accidental IT guru (that's the day job) - artist (ask about my 'Pollocks') - podcaster (yes, the internationally acclaimed Darkhorse Radio - that's ME!) - rock photographer (see George Agan's MySpace pics), all round good guy (but don't ask me to give you cash)
Greg Toland (Cinematographer on the monumental Citizen Kane) - I'd like to discuss chiaroscuro photography with him. No one ever did it better on film. The man was a real genius.
Jackson Pollock - I'd ask him for a quick 'dripping' lesson.
Jack Ruby - I'd get him to tell me why he shot Oswald and who really shot JFK.
Barack Obama - I'd like to find out if there's substance behind the charisma. I really hope that there is for the sake of the whole planet.
Have a look at this video (by Will.I.am) with a host of celebs taking part. Barack Obama didn't commission this - but it's a magnificent piece of FREE promotion for his campaign to win the Democratic nomination and thereafter the Presidency. If you aren't impressed, ask yourself what most YouTubers (not people like me, but YOUNG people) will think about this. Do we live in an age where a YouTube video can change the world?
(YES WE DO!)
I listen to loads of unsigned and independent label bands - for podcast material. (Karma, Romantica, Graystar, Chris Gorman, Some Velvet Morning, isHesafe are outstanding bands - check them out in Myspace. Also, I find myself listening to some excellent Canadian singer / songwriters and attempting to wrestle mp3s off them to play in my show - well OK, not just Canadian but that's where I've been snooping around for a while.I love Coldplay, Keane, Damien Rice, The Frames, Richard Ashcroft, Arcade Fire .......... you get the idea.Listen to George Harrison's 'Living in the Material World' to give your emotions a tug - it 'll make you cry if you're feeling a bit emotionally fragile - not a bad thing though to let it all out occasionally.I could go on - but who's reading this anyway!!!
'Once' with Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is just the most wonderful film I've seen in years. It's not just me -I don't know of anyone who's seen it who didn't love it. GREAT NEWS - 'Falling Slowly' (from 'Once') wins best original song at the Oscars. Amazing!
I've already mentioned the Louis de Berniere classic. Read it if you can - once you've got past the first 100 pages you can't leave it alone. Another great book is Pat Conroy's 'The Water is Wide' (it was filmed as 'Conrack') - a true story that all teachers should read. For light reading you can't go wrong with a 'Bill Bryson'.