A Closer Look With…

If you could instantly become an expert in any skill, what would it be?

It would be pretty neat to instantly become fluent in another language; either that or instantly learning how to write code (which is a language of sorts).

What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken — or one you’re dreaming of?

I really don’t care for travel too much, but I think it would be cool to take a road trip around to all the national parks. 

If you could have dinner with any famous person, who would it be, and why?

I don’t know if he necessarily counts as famous but I think it would be fun to hang out with Matthew Colville and swapping tabletop gaming stories. I feel like with anyone too famous who is used to giving interviews and things like that, there would be a layer of artifice over the evening that would make it hard to really enjoy.

What’s your favorite holiday tradition or memory?

Every year when I was growing up my whole extended family on my Dad’s side would gather on Christmas Eve and have a gift swap. A recurring item each year was a particular brightly colored tea pot, and whoever it ended up with was stuck with it until the following year. There were a number of elaborate attempts to disguise it as a different gift over the years in an attempt to trick others into taking it, which was always great fun.

How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?

I know that it’s fun for people to have strong opinions about pineapple on pizza but I really don’t; it’s not my favorite but I’ll eat it.

What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?

This might be a bit too niche but one of my go-to songs when I’m trying to get my family to laugh is “Snakes vs. Jerks” by the Awesome Snakes. A more mainstream pick would be “When The Chips Are Down” from the musical Hadestown, or really anything from that soundtrack.

What’s your go-to karaoke song… even if you only sing it in the car?

In general probably “Nothing in Return” by Monsune, or if my niece is in the car with me then “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” by Relient K.

What’s a hobby you tried to pick up but immediately realized it was not for you?

I tried to pick up knitting a while back but after it took me almost an hour to make a single row on a scarf I decided I just didn’t have the manual dexterity for it.

If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be?

I’m not sure that I’m in touch with fashion trends enough to know how to answer this question, and I was even less fashion-conscious when I was younger. I might have to shamefully pass on this question as I genuinely can’t think of anything.

Are you currently reading, watching, or listening to anything you’d recommend?

I was recently listening to some old Don McLean records with my mom and I think “Vincent” is on its way to becoming one of my favorite songs. I’ve also been reading through a collection of poems by W.B. Yeats which is quite good. And although it’s been a little while since I last ready them I will always recommend Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series to anyone who enjoys fantasy.