Gardening - especially edible ornamentals (herbs and flowers) and permaculture, reading, history/myth/legends of northern Europe, writing, music, running/walking/hiking, movies, driving fast, T'ai Chi, drumming on my djembe...
Music
I'm kind of all over the place music wise. Here's what's on my iPod right now: Muse, Jim Brickman, Jimmy Eat World, Mark Antoine, My Chemical Romance, Muse, Vivaldi, Sting, Beethoven, Billy Joel, Linkin Park, Muse, Mozart, Coldplay, Placebo, Enigma, MuteMath, Evanescence, Marvin Gaye, HelloGoodbye, Holst, Muse, The Devil Inside, Rachmaninoff, Led Zepplin, Andreas Vollenweider, Chuck Mangione, John Denver, Yanni, Rippingtons, OK,Go, Michelle Branch, U2, Blue October, Apsaras, Tokio Hotel, Kornog, The Soggy Bottom Boys...Oh, and did I mention Muse?
Movies
I want to feel uplifted, exhilarated, educated or thoughtful when I see a movie. So I don't do horror, dark psychological thrillers, extreme suspense, depressing (though sad is okay, occasionally) or stupid movies. I don't like syrupy either. I like action, adventure, romance, comedy, some sci/fi, character portraits, historical stuff. Escaping to another world is one of my favorite things to do. Hence, the following are my favorites; Dances with Wolves(director's cut), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy(director's cut), 50 First Dates, Lara Croft Tomb Raider (both), Mr & Mrs Smith, Wanted (I Love watching Angelina Jolie kick butt!) King Arthur, Shawshank Redemption, Robin Hood-Prince of Thieves, Deep Impact (actually, anything with Morgan Freeman in it) Tristan & Isolde, The Notebook, Harry Potter (all of them), Count of Monte Cristo, Stardust, Mediterraneo, Titanic, Enchanted April, Hunt for Red October, The Mummy (both), Willow, and the list goes on and on...
Television
I have a TV for watching DVDs but no reception. Don't really have much time for TV. Friends are recording "The Tudors" for me. I think Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a phenomenal actor and who can resist drinking in the seraphic beauty of Henry Cavill's face? *drrrrooooool!*
Books
The Twilight Saga (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse & Breaking Dawn) by Stephenie Meyer. I am totally addicted to them. No other fiction comes close.
But, that's only four books so, what do I read in the meantime? Right now I'm reading "Winter's Tale" by Mark Helprin recent reads include: "Saxons, Vikings, and Celts - The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland" by Bryan Sykes (very interesting!), "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger, (interesting concept but in the end a bit too crude for my taste), "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare (even better than "City of Bones". Loved it!). My "stuff to read" pile contains, "God Speaks Again" by Kenneth E. Bowers, "The Prophet's Way" by Thom Hartmann, "eat, pray, love" by Elizabeth Gilbert (thanks, Hunter!), "Home to Holly Springs" by Jan Karon (thanks to my cousin, Dana, for that last one!), and Sampling of Favorite authors include Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling, Shannon Hale, Morgan Llywelyn, C.S. Lewis, Dan Brown, Cassandra Clare...
Heroes
Stephenie Meyer for reviving joy and magic in my life by creating a world were it's okay to just be yourself and because she's done it in record time while raising three children.
My sister Debbie for her courage in forging ahead and showing me the way.
About me: I have actually begun reading things besides "Twilight" (See the side bar at left). I have to admit that though I've ventured to other books, I've become seriously addicted to Twilight fanfiction at http://www.twilighted.net. Some of the stories there are outstanding. My favorites are the ones that supply scenes missing from the books.
Now I'm anxiously awaiting the movie. It's just a month away now and since the release of the theatrical trailer I'm afraid I'll have trouble keeping myself from emitting a few squees when I see it. It looks like Rob Pattinson (as Edward Cullen) and Kristin Stewart (as Bella Swan) have really nailed their characters and the chemistry between those two is...smokin'! On top of that director Catherine Hardwicke's vision for the movie, using the phenomenal locations of the Pacific Northwest as a backdrop to convey the dark mystery and magic of "Twilight" is pure genius.
Just how obsessed am I? I've re-vamped (re-read the series) more times than I can count, I check all the major fansites daily (I'm a TwilightMOM and a member of the Twilight Lexicon). I watch all the MTV video coverage of the filming of the movie (due out November 21st), read every article I can find about it. I've bought Twilight merchandise and I even have a real tattoo of the "New Moon" tulip on the inside of my left wrist.
Mind you, I'm a single mom with a teenaged daughter. I'm also an IT Professional, working full time. I've never liked vampire anything. In fact, I've always avoided them like the plague.
Turns out these books might have vampires and werewolves (albeit, not the typical ones)in them but the books are about relationships, love, integrity, how the choices we make now can affect us for eternity. Though there's no smoking, no drugs or alcohol, no foul language, and no sex in these books, they are, hands down, the MOST romantic books I've ever read.
The writing is good but it isn't perfect. Stephenie describes herself as a storyteller not a writer. And Oh, what a storyteller she is! She takes you to a place somewhere between heaven and earth that feels so wonderfu and so real you don't ever want to leave. Her characters are so clearly drawn and so HUMAN(even the vampires). The relationships so visceral you can't help but fall in love yourself.
Who I'd like to meet: I actually did get to meet Stephenie Meyer, who wrote "Twilight", but you can't talk much at a book signing with a thousand other people. So I'd like to actually hug her and thank her.
Recently, I've also come to greatly admire Catherine Hardwicke, the director of the movie adaptation of "Twilight". Everything I've seen and heard about her, her incredible energy and enthusiasm, even under difficult circumstances, is inspiring. I can't wait to see her vision of the book. The teaser trailer looks awesome!
There are a few others I'd like to meet but knowing me, I'd blurt something stupid and get embarrassed or be completely tongue tied so it would be rather pointless. Mostly, I just want to keep all the incredibly wonderful and talented friends and family I already have. You know who you are!
I had a lovely time on Saturday, it was great meeting you! Thanks again for getting the cake - it was awesome!!! I'm looking forward to our next get together.
