Steve Padilla is an assistant national editor with the Los Angeles Times. In his 22 years with the paper he has served in a variety of reporting and editing positions, including editor of higher education and religion, and frequently lectures on writing. Read more about Padilla below.

Q. What is the last habit you tried to kick?

A. Working too long at the office. I was unsuccessful.

Q. If you could live in any other time, past or present, when would it be and why?

A. The Renaissance is a fascinating period. In my non-journalistic life, I’m a musician, and I perform with a group that specializes in the repertoire of the Renaissance. To be there and that music would be a dream.

Q. Who was your childhood hero?

A. There were two people I really admired as a kid: Merlin Olsen of the L.A. Rams and Winston Churchill.

Q. What do you consider the greatest simple pleasure?

A. Time with family.

Q. What do you do to clear your mind?

A. Perform music.

Q. What music have you listened to today?

A. Today I listened to music that was performed in the 1600s in Mexico, in cathedrals, music written appropriately by a man named Juan Gutierrez de Padilla. No relation unfortunately.

Q. What is your favorite word?

A. Ovine.

Q. Who is your favorite fictional character?

A. Harry Potter.

Q. What profession would you like to practice in your next life?

A. The one I’m doing now. Nothing is more fun than journalism.

Q. Who is the one person living or dead you would most like to meet for dinner?

A. Mozart, though I’d have to learn German.

To read more about Padilla’s panel on the Census, click here.

*Photo by Aaron Salcido.