Irish music, pipes and tobacco (primarily Latakia), & German literature. That's about it
Music
Lots of stuff, but nothing too loud. Yeah, I had a flirtation with rock when I was young, but I got over it. I've always been a folkie at heart. A few exceptions, though -- Black 47, Enter the Haggis, and Gogol Bordello. You rock!!
Movies
The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Everything is illuminated, Kingdom of Heaven(director's cut), Chinatown, Ratatouille -- As Tolkien said, the road goes ever on and on . . .
Television
Except for BBC, Discovery channel and CSI (the original), I just don't watch TV much. I recently got turned on to tg4.ie, the Irish language channel online. Great music programs (with subtitles, buiochas le Dia!)
Books
Heinlein, Spider Robinson & Terry Pratchett for modern fiction. Tolkien, Conan Doyle, and Charles Williams for the classics. Twisted puppy that I am, I have genuine fondness for Middle High German literature, particularly Parzival, Gregorius auf dem Stein, and Moriz von Craun.
Heroes
Thomas Jefferson, Tom Paine,Edward R. Murrow, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (RIP) & Gore Vidal. I was accused this week, by a faculty member, of tilting at windmills. Well, somebody has to do it, and I'm in good company.
About me: Howdy, friends:
I am, in no particular order, a trad musician (mandolin,bodhran,voice, guitar & tenor banjo), an academic librarian, an unconscionable rogue, a graybearded old bear of a guy, and in no particular order. At present writing I am 52 years old. I travel to Ireland and Germany when I can, and play music every chance I get. I am inordinately fond of Guinness (in moderation except when I'm in the Aran Islands and don't have to drive) decent tobacco pipes and English oriental blends with a hefty dose of Latakia. I've been happily married for 28 years, and by God, that doesn't happen often these days. Philosophy -- well, as Maurice Chevalier said to Stephane Grappelli, "Begin well and end well,and the middle will sort itself out."
I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
Who I'd like to meet: The CEO of Peterson's , Rob Forkner, Seamus O'Kane, Colm Murphy . . . I think you can see where this is headed. The Peterson's pipe guy is one thing, but there are so many great goatwhackers whose hands I would like to shake. To all celtic musicians everywhere, thanks a million and don't ever stop. You make the world a bearable place.
