Music, Philosophy, Languages, Human Beings, Infinity.
People whos personalities dont resemble the personalities of the majority of knuckleheads I see on the subway.
Music that makes me think "Wow, now theres something I havent heard before" . Much like I enjoy meeting people who dont have personalities that I have already encountered. Music styles really dont concern me, as long as I hear a fresh interpretation of that style. Like I feel the true personality of the artist through the music. Not like he-she is trying to imitate another band or musical tradition.
Films that really make you re-evaluating your life. The ones that occupy your thoughts for days after you seen it. Could be drama, horror, thriller, whatever, so long as it gets your mind in gear.
Havent had cable since I was a wee lad, but usually enjoy shows like Family Guy, Simpsons, Third Rock from the Sun once in a while. TV is a rarity in my life, so I sometimes am completely out of touch with modern day life. I did see an episode of Star Trek one time and thought it was really mind boggling. Might have become a trekkee if I took the time to get cable and a TV Guide. Me and one of my ex-girlfriends used to get high and watch COPS once in while and then talk shit about pigs in profound ways while we ate hot dogs and relish. Pig philosophy you could call it. Ah...the good old days.
I wont bore you with an endless list of great books Ive read. That having been said, Derrida is the philosopher that comes to mind right now, and Robert Anton Wilson for a modern day ideasman. Escher and Munch for painters collections. Breakfast of Champions is the only book that Ive read cover to cover many many times just for fun and everytime feels like the first time.
My first hero was Bugs Bunny which meant I grew up saying witty, yet obnoxious remarks to everyone and developed and very morbid sense of humor that usually offended people who hadnt grown up with me or gotten to know me well. Over the years I have tried to make it a habit to warm people up a little before I hit them with everything. They seem to appreciate that a bit better. Let this be an apology to anyone Ive ever offended without intention. Unless I was screaming at you, I wasnt trying to offend you, and most likely trying to show you how much I liked you and felt comfortable around you by breaking your balls. My second hero was Clint Eastwood. As a child, I loved films like Pale Rider, High Plains Drifter, and Unforgiven. How this mystical charachter from a higher plane just came into this fucked up town and cut through all the bullshit. Exposed all the phonies and dipshits for what they were. My new hero right now is a girl from France named Francois Cactus.