I have loved reading since the day I figured out that all those weird letters made sense. I have hundreds and hundreds of books that I have aquired over the years, making quite a nice personal library. Its like those anti-drug commercials, reading is my anti-drug. When I get lost in a good book, I am in that world, it's like a mini vacation from our often stressful reality. I also enjoy many athletic pursuits, specifically those that involve competition. Competition makes everybody involved strive to be better, and I will participate in competition whenever I can. Its not that I always have to win, I frequently don't, I just enjoy the rush that comes with contest. I think that running is the ultimate competitive sport. It is pure and simple, no frills, no distractions, just two minds pitted against each other, seeing which can drive the most out of its muscles. Over the past couple of years I have fallen in love with tennis. During high school tennis season I have actually had streaks where I played every single day for nearly a month. I also enjoy playing basketball, volleyball, or throwing a baseball around. My third great area of interest, although by no means the least, is music. I have a passion for playing percussion. There are those that say that a drummer only serves as a time keeper within a band. I am pained every time I hear this, because I consider drums to be a very musical instrument and I strive to play them as musically as possible at all times. Anyone disagreeing with this theory is welcome to voice their opinion to me, just be ready for a harsh reprimand:)
The Newsboys, The King Pin Wrecking Crew, The OC Supertones, Stanton Moore, Galactic, Miles Davis, U2, Fedora Vista, The Flaming Lips, Sting & The Police, DC Talk, Audio Adrenaline, Frank Sinatra, Maynard Ferguson, Spyro Gyra, Tower of Power, Third Day, Switchfoot, Relient K, Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Louis Armstrong, Quincy Jones, Jars of Clay, The Beatles, Counting Crows, Eric Clapton
I like a very wide range of movies, I can even handle the occasional chick flick without undue suffering. But to get on my favorite movie list, a film has to really resonate with me, either because it stretches my mind in new directions, or has some emotional connection, or is just plain hilarious. Here are some films that have done that-- The Matrix (NOT the sequels); The Lord of the Rings Trilogy( Peter Jackson did such an incredible job of bringing Tolkien's vision to life); The Manchurian Candidate(the original starring Frank Sinatra); National Lampoon's Animal House (I have to explain, this movie has some very crude moments, but it also has some redeeming qualites, and as such it served to bring my high school XC team much inspiration, so its the emotial connection that got this movie on the list);Ferris Bueller's Day Off(this movie speaks for itself). I am also a fan of the James Bond movies, more so the old ones than the new. They are simply cinema classics.
Being the enterprising, active young college student that I am, I have found myself watching little, if any television lately. But some of my all time favorite shows are... Seinfeld, Friends, CSI, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Dr. Who - its a British sci-fi show from the 60's, 70's, and 80's.
The Bible,
"Tender Warrior" by Stu Webber,
"Ender's Game" & "The Tales of Alvin Maker" series by Orson Scott Card,
"Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert T. Kiyosaki,
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy & The Hobbit,
Anything written by Terry Pratchett,
Plato's Republic (Incedible Ancient Philosophy that everyone should read),
Calvin & Hobbes (Incredible Modern Philosopy that everyone should read)