My interests are widespread, and in constant flux in terms of importance and attention lavished on them. Regardless: I'm primarily interested in popular arts, particularly film, music and literature. My favorites within the three are all rather idiosyncratic, I guess.

I'm very fond of Japan - a lifelong interest which has caused me both to visit the country several times and to study the language, acquiring at least basic linguistic survival skills (consistent pronounciation rules make it not impossible to self study). One of my two favorite places in the world is Fushimi Inari Taisha, near Kyoto. This is were I would like to be buried when I die... The other favorite place is Austin, which is completely different from the rest of Texas. (Is it the same Austin I used to know and love, though? I really don't know. I haven't been back since my last visit in 1998, but the impression I have of what the USA is like these days is not very favorable...)

I'm not much of an athlete these days, but I'm an enthusiastic inline skater when the weather allows it (during spring and summer). I used to play indoor field hockey during the winter, but I broke my hockey stick in half in a fit of rage one day and quit. Rumor has it that I will some day take up snowboarding, though I doubt there's any truth to that.

Form and design has always interested me. This has manifested itself in the shape of drawing (particularly pencil sketching, but I also favor the organic nature of ink and brush), graphic and web design, and photography.

Finally, I enjoy writing. It was not a favored school subject, but I've found pleasure in it now. There it was, hidden beneath layers upon layers of horrible school memories. Astonishingly, people sometimes even pay me to write these days. What a world.

Random information nuggets to cap things off:
... I dig aloha shirts. They're an integral part of my spring/summer wardrobe.
... I detest cell phones and the awful, asocial, asinine behavior they cause.
... I'm a vegetarian. By choice, I might add. Not out of necessity.
... I can juggle. It took me about three weeks to learn it properly.
... I like natto (with mustard, shoyu and steamed rice).
... I own a theremin (a Moog Etherwave, standard edition).

(Self-portrait : ink, pen and brush)