Author:
John
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Date Posted: 08:09:07 09/02/02 Mon
Okay, I'm longwinded again. Answer as briefly or as in much
detail as you like. Just be honest with yourself and with
us. Otherwise, what's the point?
John's answers:
1. What are a few of the best films you've seen over the last
couple of years? (no min. or max. number or ranking required,
just the most memorable. Add why if you like.)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - visually magnificent with
great characters. Technically and artistically astounding.
Fine acting and fight choreography. An adventure film that's
also quite moving.
Amelie - refreshingly unique. An artistic film with
wonderful humor. The gnome is my favorite part.
The Lord of the Rings - One of the finest adaptations of
a novel. The people involved clearly have a love for the
original work. I think the next installment will be twice
as good.
Arabian Nights - This was a recent production by Hallmark
for television, but it's available on video now. It's better
than 95% of theatrical releases. They took some of the best
tales from the epic collection and wove them around the same
framing device: Scheherezade's storytelling. Beyond the
excellent production value and the truly entertaining stories,
I think I like the diversity the best. These are not merely
Arabic stories. They span many of the lands and peoples of
the Middle East and Asia.
2. What are a few of the best books you've read over the last
couple of years? (Same stipulations)
Nightlamp and Maske: Thaery. Both by Jack Vance. He has the
ability to create believable portraits of alien cultures, and
in he is at his finest in these two novels. I believe his stint
in the Merchant Marines taught him about how diverse humans
are culturally. Most of his writings are set on worlds
colonized by humans long ago and many that have been left to
evolve on their own over time. In some instances he reflects the
physical changes that new environments have molded, as Larry
Niven does, but mostly he weaves his stories around the societal
issues of each world. Facinating stuff and fun plots as well.
3. What music is moving you these days? List some of your
top artists and their discs.
The Enid - The Spell, The Seed and the Sower, The White Goddess,
and Salome are among their finest titles. A little known duo
from the U.K. They have been making music for about 20 years
now, but it's so eccentric that they will always be a minor
fringe group. Their work truly moves me. I love it. If I made
a film they would be my first choice to do the score.
David Sylvian (yes, still) - Dead Bees On A Cake and Gone
To Earth are masterpieces. Incredible music with lyrics that
celebrate the beauty and mystery of life.
Sade - Love Deluxe. This one's been out for many years, but
for me it's her masterpiece. I wish some woman would sing
like this about me someday.
Paul Haslinger - Score. An accidental find at Zia that turned
out to be a favorite disc. I asked to hear a little in the
store because I knew him as a one time member of Tangerine
Dream and I was curious to hear what he would do on his own.
He was clearly wasted in TD. I'm so glad he moved on because
his own stuff is an innovative fusion of world music and
electronica.
Nicholas Lens - Flamma Flamma (The Fire Requiem). Wow!
Dramatic, powerful, and mythic. A thoroughly modern requiem
with a libretto in Latin! This one goes way out on a limb,
so I suspect you will love it or hate the hell out of it.
If you hate opera you might want to stay away, but if you
have an open mind give this a chance.
Vangelis - El Greco. The guy is still at it, and he's getting
better and better. This is a tribute to the great 16th C.
artist. Operatic vocals here too.
David Bowie - Outside. A concept album that never sold. Also,
his greatest work, ever. How come I always like the albums
that don't sell? Tormato is one of my favorite YES albums,
and Magical Mystery Tour is the only Beatles album I like.
Go figure! The genius Brian Eno produces Bowie again and the
sounds are mezmerizing. It's like a musical dreamworld filled
with compelling images that can never fully be understood by
the conscious mind.
Bel Canto - Images and Magic Box. I can't get over them. This
time it's a Norwegian duo. Unlike any other group I've heard
before. They have their own style and voice. A great musical
sense that varies from album to album. They don't stagnate like
some groups. Lyrically, the emphasis is on the internal world.
Anneli has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.
4. If time or money was no problem, name 5 destinations that
you have never visited that you would like to travel to.
* The ruins of ancient Egypt. This is the highest on the list,
but because of the current political climate I will probably
not feel safe to go in the next 10 years. Hopefully, things
will change for the better.
* Iceland, to take in some of the most dramatic landscapes on
the planet.
* Kyoto, Japan. The ancient capitol and home of Bunraku
puppet theatre.
* Prague, Czech Republic. One of the few great cities of
Europe that was relatively untouched by the devastation of
WW II, although this year they had the worst flooding in over
500 years. When you travel, timing is everything.
* Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Every time I go to Thailand I'm only
about 250 miles away from it, but I haven't gone yet. The
country has changed, but I'm still haunted by their terrible
history. Someday I will work up the courage to go.
5. What do you like best about yourself?
That I'm open to the magic in life.
6. What do you like least about yourself?
I'm lazy.
7. At what age did you feel you were truly an adult?
Probably when I was about 28. I've lead a wacky life with
little in the way of responsibility until I started living
with Jennifer. About halfway through that relationship I
began to see life differently.
8. If you could be granted any 3 skills right now that you
don't already possess, what would they be?
* play the piano.
* master Akido.
* dance well.
9. What do you do to relax?
Listen to good music. Take a walk in a good place.
10. What energizes or revitalizes you?
Getting an insight into a problem or challenge.
Discovering a new idea that makes sense or reveals
something about the world.
11. What are you most curious about?
Consciousness. How the mind shapes shapes reality. What
shapes the mind.
12. What subject, skill, or interest do you feel you have
the greatest mastery, ability or understanding of?
Filmmaking.
13. If you were on the game show Jeopardy, what categories
would love to see?
Geography, Europe, Philosophy, Modern Art, WW II, Japan,
Ancient History, Linguistics, and Psychology, of course.
14. And the reverse, what categories would you fear?
Fashion, Country Music, Musicals, Dance, Rap, TV Shows,
Baseball.
15. What were your favorite classes?
Film Production, Humanities, Mythology, Astronomy,
History, Art History.
16. Which required classes did you dread?
AZ Government, PE, Freshman English, Creative Writing.
17. Which myths, legends, or popular stories resonate
with you?
Greek mythology has always appealed to me. The figures
are so flawed and tragic, which brings a certain
realism to the fantastic. The figures of Hades, lord of
the underworld and Poseidon facinates me. Their realms
are strong symbols for the unconscious, what lies
beneath.
18. Have you ever had a brush with death?
A few times on the road. Once a car pulled out from some
bushes and onto the freeway in front of me on a rainy night.
I was doing about 85 and narrowly missed the fool. This was
in Calif.
Another time someone came speeding down a major divided
roadway in the wrong lane, about to hit me head on. Combined
speeds were probably well over 100 mph. I had to instantly
assess my only options and swerve into oncoming traffic from
the other direction to avoid certain death. It all happened in
about 3 seconds and the guy continued speeding off down the
wrong lane.
19. What would you do if you won $1,000,000?
Spend the rest of my life traveling and exploring this
amazing world.
20. Or $100,000,000?
This is more than anyone needs in a lifetime. I would feel
obligated to set up a worthwhile charity or socially
responsible business venture. Then I would travel.
21. If you could live anywhere, where would you call home?
Paris.
22. I'm happiest when...
I'm learning or discovering someplace new.
23. Someday I'm going to...
Be a father.
24. When I'm really down, what I want to do is...
Be comforted by the woman in my life. Most of the time I've
been alone, so you can see the problem here.
25. I feel anxious when...
A social situation demands me to perform when I feel like
being internal. This is rarely a problem at work as I am
shielded by my professional demeanor. I find idle chit chat
and banter the most challenging when I'm with people who
share none of my interests or concerns.
26. I'm afraid that...
I'll always be alone.
27. I like people who...
care about others. Compassion is priceless.
28. All it takes to make me happy is...
to share a good experience with someone I like.
29. What I really want to do is...
God, if I only knew! I don't know, explore the world.
30. I wish that...
I had a career.
31. I don't like people who...
hurt others.
32. A person really should...
offer something of value to the world. Aid, teaching,
creating art, healing, whatever your gift or ability is.
33. I just hate it that...
some people have millions or even billions while others
starve and go homeless.
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