To those who aren't familiar with the concept and haven't read the previous thread, this is where you ask whatever question you feel like asking to get to know better the AGN member featured in the thread.
AGN Name: Beldaran
Real Name: Forrest
D.O.B.: 10/15/81
Sign: Libra
Location: Austin, TX
"I was born in Denver, CO. I spent my young childhood moving around between California and Washington and back. I then lived in Washington state for 15 years. I enjoy playing guitar and studying things that interest me."
What are your phobias?
I am afraid of large crowds of people. I'm afraid of being forced to spend time on things I'm not interested in. I'm afraid of collectivism and the mob mentality. I used to be afraid of stupid things like bugs and drowing, but since moving to Texas I've encountered so many hideous bugs that I'm just no afraid of them anymore. Also, I started swimming regularly so I'm no longer afraid of water/drowning. I still get woozy with heights, but I don't consider it a phobia as much as a physiological reaction. I am not afraid of heights, but my equilibrium is poorly suited to the experience.
What are your talents?
I am really good at playing guitar and bass guitar. I have an in depth knowledge of music theory. I read fast and learn complicated systems of relationships quickly. (ie I am so smrt, S-M-R-T!)
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Nowhere. I prefer to stay home. If I was forced to travel, I would go to Germany/Sweeden/ north eastern europe. I think scandinavian girls are SEXAY. Also, Irish girls, when they are hot, are some of the hottest women on earth.
What's your favorite holiday? What do you do on that holiday?
My birthday. (Yes, it's a holiday, damn it!) I basically just do whatever I want and follow all my whims for the entire day. Usually this means staying home and rocking my ass out on the guitar. If I live near any friends (which I currently don't) I will go do something fun with them.
What is one thing you would want to tell your AGN buddies about yourself that we wouldn't normally know?
I make lots of smart ass posts and act like a dick at AGN sometimes, but really I'm very sweet and polite. I am a closet romantic. I buy romantic comedies on DVD and I enjoy lots of music that isn't rock, including pop and love songs. Don't get me wrong though, I still rock the fuck out most of the time. I gotta have my rock.
What kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have favorite author(s)?
I used to read a lot of speculative fiction like fantasy and science fiction. My favorite authors in this genre are Terry Goodkind and David Eddings. Nowdays, I don't read so much fiction. I still read Goodkind's books because they are the best ever, but mostly I read non-fiction, usually pertaining to computers or a physical science. My favorite book ever is The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. If you want to know anything about what kind of person I am, read this book. It encapsulates many of the things that inspire me and make me tick. My second favorite book is Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind.
What's your most embarrassing moment?
SO MANY. I have lived a very embarassing life, filled with many classic nerd moments. =( I am actually having problems narrowing it down, I have had so many embarassing moments. One that stands out is from when I attended a catholic school with a uniform policy. The shorts they gave us were very gay and lame. You could buy your own shorts of the same color if you wanted, but at the time my family couldn't afford any. Most of the kids' parents had lots of money so they all wore the "cool" shorts. Anyway, it was very hot and so I capitulated and wore the gay shorts. I'll never forget the feeling of having a crowd of people just standing there laughing at how I look. This girl that I liked kept cracking up and pointing out how skinny I was, and how I had knobby knees. That was an incredibly hurtful, embarassing day and I didn't wear shorts for like two years after that.
One time in high school I was hanging out with this girl that I LOVED WITH ALL MY HEART (not kidding) and all of her friends. They were all hanging out in the living room of this person's house, and I excused myself to use the bathroom. Above the toilet was this weird shelf with all these little glass trinkets on it. I did my business, and then when I leaned over the flush the toilet, and stood back up, my hand smacked the shelf (it was really badly located) and all the little trinkets came crashing down. No matter what I said, they were convinced that I had been masturbating, and in a fit of passion, bashed into the shelf. I wanted to die. Jus fucking die right there. It never worked out with that girl and I. She probably still thinks I excused myself to go bust one out while thinking about her. GAH!
Which person, living or dead, do you most admire?
John D. Carmack, Chief Technical Office of id Software. Carmack is the most consistent, focused, inteliigent, hard working person I have ever heard of. He completely encapsulates some of my highest values. He's like a model of what I admire in a person; tenacity, persistence, and independent thought.
If you could live at any time in the past or the future (but not in the present), which time period would you choose, and why?
Probably a few hundred years in the future. I want to see how (if) we progress as a species, and hopefully enjoy space travel for the first time.
What's your worst habit?
uh, surfing AGN? hehe
Honestly, though, I think idly surfing the internet might be my worst habit. I waste too much time just browsing crap.

