I spend much of my time wandering into strange places, seeing what they're like, and then making art about my experiences. 'Art' for me right now is: scribbling, writing, colouring, making noise on instruments, vocal resonation, freestyle dancing. I spend the rest of my time trying to catch glimpses of the muse through proximity to other artists and their crafts.

I studied vikings in university. My master's research explored instances of corpses who walk again, and the interesting things that happen to their psyches, bodies, and living spaces.

My best friend is a ridgeback/husky. She has incredible energy and infinite love to give. She lives with me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am a traveller who loves to meet travellers.

The idea of couchsurfing offers an organic experience and the opportunity to know a city more intimately. I want to experience authentic tastes and vibes of the places I go.

I want to share my own experiences of Niagara Falls outside of the canned tourism it is associated with.

Interests

Art--but more specifically: engaging the muse (live music, poetry, theatre, art, drawing humans), the making of art (scribbling, noise-making, writing), bringing out my aesthetic vision.

Interacting with humans: meeting people, making people smile, genuine conversation, discussions of fringe philosophy, sharing meals, making art near each other

Experiencing the world: on foot, bicycle, roller blades, in a car, on a bus, on a train, on a plane...I think I'm drawn to any form of motion; going places with my dog, my friends, myself, strangers; cities, natural spaces, all kinds of weather - I want to feel it all

Food and drink: tasting hand-crafted foods with simple ingredients, cooking, sharing food I've made, beverages (craft beer, wine, tea, coffee)

Mostly, I love to laugh and smile and shine in each moment, and all the better to share.

• dogs
• arts
• writing
• poetry
• coloring
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• coffee
• drinking
• crafts
• socializing
• drawing
• music
• live music
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I'm genre fluid - rigid borders are very silly. Lately it's Tom Waits, Swans, cocorosie, and St Catharines hip hop. I love 'noise' as a genre, but can't stand music that is noisy.

Movies: In theory, movies are interesting. I like the idea of combining sound and motion to tell stories. Life isn't so simple, however, and I spent years avoiding anything to do with TV and movies except for the odd social excursion. I've been opening my relationship with storytelling via screens over the last couple of years. I love everything about the show Hannibal.

Books: City of Saints and Madmen sticks out. I'm slowly going through Lolita. Sometimes I experience Borges. Hemingway's short stories have been calling. Sometimes I read Barbara Gowdy. I like books that are mindfucks, and I like books that are light. Analysing and discussing literature is a lot of fun.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have a habit of putting myself into uncomfortable situations to see how I'll respond.

Often this manifests as showing up in a country by myself where I don't know anyone and have no place to stay.

Through this habit, I have changed myself from an ice-veined and horror-stricken creature unable to break the silence even with a pen into someone that...can.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love teaching, learning, and sharing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

experiences, conversation, warmth, gratitude, creativity

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, England, Ireland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada