Twitter User of The Week

One thing I love about Twitter is that people can be whoever they want to be.  This is a statement that has been said and re-said about internet technologies, sites, and ideas since the concept of an avatar or user profile as existed.  What is really interesting about Twitter is that people have a tendency to be exactly who they are in real life, instead of someone who they are not.

I think this is what draws me to this week’s Twitter User of The Week, @robyfitzhenry.

I do a somewhat short and informal interview of the people who I write about on this site, it basically involves:

• one or two tweets asking for information
• some minor email correspondence, including the questions below
• me twitter-stalking the person for a week

That is really it.  I try to get a feel for the person through the voice they project on Twitter and through their questions and try to write an article showcasing the best of what I have found out.

Roby surprised me, not only because he is funny and witty through Twitter, but also because he is an Ender’s Game fan.  That is huge points in the game of awesomeness, at least from my point of view.  He uses Twitter to “share [his] thoughts and network”, which he does quite well.  But, Roby makes it clear through his conversation with me and his actions on Twitter that his philosophy is:

“Twitter shouldn’t be about your number of followers. It should be about how many real relationships you develop.”

Chat Roby up about design, fashion (t-shirts and shoes), politics, or music you will find that he is worth spending the time to get to know.  He is extremely creative and talented in his work, you can see what he is working on or interested in through either Roby’s personal site,  Desired Hearts, or Always Creative.

Twitter User Of The Week Q&A:

@ChrisPitre suggested you, what do you think about him?

Chris is one of the most talented guys I know. He is so creative and really made me realize how much I love copywriting. It really has been a pleasure collaborating with him these last couple of years. He’s also arguably a “Divo” or male diva for those unfamiliar with the term. I mean that in the nicest way possible Chris.

What is your favorite Laffy Taffy Joke (One-liner joke)?

Q: When is the best time to buy a bird? A: When it’s going CHEEEP.

What is a question to which you would answer: “D. All of the above”? And, what are A, B, & C?

Who kicks the most ass?

A. Chuck Norris (Obviously)
B. Andrew Wiggins (Ender from Ender’s Game, etc.)
C. Dallas Cowboys (circa 1993)

What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Shower because I’m a zombie all day if I don’t. I also like to get out of bed and turn my alarms off without even realizing it’s happening. Damn you insomnia!

What would you do if you had a time machine?

In chronological order: Punch Christopher Columbus, help save the Native Americans and then punch Hitler. After all this punching and fighting for social justice, I’d need to kick back and have a beer with Pablo Picasso, Martin Luther King Jr. and Paul Rand. Not all at once of course. But that would be cool too. Note: Columbus wasn’t the nice guy that we all think. He also doesn’t deserve a holiday.

What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you WISH more people COULD know?

My high school calculus teacher changed my life in one small story. She basically said that at the end of your life, you don’t have tangible, physical objects. All you really have is your name and your integrity and you should fight your entire life to protect both. That single moment in time forever changed my outlook on life. To hell with money. I want a life full of family, friends and personal triumph via self discipline. If the money comes too, that’s great but I just want to be a good person.

What question would you add to this list?

“What drives you nuts?”

What song lyric sums up your life thus far?

“I’ll go against a tank with a shank for my dreams … ” or “Sleep is the cousin of death.”

What is the one thing that gets you out of bed every morning?

My business partner calling me to say, “Get out of bed dumbass.” As stated above, the hardest part of my day is going to sleep and waking up.

If you weren’t doing what you are doing for a profession, what would you be doing?

I’d either be a writer or an educator. Not saying I can do either but I have HUGE respect for both. The written word is such a powerful thing and educators shape the future.

What’s the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn so far in your life?

If you want something you have to work for it. And there is always a chance that you’ll never get it. But at least you tried.

What’s an idea you have that, if implemented, could change the world?

Conversation is a powerful thing. I would prefer to have a beer with my enemies, get to know their situation and talk about how to get to common ground. I also believe education is the solution to a lot of the world’s problems. This is especially true for low income areas that are often high in crime.

Who should I write about next week, and why?

I’d say Eric Downs of Downs Design. He’s one of my best friends and it’s pretty weird how much we have in common. He’s also really really talented. (@downsdesign)

For more information about Roby, visit his links above where you will find tons of great stuff that interests him.

Special Thanks to both @ChrisPitre and @RobyFitzhenry for this week’s Twitter User Of The Week Article!

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