Alexander carried the
Iliad. TE Lawrence carried
Le Morte D'Arthur. My choice of inspirational poetic fiction is
Henry V.
Let me speak proudly: tell the constable
We are but warriors for the working-day;
Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirch'd
With rainy marching in the painful field;
There's not a piece of feather in our host--
Good argument, I hope, we will not fly--
And time hath worn us into slovenry:
But, by the mass, our hearts are in the trim;
There is a line in that play for every season of life.
My favorite movie is
Barcelona, a semi-independent film by Whit Stillman that has largely to do with cultural differences, men coming of age, America's place in the world, the effects of cultural rot and differing perspectives. Oh, and it is a romantic comedy! The jokes are all delivered deadpan in the
Dr.Strangelove fashion (one of my other favorite films).
It was unique in that it was a film that defended American culture and world views in a sophisticated fashion. Something rare these days.
Music: post-punk revival and classical music (particularly waltzes by Tchaikovsky and Strauss) seem to convey my essence in their sounds. That sounds strange I suppose, but its true. I wouldn't say they have great meaning, but they make for a suitable and pertinent soundtrack.
My favorite books are rather like my taste of music, a mixture of age-old creativity and a modern edge. I'm a fantastical realist in both my approach to writing and reading. Dostoevsky's work in particular opened my eyes to political, philosophical, and religious possibilities I had yet to comprehend. Funny, witty, deep, surreal, engaging. They have mixed with my worldview to form a deeper understanding than I would be wont to acquire otherwise.
On the modern edge side, Scifi is the name of the game. The
Ender, Dune, and Hyperion series of books have stayed with me.
In the realm of television Star Trek TOS, TNG, and MST3K always resonated with me. Why? Escape. There are days I relish the idea of leaving this rock behind to simply enjoy life with the freedom to do good, contemplate, solve puzzles, laugh with friends. The only law being what the Creator himself ordained at the foundations of the World...and the Prime Directive.
To slip the surly bonds of Earth and touch the face of God.
