Photography and digital imaging as an expressive gesture, anything (yes ANYTHING) outdoors, the Intelligent Design vs. Darwinism debate/fiasco, and eBay as a cultural icon and what it says about humanity - MySpace is nearing critical mass in the same arena.
Angelina Jolie (Not just because she's beautiful, but because she's SO twisted that I just HAVE to know what the HELL she's thinking.).
Warren Buffet (To ask him "WHY?", and then to follow up with "Why not ME?")
Steven Spielberg (To see if money really just sprays out of his head non stop, and to find out if he has a physical presence on THIS plane of existence).
Michael Moore (or Bill Maher - either will do, and I think they are the same person anyway), to ask them who peed on thier shoes, and tell them to get over it already.
Paris Hilton (just to tell her to shut up and look pretty, but mainly just shut up).
Whoever thought up the "UnPimp ze Auto" ads for VW, so I can pick that brain for an hour. I'll retire within a year immediately following that session.
Listening to music that's important to me is a 20 hour-a-day thing - while I work, play, eat and sometimes even while I sleep. Kinda creepy, I know ... just one of those inescapable neurotic compulsions. Depending on what I'm trying to get done, and how I want the way I feel reflected, I like a little of EVERYTHING, but lately it seems to be WAY country in it's focus (again). Oddly, I often end up hating artists I intially love, as the music sometimes begins to slip quality wise, and emotionally with the release of their first few hits.
Idols in music would include Mark Knopfler for his God given, unequalled natural talent, LeAnn Rimes for her vocal perfection, Alison Krauss for all-around talent, Melissa Etheridge for sheer emotional impact and Alannis Morisette for her razor's edge lyrics.
The solo artists are wildy varied, but current top picks are Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson, Ashley Monroe, Amy Dalley and damn, I can't even fit them all in here.
Lifetime faves are Bob Seger, Sting, Neil Young, Willie, Melissa, Alan Jackson, Lyle Lovett, George Strait, Clint Black, BTO, U-2, Kenny Loggins, Cowboy Junkies, Paul Simon and Randy Newman.
In a nutshell, anyone whose lyrics are worth thinking about, with or without the melody.
Who's playing?
In no particular order, here's SOME of the people I listen to.
Pam Scheller
Sheryl Crow
Miranda Lambert
Sarah McLachlan
Jewel
Jamie O'Neal
Deanna Johnston
Gretchen Wilson
Wynonna
Selena Cross
Lori L. Black
Melissa Bauer
Brenda Best
Trent Willmon
Gattis
Andrea Wittgens
Kenny Chesney
Catya Maré
Taylor Swift
Cheyenne
June Carter Cash
Naomi Streimer
Caitlin Crosby
Chely Wright
Sugarland
Alannah Myles
Garth Brooks
X-Perience
Rachel Harrington
Jacquleyn Conoly
Elaine Hendrix
Ashley Monroe
Lila McCann
Willy Nelson
Hank Williams Jr.
Natalie Grant
Danny Tate
Ty Herndon
Kacey Musgraves
Nick Martin
Tim
Savana
Big and Rich
The Slater Sisters
April Cummings
Maren Morris
Victoria Venier
Bonnie Raitt
Tonya Watts
The Wreckers
Lee Ann Womack
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Faith Hill
Alan Jackson
Nikki Lee
Keith Urban
Billy Redfield
Amanda Williams
Brad Paisley
Lila McCann
Jamey Johnson
Trace Adkins
Shooter Jennings
Jolie Bell
Fiona Apple
Shannon Mock
Shalacy Griffin
Lea Finn
Casey Kessel
Mollyjack
Jerzey Jung
Victoria Shaw
Roxanne Potvin
Jenny Slate
Nicole Witt
Anna Marie
Sass Jordan
Carrie Turner
Dixie Chicks
Donielle Morris
Jonatha Brooke
Cari Howe
Rachel Williams
Carrie Clark
Melody Guy
Danielle Peck
Shanna Crooks
Tommy Ludgate
Amy Dalley
Carrie Clark
Hillary Scott
Kristin Connell
Johanna Stahley
Kellie Lynne
Krista Marie
Seana Harris
Linda Coogan
Erin James
Ashley Rose
Moriah Martin
Laura Cheadle
Jessica Andrews
Memarie
Andrea Zonn
Rick Monroe
Angela Dodson
Christie Aitken
Ashley Gearing
Jaime Fox
Mylin
Shelly Colvin
Pam Tillis
Shelly Fairchild
Victoria Lagerstrom
Anna Crowley
Addie Brownlee
Wanna see the rest?
Death of a Salesman (with Hoffman), Reservoir Dogs, Apocolypse Now, Pulp Fiction, The Big Fish, Gladiator, Rob Roy, The Green Mile, Bladerunner, 5th Element, There's Something About Mary, The Breakfast Club, The Princess Bride, Meet the Parents and Goldmember come immediately to mind, for decidedly differing reasons. Oh - and add Finding Nemo and Cars if you care.
I don't watch TV unless something VERY odd is going on, and then I might watch Cops, Spongebob Squarepants, Big Love, Family Guy, or The Sopranos - but not all in one week.
Dean Koontz, John Irving, John Grisham, Steinbeck, and yeah - the DaVinci Code was interesting.
My Kids and my Folks