CURRENT MISSION

To explore the world and leave a mark.

ABOUT ME

I LOVE to travel and generally travel alone and backpack/hostel it. Couch Surfing has now become an important part of any and all travel plans I make.

I'm now married to the love of my life, so while my travel may not be as spontaneous as it once was, I travel when I can, preferably with my wife.

PHILOSOPHY

Keep an open mind! I've found that nothing helps keep an open mind like travel. I'm big on experiencing the world - traveling and exploring what I can. Also, it's better to laugh than to cry, so I like to keep them laughing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've surfed, hosted, and participated in CS events.

I'm looking to do more as I travel and host in the future.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Thus far I've surfed a couch overseas in Portugal (Lisbon & Sintra) and the Republic of Ireland. I've surfed a couch in Canada. In the States I've surfed Tennessee (Nashville), Chicago, and a couple places in Wisconsin. I've also met a CSer while in Vegas and then another in Upper Peninsula Michigan. And then there are the Milwaukee and Madison CS get-togethers. All were precious experiences. CSers truly make a good time better!

Interests

Reading and writing sci-fi and fantasy, computers, ferrets, absinthe, cinema, theater, travel, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, adventure, video games, and MMOs. I also enjoy streaming on Twitch - role-playing actual plays and video games.

• writing
• theater
• walking
• motorcycles
• movies
• video games
• reading
• traveling
• backpacking
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Star Wars (all), Star Trek (see a pattern here?), Lord of the Rings trilogy, Harry Potter (all), The Others, Memento, Daredevil, Spider-Man I & II, Snatch, Superman Returns, Iron Man, Constantine, The Lake House.

Books: The Man Who Never Missed series, Cobra, Jhereg series, Dune series, Harry Potter series, anything by Hunter S. Thompson.

Music: '80s and beyond as well as some classic rock, gothic rock (Sisters of Mercy, et al), and (please tell no one!) country.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I survived India solo backpacking!

I also narrowly dodged a bull on my trip to Portugal!

Teach, Learn, Share

TRAVEL INDIA: Overwhelmed with the big city? Head out to the countryside. From Mumbai a very good recommendation is Goa a mere several hours north by train(though I went to a small village called Ganeshpuri off of Vasai Road).

When haggling, the most important thing to know is what something's actually worth - if you don't know that you're lost in haggling. What someone is trying to sell you for 9-thousand rupees he may sell to a local for nine rupees. Once you have a handle on what a thing is worth then go from there. And remember that you don't have to buy anything - walking away might get you a better deal as the merchant runs after you.

If you need to (I did) give a few rupees to beggar children. Just know that likely they won't get it - an adult is somewhere nearby watching (an Oliver Twist Fagan-type character) who will actually enjoy your money. An alternative to giving the children money is candy or other small item (pens for some reason were apparently popular at one time) so that you can be assured that they will enjoy what you give them.

Seeing destitute children (many with obvious health problems and amputations) on the streets of India was hugely depressing for me - India is not for the meek of heart, though the trip is well worth it if you're up to the challenge.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Honduras, India, Ireland, Japan, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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