What is your most memorable childhood experience? | Sailing with my grandfather on his 40' Bayfield. As my grandfather got older he was unable to sail himself. Out of all of the grandchildren, and all of the aunts and uncles in between, I was the only one who appreciated sailing as much as him. He took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew. In the last few trips we took together it was just me and him. He would sit back listening to Frank Sinatra and tell me what ropes to pull and where to steer. Unfortunately my grandfather and the sailboat are both gone now, but the memories and the knowledge he gave me will always be one of my most valuable possessions. |
What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I am definitely a mama's boy. I love my father and, as guys, I am mostly doing things with him that my mom wouldn't usually do. However, my mom and I share the same taste in music and have the same mannerisms. People constantly tell me I look just like her, too. People who know my family well say that I am just like my mom and that my sister is just like my dad. |
What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Hard work and humor. People with a strong work ethic are inspiring and people with humor are fun to be around. Some of the greatest people I have met in my life are those that have balanced the two. I have met people who are hardworking and miserable and people who have fun all the time but are lazy with no goals. I am very open-minded, so as long as I meet someone with a good switch between work and play we will almost always get along. |
What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | I was three years old when the funniest thing happened. I was in the basement playroom with my friends and family when I suddenly got the craving for pickles. I asked my mom if I could have some and she said that I was a big boy and that I knew where the pickles were. I quickly ran upstairs and to the fridge in the kitchen where I found a fresh, new, unopened jar of baby dills. I grabbed the jar and was so overwhelmed with excitement that I ran back to the top of the basement stairs and, while holding the pickles above my head, I yelled "It's pickle time!" As everyone in the basement turned to look at me I took my first step and flew down the stairs. My mom told me I looked like Superman flying with a jar of pickles. Then I landed on the staircase and rolled the rest of the way down. I cried after I stopped falling but thankfully the pickles survived and I was eventually soothed with a refreshing pickle. |
If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | Scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef. I love the water and scuba diving is a big hobby of mine. I have all my own gear, some of it handed down to me from my grandfather, and I've always wanted to explore the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef. While I'm at it, I could visit Papua New Guinea or Australia. Both places I've never been but have been wanting to explore. |
When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | My family purchased a 1995 Jeep Wrangler back in the late '90s. My father originally bought it as a vehicle to drive in rough weather. The Jeep proved reliable year after year and was eventually given to me when I got my license. It continued to run through high school, and my dad was almost positive that was as far as it was going to get me. As time went on however, I learned a great deal of mechanical skills by making several small and large repairs to the Jeep. To this day, nearly twenty-three years later, the Jeep is running better than ever! I have grown to love my Jeep and I hope to pass it on to my kids one day. |