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I think the Latin phrase 'Coito mihi cursus' conveys things rather well. This means 'Fuck me running'! You do the math....
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I think the Latin phrase 'Coito mihi cursus' conveys things rather well. This means 'Fuck me running'! You do the math....Computer science, mathematics(yes, it's possible to actually enjoy math!), cycling, karate, target shooting(very Zen!), the guitar.
I've already met and had the chance to speak with Jim Messina. He's the one who's playing inspired me to learn how to play guitar. I told him about this when I first met him and he said that this was one of the kindest things anyone had ever said about him! He's a nice cat and a phenomenal player!!
Through the guitar, I've met some amazing folks: Al DiMeola, Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin(what a really NICE guy!!), Chad Wackerman(phenomenal drummer and humble), Doc Severinson(great fusion jazz player--who knew?!).
Rather than list specific artists, it's easier to simply list genres: EVERYTHING!! I used to list my only allergy, on medical forms, as 'Country and Western music'. But, after listening to some of these folks, I've come to understand that they are wickedly talented musicians!
I studied jazz and pursued this under the tutelage of two very astute musicians: Bob Aslanian(formerly Al DiMeola's instructor) and 'Bassist Extraordinaire' Gerry Carboy. Gerry was, by a long distance, the more intense of the two but, he radically altered my technique, my awareness of rhythm and my knowledge of harmony. Curiously, Gerry's philosophy is very similar to that of some of the martial artists I've studied under. He espoused the notion of learning a technique and repeating it 10,000 times so as to perfect and internalize it. This is why, after a 16 year layoff, I was able to return to playing the guitar, and found that my technique was actually better than it had been when I was studying 10 hours a day for both Gerry and Bob.
What's changed in terms of my listening habits is that I used to only get excited by listening to folks like Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, John Scofield and such. After taking all of that time off from the guitar, my tastes have shifted radically: whereas it used to be all about speed, these days, I'm more interested in hearing someone play melodically. This is why Redd Volkaert is a favorite of mine--along with virtually any decent Blues player!
Alien has always been a favorite. I can recall sitting in a theater in Virginia with my longtime bud Paul Spriggs, waiting for Aliens to start when he turned to me and said "We're about to watch the sequel to the movie that scared the shit out of us, six years ago!" Much nervous laughter ensued....
The first Matrix film was pretty spectacular. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a classic from my childhood that I still love.
The current version of 'Battlestar Gallactica' is awfully well-acted. For a TV series, this has some top-notch production values.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles ROCK!! 'Bout time network television put on a good show...!
The Sopranos--given that I live in New Jersey and everyone in NJ is connected--you gotta watch!!
Countless textbooks in math, computer science, music and such. A smattering of some of my favorite authors are: Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert, Harlan Ellison, Tom Clancy, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Nicholas Slonimsky. Oh, and The Book of Five Rings--this took me from being scared when sparring to being dominant!!
Sybill Smith, Bob Erbe, Bob Darton, Bobby Rivers and Lois Kapp.
Sybill was my first college math instructor and she took the time to show me how to study mathematics. The result of her efforts was that I was able to take a minor in math at Rutgers! For someone who was as math-phobic as a person can be, this was no small feat.
As for both Bob's, I had them in my first two years of high school. Both taught what would be considered history however, they did so from the perspective of the times we were in at that point(the early 1970's). What they did was teach me to never accept the news of the day at face value. Their's was a cynical view, to be certain, but it was the first time that I'd been given the opportunity to 'lift the veil', so to speak.
Bobby Rivers is someone both my wife and I loved to watch when he was on VH-1 and Fox. After my wife died, I met Bobby when he was here on the Jersey shore doing a live shoot. We talked a bit and I passed him my e-mail address. He contacted me just before my first Holiday season alone and offered to check up on me to see how I was doing. Easily one of the most genuine people anyone could ever know!
Lois is someone I've known since childhood. She's just one of the bestest folks on Earth! When my wife died, there were 3 days of viewings for her. The very first time I turned the corner in the funeral home and saw my wife in a casket, I broke down. Lois, unbeknownst to me, was right behind me. She wrapped her arms around me and let me sob my eyes out. I will love her until I draw my last breath....
Lastly, I would have to list all of my students. These are folks who, in the vast majority of cases, took what I had to show them, and went on to greater things.