What’s your favorite book? Why?
Book singular? That’s tuff. My favorite books are Night, The Great Divorce, Birdsong, Things Fall Apart, The Kite Runner, Tuesdays with Morrie, and anything by CS Lewis… to name a few. I like sad books.

What’s the most unique/unusual job you’ve ever had?
I painted gas cylinders for a year in college. Dante was wrong. The deepest circle of hell is not a place of ice, but of endless gas cylinders in need of painting.

What’s the most unique/unusual dwelling you’ve lived in?
A Spanish villa with two ladies, their annoying dog, and a Texan friend. Have you seen the “Surreal Life?” That was me for 5 months. I also spent 3 days in Amalfi, Italy with Willy the lemon farmer, his less than sane girlfriend, and my friend Ben in a 300-year-old house. I seem to remember a lot of chickens too. I didn’t exactly live there, but it’s a fun story anyway.

If you could do anything for a profession, what would it be?
National Geographic photographer and writer or real estate developer. Not at all similar professions, but both seem fun to me.

If you could share a meal or discussion with any historical figure, whom would it be and why?
Jesus. I’m sure that’s cliché. Hitler maybe. How’s that for extremes?

If you could live anywhere on the planet, where would you live? Why?
Here. Colorado. World class rafting, skiing, climbing, and hiking are right out my door. Next stop: the Caribbean. I would like to live in Europe again too… and Thailand perhaps.

What’s your greatest fear?
Being trapped in a life that I don’t want.

What’s the one bit of advice you’ve gotten in life that’s been of most value?
My father is fond of saying “words are cheap.” You know people by the manner in which they conduct themselves. Also, “what is right and what is easy are rarely the same thing.”

What’s one thing about you that surprises people?
I have a pretty bad temper at times… mostly when it comes to deceit, or having authority shoved in my face (DNR officers and that Metro security guy in Rome can all die). People who haven’t seen it seem to have a hard time picturing me angry. I’m pretty much goofy 99% of the time.

What surprises you about yourself?
I don’t have any tattoos… yet.

What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
History. It’s one long story of us all and how we got here.

Do you live by any particular motto or creed?
Not officially. I like these:

• “Never stop growing”
• “It is better to ask some of the questions, than to assume all of the answers.”
• “Never, never, never drink Absinth (again)”

Are you a “morning person” or a “night owl”?
I hate mornings with an intense passion. Staying up all night is not a problem for me.

Do you like to dance?
Do I like to dance? Yes. Do I know how to dance? No. I’m Dutch and I’m 6’3″. I’m the whitest white boy ever and my ancestors wore wooden shoes. These are not dancing people.

Given the choice, would you prefer to bike, walk or drive for every day transportation?
Drive really fast.

E-mail Chris at cadema@blizzardinternet.com