CURRENT MISSION

...Writing a book that puts a human face on US foreign policies.

ABOUT ME

I am a political activist curious about other people's views and experiences. For nearly 30 years, I specialized in PR for progressive campaigns and candidates in California.

I ran for office myself in 2006 (lost), and am now writing a book about my experiences working with refugees. I visited pre- and post-invasion Iraq, interviewed Palestinians who survived the brutal Sabra and Shatila refugee camp massacres in Lebanon, helped school children cross through armed checkpoints in the West Bank, and volunteered with Iraqi refugees in Damascus.

For more info, check out my bio and blog at www.PeacePATHFoundation.org.

PHILOSOPHY

Ah, read my book.....

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am very new to CouchSurfing.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I am currently living in others' homes to allow me to write my book. Since May 2008, I've been "home" (Santa Monica, CA) a total of 6 weeks. After spending last summer in Syria, I lived last fall in author Carson McCullers' girlhood home in Columbus, GA (as a result of a fellowship my writing was awarded).

This year, I've house/pet sat in Decatur, GA, Albuquerque, NM, Westfield, NY, and Chapel Hill, NC, while I write. I've driven cross-country 4 times this year, staying with new and old friends and passing through 25 states!

This fall, I will live in Eureka Springs, AR, at the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow (www.WritersColony.org), where I was awarded a fellowship to live and write. Several residencies are available. Come join me!

In January, I will head to Lake Chapala, Mexico, where I will be sponsored to FINISH my book!

Interests

I have a presentation about my pre- and post-invasion trips to Iraq that I've given to 300+ audiences, including a group of Congresswomen in the US Capitol. I'd love to come to your community and give this presentation. I ask only that you cover my travel costs and accommodations.

• pets
• writing
• books
• traveling
• blogging
• camping

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Made someone laugh when they had no reason to.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to talk about writing -- your writing, my writing, the process of writing. It's how we support each other!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Guam, Honduras, Hungary, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Maldives, Monaco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France, India, Mexico, Syrian Arab Republic, United States