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My Interests & HobbiesPhilosophyHi. My philosophy is one of increasing irony. I believe that as more and more information is available, the amount of irony in the world increases. I also like to increase irony at every opportunity. Fe.Architectural HistoryI sort-of stumbled into my interest in architectural history because, after college, I found myself living in a city with a rich architectural and urban planning history. That city is Pasadena, California.
Local HistoryFollowing in the footsteps of my exploration of archictectural history was an interest in the history of southern California.
World MusicMy interest in world music was sparked in the late 1980's sometime post-Paul Simon's Graceland but pre-Peter Gabriel's Passion. I think it probably started the first time I heard the German band, Dissidenten. I'm a huge fan of the recordings released by the Globestyle label.Until I finish this page, here is a link to my old music page.
Other music interestsBut, don't assume that I only listen to world music -- I also have an interest in rock music, jazz and "classical", too. However, my preference in rock music tended toward what is currently termed "Jangle Pop", "Paisley Underground", and the 80's bands inspired by the Velvet Underground. My absolute favorite album from that era was Guadalcanal Diary's album, 2x4, which doesn't quite fit with any of those labels.Other bands I liked were 10,000 Maniacs, Dead Can Dance, Downy Mildew, Dream Syndicate, Echo & the Bunnymen, Hüsker Dü, Rain Parade, R.E.M., Sky Cries Mary, The Smiths, The Sundays and especially, XTC. More recently, I've been listening to Belle & Sebastian, Coldplay, The Shins, Fiona Apple and Tori Amos. I'm a huge fan of the soundtrack to the film, Garden State. Music from the 60's and 70's that I like includes Nick Drake, early Joni Mitchell, Vashti Bunyan, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. I like the jazz of Weather Report and other alumni of Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew". I also like the players on Herbie Hancock's "V.S.O.P.", including Freddie Hubbard and Herbie, himself. And, from the bebop and post-bop eras, I like Coltrane and Charlie "Bird" Parker. In classical, I like turn of the 20th century composers like Saint-Saëns, Respighi, Dvorák, Debussy, Ives, as well as Aaron Copland and Gershwin. I also like harpsichord works by Purcell and organ works by J.S. Bach. Based on my other interests, you'd think I'd like Bartók, but I think I just haven't been exposed to the right works by him, yet. BooksBesides books related to my other hobbies, I also like reading:
HikingOn weekends, I often go hiking in the Angeles National Forest
Mediterranean GardeningI haven't had a lot of time to pursue it lately, but I am interested in plants that thrive in Los Angeles' Mediterranean climate.
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