Skiing, fine wine (reds only), microbrew, music -guitar in particular, rocks, hanging out with friends, dogs, psycology, philosophy, Buddism, Hawaii, Mexico, The Grand Canyon, Smith Rock, Whistler B.C., The Amazon Jungle, Chile, Denali, Valdez, Mt. Baker, Mt. Bachelor, Crystal Mountain, Willamette Pass, Anywhere Asia, Ireland, Italy, mountain biking, rock climbing, white water, trail running, poetry, yoga, environmental conservation, photography, gardening, writing, peace, love and happiness...
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I'd like to meet:
Real people.
World travelers! I still have a whole world to see! Any recommendations?
Music:
You name it. Classical, country, rock n' roll, folk, techno...etc. Really hooked on buying movie soundtracks recently. All time favorite soundtrack is "The Grand Canyon." Recently listened to Bjork on the way home from Waldo Lake (that's for you, Jaime!), Jay-Z, Richie Spice and yes, I am a Dave Matthews junkie, and proud of it, dammit. Gimme some Salsa, add a bit Indy, a touch of "Roots Rock" and a dash of Afro-Celtic Soundsystem and I'll be dancin' like the hippies at the Country Fair!
Movies:
Check back for updates...So far in 2008: Prince Caspian; a nice follow up to the first movie, and played out pretty much to the original C.S. Lewis classic. The new Indy flick? "Ehhhhhhhh!" (Think buzzer.) It was like watching an amped up run-of-the-mill treasure hunt. Didn't we see enough of this stuff with Nicolas Cage and Owen Wilson earlier this year? Vantage Point; it received mixed reviews from the critics...it's an intellectual action flick. If you want Bruce Willis, grab your Die Hard DVD. Vantage Point is the story of a future presidential assassination from eight different viewpoints. It has the best car chase scene EVER at the end. Stop Loss was a tear jerker about the shit our American soldiers are having to process coming home after serving thier term on the front line in Iraq. 80,000 stop losses to date; so sad, and hard to swallow. Movie list for late 2007 and early 2008: Beowulf in 3-D! Angelina Jolie is always delectable, and for those of you as geeky as me about fantasy stories, this one is definitely a must-see. Other decent pastimes include The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington, (who also kicks ass in Deja Vu and American Gangster), and definitely go see Juno! It's worth every minute, and made me feel like imperfection is perfect chaos...the main character is me. Maybe that's because I became a mother so early myself, besides, I ran track and I've always been a geek anyway. Darjeeling Unlimited was just plain weird. It had it's moments, but I'm glad I saw it at the $3 venue. It trys to be too serious; the cinematic art just doesn't do much for the story itself, and the opener is annoying to sit through. The King of Scotland was an excellent story, really scary it was based on true events. It's acted well, and will hold your attention in suspense to the very last minute; a bit brutal in some parts, though, not for weak stomachs. The 2006 "blockbuster" season was fairly dismal. Nothing particularly worthy of a five star rating. Good recent sports movies on DVD include Glory Road and Coach Carter. GO SEE BLOOD DIAMOND. It will change the way you think about diamonds forever...and make you think twice about consumerism as a whole. For a decent family action flick (and a few laughs) enjoy a Night at the Museum with Ben Stiller. Definitely recommend CRASH, Pursuit of Happyness, and don't miss 300!!! Violent, yea, but not particularly gory. This movie was an excellent exploration of the male human spirit in particular, and an incredibly striking and artistic portrait of war in a cinema format. More "good sees" from 2007 include King of Scotland, Freedom Writers, Zodiac and Pride.
Television:
I guess I watch the news every once in a while, and Simpsons and King of the Hill reruns are good for an occasional chuckle, but on the whole, I don't watch television. Life's too short to spend it watching someone else's unfold.
Books:
Currently into A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, and re-reading the Tao of Power. Just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love. Really inspiring, and helped me aspire to my dreams of journeying overseas in the next year. Adding to the recent list: Crimson Fire; by Holly Taylor -awesome Arthurian legend before Arthur, Addicted to Danger by Jim Wickersham, Paul Coehlo's "The Alchemist" is a must read along with handbook for realizing your Personal Legend, "Warriors of Light". Mary Bradley Zimmerman captures the tale of King Arthur's court beautifully in magical Medieval fantasy, Mists of Avalon. I also finished a recent series about a Jersey bounty hunter chick set in the eighties by Janet Evanovich. Set in the 80's, this series will have you rolling between the comedic car bombings and sexy encounters with both the light and dark side of law enforcement dudes. Also recently finished a non-fiction mountaineering biography, Solo Faces and Women Who Run, featuring a series of 20 profiles focused on female athletes (obviously runners). For anyone who loves dogs, I highly recommend 'Marley and Me' -truly, you will laugh and cry with this book. But again, only if you love dogs, otherwise you might think I'm being really cheesy. I also love children's classic literature and traditional stories. Try George MacDonald's series starting with the Princess and the Goblin. Right now, I'm finishing The North Wind. For a good spiritual lift, read Fear No Death by Thich Nhat Hanh. Recent professioal reads include Rise of the Creative Class, The Tipping Point, Start Here-Start Now, and Last Child in the Woods.
Heroes:
My Dad, for being the avid and dedicated outdoorsman he is. My mom, for overcoming her physical issues and being there when she knows I really need someone to talk to. (She also tells the best stories in my family.) My best friends, Angela and Leanna, for being the voice of reason in my life during a time of chaos, for keeping me well fed in times of lean cash, Angela, for rescuing me (how many times?) off the side of the road, to both of you for being financial and spiritual motivaters for me. RM, you gave me possibility, what more can I ask for? I'm still goin' strong on that faith... Kristin, for taking back the power of choice and hitting life at full throttle. You are cookin', lady, just hold on tight to the steering wheel. And bro, you are a financial wizard, and yeah, I'm jealous. I better be sitting on that yachat ten years from now! Julianne, wherever you are, you shaped my life for the better, thanks for giving me vision. Jen, ROCK ON travel buddy! Thanks so much for all your inspiration and neverending solidarity in our friendship. Can't wait to see you in Alaska. Jude: just keep cycling, just keep cycling...you'll be around the world in no time at all! TSH: Thanks for being the rockstar celebrity in my life -you've kept me down to earth when I really just wanted to fly away. You really are the Great 818. Lexi and Kellen, you are the most outrageous children I know. Nick, you are a beacon of hope. And Meg, without you, well, life just wouldn't be as much fun. Thanks to you, I have actually learned to smell the roses. What better gift could anyone have given me? To all of you who have so unconditionally and freely given to me your time, life and love. I am so grateful to be to be alive in your world. Never doubt it. All my love, sgm