Once in a Lifetime Dinners - past or present

I've given this about 12 hours of thought (including sleeping overnight), so don't criticize my decisions too harshly. This is a list of people I'd like to have dinner with and why:

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Highly-acclaimed, world famous architect whose crowning achievement (pun intended and IMO because of it's more personable scale as opposed to the IBM building) is buildings at the Illinois Institute of Technology... most notably Crown Hall - it's in Chicago so it is at my disposal to visit anytime I want (Farnsworth House in Plano would be fun to see too). He also expressed ultra-modern design using exoskeletal forms (exposing the structure). He was a master at creating exciting spaces using minimal materials - steel, glass, and stone. I would love to pick his brain and find out where he drew his inspiration. This would draw out as more of an interview for me than a social engagement. It would be cool to show him some of my own work and hear his critiques.

Meal: Sausages, kraut, and beer

Edgar Allan Poe

A very dark and influential writer... poet. King of the short story, which I'm sure is the only prose (besides this wonderful blog) that I, myself, would have the patience to write. Again, a brain-picking interview. I was always fond of his work, especially (ironically) as a child. I found it chilling, while at the same time... well... poetic. I'd want to learn more about his time in history and dig into his twisted life - but not as his therapist, just to kill the curiosity. It would be interesting to hear his reactions to the influences he has made on more contemporary artists because of his work - the Tim Burtons of the modern world. I would also have him read "The Raven" to me to hear it in his voice - a poem I used to listen to and read repeatedly in my youth (not many people know this, so you're welcome for the disclosure and sincerity).

Meal: Sushi and green tea

Tim Gunn

Now this guy is classy! He just emits a glow of exuberance and sophistication (and a little bit of flamboyancy). If you don't know who he is, he is a fashion design expert and the co-host of Bravo's hit reality competition, "Project Runway". I actually was inspired to write this post by watching the new season premiere of Project Runway with my wife and watching and listening to Tim Gunn's performance. He is a very eloquent human being and it would be cool to have a nice meal with him and just watch his etiquette and hear him speak. He is also a bit of a wordsmith, not unlike myself, so I would enjoy unleashing some of my longer-syllable, more provocative words on him. I'm sure I could pick up a thing or two from him as well...

Meal: Game bird and a nice Bordeaux

Larry David

I had to throw a comedian in here, and I think Larry is a good one. I have to confess that I have only seen one of his stand-up acts, but I have seen everything he's written up until Season 5 of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". I think this guy is a comedic genius. The way he tells a story and brings all the parts back together at the end in one big hoo-rah is absolutely dumbfounding... it gets me every time. I can watch old SNL skits, Seinfeld, or Curb episodes over and over again and to know that he wrote/co-wrote them is unfathomable when you look at him. He has a very unassuming look and I never knew what he looked like until Curb (as it turns out, he looks just like one of my friends from high school's dad, who coincidentally turned me onto Seinfeld in the first place). Having dinner with him would just be flat out fun and I could try out some of my material on him ;)...

Meal: Steak and Dark beer

So that's my very short list. I'd love to hear yours and see your comments about mine.