I love my friends in Florida. I have to say though, that they (like me) are always working… I often felt that I was pulling teeth to get people to make time to go to an event I wanted– i.e. a dinner party I threw, or to go bowling, or bungee jumping…. It’s difficult, because most people are in couples… and I was always working day & night. I guess that’s why my girlfriends always said I was addicting… I’d be happy to go do stuff with them- when I quit working long enough to do something…

This trip though… that’s another story! I’ve met friends that I never would’ve met if I stayed in Florida. I’ve met people so great that they alone are reason enough to travel the country. 1st of all, a lot of these people, that never met me before, are leaving me in their homes - often with keys… I love the trust. It’s a 2-way street, of course. I just remember how my folks were trying to warn me not to trust eveyrone, and my Dad’s taught me my whole life that the whole world is out to fuck me (but in the bad way). I know it’s a dog-eat-dog world, but I believe that there are genuinely great people out there that could care less about fucking me (in the bad way). These people are now friends & family to me… I will keep in touch with them for years to come. They’ve shared their lives with me… they’ve shared their personal stories… they’ve really gone above and beyond good hospitality! Celebs– you can have your Jet Travel and fancy hotels! I’ll take driving, and staying on the beds/floors/couches/hammocks of incredible people any day! I love the human interaction. I appreciate all my couch-hosts… but certain ones are really amazing, have gone the extra mile, and really made my trip worthwhile.

Couch #1 - We never met before, and she let me crash there on VERY short notice. I needed a couch, and she agreed… ’cause Couch #1 cancelled, and so did couch #1 the 2nd… Staci was couch #1 the 3rd, and she trusted me with her home and dog, posed naked for me, made me Sangrias, introduced me to many hotties, fed me, and let me crash there a few times… Of course I drove out to her b-day! She’s proven herself a friend.

Couch #2 - A kindred crazy person Adventurer / Hottie / Marketer… of course we get along. Took me flying, enthralled me with her amazing life stories. We’ve shared so many experiences by phone… I get a little twitchy when we don’t talk for too long.

Couch #4 - Well… we’ve become business partners of sorts. We’ve been through a lot! She’s even punched me in the eye, and I threw her across a parking lot! Nothing says friends more than that, right? We’ve helped each other on so many projects, personal problems, personal celebrations, opinions, feedback… If everyone had such a trustworthy ear/shoulder to lean on, the world would be a much better place.

Couch #5 - Well… we’re family. But Jonathan’s always been a great host.. a great human.. very entertaining… very polite… super-intelligent. I’ve always enjoyed our time together. I’m sure glad I went to Tampa that one time, or I’d never know how cool Jonathan was.

Couch #7 - I blame a lot of my responsibility, listening to others, attention to detail, and just being a good human on Couch 7. We’ve been friends for years, and might as well be family. Birthdays, advice, countless hours in the middle of the night working on separate projects at the same place / time. Hooking me up with gigs, giving me chances, introducing me to the people and opportunities that have helped shape my life. No wonder my folks think Tim’s a good influence.

Couch #10 - I met John for the 1st time after we only knew of each other for about 2 hours, and spoke on the phone, and I was on my way over. The help during my car accident was great…. I still have the same Zip-Ties holding my bumpers on (though I plan on getting that fixed this week!) that John applied after my accident. In a time of crisis (though I was still in great spirits), it was really incredible to have a friendly face.

Couch #0/#12 - Incredible photography, snowboarding, horseback riding, hiking, making me believe in Astrology, haunted houses, a friend and more, a family. Myndy is the one that helped me start this whole thing. She trusted me to crash there, even though everyone thought she was a fruit-loop for doing so (even though after that week, everyone wanted to borrow me ). Thanks for helping me have such a great start, and then a place to catch up on my work when I really needed.

Couch #16 - Barak was just like family! Oh wait.. he IS family! Knowing me so well, yet still taking the time to communicate with me, help me out, defend me (even to the ‘rents), give advice, and introducing me to your friends… I know that takes trust. I’m glad we’re finally working on changing the dynamic.

Couch #18 - Giving me a place when I needed it ’cause couch 17 wasn’t answering his phone, and I was exhausted…. making me lots of drinks Sharing your friends in other states with me…. inspiring me to run. It certainly felt like home.

Couch #20 - Taking all that time to show me around, sending me to cool things, introducing me to galleries, taking me to an awesome concert, expanding my horizons with much additional learning & discussions. I can’t wait to see Janet’s new business blossom with success in no time.

Couch #21 - Provided me all sorts of keepsakes, a great adventure, a great experience, and a good time. I could not think of someone better to crash in Tombstone with.

Couch #22 - My 1st couch from CouchSurfing.com - Great people… If I wasn’t hanging otu with these people, I don’t know if I’d've thought of moving to Albuquerque… or fire juggling

Couch #23 - I’ve never been asked for my Autograph before (C23’s roomie), and then I don’t think I’ve been bragged about so much… showing me off at classes. Thanks for all the mints!

Couch #24 - Awww heck.. my life’s different now. Like minded is one thing, especially on all the weird things that most people don’t want to hear. Shooting together, meeting up in different states, letting me arrive at 3am, inviting me to the Boogie… I really felt like family when I was there. Skizzy introduced me to so many people, I can’t keep track of them all. If (and when) I’ve done Atlanta other ways, it just is NOT the same! Not even close! Skizzy set a chain of events in action.

Couch #25 - Took care of me when I felt like I was dying. Here’s to Volcanoes & Hannukah! Thanks for visiting E.

Couch #26 is my parents… I could not be any luckier in the parents that I have! That’s why I text them these days a daily reminder that I love them (new habbit). The 1st 30 years or so, it was hard to say… but I thought it!

Couch #27 - It’s hard to have closer friends than Cymonne… and there are certainly not many other MUA’s I’d want to work with, or who can keep up with my creativity.

Couch #28 - One of those amazing people that really knows hospitality…. and how to make a person feel at home. Specifically the person I was referring to when I said that this trip was worth it just to meet people. Collaborations, throwing me a Passover dinner when I had nowhere to celebrate, letting me stay as long as I want, have all the food I want, and much more. I didn’t know people like that still exist.

Couch #30 - I hadn’t even arrived here, and I already dreaded the day I have to leave here. Derek was more concerned about my comfort and experiences than I was. Another of those great humans that I didn’t know still existed.

All in all.. I’m one lucky human! Had I known what great people I could meet, what doors would be opened, and what amazing things I’d see / do, I would’ve started this journey years ago!

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