Ask Me Anything: Steamboat Edition.

Edan wrote: Who or what do you feel is your greatest influence.

The three human beings who have shaped me the most are Fred Rogers (of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood fame), Jim Henson (creator of the Muppets), and Vlad III (y'know, the Impaler.) Rogers taught me to be kind and try my best and always care for others. Henson taught me to always stretch my imagination and creativity. Tepes taught me that sometimes, you really just have to stop being nice to people.

ReallyRiver wrote: What is it that makes you believe you are / can be a divisive influence?

I have a certain personality type that doesn't lend well to certain kinds of social interaction. I'm a know-it-all, a mostly-logical thinker, I believe I'm always right, and I almost never back down from my position without overwhelming evidence. I'm loud, brash, and not always polite. I'm adamant and stubborn and vociferous. Essentially, I'm abrasive.

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ReallyRiver wrote: Where would you like to take pilgrimages to, and why those places?

• The Abrahamic Holy Land, because I tend to hold an Abrahamic faith.
• Stonehenge, because it is an ancient place of power.
• Shikoku, to go on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, an 88 temple Buddhist route, for a nice long hike.
• Any major Shinto shrine, because I am also an animist
• Anywhere in Mongolia especially sacred under the Eternal Blue Sky, because Mongolian shamanism is an interest of mine.

What would be your 'I am Groot'? (basically if you could only use one sentence to converse with, like Groot, what would it be?)

My favorite four-letter word.

Cake or Pie?

Pie. Almost always.

Hmm, if you could shapeshift into any one thing, what would it be and why?

Something that could fly. A raptor or a dragon or a crow or something.

What thing that you've made or created (in some fashion) are you most proud of?

So many answers for this one. A cloak I made one of my friends gets compliments at every renfaire he goes to. The first flute I ever made was out of PVC pipe and was given to a music major who thought it sounded amazing. My first piece of published artwork is a bit of Elvish calligraphy that someone had tattooed on them.

But honestly? The thing I'm most proud of making is me. I've spent a lot of time trying to sculpt me into the person I want to be, and it's paying off. Slowly, but surely.