Traveling: I love seeing different things and learning about different places. There's something about other places that fascinates me and if I could spend the rest of my life traveling all over the world, I'd do it in a heart beat. Riding motorcycles: I have a 2007 GSX-R 750 and I love to ride. I decided being a passenger wasn't good enough any more. Landscaping: Spent my summers landscaping in Sun Valley, ID during grad school and it became one of my favorite things to do. Hiking/Backpacking: I love adventuring off on a dirt trail and losing myself in the outdoors. Not to mention the physical challenges you can encounter that makes for a good accomplishment once it's all over. It amazes me the things you can see if you just get away from the beaten path. Running: I've been training to run half-marathons and found that I actually do like to run...who would have thought. Going to the gym, roller blading, camping, biking, skiing, snowboarding, camping, kayaking, water skiing, tennis, scrapbooking, Minnesota Vikings (maybe someday I'll learn to become a fan of the Washington teams, but for now I'll stick with what I know best). Fantasy Football and yes I stand a chance to actually do decently in my league this season. Minnesota Gophers Hockey games, music, playing the piano, house projects....
I'll listen to pretty much anything, criteria pending that I can actually understand the lyrics. I even enjoy some classical music as I grew up playing the piano, beginning when I was 5. I like too many different artists to even attempt naming them all so I'll put in a few of my top favorites: Erin Pearson, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Train, U2, Matchbox 20, Five for Fighting, Tim McGraw, Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts, Josh Groban, Snow Patrol, Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood. If I could pick one place to go every night on the weekends, it would be a dueling piano bar, the music and the atmosphere (not to mention the beverages) make for a pretty fun night.
Liar Liar, Shrek 1 and 2, Office Space, Dumb and Dumber, Seabiscuit, Remember the Titans, Pirates of the Caribean.... there's more, I can't name them all. I have to admit I don't watch many movies though so I'm a great person to rent a movie with, I haven't seen anything! The problem is I usually fall asleep. :)
I find that as I get older, I have less and less time to waste in front of the television, except when its football season. I honestly can't remember when the last time I turned on my TV was! Life's too short to spend it on the couch.
Adventure stories are my favorite, ones where people face great challenges and are able to overcome them, even if it's with only moderate success. Jon Krakauer books, Left for Dead by Beck Wethers, Dan Brown books, Gary Paulson books, The Turtle Warrior, Tuesday's with Mouri......
My Grandpa Elliot whose knowledge, wisdom, and the way he led his life is an inspiration to me. My mom for being my best friend and never giving up on me. My Uncle Kris who taught me that I can do ANYTHING.