Waiting for Answers: Five Good Questions for Nick Crutchfield

Nick Crutchfield and I grew up together - I have known him since the presidency of Jimmy Carter - though admittedly neither of us discussed his politics at the time.  Or since.  Regardless, we fell out of contact for a time until the magic of the world wide web brought us back together.  And that is when I found out that Nick had become a bartender.  
Not just a bartender.  Some, no, most bartenders are content to merely practice their craft in a passive manner.  They are recipe followers.  But Nick is a chef with the bottle - he is on a perpetual quest generate new, distinct experiences using a medium that is both ancient and undergoing a true renaissance in our time - alcohol.  Nick works in Charlottesville, Virginia at the Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar.  Clearly, if you're on the eastside of the Blue Ridge Mountains you should drop in.  

Also, on September 8th, I sent Nick five questions:


1. You are a bartender and mixologist, unless I'm mistaken; do you understand yourself more as a craftsman or an artist?
2. Barkeeps often find themselves in the role of therapist - what are your thoughts on this?
3. When you make a drink for yourself at home, what do you make?
4. What are your thoughts on the politics of alcohol in the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia?
5. Beyond the basics, what are the critical ingredients every gentleman and lady should have in their liquor cabinet and/or fridge?

Waiting for Answers: Five Good Questions for MC Chris

MC Chris (stage name for Christopher Brendan Ward) is one of the greatest musicians working. You may not know his work, or you may only know him from his voice work on several of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim shows, but that doesn't make this assertion any less true.  MC is often described as a member of the nerdcore rap set, and this is true, but like the other great nerdcore artists his work frequently slips outside of the narrow confines of the label.  If you don't know his work, hit his website or stalk him on YouTube - you'll have no trouble acquainting yourself with him.

That said, on September 7th I sent MC Chris five questions:

1. What musicians, musical artists, or artists of any other genre do you think have influenced you the most?
2. I have heard that you're a formally trained animator and your association with Adult Swim is fairly legendary - how does your visual art influence your musical art, and vice-versa?
3. Is there anything you enjoy doing, reading, writing, eating, etc. that would surprise people who don't know you well?
4. What ethical, philosophical, religious, or political subject(s) do you feel strongest about?
5. What is your favorite book?