Hi, I'm Michael. I come from Israel, my native language is English, and now I'm living here in Leipzig, Germany. I am an enthusiastic student of linguistics and an activist for democratic schooling, and these two areas take up most of my time and interest (but not all of it). I love having long conversations and getting to know new people, new places and new languages. I am variously accused of being too serious, and of not being serious enough. I like to think I am both.

When I started this profile I was volunteering in a hospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, and liked to walk everywhere - hence the screenname. Here in Leipzig I use my bike instead. Walking is great for thinking, but cycling is a lot more fun (not to mention quicker).

I enjoy writing, and post some of what I write on a blog. But mostly I'm too distracted to actually do serious writing.

When I was 13 I was involved in founding a school - a Sudbury school. It's a great place, and I went there for four years before graduating. I give public talks about my school and its philosophy on a semi-professional basis. Sudbury schooling is one of my greatest passions.

I moved to Germany in late 2007. I'm studying linguistics and loving it. I spend a lot of my spare time doing stuff for the European Democratic Education Community, where I get to wear the title of Council Chairman for some reason. I also run a role-playing game series, which is an interesting experiment in story-telling.
Other than these things, I'm still working on making friends and finding the people I'd like to spend my time with.

Talking, distracting myself and those around me, producing ideas

I asked a friend, and she said that I am very intelligent and have a lot to share.

Books: I used to read a lot of fantasy and science fiction, which I still like, but lately I can't seem to get much enjoyment out of any kind of fiction. So I'm sticking with non-fiction right now. Recently I've read a book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a book about Zen Buddhism, and several linguistics books.

Movies: Good point. Let me get back to you on that one.

Music: I used to mainly hear Metal but my focus has shifted. I go through phases, the big ones in the last couple years being KMFDM, Joanna Newsom, Regina Spektor, Kate Nash, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd and some assorted classical rock, progressive rock and Electronica. The Beatles are the first band I really got into, and they remain very dear to me. They also help fuel my idealized concept of the 60's.

Food: Definitely food. I was an avid meat eater for years, until I started levitating towards Veganism in 2007. It's complicated. At the moment I eat meat (often and in large quantities), but sometimes prefer vegan food, which seems somehow superior when it's good.

Music, good company, writing equipment, Internet, Sex and Food. Definitely food.

Freedom; Reality; Love; Goddess; Semantics; Government. Also, how these interact with one another.

Chilling out or hanging out with people, recovering from the week at school.

It's easy to pry out private details about me in conversation. I can't decide what to put up here.

You liked my profile, or you're looking for an excuse to message me. A simple "hi" is a place to start. I don't bite (well, not right away).