CURRENT MISSION

"To live deliberately, to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, To put to rout all that was not life and not when I come to die, discover that I had not lived.”

ABOUT ME

Me in a box huh... In my 32 years, I have had the privilege to share my life with many amazing people in equally amazing places! There have been men and women in my past who have taught me about: music, love, respect, leadership, courage, friendship, disappointment, compassion, empathy, philanthropy, financial responsibility, social justice and politics. I was born in little town in Louisiana but have lived in abroad in Okinawa, Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. In the United States I have lived in D.C., Orlando, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, Dallas and a few other places. I have visited dozens of countries and almost every state in this one.

My goal is to continue experiencing life passionately. I enjoy hearing about other peoples passions, those passions don't have to always be shared, in fact I enjoy hearing new ideas and viewpoints! I enjoy being around others who have self-direction, intrinsic motivation and a willingness to explore the world around them. I like people who are responsible adults but refuse to call themselves "grown-ups". I'm impressed by those who understand, we choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.

I enjoy music - it's my deepest passion, as well as great food and wine, engaging conversation, a good cup of coffee, PBS shows, NPR, watching the sun go down or come up and most things involving the outdoors.

I've lived on a near a beach for many years and prefer to hit the beach when it's overcast or dark rather than sunny and bright - the beach has a different more introspective and less superficial atmosphere during those times.

A few random details about myself: I am honest about my flaws and self-confident enough to discuss them. I don't appreciate perfection, I appreciate the effort required to get there. I believe the toughest person to lead is yourself and that being a good leader of your own life makes you a great leader of others. I spent 8 & 1/2 years as an Infantry Marine. I'm currently an Army Medic and recently left a great job at an amazing nonprofit organization in the civilian world to complete a PhD in Clinical Psychology so that I may work with veterans who have returned from combat and suffer from PTSD or other combat related stress disorders(so school and work take up a lot of my time).

I'm a really great cook. I can be somewhat sarcastic but always in a nice way...well most of the time! I am confident in my masculinity and see no need to prove it to anyone. I've been involved with electronic dance music for over 13 years but don't consider myself a "club guy"...rather I LOVE music and dance and believe that electronic dance music is the classical music of the 21st century.

PHILOSOPHY

If everyone lived a life of service, no one would live a life in need.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have surfed my way across the country from Washington D.C. to San Diego twice but it was not through this site. I had just planned ahead with some friends. When I heard about this site, I thought it was a great way to experience traveling through our country and meeting new people along the way.

Interests

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC...Bill Evans once said that there are only two types of music in this world..."Good and Bad". Music is my deepest passion. I strive everyday to listen and learn its secrets. I love long conversations about politics, love, life, music, passion, war and peace. I also enjoy cooking, camping, hiking and reading, preferably in the company of like-minded people.

• dancing
• philanthropy
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• coffee
• clubbing
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• music
• classical music
• dance music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• boxing
• psychology
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Lisa Shaw, Dubtribe, Naked Music Productions, Lamb, Claude Debussy, Jimmy Smith, Mozart, Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Portishead, Art of Noise, Thievery Corporation, Mark Farina, Everything but the Girl, Duke Ellington, Radiohead, Chemical Brothers, Soul in the Machine, Pleasurehead, Muse, A Tribe Called Quest, The Glitch Mob, John Coltrane, Jay West, Lawnchair Generals, Miguel Migs, Latenight Society, Herbie Hancock, Hoverphonic, Coltrane, Frankie Knuckles, Miles Davis, Harold Melvin, Led Zeppelin, Elvis, Jimmy Hendrix, Steve "Silk" Hurley, Run DMC, Rahzel, Floetry, DJ Krush, DJ Dan, De La Soul, Johny Cash, Hank Williams Senior, Koop, Count Basie, Carl Cox, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Flunk, Funki Porcini, Aphex Twin, Grooverider, John B, dubstep, BASSMECHANIC, Dj Quenique (Official Fan Page), Alien Tom, Scott Roberts, Get Down Society, Logos Recordings, Joe Kopasek, Dj Flave...seriously this list can go on for ever!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have seen the most inhuman acts of humanity and I have seen acts of such grace and fortitude that it challenges me to be and do more.

I have seen sunrises over the desert while thousands of people are lost in dance and rhythm, locked into a musical connection we barely understand.

I have seen the spark of life in others eyes fade away into darkness and I have seen life shine back through the darkness of death.

I have seen a world of emotion hidden between the notes of music on page.

I've kissed a beautiful woman in the pouring rain.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Germany, Guam, Japan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mexico, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Germany, Iraq, Japan, United States