Basil Blue's Hobbies & Interests
My hobbies are few; my interests are varied.
I enjoy family, friends, animals, nature, community service, music, theater and literature.
I spend a lot of time reading and writing, both for pleasure and for school. My writing for myself includes short stories and poetry, both fiction and nonfiction. I also write social commentary. I have been published by the Contra Costa Times, one of the major newspapers where I live. When I was attending community college I was a journalist for the college newspaper, The Inquirer.
I enjoy hiking, swimming for pleasure, all kinds of animals, including lizards and benign bugs (right now my praying mantis nymphs are hatching from their egg case).
I don't spend as much time doing these activities as I'd like to. I usually have my butt glued to a chair and a book to my hand.
I love people of all ages, especially children. In addition to caring for my own two children, I have tutored autistic children and provided respite care for physically and mentally disabled children.
I live near the Berkeley marina, and I like to walk along the water, listening to the sea and enjoying the view. I enjoy reading to my son, playing with my daughter, massaging with my husband and good friends, dancing (by myself, in clubs, and West Coast Swing), singing, conversation with friends, friendly debate and ethnic and fine dining (including Thai, Italian, Indian, French...).
My tastes in music are eclectic, but here are some of my favorites:
Tanita Tikaram, The Beatles, (Natalie Merchant with)10,000 Maniacs, Sting, Enya, The Eurythmics, Indigo Girls, Cowboy Junkies, Cyndi Lauper (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun album especially), Tracy Chapman, Sinead O'Connor...
If I was able to hang out for a day with someone famous, I would choose between Tanita Tikaram, Winona Ryder, Drew Barrymore, Bruce Willis and Leonardo DiCaprio.
See my Singers & Bands, Actors & Movies page for more.
I did some acting in the past, and am returning to it now after years of absence. I just worked as an extra (read: peon) in the new Robin Williams movie, "Patch Adams." I'm not sure when it will come out, but if you watch closely for me you might catch a glimpse of me. I'm a waitress at a Meat Packers Convention (yeeehawww!) with my hair in a braided bun on my head.
I will audition for a drama class at UC-Berkeley in the fall.
I also enjoy teaching. I had a great time as a teaching assistant in a reading and composition class at the community college I attended.
If I don't become a successful author or actress(!) I plan to teach high school English.