Our fellow Racer, and resident Mountaineer Ashlie Gosnell posted a link to some questions to help us get to know each other better, and let our readers get to know us. As my first official blog, this should be one of my easier ones. Enjoy.
- What was your favorite food when you were a child? Hands down, Grandma's sloppy joe's. She could make those things like it was her job, and I had her make them for my graduation reception. Don't know how she does it, but I challenge you to find me a better joe.
- What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod? I've never payed much attention to this, but at this point, it's King Without a Crown, by Matisyahu. I love Matisyahu for a couple reasons: 1. The concept of a hasidic Jew, who also sings rap-reggae is very amusing to me. 2. Even though we don't share all the same beliefs, he puts some very spiritual and powerful words into his songs, and shows a very strong connection to God. I often find myself very inspired and impacted by his music… Just a few other top songs to give a lok at my personality: Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z; Sabotage by the Beastie Boys; Icky Thump by the White Stripes; Holiday by Weezer.
- What is one of your favorite quotes? I'll give 3 because I'm an outlaw at heart. 1 humorous, 1 inspirational, and 1 Biblical. From one of my favorite shows, Cheap Seats, "I don't have a dog myself, I'm allergic. Um, dogs and cashews, throat closes right up. I guess, wow, worse case scenario is a dog that had just eaten cashews throws up in my mouth. Luckily, that only happened once." From Tony Dungy, "God's definition of success is really one of significance-the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others… It's found in the hearts and lives of those we've come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived." And from 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
- What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? I love playing basketball, which can be done indoors or outdoors, so win-win on this one. But just watching sports is probably what I do more of… that's more of a strictly indoor activity.
- What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Washing spoons; seriously, spoons are the worst utensil to clean. Anytime you try to clean the shoveling side, it sprays all over your pants, causing an embarrassing siuation… Or maybe that's just my experience.
- What is your favorite form of exercise? None of the above. I do run on occasion, and have a few marathons under my belt, but I seriously still hate running.
- What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year? My top 5 days of the year, in no particular order are: Christmas Eve; first day of college football; Super Bowl Sunday; and the first two days of the NCAA Basketball tournament. Kind of dodged the question, but I'm sticking to it.
- What’s your least favorite mode of transportation? No idea; I've never flown in a hot-air balloon, so I'll say that.
- What is your favorite body part? You're really asking for trouble on this one, but I'll say earlobes.
- What sound do you love? Couldn't say, but I'll give you a sound I hate: You know the sound your computer makes when you press the wrong button, or you get an error message? That's the worst.
- If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for? I've been part of very few surprise parties, so I would throw a surprise party for myself, then right before hand, zap myself with one of those things from Men in Black that erases your memory, then be surprised by my own party that I've planned.
- If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint? The view of Ludwig's Castle in Neuschwanstein, Germany is just about as breathtaking as it comes.
- If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be? 23
- If you knew the world was ending in 2012, what would you do differently? Quit my job, go to New Zealand, and visit The Shire.
- If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? I hate to give the obvious Christian answer, but I would go with Tebow. An amazing story for his entire life, and a man who lives out what he believes, in every moment of his life.
- If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? 2004 ALCS Game 7, Red Sox over Yankees.
- If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Play the didgeridoo. I own one, and have been trying to learn, but it's really hard.
- If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? World Race documentary of one Racer. No way would that not be interesting… Racer to be determined.
- If you were immortal for a day, what would you do? Sit at home and watch TV, pretty much what I do every day. Can't let the rest of humanity doubt the reality of death.
- If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to? Calvin
- If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Never had a solid answer to this question, and I don't want to give the Miss America answer of Jesus or Ghandi, so I'll say… Adam Yauck, aka MCA from the Beastie Boys. He's one of the few celebrities that died, and I felt really sad afterwards.
- If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Pay off student loans.
- If you were reincarnated as an animal/drink/ice cream flavor, what would it be? Penguin; no animal has more fun than penguins.
- If you could know the answer to any question, besides “What is the meaning of life?”, what would it be? What's in the briefcase in Pulp Fiction?
- If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Garfield the cat. That dude is living large.
- Which celebrity do you get mistaken for? Denzel Washington. Common mistake.
- What do you want to be when you grow up? Sportscenter anchor… But I am grown up, and that's not what I am, so not sure how to answer this.
- When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Sleep, or watch TV… I'm lazy.
- What would you name the autobiography of your life? Living simply, and Simply Living.
- What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? The Solution, by Hillsong
- Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best? I had open heart surgery when I was 20, and had to miss a semester of school. I was bummed at the time, but in the extra time in school, I met some of the best friends of my life, and my life would have turned out very differently if it hadn't been for that time, so it's hard to complain about it.
- What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to? Every wedding is truly a party, and I really love weddings. I don't think I can pick a favorite, but when my friends Jon and Colleen got married, we tore up the dance floor at that reception.
- What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up? I don't cry often, so it's hard to remember. Probably the last time I watched Return of the King.
- What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Run my first marathon.
- What was the last experience that made you a stronger person? Every time I go on a mission trip, I feel like I return a stronger person, so I'll say my travels in Cambodia this summer made me grow up even a little bit more.
- What did you do growing up that got you into trouble? I was genuinely a pretty good kid. One time i stole some of my sister's money to buy some candy. I don't know what i was thinking, but I got in it pretty deep for that one.
- When was the last time you had an amazing meal? My last day in Cambodia, I had a Beaf Fillet with mustard dressing. Wow, just blew my mind with every bite.
- What’s the best/worst gift you’ve ever given/received? I'm an awesome gift-giver; just the facts, hate to brag. I also love receiving gifts from the heart, so I feel like I appreciate every gift I get from friends or family. I don't think I have an answer to this one.
- What do you miss most about being a kid? Zero responsibility.
- What is your first memory of being really excited? For whatever reason, I about blew my lid when my family got cable.
- What was the first thing you bought with your own money? Probably some football cards, or something like that. How the heck should I remember?
- When was the last time you were nervous? Typically, I've got ice-water in my veins, but the other day I had to kill a spider: yikes.
- What is something you learned in the last week? I realized that I would almost rather sit at home every Saturday during the fall, and watch college football, than go out and socialize. I'm normally a pretty social guy, but a lazy Saturday watching football is just about as good as it gets.
- What story does your family always tell about you? One time as a kid, I was told by my mom that I could eat the remaining frosting out of the pan she had used to make a cake. For whatever reason, I got confused, and ate the full bowl of frosting that was also in the kitchen. Not my proudest moment. That was 4 weeks ago.
- At what age did you become an adult? 25. I got my first full time job. I believe that was when the true ascent happened.
- Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate. Y
- Where’s Waldo? Over on the left.
- The best part of waking up is? Hitting snooze.
- How now brown cow? Red leather, yellow leather.
- Whasssssuuuupppppp? Wasabi.
