Writing, reading, food, nature, soul searching, history, theater, and people. Not necessarily in that order, and infinitely combinable and fragmentable.
People. All kinds of them. Interesting and openminded people who like to laugh, to read, people who prefer the word 'discuss' to the word 'argue,' people who like home cookin' and good wine, people who'll expose me to new music, books, experiences, and ways of life. Main goal: Get out there and explore, meet people, and enjoy the world at large. Self-assurance is a must in those who hope to get close. Wit (and its frequent use) is important, a creative spirit and artistic integrity are key ingredients, and a good relationship with family is a plus (but not required, because good stories are also a plus). No axe murderers, please, or puppy-haters.A note on my "Favorites" down below. The first row are My current Most Important Things: My brother, who made me a chain-link necklace for Christmas once. My front-line confidante. The theater I work with the most. And THE MAGAZINE I WRITE A COLUMN FOR. For God's sake go subscribe. The second row are people who personally, spiritually, and/or creatively inspire me. Third row is music I love. I hope that putting them there helps word about them get out, because as far as I can see that is the best benefit of Myspace that I've discovered. The fourth row is made up of performers I admire.
You name it. Current favorites are Norah Jones, Snake River Conspiracy, Coldplay, Ben Folds, Portishead, The Caesars, Lily Allen, Macy Gray, Jonatha Brooke, Titan, Radiohead, Sarah McLachlan, and Harvey Danger. But I'll listen to just the heck about everything.
One of my favorites will always be "Dead Poets' Society." Also: For replay value I like Office Space, The Lord of the Rings (all three at once), The Fifth Element, The Matrix, A Prairie Home Companion, Mission Impossible (but only the first one), Tombstone, Galaxy Quest (I know, I know), Monty Python, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, and the Harry Potters. For 'art' I like The Green Mile, Fargo, Schindler's List, The Machinist, Election, Secretary, Rear Window, and Chaplin, among many others. In the "Shut up, I liked it" column are Ultraviolet, both Underworld films, The Craft, and Hackers. I'm in the 'liked it' column on the Superman film. I will watch any movie about superheroes, and I'm the only person I know who enjoyed "The Hulk."
All I get at my place used to be three Spanish channels and a home-shopping thing. Once, I got PBS and an old Ed Sullivan rerun, with Jimmy Durante singing a song about hats. Now, I have bought Magical Rabbit Ears, which means I can watch ABC, My9, and The CW. I admit without shame that I enjoy "America's Next Top Model." Just got hip to "Heroes," which I watch at nbc.com. I watch DVDs of "Stargate: SG1," "Carnivale," "Firefly," and "Oz," and am soon to spread my wings on other recommended series like "Deadwood" and "Grey's Anatomy." I am a rehabilitated Trekker.
Current: "On Writing" by Stephen King, a wonderful autobiographical how-to. "War of the Flowers" by Tad Williams. "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was quiet and smart. "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," by Christopher Moore, is one of the funniest books I've ever read. "The Road Less Traveled" is the only book I've thrown away, unfinished. I liked "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius." (It pretty much is.) I also really loved "The Fountainhead." I liked the first seven chapters of "The Celestine Prophecy." I didn't really like "The Notebook," but it serves as proof that men can write happy-crappy-sappy stuff too. My favorite fantasy authors are R.A. Salvatore, Robert Jordan, Neil Gaiman, and Harry Turtledove, but the latter gentleman does tend toward generalizations in his characters. But they're well WRITTEN characters. I will read anything by Garrison Keillor. I now like Stephen King, but frankly I don't get what the big deal is. I miss Bill Watterson, and wistfully review the Calvin-and-Hobbes anthologies.
I'm not sure. Professionally, I like Tom Hanks and Harrison Ford and Matt Damon and James Spader, for establishing respected careers based on work and merit, not on ass-kissing and media coverage. I admire Bill O'Reilly's courage, even if I don't always agree with him. I admire Rudy Giuliani's fortitude, even if he does use it in some messed-up ways. I admire Bobby McFerrin for creating his own kind of art. I admire a great many of my friends.