About Me
I grew up in a house where I heard reggae, jazz, funk, disco, 50's rock, and pop music. I started playing the guitar at 15, inspired by Eddie Van Halen. I've since played in many bands, sometimes singing back up as well. I currently play for Brig Feltus in her band Chrysalis Child.The following are people who have inspired me to think, grow, learn, and become a better human being. They are MY HEREOS:JOSEPH CAMPBELL- Late comparative mythologist, scholar, and teacher who used the work of Carl Jung in depth psychology as well as other sciences to deem all the world's myths- religions, fairy tales, epic films, as One Great Story, one Monomyth. We would not have the glorious mythology of Star Wars if not for him and his influence on George Luca via his first seminal work titled The Hero With A Thousand Faces, which celebrates the hero's journey. It was when I read (and later viewed) The Power of Myth, the interview series Campbell did in the 80's with journalist Bill Moyers, that I realized I'd always been a Campbell fan. I immediately connected to the ideas and thoughts Campbell wrote; for the first time I found someone who thought the way I did! It was then that I let go of my bitterness towards the Catholic church and Christianity in general once I saw how the fundamentalist, literal, non-metaphorical interpretation came to dominate most Christian thought and practice. I realized that my Catholic Elementary School religion teachers simply did not know any other way to interpret their faith but in a literal, dogmatic way. I have learned to follow my bliss, to listen to God in my heart, and find the myth that spoke personally to me. Thank you, Joe.JON STEWART- Host of The Daily Show, a humorous, witty, satyrical view and skewering of public/political figures and the media. This is on of my favorite shows on television. Funny, truthful, and insightful, Sewart and his team of faux reporters reveal just how absurd the U.S. political game, along the corprate owned media, has become.BILL MAHER- I first became a fan of his when he had his first show, policially Incorrect, where celebs/writers/actors/politicians/musicians would get together and talk candidly about a host of current event issues. Then he was openly critical of the Bush administration and his show was immediately canceled. I became a bigger fan when I began watching his stand up comedy specials. And now, his latest show, Real Time With Bill Maher, is one of my favorite shows to watch. He truly is not afraid to say what he feels and without apology. And true, there are many things I do not agree with Bill on; I believe the United States government was complicit in the 9/11 "attacks," because they needed a reason to scare the American populous into supporting a war against a manufactured "enemy/scapegoat", Bill believes the U.S government is just incomptent and has always had the best of intentions (like supposedly bestowing Democracy upon the brown skinned savages like al lthe great White Buana governments before them), if it weren't for all their innocent bungling. I think the Dems and Repubs are the same side of the coin, another version of good cop, bad cop, giving ignorant Americans the illusion of choice. Bill thinks the Dems are very different from their "red" counterparts. Whatever, Bill. I still love you.KPFK- One of the only sources of independent news outlets. Brilliant and stunningly diverse programming... there are shows about physical health, mental and emotional health, finances, women's issues, Native American issues, Middle Eastern issues, gay/lesbian/transgender issues, differently abled issues, etc... always my number one source for local and world events, free of the corporate agenda. and mindless propoganda.KING'S X- A mix of progressive rock, soul, funk, jazz, three part harmonies... one of the greatest bands ever. They are so talented its sick. They put their heart and soul into every note. These guys and their music have been so influential in my life. Going to their concerts is, for me, going to church. Dug, Ty, and Jerry, love you guys forever. Thank you.CHARLES BUKOWSKI- A drunk, a "dirt old man,', a mysogonist ... whatever you may call him, he was a champion of the Everyman, of the Underdog, a harsh critic of America's soul crushing system, and a brilliantly insightful, humorous, and compassionate writer and poet. Since I discovered him in college, he has greatly influenced my writing. Long live Buk!NPR- Like KPFK, another brilliant, independent news outlet that is not obligated to spew corporate funded propaganda.ROSIE O'DONNELL- The only person on television brave enough to openly criticize the Bush Administration's bullshit story on 9/11. Go Rosie! You are not alone!SEAN PENN- Not only is he one his generations most talented actors (and one of my all time favorite), but he went to New Orleans to help suffering and stranded people when Bush was on vacation playing golf. And like Rosie, he's not afraid of telling truth to power. In recent years he has become more politically active, writing speeches that are elequent, poetic, and yet do not pull any punches. Keep speaking out, brother!LT. EHREN WATADA- The first soldier to refuse deployment to Iraq, proving that soldiers are not required to throw away their sense of morality, nor their intelligence, nor their analytical skills when signing up for the armed forces. They want to lock him up and throw away the key. We are behind you, Lt. Watada, as well as all other soldiers who do not support this war. I salute your courage.
DEAD PREZ- Forget 50 Cents, Little John, and all those other fools singing about money, gold chains, bitches, and ho's. These brothers resurrect the soul and fire of Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party... which is why you'll never hear them on the radio.RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: They're back! Waking people up to the horrors of this soul wrecking, materlistic, murderous, Industrial Global Empire of America, one heavy, groove based song at a time...tiphoto.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" MICHAEL FRANTI: After I saw his documentary, "I Know I'm Not Alone" and listened to one of his CD's, I was forver a fan. Yell fire! Revolution is coming, my brother!SPIKE LEE- I have been a life long fan of who I and many others consider one of the best directors working today. He says what he wants to stay, challenging the staus-quo in every film. Basing his film production company, 40 Acres, in Brooklyn, New York, Spike has more than proved he has never needed Hollywood to do his thing. Go ahead Spike!
