I enjoy reading, traveling, talking, listening, singing, looking, and laughing, along with the many other joys life has to offer.
(not necessarily in any particular order): George Bush, because I'd like to tell him that it is possible to be a grateful American and also DETEST the current administration and its fear-mongering ways; Dave Eggers, because it really WAS a heartbreaking work of staggering genius (the man is a literary god, and I genuflect at his altar regularly); Umberto Eco, just because his sheer scope of knowledge impresses and awes me; Kate Rusby, because her voice is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard; Radiohead, because their music is some of the most interesting and inventive ever recorded; Gloria Steinem, because I'd like to say thanks for blazing the trail; and pretty much anyone who has a passion for what he or she does.
Radiohead, Nick Drake, The Beatles, Andy Goode (with and without The DoLittles), Kate Rusby, Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Led Zeppelin, Muse, Tankus the Henge, Jon Potter, SunRadio, Atash live, Arcade Fire, John Renbourn, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Ayub Ogada, Bob Kilgore, Nanci Griffith, and many others. Lately I've been getting into folk/country harmonies. Let me know if you've heard something interesting.
Star Wars, The Princess Bride, Little Miss Sunshine, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, anything by Pixar, Little Big Man, and loads of others.
Big Train, South Park, The Simpsons, The Fast Show, Buffy (I refuse to apologize, I just like it, okay?)
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers; You Shall Know Our Velocity, also Eggers; The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver; Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen; Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner; An Instance of the Fingerpost, Iain Pears; The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley; Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Dee Brown; and numerous others.
My dad and mom, who were and still are the coolest, dorkiest parents ever. My grandparents. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, for standing up and speaking out. My husband, for following his dream. My sister and brother-in-law, for putting their beliefs into practice and making their community a better place to be. Anyone anywhere who stands up for those who get the shaft. Anyone anywhere who affects positive change.