<![CDATA[Welcome to everyone's favorite summer feature, the time when I ask people whatever is on my mind, aka the random questions.
This week, I'm joined by a pair of people I have asked many questions to. The first is the founder of the great Marquette blog Paint Touches and a digital media producer at CSN Chicago, Mark Strotman.
The second is someone I just talked to after the UC dance team won gold at the world championships, Ashley Herman.
Questions are in bold.
Mark: Being from Chicago, I’ve been to Arlington Racetrack a few times. And I have to admit, for someone who doesn’t really care about horseracing in the slightest, it’s pretty damn fun. Like most racetracks, it’s more about the ambience and everything going on around the horserace itself. And though I’m a sucker for a good bet, the reason it’s so great is because it only happens once every so often. If you find a good group, get dressed up and get a little buzzed, it’s one of the best day-drinks of the year. I’m certainly a fan. But like I said, it’s the bar of soap theory: the less you do it, the longer it lasts.
Ashley: That’s a great question! I recently went to the Racino in Monroe & I love it! My uncle is part owner of a race horse so I was only stopping in to check it out. I ended up staying all night, studying the odds & the horses past earnings and betting all night. I also made a pit stop at the slots too. I have to say I was pretty lucky at both.
Does the allure of gambling resonate with you? If someone asked me if I would like to lose $6 every 20 minutes, I would say no. But I was willingly giving up $6 to bet on horses. People go to casinos and bet on cards or dice or spinning wheels. I’m assuming none of you are degens, but this question is an intervention. But really, have you gambled or bet on things?
Mark: The peak of my gambling came in high school, ironically when I had the lowest amount of income in my life. We had this little ring of kids spanning two different grades who would switch off being bookies for a two-week stretch, and then two new kids would take over. Anyways, they were sports bets, and that’s primarily what I do now. But I’ve graduated from simple point spreads; my new favorite bet is player props, where you bet on an individual player to go over or under on a specific stat or stats. It’s less stressful than betting on the entire game (scratch that, if betting ever becomes stressful you’ve officially got a problem) but I find it more fun to cheer for a certain player to do well than an entire team. Try it out. You’ll enjoy it.
Ashley: I spent my 21st birthday in Vegas and limited myself to slots & Roulette. I only have tried games of luck. I am too nervous to sit down at a blackjack table.
If you had to become a gambler to win 5 million dollars or your family would be taken or something, would you bet on games of chance or sports? Would you go one big bet, or try to grind it out?
Mark: I don’t know where you come up with these questions, but I enjoy the hell out of them. I suppose my smartass answer would be to bet big on college games by splitting the winnings with a player (so Shabazz Napier didn’t have to go to bed hungry, for example). In reality, I’d put it all on black. Always bet on black.
Ashley: Probably sports because u have a 50/50 chance! I am only lucky for so long so I couldn’t bank 5 mil on a game of chance.
What is the most apporpriate sports jersey to wear in public? Not to a sporting event, just to wear to Home Depot, the bank or even out to brunch.
Mark: High school basketball jerseys of current pro athletes. Maybe it’s because I’m such a big sports fan, but I can appreciate the hell out of an Oak Hill Rajon Rondo jersey, a Lower Merion Kobe jersey or a Farragut Kevin Garnett jersey. They’re ageless and show you really know what you’re talking about – presuming you can name the city and school of the jersey you’re wearing. Also, a classic Raptors Vince Carter jersey will never not be in fashion. I’d wear that on my wedding day.
Ashley: Ok a lot of guys are going to hate me for this answer and I hope I don’t offend anyone, but I hate a grown man in a jersey! Unless you are playing for that team do not wear the Man jersey. The ONLY acceptable place to wear one would be a sporting event (in my opinion). If a guy showed up to take me to brunch in a jersey I would cry.
What song that comes up randomly on the radio / your ipod when you are driving that is an automatic turn up the volume and sing along song?
Mark: I could probably do a number on my reputation if I answered this a few different ways (I’m talking about you, Taylor Swift), so I’ll play it safe (and accurate) by saying Biggie Smalls’ Hypnotize. My college roommate lived out East and got me really hooked on his music, and we absolutely brought down the house to it one night on karaoke. I mean we crushed it, got applause from the rest of the bar…which NEVER happens. Since then I’ve gone hard to it every time it comes on.
Ashley: Well that would have to be Picture by Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock. When I was little whenever that song would come on the radio, my mom would turn it up & say “sing at the top of your lungs!” She would be Kid Rock & I would take Sheryl’s part. I still sing it at the top of my lungs to this day.
Follow up, anything worse than singing in your car and someone seeing you? I find it to be a mixture of shame and looking at it like they are my audience.
Mark: No. And there’s no way to play it off. It’s one of those few things in life where everyone does something but if you’re ever caught doing it you’re the biggest loser in the history of the world. The only way to make it better is to wait for the light to turn green, pick whatever’s left of your dignity up off the floor of the car and continue on your way.
Ashley: Well being a dancer I twirl & turn in grocery stores so being caught singing in my car doesn’t phase me. (ED: don’t we all want to see video of that now?)
Would you consider yourself a beer snob? What is your go to beer, or drink in general, at your favorite establishment? If we are at the bar and I order a Miller Lite, how long is your lecture about how much it sucks?
Mark: I’m not at a beer snob, but get your head out of your ass if you order a light beer at the bar. Since moving to the city my favorite beers are Green Line and Daisy Cutter, both pale ales that are as delicious as any beer I’ve ever tasted. I probably wouldn’t lecture you, but I definitely would look at you like I caught you singing in your car.
Ashley: I’m not a beer snob because I don’t know enough about beer to be. If I have to order a beer it’s going to be a fruity one like Angry Orchard or a strawberry Ale. I’m more of a Fireball girl. I just can’t find anything I like better. As for my favorite place in Cincy, it would be the Tin Roof or The Yard House. And you wouldn’t get a lecture from me about your Miller Lite. I won’t judge you if you don’t judge me.
Deal. Thanks to Ashley and Mark for a great return of the random questions. I think they both did a great job. Be sure to follow them both on twitter, @painttouches for Mark and @ashleyherman5 for Ashley Herman.]]>
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