TJ Ross

TJ Ross is the Prime Minister of Dancing Bananland (Dancing Bananaland with the 'a').

Childhood

TJ Ross was born February 14th 1983. Raised in the shadow of his Grandfather and father, the latter being a hero of the first Revolutionary war, the second being a renowned soldier in the second revolutionary war, as well as great philanthropist and volunteer. In the late 80s, as the rebellion in Dancing Bananaland gained steam, Ross was smuggled out of the country to live with family friends in New Cordova (now known as Free Cordova). Colonial Royalty, Ross enjoyed a high standard of living and thorough education as he spent his young years with the Tripwire family. He saw his own family rarely, as his parents where embroiled in the rebellion (now an open war), and his siblings too young to travel safely.

As his 8th birthday arrived in early 1991, Ross received word that the EE had totally pulled out of Dancing Bananaland. The EE gone, and internal conflict not yet rising, Ross would be returned home. Unfortunately, on February 14th, 1991 (Ross' 8th birthday, and Dancing Bananaland's independence day), his family climbed into their car in the newly renamed Ross City, and it exploded, killing his whole family and several bystanders.

Adolescence

His family dead, Ross would remain in Free Cordova until 1995, when he would elect to return to Dancing Bananaland, publicly citing a dislike of the hot weather and large insects. His return would cause a minor media frenzy, with many a reporter descending on the young man, eager to see if he would prove to equal his immediate ancestors. Ross, however, showed little public interest in politics, or the issues of the day. Despite being opinionated from a young age, he insisted a life of politics would be too much stress, and opted for a creative career, perhaps in film direction.

Unfortunately, politics would find him nonetheless. The media frenzy would prove a turnoff for many of his relatives, and facing homelessness, Ross soon found himself living with tutor and family friend Edward Koolman, who insisted it was Ross' "destiny" to serve his country. Soon enough, TJ Ross found himself a political volunteer in the DBL Independence Party, which Koolman headed in regional elections. Koolman would go on to become Dancing Bananaland's first unified Prime Minister, after several years of leading Central DBL and consolidating the other regions.

Adulthood...and Destiny

At the age of 18, in 2001, Ross took his independence as fast as he could. Within months of high school graduation, Ross found himself renting an apartment in Meander City and attending film school. As 2005 rolled around Ross was looking forward to graduating with high prospects when Edward Koolman, bedridden and ill, called him into his private room. Suffering from the final stages of a baffling and unexplained illness, he made Ross swear to run for, and win, as Prime Minister. Likely delirious he went on about hidden potential, bloodlines, and destiny, before expiring. There, tearful and depressed, Ross vowed to carry out his mentor's last wishes. Late 2005 he would win a landslide election and be voted into office as Dancing Bananaland's second official Prime Minister, and likely one of the most controversial ones ever.

Prime Minister

Internally, Dancing Bananalandian society is organized around informality, friendship, and relaxedness. It was with this attitude (and a party hat and bottle of wine) that Ross approached his first major step on the international stage...the Eramian Peace Summit. Or misstep, although mostly well liked for his positive attitudes towards peace his consumption of alcohol at the summit (brought on by his absolute fear of Angel Fire Prime Minister Tristan Angel) would reflect poorly on his (admittedly) limited leadership and diplomacy skills.

Skills

Although not readily apparent, TJ Ross is extremely intelligent, and a skilled orator and speaker. Unfortunately these skills are often belied by his inexperience and naiveté. Ross is also well versed in military strategy and history, and familiar with firearms (a reasonable shot when not pressured). Again, these skills and traits rarely come through unscathed. On a side note, TJ Ross is a reasonable artist and fan of casual drawing (doodling) as well as amateur photography and filmmaking.

Personality

TJ Ross is a leftist, with strong views regarding personal liberties and freedom of speech, as well as being a strong proponent of peaceful resolution. However lately he has found himself increasingly discarding his values for the (seemingly) greater good, which has left him somewhat unnerved and personally lost. His views aside, Ross is (when not under pressure) a laid back person, fond of informality, and often blunt in conversation. He is also highly opinionated and talkative, and always willing to hold an intelligent discussion, or better yet, debate with anybody. However when confronted by danger, and not intoxicated, Ross is generally cowardly, and more likely to hid then fight (as long as it isn't a cramped hiding space, he is claustrophobic). Although reasonably good at functioning under pressure, if the pressure reaches a certain "breaking point" Ross is prone to panic, ranting and pacing, and extreme irritability, as well as uncontrollable ticks and nervous gestures. Even in normal conversation TJ Ross is prone to movement, especially hand gestures, or toying with nearby objects, especially pens, with which he can doodle.