Personal Interests
These are the things that interest me.
Writing
Microfiction - a little sci-fi, a little romance, a little of whatever comes to my imaginative mind... I had a short piece published in the Northwest Review, 2006 titled Thou Shalt Not.
Reading
A bite on the neck...
My taste generally run towards Sci-Fi, Gothic, Horror, with a little Mystery thrown in for good seasoning. And, let's face it, since I'm female I enjoy a smidgeon of Romance in the mix as well. Some of my favorite writers, besides Anne Rice of course, Dan Brown (Da Vinci Code), Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Andre Norton, Arthur Conan Doyle, Poppy Brite (Lost Souls), Richard Matheson (I Am Legend), Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Allan Cole, Peter Lord-Wolff, Wilbur Smith, and Alice Borchardt, just to name a few. :) And, I like reading anything to do with the Celts and Native Americans, history, psychology and technology.
Music
My taste in music is just as eclectic as my reading material! On any given day, or at any given moment, you may hear Doo-Wop, Electronica, New Age, Country & Western (yes, I did say that!), Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Jazz, Pop, Classical... maybe not so much Grunge or Heavy Metal though.
I enjoy attending the opera, musicals, and symphony. The Phantom of the Opera and Cats are two of my favorites, along with La traviata and Carmen. I had the good fortune to see Frankie Avalon reprise his role of Teen Angel in Grease during the 2004 Season here in Houston. Depending on the band, I love attending concerts as well.
Sculpting
Recently, I have gone back to manipulating Sculpey into some facisimile of human-like form, sorta-kinda. It's a kind of therapy for me to feel the clay in my hands as I manipulate and mold it into something more than an idea. I am also trying my hand at clay and porcelain.
Tole Painting & Wearable Arts
The by-word around the house is 'stay still or slow down long enough, and NJ will paint on it or you.' My daughter used to tease me about it so much, so one day she fell into a deep sleep on the couch, and when she woke up she found her face had been painted -- by moi! Want to know more about Tole Painting? It's also been called folk art, rustic art, decorative painting, and country painting, among others. Is it art or craft? It is a art/craft form shared by my daughter and granddaughter and myself along with beading.
MMOGs
OK! I have officially reached level 80+ Undead Rogue on WoW (World of Warcraft). I'm having a lot of fun with my BE Warlock and Troll Hunter (lvl 70+). Gaaaaaah! Taking classes trying to get that all important B.A. has kept me from further leveling my warlock and hunter as much as some would expect. And working a full-time job! Priorities you know!?! ;) I play mainly on Trollbane but in Non-PVP mode. I'm a very casual player.
I have dabbled with Diablo and Dungeon Keeper, EQ and a few others, Second Life included.
Travel
I have had the good fortune to have good friends to travel with. I have travelled to Ireland, Scotland, and England several times since the year 2000. I fell in love with Ireland and Scotland, and all the people there. Each time I had the privilege of staying about 2 weeks. I have travelled to the Bahamas for a short visit back in the mid' 80s. It was a wonderful experience! I have visited several states across the U.S. but have many more to see; and those I have seen, well I'd like to visit longer.