Matthew

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Currently in Dublin, Ireland

Description

I have come to value helping others over the pursuit of a career. The satisfaction of contributing has its own rewards. Finding ways to make work fit my lifestyle rather than the other way around. Though I am not a wandering vagabond or ascetic monk, I do like to pursue what interest me and that involves learning new things. I have a degree in psychology and I received a Masters in Special Education. As an autodidact with a wide range of interests I have gained a variety of skills from urban agriculture to fine woodworking and visual arts. I find joy in the process and learning from others. I value a well thought out strategy and appreciate the need to adjust as circumstances dictate. I enjoy working with wood, cultivating plants and understanding the mechanics of things, and helping in general. In the past few years I have developed a passion for growing authentic and expressive wines.

Interests

History

Plant care

Hiking

Culture

Camping

Astronomy

Architecture

Beach

Self development

Nature

Outdoor activities

Art & design

Cooking & food

Dancing

Sustainability

Farming

DIY & crafts

Sailing / Boating

Gardening

Carpentry

Drawing & painting

Politics / Social justice

Yoga / Wellness

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Beginner

More details about my language interests
Would like to continue to improve my Italian

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Charity Work

Art Projects

Languages

Eco Projects

Being an elderly companion

Teaching

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Life at a Farmstay

Hospitality/Tourism

General Maintenance

More details about your skills

For the past year I have been in Ireland helping families with a range of projects, mostly fine carpentry or joinery work along with some furniture repair and cabinet making, as well as, skirting and architrave work. Before that I spent 4 years working with an Italian winegrower. There I managing or directly assisted in all winery operations, from manual harvesting to bottling. I also performed duties in the vineyards including supervising crews during pruning as well as harvest. I can operate a wheeled vineyard tractor as well as the crawler tractors. I have experience operating an excavator. I have experience with chainsaws and many other powered tools such as augers, wire-trimmers and electric pruning shears. I enjoy woodworking using both manual and power tools. I am passionate about composting and vermicomposting. I have worked on intensive urban micro farms utilizing low tunnels and larger hoop houses. I have some beekeeping experience.
- I have a decades experience in hospitality; mostly as a bartender. I am passionate for wine and its role with food and culture in general.
- I have worked in art museums, art galleries and auction houses in the fine art departments. I have also produced and sold art to both domestic and international buyers, mostly oil painting and drawing. I have also produced some site specific installation work.
- Having been a special education teacher in schools where each student has a laptop I have general computer competency. I can perform a range of tasks from creating spreadsheets to making screencasts, to creating digital imaging and editing among others.
- I have worked as a family crisis counselor, supervising street outreach for unhoused youth and a shelter for teenagers as well as a crisis hotline.
- I use a balanced diet, yoga, Pilates and meditation to maintain health.

Age

55

What else ...

- I am a duel USA / Italian citizen (I hold both passports)
- I am legal to drive in the EU (I have an Irish driver’s license)

Some more information

• 

  Smoker

• 

  Driver's licence

• 

  Allergies

• 

  Special dietary requirements