A Closer Look With…

If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
Animation — I’ve always loved cartoons, animated music videos, movies, but never had the know-how to create one myself.

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
Master of None, shamelessly stolen from that show that I haven’t even seen. I tend to jump from hobby to hobby, learning little tidbits from lots of different places but never dedicated to one entirely, for better or worse.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Fix your posture! Dang my shoulders are killing me from being scrunched over my desk in school.

What’s a trip that changed you, and why?
I would say my study abroad trip that was part of a World War II program in college. It was the only vacation I’ve taken that wasn’t all about relaxation, adventures, and scenery — although we did have some of that. There was a lot of history to see, much of it painful and difficult to process.

What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
I try to get outside and take a walk, or watch some Bob Ross.

What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?
My wonderful girlfriend Cassidy and I climbed to the peak of a mountain in Colorado; that was a nice escape from the past year!

What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Running (almost) every day – it started out awful, and is still kind of terrible, but it slowly gets better.

What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?
How to freestyle cook – I feel like I always had a random assortment of ingredients in the kitchen, but never knew what to make besides a pot of hodge-podge chili. I’m getting better at coming up with meals with whatever’s in the cabinets, although I won’t say those meals are good quite yet.

What’s something you saw recently that made you smile?
Driving through east Texas I saw a bunch of baby cows jumping around in the grass, which was pretty nice. =)

What’s something you’ve done, but will never do again?
Definitely roller coasters, and it was just a small one I did as a kid.

What’s something—big or small—that you’re really bad at?
Dancing, I’m too lanky I think.

 What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
“What is today, but yesterday’s tomorrow?” – Mr. Krabs.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
“Your hair looks like Lord Farquaad today.”

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
It might be cliché, but a cold beer is always pretty good.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?
An astronaut on the ISS, or (hopefully) Mars someday soon.

If you had to pick one age to be permanently, which age would you choose?
25 has been nice so far.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Nicolas Cage; I can only dream.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Playing guitar, reading by the pool, making music with some friends, or getting frustrated at a video game and going back to one of the above.

Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?
I would love to be both, but my allergies force me into the dog person category.