From Giozam:
1. Was there anything in particular that happened in your life that lead you to take the course of study you are currently pursuing? (Perhaps you should explain what you're studying before going in depth.)
It has been a long quest to get that figured out; that's for sure. I had grown up thinking I wanted to be a doctor, so I started off in pre-medicine. Highly competitive, what with me having to actually work jobs for money in addition to a weed-out system, plus I broke too many test tubes. I hated it, so I stopped by, and I ventured into the humanities and social sciences because I had heard a number of favorable things from my friends who were majors.
I wound up with a degree in philosophy and sociology. My career counselor was super-smart, said I needed to market my skills to open up more doorways. I took the Meyers-Briggs; it said counseling was a good option. Went into it for a Master's, worked in the field for three years. I loved my work, but I couldn't love it through the start of a state budget crisis. I finished and opportunities evaporated. In hindsight, I should have put my pride away and taken the $20K job at the nonprofit I worked at during my program. Maybe even then I would have still floundered; Lexington wasn't cheap. I cobbled together three jobs at one point, found that I could only sleep on Saturdays, and said, "Something's got to change."
I have misgivings now, but leaving Kentucky was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. I'm pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology because one of my supervisors told me that the myopia of therapy isn't good enough for me. The Nest [my nonprofit] kept it real. You can't focus on communication skills if the lights are turned off every couple of months. So I'm hoping to find that systemic fix... someday.
2. Is there a fantasy that you have yet to fulfill? If so, what is it?
Ha ha, this sounds sexual to me. I'll have to think on that a little bit more. Honestly, though, my fantasy is simply to possess economic comfort. As much as I like having money, I don't need a lot. Just enough to hold down bills, help set up my mom and my sister, and to kill off my debts.
3. If you had the chance to move anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Geez, good question. Honestly, I could see myself retiring in Greece (provided they get that international debt thing under control). I would just love to relax and kick back in my homeland, admiring the cool blue of the sea, keeping the house opened up all day, and enjoying some of the best marine cuisine.
4. The Simpsons or Family Guy?
Family Guy, hands down.
5. Steak, chicken, or fish?
I'm a red meat kind of man. Fuck an increased risk of colon cancer.
6. Warm tropics or cool ski country?
The tropics. I don't need to ski or snowboard, and though I like wearing a nice sweater every now and then, I could do without.
7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wouldn't mind being a little taller. I know I'm slightly taller than average, but most of my guy friends out-height me.
8. What most annoys you about the current state of politics in the U.S.?
I know I'm not the greatest liar either, but politicians are absolutely, completely terrible at it. I think the worst lie that politicians tend to peddle is this idea that they really are concerned about their constituents, that they're keyed in to what's important to the people. But if you look at their voting decisions and their ties to large lobbying industries, their votes are the most consistent with those interests.
A close second annoyance would be a demonstrable lack of knowledge, foresight, and perception about the issues. Very few politicians appear to be well-read or well-researched about policy reform, and they are just as dependent on the sound bites as the American population.
9. If there was one Federal law you could pass this year, what would it be and why?
Public-option health care or bust since health issues tend to bankrupt even the most financially stable families.
10. Did you know that the bird is the word?
Funny, my analysis shows that bird is equal to or less than the word.