...... could be telling you something? Annoying yes. Telling me something? I hate getting colds or respiratory junk. It lingers with me for weeks typically. I think something left over from having Pneumonia once. It leaves me with this ominous question (especially since my oldest Sister actually died from Pneumonia) should I run or not? I decided not last night. I already had put in the 4 miles that yesterday AM. So, it was not a huge loss for the day. Today? I will try to put in a road run after I do some Church volunteer work this evening. 3-4 miles.
I think I mentioned once this fascination with lists. I like ranking things in my mind into differing categories. Like favorite foods, favorite food personalities (thank Food and Travel Channels for this). Or, more typical sports, films, books, music, actors/actresses, directors, travel spots, food dives and not so. Even trivial things like cleaning products personal and household, favorite clerks or sales people at stores, and favorite stores. Getting to be my favorite list is those I would want to invite to a BBQ. BBQ's (or bubbaques in the Midwest) are perfect for social gatherings. Only thing better maybe a big clam or crab bake on a beach. Anyway, you always learn something fun from people as you grill something over coals or open flame. Maybe it is the smell or the smoke itself. It seems walls are lowered and bridges are made between people.
So, I will try to keep the following list to my BBQ invite or you might call it my current favorite persons list. Obviously it is made up of people I would like to meet mostly. However. there are many note ones I currently know well and have both respected and admired - or maybe just find too fun not to have on this list:
1. and always will be - My wife. Not only does she just work very hard at everything. She is talented in ways I wish I could only be. Great heart felt optimist, compassion and trust for just about everyone. So, when someone does pop up she does not like - you really need to take that seriously. She likes everyone and treats everyone I know with greater respect than I think she has for herself at times. I love her a great deal obviously. I just wish I was capable of showing her more how much I love her. I am working on it. I think that is what marriage is all about. Spending the rest of your life showing the person you love the most just how much.
2. Mom and Dad. If your Parents are special to you than this is an easy choice if you are not married. Plus, if your Parents mean this much to you - than the reasons why are shared universally. It means they nailed it as Parents. If a parent does just that, than the world knows why. Most importantly they showed that unconditional love - tough and easy forms of it that got you to be who you be. Define that love anyway you want or qualify anyway you want. My parents had it for each other and me.
3. My own Kids. This is a work in progress given that their best years are ahead. However, the short time I have had the privilege of being their Dad - impressive. I have learned greatly from each no matter their age. They have helped make me better. They have given endless laughs, joy, sweetness and have kept me athletic trying to keep up. Look forward to each day I wake up, pinch myself saying I am their Dad.
4. Jesus the Christ. Okay, sounds a little too.... well you can fill in the blank. Yes, I grew up in a religious home. However, I have not always been for a lack of better word - faithful in my life. Well, faithful in a manner some would define as being faithful within my Church. It is a word with many meanings. I have a natural questioning in me. I shy from using terms like intellectual curiosity. That sounds too pretentious and well smart in my case. I have studied a great deal. I will always tried to keep learning more. I think life is one big Liberal Arts College and living library. I have traveled some, would like to travel more. Seen things I would not want to see again and things I could never get enough of. Met all kinds of folk from many backgrounds and still want to meet more. However, of everything I have read, studied, done and people met - there is no other greater truth, way of life and ideal to shoot for in this life than what I have learned of him. He is my Redeemer. All things come back to him for me. I hope always to be able to see a little Christ in everyone and everything I do.
5. Nigella Lawson. This English comfort food goddess is, well, without any other adjective needed mmm... . Thanks England you just keep giving. For such a smallish country Island, the country has given my favorites list so much. Nigella is one who just keeps giving and giving and giving as well. She is tops on my BBQ list, Food persons list, Happy list. Although I am not sure if she is big on outdoor grilling?
6. Groucho Marx. As several notches down the list Steve Martin said once, "Comedy is not Pretty." However, it can be a real intelligent work of Art. Groucho is the top Artist on my favorite person's list without question. No line says it better to me than this - "I would never want to be a member of club that would want me as a member."
7. Mr. Hess. Mike Hess was my History and Russian History teacher in High School. I don't think he ever knew what an impact he had on me. I did not talk to many in my High School by the time I was a Senior. Was kinda tired of them all at that point. Classmates I have known since Kindergarten in some cases and teachers. However, by the time I was at this point in life - no one made me think more than him. The best teacher I have had from Kindergarten thru College.
8. Emma Thompson. Cannot think of an actress that has ever done anything more right.
9. Elvis Costello. Cannot think of a Pop Musician that has ever done anything more right.
10. Steve Martin. One Wild and Crazy guy. Actually, he is one of the more cerebral people no matter what they are known for. Talented in more than one or two ways. Plus, he makes me laugh without saying anything as well. Did you know he went to the same High School as my wife? That is a running joke with my wife. A fellow Orange County, California original.
11. Teddy Roosevelt. Maybe the most interesting American Historical figure since Thomas Jefferson. Although Abraham Lincoln and FDR as American Presidents are a close third and fourth. Ben Franklin is highly underrated as well as Thomas Paine. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oppenheimer, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Frank Lloyd Wright, Walt Whitman, Robert E. Lee, James Madison, both Lewis and Clark, Henry James, F. Scott Fitzgerald, MLK, Louis Armstrong, Jackie Robinson and Allen Dershowitz all make my favorite defining American list at times. Right now I am in a Teddy mood. I am sure there are others I am leaving off the list I need to mention like Chief Joseph who was one cool Nez Pierce American Indian and great person.
12. Richard Curtis. English screenwriter and film maker. Fun with a great sense of charity at heart to all people no matter their circumstances. He really knows how to write fun ensemble cast dialogue. Good character insights along with a nice cultural feel to characters, places and scenes. I like how he writes female characters especially. Favorite film he has made - Love Actually.
13. Anthony Bourdain. Chef, writer and traveller. He also has an uncanny sense of saying the right thing about much. At least I should say his reflections seem to be similar to my own. Funny guy as well.
14. Maureen Dowd. Good writer and columnist. Always provoking the right response or accurate one at the right time I should say. Christopher Hitchens. See previous on Dowd.
15. Peter Jennings. I miss him. The nightly news has not been the same or Special Breaking News events. Maybe the smartest Journalist ever.
16. Charlie Rose. Most knowledgeable journalist and best interviewer.
17. Chris Matthews. Makes following politics fun.
18. Mark Elliott. Someone I know personally. Maybe the best Church leader I have met or known. Also a friend.
19. Scott Noble. The most loyal friend I have ever had. Like unto a Brother. No reason he should be this low on this list. Should be number 4. Sorry Nigella. Brent Aliverti. See previous statement about Scott and substitute names.
20. Angline Jolene. Beautiful and smart.
21. Selma Hayak. See above.
22. Tolstoy. Thomas Hardy. W. Somersett Maugham. John Steinbeck. Larry McMurtry. Douglas Coupland. John Irving. Ben Elton. All novelist who I have read more than one book by and really like.
23. The Beatles. Stones. The Who. REM. The Jazz Butcher. Kate Bush. Frank Sinatra. Tony Bennett. Judy Garland. Scott Walker. Tom Jones. Vince Guaraldi. Astrud Gilbreto. Dave Brubeck. Miles Davis. Django Rhinehardt. Beethoven. Mozart. Seblius. Mahler. Ennio Morricone. Moby. U2. Pet Shop Boys. The Mavericks. Patsy Cline. Chris Issak. Hank Williams. Sr. Thelonious Monk. KD Lang. Jane Siberry. Gershwin. Michael Nyman. Charlie Parker. Ella Fitztgerald. Pavarotti. Elvis Presley. Outside of Elvis Costello desert island composers and performers.
24. David Lean. Orson Wells. Cohen Brothers. Vim Wenders. Scorsese. Hitchcock. John Huston. Speilberg. Woody Allen. Fritz Lang. John Ford. Tarantino. Sergio Leone. Clint Eastwood. I like their movies. Nothing more than that.
25. Howard W. Hunter. Neal A. Maxwell. Henry B. Eyring. Paul.
26. Tom Hanks. Marx Brothers. John Wayne. Steve McQueen. Will Ferrell. Billy Crystal. Hugh Grant. Cary Grant. Burt Lancaster. Max Van Sydow. Peter O'Toole. Humphrey Bogart. Lee Marvin. Gene Wilder. Al Pacino. Robin Williams. Clint Eastwood. Ray Liota. Kenneth Branagh. Orson Wells. Richard Burton. Denzel Washington. Monty Python. Rowan Atkinson. Robert Downey, Jr. Bill Murray. Johnny Depp. Maybe the most interesting Actors to me. May not be the best ever, but they always catch my attention.
27. Anyone who calls themselves a Teacher.
28. Julia Roberts. My favorite actress to watch. Great great facial expressions and smile. Juliette Binoche is a very near and almost tie with her.
29. Vin Scully. Brent Musberger. Dave Neihaus. Al Michaels. Howard Cossell. You know athletes by themselves can be pretty uninteresting. However, these guys had/have a way in making them seem bigger than life. Likewise the games they play.
30. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Winnie the Pooh, Spongebob Squarepants, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Ion Flux, Daria and Grover. Okay none of them are real. However, don't underestimate the power of an animated character, comic superhero or puppet.
31. The now late great Patrick McGoohan. The Prisoner was the smartest TV ever. No I am not paranoid?
32. The Nurses helping and aiding my Sister at NW Hospital in Seattle.
33. Wally Englbreckt. Mr. McAdams. Bruce Reid. Merl Dienhart. Ruth Horowitz. Christine Distefano. John Bridgman. Tim Amen. John Couterceanu. Eduactor's outside of Mike Hess who were all really fantastic teachers.
34. People who really enjoy Madison Park, Greenlake, Wallingford, Alki Point and driving Lake Washington Boulevard in Seattle.
35. Anyone who has completed 13.1 or 26.2 at least once in their lives.
36. Dr. Yolanda Flores. My smart, great smiling, caring Doc. Just gave her blessing on me doing what people do for number 35 on the list.
37. Penelope Cruz, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tea Leone. Just realized they are not my list and should be.
38. Anne Curry. Why is she still second female anchor so-to-speak on the Today Show?
39. Art Thiel and the rest of the Seattle Post Intellengicer Staff. I grew up reading this Sports Page every AM. Thiel is very good and always has a smart well written column. However, Steve Rudman was the first Seattle Sports guy to be the critical columnist I remember Seattle ever having. Farnsworth will be missed for his insights on the Seahawks. Hopefully, these writers and Horsey's illustrations will continue online?
40. ?
41. Harold and Mary Lou Noble. Good, honest people. Would trust them with anything. Part of a generation our Country will greatly miss. Good Midwest/Nebraska folk who ended up in Seattle. Of which I am very grateful.
42. John Stewart and Liz Lemon (aka Tina Fey)
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