20 Questions with Surznick

Hi everyone! It's been quite a while since we've done any sort of post introducing ourselves or sharing a little bit about who we really are. Last year was an exciting year for us, and we wanted to say welcome to some of our new readers and friends by putting up a few "get to know us" questions. We're glad you're here, and we hope you enjoy hanging out with us!

Ok, here we go:

1. What is your biggest fear?
S - My mom and Nick dying (starting this out on a really depressing note, here...)

N - Aliens.

2. What would you change about yourself if you could?
S - Sometimes I say the complete opposite of what I'm trying to say (mixing up off/on, inside/outside, etc.) It's like wires in my brain get crossed and I have no idea it's happening until Nick corrects me.

N- Stop myself from interrupting people. I get SO excited during other people's stories, and I have this overwhelming desire to show that I am connecting with them and can add/agree with/bond over all the similarities I'm noticing when they're talking, but really I'm just being rude and interrupting them. Also, every single time in the history of the world that Sarah has cracked a joke, I immediately say the same joke, but try to make it funnier. That's got to be so annoying. I'd like to change that.

3. What makes you laugh the most?
S - Nick. He's the most hilariously weird person I know and I couldn't even begin to describe why he's funny. He just is. (Edit: After reading his responses to these questions I think it's obvious that he's funny.)

N - Blooper reels. These are truly such a simple pleasure in life. Some of my favorites are Parks and Recreation, and I love all the old ones they would play after each episode of Home Improvement.

4. What did you want to be when you were small?
S - Very early on I wanted to be a hairdresser. Eventually I changed my mind to teacher, and later veterinarian.

N - There were more than a few things on my "when I grow up" list. Notably among them were: professional soccer player, scientist, volcano chaser, bald eagle trainer, and window repair truck driver.

5. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
S - It's a toss-up between drinking an iced latte and exploring a new city, or laying on my couch and binging a Netflix series.

N - Murder without consequence. I mean, probably just pointing to a map and exploring somewhere new.

6. What would you sing at Karaoke night?
S - 'Punk Rock Princess' by Something Corporate. I've been "planning" to sing this at karaoke for a few months now but never have enough liquid courage.

N - Well most recently I sang "All Star" by Smash Mouth. That was a real bucket list moment. But, if the crowd is just right and rowdy enough, I think "Fat Lip" by Sum 41 could be pretty great.

7. Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house?
S - Wash the dishes

N - I hate the thought of mowing the lawn, but once I start, I really love it. Still, I'd rather wash dishes. Mowing the lawn is too loud for listening to music.

8. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
S - PIZZA PIZZA

N - Pizza (pizza)

9. Who is your favorite author?
S - Right now I'd say Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm currently reading "Eating Animals" (my third Foer book) and absolutely loving it. I really enjoy his writing style and have yet to find a book of his I don't like.

N - I've always been a super huge Vonnegut fan, but it's been a long time since I've read anything by him. No one has "officially" overthrown him, but I really like Jonathan Tropper, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Chuck Klosterman.

10. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?
S - While I haven't been to either and would love to visit both, I'm going to say Alaska because my best friend is currently living there (hi, B!) and her photos of Alaska are GORGEOUS. I'm also not much of a beach person.

N -Alaska, baby! I love the cold, and I'm a huge fan of mountains, and all things forest, and snow, and wildlife, and pretty much anything. (I mean that. I'm a fan of pretty much anything.) I know Hawaii has a lot of mountains and tons of cool stuff too, but my Instagram vibe is definitely more "Alaska," ya know?

11. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
S - This is tough because I'm not really a history person, but I would say sometime in the 50s for the cute dresses.

N - This is a tough one, but I like the whole roaring 20s idea. It'd be fun to do some good natured illegal activity, and be right on the edge of learning how to lash out and be a bit outrageous for the first time.

12. Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
S - My phone

N - Music. If I didn't have actual music to listen to, I'd drive myself bonkers singing the songs I'd wish I was hearing.

13. What would you do if you won the lottery?
S - Pay off my student loans. Pay off our mortgage. Quit my job. Travel everywhere.

N - Boring answer, but pay off all my debt. Pay off all my family's debts, and make myself cozy to live a regular life. I'd likely still want to work, but with a much diminished sense of necessity, with more freedom to travel and explore.

14. What's your favorite holiday?
S - Halloween! I love dressing up, the scary movies, the parties, the cool fall weather. It's the best time of the year.

N - Halloween. I love spooky stuff, especially old scary music and some good spooky party tunes.

15. What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
S - Nick, a good book, and a good album.

N - Is Sarah an item? (We'll just say yes) A guitar and a toolbox (you know, for some light recreational woodworking for when I get bored.)

16. Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
S - Certainly not hearing or sight... maybe smell?

N - My taste. As weird as it is, I can't hear for beans, and I have a super critical palate. I'm always like "Woah, this has such a strong _____ flavor" and Sarah's just like "what does?"

17. Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
S - Milton Hershey, although I don't know exactly how (I need to Ancestry.com myself.) My family is from Lancaster County and my mom's maiden name is Hershey.

N - No.

18. What was your first job?
S - Cashier and key cutting extraordinaire at a hardware store.

N - Kitchen worker at a hospital (basically a nightmare scenario).

19. If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
S - A cat. (Is that too predictable?)

N - I want to say something cool, but the truth is probably just the most obnoxious, annoying, curious puppy in the whole world.

20. What is one thing you will never do again?