Barebones biographical outline: Good natured cornfed midwestern American boy, left home at 18, been trying different lives out for size ever since. Pursued careers from grad school to carpentry, in places from New York City to Guatemala, and did lots of traveling along the way. Simply nothing would stick. Then I found my way to southern Portugal and started my own little business doing something fun as all hell, and now things are a bit stickier.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

There is a certain spirit that moves one to travel, explore, and move around, and I feel kindred to it. Couch Surfers, it seems, are as spirited in this way as anyone, and so it's a great way to travel and meet like-minded folk. Also, the best travel advice is always from a local. Also, sharing the pleasures of your little neck of the woods with outsiders is simply a joy.

Interests

I started this by first just listing things that interest me but that quickly felt pretty flat and empty. At the core of all the things on that list, though, is this idea, or something like it: I'm interested in spending what little time and energy I have focused on those things that, well, interest me. This is circular, I realize. But I guess what I'm saying is that I am interested -- existentially so, dreadfully so -- in simplifying my life so I can better focus on those things that seem important and meaningful to me (what gives something import and meaning to me is another, and interesting, question), the essentials, and shedding the excess -- all the distractions and trivialities that weigh me down. I'm interested in simplifying, streamlining, honing in. On what?

On being outdoors, in vast surroundings. On moving through the world, not sitting at a screen. On experiencing the widest variety of life and styles of living that I can get my hands on. On using said hands to create things that I can in turn, well, hold in my hand. On being quiet, still, focused, present, simply for the sake of it. On reading, writing, and drawing, but especially reading. On learning by doing and experiencing -- gaining specific, tangible, applicable skills and abilities that expand my possible routes through life. On...

Okay this list is still helplessly vague. But my specific interests seem to change depending on the weather and what side of the bed I woke up on. I can't pin them down. But those are some of the strings that hold all my changing interests together.

Right now, specifically, at this very moment, if you must know, I am very interested in the Murakami book I am reading, in preparing for a month long backpacking and rock-climbing trip I have coming up, in a musician named Willy Mason whom I just discovered, in trying to get on a better sleep schedule, and in designing a new logo and website for my tiny little business.

• writing
• books
• reading
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• outdoor activities
• backpacking
• rock climbing
• business

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Got bit by a lethally-poisonous coral snake while utterly alone and far from civilization in rural Nicaragua, and lived to tell the tale.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guatemala, Portugal, United States