Contradictorily independent. Seriously fun-loving. Motivationally decisive about both work and play. I'm Progressive politically, and actively doing something about it. You need to know that I will bang on doors, and volunteer my time and resources, including residence, during campaigns. I've voted Rhino, Green, and NDP, along with COPE and TEAM. Currently, I am a member of VISION Vancouver.

I work as an audio/video system designer. I work so that I can enjoy our spectacular province, and get into the back-country to ski, sail, mountain-bike, and motorbike. Kayaking or canoing is next on the list.

Driving, exploring, listening. Hunting for ticks. I saved that for last.

Sense of humour. Lack of respect for convention.

This is just silly.

Is Casablanca a better film than Manhattan? Should I include one, but omit the other? Was Tom Wolfe, or Hunter Thompson the better participatory journalist? Is Martin Scorses a "better" director than Robert Altman? If so, by what definition? Is azure a superior colour to scarlet in some way?

Does Cilantro taste better than basil? Here's someone who claims to know - http://fuckyeahcilantro.tumblr.com/.

Now ask yourself, does this perspective seem rational to you? Do you really want to associate yourself with food fascism of this ilk?

And just who decided that apple sauce goes with pork chops, but cheddar cheese goes with apples, anyway? All these things are too diverse/individually-wonderful to categorize as a favourite.

I devour books. Generally, depending on work-load, I read about 2-4 books a week. Currently, I am on a spy/crime,/mystery fiction jag; and have read most of Ian Rankin, Len Deighton, Robbert Harris, and Dennis Lehane this year. The most distinctive voice I've discovered in this phase is James Lee Burke. Tin Roof Blowdown and Dixie City Jam stand out in my mind.

Movies? Love 'em, but I don't watch any really from May till September, too busy outdoors, or off in the boonies. I don't go out to movies much anymore, but when the rains come in the fall, I fire up the projector and go on a full-on movie bender, with Dolby Digital Surround. This lasts until the ski season starts, when I cut back to maybe one or two movies a week. As with food, books, and music, it is silly to try to categorize any as favourites. I'll come back and list some I've liked when I'm bored.

edit: listing some films I've liked in no particular order.

Gone With the Wind, Wizard of Oz, E.T. Star Wars, Citizen Kane, The Godfather, Casablanca, Pink Panther, Rocky
Raging Bull, A Clockwork Orange,Sophie's Choice,Network, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, A Fish Called Wanda,Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now, Clerks, Philadelphia; MASH, Blade Runner, The Fugitive, No Country For Old Men, Crimes Of The Heart, Fargo, Being There, Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don't Cry,
Aliens, Airplane!, Pulp Fiction; True Romance; Dr. Strangelove; One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest; Deliverance; The Godfather; LOTR; Star Wars; Man on the Moon; Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; Being John Malkovich; The Blues Brothers; Braveheart; Donnie Darko; The Pianist; City of God, The China Syndrome, Mystic River, Unforgiven, Bowling For Columbine, In the Heat of the Night

I could go on and on.

Herewith are some classic scenes which I believe speak to the dramatic emotional impact of film

A Streetcar Named Desire : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1A0p0F_iH8

Bladerunner : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_saUN4j7Gw

Annie Hall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpIYz8tfGjY

Scarface: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gy-Cq75BWY

On The Waterfront : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrq96cW2BuY

Manhattan : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zWbSRSS1vk

The Big Lebowski: WARNING- Not safe for work, or for those offended by expletives. Seriously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvbssyAtVEg

U Turn; Billy Bob Thorton showing why he has a cult following

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYdfPchd_M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps3W_WXy9wU

And for legal downloads we offer this link to a legal and free online movie database, the SpeedCine homepage. http://www.speedcine.com/

I sell audio/video designs for a living, yet I don't own a TV.
I have never seen most TV shows, but don't feel constrained by this. I have no problem if my mate wants to curl up and watch some reality schlock, just don't expect me to talk about it with you, I'll be over in the corner reading, or online.Back in the last millennium, when newspapers were still relevant, one GF of mine did light the newspaper I was reading on fire in order to catch my attention; but I just wasn't interested in watching some cartoon about a dysfunctional family.

What I most like about the new technologies is that when friends discover a show actually worth watching, such as the alluded to Simpsons, or the Sopranos, I can just go rent it on DVD or get it online, and enjoy the seamless arc of the story, without the incredibly lowbrow annoying commercials. I think I might be the only one in my peer group who had no idea who this Billy Mays guy was when he died.

( Edit: Ok .... I finally broke down and bought a 46 LCD about 3 weeks ago. It has 6 hours in total on it, at this point. Two movies actually, and Fawlty towers on DVD. We ran the cable over from my neighbour's suite yesterday, as an experiment. I turned it off after 1/2 hour or so. I'm not sure if I will actually sign up for any of this TeeVee thing all the kids are talking about. Well maybe for the Olympics, but I have a Season's Pass up Grouse and it's open 24 hours during the games)

As for food, what can I say?

No zuke, no puke; and bivalves are for the terminally gullible.

Lists of six. Comedy. Books. Adrenaline. Barley. Lakes.

Arbitrary cut-off points.

Justice, ecology, outdoor sports, technology.

Packing for the weekend

When I quit smoking, cigarettes were 64 cents a pack.

You are adventurous and active outdoors. Are independent and confident. Have a sense of humour and are intelligent.

Are holding the next Nobel Laureate as a hostage in your Yurt.