Angie Tarasoff's 20 Questions

If you didn’t do what you do for a living, what would you be?   Oh! I wanted to be a doctor…an astronaut…Prime Minister…pick one!

Who would play you in the movie of your life story?   I’d have to go with Sandra Bullock.

Why did you join Rotary and what keeps you in Rotary?   I set a goal to have the best year of my life this year.  This led to asking myself what a great life entails – to me this was health, meaningful work, opportunities to experience new things, and serving others.  It was the opportunity to serve that drew me to Rotary – but I’m starting to think it’s the fellowship that will keep me here.

What is your favorite Edmonton landmark?   When I walk one particular path in the Kennedale ravine, I’m instantly transported from a city setting to a natural setting.  That’s my happy place.  Then there’s this section of multi-use trail that takes you from the downtown core into the Brickyard area.  I have to do a gradual climb and then am rewarded with a short, but steep drop.  It feels like my own personal roller coaster ride.  I can’t help myself here – I always yell out “wheeee!” when I hit the downhill.

What's the best thing about Edmonton?   That we have an abundance of lovely public green spaces to enjoy.

What do you sing when no one else is listening?  Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap…usually in the car with the stereo turned WAY up.

What’s playing in your iPod or CD player right now?   A little bit of everything – from Jay-Z and Kanye West to Sarah McLachlan to Orff to Juno Reactor and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  Music is like food…try it all, go back for more if you like it.

Who is your favorite fictional character?   Yoda or Darth Vader – I can’t choose between the Dark Side and the Light Side of the Force. (I know, I know…I’m a dork.)

If you were marooned on an island, what would be the one item you'd want with you?   My iPod and headphones…and a solar powered charger.  (I know…that’s three.  With my luck I wind up on the island with a charger but no iPod and headphones…)

Who’s your hero?   Miles Gibson (ha, ha!).  My real hero is my mom.  She taught me the meaning of integrity through action not words.

What’s the one gadget you can’t live without?   Any internet connected device.  Information is for me what water is to others.  Life-sustaining.

What’s your favorite restaurant?   You want me to pick just one? Restaurants serve food, food is like music…try it all…

What is your culinary specialty?   Homemade raspberry jam and cinnamon buns.  My boss put cinnamon buns in my performance agreement.  I have to make them at least once a year and bring enough for everyone at the office.

What's your favorite vacation spot?   U.S. Southwest – Southeast Utah, all of Arizona, New Mexico and parts of California.  Hiking, biking, mountain biking. YEAH!

What's your proudest moment?   Watching my daughter graduate from high school.  Ours was a difficult journey, making getting to that destination even sweeter.

What is at the top of your to-do list?   Respond to Tamisan’s e-mail, steam a bunch of sausages, go to Costco and buy juice, finish my security clearance…  OK…the big “to-do” list item: cycle across Canada, mountain bike the entire Continental Divide Trail, hike the entire Arizona Trail.  I need some serious time off work…or to win the lottery.

What is your favorite animal?   Dogs – big, smart ones.

What is your guilty pleasure?   Movie theatre popcorn.  I have been known to go to the local theatre just to pick up the real thing and bring it home.

What is your secret talent?   If I told you that, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore, would it?

What are your words to live by? If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? --John Wooden