Coverboy: Mark
The path that brought Mark, 29, to Fairfax is a little tricky to follow. First, his Pennsylvanian dad met his New York – via Cuba – mom in South America. The family eventually moved to the D.C. area, where Mark was raised – with his parents speaking to him only in Spanish. By the time he was 11, they figured he needed some immersion and put him on a plane to Argentina. Since then, he’s seen much of the world. Still, he likes calling Fairfax home. ”I love living in suburbia,” he says. Look for Mark dancing at the new gay Herndon club, So Addictive Lounge.
What’s on your nightstand?
My alarm clock, TV remote and reading glasses.
What’s in your nightstand drawer?
Every remote you can imagine. I live a boring life.
What are your television favorites?
Right now I love Glee and Modern Family.
What’s the last movie you saw in a theater?
Tron. It was exactly what I expected: mindless entertainment.
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
The Jetsons.
What superhero would you be?
Superman. He has it all. He’s indestructible.
Well, there’s kryptonite.
But who has kryptonite?
Who’s your greatest influence?
My parents. They made me a well-rounded person and they’ve supported me in everything I’ve done.
What’s your greatest fear?
Drowning. I don’t like swimming. After six laps, I’m gasping for air and I look like an idiot.
Pick three people, living or dead, who you think would make the most fascinating dinner guests imaginable.
Bill Clinton, Obama and Madonna.
What would you serve?
I’d put my boyfriend Austin in charge. I’m a very bland cook. I just eat for sustenance.
How would you describe your dream guy?
Nice, compassionate, sweet, caring, well-rounded.
And physically?
Athletic. But the physical part isn’t what’s key. Personality is key.
Define good in bed.
Someone who knows how to please.
What’s the most unusual place you’ve had sex?
A stinky campground. It had no facilities. We had to shower in a rainstorm.
Who is your favorite musical artist?
I love Radiohead.
What’s your favorite website?
Google. Can’t live without it.
Who should star in a movie about your life?
James Franco.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
Macaulay Culkin.
If your home was burning, what’s the first thing you would grab while leaving?
My dog, Sadie.
What’s your biggest turn-on?
Nice pecs.
Smooth or furry?
I’m indifferent.
What’s your biggest turn-off?
I can’t be around someone who stinks.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet tried?
I’ve always wanted to go heliskiing.
What’s something you’ve tried that you never want to do again?
I spent two weeks in the Amazon. It was unpleasant. I was sick from something I ate. They called a shaman in to treat me. We were three hours from the nearest paved road. The shaman was kind of scary.
What position do you play in the big baseball game of life?
I like to play all positions.
Boxers, briefs or other?
Boxers. They’re nice and airy. I recently converted from boxer-briefs.
What’s your favorite retail store?
North Face. That’s all I wear.
What’s the most you’ll spend on a haircut?
$12. I use a barber.
On a pair of shoes?
Up to $150 for a good pair of hiking shoes.
What’s your favorite season?
Spring, when everything comes to life.
What’s your favorite food to splurge with?
American Flatbread pizza.
What kind of animal would you be?
A dog. They live the life.
What kind of plant would you be?
Sequoia. They live thousands of years.
What kind of car would you be?
Bugatti.
What’s something you want more of?
Money.
What are you most grateful for?
Good family and friends.
What’s your dream job?
I think being a trial lawyer would be fun.
State your life philosophy in 10 words or less.
You only live once. Make the best of it.
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