1. Where do you live (state, country, etc.)?
I’ve never been too far from Southern California. I’m currently living in Diamond Bar.
2. Besides moderating spcnet, what else do you do in your pastime?
There’s so much. I’m the Man of a Thousand Hobbies. Everybody knows (or I hope they do) that I’m editing and gradually uploading a GUNDAM fanfic that I wrote back during the 1990s. I’ve been an avid L.A. Lakers fan since Magic Johnson was a rookie. Classic rock music (especially the Beatles and other British Invasion bands of the 1960s) is a longtime obsession of mine. My wuxia fandom is also infamous, as is my interest in old-school anime and American superhero comics and sci-fi. There’s so much to discuss. My hobbies would fill a book.
3. What is your motto as a moderator?
I don’t do mottoes.
4. Name five characteristics about you.
I don’t know. Having a set of characteristics means being consistent enough to nail it down to five or six items. I don’t see myself as being that consistent. Just when you think you know me, WHAM, I go in a totally different direction.
5. How do you feel about your role as an educator? And how do you inspire your students?
I like my work. It’s much more enjoyable than an office routine. I befriend my students before I ever teach them anything. Education is more effective if the teacher and the student don’t start off as antagonists. That’s unfortunately usually the case (not for me, but for most other teachers), and they end up struggling with the students rather than teaching them. It wasn’t that long ago that I was a student myself, so I can empathize with the students’ point of view.
6. If you could go back in time to meet any one person who ever lived, who would it be and why?
Probably John Lennon, to trade musical ideas with him. The man had very similar musical tastes and sensibilities to my own, and I think I’d be fascinated having a discussion about music with him…or to jam with him.
7.If you could find a way to go back in time and change the past, would you? If so, what would you change and why?
I’d do it in a second, but the reasons are far too lengthy and personal to go into here, so I’ll just say…”Yes, I would. Easily.” J
8. What are some moments in your life that you would consider to be character defining?
When I first watched ROCH ’83 and started hating Yeung Gor.
In all seriousness, that did set off a long and complicated chain of events that led me to where I am today, so when I say that I hate Yeung Gor on the Wuxia Forum, believe me…it’s more than a joke. It really is personal, as silly as that sounds.
9. Your alter ego (Chairman Mao) is on a spamming frenzy lately. Do you think this had damaged your credibility as a Super Moderator?
No. As a matter of fact, I think I’ve got *more* cred now because I’m no longer seen as this guy with no sense of humor who just bans people at the slightest whiff of breaking the rules. It’s helped to decrease the distance between the Supermod and the regular members. That’s a good thing.
10. Elvis or The Beatles? Why?
Elvis was great and I loved his music too, but it’s got to be the Beatles. They are my all-time favorite rock band and were just as influential on my youth as Yeung Gor, but in a positive rather than negative way.
11. Do you have any favorite spcnet member(s)? Please elaborate on why he/she is your favorite.
Oh, come on: I can’t answer that. It’d make all the other members jealous.
12. How are things different now than when you first joined the forum?
Not so much, really. The technology of V-Bulletin has been upgraded since, and the cast of regulars has changed several times over, but it’s the same goofy fun it always was.
There are more commercial SPAMmers these days, however. I don’t think there was so much commercial SPAM in the early days.