Full Name: Aab A.
Age: 25
Location: Oakland, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Web Design Specialist, part-time Children's Ski Instructor
Hobbies: Skiing, creating and playing music, listening to records
Pets: none

1: the heavy part
So we understand your days in South Oakland are numbered?
As the lone S. Oakland refugee of all the people that I am still friends with who have lived here, let me say that it has served me well. And I will truly miss the electricity and youthfulness of my small little section of town. But my life has evolved to wanting more. More than S. Oakland is willing or able to give. Possibly more than Pittsburgh as a city is able to give.

Just another S. Oakland story, another naïve college kid removed from the security of home and maturing into a man. Discovering who he is and what he is capable of. Hmmm... maybe I'll write a work of fiction one day, Stories of South Oakland or something like based on my life, though I doubt anyone would want to read it.

Ideally, what will your life look like on New Year's Day 2004?
12:01 a.m. New Year's Day 2004: A party in New York City, perhaps my apartment or a friend's. Toasting a glass of champagne and embracing loved ones.

I will be settled into a new city, a new job and a new apartment with hopefully the only worries involving being able to find a cab when the night ends.

Have your early-to-mid '20s been like you imagined?
When you're younger it is hard to imagine what life will be like when you are in your twenties. I remember the anticipation of turning 21 and being able to do anything and go anywhere. And I have done that. I have done just about everything the license of being over twenty-one has afforded me. I have done and seen things that in no way I could have imagined. So I guess no it hasn't been like I imagined. It has been that and much more. I've had loves and loves lost. I have partied until I could party no more and I have been places I thought I'd never be and seen things I thought I'd never see.

Which was the best year, for you, of the aforementioned early-to-mid '20s?
It's hard to give a definite answer. When I was 21 and 22, there was a sense of newness to everything without responsibility. At 23, I met people who helped shaped my life by giving me extreme highs and extreme lows, somewhere in the middle of all of that I grew up. At 24, I had a life affirming experience. And here I am 25 and a product of all those experiences. They were all the best years, but I'd go back to being 21 any day.

Which was the best year, you-wise, of your life?
Definitely 2002 and into this year I've put a big-time emphasis on me. Doing the things that I want to do, "looking out for number one" if you will. That's something that I sort of lost, but it's found again and I'm happier than ever. But it took closing old doors to open new ones.

Been playing any guitar lately?
I try to dabble with my 12-string daily, some days more than others. I have a goal of one day recording my own record. Sort of a musical timeline of my life with songs and lyrics describing all the highs and lows and various emotions I have experienced. Good or bad, it will be my creation. It will be me.

What about ski-instructing?
Teaching on the weekends has been a blast. At first the guaranteed season pass was my main motivation but then I started to get this deep understanding that I was actually shaping part of these children's lives. I was that person that taught them how to ski. Something they will have with them for the rest of their lives. Something they may one day pass on to their children. I have this feeling of self-worth that I've never felt before.

A girl named Abbey said to me the other day, "When I grow up I want to be a teacher just like you." What's better than that? And they pay me to do this!

2: the not-heavy part
Describe a good night out on the town...
Good friends, good conversation, good times, that's all you need. I'm sure you're looking for more but really that's all that matters.

And a good night in the apartment, describe that, too.
I'm fortunate enough to live in an apartment that is actually inviting to "stay in" for the night. Recently, I made a Mexican dinner for a friend, turned the lights down, lit the fireplace and a couple of candles and we just relaxed and enjoyed each others company.

Being lazy and watching a good movie with someone special will do it for me any night.

Current favorite ethnic food and, if possible, dish.
Indian, chicken chana masala with nan.

What have you been listening to?
I just recently picked up Interpol's "Turn on the Bright Light's" and Spoon's "Kill the Moonlight", both fine albums, and look forward to the new Supergrass to be released in the States.

I found this old Lost Weekend EP and gave it a spin. It brought back fond memories.

Was hast you been reading?
The Life and Death of Keith Moon and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

What have you been watching on TV?
Somehow at some point the WB sucked me in. Smallville, Everwood, etc.

Seen any movies lately? What did you think?
I just saw Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and thought it was good, not great, but good. Would I recommend it to someone? Yes. It kept me interested and entertained.

3: the cocktail party
So you're having a cocktail party: list five A-list guests, other than Jesus, me and your friends...
(no particular order)
1. Kevin Stevens
2. Willie Nelson
3. Mick Jagger
4. Jarvis Cocker
5. Bill Clinton

What drinks will you serve?
A few select bottles of beer; Amstel Light, Blue Moon, Yeungling Lager, IC Light, bottled water and liquor to please.

It should be noted that these drinks will be served by Scotty the bartender at Jack's, Donnie the bartender at Uncle Jimmy's and the two ladies tending bar at Dee's Cafe.

What will be in the stereo?
An eclectic mix of albums from the Temptations to the Who to Missy Elliot to Kyuss.

Conversation topics will include...
Everything except politics and religion and why Kevin Stevens didn't show up.

How will the evening end?
Everyone having had an enjoyable time.