I would like to know more about swamp bear (other than clothing optional hot tub and great food on New Years!).
Okay, let’s start with why you’re blowing off the musicals thread? 
(BTW, watch Cafe Society for a thread on “Holiday Inn”/“White Christmas” next Sunday or Monday.)
If you don’t want to do personal stuff (I’ve gleaned you’re male, married to a woman, and that your work is somehow connected with the media) – how 'bout, how’d you get so knowledgable about flicks? Where’d you go to school? Do you have any unexpected hobbies?
I don’t mind doing personal stuff, though you have the basics pegged.
I have loved movies for as long as I can remember, and have read and viewed voraciously my entire life. I got my BA and MA–in Film & English (double) and Film Archiving respectively–at U.C. Berkeley and UEA Norwich (UK). At the time, the latter had the only post-graduate degree work in the world for film archiving, so that’s where I went to study. I am a professional film archivist, but have also worked in the past as movie theater manager and supervisor at various international film festivals (not to mention dabbling a little in journalism & academia).
My hobbies aren’t all that surprising–I collect film scores (a few hundred) and movie-related postage stamps, particularly thematic First Day of Issue covers (also several hundred). I also enjoy gardening.
As for why I haven’t participated recently, I’ve just been really really really busy at work (and I didn’t feel comfortable commenting since it’d been a while since I’d seen any of the recent films). We’ll see about the Crosby double feature–haven’t seen them in ages and my schedule isn’t freeing up anytime soon. 
But I’ll give it a shot. 
Thanks for your answers – I hope that (a) the musical group continues, and (b) you’ll be able to participate more in the future – I’ve really enjoyed your insights and comments. As you’ve no doubt discerned, I’m strictly a fan, not a serious student, of the genre.
twicks (fellow gardener)
I would like to make it clear that we won’t be eating dinner in the hot tub. I tried once but the dining room table wouldn’t fit. 
I’m 50 and an official member of AARP! I’m also gayer than a debutante on holiday in Paris and a professional do-gooder. That means my job is with a non-profit organization that provides residential, respite, vocational and support services to persons with disabilities. I am the rule/regs and policies/procedures sob. Somebody has to keep up with all that stuff and make sure stuff happens when it’s supposed to and how it’s supposed to. That’s me. Hmmm… I likes to cook but not a great baker. I like my men big and burly, i.e. bearish. I am apparently turning my home into some kind of fortified compound. In the past couple years I have fenced in the backyard, finished a deck for the sole purpose of outdoor cooking, added two storage buildings, put in a pool, a sprinkler system and an alarm system. A few cases of MREs and some ammo and I’m all set. :eek: I tend to hang out most in MPSIMS, especially in Rue DeDay’s MMP. Hi Rue! I know you’re seeing this cause you did a vanity search! I currently have a squeeze whom I refer to as a certain burly gentleman, ACBG for short. I collect bears (big surprise!) and elephants. I have little bear and elephant statues, bookends, etc all over the place. Also, I like paper weights. Beer is my favorite beverage and cookies are my favorite snack.
One more thing. It’s swampbear. Somebody had to tell me about this else I wouldn’t have found it on my weekly (yes! only once a week) vanity search.
Wow, someone mentioned my name! I’m noticed! I’m so…flattered!
I’m a 24 year old college senior, majoring in English. Right now I’m rehearsing for “The Bacchae”, a college play. I currently go to school full-time, and also work part-time as a Crossing Guard, Piano teacher, and tutor for a major tutoring chain. I currently live with my mom, but own my own car and don’t have ANY student loans as of yet
I have a profile on okcupid.com under Incubus if you want to see what I look like. I’m a pretty average looking guy, 6’2" tall, brown hair/eyes, glasses, a Libra, don’t smoke, drinks sometimes. I have a bad habit of overwhelming myself with work, so as not to look like a slacker, but getting neurotic about the insane amounts of work I have to do. Speaking of which, I gotta go to work! :eek: I’ll share more later.
What’s an AARP?
Bears are very cool…so are elephants.
I too am a volunteer (although I get paid from a regular job, volunteer is part time) with Lions Club and Habitat for Humanity.
AARP is the American Association of Old Retired Poops, or to get all PC about American Association of Retired Persons. One is eligible to join at age 50 provided one forks over the dough. There’s discounts on all kinds of stuff to be had, and in addition to all that stuff I said about me before, I am a cheap ol’ bastid, so gimme them discounts! It’s stuff like restaurants, hotels, movies, other entertainment type stuff and in some cases drug stores and such (for non-prescription stuff).
I missed the part about HforH Canadiangirl. Good for you! I volunteer for them too. Matter of fact, I serve on the local Board of Directors for HforH.
He plays the ukulele!
…and the pretty babies just won’t leave him alone!
Who wrecks all the parties, and turns them upside down?
Ukulele Ike, the freshest kid in town!
Oddly enough I’d like to meet a few of the mods. C.K. Dex, Xash, Tuba, Czar. Just an urge I guess.
Several posters that I tend to run into in threads include Johnny L.A, Philster, Telemark and quite a few others, but I think having a beer with these guys or just a fun chat would be neat.
You’re 50?!? For some reason, I thought you were 20-something. Now I gotta revamp my whole image of you…
I’m 15. (making me one of the youngest (soon-to-be-)members of the board) My membership is my solstice gift. Bringing me to the next point, I celebrate the solstice instead of Christmas. I’m an atheist. The high school I go to has damn near (like five short of) 4000 students. I’ve been reading the straight dope since August and never joined because mainly it costs money and I don’t buy things over the internet. I’m an ISTJ. Barely an S. I don’t have hobbies. I read, Dope, do homework, and find various other ways to amuse myself.
And I thought my image of him was off! I was thinking a much hairier and longer-bearded version of Larry the Cable Guy, about 40 years old.
Wow! 20-something. Ok, if you take my age and the fact that I act like I’m 10 sometimes, maybe it could average out to 20-something. However, I is an old fart!
I do have a beard. I keep it trimmed but it’s still longer than Lary the Cable Guy’s. Who, incidentally, I think is kinda cute. I am hairy just not ape hairy, if you know what I mean.
No idea what you mean. I’ll need visual aids.
I think you got your Bears mixed up.
I want to know more about TremorViolet. I’m just depressed that she never showed up to a BatDope while I was in Austin- she sounds pretty damn cool.