Saturday, October 17, 2009

A Bunch of Things I Really Like

Want to know me a little better? (Of course you do, how silly of me to ask). Here are a few things that might give you a bit of insight into my personality and life. Then again, maybe not ... It's almost 1:30AM as I'm writing this and I'm kind of tired, so maybe it's just all meaningless babble. Regardless, I am passionate to one degree or another about each of the points that follow.

** SheilBea, my daughter (it would be kinda weird if I didn't like her wouldn't it?)

** The sound of my daughter's laughter, especially when she is watching the movie, "Mama Mia" (yes, I've seen it; I'm comfortable enough in my manhood to risk expulsion from the Man Club and admit it. And you know what? It was excellent!)

** Teaching & training Martial Arts (Korean Tang Soo Do, 3rd degree Black Belt; American Kenpo Karate, 1st degree Black Belt; CDT, Tactical Master Instructor; experience, but no official rank in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, capoeira, Aikido, judo. Training was eye-opening and made me look at myself in a whole new light. Teaching was the most profoundly life changing experience of my life. )


** Meditation (various forms, but with a heavy emphasis on mindfulness; probably the best thing I ever did to maintain my sanity in the midst of chaos)

** Spider-Man (movies, comics, cartoons, the whole shooting match ... since I was a kid)

** The scent of Sandalwood (soothing, relaxing, clean, and exotic)

** Coffee (flavored isn't bad, but I prefer plain, unflavored brews from all over the world)

** Beer (Guinness is my all-time favorite {God is a Guinness drinker, so I've been told} and microbrews and regional varieties over mass-produced swill like Budweiser or -- worst of the worst -- Coor's Light)

** Autumn (As much as I like summer, I think I'm more of a Spring and Fall kinda guy. I love the change of seasons, the crunch of dried leaves underfoot, and the slight hint of woodsmoke on the crisp October air. For the absolute best description of why I love Fall, I refer you to the prologue of Ray Bradbury's amazing classic novel, "Something Wicked This Way Comes.")

** Nature photography (I don't have the time for this I once did, but when I was younger I was quite prolific. I sold several compositions but was never in it for the money. It was a way of connecting with the natural world.)

** Pumpkin pie
(Homemade is best, of course, but I will eat any kind I can get my hands on ... even Tastykake!)

** Creme brulee
(my favorite dessert ever ... want me to do something -- anything -- for you? All you have to do is ply me with this!)

** Crisp, freshly ironed white dress shirts (especially with jeans or khakis)

** Khaki pants with lots of pockets

** Halloween
(Maybe it's the time of the year, but this holiday -- and particularly its history -- has always held a creepy appeal to me)

** Fresh sheets (nothing like 'em ... cool cotton on a summer's night and warm flannel in the winter)

** Candles

** Being a student
(one of the greatest joys in life is learning. I once heard advice that said, "Do not go to bed tonight as stupid as you were when you woke up this morning." Those words have had a profound effect on me and even at my age I find school to be, for the most part, an exhilarating experience)

** Rum (most varieties, but I am especially partial to the darker West Indian, Puerto Rican, and Barbados overproofs)

** Spiders (I have two tarantulas -- a Chilean Rose Hair and a Brazilian Chocolate -- & I'm working on a third)

** Sleeping with the windows open in the Fall
(the early Fall ... not like the ridiculous, arctic weather we're having now)

** Facebook

** Blogging
(There is freedom in this medium)

** Reading (Just about any genre. Favorite authors: Stephen King; Terry Brooks, The Shannara series of fantasy novels; , Nicholas Evans, The Horse Whisperer and others, Nicholas Sparks {yes, I am truly a sap}; Andrew Marks, Falling Bodies, Micheal Grant Jaffe, Dance Real Slow; Ben Sherwood, The Man Who Ate the 747 ... and so many more ...)

** Movies of all kinds (see my profile for exactly how wide the range)

** Shaving (no really ... I find it to be very soothing and it relaxes me, almost like meditation)

** The sound and smell of laundry in the dryer
(call me crazy but there is something very relaxing and "homey" about this)

** Wicker furniture (even I don't know where this one came from)

** Walking in the evening (especially on a warm summer night down by the lake or down my road)

** UFC & WEC (I don't watch sports as a general rule, but I cannot get enough of Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting)

** Travel (anywhere from down the street to a foreign land ... I like meeting new people, seeing new places and learning the history of both ... I have a long list of places I want to visit)

** Stargazing (I don't do it now as often as I did when I was younger, but I still take time when I get home from work to look up at the night sky and marvel at the vastness. There is nothing like a dark night full of stars to put one's problems into their proper perspective)

** Chuck Norris (the Martial Arts connection aside, and ignoring all the tongue-in-cheek "Chuck Norris Facts" that are found on the Internet, the man is a personal hero of mine for his efforts to educate at-risk children, and for the adversity that he overcame early in his life. He is a living embodiment of what it means to not only wear a Black Belt but to BE a Black Belt; in many ways I aspire to the example he has set)

** Ghosts (I am endlessly fascinated by books, movies, and documentaries centering on the supernatural and paranormal. Is it real? I have no idea, but it certainly does make one wonder about what exactly we don't know about our world)

So there ya go ... almost everything you NEVER wanted to know about me, but never thought to ask. I'm sure I have forgotten a few things, -- and for that I apologize -- but as I said it's really late and my brain is fried. If any of you who know me can add anything to the list, feel free; I'd definitely love to know your opinions.

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