15 Questions With . . .

Photo by Neil Brake

. . . Horace Mason

Job: Senior truck driver for Vanderbilt Catering

How long have you worked at Vanderbilt?

40 years.

What is the worst thing about your job?

When we're busy, and I can't get my orders out on time, and when I get caught in traffic. Nothing is really that bad.

Describe your proudest professional moment.

When we do a function, and we get it set up, and it looks nice. Then, customers come in and say, "This looks great!" It really stimulates you.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I was born and raised on a farm [in Giles County]. Really, I wanted to work the farm.

What was the first album you ever purchased?

A gospel album by the Gospel Travelers. I used to be a singer with them, and we traveled throughout the South, me and my brother and my two cousins.

Which album or recording artist do you listen to:

During a romantic dinner? Jazz, but no one in

particular.

Rainy weekend afternoon? If it's raining, I'm

probably asleep.

In the catering van? Gospel on WMBB.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

If it were a good group, I would love singing again.

What words do you try to live by?

What I keep in mind is to try to be nice to people and to try to get along with people, which is happening.

For whom would you do anything?

Quite naturally my wife [of 43 years], and my

children.

What qualities do you look for in co-workers?

Kindness of the person, nice attitude.

Choose a word or short phrase that best describes your life up to this moment.

My life hasn't been bad. I try to live a Christian life, and it hasn't been bad. There's always something that goes on in life, but everything just falls into place if you try to do what is right.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

I love to keep up my yard, keep it looking good. I like making the people next door jealous.

Do you have a bad habit?

Not that I know of. I never drank in life, and I'm 68 years old and wouldn't start now. But I don't knock other people who do; to each his own.

Name something you do regularly that you really dislike.

At home, Thursday is trash day, and I have to get it out in the alley for the garbage men to pick up. Also cleaning out the basement. Once I accidentally picked up the wrong box and threw away books that my wife needed for work. She's a pre-school teacher.

Where is your favorite place on Vanderbilt's campus?

In front of Wilson Hall. That's a beautiful lawn.

-- Whitney Weeks