What is your name and grade? My name is Daniel Gonzalez and I’m a junior.
What is a skill you’ve always wanted to learn? Playing the piano, because it is just so hot. Can I say that? Like, I can easily picture myself at a piano, playing my heart out.
What is your biggest regret in life? Not pursuing everything I do 100%. I try to do so now, but before, I used to hold back; I used to not go at things with all my energy. For example, at school, I used to not really try, to let it go by; it caused me to get some bad grades. And I regret that because it made me develop some bad habits.
What are you most proud of in your life? I think I’m most proud of my little brother, because I’ve watched him grow up so far, and he’s becoming a really good kid. Anything I’ve taught him has developed really well—he seems like a good kid.
What is your favorite ice cream topping? Oh, cookie dough, for sure. Or, cookie crumble? I don’t know if those are the same thing… They’re so good. They just bring back childhood memories, you know? I also like when Decadent Delightz uses them.
Who is your favorite music artist? Carlos Vives; it’s not even close. He’s the pride of my country. I love every song.
What is your motto in life? It’s a famous quote by Forrest Gump: “Life’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” You’ve got to live like you never know what’s going to happen and just enjoy it.
What is your dream job? Ideally, I would like to be a professional soccer player, but realistically, I would love to be a lawyer. My dream job is to be a soccer player—more specifically, probably somewhere in Spain, because Spain is so beautiful. And then my second choice would be to become a lawyer, because I want to do whatever I can to help people.
If you had a yacht, what would you name it? Mi Tortita. It just sounds right.
What is the weirdest food combination that you like? Hot chocolate and cheese. You put the hot chocolate in the cheese—no, you put the cheese in the hot chocolate, and let it melt. You get a tiny spoon, and you eat it—the best thing in the world. I will die on this hill.
If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or deceased, who would it be? Lionel Messi or James Rodriguez, one of those two. They’re both soccer players: Messi because he’s the best player of all time, and James because I’ve watched him, growing up, my entire lifetime. He’s the best Colombian player I’ve ever seen.
What’s your favorite sleeping position? Sleeping on the side. I turn around to the left side; my left side is touching the bed, I curl up like a baby. Everything’s covered up except my head—actually, even my head—and the only thing that’s not covered up is my nose and forehead, and then I just sleep like that, like a little baby.
What is your biggest accomplishment in life? Hmm, that’s a good question. Being able to speak at my father’s funeral. It was a very deep moment for me.
What are some nicknames that you have, and where do they come from? The only two nicknames I really ever had were Gonzo and GM. The first one I got from my PE coach, freshman year. Gonzo, it kind of just stuck. And GM came from my other coach; I thought it was a good name. GM—Gonzalez-Martinez. So, yeah.
What is a movie you could watch every day? Oh, Grown Ups, definitely! Both the first and the second one, because they’re just such stupid and funny movies. (Outside guest Rade Planinic: “The Incredibles!”) That one, too. (Planinic: “Oh, banger: How to Train Your Dragon.”) Yes, that is actually one of my favorite movies of all time.
Do you believe in aliens? Oh, 100%. Because, for how big our entire universe is, how much space it has, and how many planets, stars, and moons are in it, there’s no way that there isn’t a single other living thing out there. No way.
Is there something else that you want to tell readers that I didn’t mention? Yoni is one of the best people I know, and he’s really nice.
