Who are you? Matt Hopf, 24
Tell us about yourself. I’m originally from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, but have lived in Charleston and Springfield while I was in college. My mom is an administrative assistant at a bank, and my dad is a retired sprinkler fitter.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be … an architect, even though I can’t draw a glass of water.
What would you rather be doing right now? Watching a movie. My Netflix queue is too long right now.
Shhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone that … I have all 11 seasons of M*A*S*H on DVD. I wasn’t even alive when it signed off the air, but I grew to love it seeing it in syndication.
What was your proudest moment? When I became an Eagle Scout. As I get older, I imagine this answer will change.
It really stinks when … people can’t have civilized discussions and respect other opinions.
What word in the dictionary would your face be next to? Trustworthy
I always laugh when … I think about my trip to the Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico after my sophomore year of high school. One of our last days of the trek, a couple guys in our crew got in an argument. One of the chaperones had enough and started screaming about how we were the only group that argued the whole time. Right after he said that, we heard this from the next campsite over: “Why do I have to wash the pot? I washed it yesterday. He never does anything …” Good times.
Invite any three people, living or dead, to dinner. Who are they? I would invite Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson, because I once interviewed a former secretary of his and she spoke highly of him. Abraham Lincoln would be invited, because he carried the weight of the nation on his shoulders during the Civil War. My last choice would be my grandfather, who I never really talked to him about his service during World War II. He passed away when I was 13.
At the end of a really long day at work, I like to … relax and cook dinner. What can I say? I like to cook.
People who knew me in high school thought I was … a nerd. I was president of Scholastic Bowl my senior year. If that isn’t nerdy, I don’t know what is.
My most unforgettable brush with greatness was with … I wouldn’t call it greatness, but the only thing that comes to mind is when Mike Madigan scoffed at a question I asked during an informal press conference. I also was close to tumbling down a flight of stairs when I was one of 10 reporters chasing after Gov. Pat Quinn.
I would drop all my plans tonight if I had the chance to … host a Civil War movie marathon. I would probably need three days for this, though.
If someone gave me a million dollars, there is STILL no way … I would ride 20 hours in a SUV with 8 people. Long story short, there should be rules against having the two biggest guys sitting in the row with the least amount of leg room.
America should be more concerned about … real problems and not which celebrities were sent to rehab.
I’m OK if there’s ever a national shortage of … piles of loose-leaf paper. Seriously, my work desk is covered with paper and so is my desk at home. I’ve never had a clean work desk.
What place in the world would you most like to visit? I’d like to visit some Civil War battlefields. I can’t even fathom what it must have been like during the battle, and I imagine that stepping on the hallowed ground will be quite emotional.
When I’m cruising down the road, I’m likely listening to … whatever I’m in the mood for. On long drives I like listening to This American Life, because it keeps me engaged and takes time off the drive.
I always get sentimental when … I hear Taps. When I was in high school, I played Taps at couple military funerals. It was always hard trying to not crack a note playing the somber music, but I thought it was more appropriate for veterans to have a live performer, not a boom box.
The older I get, the more I realize … that I have a lot to be thankful for.
If I had one “do-over,” I would … have joined Little League. My dad asked me if I wanted to join, but I didn’t at the time. I’ve always loved watching baseball and played the occasional pickup game, but I never joined a league.
My favorite item of clothing is … my White Sox jersey. Actually, I have three. It reminds me of the great times I have with my family when we tailgate before a game. We even have a White Sox themed playlist for the drive.
If I’ve learned anything at all … it’s “Do a good turn daily.”
