Join the new world

Q: What is your name?

A: Even though, you’d never guess that from my account profile, my name is Asterios. That’s pronounced /ah-’steh-ree-os/. Generally, it’s not a common name in Greece, but you’d come across it more often here in Northern Greece, where I live. Asterios means something like ‘of the substance of stars’, ‘of star quality’ (αστήρ, ‘astir’ = star). Obviously, it’s of Ancient Greek pedigree. By some accounts, it was the name of the minotaur in the Labyrinth of Crete. Although not originally Orthodox Christian, there were already several saints of the namesake in Byzantine times. Saint Asterios, Hosiomartyr and Miracle-worker celebrates on August 7, so that’s my name day. It’s quite a meaningful name -if you ask me- and I feel it suits me fine.

Q: How old are you?

A: Born on February 13, 1991 -and an almost exemplary Aquarius, as I’m being told- I’m now 27 years old. Late young adulthood, past having no real cares in the world and just on the brink of having to start taking oneself somewhat more seriously… or not.

Q: Male or female?

A: Birth-assigned male. Cis-heterosexual, sapiosexual man.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I’m from Epanomi, Greece. Epanomi is a maritime town of about 10,000 residents on the Gulf of Thermaikos, roughly 30 km south-east of Thessaloniki. It combines the picturesque vistas of rural countryside with the amenities of suburbia, all while in close proximity to a major urban hub. It’s one of the few settlements in the wider area whose population consists predominantly of natives, rather than immigrants from Asia Minor and the Pontus. That makes citizens of Epanomi especially proud and protective of our local heritage.

Q: What other games do you play?

A: Huge fun of board games, but I gather the question asks about computer games, specifically. Yeah, avid computer gamer, here, but not really hard-core. Currently, not playing any other computer games. But I’ve spend considerable time over RTSs like Age of Empires and Rise of Nations, sport simulators like Tony Hawk😛ro Skater and Football Manager and business simulators like Theme Hospital and Zoo Tycoon. I also like Action/Adventure games, though I usually go with more obscure titles like Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time. I absolutely loathe FPSs; not particularly sweet on MMORPGs either.

Q: What is your favorite poem?

A: That’s a tricky one for me. I’m a bit lukewarm on poetry. I studied English Literature, so I did go over a great deal of it. If this was prose I’d be all over it, sure, but verse, not so much. There’s nothing that immediately pops to mind. Nothing I’d cite as particularly memorable or impactful. I’ll go with ‘The Waste Land’ by T.S. Eliot, just because I wrote a paper on it once. 😉

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: Again, not a straightforward answer here. I’m one of those guys that when asked what kind of music I like, I answer “All music”. But then again it’s not like I’ll purposefully sit down to listen to music. My younger brother is into the PA (public address) business, so there is music around the house. Mainly Greek Folk, Laiko, Pop-Laiko. Personally, I like anything with an upbeat and a feel-good vibe. Say Ska Reggae or Funk. I actually didn’t hate ‘Despacito’, even on it’s billionth play-over. So, what’s my favourite song? I’ll go with ‘Mr. Undertaker’ by Bard Noir. It’s a track I really dig and I can give my good friend, their front-guitarist, some publicity.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: Toy Story (1995) by Pixar, freaking hands-down! CGI animated films are the best and that right there was the very first one. Anyone who thinks CGI Animation is for kids only, don't know their cinema. I’m an absolute Sci-Fi buff, too. Action/Adventure is cool. No Horror, though. I don’t get it. Also, compared to most guys, I have an usual tolerance for Romantic Comedies.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: I have a personal beef with quotes. Why pull some ready-made, done-to-death, probably mis-credited jumble of words from memory instead of trying to come up with something meaningful and powerful yourself? But just for the sake of argument, I’ ll offer New Testament, John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”

Q: Have you ever used Visa in eRepublik?

A: No. And I don’t intend to either.


EXTRA QUESTIONS

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I'm an English language tutor. I also occasionally freelance as a graphic designer.

Q: Have you been abroad?

A: Once. I visited Paris, France on a school trip back in 2007.

Q: What is your favorite fiction book?

A: 'Lexicon' by Max Barry.

Q: How long have you been playing eRepublik?

A: I've been playing on and off since April 11, 2010. That's about 8 years worth of casual clicking.

Q: What's up with all the Pegasi?

A: Pegasus is a symbol of material personal significance. In my mind, it stands for free-spirit thinking, perseverance, integrity of character. White on blue is also a killer color palette.

---

This article was written as an entry to Sisk’s contest “Self-Interview”.