Well er I like being creative or anything that stimulates my imagination. Consequently I am happiest when i'm, in no specific order:
listening to or producing music. more of which later
designing webpages, humourous t-shirts, greeting cards
not working
socialising with friends
having a beer (followed by at least one clear day of not working)
I am into the usual escapist pursuits such as reading and cinema. if anybody wants to read the _b*ll*cks_ of a sci-fi trilogy I recommend the nights dawn trilogy by peter f hamilton. i love films. i am a fan of john cusack (or coincidentally many of the films he stars in) like hi fidelity, pushing tin, americas sweethearts. I like everything appealing to my strong sense of patriotism (not talking silly right wing here) such as zulu and er independance day. nah only joking with that second one. Comedies lighten up life and i nearly died and still nearly do during my first, and with every subsequent viewing of super troopers. littering and??? littering and?????
pauly shore is the most ridiculous person ever. can watch biodome over and over.
I have recently become very interested in personal development. Specifically the skill of running your own mind effectively to realise your potential and enjoy every minute doing so. I think it is up there joint first with composing music as the most rewarding thing I have ever done. applying basic methodologies (simple things that come natural to every other cohesive, ambitious, congruent and happy person) has started to move my life in the direction I want to go. I read a book recently that told me my mind was my kingdom over which I could rule as I saw fit. That I was the master of my thoughts, my environment and my destiny. Still early days but very exciting stuff. If anybody reading is interested the authors name is antony robbins and the book is called unlimited power. if you search, his company will send out a free book with condensed content from his first two books. Can't do any harm to take a look eh?
I also enjoy sport and like to play 5-a-side footy, squash and would like to try some climbing/bouldering.
More later
Mike
Music:
now then. I have two distinct musical personalities. On the one hand I love electro. Mono synths, filters, 808's vocoders. Can't get enough. My favourite net radio is the cybernetic broadcasting system.
http://www.cybernetic-broadcasting.net/home/
tune in it's totally awesome.The tune that got me into electro was space invaders are smoking grass by i-f. that is quality. I need some help reaching lectro enlightenment. There has to be some clubs or nights nearby playing that stuff in this area. if anyone knows then please get in touch. Similarly I'm looking for a place to buy the cd's and vinyl. get in touch electro fans!
here's a list of stuff that has blown me away on the cbs:
FREAK ELECTRIQUE Mr. Psycho (Remix)
aphex twin - jedi
bagarre - lemon sweet disco version
neuronium - a strange affair
solid space-contemplation
DICK MAAS De Lift-Rising Sun
WENDY CARLOS AND RACHEL ELKIND The Shining-Main Title
freak electrique cloud server
LINK & E621 Antacid II
Claro intellecto
Neon - Skydiver
NIK RAICEVIC Eternity (Narco Records NR-102)
SKATEBAARD Disco Nonstop
ELECTRONOME Morphing (Murdercapital M-005) www.viewlexx.net
MAN PARRISH Six Simple Synthesizers
alden tyrell
rude 66
Ken Laszlo - Hey Hey Guy
I also love guitar music spanning bob dylan (blood on the tracks, oh mercy) to the hives, electric-6, the darkness, nirvana and anything going on in the local music scene
anybody ever caught the terminals live? They are _the shit_ also every tune on the indepdant release dancetotheradio (dancetotheradio.com) The terminals are track 5 and diagnosed kicks some serious arse.
did i mention i also produce music? again this takes two different directions. I began writing piano ballads. I became frustrated with my inability to write meaningful lyrics and very shy and embarassed of my singing voice. It isn't actually that bad but it has held me back for years.
I tried to solve the lyric thing by studying bob dylans work. I got very inspired one day reading a biography and wrote university off for the day and bought a folk heroes starter pack. or a guitar, tuner, strap etc for the uninitiated. I loved the way I could begin playing bobs tune almost straight away and how strumming freed up my brain to work at my pitch and phrasing. I never got past open chords though. I used to hate forming F and never got comfortable with barre chords. I still love the acoustic guitar as a compositional tool
I have setup a home studio for recording electro. am tired now so will come back to this later.
