Robert profile picture

Robert

Greetings...

About Me

I'm pretty private, some may even say mysterious; while it's true I'm not very open to many people, at the same time I'm not too standoffish. If I've said or shown that I can depend on you, believe it; as a friend, I'm loyal until you're not...or until I find out. When my opinion is solicited, I'll give it in no uncertain terms, but don't confuse that with brashness.I find myself most often to be anachronistic. Common sense is something I keep at the fore, I treat my girlfriend as something much more than an object, and I have somewhat diverse interests. Trying to stay informed, and thinking, are important to me. I hope to make my own environment (and many others') better; what bothers me is those who don't try. I hope for people to wake up, but seem destined only to see more malaise and delirium courtesy of the socio-industrial complex. When will we learn, without all killing each other or ourselves in the end?I've been through quite a bit in life, but I'm trying hard to keep it all together. After a few years off I'm back in school again, and making the most of it that I can. I'm also making the most of my relationship, and enjoying it very much. Anyone who wants or needs to catch up, feel free.

My Interests

Among what isn't listed or much listed below, let me see. Sports figure in, especially baseball and football (all forms). Some teams I follow are the Baltimore Orioles (baseball), Washington Redskins (American football), D.C. United (European football - MLS (USA)), and Manchester United (European football - English Premier League). I also like golf and tennis. Theatre is very enjoyable for me, especially from onstage or backstage. I also shouldn't forget my appreciation for the Maryland Renaissance Festival!

I'd like to meet:

People who I don't perceive to be wankers. That's a bit hard to do in this day and age, but happens on occasion.

Music:

I can usually find something to like. Excellent rock-and-roll, classic jazz, orchestral/classical/romantic/etc., choral, Caribbean, Celtic, and more. I'm big on much music from the 1980s, though I don't have too much use for "popular" forms after that; it all isn't what it used to be. My top five rock-and-roll bands are: Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, The Police, The Beatles, The Clash.

Movies:

I'm not going to try to list every movie I've ever liked; I don't keep my preferences to one genre, either. I don't like too much fluff; I go for content - if it's a comedy I want humor, if it's a romance I want something to it, without it being a whiny "chick flick" or thinly veiled softcore, and if it's action give me some plot and not merely an overabundance of pyrotechnics. Some movies I've enjoyed include many Mel Brooks offerings, Monty Python films, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, good war films, and the great David Lean epics (The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, and Doctor Zhivago, which all involve war as well, hmm).

Television:

I stay away from most television shows as we know them today when I can help it. Whatever I do watch will usually be sports-oriented, or British-oriented, or old. I can make exceptions, however - I do watch Food Network, Monk, MythBusters, The Soup, and cool historical/scientific programs. Some of my favorite programs include Are You Being Served?, The Avengers, The Saint, Hogan's Heroes, M*A*S*H, and Poirot.

Books:

I try to read anything that piques my interest, though my life is so frenetic that I don't always get a chance, especially since high school. One of my biggest aspirations is to be more well-read. One of these days I'll finish Le Morte d'Arthur, which I find very enjoyable and would have finished long ago if, again, I had the time. Some staples from the past include the Black Stallion series (which I read two or three times in my childhood), books on baseball, War and Peace (which I've read a couple of times), many Stephen King works, and National Geographic Magazine, though while not a book proper, has definitely provided enough content, historically speaking.

Heroes:

Just because of the connotation of the word I am always reluctant to use it.

My Blog

An Update

Hello all, As you know, I used to visit on a somewhat regular basis. However, this semester has left me unable to do most things "usual." Recently (well, sort of), I got a Facebook account, since esse...
Posted by Robert on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:29:00 PST

Something You Should Hear - 26B

Greetings, once again. Now that Christmas is over, the final holiday offering of the season can be sprung. It's "The Twelve Days Of Christmas," by Ray Conniff and The Ray Conniff Singers, from the alb...
Posted by Robert on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:54:00 PST

Something You Should Hear - 26A

Hello out there. As one year passes into another, so comes another holiday offering. This time, it's "Same Old Lang Syne," by Dan Fogelberg. Initially released as a single in 1980, and appearing on hi...
Posted by Robert on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:59:00 PST

Happy New Year

Greetings, all, and Happy New Year. This past year was one of great change for me, and I suppose I'll spew forth some "reflections" some time soon. In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying the sta...
Posted by Robert on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:06:00 PST

Something You Should Hear - 26

Greetings. The last offering of 2007 was put into my mind while watching one of Brittany's brothers playing Guitar Hero III recently. On the screen came "Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson, from his 199...
Posted by Robert on Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:06:00 PST

Something You Should Hear - 25B

Merry Christmas to all. This evening's song is "White Christmas," by Bing Crosby. Written by Irving Berlin in 1940, the song poked fun at a Los Angeleno longing for a good old Christmas, but the first...
Posted by Robert on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 04:08:00 PST

Merry Christmas

Hello everyone, and Merry Christmas. While this year has been one of great change for me, I am thankful to be spending this portion of it how I want, and with those who mean a great deal to me. I hope...
Posted by Robert on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:49:00 PST

Something You Should Hear - 25A

Season's greetings. Tonight's offering is "The Christmas Song," by Nat King Cole. Written in 1944 by Mel Torme and Bob Wells, and first recorded by The Nat King Cole Trio in 1946 (a recording that wen...
Posted by Robert on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:41:00 PST

Something You Should Hear - 25

Hello again. This week's usual is "Mas Que Nada" (1963), by Tamba Trio. Originally written and recorded by Jorge Ben in 1963, "Mas que nada" is a Brazilian expression most nearly translated to "come o...
Posted by Robert on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:25:00 PST

Something You Should Hear - 24G

Greetings and felicitations, everyone. Tonight's song is "Winter Wonderland," by Johnny Mathis, the lead track from his album Merry Christmas. Written in 1934 by Felix Bernard, this standard has been ...
Posted by Robert on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:18:00 PST