#23

23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.

1 - Theater.  It's invigorating, inspiring, enjoyable, different, and I LOVE making people smile.  Fact.

2 - Reading.  There's just nothing like getting caught up in a good book.  

3 -  Eating delicious food.  I'm not a foodie or anything.  I just really like good food.  And now I own a couple of killer workout programs so I justify eating even more delicious food!


4 - Movies.  I don't know if I can consider this a hobby, I just like to watch movies.  A friend recently asked me if I'm a "movie buff."  I think I'd have to say no.  I don't know a lot about movies, and though I've seen my fair share I wouldn't say that I've seen a ton of movies, most of my favorites aren't on any official lists or anything, but I like watching movies.  And since it's my industry I should probably list this as a hobby eh?  But seriously, I do like me some movie time.


5 - I can't really think of anything else...I have other interests - music, dancing, astronomy, at-home science experiments, education, Disney, arts & crafts - but nothing I really spend a significant amount of time doing.  Maybe I should take up a new hobby...

#22

22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?

I wrote a similar post to this about 3 years ago, and I think my path is already quite different from what I'd envisioned there.  Which is why these kinds of questions are so fun!

This question is also hard for me because I don't really know where to see myself in 6 months, let alone 10-15 years, but I'll try anyway.

5 years:   Still living in LA - hopefully in my own place.  Natty's great, and my current situation with her is absolutely perfect for where I am right now.  But in 5 years I hope to be at a point where I might even be able to own a place out here (possible, though not necessarily probable).  I'll have lots more commercials under my belt.  I'll have joined the union by then, be getting my free classes and yearly free pair of shoes (true story, sometimes being an actor is really cool).  A couple of TV appearances - co-starring and guest-starring roles.  Things will be good.  I may have permanently transitioned to perpetually short hair.  I will have a new scooter - they only last 40,000 miles or so and I'm already at 10,000 with Phin.  Hopefully I'll have a new car as well.  Charley's gettin' up there.  The relationship department is anyone's guess.  I will have also joined the ranks of the family ward regardless of whether I'm accompanied by a wife.

10 years:  Kickin' it in Cali.  In 10 years I'll hopefully have a super swanky place in a really nice neighborhood.  Cool furniture.  Maybe a birdbath.  I'd like to have landed a series regular role on a successful sitcom - something that runs for 6-7 years and gets picked up for syndication.  Maybe I'll have "sold out" and become an advertising spokesman for something like Apple or Hot Pockets.  I think I'll still have a scooter.  I really like my scooter.  I think maybe there will be some non-profit organizations involved in my life.  Something educationally themed.  I'll volunteer at schools and do plays at the children's theater.  Hopefully there will be a wife and a couple of little ones in the picture by then, but again - anyone's guess.  If there isn't a wife, there may be a cat.  Hypoallergenic cuz my mom's allergic. 

15 years:  I'll be almost 45.  That kind of blows my mind right now.  I don't even know what to project.  Successful career, maybe by that time I can move back to Utah and work from there like the guy on Modern Family.  I hope I don't have a bad haircut.  I also hope that I've managed to keep myself grounded and that I've never been called to be a bishop.

#21

21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

I've given this some thought and as cool a things like fire, flight, or invisibility would be, I think the superpower I'd choose would be the ability to transport myself anywhere instantaneously - even better - if I can transport other people with me.  Talk about some killer dates.

First thing I'd do?  Sell my car.

Downside?  Roadtrips kind of become pointless.  But I guess just because you have a superpower, doesn't mean you always have to use it.  It would just be nice to cut down on travel time.

#20

20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

1 - I know my parents remember this one:  I don't remember exactly how old I was - somewhere between 7 & 9 I think - but one fateful day I - along with at least one of my brothers - was sent to my room for some childish infraction or other.  When I thought I'd been there long enough I started calling for my mom to see if our time was up.  I didn't get a response and said in an exasperated tone, "Where is that stupid woman?!"  Whichever brother was in the room with me was only too happy to report that phrase to my father who promptly gave me a sleeping bag and my marching orders - explaining in no uncertain terms that disrespect of any kind for his girlfriend would not be tolerated.  I apparently made it to end of the driveway with tears streaming down my face.  I remember being sent packing, but don't remember much beyond that.  What I do know is that my dad loves my mom a whole heck of a lot.  


2 - Not sure if my parents remember this one:  When I was 12/13 I went camping with the scouts.  That happened a lot, but I remember this particular trip because for some reason I was the only one going - my older brother and I were close enough in age that we were often both present for scouting events. And for some reason my other brother and sister were away from home for the weekend.  We were in charge of providing our own food for the camping trip - it was just an over nighter - and I remember thinking that I'd go to the store with my mom and pick up some Lunchables or something.  But my parents kind of surprised me by giving me a small backpack stuffed with all kinds of food/snacks/treats etc. They dropped me off for the camping trip and I just remember feeling so loved - that little bit of special attention for just me meant a great deal to me at the time, and really has ever since then.


3 - I know I've mentioned this one before in a blog post somewhere, but I'll share it again anyway. It was, I believe, my 10th birthday.  I planned a party and - due in no small part, I'm sure, to the fact that I neglected to give anyone an invitation until the day before - no one came.  I remember sitting on the curb in front of my house waiting for friends who would never come.  I can't remember if I cried, though I'm sure I did.  I do remember that it was heartbreaking for me.  I think it may have been a fairly formative moment - both positively and negatively.  If nothing else, I learned the value of preparation and planning.  Later that day we went to see Rock-a-doodle and I felt better about life.  Every time I write this story down it makes me want to watch Rock-a-doodle again.  I think a friend of mine and I are going to do a movie night tomorrow...perhaps I'll suggest it...


Lest you think I had a hard childhood, I have countless pleasant memories of family vacations, sleeping outside on the trampoline, riding bikes, running through sprinklers, date nights with Mom, birthday sleepovers with grandparents involving giant donuts, fireflies, bubbles, ice cream trucks and a thousand other things that people write books about.  These just happen to be 3 non-ordinary, stand-out moments that have had an effect on my life.

#19

19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Narnia.  I don't think I need to explain why.

(Since I can hear my mom saying, "Greg!" and making that face - you know the one.  If I had to pick an actual place here on Earth to live, I think I'd probably move back to Utah.  I don't like the inversion, and I kind of hate driving in the snow, but the vast majority of my family is in Utah, and it's where I've lived for most of my life.  I like it as a home base.  There's enough there to keep me interested, but not so much that it's overwhelming.  It's big enough, but not too big.  Small enough, but not too small.  There's tons going on in terms of the arts - which is super important to me, and plenty for me to be involved in.  It's cozy, comfortable, and practically perfect.  Plus they have Smart Cookies.  I think I'd pick somewhere either in the Avenues of Salt Lake City, the East Bench area, or maybe Park City.  And I'd buy an SUV and invest in some killer tires.)

#18

18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

So, there might be instances when it's not entirely true, but I think I'm a pretty chill guy.  I honestly can't think of a situation where I say to myself, "Yeah, that was hard to forgive..."  I tend to just let it go.  I may be angry or hurt for a couple of days, but it becomes less important as time goes on.


So...I don't really know how to answer this question...


Thoughts?

#17

17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

This is another question where I feel like I should say something like "service" or "dating" or "home teaching".  But I'm not going to.


Two things come to mind when I read this question:


1 - Singing.  I'm decent.  I can hold my own in general, but I really wish I just had a killer set of pipes.  I don't, so I'll be content with what I have and continue to sing in church.  :)


2 - I wish I was great at being outgoing.  I can be in the right situations, but unless the conditions are right (and the conditions never seem to be right at church for some reason...but that's a can of worms for another day) I'm actually a pretty introverted guy.  I wish I was great at just getting out there and talking to people and making friends and all.  But I'm not.  And I've come to terms with it.  So I'll just be content with a little more "me" time.  I know how to get a free Redbox these days, so it's all good.

#16

16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

I think sometimes there's an expectation with this question to say things like, "My marriage and 4 beautiful children".  Not that I don't wholeheartedly agree that those would be your greatest accomplishments, they just haven't happened for me yet, so my list is going to be decidedly less...familial.

1 -  Master's Degree.  It's one that's sort of always been on my bucket list and I'm glad I took advantage of the opportunity to get my Master's Degree while I could.  It was half-paid for, so it was basically a no-brainer.


2 - Becoming a functioning member of society.  I think sometimes we underestimate how much of an accomplishment that is.  I live on my own, pay for my own food, cover my own car insurance, have a job and Disneyland annual pass.  The only thing I get from the government is a tax return once a year. I'd say that's something to write home about.


3 - This goes along with #2 and I think is excellently summarized here:

4 - Picking up and moving to LA.  I did it.  I'm here.  I'm using the talents God has given me and pursuing my dreams with fervor and panache.  I'm just starting out, so I'm still in the button-pushing phase of my career, but things are looking up!

5 - Probably the most important accomplishment of my short life is that I've managed to maintain my faith.  I've had friends who have stuck by me in that, I've had some who have chosen other paths.  I'm certainly not qualified to speak for anyone else but me.  I just know that the way I've chosen to live is the best way for me.  I'm here and I'm here to stay.

#15

15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I guess that depends on what kind of animal would sing along to show-tunes, wear cardigans, and have an intense love of carbs... 


Since I'm pretty sure that animal doesn't exist - though a parakeet might look pretty smashing in a tiny cardigan - I'm gonna say this guy:

Just kidding. He's kinda creepy. Like the Nosferatu of the animal kingdom.(But he is a real animal.  He's called an "ayeaye".  And appropriately so, methinks.)


For rills I'd probably be this guy:

Emperor Tamarin

Cuz for rills guys. Agile, quick, Sort of oddly adorable.  That stache?  Done.

If not I'd probably be a cat.  But only if I could be The Bell's cat.  They have a pretty good deal going on. 

#14

14. Describe 5 strengths you have.

1 - I'm really pretty good - and inadvertently/unintentionally so - at making people happy.  At least once you get to know me.  Initially I'm pretty reserved, but I warm up pretty quickly if you give me a chance. I've been told on numerous occasions that people just feel happier/better/sillier/whatever around me.  I'm okay with that.  I like making people happy.  So, if you're having a downer of a day, come hang out with me.  We'll turn that frown upside-down.  :)


2 - I'm good with kids.  Frills.  For some reason they think I'm pretty cool. 


3 - Most of the time, despite the fact that I may not think it's a strength, I'm pretty good at sticking to my guns on moral decisions.  More so in some areas than others.  But in general I guess I've got some spiritual chutzpah.


4 - I'm really good at keeping things in perspective, which means that generally I don't really freak out about things.  To the annoyance of many of my friends.


5 - I am *usually* pretty secure with who I am.  There are some typically boy parts of me - I like to shoot things, and throw stuff off cliffs, and hike.  There are some not-so-typically boy parts - I like musicals, and dancing, and shopping for shoes.  There are some in-between things - I like to travel, and read, and I cry a lot during movies.  But overall I love who I am.  I think I'm pretty alright.


So...what things do you rock at?