MySpace a place for friends

Well, writing, obviously. And reading. You can't write if you don't read.

Art, too. Although I primarily do 3D CG, I also dabble in photography, and like to look at other artwork. And I do Celtic knotwork to relax.

I recently started using fountain pens, initially as a way to stop throwing disposable pens into landfills, but now because I can't imagine using anything else.

I also collect old and rare books. The most recent addition to my collection is a 1718, vellum-bound edition of Boccacio's del Camerone, vol 2. No luck finding volume one yet...

As I mentioned before, animal rescue is a passion of mine. I've been with ARFP for almost ten years now; even when I moved 9.5 hours away, I continued volunteering by maintaining the ARFP website (and learning how to do that -- didn't even know HTML at the time).

Not surprisingly, as a writer and artist, copyright protection is a big thing with me. It's important. Without it, writers like me can't afford to keep creating things for folks to read. Although, based on what I make as a writer, I can't afford to, either... :-)

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is a favorite. My husband introduced me to their music when we first started dating, and we walked down the aisle to "The Ship Song".

I also like music from the 80s. Yes, I said it. I admit it. And, darn it, I'm proud of it!

Beyond that, I'll listen to pretty much anything except gospel, country, and classical when it isn't live. Just don't enjoy those. I've really gotten into Coldplay recently, especially "Viva la Vida". Reminds me of "Holy Grail" by Hunters and Collectors, in many ways. Only that one's about Napolean invading Russia...

Lord of the Rings. Pirates of the Carribean. Dark City. Donnie Darko. Brotherhood of the Wolf. Secret Window. Beowulf 3D. Ten Things I Hate About You. And any other remake of Shakespeare plays or Jane Austen novels. I'm a sucker for those.

Oh, and nothing that has Keanu Reeves in it. Which, yes, means I'm one of about four people who DIDN'T like the Matrix movies. Any of them.

After over two months of problems with my cable service, I canceled it. Which means I'm not watching much TV right now. But there are a few shows that I still catch online, like Psych, Monk, and Kyle XY. When Heroes, NCIS, The Unit, Numb3rs, HIMYM, and Big Bang Theory come back, I'll probably watch them, too. Burn Notice, also, providing USA Network puts it online.

And I never missed an episode of Jericho. Yes, I sent nuts. $200 worth. And letters, and emails, and postcards, and phone calls. It was definitely worth it.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman has to top my list. I rarely read a book more than once, but I get lost in that one every time.

Other faves are works by Poe and Lovecraft, The Princess Bride, most books by David Eddings and R.A. Salvatore, and Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker trilogy.

I also like comics like Sandman, Black Orchid, Enigma, Ragman, League of Extraordinary Gentleman, and Cemetary Blues.

And I think it's sad that Books comes after Movies and TV in the MySpace profile layout.

I really don't know if "hero" is the right word, but there are some people I admire. Neil Gaiman, of course, as a writer. Keeps me motivated to work harder myself.

My husband, who is one of the smartest people I've ever met.

My friend Dan, who knows an amazing amount about rare books, August Derleth, H.P. Lovecraft, and book conservation.

And everyone I volunteer with at ARFP.