Shyla: Hello and welcome to Sitting with Shyla. I'd like to introduce our member spotlighted for this issue, BrainFireBob. Welcome, BrainFireBob!

BFB: *waves enthusiastically* Hello, Shyla!

shyla: First things first-a/s/l?

BFB: 26, heading shortly to 27, male, Vancouver, WA. Virgo. Monkey.

shyla: Are you a neat freak? I've heard that of Virgo's.

BFB: Nope. I'm very cluttered. Clean clutter, but definitely cluttered.

It's a question of utility vs. cleanliness- I prefer things clean, but hate having to move half a dozen boxes just to get something I use all the time. Everything has a place- there's just too much stuff for the current amount of space. Probably should pass some things on.

shyla: Tell me, how did you learn about 4thKingdom and how long have you been a member?

BFB: Since around December, I think; I really wasn't active until more boards opened up. Prance-a-lot1 and I have been together for over three and a half years, and she's been a member since 4degreez. She recommended it to me.

shyla: Ah, that's great. And now you have become more active than of the person who recommended you. Give prance our regards, she's a great girl. What decided your member username?

BFB: I've been using BrainFireBob as a handle since I was 14 or so. I started taking college classes while still enrolled in primary school at that age, and I needed an email- so I signed up for a hotmail account (this is early-mid '90s). Even then, most screen-names were taken. I tried using various nicknames I'd had bestowed on me- some I liked, some I didn't- in conjunction with Bob, which I've always used when I wanted a generic "John Doe"-style monniker (my actual name starts with a J, and there were too many damn J-names growing up in the '80s.) I tried permutations, growing more and more angry and frustrated, until I was randomly slapping portions of things together. BrainFireBob- or rather, BrainFireBob with punctuation- went through. So that's my main handle. At this point, it's tradition.

shyla: It's a good name. Whenever I see it I think of a brain working in overdrive to receive as much information as possible. You seem a very intelligent man and I see you frequenting many of the debating type threads.

Which boards would you say are your favorite?

BFB: I don't know that I have any particular favorites. 4K claims my favorites are controversy, current events, and debates, but really, I most enjoy the material on the Extreme boards. Sometimes I have a lot to say there, sometimes I don't, but those are the most enjoyable to me to read through- it's where I feel the community comes out most, those boards and Random. However, I'm opinionated and not necessarily in line with the majority view on 4K- so, it's debates and debate-like boards where I feel most compelled to "avail myself of my opinions," as they say.

BFB: And thank you for the compliment. I've had several people mention that about my s/n, which is why I've retained it- the few that feel it's arrogant off the bat tend to be a smidge judgmental anyway. Consensus is that it fits, so I've retained it.

shyla: You're quite welcome. One more 4k questions before we move on to more personal matters-if you were stranded on 4k and you could pick only one member to be with you, who would that member be?

BFB: My hackneyed, trite, "awww" answer: My darling Prance.

shyla: Ohhh! That seems to lead us into personal matters quite easily, lol. Is Prance your girlfriend and if not, let the readers know-are you attached or single?

BFB: I proposed last Christmas. She graciously acquiesced.

shyla: Congratulations and best wishes to both of you! Are you already settled in life or still in school?

BFB: I had . .some issues getting my school settled. I'm finishing my senior project now, after a break of three years to save some money.

shyla: That's understandable. What field do plan to enter, if you don't mind?

BFB: My degree will be in professional physics. I'm torn between that, chemistry, history, and psychiatry for grad school. I also intend to write some day- and retire and run a used bookstore. That's as definite as my plans are right now.

shyla: Those are great goals. I loved used bookstores. They're so inviting. What do you do for fun, BrainFireBob?

BFB: Ever first and foremost, I read. Mainly SF/F- I've around 1800 SF/F books alone. I also have long dabbled in gaming- currently, I do Warhammer 40K (the miniature painting makes it doubly fulfilling), have a group that does Battletech RPG, and enjoy console gaming. I prefer RTS games on the PC, FPS and RPGs on the console systems. I also intend to take up pyromancy, as soon as I can find my very nice wood-burning kit (it was placed in storage). I've always wanted to try my hand at glass-etching and intarsia, as well.

shyla: What do you fear most in life-mentally, physically-take the question to mean whatever it speaks to you.

BFB: Well, my first thought is NOT driving my enemies before me, hearing the lamentations of their women . . ., etc. (You know the rest!) Most is a hard word. I'm claustrophobic somewhat. Prance thinks- and she'd know better than I- that wasting my life is what I fear most. I'd rather say I fear failing the people I love. My only true goal, ever since I was a small child, was to be a good man. I fail at that often enough, in my own estimation, but queerly, I still fear failing others nonetheless.

shyla: The goal, in and of itself, is what already makes you a good man. Remember everyone, you heard it first (perhaps second or third) here, sitting with Shyla.

Word on the Street...

BrainyBob is awesome. <3 He's smart, sophisticated, and really quite lovely. :) -Julenka 6/27/07

Ah yes, Bob II, the new Bob on the block. He's a good lad to have around who tends to make worthwhile and interesting contributions to debates. A good member. -Bob Janova 6/27/07

BrainFire is brilliant. He's also a really nice guy. Other than that, we're almost exactly alike. -Iron Jack 6/26/07

Bob is one of those great members who always adds something valuable to a thread, and seems to care about the people behind the screen names. -jackie joy 5/26/07

BrainFireBob is one of the most supportive people I have ever met, and he's always willing to give a hug when needed. -Sedruce 5/22/07

To me he's one of the smartest members on 4K and lately seems to be coming out of his shell more. Now he's quite funny! -Koresh 5/21/07

I've always seen his comments as very thought-oriented. He always maintains good composure and always has a fresh idea to add to a post that always makes me go "Oh yeah...." so I really enjoy his input:) -Achae 5/21/07

I like the Big Friendly Bob. Clever and articulate, and his presence gives julenka options when she needs some Bob-lovin'. -Temujin 5/21/07

bobs brain is on fiyah, mon! -Return Former 5/21/07

Don't let Bob's diminutive stature fool you - if he doesn't slay you first with his uncanny ability to empathize and love his fellow man -- he'll kill you later with his wit and cunningly severe intelligence. Open-hearted, open-minded, and utterly brilliant... Bob makes a fantastic addition to the Kingdom this year. He's like the reliable best friend that you know will always have a stable read on the situation, will always listen to whatever you want to tell him, and always has a great response. He's not crazy or outrageous, and those facts are part of what makes him great.... not everyone should be a nutjob (*cough* IJ). He hasn't been here very long - but I already can't imagine the Kingdom without him. Love ya bobby! -Otter 5/21/07

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