Witty, creative and analytical, Aaron isn't one for dull conversation. The Indiana native first came to the District to attend Gallaudet, where he studied sign language interpretation and has been working as an interpreter for almost two years. In a departure from that day-to-day world, Aaron may be the man you want on your side if the world suddenly experiences a zombie apocalypse, as a lighthearted ''what if'' game with his friends has turned into what he calls an ''awkward'' hobby of strategizing. When he's not saving the future from flesh-eating ghouls, he likes to go to JR.'s for Thursday drink specials and Town on Fridays for Bear Happy Hour.
What's on your nightstand? Multiple alarm clocks, to make sure I wake up in the morning.
Coverboy: Aaron
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's in your nightstand drawer? My nightstand is actually my windowsill. Condoms are kept in the second drawer of the dresser. My desk is cluttered, with maybe a glass of Jameson from the night before – I'm a big whiskey fan.
What are your television favorites? The Walking Dead. Once in a while I'll watch The Big Bang Theory or one of the time-consuming shows on the Discovery or History channels.
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid? A tie between Rocko's Modern Life and Animaniacs.
What superhero would you be? Phoenix – from X-Men comic books, not the movie – in male form, of course. The telekinetic power to mold or shape anything, obliterate anything, would be great.
Who's your greatest influence? My grandmother. She was the one who taught me how to be calm and composed, no matter what stress came in, and how to be cheerful, no matter what kind of situation came up.
What's your greatest fear? Solitude.
Pick three people, living or dead, who you think would make the most fascinating dinner guests imaginable. George Takei, for comedy. Stephen Hawking for scientific discussion. For philosophical discussion, I'd probably go for Mahatma Gandhi.
Coverboy: Aaron
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What would you serve? A copious amount of red wine, fried calamari and a smorgasbord of breakfast items.
How would you describe your dream guy? Intelligent, funny, piercing blue or green eyes, preferably my height – 5'11'' – or taller, built but not ripped, big heart, big smile.
Define good in bed. Someone who's agile, willing to explore and try new things, flexible, and who can give as well as they receive.
Who should star in a movie about your life? Orlando Bloom.
Who was your first celebrity crush? Devon Sawa.
Who gets on your nerves? The person I like to call the leech, who just drains your energy.
If your home was burning, what's the first thing you'd grab while leaving? My iPad.
What's your biggest turn-on? My two favorite spots on the male body are between the collarbone and the neck; and right below the hip, at the V-line.
What's your biggest turn-off? A tongue in my ear.
What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't yet tried? Skydiving in a wingsuit.
Coverboy: Aaron
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's something you've tried that you never want to do again? High school.
Boxers, briefs or other? Boxer-briefs.
Who's your favorite musical artist? Incubus.
What's your favorite website? Kuvaton.com. It's random collections of funny GIFs.
What's the most unusual place you've had sex? In a tree.
How did that work? It was rather awkward. You get positioned on some lower-hanging branches and make sure you don't fall. Luckily, most people never look up.
What position do you play in the big baseball game of life? Pitcher.
What's your favorite retail store? Banana Republic. But I shop at Express more, because I have a credit card there.
What's the most you'll spend on a haircut? About $30.
What about on shoes? $200.
Coverboy Aaron
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's your favorite food to splurge with? Chinese.
What's your favorite season? Spring, because things are starting to bloom and blossom. Green is my favorite color, and I like when things are alive and not dreary.
What kind of animal would you be? A wolf.
What kind of plant would you be? An oak tree. Common, but strong.
What kind of car would you be? Doesn't matter as long as it's a stick-shift.
What are you most grateful for? That there's no limitations to what we can do as long as we're alive.
What's something you want more of? Technology. More ability to explore space and the universe.
State your life philosophy in 10 words or less. Be free, love others, but avoid causing pain.
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