Well, yesterday I posted along the terms of MCF’s take on *Name Hidden*’s Meh-me. I was just as intrigued about this one, though I was right knackered when I made yesterday’s post, so as such, I’ve saved this one for today.
Now to it…
1. One book that changed your life:
You can definitely understand my career path with this one. In the Blink of an Eye, by Walter Murch, the post production genius who went to film school with the likes of George Lucas, Steven Speilberg, and Francis Ford Coppola. Typically those who work in the film industry are not classic intellects. Murch definitely breaks that mould. Instead of discussing the equipment, systems and process, Murch rather discusses the entire psychology of why a frame to frame discontinuity, or a cut, works. I’ve never seen film the same again, and have faith that intellects CAN succeed in this industry.
2. One book that you have read more than once:
The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. It’s obvious historical importance does not need to be rehashed, though it is a great tome of wisdom, which lends itself not only to military conflict, but sets a good guideline to business and personal endeavour also. There is a lot of wisdom that strives from the far east, and I have only begun to scratch the surface of it.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
Oooh. That’s a tricky one. My gut would say Leading With The Heart by Mike Krzyzewski (yes, I’m a Duke fan, stemming back to the mid-80’s, so :P), but all of Krzyzeski’s stories about his family and those he cares about would compound the lonliness I’d feel being on a desert island, to which I’d be deserted. As such, I would pick the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, to help keep me balanced and sane in such an extreme circumstance.
4. One book that made you laugh:
Foley is Good and the Real World is Faker Than Wrestling by Mick Foley. He hits the nail on the head. The artificial world of pro wrestling, where matches have predetermined outcomes seems to be more footed in reality than many things out there today. Plus Foley’s hardcore attitude in the ring, combined with his well grounded common sense out of the ring makes the book a very enjoyable and funny read.
5. One book that made you cry:
Books haven’t made me cry. Films have, but books, no. Odd, but true.
6. One book you wish would have been written:
A Step by Step Guide to Dancing Pirouettes Behind the Back of the Queen of England, with a Public Audience, by Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
7. One book you wish had never been written:
Wow. It’s a very revealing question. My knee jerk reaction would be to say Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler. I could mention religious texts to which large groups of people have gone to war over based on slightly different interperetations. But in retrospect, I think back to the advice of one of my film school profs. The advice he gave? You have to watch all types of movies, BOTH good AND bad, the good to see how they make things work well, and the bad to see what mistakes are made so you as a filmmaker can dilligently not make the same mistakes. So bearing that piece of advice in mind, I don’t wish anything unwritten, as even the bad, evil, or undesirable texts still will shine insight into the human condition, provide historical reference to avoid the repeating of mistakes, and allow us to grow socially at a rate comparable to how we have grown technologically.
8. One book you are currently reading:
The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. I’ve been on a science kick lately, so I’ve been reviewing the field of science I always was weaker in: Biology.
9. One book you have been meaning to read:
No specific title, but more texts involving Chaos theory. What fascinates me is the duality of it. On one hand of the theory, nothing is predictable. On the other hand, it also discusses how patterns on small scales are revisited on larger ones. Plus, my mate from Best Buy (which I’m done with today… YAYAYAYAY!!), Ray, is going to Teacher’s College at UBC, so it gives me two reasons to visit the campus, the other being to pick up a book.
10. Tag some others:
Really, I can’t think of anyone specifically, and mind you, my tagees of past, less my babe, tend not to be consistent doing these. So as always, whoever feels compelled, please link back via comment, or link back in a post so I can have a trackback.
That is all.
