MY LOVES

Chapter 2

We all have passions—those loves that just make us happy. This page is dedicated to the things that give me joy and enrich my life.

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.

Louis de Bernières

film Lover

My favorite genre is science fiction, but I have a love for all types of films.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It features imaginative scenes, and probes some compelling things about love and memories, and the value of preserving even the most painful ones.

Inception

I'm a big fan of Christopher Nolan, and some might make the argument that his best film is Interstellar. However, Inception has a special place in my heart.

The Matrix

Even though it's been a over 2 decades since it came out, I still think its influence continues on even today. This movie blew my mind when I saw it in college.

Back to the Future

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I may have watched this movie more than any other in my lifetime.

Aliens

James Cameron's take on the Alien movie was both refreshing and action-packed. He built onto the original lore in such a great way.

Memento

The storytelling and originality is second to none.

Wall-E

There's so many quiet moments in this movie that was so touching and beautifully written.

Pulp Fiction

This is probably still my favorite Tarantino movie.

District 9

Action-packed science fiction with a poignant message about illegal aliens is a joy to watch.

Fargo

The Minority Report

Robocop

This movie blew my mind when I was a kid. It was violent, over the top, and just everything a kid could want from a movie.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

A true western classic, enough said.

Princess Bride

A childhood classic that has romance, adventure, and loads of humor. I love Andre the Giant in this movie.

Dr. Strangelove

A movie about war that remains relevant even today.

When Harry Met Sally

Perhaps, my favorite romantic comedy of all time.

Before Sunset

My favorite adult movie on love.

Gattaca

The Wrestler

Farewell My Concubine

Waking Life

A lovely cerebral meditation on life and existence.

Reservoir Dogs

This may have been the first Tarantino movie that I saw, and I remember being struck by the uniqueness of the director's voice and style.

Video games

Also obvious is the common thread that runs between my life’s work and my love of technologically intricate video games like MOBAs (such as “League of Legends”) and strategic games like chess (I especially love “bullet chess,” wherein each player only has one minute to complete all their moves); these games both challenge my mind and provide the same kind of adrenaline rush I get on the job.

furry babies

Mini

Blue

I love my furry babies: My cats, Blue and Mini, and my dog Goldie have brought me both joy and comfort. I’ve given them love, food, and shelter. I think I’ve brought them joy as well. (It’s tougher to tell with the cats, but the constant wagging of Goldie’s tail leaves no doubt). It would seem they have no connection to those passions which drive my life’s work, yet aren’t they, in a sense, alien life forms living in my world? (Or, in the case of the cats, allowing me to live in theirs).

Goldie

foods

I love spicy foods. I mean, really spicy. Fire food. Certainly, that has nothing to do with my work and my life. Yet isn’t the rebellious spirit that drives me to constantly challenge myself the same rebellion that makes me ignore the protestations of my stomach at the onslaught of all that burning?

Anime Anime

My love for anime started when I first saw Robotech on Saturday morning. My love deepened in college when I was introduced to fan dubbed anime tapes.

Akira

I remember seeing this the first time and not really vibing with it right away, because I didn't really see myself in any of the main characters. But over the years, I've come to truly appreciate this seminal work.

Death Note

I didn't know what to expect from this series when I first saw it, but I was hooked from the first episode. The main character being the villain and playing a game of cat and mouse with an idiosyncratic detective was so original and smart. This is among my favorite series of all time.

Ghost in the Shell

I saw this when I was in college, and it had elements that have remained with me to this day. Beautiful animation, futuristic sci-fi, politics, a commentary on life. It had everything.

Evangelion

This series always makes an appearance on people's top anime series, and for good reason.

Graveyard of the Fireflies

This movie broke me. It's so heartbreaking that just thinking of this movie washes me over with sadness.

Ninja Scroll

A tight action-packed ninja film that is violent, gory, and sexual. You can see why the teenage me fell it love with it.

Macross

My love of robots and sci-fi started when I was introduced to Robotech as a child, and Macross was the actual anime that the first Robotech series was based on.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Great animation, original storytelling, terrific world-building, well-developed characters. There's too many positives to list.

Music

Konichiwa Bitches

Robyn