I LOVE EXTREME SPORTS! Skateboard, Snowboard, Rollerblade, BMX, Motocross, Surfing, etc. While I don't actively participate myself, I am an avid spectator. I can never get enough of it; X-Games, Warped Tour, and the Boom Boom HuckJam, to name a few. Also, the music associated with these venues is the best! It really takes you in to an entirely different world, one of which I am proud to be a part of. Asides from that, computers, video games, and electronic gadgets; automotive repair (a career that I began to pursue but at the last minute decided that it wasn't worth the pay, now only done as a pasttime and to save money); musical instruments (even the ones I can't play), and of course, music itself. I could find myself preferring to listen to the radio all night long over the television or any other form of entertainment. As a kid, I was the same way. When all of the other kids had their video games and sports and whatever else, I could be seen outside with a portable radio listening to live broadcast or tapes (prerecorded or ones I dubbed myself). It may not have been a healthy thing, but it meant the world to me.
I've also been accused of being "random" and "spontaneous"; this is true to some extent. I do alot of things on impulse, such as send people funny and/or polite messages or phone calls, or just hop up and decide to go somewhere if its possible and the time feels right. Life is too short and unpredictable to be proper and play by the rules all the time, so I believe in LIVING it as much as I can with my family and friends in between the periods of work and responsibilities that eat up most of my days. I hope that by reading this someone else is inspired to do the same as well.
I'd like to meet:
Duncan Sheik. I remember the first time I saw him in person, it was at a free concert in my hometown, held outdoors in the fall of 1997. He was just beginning to make himself known, and was touring with a band who at the time was very popular, and even though he had a softer approach, I found myself very drawn to his musical style and haven't stopped listening to him since. I'm not the starstruck type, but in the presence of Duncan, I'm not sure how I would react. Someone who is able to write very deep and powerful songs, and do it as a solo artist, is impressive and difficult. Even though he may be a person just like the rest of us, to be around someone with that kind of talent that has affected you in many ways could be very emotional.
I'd also like to meet the members of Default and tell them what geniuses they all are, and that their music has been pivotal in several points of my history as well and has meant alot to me (I ALMOST named my son Dallas).Another great Canadian band, Our Lady Peace, has also been a huge influence on me, and in my opinion, they are to Canada what the Smashing Pumpkins have been to the United States, if not equal in each of their own rights.
Speaking of which, I did finally have the chance to meet another great person, the lead singer for the Smashing Pumpkins (and Zwan and solo), Billy Corgan, at a Washington D.C. book signing in October of 2004, and it was a dream come true. Its hard to put into words what you experience when you meet the person who's voice was the anthem to your life for 12+ years.Also, under the following HIGHLY unlikely conditions; if my wife were either to leave me, get bored with me, or wouldn't mind looking the other way for a bit, it would be pretty cool to meet Amanda Bynes (despite the painful age gap). Her on-screen personality is what every woman should strive to be (and secretly what every guy wants): funny and down-to-earth yet romantic and smart all at once (a great deal of which my wife does possess, hence the marriage), and I do wonder how much of that is actually Amanda's own real-life personality, but her looks are definitely undeniable - she is INSANELY beautiful. A rare find to get both in the same package!
Music:
It's difficult to narrow down one specific type of music I love. I was never labeled as loving one type of music, and there are styles that I don't care for, but as a lover of music, I don't wish to say, because music in any form is art, and just because I myself don't prefer it doesn't deem it unworthy of being considered "good". I do have some standout favorites, but I also try to stay informed of what's current so I don't get left behind. As for my all time favorite band...
Movies:
Kevin Smith movies, Trey Parker and Matt Stone movies, Farrelly brothers movies, Austin Powers trilogy, All Disney/Pixar movies, Over The Hedge, Singles, Batman Begins (and any sequel after it, but not before it), Grandma's Boy, Grind, Out Cold, Loser, Rock Star, That Thing You Do!, Blast From The Past, Pleasantville, Wedding Crashers, Employee Of The Month, Superbad, Hackers, and anything Ryan Reynolds (who is only 1 year and 4 days older than me) stars in.
Television:
I love Comedy Central. I'm the kind of person that enjoys a good laugh even when life reaches unbearable proportions. There are so many good shows on there, including The Sarah Silverman Program, Mind Of Mencia, the late Dave Chappelle's Show, and any of the stand-up specials. I'm also a huge fan of G4TV. It's not even just a video game channel anymore, you have Kevin, Olivia, and Zach doing stand-up comedy while trying to preach about gaming; it's great. Other shows I tune in to are Scrubs, Family Guy, South Park, Robot Chicken, and pretty much any Nickelodeon cartoon (for my son and daughter). You know what? I'm a nerd. I like Jimmy Neutron and Fairly Oddparents too. Cartoons weren't that funny or racy when I was a kid. Additionally, I like funny short segments, be it a commercial, spoof, or just clips from shows.
Books:
None lately, although I do love the book "Crap Cars" by Richard Porter (but it's mostly pictures and short insulting comments about the worst cars ever built). Besides that, the occasional automobile or computer/electronics repair manual on a daily or weekly basis at best, but most of my particular interest reading is done online. I stay pretty busy with life, and I do like to read, but it seems hard enough anymore just to be able to sit down and listen to music unless it's in the car, which is more of a preferred way to spend my time venting life's frustrations (although I do have others, and this one as well as those could also be a shared experience). I guess the world has evolved too much past being able to stand still long enough to read a book unless you're wealthy and barely work, don't work at all, or have no desire for the entertainment technology available today.
Heroes:
Too many to list.
