Thursday Interview Truth Spotlight - Mando

Before we roll into the underboob sweat of summer, It’s time for the last TITS of spring!

This week, we had a chance to sit down with one of our newer, but most active members, say hello to Mando everyone!

Hey Mando, welcome to TITS. We’re excited to have you with us this week. First and foremost, what do you do to keep the lights on at home?

Currently, I am a Quality Engineer for a big aviation company. The best and easiest way to describe what I do is this: I make sure parts are conforming so that they keep planes in the air and investigate if they aren’t conforming. I don’t remember who I was talking to, might have been Prof, but the job is a lot easier than it sounds, I just wish I could get out of some of the unnecessary meetings I have day to day. I’ve been looking for a new job in Aerospace but it’s been a lot of rejections, but I deal with it by keeping my head up and applying for more. (The right job will be along before you know it. We believe in you!)

Aside from videogames, what hobbies or pastimes do you enjoy?

Aside from video games, I read manga/watch anime (always have been into it since I was a little kid), I’m a big cook (I have on Instagram a saved folder of dishes and recipes I want to try), I’m really into tech so I like to keep up with that and any news on it whether it’s about PC, automotive, smart home integration, etc., and I’m pretty into sports (NFL, NBA, F1, if you name a sport, I can tell you a team I’m a fan of). (Jai Alai, Ultimate Frisbee, Professional Wiffleball, Synchronized Swimming. Go.)

What is a skill you have that you take pride in?

I would definitely say cooking, I post dishes in another discord usually what I’m having for dinner or what I’ve made for breakfast and friends usually rave about it. I really love cooking for people and it’s something I want to keep improving on. (Why aren’t you sharing this with us?)

Any fun facts about yourself?

I think my name is a fun fact since most don’t really know a Thadeus in IRL, a lot of people butcher it but it’s really not that hard. (Believe it or not, you’re now the third person I know named Thadeus) Another fun fact is that I used to box and was licensed in the state of California. I definitely wish I still did that because it was a lot of fun.

How long have you been playing video games and what are some of your earliest memories with games?

I’ve been playing video games since I was about 5-6 years old. I remember I got a Gameboy Color and Pokémon Gold for Christmas one year and that was my earliest gaming memory. Eventually it moved on to Halo, Need for Speed Underground, Tony Hawk’s Underground, and some Mario games, and only kept evolving as the years went on. The first time I played multiplayer on an online service was back in 2010 with Halo Reach so that era was really sentimental for me, I put in a ton of hours and eventually it was my first 100%. I was also online at the beginning of the year for the last days servers were online so that was another fond, yet bittersweet, memory.

What are your favorite foods, music, movies, shows, etc.?

OST from movies, shows, games, etc. are some of my favorites (I talk about it a little later). I’m a sucker for a good musical piece, I think Halo had a lot to do with that. (The right soundtrack really can make or break other mediums)

As for shows, there’s a lot of good ones out there – a little while ago, I was watching Winning Time on HBO (show about the Lakers back when Magic Johnson first signed) and it was really well done. I’m also excited about the new season of Peaky Blinders and can’t wait to see how that wraps up.

Is there any special story or significance to your gamertag?

So my original gamertag that I have on Xbox is ExtremeElite22, I’ve had it since I made a Live account and I remember seeing some guy on YouTube and kinda based it off that and named it after the Elites from Halo. My current Steam/Bungie Name comes from Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. One of the characters in the game is known as Mandalore The Preserver (before picking up the title of Mandalore, he was known as Canderous Ordo in KOTOR I). Bungie has a character limit with names, so I shorten it to MandoThePreserver, which is fitting because it works with the show as well. (Now I’m just picturing some Mandalorian canning a bunch of jams and jellies)

When did you first start playing Destiny, and can you tell us about what drew you to the game?

So, the first day I played Destiny was the day the first game originally launched. I logged into my account on a buddy’s Xbox when I was a freshman in college and played the intro mission. I was and still am a Bungie fan. I remember being hyped about wanting to try the new game but had no way to play since I didn’t bring my own console to college. I don’t remember what else initially drew me in but what I can tell you now on what keeps me playing is the story and the music. I think those two elements have been really big for me, Bungie has been killing it story wise and they’ve definitely hit their stride on what works and what doesn’t. Music wise, they’ve produced such great quality over the years and a lot of the tracks become earworms that play in my head when I’m not online. I remember hearing the vocal version of Journey (usually plays in orbit) and having tears come down my face, just experiencing that or on Dominus Ghaul when that final minute kicks in and you just swell with emotion and energy feeling like you really are taking on the Cabal and taking back the Light.

How long have you been in Clan Truth? How did you find us?

I’ve been with Truth for about 2 months (I looked at Bungie.net to see how long and thought it was longer for sure) (We agree, it feels longer). I’m in Ascendant Truth and left very briefly to help out Exiled Truth and then came back. I found Truth on Reddit, I kept changing clans because I just couldn’t find a good clan to run things with and there would always be weekly posts on a number of Destiny subs. (I’ll take that to mean that you’ve found your forever clan)

What would you put in the suggestion box for the clan?

I would definitely suggest bounties kinda like how Bungie has them during events, if you can match against other members randomly and either win or kill them (depending on the game mode), keep track of that over a week or over a period of time if there is an event going.

What is your favorite/primary class? Why?

If you asked me two years ago, I would say Top Tree Solar Titan. I’ve been a Titan main since day 1. It’s definitely harder to say now because I’ve expanded to more than just Solar and more than just Titan. I really fell in love with Void Warlock last season because you just become death incarnate with all the abilities and it was super easy to keep them active and above everything else, it was just the most fun to play as in any activity. (Agreed, Warlocks are best. But apparently sunshinebonktitan is pretty cool right now)

Who has the best jump?

Titan – that said, I don’t think that any class is better than the others or easier to use than the others. The 3.0 updates for subclasses have definitely made saving jumps better, at least for Warlock and I’ve gotten a lot of use out of Icarus Dash.

If you could remove any one weapon from the game, which one and why?

I wouldn’t say one exact weapon but maybe type of weapon, specifically hand cannons. That shift in meta would be insane but there is also bias because I very rarely use hand cannons outside of Crimson. I actually deleted a few god rolls I had before the last season ended because I wasn’t using them but now I’m trying to force myself to use hand cannons and to become accurate with them because they’re just too valuable not to use.

If you could design an exotic weapon or armor, what would it be?

Probably something for Arc Titan that gives them a mini Chaos Reach, sure it won’t be as OP as the real thing but I think it could be fun as a melee ability. (I’m definitely picturing Sakura’s attempt at a hadouken from Street Fighter) That or Falling Star 2.0 with the inspiration coming from “The Dark Future” where Zavala supercharges his light with the Traveler and thundercrashes into The Scarlet Keep.

If you could date any character(s) from Destiny, who and why?

Eva Levante – grandma has cookies, Halloween candy and loot on deck always. (The riper the berry, the sweeter the juice amiright?)

What Destiny characters would you ship together that aren’t already?

Shaxx & all the grenades – wait a minute…

We really appreciate what you have shared with us so far, let’s get a little more obscure with the questions, shall we?

How much do you make in royalties from Disney for their use of your name in The Mandalorian?

I signed an NDA where if I reveal that, I lose out on a chance on being an extra in future seasons but a certain aquatic animal from Scotland could tell you for a price.

If pay, work hours, etc., weren’t an issue, what would be your dream job?

There are two – one I would want is definitely having my own restaurant with two of my buddies, how that would work stylistically is beyond me. The other is with this aerospace company that I have been applying with for a while. The work that they’re doing right now is really exciting and they have the next 10 years mapped out with what needs to get done and how they’ll do it.

Who do you think is the sexiest admin?

Prof has the sexiest voice, but Disco is the sexiest looking. (Apparently you haven’t been on Shua’s OnlyFans)

What is the eeriest thing you have ever seen/encountered?

I went on a work trip at the beginning of the month and the hotel I stayed at was right out of The Shining. The hallway seemed endless, and the lighting and the carpet didn’t help. I felt like I was going to see a ghost walking down that hall. That’s definitely the eeriest thing recently.

Describe what you were like at age ten.

What is that, fifth grade? I don’t remember that well. I’m sure I was still shy, and I was going to Christian school so that’s its own thing for sure. Other than that, I was boxing at the time and that was probably the fondest memory I have at 10 years old, don’t miss the bloody noses though, I should’ve learned to be less passive but that’s hindsight for you.

If you were handed $50,000 in cash and told it had to be used in the next 7 days to take a trip worth writing a book about, where would you go? What would you do?

Japan – Ramen/Sushi Tour. Now that I think about it, that’s a lot of money to blow through. I did originally have a plan to go to Japan in 2024 to go by a car and tour the country but we’ll see if that actually happens. (I’ll go with you; we’ll get that money spent)

Who is the best character on The Office? Defend your reasoning.

I couldn’t tell you; I don’t/haven’t watched The Office, I find the show really annoying and that people made it their personality. (MICHAEL!!!)

Pie, crisp, or cobbler? What flavor?

I am a huge sucker for some Apple Pie. (With or without a slice of cheddar cheese on top?)

What is your dream vehicle?

There are a lot to choose from, the one I want for sure and have wanted since I was a little kid is a Nissan Skyline R34 GTR. There is so much to do with those cars and so much history, they’re just insanely iconic, too bad getting one is going to cost a ton to buy and import once they hit the 25-year mark thanks to Import Laws.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I’d probably would want to meet my maternal grandpa. He died 2 years before I was born but my mom said he would talk about what I would look like and how I would be. My mom is very fond of him, and I would love to learn how his life was like and who he was as a man. (Okay, that’s legit touching and would be really cool)

Tell us two truths and two lies about yourself.

Rat King is the best gun, my favorite character is our Guardian, my favorite playspace/area is/was Titan. (That’s only three things total. If you can’t come up with two and two, I’m not sure I feel safe with you working on airplanes.)

What made you laugh the hardest you’ve ever laughed in your life?

There’s a number of stories from podcasts but there was one in particular that every time I hear it, no matter the mood I’m in, always picks me up. The story in TLDR is about a comedian’s life, how he started out, random moments like taking a shit in his backyard cause he got locked out of his house, sex, etc. The number of turns he takes in telling everything just throws you for a loop, but you end up nonstop laughing for 30 minutes while he gets through everything.

Do you have any phobias?

Heights on rollercoasters but have no issue being on planes at 5-6 miles high in the air. It’s very stupid.

Who would win in a fight, you or Pentad?

Pentad, easy W with only 5% of their power. (I guess you weren’t a very good boxer then)

Why are you the way that you are?

Shit, if I knew, therapy wouldn’t exist

If you could wake up tomorrow being a master of a musical instrument and join any band in the world, what instrument would you play for what band?

Piano since it’s really versatile and you have just about every instrument built in depending on if I use a keyboard. As for the band, that’s a tough one because that would change a lot of bands and their style.

What is your favorite color, and why?

Blue – it’s the one that occurs in nature the least and rarity is cool.

If you were a meal, what would you be?

Chicken Tender Pub Sub, that or In-N-Out combo

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

“that was pretty pog of you”

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Casually going on vacation with an ex and thinking it would go well. To be fair it did, and it didn’t. Definitely a double-edged sword. That or rent a Beemer just because I could and because it was cheap and then doing 100 down the interstate in a state I didn’t know.

What is the most embarrassing story about yourself that you’re willing to share?

If this doesn’t get shared, it’s a shame but I understand because of the nature of it. The night I lost my virginity, a girl shit on my chest. The TLDR is I was doing the shocker and I pulled out and she pooped on my chest. It’s always funny telling that story to people and hearing their reaction and getting people to laugh because of it. (Situations like this are why Sean Connery only ever asked one woman to sit on his face)

What is  your personal theory as to how Banditt lost her hand?

Drifter got hungry and Banditt offered it as tribute for some motes, brother!

Are you coming to The Seattle Truth Meetup?

No, I’m missing it by 3 months. That said, I will post in chat again when it’s almost time for my trip out there in late September/early October if anyone wants to meet up for a beer or hangout in general. (That’s actually a great time to visit Seattle, as the salmon are coming upstream to spawn, it’s quite a thing to see)

What color would your lightsaber be, and why?

I think Black is really cool, it’s pretty unique in Star Wars since there is only one black lightsaber in the entire existence of the story. Yellow and any variation of it (or orange) is pretty cool too, you don’t see Yellow often anymore.

Is cereal soup? Why or why not?

You’re trying to start a war, aren’t you? I bet you believe that a hotdog is a sandwich too. (Well, it is. The cube “rule” is bullshit)

You’re still fairly new to the clan. In your short time here, who stands out as your favorite clanmate??

The other night when we had Clan Night, Disco was really fun to play against, I think a number of us were going after them and having really good trades. (Disco is our mascot for a reason)

If you could have a well-trained exotic pet of any kind, what would it be?

Saladin’s Wolf - he found a young pup after the Red War, has 2K+ confirmed Cabal kills in the lore if I’m not mistaken. If you’re talking IRL, I think it would still be a wolf, they are massive as fuck, I think people don’t realize just how big they can be.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself that we haven’t covered yet?

Gambit is fun. Truth is a funny thing.

Mando, thank you so much for your time. It has been a blast!