Aliases- Mike Mills, Briefcase Bill, Minnesota Royce, Lamont Cranston, Willie, Royce
Barbeque- I like to eat at Famous Dave's. I've been to other BBQ joints but Dave's really is the grand prix of the BBQ circuit.
Being Bill- Don't have anything to say on this topic.
Camping- My outdoor interests have escalated since my days at UMM. I am regularly out in the wilderness. Most of my camping has occurred in the upper St. Croix valley or Southeastern Minnesota. I've been to the Quetico once.
Church- Currently I attend City Hill Fellowship in Eden Prairie. I am member of the worship team. I also take classes at the Bible school the church runs. When In Morris, MN, I attended Morris Community Church.
College- I am a University of Minnesota, Morris graduate. There I studied computer science and theatre arts.
Computer Science- This is the field I am currently in, somewhat. CSCI can be pretty dull. Nonetheless,I recently got published in one of the more prestigious journals, IEEE Transcations on Computers. It was a co-authorship with three others, but I must say that my bio and picture at the end of the article were most unique.
Deals- If there is anything I learned from my mother, it is where to find deals. Dollar stores, department stores, Wal-Mart, the internet, second hand stores- deals abound at these places.
Dining- A good meal can be hard to find. When travelling I tend to gravitate towards seafood and Italian. I like Outback Steakhouse and Old Country Buffet too. Denny's is the king of breakfast.
Friends and Neighbors- Who is my neighbor?
Garage Sales- You just never know what treasures you'll find. Recently I have found quite a few things really cheap on the garage sale circuit. Church rummage sales are good too.
God is not George Burns- A serious consideration, indeed! Is God an old man with miraclous powers that speaks to various and sundry individuals? Well, that's a discussion that can go on for quite some time.
Jobs- I have held plenty of them. One of my favorites was Adjunct Faculty Member at the College of St. Catherine in Minneapolis. I spent a number of summers as a farm hand. A few summers as a camp counselor. One summer as a landscaper. A little over a year as a school technology specialist. It would be great to be a forest ranger.
Minnesota- Oh my beloved country. This is the place I have spent much of my life. A few of the prominent places I have not been to yet is Itasca, Pipestone, Grand Portage, and Ely.
Music- My music repetoire is boundless. I listen to various styles including klezmer, celtic, classical, choral, worship. Beside listening I make music myself. I have been in four bands- Tulipeter, Mr. Willie, Studly Pary Tonite, and the Angry Minnesotans. Currently I play five instruments- bass, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, and tin whistle. See Radio Free Minnesota for all the details.
Television- A lot of television stinks these days. I try not to watch much. Personally I would like to make my own television shows. And as a matter of fact I did at one time. On public access in South Washington County I co-produced the Kevin Myers Show and hosted the ill-fated Out of theGreen. When in Morris I was a cameraman for Prairie Yard and Garden and was a sound grip for Academic Challenge- both on regional public television.
Theatre- Theatre is probably my most natural habitat, although I am rarely part the legit these days. Like the Bard said- "The whole world is a stage." I have been in theatrical productions since I was about eight. I have yet to find my greatest role. I have written a meager amount of plays and scenes, none of which have gone big time. Most were just for dramatic readings or an open stage presentation.