Michael profile picture

Michael

“I have known many who could not when they would, for they had not done it when they could.”-Fra

About Me

We have not journeyed all the way across the centuries, across the oceans, across the mountains, across the prairies, because we are made of sugar candy...If anybody likes to play rough, we can play rough, too.---Winston Churchill, 1941

My Interests

My two main loves are literature and martial arts. Within those things an entire universe lies in wait for anyone willing to explore. I also one day want to travel but to date I've not done much. I have travelled cross-country by train which was an expereince but I dream of travelling to Europe, Japan and India someday.

I'd like to meet:

Juliet BinocheGregory David Roberts

Music:

I have bands on my profile so see for yourself. I like music period and I think within just about any genre there's good and bad stuff, you just have to be willing to give it a try. I've gotten a little old for rap or hip-hop and I'm not much for dance/club music. I tend to like things with energy and a pulse. Basically if it's genuine I'll give it a try. If it's canned or overproduced I'll probably turn away.

Movies:

I had a long list posted here before but that was a bit much. Like music and literature there's good and bad within every category. I lean towards film that has a little depth and will make me pay attention.

Television:

I lean toward premium channels series (HBO and Showtime). As for the networks there's not much I'm into but I do watch 24 and CBS's The Unit. I am a news junkie so MSNBC is my default channel. I am a classic late arrival and in keeping with that a channel I am starting to enjoy is BBC America.

Books:

As a literature major I've read my fair share but away from that again I tend to go with things that have depth, feeling and seem to emphasize the classic theme of the heart. I've read and own everything by Henry Miller and Hunter S. Thompson. I enjoy Hemingway because his prose reminds me of boxing in the sense that suddenly things will just rise up and hit you. I'm a huge fan of Michael Ondaatje and think he might be the best writer alive. I've recently discovered Gregory David Roberts and his novel Shantaram maybe be the best book I've ever read and I recommend it to everyone. I enjoy Ayn Rand a bit but find it all a bit unfeeling and over the top. The classics of gothic horror like Dracula, Frankenstein and Dr. J/ Mr. H elicit just the opposite response. I enjoy reading history of almost any sort. Milan Kundera is a genius. Currently reading The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence.

My Blog

Not my real blog

http://www.caffeinatedmusingsfromthedesktop.blogspot.com/
Posted by Michael on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:52:00 PST

All in a day's work...

Just a quick note to let people know last week I broke my ankle in two places and dislocated it while skateboarding.  I will be away from my computer for about another week but I am doing fine an...
Posted by Michael on Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:55:00 PST

Good morning

I was riding the bus just now into work and I thought of this:   My angst is a snowdrift My angst is the color of rust My angst is cinammon My angst is vibrant and alive My angst is a cinammon-co...
Posted by Michael on Thu, 16 Nov 2006 05:11:00 PST

Welcome to my world

These past two weeks I have wrestled a 260-lb. Haitian schizophrenic who thinks he's Jesus, talked down another paranoid schizophrenic who looks like a fat, balding Charlie Chaplin, been told months o...
Posted by Michael on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 03:50:00 PST

Just a blurb

My brain is frazzled after a very long day that started at 530 am and is still going.  I'm listening to Ryan Adams' Demolition, Gold and Heartbreaker cds.  I even listen to songs now in term...
Posted by Michael on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 06:13:00 PST

Time Flies...

10-21-06Attended Bujinkan seminar where the guest was Lt. Col. Joe Susko, Director of the Marine Corps. Martial Arts Program. The Marine Corps. program essentially trains men and women in the most eff...
Posted by Michael on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 06:47:00 PST

A quick note...

Still another day and no cigarettes. So far so good. I am working on very little sleep but I still have dishes to do and then training on the beach. After that it will be bed and a good night's rest f...
Posted by Michael on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:12:00 PST

11 S. Oakland Ave.

Today was another day without a cigarette. So far I have avoided the merciless jaws of nicotine. It was a weekend, however, full of strange happenings. On Friday night a neighbor from down the hall de...
Posted by Michael on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 06:55:00 PST

No Title---this was written 10-14 at around 930am

I have been awake for ninety minutes but this is my first cup of coffee. I ruined three pots of it earlier when I took apart my new coffee maker and put the filter part in wrong. Then I used the wrong...
Posted by Michael on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 06:53:00 PST

Hard Work Is Mandatory

I have spent the better part of today pondering how low my energy has been lately. It's good to be back at work but I lose four hours a day in the commute. It's just good to be doing something again a...
Posted by Michael on Sun, 01 Oct 2006 01:01:00 PST