Elaine J. W.

I'd like to meet:

Jackie Chan, because he's come such a long way from where he was born and accomplished so much in his lifetime (learning English, crossing all sorts of international barriers, etc.). Plus, he kind of looks like my dad.

Neil Gaiman! He is an explosive force of creativity. Just from reading his books and graphic novels (which I value more than his movies because of the usual adaptation problems. Though MirrorMask was the sh*t.)...the world inside his mind is a wondrous and scary place. I didn't go to ComicCon last year and so missed my chance to meet him face-to-face and congratulate him on the releases of his gorgeous Sandman reproductions.

The beautiful and talented ladies of Bond. I don't think that they get enough credit for doing what they do. Sure, people classify this quartet as classical pop, but then any person or band who is currently popular are considered "pop", aren't they? Anyway, I'd love to do a violin solo with them!

Daniel Johns, Chris Joannou and Ben Gillies of Silverchair because I practically grew up with them. I've listened to Silverchair and adored their music from when they first released Frogstomp, up until present, with Young Modern. Still kicking myself for not going to see them play at the House of Blues in Anaheim :(.

Mos Def. But, of course, Mos Def. It would be my pleasure to meet him. Skilled rapper, quirky actor and a great sense of humour. He loves "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and tries to create social awareness. Need I say more?

Which skillfully leads into the incomparable Jack Black of Tenacious D. Jack, Jack. What can I say? He seems like so much fun. A little raunchy but that's the way he rolls. I love the way he rocks, but enjoys himself at the same time. What a great way to live.

Dave Grohl's led such a full and amazingly intense life, and still maintained a sense of humour and love for his music. It would be an honour to exchange words with this man.

I don't really get starstruck, but I do get completely awed by people who do what they love because they do it so well, and their passion for their music, comedy, sport, etc. hits you like a hammer. I can't help but get caught up in it.

Having lived in SoCal since 2003, I've expected to meet and have been gushed at about celebrities...I figure that they're just people with really cool jobs. My reasons for wanting to meet people (who just happen to be well-known or famous for something that they have done) is that I like them and am genuinely interested in finding out their personal stories of dedication (of each member, if it's a band/team), where he/she/they're from, what they hope to do with their craft in the future, etc.

Peter S. Beagle (author of the Last Unicorn and a lovely man).

Anna Tsuchiya (singer/actress/model of a band formerly known as Spin Aqua, co-star of Kamikaze Girls and so so cute!)

Patton Oswalt (comedian/actor most known for his stand-up comedy and for being the voice of Remy in Ratatouille. He's a very gracious and down-to-earth guy.)

The members of VAST (Jon, Ben, Michael, Sam and Tabber - Alternative rock band that I've been listening to since 2000 and they've only gotten better since! I think that I seemed like a fangirl so they didn't really warm up to me too much. Lol, probably because I had them sign my ticket stub, poster and rounded them all up to take pictures with them. Though, I think I'm allowed a little leeway being how it was the first time I had ever since them in concert.)

Caught up with the guys from OK Go at The Steve Allen Theater. Seem like nice blokes...busy, but fairly affable.

15 North is an up and coming band from Murrieta that I think has a lot of potential! Their music takes me back to the Nirvana days but with a touch more hard rock. Samuel is the embodiment of his music when he sings and he's really nice, too. Briefly met Twiggs and Bryce, but wasn't able to meet Cameron. Think he was putting stuff away. Next time!

The POP NOIR trio: Luke, Joe and Nico! Wonderful musicians and friendly guys as well. They have a great time talking to anyone who is interested and aren't afraid to get down amongst the fans!

The Wombats :)! These guys are great. The Roxy show had incredible energy and was so fun to be at. I love their songs, but seeing them get so into the show really sucked me right into their vibe. During the show, Tord was completely caught up in rockin' out that he didn't even notice the girl sitting at the corner of the stage who was constantly screaming that she loved him, and even plucked at his pant leg. He was super nice and fun to talk to. I didn't get to talk to Dan much, and Murph was very amiable but tired from the show (Rest up, buddy). Have fun touring and hope to see you soon!

Music:

Music courses through my veins. 'E' stands for eclectic :). Prepare yourself.

First the BANDS, then FAVOURITE SONGS below that:
Aaliyah, ABBA, Adema, A.F.I., Amon Amarth, Andrea Bocelli, Anna Tsuchiya, A Perfect Circle, Apocalyptica, A Tribe Called Quest, The Aquabats!, Audioslave, Basement Jaxx, Beastie Boys, The Beatles, Beats Antique, Billy Joel, Black Eyed Peas, Black Lab, Black Star, Blind Melon, Bond, Bonde Do Role, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Bon Jovi, Burial, Bush, Cake, Ceu, Cloud Cult, The Cure, Cyndi Lauper, Da Lata, David Bowie, Deftones, Delerium, Depeche Mode, Disturbed, DJ Andy Caldwell, DJ Format, DJ Liquid, DJ Tiesto, Dream Theater, Duke Ellington, Electric President, Elvis Crespo, Enigma, Ensiferum, E.S. Posthumus, Everlast, The Faint, Finger Eleven, Five Cent Hero, Foo Fighters, Frank Sinatra, Fuel, Furslide, Garbage, George Strait, Girl Talk, Gnarls Barkley, Gogol Bordello, Goksel Baktagir, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Gun N' Roses, The Hives, Hooverphonic, iiO, Incubus, Into Another, Janet Jackson, Jem, Jimmy Eat World, Joe Satriani, Jonathon Lee, Jorge Ben, Joy Division, Junior Senior, Jurassic 5, Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Killswitch Engage, Korn, Kristopher Carter, L.A. Symphony, LCD Soundsystem, Led Zeppelin, Lifehouse, Lily Allen, Linkin Park, Live, Loreena McKennitt, Los Amigos Invisibles, Madonna, Maksim, Maroon 5, Massive Attack, Matchbox 20, Megadeth, Metallica, Methodman & Redman, Michael Jackson, Ministry of Sound, Missy Elliott, Moby, Moonshake, Mos Def, Motley Crue, Mudvayne, Muse, My Chemical Romance, The New Pornographers, Nickodemus, Nightmares on Wax, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Nobuo Uematsu, Nujabes, Oasis, The Offspring, Ohmega Watts, Ok Go, Os Cariocas, Otis Redding, Our Lady Peace, Outkast, Panic! At the Disco, Paul Oakenfold, Pearl Jam, Phil Collins, The Platters, Pop Noir, Portishead, The Presidents of the USA, The Procussions, Queen, Ratatat, R.E.M., Roy Orbison, Ruby, Ruediger Gleisberg, Sevendust, Si*Se, She Wants Revenge, Shirley Bassey, Silverchair, Stabbing Westward, The Smashing Pumpkins, Smash-Up Derby, Sneaker Pimps, Stan Getz, Starving For Gravity, Static-X, Stone Sour, Sublime, Talib Kweli, Tally Hall, Taproot, Tarkan, Tenacious D, Thievery Corporation, Third Eye Blind, Three Doors Down, Tito Puente, Toadies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Tom Petty, Trainwreck, Trust Company, Twelve Girls Band, U2, VAST, Vinyl Soul, Weezer, Weird Al Yankovic, Wolfmother, The Wombats, Yoav.

Favourite CDs/Songs of All Time (just to name a few):
The entire Frogstomp, Freak Show, and Diorama CDs by Silverchair; most of the Starving for Gravity CD and the entire Urgency CD by Starving For Gravity; the entire Make Yourself and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. CDs by Incubus; most of the Ceu CD by Ceu; most of With Lasers by Bonde Do Role; most of every CD by Joe Satriani.

Above by Finger Eleven; A Little Pain by Olivia Lufkin; Angel & Inertia Creeps by Massive Attack; Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins; Black by Sevendust; Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden; Bloodsport by Sneaker Pimps; Bother by Stone Sour; Broken Dreams by Basement Jaxx; Cat With 2 Heads! by The Aquabats!; Creep by Stone Temple Pilots; Days of the Phoenix by A.F.I.; Downfall by Trust Company; Dream Baby by Roy Orbison; Falling Down by The Deadlights; Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger; Gasolina by Bonde Do Role; Get Up Offa That Thang by James Brown; Grace by Ruby; Happy Valentine’s Day by Outkast; Hey Jealousy by The Gin Blossoms; The Highwayman by Loreena McKennitt; I Get A Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra; The Impression That I Get by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones; Inside Out by Eve 6; It’s A Fire by Portishead; Is Anybody Home & Potato Girl by Our Lady Peace; Keep Myself Awake by Black Lab; Killing Me Softly & Ready or Not by Fugees; King of Pain by Corey vs. Corey; Kismet by Bond; Last Time by Fuel; Let The Music Play by Five Cent Hero; Lightning Crashes by Live; The Longest Time by Billy Joel; Mariposa en Havana by Si*Se; Milk & The World Is Not Enough by Garbage; Morning Afterglow by Electrasy; Mouth (The Stingray Mix) by Bush; No Rain by Blind Melon; No Sleep ‘Till Brooklyn by Beastie Boys; Padrino by Smash Mouth; Peaches by The Presidents of the USA; Poem by Taproot; Princes of the Universe by Queen; Rapture by iiO; The Red by Chevelle; RE: Definition by Black Star; Rose by Anna Tsuchiya; Satan Is My Motor by Cake; Self Esteem by The Offspring; Shake The Disease by Depeche Mode; Shine & The World I Know by Collective Soul; Si, Senor by Control Machete; Smells Like Funk by The Black Eyed Peas; Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana; Spanish Guitar by Slash; Staccato Swing by Benny Golson; Steal My Kisses by Ben Harper; Suavemente by Elvis Crespo; Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song) by Incubus; This is How You Remind Me by Nickelback; Tonight, Tonight by The Smashing Pumpkins; Toreador by Apocalyptica; Two Princes by Spin Doctors; Underground by Moist; Undone (The Sweater Song) by Weezer; The Way You Like It by Adema; Where Do I Begin by Shirley Bassey; Whispering Wind by Moby; With Arms Wide Open by Creed; Word Up by Cameo.

Movies:

9 1/2 Weeks; 12 Angry Men; 300; Ace Ventura 1 & 2; A Goofy Movie; Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Yojimbo and The Hidden Fortress; American History X; An American Werewolf in Paris; the Aliens Quadrilogy; Arsenic and Old Lace; Babe; Batman/Batman Returns; Beavis and Butthead Do America; Bedazzled; Beerfest; Bill Cosby, Himself; BBC's Blue Planet; Boondock Saints; The Bourne trilogy; Bram Stoker's Dracula; Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Casino Royale; Cat On A Hot Tin Roof; Cloverfield; Constantine; Cool Hand Luke; Cool Runnings; Conan the Barbarian; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; The Cutting Edge; The Dark Crystal; Death Becomes Her; Dogma; Double Take; Falling Down; Farewell, My Concubine; Encino Man; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Ferris Bueller's Day Off; Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within; Finding Nemo; The Flame of New Orleans; Flight of Dragons; Gattaca; Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; Gone With the Wind; Good Night, and Good Luck; Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; Idiocracy; Kamikaze Girls; Kill Bill 1 & 2; Homeward Bound; Hook; Hot Fuzz; The Incredibles; Indiana Jones trilogy; Iron Man; I, Spy;The King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters; Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back; Juno; The Last Samurai; The Last Unicorn; Life Is Beautiful; Lilo and Stitch; The Little Mermaid; Mallrats; Mary Poppins; Milo and Otis; Mirrormask; Monty Python and The Holy Grail; The Mummy/The Mummy Returns; My Cousin Vinny; North by Northwest; The Notebook; Oscar; Pan's Labyrinth; The Pillow Book; Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy; BBC's Planet Earth; The Prestige; Primal Fear; Raising Arizona; Raymond Briggs' The Snowman; Red Sonja; Resident Evil; The Return; Robin Williams: Live On Broadway; Rush Hour 1 & 2; Shanghai Noon 1 & 2; Shaun of the Dead; Shrek 1 & 2; Sin City; So, I Married an Axe Murderer; Sorry, Wrong Number; Star Wars (the Originals: IV, V, VI; Superbad; That Darn Cat; The Dark Knight; The Lady Eve; Thumb Wars; Transformers; Tropic Thunder; True Lies; Waking Life; Wallace and Gromit; White Dwarf; Willow; Zoolander.

Anime Movies/Series: Spirited Away; Swan Lake (1978/1981); Vampire Hunter D & VHD: Bloodlust. Angelic Layer; Claymore; Full Metal Alchemist; Hellsing; Ouran High Host Club; Trigun; XXXholic.

Television:

I'm much more of a T.V. on DVD girl. If I'm watching anything, it's either DVDs from Netflix or watching eps on my computer. Though, my new residence is equipped (in two rooms) with DirectTV AND TiVo, so my super T.V.-savvy roommate has officially inducted me into all that is satellite T.V. Lol, we've developed a parallel continuum.

Favourite channels: Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel and Nova.

On-the-air: America's Next Top Model; The Big Bang Theory (I love Sheldon! Smart, yet so dry.); The Boondocks; The Colbert Report; The Daily Show; Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; Entourage; Heroes; How It's Made; Top Gear; L.A. Ink; The Soup.

Old TV shows on DVD: Buffy, The Vampire Slayer; Coupling; Farscape; Fated to Love You (TW); Firefly; Fraggle Rock; Freaks and Geeks; Highlander (THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!); I, Claudius; In Living Color; Kids in the Hall; Mr. Show; The Outer Limits (New Series); OZ; Tales from the Crypt; Wonderfalls.

Old and current animated TV series: Arthur; Batman: The Animated Series; Dexter's Laboratory; Gargoyles; Invader Zim; Rocko's Modern Life; The Simpsons; X-Men.

Books:

A Light in the Attic, and Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein; Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand; The Best of Frederik Pohl by Frederik Pohl; The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop; Brave New World by Aldous Huxley; all 18 Calvin and Hobbes books by Bill Watterson; The Cat Who Went To Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth; The Celery Stalks At Midnight/Howliday Inn by James Howe; The Collector by John Fowles; the Dragon Prince trilogy and the Dragon Star trilogy by Melanie Rawn; The Dragonlance Chronicles and continuing series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman; Dreamsnake by Vonda McIntyre; the Dragons of Pern, and Ship Who Sang series by Anne McCaffrey; Dune by Frank Herbert; The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King; Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy/The Icewind Dale Trilogy/The Legacy of the Drow/The Legend of Drizzt by R.A. Salvatore; The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble; The Griffin and Sabine series by Nick Bantock; Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell; Jezebel: The Untold Story of the Bible's Harlot Queen by Lesley Hazleton; Movable Feasts by Gregory McNamee; the four Mutts comics I own by Patrick McDonnell; The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde; the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander; that romance novel that Charlene knows about; Tales from the Flat Earth by Tanith Lee; The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame; Wolf and Iron by Gordon R. Dickson.

All time favourite authors: Piers Anthony, Isaac Asimov, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Orson Scott Card, Ursula LeGuin, Patricia McKillip, Ricardo Pinto, R.A. Salvatore, Robert Silverberg, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Terri Windling and Ellen Datlow.

Graphic Novels: The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1, 2 & 3 by Neil Gaiman (Gorgeous reproductions! Can't wait for the last one.); Batman: Hush & Hush Returns; The Crow; The Dark Knight Returns; The Long Halloween; Marvel's Phoenix and Dark Phoenix storyline (Batman is my favorite, but she was my pet superhero LONG before those damn movies came out.); Wolverine: Origin.

Heroes:

My heroes are people who, day-by-day:

Maintain a sense of integrity, honesty and respect; make the most out of life and do what fulfills them (Don't care what society thinks, but still have the heart to care about the people that they love.); can make me laugh or smile; always seem to know which way North, South, East or West happen to be, because I know that I sure as hell don't; can keep their cool when being confronted; and lastly, have the ability to drive for 6+ hours straight (You are a candidate for an Elaine roadtrip!). Heroes, all!