CURRENT MISSION

Living it up in the Bay Area with my eyes set on Australia this fall!

ABOUT ME

Woah... Where do I begin... Will it all fit in this box?

I've been breathing for 27 revolutions around our wonderful Sol. I was born in Chicago, and raised in a nearby suburb by the most wonderful family imaginable (if I'm any good at all, I owe it to them.) People tell me I groove to the beat of a different drum and I'm inclined to believe them. I love music and don't go anywhere without my guitar (not saying I'm a rock-star, I just like to play.) I possess two outstanding qualities that are worth mentioning here. One... I'm easy going and love/enjoy just about everything. Practicing yoga and meditation over the last five years brought that into my life, above anything else (mindfulness is so powerful.) Two... I have penchant for empathizing with the human condition and the chaotic path this universe beelines us through. Most people like to talk it seems. I really like to listen. I've learned so much doing this. More importantly, people warm up to me very quickly and I find myself in deep philosophical discussions with people I hardly know (yet.)

PHILOSOPHY

What is the worst that can happen? I die? That is inevitable... Whether it happens in a hundred years, or tomorrow, it's gonna happen. So what is there really to be afraid of? Nothing. Don't get me wrong... I'm all about self-preservation. I like that I get to go on this ride we call "being alive" and I mean to get the most bang for my... mortality. My point is this. When that window of opportunity opens (and it is opening constantly) I jump through, because the only thing I actually fear is looking back and asking myself why I didn't.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I participate by trying to bring a positive attitude to anything I'm doing. There is always an opportunity to reframe a seemingly bad situation, and often it only takes someone suggesting that you do just that.

I participate by laughing, and loving and inviting those around me to laugh and love with me.

I participate by asking one simple question... "How can I help?"

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I Couchsurfed in Portland about two years ago. It was a great experience. Since then, all of the Couchsurfers that I have met have had nothing but good things to say about their experiences.

兴趣

Music
Philosophy
Communication
Behavior
Family & friends
Art and the creation of art
Nature
Meditation
Yoga
Momentum and flow

• arts
• culture
• cooking
• recipes
• yoga
• meditation
• music
• guitar
• boxing

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

Down in Baytown, Tx after hurricane Ike and Gustav. Working at a disaster relief center (DRC) during my last AmeriCorps round. An old man came into the DRC and as he was waiting to be seen by one of the FEMA employees, he shared his story with us. As his story of total destruction unfolded, we were both moved to tears. Afterwards, he thanked me for listening to his story and told me that it was the most anyone had done for his since the hurricane. This was at the beginning of my AmeriCorps experience, and it set the tone for the rest of my year.

My first time at Burning Man... I don't even know how to start to describe that culture. Radical self expression doesn't even scratch the surface. I wrote about it here
https://www.facebook.com/notes/sam-starzynski/reflections-of-the-burn/10100849652681030

教，学，和分享

I know how to play guitar and would certainly teach what I know to those that want to learn.

I also spin a rope-dart and can make some basic jewelry using hemp and wire.

Also, I can cook a few spectacular dishes and would love to spread the recipes.