Encyclopedia of Me - E (Mark)

Eclectic: It's a short journey from here to eccentric, but for now I've got eclectic tastes. I like a wide range of music. I enjoy a variety of movies. It's almost impossible for me to find a favorite food or restaurant because I have a very difficult time even picking a favorite. What if I don't feel like Mexican food that day (unlikely, but possible)?

Europe: The band. Yes, I have a lot of fond memories of getting out my records (yep, vinyl), both "The Final Countdown" and "Out of This World." That was fun music. Recently I rediscovered them in a sense. I thought they'd kind of disappeared after all these years, but I found a whole series of more recent recordings, including a (mostly) unplugged album called "Almost Unplugged." Picture the iconic "Final Countdown" with a string section instead of synthesizer. It is very cool. 

Emotional: Anyone who knows me knows that I am very emotional. Stacy and I are constantly looking at each other during touching movies, Amazing Race episodes, cartoons, dinner, just to know that we are BOTH crying, not just one of us. I cried in the delivery room, and on several occasions after the births of our children. I cried many times after our miscarriage. I am especially sensitive to father-child moments, incredible musical performances, people who have overcome incredible odds, people who fight for justice and equality, and those who suffer through physical disadvantages. I will also cry if the Giants win the World Series again.

Equality: That's a big deal to me. We as a society should demand equal opportunity for all of those in our nation and in the world. There are a lot of ways for us to achieve this, but however we get there, we just need to get there. No human being should feel like he or she does not have an equal chance to achieve greatness. We are all unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged by nature of our births. Some are born into affluence and others poverty. Some are born as the favored gender in his or her particular culture. Some are born as the social outcast because of the color of his or her skin or because of sexual orientation. Once we all accept the fact that some people do not start on equal footing, then maybe we can all talk about what it means to provide equal opportunities for all life has to offer.

Ellis Marsalis: The Marsalis family is legendary, and so many jazz musicians can trace their musical pedigrees back to one man--Ellis. His instrument of choice is the piano, but his four sons represent each section of a jazz band. Wynton on trumpet, Branford on saxophone, Delfaeyo on trombone, and Jason on drums. And don't forget that the great Harry Connick, Jr. spent so much time with these guys he's practically family. One of my favorite Ellis Marsalis albums is the one he did with Wynton entitled "Joe Cool's Blues." It's their take on the music of Peanuts. You know, Snoopy and stuff. It's fantastic.

Eggs: I don't like eggs, unless they've been used to create cookies or other baked goods. I'm not opposed to them as a part of a batter or delicious, yet completely unhealthy coating. I will tolerate them in scrambled form mixed in fried rice, as long as I don't get a big bite. I can usually do egg drop soup and I have even been known to enjoy it from time to time. Hard boiled eggs are the worst, with fried eggs close behind. And yet, I make really good eggs. I've never tasted them, but the egg eaters around here are pretty effusive with their praise.

Picture credits: 
http://smokeybshaikureviews.blogspot.com/
http://lgbthistoryproject.blogspot.com/
http://www.al.com/
http://www.grantowngrammar.highland.sch.uk/
http://emails4lovers.blogspot.com/
http://www.eclectic.cc