marcus300 interviews Times Roman
marcus300: Which country are you from and how do you like living there?
Times Roman: I am from the United States. But it is a large, diverse country, so I’ll limit my response to what I know... California. The weather is beautiful so I can ride my Harley most of the time. Until recently, the economy was such, so that finding jobs, for me, was not problematic. But California has a full range of issues that taint its ambiance. For example, it is a highly socialistic state, relatively, and attracts a larger percentage of those looking for aid than in many other states. We are like a welfare magnet, you can say. Due to this and other reasons, California has one of the highest income tax rates in the Country, and one of the highest sales tax rates as well. Because we are a border state with Mexico, we have a large immigrant population. Like anything else, there are both positives and negatives on this. It is a burden on our educational system, yet without immigrant labor, our agricultural industry would be severely impacted. Negative impact on crime, yet a positive impact on culture and diversity. I also resent my 4th amendment rights being impinged. It is extremely difficult to get a concealed weapons permit where I normally live. I’ve been kicking around the idea of hiring an attorney on this issue. And I am extremely irate about the helmet laws in California as well. (No surprise there, huh?) So to answer your question, I have mixed feelings about where I normally live. I have lived all around though, Asia, Europe, and now Afghanistan. I imagine there will come a time in my life when I will leave California over these and other issues.
marcus300: What do you do for a living?
Times Roman: As little as possible for as much money as I think I can get away with! But I don’t think that’s the answer your are looking for, so to be straight, I am a Certified Public Accountant. But this isn’t what I do. Normally, my function would be that of a Controller in the manufacturing industry. I have worked for 4 or 5 major manufacturing companies over the last 10 years. My span of management has ranged from zero, to thirty-five employees. From Controller to Division Controller. I’m usually the #2 guy in the organization. Right now, I’m a finance director for an energy program in Afghanistan.
marcus300: Are you married and do you have children?
Times Roman: yes, my woman and I have been together for 25 years, 23 of which after the blessing of the pontiff. I have a 20 year old son and a 13 year old daughter. I’m a little sideways about my being here in Afghanistan when my daughter is still young. But she seems to be coping very well. Skype is a wonderful thing, no? My son is still a growing boy, but I think he’s almost through. He says he’s 6’3”, 210, but he seems a short 6’3”. I’ll have to measure him next time i go home. But he is taking after his old man in the gym. Seems like he is getting his routine down solid, 5x a week... and get this... his routine includes deads, squats, military press, and all the other routines most newbs try to avoid. Proud of him!
marcus300: What are your current stats and what would be your ideal ones?
Times Roman: Over the years, my stats have been all over the place. I’d like to tell you my current stats are the same as they where ten years ago, but that’s fantasy. Currently 6’, 220lbs, 14% bf. Pretty mild for this group, but not too shabby for my age group. Upper body, once again, is really looking good, lower body is lagging but improving due to lack of equipment until recently. I’ve been as high as 250 at under 14% BF, but I think that is too much for me now physically. I would be happy about 235lbs and 12% BF. Wait til you get to be my age, lads. Dropping BF% is a bitch!
marcus300: How long have you been training and what are your goals?
Times Roman: I’ve been training since I was 13. Was introduced to Kung Fu that summer, and learned all about isometric training. That Christmas, my pops got a Ted Williams ***ent weight set and this is when I initially began lifting weights. Although I lifted, really no clue what I was doing, other than following the pictograms that were provided in the box. Not long after, I started and continued with Tae Kwon Do until I went in the army. But there have been breaks too. And when there are breaks, if you look real hard, you’ll see that it is often due to drugs/alcohol. In my earlier years, anyways. But my training was fairly continuous until I was around 30. With the birth of my son, and graduating (one of the many times) from College, I took an office job and grew “love handles” for the first time in my life. I didn’t train for about 6 years after that. But after awhile, I couldn’t stand it anymore, so i resumed weight training and dedicated myself for about the next 5 years. And I actually figured out how to grow. Hit 250 during this period. Back in my earlier years, there were no computers, no internet, so information and proper weight lifting knowledge were difficult to come by. I made all the typical rookie mistakes.... ignoring legs for many years, over working my muscle groups, improper rest, improper diet. Currently, I’ve been adhering to most of the principals of, and think of myself as, a “Life Extender”. My goals are to be healthy, fit and strong well into my 80’s.
marcus300: Have you ever taken steroids, if so what and how many cycles?
Times Roman: Aas is a recent development for me. I don’t know how many of you remember Andro, but I was taking it over a decade ago, before it became illegal. More of a prohormone in my humble opinion. I began experimenting with test, mixing it with DMSO, applying it topically, that sort of thing. Then i picked up 5 grams of var, which I liked. Didn’t like Winnie, hurt my joints, liked drol at first, but it made me tired, and the gains evaporated quickly, so I figured what’s the point? Tried some primo. I’d been on the board for awhile, and began reading about TRT. Over a year ago, I went and had some blood panels, and sure enough, pretty much like everyone else my age... low test. So I began TRT, with a standard dose of 200mg cyp eow. Currently, I’m running 1000mg enth ew and peptides (cjc-1295 and two others), and I’m expecting a shipment of var to arrive any day. But ultimately, I see myself simply cruising, with peptides and periodic cycles of var.
marcus300: What have been your happiest times of your life?
Times Roman: Hands down, no questions asked... the birth of my children. Not ashamed to tell you blokes, but each time, when I placed my new born child into my mom’s open arms, I couldn’t hold back the tears, so out they came. Streaming down my face. Big shit eating grin on my face too. There’s nothing like it!!! I was so proud. The next big moment was becoming a CPA. It’s one of those things that unless you’ve done it yourself, you have no idea how difficult it is. The years of sacrifice I made….
marcus300: How old are you?
Times Roman: born 1961, which means I’ll be 50 here in a couple of months. But everyone tells me I don’t look a day over 48~! =)
marcus300: What would be your ideal job?
Times Roman: I played horn for 8 years, I always thought earning a living as a jazz musician would be satisfying. But the typical pay scale is low, so not ideal. And when I was younger, I always looked up to Bobby Fischer, then #1 ranked chess player in the world. Always thought it would be cool to earn a living that way. But then I began to realize most chess masters actually had a day job, so no go there. I was a traveling photographer for two years, (how I met my woman), and it was an incredibly fun and exciting job, met a lot of women, but the pay also sucked, so no go there as well. So my current career is probably best suited for me. Very comfortable pay, intellectually stimulating, not routine, certain amount of prestige, and I get to work with people. Unless you are talking fantasy job, then I’d say just elect me as dictator of the world, and let my extremely vast and attentive harem feed me grapes and fan me with palm fronds all day.
marcus300: Who would you most like to meet from AR?
Times Roman: There are a couple of individuals I’m chatting with I’d like to meet someday. Don’t know if they’d like to meet me or not, so one can only hope.
marcus300: If you was Admin for AR, what would you change?
Times Roman: If I were Admin? Hmmm…. Well, anytime I come into an operation, my first rule is to understand first, change second. The understanding part takes time. And before you go and make changes, you have to consider the unintended consequences. Having said all that, I think that a minor issue the board has are trolls and spammers. Instead of immediate membership, there could be one extra step where a candidate would have to wait an hour or two before receiving the ability to post on the board. But I’ll tell you what Marcus. I think Admin is doing a good job. The role of Admins and the role of governments should be the same… smaller is better, less interference the better, and only get involved when absolutely necessary.
marcus300: Have you ever cheated on your wife while you have been working away?
Times Roman: I’ve never cheated on her period (or any woman for that matter). Since the first time we were together. I had to break up with another lady to be with her. Since one lady was in one town, and my future woman was in another town 5 hours away, juggling would have been a no brainer. But that’s not how my momma raised me. She taught me to respect women and to treat them right. Momma taught me well…
marcus300: If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
Times Roman: I bet yer hoping I’d say I’d give it to you? =) So let’s see…. After taxes, I’d have about $11million spread out over 20 years, so that comes to $550k/year. There’d be no point in my continuing to work. After foolishly throwing around some of it in the beginning, I’d probably pack up the Harley, stuff the saddle bags full of clothes and my ATM card, and haul ass for a few years. I think I’d go low key. Stay in run down hotels, eat at grubby diners, go to biker bars and shoot pool, drink tequila shots, smoke cigars. And after that, who knows? Of course, without thinking, I’d give some to my kids and family. And maybe a little scratch to a couple of my friends.
marcus300: What makes you angry?
Times Roman: Hopefully less and less as I continue to mature. However noble that may sound, I still do get angry. I get angry when I see people wasting time, especially MY time! I get angry when I feel people are trying to take something from me without asking, and this includes the government. I get angry when I hear people lying. I have no tolerance for cheating and stealing. And I will go nuclear if anyone tries to harm anyone close to me, especially my kids.
marcus300: When was the last time you cried?
Times Roman: Cried? Seriously cried? When my daughter was born. But I regularly get misty eyed because I have such delicate sensibilities! OK, that’s probably over the top, but I do get emotional watching a movie from time to time. Remember Ghost? With Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze? That scene at the end where he reveals himself to her? Yeah, sissy stuff like that.
marcus300: How many close friends do you have?
Times Roman: We all define close friends differently. I define a close friend very narrowly. To be a close friend, you must have withstood the test of time. Must have been in some hairy situations together. And a close friendship transcends money. If I gave my close friend $250,000 to hold for me, I have no doubt that when I asked for it back, not one penny would be missing. Let’s put it this way… I only trust my Harley with one person, and it’s parked in his garage at this time until I get back. But I seem to have a good handful of friends that consider me close.
marcus300: On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you?
Times Roman: probably about a 7 right now. By nature, I’m usually pretty happy. I love to laugh, and do so regularly. Not being home with my kids/family/friends drops me down a point, otherwise I’d say I’m usually an 8.
marcus300: Describe yourself in 3 words?
Times Roman: Direct. Honest. Generous. Ok… my friends/family would tell me to add…. “Loud” as well. You know, boiling oneself down to three labels is pretty tough. I think a better question would be how would others describe me in three words? And I think the general consensus would be from my friends… Crazy (a little), Funny, and dependable. Everyone else might just call me an asshole!
marcus300: Tell our readers 2 things what would shock us about your or your life?
Times Roman: the word “shock” kinda throws me off a little bit, but here goes… 1) When I was in the military, we used to dare each other to do things for money. It was right before payday, and someone brought a huge water beatle up to me and dared me to eat it. It was enormous, about as big as my hand. I told the guy I’d eat it for $5. Since right before payday, no one had $5, but I had 5 buddies with $1 each. I put the damn thing in the freezer to stop it from squirming a little, then pulled it out, threw it up in the air, caught it in my mouth, chewed it five (5) times, and then swallowed it down. Actually looked like a giant cockroach. Had a metallic taste to it. Almost gagged, but I maintained my composure, and the contents of my stomach. Everyone else went running out the tool room gagging. I just laughed and put the $5 in my pocket. (is that shocking enough?) 2) I don’t like going to the doctor for minor stuff, so if I need to cut a toenail off (100% of it) or put a few stitches in me due to a cut, I’ll just do it myself. No pain killers. Just me and my determination. Woman thinks I’m crazy, but I take my time and I actually do a great job. True, it’s painful, but that’s just a mental thing you can get past once you know how to deal with it. I don’t mess around with broken bones too much, since that is not a fix I can do in an hour. I didn’t think you guys wanted to hear about me eating dogs and cats in Korea, so we’ll save that for another time.
marcus300: What are your plans for the future?
Times Roman: I applied to a position in Ethopia today. Five year contract. Not sure if I’ll get it or not. But my plans are to continue as a contractor until I’m 60, then cash out. Step 1 complete. After that, I’d like to spend a few years traveling on my Harley, traveling real light… fill up the saddle bags with clothes, atm card in my pocket, and see where the wind blows me!!
marcus300: What have been the lowest times of your life?
Times Roman: Let’s see... when I was 8, some punk made me kiss the ground in front of all my friends, and my girl-friend whom I was secretly sweet on. Extremely humiliating and it took 20 years to get over it. I used to get beat up all the time too. I was very very small, low hanging fruit for bullies. In junior high, I went on a shoplifting spree, and eventually was caught. Professionally, getting fired was low for me. But the firing was a retaliation, we ended up going to court, and yes, they did pay. But it was difficult for my family, and we really had to tighten our belts for several months until i found another job. But as I look at what i have just written, I would have to say I’ve been fairly fortunate in this area.
marcus300: What was the last book you read?
Times Roman: Lee Child’s “Worth Dying For” (almost through)
marcus300: If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be?
Times Roman: There are a few individuals it might be interesting to trade with. For example: Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon), Navy Seal (pretty sure I could have made it), one of the blokes that planted the flag at Iwo Jima, the Budha, Harry Houdini, and since you also included fictional, I would have to say Tony Stark (Iron Man). What about Mike Tyson, when he delivered a rib crushing upper cut to one of his many victims? Or one of the many quarterbacks that have won a second superbowl, like John Elway? To have actually played during that winning game? Or Mark Spitz when he won all those Olympic Gold medals? But I am quite content with who I am, imperfect as I may be.
marcus300: How come you have so much time on your hands to post about all the topics you do in the lounge?
Times Roman: Since January, I’ve lived in Afghanistan, and confined to a secure compound most of the time. I read, exercise, and come here when i’m not working. Seldom do i get out. I try to go to the Q&A section, really to be able to talk to the younger generation and help them decide not to start aas until their mid twenties. My son is 20, and i do get some comfort doing this. Call it “Fatherhood by proxy” if you will. But it is difficult too, since most of the kids will resent any advice that conflicts with what they really want to do. Which, when you think about it, sounds about right for kids that age. You can’t tell them anything. But I continue to try. It wears me out though. And I admit I don’t go there as often as I should…
