User:Calaf

Hello, I'm JPB. I'm a sometimes-editor over at Wikipedia under the same username, Calaf. I think Wikiversity is a really exciting project. I think that the Wikimedia projects in general are changing the face of learning and knowledge, and I think in ten years those of us who are on-board from the beginning will be saying "told ya so!"

Areas of Expertise The area I know the most about is music. I'm a life-long student of world music and classical music. I'm currently working on a degree in music performance. My special area of passion and investigation is Indian classical music, and I hope I can work with Wikiversity to educate people about India's wonderful music performance traditions.

My other major area of "expertise" is foreign languages and linguistics. I studied French for 6 years, and pursued Russian to a 3rd-year level. I'm currently studying Thai, and I've done some minor learning in Pali and Esperanto in the past.

Another area where I have a good working knowledge and could be helpful (though I am far from a scholar) is Constitutional Law and the Supreme Court. I competed last year in "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" a competition sponsored by the Center for Civic Education. My team were the Western Region champions and places 11th in the nation.

Other interests (just for fun) Activities- I spend most of my time in performance related endeavors. I sing with four groups: Anchorage Opera, UAA Music, the Russian-American Colony Singers, and St. Mary's Choir. I am also a regular performer with Scared Scriptless Improv Comedy. In high school, I did a lot of acting, as well as competitive speechmaking and debate. I still act occasionally, as in January of 2008 when I performed in the 13th incarnation of the "Alaska Overnighters." In summer of 07, I went with a troupe from the American High School Theater Festival and performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Interests- I love music (as you may be able to tell), especially Indian Music (about which I hope to make lots of teaching tools here on Wikiversity!), and classical music. I love to study Buddhism and the Dharma (I am a Buddhist). I also love to cook when I get the chance, I specialize in Indian food and French food, though I've also had fun cooking Thai, Cajun and lots of other fun cuisines. I'm into performing and seeing theater. I also love studyign and learning about foreign languages. One of my new passions has been watching and studying films.

Favorite Music- My favorite classical composers are definitely Beethoven, Stravinsky and Bach. Beyond that, I enjoy way to many other composers to list here. Outside of classical music, my favorite is most definitely Frank Zappa, whom I consider to be one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the last century (along with Salvador Dali). I also adore Indian music--in which Ravi Shankar is obviously the towering figure, though I do enjoy other artists. A short list of my other favorite groups and artists: Warren Zevon, George Harrison, John Lennon, The Grateful Dead, V.M. Bhatt, Oysterhead, Gov't Mule, Yo-Yo Ma and Yes.

Favorite TV Shows- I think Seinfeld is indeed the greatest show of all time. Other faves include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Munsters, Star Trek: The Next Generation and South Park.

Favorite Movies- I ADORE the Coen Brothers. I think they are the best film-makers of the current generation, and I also believe that their best work is still yet to come. I love every single one of their movies, though Fargo and No Country for Old Men top the list. I believe The Big Lebowski is also the funniest movie of all time--it's not exactly a lightweight. I also love Kurosawa Akira, Ran being my all-time favorite of his, though I also like Rashomon, Throne of Blood and Dreams. Dr. Strangelove is also a favorite of mine.

Favorite Books- My two favorites are probably The Prophet and Moby Dick (there you have it--one of the shortest and one of the longest books!) Currently working on Don Quixote. (Most recent fave: I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski (Life, the Big Lebowski, and what have you)

Favorite Quotes-

"I told that Kraut a fucking thousand times that I don't roll on Shabbos." -Walter Sobchak (The Big Lebowski)

"So I guess you think you're, y'know, like, an authority figure?" -Carl Showalter (Fargo)

""Dhamma is the best thing for people, both in this life and in the next." -The Buddha

"If you want to know where God, the Buddhas and all the great beings live, I can tell you. Here is their address: in the here and now. It has everything you need, including the ZIP code." -Thich Nhat Hanh

"Joy at last, to know there is no happiness in this world!" -Ajaan Chah

Other- Let's see, what else? Politically, I'm a pretty staunch liberal/Democrat. I think the US Constitution in general and the Supreme Court in particular are two of the most brilliant institutions ever created by men. Religiously, I am a Buddhist--Theravadin, to be precise. My favorite color is green.

Well, that about does 'er. Wraps 'er all up, as the fella says. Catch ya later on down the trail.