June Question of the Month - Join the conversation and receive a badge

Rebeca S.

There are so many amazing members in the Smartsheet Community (just in the last 12 months, 33k new ones joined!), and each of you has a unique story about how you discovered it. Thank you so much for sharing those stories on May’s Question of the Month.

Be that you joined years ago, or in the last few days, were introduced by colleagues or at ENGAGE, or stumbled upon it while looking up a question, we are so glad to have you as a member of the Smartsheet Community!

Ready for a new opportunity to earn badges and points while getting to know your peers?

What is one surprising topic that you know a lot about?

Community, it’s time to show off your knowledge, hobbies, and best fun facts! Share your responses in the comments section below. ⬇️

About Question of the Month:

We kick off each month with a new question. These monthly ice breakers are just one way to help you get to know your Smartsheet peers and rack up some badges and points in the process.

Everyone who participates by answering the question prior to the end of the month will automatically receive a unique participant badge once the question closes at the end of the month.

In addition to the participant badge, the top three answers based on Community member votes will receive the Top Answer badge. To vote on an answer click on the upvote icon associated with an answer in the comments below. Multiple votes allowed and encouraged!

Will Duplex

One surprising topic that I know about is ancient Roman history. I wouldn't consider myself an expert per se, rather someone who has a bit more knowledge in the area than a random person off of the street.

I have always been interested in history and learning and reading about one of the largest empires throughout human history and the successes and challenges they faced is incredibly interesting to me.

One thing that sticks out is how at the height of their power, they controlled the entirety of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the majority of northern Africa, and key ports and positions in the Middle East. Their direct influence spanned 3 modern day continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa) and indirectly had an impact throughout the entire world through influence and trade.

Monique Odom-Stearn

This is not a surprising answer for anyone that know me in person, but fantasy worlds, such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I grew up being a fantasy lover and reading fantasy books, and a lot of the information just stuck! I have multiple swords from different fantasy worlds, art, maps, etc. and will join in a conversation or trivia game any time!

SteyJ

What is one surprising topic that you know a lot about?

Sinking boats to create surf waves.

While it sounds cynical, this is actually built into modern wake boats via ballast, where water is purposely pumped into the back of the boat. It displaces water by sinking the boat lower into the water, making the wave behind the boat bigger. Creating the perfect wave, actually takes quite a bit of knowledge of the boat, and the lake you're on. 😎

Tera K

I love anything mechanics related and the trickier the problem the more intrigued I am to learn what is causing the issue and how I can help resolve it. I grew up building large loud cars from a 69 Chevelle with a 454 motor to a 70 Nova with a turbo all the way to a Ford GT 500. My friends know if they have a car issue that I am here to help get it resolved. Cars have a story to tell and as you investigate the story unfolds and its amazing what you can learn and how you then use these skills to solve other problems in life as you peel back layer after layer.

corlea

I have an uncanny (read annoying to many, lol) ability to recite USC and TAC (Houston, TX here!) legal statutes and, along with the ability a habit to excessively retrieve that information.

Heather Max

Yarn art: as in crochet and knitting. I can make stuffed animals (and have made a ton for family and coworkers to give to their little ones for birthday and holidays), wearables, and custom blankets. The custom blankets are the ones I enjoy the most, they range from classic granny square designs to custom portrait designs. I am currently working on a supernatural themed one with different panels that represent different things throughout the seasons and a Final Fantasy 7 silhouette of Cloud and Tifa. My biggest project was a Shaun Mendez portrait for my daughter. It fits a queen sized bed (pictured on a king) and is a silhouette of him from the chest up along with his signature at the bottom. My next big project is of Freddie Krueger for my son. I spent over a week designing the graph, a silhouette of him in black and white with the only other color being red for his sweater and "blood" on the tips of his finger blades. I'm very proud of that one and can't wait to start working on it.

bfalitico

One surprising area that I know quiet a bit about is gardening and landscaping. It started when I was younger, as I come from an Italian heritage so having your own garden was a special bond with my grandfather & father. Growing and raising your own tomatoes, herbs and vegetables such as peppers, egg plant and zucchini throughout the summer months is something I cherish now that my grandfather is gone. In the fall months, taking these fresh ingredients and cooking them into sunday sauce dinners is something I look forward to every year

ShaunW

My topic is my work journey from being a Gardener to the Queen at Windsor Castle, an engineer at the beginning of that thing called the Internet (it'll never take off), running the support organisation across Europe for Cisco systems, Moving to the US for a number of years (how i miss the californian weather), getting involved is so many fantastic transformation projects in so many companies..and of course using Smartsheets in its very early day back on 2010 before most people had heard of it, and the journey continues…

DioG

Cooking! I have no formal training other that learning from my mother or following recipes from cooking shows (Barefoot Contessa is a favorite). I love creating and reinventing recipes or adding a twist whenever possible. I mainly do Latin inspired dishes but also known to step out of my comfort to do more challenging recipes (grilled octopus). I am always hosting family and friends, my favorite holiday hands down, Thanksgiving! About 16 to 20 friends and family come together for a feast.

AntonioC

I have 3 main hobbies:

1. Climbing and mountaineering: I practice every week. I do sport climbing, multi-pitch, mixed terrain (snow and rock), multi-day treks. Last achievements were the Pizzo Badile north ridge and the Kilimanjaro
2. Coffee: I'm a coffee geek to a point that I travel to tropical countries to pick coffee myself and learn the whole process from the seeds to the plant, until the harvest, post-harvest process (washed, natural, anaerobic, etc.) till the roasting and the various ways of extraction (e.g., Moka pot, espresso, V60, french- and aeropress, etc.). In the last 2 years I've been to more than 4 countries just to see how the produce coffee, as well as, to more than 5 countries to attend conferences and events around coffee (I like volunteering at those events to be more in contact with the people working in the field and learn more)
3. Tattoos: I define myself as a tattoo collector. I have more than 60% of body covered by ink and I follow a thorough process to (1) select the artist, (2) select the area of my body and (3) assign the theme to the artist. I give them the freedom to express themselves as long as in line with the assigned theme. In the last couple of years, I've also participated to Tattoo conventions (Planetarium Tattoo Convention in Paris, Milano Tattoo Convention, Empire State and New York Tattoo Convention, The Gods of Ink in Frankfurt, etc.) winning several awards (Best large color, best sleeves, best black/white, best horror, best back piece)

Mark.poole

For those that know me. It really isn't all that surprising. How ever I have ALOT of knowledge about video games. From the Antari and Famicom to everything current. Useless bits of easter eggs, old school cheat codes. as well as a plethora of stuff. What Is surprising to most people is how well of a cook I am. I am also always up to experimenting with new Techniques and flavors. trying to find that one very unexpected flavor combination that shouldn't work but does very well.

Trish Dillon

I know a lot about this area and would love to learn even more any chance I get:

Travel Hacking! ✈🚢🏖🗻🌎🗺🏝🗽 This includes miles, points, free trips, and contests.

Most of this knowledge comes from years of owning a credit repair business and understanding credit cards - the true value of managing them and using them to your benefit. I even rent out my credit, which most didn't know you could do!

My trips this year that are less than $1000 total include Vegas, Mexico, Hawaii (twice this year), and Disneyland. 😍

Brandon Sills

I know a great deal about woodworking. I grew up working with different machines, tools, and techniques to "Create". I have many folks who reach out to build items or make things. I have recently been diving into the world of diode lasers and incorporating that into my work.

Kleerfyre

Its probably a tie between video games and Star Wars. I grew up with both of them and now as an adult, I am getting to share them with my son that has built a love for both.

emilyfaithtomas

I have an uncanny ability to use words that people apparently do not! 😂 I attribute it to a lot of reading and writing, as those are just a couple of my creative outlets! I also know a lot about photography and videography, as I have been a media creator for almost a decade! And last but not least, anything TAYLOR SWIFT. Sorry not sorry, but I am a Swiftie in the deepest parts of my soul, and I know almost every song by heart and wayyyy too many details about her personal life 😂