Hey kind strangers,

My friends would describe me as kind, humble, funny and, sometimes, a little bit cynical. For now I'm just going let the other profile boxes do the talking for me since I couldn't get my far flung friends to do it for me (not that they would, thankfully!)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Although I was lucky enough to live in some other countries, I've never been much of a traveler per se. Part of that is because I'm a poor planner but mostly it was due to money, college and, frankly, some more important things I was dealing with in my life.

Now, I've got a little money in my purse and have determined to leave home to find whatever grabs my attention and sparks anew my lust for life. That last item is not something travel will necessarily bring me, but the new people I meet through counchsurfing might, in a moment or turn of conversation, help me branch out in my life and in my mind.

If you can help me gain a new perspective on myself or the world, that's great. If not, can I at least sleep on your couch and dream?

Interests

• literature
• wine
• politics
• geopolitics
• history
• journalism
• philosophy
• public policy
• film
• craft beer
• mutualism
• electric guitar
• environmentalism
• sound design
• german language
• progressivism
• critical theory
• lake michigan
• political theory
• german literature
• media criticism
• the wisconsin idea
• terriers

Music, Movies, and Books

Books (nonfiction): Manufacturing Consent, Legacy of Ashes, The American Way of Eating, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

(fiction): Ulysses, Redeployment, A Brief History of Seven Killings, Berlin Alexanderplatz

Movies: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Star Trek: Beyond, DOPE, Apocalypse Now, The Silent Gardener, Wings of Desire, Pulp Fiction, The Dark Knight, many more

Music: Al Green, Siriusmo, Arcade Fire, The Clash, Chance the Rapper, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z, Tchaikovsky, Yo-Yo Ma, David Bowie, Bon Iver, M.I.A., Wilco, Daft Punk, J.U.S.T.I.C.E

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I learned German without any prior experience through immersion despite being in cosmopolitan city with many people eager to speak my mother tongue.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'll teach you German!

I'd like to learn how you came around to your current views on [US policy issue]

Let's share a laugh. Or what we think we make a good film/novel.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Whatever you need within reason! Also, I'll share food if I buy any groceries or beer, etc. if you want an evening brew.*

* If you abstain from alcohol or any other substances I have no issues following your lead within bounds of your home.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Ireland