Just so we’re all clear- Guitar Hero is freaking addictive, especially when you’re trying to involve being in your head. I’ve spent entirely too many hours not only playing, but analyzing the game- and that’s kinda sad, considering what it is. I’ve decided that it has no educational value whatsoever- but it’s building up my dexterity in my hands a bit. I used to have some arthritis issues after work, but after a solid week of playing the damn thing, it’s significantly better. So, score 1 for the damned game.
You don’t want to read about my video game addictions, though- I’m sure that’s boring second only to how boring it would be to sit and watch me play (something only Harp seems to enjoy, or at least, fake enjoying well). Bri was kind enough to offer me some interview questions, so I’ll try that out. BTW- if you want to play, leave a comment saying “Interview me” and I’ll do what I can.
1. Now that you have had an unexpected switch in jobs, what do you see yourself doing as a long-term occupation? Where do you think your working life will take you?
“Unexpected.” That’s a nice word for it… seriously, I was a bit dismayed to find myself in a bookkeeper position when what I really wanted was something in management. Bookkeeping was what I found, though, and to my surprise, I like it. I’m also really good at it when I’m not trying to do the multitasking game of also running HR, purchasing, receiving, customer service, management, and all the other tasks that fell into my lap when I was the only office support for a business. This particular job definitely has it’s perks. While I’ve lost some of the freedom of being able to do what I want when I want (the perk of being your own boss, basically), I like the camaraderie of having real coworkers, I like being able to take a lunch without the cellphone ringing, and I really enjoy the 8-5, ‘don’t take your job home with you’ aspect of it. Plus, last week I found a note on my desk from my boss that read “Use monkey milk for good morning seal of the grout. IMPORTANT!–B“. I have no idea what it meant, but it made my day, and little things like that make me love my job (PS- if you know what that means, please don’t tell me. I’m enjoying not knowing).
I can’t say I’ll be at this job forever. It is something of a luxury business I’m in, and when I came into it, the finances were rocky. They’re less so now, but not by much, and we’re playing a hellish game of catch-up on mistakes made by the former owner that, honestly, could be lost. I know my job is secure as long as there’s a company to work for, but I can’t say it will still be there if the economy continues to slide downhill. That being said, I’ve learned a lot of very valuable skills managing the books for a company that turns over a lot of bank and employs over 20. I think I’d be able to find employment in a similar position if I went looking- and I would probably try to stick with money. It soothes the control freak within. I’ve even been entertaining that whole “back to school” idea, but I don’t want to give up that much time right now.
2. What are your current long-term SCA plans? Do you have any big projects coming up (aside from associates, those are a given).
My only current long-term plans involve my upcoming tenure as Diamond Principal Herald. And oh, do I have plans… as do all incoming officers, I’m sure. There’s no reinventing of the wheel, thank god- the office is in decent shape. I’d like to encourage some aspects of heraldry in our kingdom, namely heraldic display. We’re getting so much better, but could still do more- and I’m a magpie about the pretty. I have a few less fluffy aspirations, too, but they’re still not quite fleshed out. Outside of heraldry? My main goal is to not take on any really ambitious goals for awhile that are more lofty than “sew more garb.”
3. If you had to leave your current town/SCA group, where would be your first choices to live? In or out of GA, doesn’t matter.
This one is really hard for me to think about. When I was a kid, I somehow got myself indoctrinated into the belief that it didn’t matter if you settled down at “home”, it just mattered that you tried out “out there” before you settled. I still strongly adhere to that belief. I tried leaving twice- once to Jackson, and the other time to Dallas. Granted, both are still in the region, but were as different from home as water is from air. Both had perks, for sure, but neither felt right- I always felt like I was floundering without my support network and familiarity. Now living less than 100 miles from the place I consider to be my hometown, I’m comfortable- and I don’t want to go anywhere. For any reason. That wasn’t the question, though. I think I could dig the Hot Springs, AR area. I’ve always felt very soothed by the scenery there. I could also dig NOLA, for all of the very obvious reasons. I can’t imagine leaving the South, though. I just don’t think I’d click right anywhere else.
4. I have found that it isn’t just the people who inspire me that have shaped my development - it’s also those I disagree with. What people, both in an out of the SCA, have caused you to do the most soul-searching? This can be for many reasons - inspiration, personality traits, situation, or even disagreement.
Oh, dear. This is a good one, Bri. Good in one of those “Gee, I hate you” kind of ways.
If I think about the long span of things, I’d have to say that my father has inspired my introspection the most. The quintessential “redneck” man, my dad and I are often about as far apart as two people can be and still be people. He’s a die-hard bigot- I advocate gay rights. He’s republican, I swing more towards the democratic end of the spectrum. Working together for 5 years stressed our relationship to the verge of the breaking point many times, but also taught me an immeasurable amount about myself. Once you strip off all the layers that drive me batshitcrazy, there’s a heart of gold there, a man who will help just about anyone in need, and someone who trusts quickly and abandons reluctantly. I hope that some of that managed to rub off, and on those occasions where I ask myself “what would daddy do?” I usually find myself right if I go with that answer. Unless, of course, that answer would be “shoot the bastard.”
In the SCA, I can think of a few. Namely, Sabine. She and I don’t always have the same kneejerk reactions, and when we don’t I often find myself examining my own thoughts far more deeply. She is my sounding board in almost all things SCA, and has been for years, and I can say without a doubt that she’s shaped my thought processes and reaction methods in vastly valuable ways. Another one I often don’t see eye to eye with is my own James. For such a good couple, we are often on opposing sides of the spectrum when it comes to our philosophies on how the SCA works (and, of course, should work). Through our conversations I have really come to value the other sides of many a coin.
My other big one- Bellringer. He’s one of my dearest friends, my Guido, and eternally has my back, even when he doesn’t want to. That sort of confidence makes it easy for me to fake having my own- because I know faithfully that no matter what kind of mess I make, he’s going to be there to make it look like I did it on purpose and had a good reason. He’s also the one I can rely on to look me in the eye and tell me I’m wrong even when he knows I don’t want to hear it. Despite claiming to be “anti political” and “just here for the fun” he’s one of the wisest SCAdians I know, and he’s the one I fully blame for pushing me towards a service-oriented track.
5. So, what kind of chickens are you looking at, now that your marauding canine neighbor has created havoc.
Live ones.
I’m not the animal husbandry one in this house. I know which end is the head and where the food goes, and the rest of it solely lies on the shoulders of my partner. He says he’s got a line on some good ones that should do a better job of defending themselves (and will include a rooster this time), and I trust his judgment. To this day, I have no idea what breed the last ones were. I know that they were heat resistant and would have laid blue or green eggs, but I couldn’t tell you what they were other than ‘chicken’. I don’t doubt that my knowledge of the next batch will be about equal. When it comes to our little farm- he nurtures things. He’s the one that does most of the watering, can tell when it’s time to turn the compost, and picks out the breeds. I do most of the mowing (which is now taking about 8 hours a week), help him with what he needs me to do, and offer color commentary. It’s definitely a partnership, but he’s the brains of this operation.
That was fun. And a necessary break into the ‘real.’ Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go rock out.
