My main interests are Zen Buddhism and Ving Tsun kung fu (Yip Man HK style). Like I said before I practise both everyday and look forward to meeting others who I can share experiences (or no-experiences [lol]) of either with.
Other than that I would say that music is one of the biggest parts of my life. I've been playing electric guitar for 9 years now (oh great another guitarist!) and I prefer to write my own music rather than memorize other people's compositions. As far as listening is concerned: I listen to everything as I find being heavily 'genre based' really closes lots of musical doors in terms of influences (I'm only going by experience). I guess over-produced pop would be the bottom of my list of things I'd like to listen to and world music / rainfall (yes the actual sound of rain) being closer to the top.
My personality is fairly laid back and relaxed; though as I grow older I'm finding I have a much deeper respect for personal discipline and awareness in all walks of life. In all situations I try my hardest to help in any way I can and I'm always grateful for any chances to practice the Dharma in everyday life. I've found that the level of polite behaviour I'm experiencing in Japan is the type of consideration I try to extend to my fellow human beings and animals.
Other than that I'm just trying to open the hand of thought...
People around the world (old friends and new) interested in exploring this medium to it's fullest potential.
My musical interests fall into two categories:
a) Music produced by humans
b) Music produced by life
In a) my favourites are:
Jimi Hendrix, Tool, DJ Shadow, Blur (earlier stuff),
Aphex Twin,
Rage Against the Machine,
Ian Dury,
Stevie Ray Vaughan,
General Levy (jungle),
The Rolling Stones,
The Band,
Black Sabbath,
Booker T and the MGs,
Gregorian / Buddhis chanting,
DJ Krush,
Dr. Octagon,
Foo Fighters,
Free,
James Brown,
Geoff Achison,
K D Lang,
Klashnekoff,
The Prodigy,
Nepalese, Japanese and Indian traditional music,
The Who,
and it goes on - but I'm sure you're bored by now!
In b) some of my notable favourites are:
Really fast Motorcycle engines (like a Honda Fireblade),
A busy train station,
Trees moving in the wind,
Rain,
Kids playing at recess,
The murmurs after a really nice meal,
Something being smashed,
Skateboards on Weymouth esplanade,
People ringing the big bell at Shinto shrines,
Waves,
and of course this list also goes on - everyday there is more and more music to find in the world!
Anything thought provoking...
and Spinal Tap!
Mostly British t.v. but also some others from around the world
Peep Show, Fawlty Towers, Flying Circus, This crazy Japanese gameshow on Monday nights where celebrities compete to win Land Rovers in 'Mouse Trap' style games followed up by a final round of air hockey [I don't get it but it's compelling viewing!], The Simpsons, Futurama (better than The Simpsons by three million years), Mastermind and University Challenge [12 correct answers is my record], Eastenders (I miss the terrible grammar), All of Michael Palin's travel documentories.
Shobogenzo (Dogen Zenji), Practical English Useage (Michael Swan), The Dune series (Frank Herbert), King Lear (Shakespeare), LOTR, The Hobbit and The Silmarillion (JRR Tolkien), The life of Pi (Yann Martel), Mahayana Buddhism (Suzuki)
My parents, Anyone who overcomes the obstacles life puts in front of them, Gautama Siddhartha, Cooper [miss you matey!], Ghandi