I was born and raised in California. I studied political science in college, and went to acting school in New York City shortly after I graduated. I have worked as a music journalist and teacher for most of my adult life. I've also written and acted in plays in New York. I've taught chess, and also English as a second language. I studied Chinese in China for a few years and eventually ran and operated a language school in Chengdu, China - The International Cultural Institute. [www.icinst.cn]

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm new to couchsurfing. I enjoy traveling and also learning about different cultures, languages, people, food, etc.. I think it provides more opportunities to get to know the 'real' aspect of a country and its people.

I am also always curious to find out how the locals live.

Interests

Chess, traveling, learning languages, exploring nature, philosophy, music (jazz, classical, rock), hot springs, eating & cooking (all kinds of food), designing board games, and table tennis.

• acting
• dining
• cooking
• board games
• chess
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• tennis
• table tennis
• teaching
• journalism
• languages
• political science
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I've worked as a rock critic for many years. I enjoy a lot of 90s indie-rock. A few of my favorites are: Stereolab, Blonde Redhead, Album Leaf, Broken Social Scene, the xx, Elliott Smith, Interpol, The Shins, Broken Social Scene, The National, Neutral Milk Hotel, Pulp, The Divine Comedy, Superchunk, Komeda, 18th Dye, The Pixies, The Smiths, bedhead, R.E.M. Sufjian Stevens, The Sea and Cake, Jeremy Enigk, The New Pornographers, The Cure, Mouse on Mars, Mac Miller, Cocteau Twins, Amon Tobin, Boards of Canada, Tycho, Kate Bush, Smashing Pumpkins, Smog..

Apart from rock, I also listen to a lot of classical and jazz. Beethoven is my favorite composer, and I enjoy bossanova quite a bit.

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Art Films: Favorite filmmakers: Aki Kaurismaki, Jia Zhang ke, David Lynch, Lars Von Trier, Louis Malle, Satyajit Ray, Stanley Kubrick.

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I like Russian lit - Dostoyevsky, Nabokov, Gogol, Bulgakov. Murakami and Lu Xun are great too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I recently designed a highly entertaining and intellectually stimulating board game. Does that count?

Teach, Learn, Share

I speak English, Spanish, and Chinese. I have some basic knowledge of Japanese and German.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My silly humor, chess, interesting experiences.

I would be happy to treat my host(s) to a nice meal. That's the least I could do...

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Japan, United States