussing ideas, current affairs and challenging paradigms.
I dislike labels, however, I identify as gay for your convenience, though females are not a mystery to me nor unattractive and I'm always open to possibilities.
I've made another move, returning to Melbourne, after a huge lifestyle change where I moved from Sydney to my family home on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to support my Mother. For the last two years I've embarked on a new career in retail banking and was able to internally transfer as part of my relocation thankfully. Most of my working life has been spent around the Defence sector in both uniformed, contract and public service roles. On the side I moonlight in hospitality and have been a waiter, barman, barista, croupier, gym receptionist and poker tournament director.

PHILOSOPHY

My goals are self-centred around becoming the best version of me I can be each and every day. Might sound selfish but I don't throw stones from my glasshouse and the only way I can optimise my service to others is to firstly respect myself.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I see CS as a great way to meet new people from all around the world, learn new things and have some great experiences that might not otherwise be available to 'touristy' tourists!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Surfed with two hosts in the US, one of whom was specifically chosen so that I could have my first naturist experience and this turned out really well despite me obviously being a bit nervous at the beginning. Hosted several times at my old place in Melbourne and hosted many great surfers in Sydney and now looking forward to getting back into the CS groove back here in Melbourne!

Interests

All things property and poker. Art, history and love of books. Spending good times with family and friends. Love to cook when I have the opportunity to share a meal at home with friends or family. My retirement 'plan' is to travel the world following international poker events and pursuing other business opportunities along the way. I would very much like to have a 'partner/s in crime' for these adventures so that we can share the journey.

• arts
• books
• causes
• dining
• cooking
• coffee
• politics
• coding
• poker
• hiking
• camping
• business
• history
• travel
• brunch
• cafès
• walking tours
• gay themed movies

Music, Movies, and Books

Fairly eclectic tastes:
Movies - not really into 'chick flicks', have a huge collection of gay-themed movies
Music - nothing 'too' country or 'too' heavy metal
Books - mostly read non-fiction but some fiction from tim-to-time but not much into fantasy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The highlight of my former career was spending some time in a conflict zone. Professionally rewarding, eye-opening, thought provoking and challenging on a number of levels.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm an ideas guy so always keen to work on ideas so happy to workshop with other entrepreneurial types. Also love discussing politics and social policy type topics. Basically, any topic that causes me to think beyond my own bias is great as I like to expand my thinking and challenge accepted norms.

***For OS arrivals on Working Holiday visas***
If you have made it this far and are coming here on a working visa - please feel free to reach-out to me (regardless of whether you are requesting to stay or not) regards some of the nuances and pitfalls about stuff like: setting-up your Aussie bank account/s, applying for your tax file number, selecting a superannuation provider etc. If you do not know what some of the things I've mentioned are, then you should definitely ask me some questions or do your own research to find out more and ensure that you are not leaving any more money on the table than you legally have too during your stay and after your departure!

What I Can Share with Hosts

My availability is dictated by my work commitments but this is the usual M-F grind so tend to have all of my evenings and weekends mostly free.
I'm happy to go on short trips around the area with you or just out for a meal or drinks.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia