| General | I make my living as an ER nurse, an ofttimes crazy job, sometimes frustrating, sometimes heart wrenching, but I can go home at the end of the day feeling that I'm doing some good in the world. This is my third or fourth career and, most likely won't be my last.
Travel is high on my list of stress relievers. In October 2007, I finally made it to Europe, spending a couple of weeks in London and Paris. Loved it! I could live in London. Visiting Paris has been a dream for as long as I can remember. The City of Lights certainly lives up to its reputation. Great food, great walking city, wonderful people. Next on my list? The place of my birth, Japan. As for domestic travel, nothing beats a great cross country road trip. Just get in the car, pick a general destination, and see where the asphalt takes me. I love the desert southwest, and the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Backpacking and camping bring me tremendous joy and peace of mind. Imagine waking up to see a few deer munching on the wire grass, or a flock of sandhill cranes gliding in over the wet praire.
Music. I love listening to music, watching live music and I love playing music. I play piano, guitar and spoons (really!). lol I attempt playing the mandolin, but I wouldn't exactly call what comes out "music." My babies are a 1979 Augustino dreadnaught acoustic, and a 1991 American Standard Telecaster. My piano is a piece of crap Baldwin, but all the keys work and it's pretty much in tune. I also have an old Kentucky mandolin my neighbor traded me for a chair. It's in great shape. I'm looking for some people to pick with -- old time fiddle tunes, Irish, Celtic, folk, bluegrass, whatever....
I read like a madwoman, everything from non-fiction to poetry to short stories to literary fiction. Not writing as much as I used to, but I still have a short story or two hanging out crying to be finished.
Cooking is a great way to relax. Gave myself a good, sturdy set of cookware and a couple of great knives last year. Just throwing stuff in the pans and seeing what turns out. I'm trying to perfect a balsamic glazed chicken. It's like a science experiment.
My friends and family make life just that much sweeter. My best friend, John, is living with AIDS. And I do mean living! He has been an invaluable inspiration in my life, tackling projects that even a totally healthy person would find daunting. I love you, John. My bro is my bro. Love ya' man. And my absolutely incredible nephew... hey sweetie! *waves*
My sweet Loraine, your precious light went out too soon. I love you and I miss you every single day.
All and all, I have a great life! |
| Music | In no particular order:
Wes Styles, Brian McKnight, Steve Earle, Prince
Ron Reinhardt, Paul Rodgers
Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell
Tony Rice, Randy Newman
J.S. Bach, Leonard Cohen
Ice-T, Stevie Ray Vaughn
Lennon/McCartney, 311
Donald Fagen, Allison Krause
Miles Davis, Lyle Lovett
Josh Pinkham, Archie Muise
Paul Simon, John Cowan
Terry Reid, Jaco Pastorius
Earl Foote, Frank Zappa
B. B. King, Beethoven
Billie Holiday, Eric Martin
Paolo Nutini, Bonnie Raitt
I know I've left out a TON of people.
My interests range from classical to rock,
pop to jazz, r&b to country. It's all good!
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