An Interview With The Perfect Man

I was flipping through a book with ideas for blog entries, and came across one I do quite like (a lot!)... form an interview with a best friend or partner that explains why you chose them to be in your life as they are. So, for this entry, I will pull out the best in my partner, Mark, and prove why I think he is the perfect man.

Me: What are the top three personality traits you pride yourself on having? How do they help you in every day life?
Mark: Friendly, patient and caring. They help me focus on my work and be more productive because I'm not worrying about drama, or other nonsensical people. Being patient and caring also helps me compromise with loved ones and people within my community.

Me: What is your aspired career path, and why?
Mark: Some sort of an electronics technician, but I would love to work with communications on water. Some sort of boating. I have a background in these things, and grew up around them. You could say I have electricity in my blood!

Me: What are the top three personality traits you look for in a partner? Why?
Mark: Caring, respectful and tolerant. I want someone who respects me for who I am and what I do, and even though they may not understand what I do or why I do it, they still support it.

Me: As a graduating high school student, what advice would you give to freshman just entering the 4 year experience?
Mark: Get the hard classes out of the way first and don't slack off or screw up! If you are a good student and work hard, your senior year will be very easy. If you have a chance, go to a tech or vocational school - easy credits in quick time, and good work experience for future careers. Don't give in to peer pressure, and be your own person. Only you know who you really are and what you believe, so don't let others try to influence you.

Me: Through the multiple hardships you've endured in your lifetime, what is the biggest piece of wisdom you will take?
Mark: Everyone copes at different times and different ways. No one can speed up the coping process, nor will it hit the person right away all the time. Life goes on - I know that's a cliche, but it does get better. Remember that yesterday is history and tomorrow is never promised.

Me: What is the drive behind you helping out your community in multiple examples of volunteer service?
Mark: I suppose I instilled the drive in myself, with support from my friends and family. I found the community service type that was right for me and I think that everyone throughout their life should do something to help out their community.

Me: Whether negative or positive experience, what is one lesson you have come to understand about parenting that you will instill in your future children?
Mark: To let them have freedom and not be an overly-controlling parent. It also needs to be a two-way street of communication, not just the parent telling the child what to do or how something will play out.

Me: Some find it hard to follow their own advice and wisdom. After a variety of hardships, how do you continue on, besides the wisdom you have learned?
Mark: I generally move slow, and take it one week at a time.

Me: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
Mark: Photography - I like to see what I can do with my camera and experiment with at least one new setting each time I shoot, or angle something differently. Amateur radio, because I enjoy building and seeing how things work, and meeting new people all over the world. Hiking - I enjoy being outdoors and observing nature.

Me: What are some of your pet peeves?
Mark: People that jaywalk, people that don't attempt to use correct spelling or grammar in text messages,  people that don't try in school, but still show up.

Me: Who are a few of your idols or role models? Why?
Mark: You! I wish I had you as an idol earlier on in high school so I could have seen how good of a student I could have been. It gives me something to work towards. You are honest and you speak your mind, which I have never been that great at. Bud - one of the owners of Buddipole atenna company. He shows a small dream that you start building in your garage can turn into a huge company. He is in his early 70s and still goes into his office and works. I also look up to my friend Tom; he is energetic and full of new ideas or projects to work on.