My favorite spot is Island Park. It is near the river, has music and dancing during the summer, and wonderful, big trees. It is like a little forest in the middle of Fargo.
I am a cos-player. It mixes some of my passions: science fiction, sewing, and art. I enjoy the challenge of taking something that was a 2-D image and making something that works on a real human. I’ve also started doing standup comedy.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the great writing and character development; Dr. Who for the creativity and variety; Game of Thrones because I now I just want to know what happens next and I don’t think George R. R. Martin is going to finish writing the series.
I have a favorite series: Discworld, by Terry Pratchett. They are funny and cover so many topics, from politics to vampires. Reoccurring characters include Death, semi-sentient luggage, witches, wizards, a police detective, and gods. There are over forty books in the series and are a great form of escapism.
I still love Dream Anatomy (National Institutes of Health, 2006). It explores the National Library of Medicine’s collection of historic anatomy texts. It is a beautiful book. I had one of the images from the book enlarged to a poster for an exhibit, and it is now in my office.
Six String Samurai. In a world where the Russians won a war against the US in the 1960s, the only free territory left is Las Vegas where Elvis rules as king. But the king is dead and Buddy Holly is making his way there to claim the throne armed with a guitar and a katana. Russian rockabilly soundtrack by the Red Elvises.
Fallout 4 Playlist. It is a mix of 1950s and 1960s with an atomic theme.
Red wine or green tea with jasmine.
The state question of New Mexico comes from the restaurant industry: “Red or green (chile)?” For me, it is green. I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for many years and became addicted to green chile. You can add it to just about anything. Christmas (red and green chile) is a valid answer.
New Orleans, for the food. The conference center is great for getting your steps in but the crawfish étouffée and beautiful restaurants in the French Quarter are the best. I need to explore more of the restaurants there.
Camping on the California coast. I love going up Highway 1, the beaches and hiking around Big Sur, walking among the redwoods, and if you are there at the right time of year, picking wild blackberries.
This is worse than the favorite book question! Either Mary Edwards Walker, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dorothea Dix, or Mark Twain.
Saying that someone was a person of their time to excuse whatever they did.
My colleagues. I’ve had the honor to work with some wonderful, passionate, quirky, and interesting people.