Life generally fascinates me. I consume books, music, art & film in an orgy of indulgence, both at home and in the fair to middling arts scene that Sheffield allows. I like cycling & snowboarding but have a healthy disdain for sport. I want to write (I have a novel and a few books of philosophy planned) but current lifestyle has allowed only a few meagre crumbs - I plan to move to Ethiopia next year to devote myself to writing. I love travelling and experiencing other cultures, but mostly I just love, and am fascinated by, humans. We're alright.
Your mother. My Dad actually felt it necessary to pass on the information to me the other day that I should check out any potential wives' mothers before tying the knot so I could see what I would end up with. I cannot describe quite how unusual this turn of conversation seemed to me. So ladies, should you wish to end up my life partner (is this a hint from him that I should be looking?), please be sure to include a photo of she who bore you. And is it strange that no-one thinks a son will turn out as his father?
I'm an inconstant lover when it comes to music; my passions are all-consuming but quickly spent when someone new turns my head. At the moment I'm listening with intense pleasure to Tim Buckley - particularly 'Gypsy Woman' - and wondering if my heart can take another dose of the sublimity offered by Meredith Monk. I've also discovered recently that the Smiths are actually good (who knew?) and that Nick Drake & Wire are really quite special. Gang of Four have been impressing in both original and remixed form, and since Morocco I've been listening to the Gnaoui CDs I brought back, as well as been attempting to get the Folk Rock Disco revival back on track with 'Crazy On You' by Heart.My favourite song of all time is the Kevin Shield's remix of Mogwai Fears Satan, but I have only listened to it four times to 'keep it special'. I'm like that sometimes.
My favourite films are for some reason dominated by Korea - I should state that they've done there fair share of shockers too, but that 'Old Boy', 'Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter... and Spring' & 'Memories of Murder' have attained a height that few others reach. Generally my taste in Hollywood is for Film Noir & Buster Keaton, though I have a soft spot for films where very little happens such as 'Lost in Translation'. I'm pleased that Britain has started punching its weight with films like 'A Room for Romeo Brass' & 'My Summer of Love' - Shane Meadows earns himself a smile. Paddy Consadine & Bill Murray are my acting touchstones.
No. Just DVDs (though to be fair I've got all the Six Feet Unders and The Office)
'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' by Milan Kundera is the one, but I've justed started to get into Henry James. I had no idea he could be so funny. But yes, I'm a big reader, though it has mainly been non-fiction, short stories & plays for a while now: I believe I may be about to turn the corner on this.