20 Questions Tuesday: 390 - Sammi Grant

This week I have the absolute pleasure of asking Sammi Grant 20 questions.  Sammi is an accent coach that I became aware of due to a Buzzfeed video wherein she rapidly and distinctly demonstrates 12 different accents in English.

Language, especially spoken language and how it is spoken, has always been an interest of mine. That is one of the reasons that I listen to the History of English podcast and seek out dialect coaches.  Sammi is quite facile with sliding between dialects and accents. She is able to describe the differences in how she produces the accents even in a few minute video.  Other than her accent abilities and the information I was able to find on her website, I know next to nothing about Sammi.  She seems delightful in her video, so without further ado, let's get into 20 Questions with Sammi Grant.

In a previous professional life I was a map-maker.  I absolutely love hearing people's stories of place and what their specific geographic footprint is.  For example, I was born just outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  My family moved to Montgomery, Alabama when I was 3 and then up to the Birmingham, Alabama area soon after.  I basically grew up in a suburban community called Center Point to the northeast of Birmingham.  I went to college at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio where I met the woman I was soon to marry.  I followed her to gradschool at Ohio State University, and she and I have made our lives in the Columbus, Ohio area since grad school. Question 1: What is your geographic story?

There really is not much of a story here. I was born and raised in a northwest suburb of Chicago called Buffalo Grove. I moved about 2 ½ hours south of there to attend college at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL. After college, I moved to Chicago proper and have lived there ever since. My geographic adventures are still to come. Iam hoping to go to grad school next year, and my dream school is in London. After that, I don’t know where I will end up. Perhaps I will stay in London or move to New York.

Question 2: Have you traveled a bunch? How did you become interested in accents if you haven't lived in many places?

I have traveled some but not much. As a child, my family took road trips all over the country, but I don’t remember most of them. When I was twelve, we went to England, Ireland, and France. However, I don’t remember being particularly fascinated by accents on that trip. My most significant amount of travel has been to Disneyworld, which I have been to at least fifteen times.

I was first struck by accents when a couple of British relatives camet o visit my extended family in the Chicagoland area when I was young. I remember writing down British phrases, like “jumper” means “sweater,” told to me by my great cousin Helen. We were at a restaurant, and I wrote these phrases on the back of a paper placemat.

I became interested in accent work as a potential career while I was in college. I went to school for Acting, and in my junior year I had to take a class on the International Phonetic Alphabet and dialects. I was really taken with the work and ended up continuing with independent studies and later was the TA for that original class I took. I am legally blind, which seemed to enhance my abilities with voice work as opposed to some of my other acting classes where it was sometimes an obstacle.

I have always loved accents as well.  I noticed from a very young age that here are many different southern accents as a kid.  The sounds of southern aristocracy vs dirt farmer accent in Alabama, vs a straight up Texas drawl. I am sure I will circle back around for some questions on accents in just a little bit, but it is time for my usual question 3 for these interviews.

So let's go with Question 3: Cake or pie? Which kind specifically and why?

I generally prefer pie over cake. I am not a big fan of frosting, so cake has never really struck my fancy. My favorite pie is French Silk. I love the combination of the crunchy, creamy, and chocolate flakes. This is the first kind of pie I ever had, and it has been my favorite ever since.

French Silk Pie

I love French silk pie as well; it was the first "sophisticated" pie I ever tried.  That being said though, lemon meringue is my favorite pie ever. I love how you go through slightly different textures in you bite, but it is all informed by the tartness of the lemon. I like it better than key-lime because key lime is way more homogeneous.  My mom decorated cakes as a side job when I was a kid, so I think I might have over-caked myself... pushing me towards pie.

So, let's get back to accents.  You accent work fascinates me because of how easily you shift from one to another in the video from Buzzfeed.  I would imagine that you started out with a typical Chicago/Northwestern Illinois area accent, having grown up there, so... Question 3: Do you typically talk with a that accent, you grew up with or is there an accent that you have gravitated towards since studying accents?

I did grow up with a Midwestern accent with those nasal, flat vowels like I demonstrate in my BuzzFeed video. As I went through voice training in college and developed my work as a dialect coach I made efforts to shift my accent more towards General American. This is what you hear from most newscasters and TV/film actors. IT is a standard, non-regional American sound. I think of this as my professional voice. When I am with friends and family, I don’t care if my natural accent comes out as many of those close to me also have Midwestern accents.

I grew up watching the news all the time.  In fact, I find myself doing those weird Tom Brokaw slurred vowel shifts and diphthongs from time to time. Since my parents are both from Northeast Ohio and I spent so much time watching newscasts I do not have a southern/Alabama accent. However, if I have had too much to drink I find a bit of Alabama peeking out from behind my de-accented midwest.  I don't drink much anymore, so that doesn't happen very often now.

Question 4: Is there an accent that you enjoy dropping into and find yourself unconsciously speaking with?

Oh there are many. I slip in and out of accents all of the time. I most often drop into London, Brooklyn, and transatlantic. When I am coaching an accent for a show, I tend to speak in the accent a lot even when I am not working. IT helps me keep the accent fresh.

That transatlantic accent seems like it would be a fun one to drop into for almost any occasion. The bright staccato delivery is so wonderful.  The way it became the accent of choice for 1930's and 40's movies.

I promise I will not ask all 20 questions about accents, but I find them so insanely interesting. Question 5:  What was the most difficult accent for you to learn and why?

The most difficult accent for me to personally learn and master was a general Spanish. IT shares many similar phonetic sounds with Eastern European accents. My whole heritage is Eastern European, so my Spanish would often lean towards Russian in the beginning. I am happy with my Spanish accent now, and I have coached many different specific Spanish accents. However, I cannot as easily slip into that sound as some of my other accents.

That makes perfect sense.  I have played roleplaying games in the past wherein it was necessary for the character to have an accent.  I often found myself sliding between a Scottish burr and a Russian accent, mainly because the Scots Burr took less concentration.

So you stated previously that your dream school is in London and that New York is a possibility for you as well.  Question 6: Aside from locations associated with pursuing your advanced degrees and education, is there a place that you would like to live or travel? 

I would really like to go to South Africa. I did a one woman show in college called The Syringa Tree that mostly took place in South Africa. I feel a strong draw to the country and culture and would really love to experience it in person.

That sounds super interesting.  I have a friend in Joburg who draws comic books for a living.  He really loves it there, but seems to have issues with the power grid there browning out fairly often. It sounds like it could be a very nice place to visit and experience.  I hope you can make it there soon then.

Question 7: Do you have a day job or is being an accent coach your primary job?

I do not have a “day job”. I am a full-time freelance dialect/vocal coach. I also do a little bit of voiceover work, but my main focus is the coaching.

This is absolutely great.  I was not sure of the Chicago area would support an accent coach.  I would have guessed that New York City or LA would support an accent coach but was unsure of Chicago.  I think, sometimes, I forget just how big Chicago is.  

Question 8: Do you enjoy linguistics as well as accents, or do you place yourself firmly into only accents?

I have never really had the opportunity for in-depth study of purely linguistics. I found accent coaching through the avenue of theatre as I went to school for acting. I would love to be able to study linguistics, but I just have not found the time yet. Perhaps in the future.

Concerning linguistics... during my senior year of high school my family hosted an exchange student from Germany. He clearly had a knack for language. He spoke (at the time) fluent French, English, and (of course) German. I think he could passably speak some Spanish and Italian at the time as well. We went our separate ways and I lost touch with him for many years. When I did get in contact with him again he was teaching linguistics at the University of Texas and had specialized in the Jamaican patois.  So a northern German teaching Jamaican patois in the Texas south.  That is an accent I would love to hear. (Hey, Lars!)

Question 9: Please fill in the blanks. Others find that I am mostly _______. I find that I am mostly ______. 

Others find that I am mostly ambitious and witty.

I find that I am mostly stressed out goofy

Stressed and goofy is a good combination.  There are worse ways to perceive oneself... way better than enigmatic and spooky.

There is a little bit of a disconnect between how you feel others perceive you and how you feel you perceive you. Question 10: Why do you think people consider you to be ambitious and what can you do to help yourself feel less stressed out?

Others find me ambitious, because I am. I have always had big dreams for my life. While they have not always stayed the same, I always have a plan for my future. I would use that word to describe myself as well; stressed out is just a stronger feature from my point of view.

I am stressed out, because I have a lot going on. My job is not traditional, so I often work long hours and sometimes have work every single day of the week. Being stressed out is not necessarily a bad thing. I would rather be busy than not have work.

One of the problems associated with working for yourself is that you can always be working.  It is difficult to set aside and protect the time you have to not work.  I have found that only ambitious people tend to work for themselves, because that level of ambition is necessary to motivate one to work for themselves.  I work in a nice corporate gig that allows me to go home at night and not fret about it.  My wife, she works for herself and is significantly more ambitious than I am... and stressed because work/life balance is difficult.

So, I picture you sitting and intently listening to high quality audio of various dialects and pouring over the diction to determine how to Instruct others in how to properly enunciate an "r" sound for a South Carolinian aristocratic accent. You nod, make a note, take your headphones off, and close your laptop.  Now I am certain that this mental recreation is clearly flawed and wholly inaccurate, but that is not why I am setting up this theatre of the mind.  I want people to think about you working and then deciding it is time to take a break.  Question 11: What do you do in your downtime? Do you have any downtime? What do you do when you are not working?

I definitely have down time. I am a big fan of napping during down time. I also enjoy watching TV and reading, though I tend to rewatch the same shows and reread the same books. I also enjoy going out with my friends to shows or bars on the weekends. I love going out dancing, even though I am not a very good dancer!

Napping I a great past-time.  More people need to look into it as a hobby.  Most people do not consider it a past-time as much as they consider it being lazy.  Those people are wrong.

Question 12:  Multi-part question... What is your favorite TV show? What is your favorite book? Do you have a guilty pleasure TV show or book genre?

My favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls. My favorite book is the Harry Potter series. My guilty pleasure book genre is YA fiction.

There are boatloads of great YA titles out there.  One of my favorite YA authors is Tamora Pierce. I love her Tortall series.

So here we are at 13.  So, Question 13: do you have any superstitions or rituals in your day-to-day life?

The Tortall series is my second favorite book series after Harry Potter. I love those books and re-read them often.

I don’t really have any personal day-to-day superstitions or related rituals. It is a big superstition in the theatre world that it is unlucky to say Macbeth in a theatre, and I do respect that tradition.

The theatre has some odd traditions... from the "Scottish King" to "Break a Leg."

So I did a 20 Questions with a very lovely tech podcaster (Patrick Beja) a while ago, wherein he asked me a very simple yet profound question. After that point I tried to make sure I asked it in all of my 20 Questions interviews.  Then Mikey Neumann (another 20 Questions Tuesday interviewee) pointed out the fallacy of the structure of the question.  So I have modified Patrick Beja's simple question to include Mikey's nuance.  A bunch of preamble to this question. Question 14: Overall, do you feel that you are happy? 

This is a difficult question for me to answer as I do not feel there is a simple response. At my core, I tend towards anger rather than joy. A lot of this has to do with being blind. While I do not let my blindness hold me back from the things I want to do, there is still an underlying anger that I am blind in general. I think you will find this with a lot with people who have disabilities or chronic diseases. This is why my humor tends towards sarcasm and my neutral face always looks slightly angry or judgmental. All that being said, I try hard to put out positive rather than negative energy into the world. I truly believe that if you put out positivity into the universe, the universe will send you positivity back. So I strive to bring joy to others and myself. Happiness doesn’t come naturally for me, but I work to bring it into my life.

So to give you a simple answer- It depends on the day.

This is a very heartfelt and unexpectedly affecting answer.  I can only imagine how there would be an underlying layer of anger at the universe for having to deal with a disability or chronic illness.  It makes sense that the anger exists, it is just not something I had thought of.  That really sucks, and it sucks that you have to deal with it.  That being said, I am glad that there are at least some days that you are happy often enough to say "So to give you a simple answer - It depends on the day."

So... Not to put you on the spot and speak for an entire group, but...  Question 15: How can I, as a sighted person, be a better ally for people with visual impairments?

The biggest way you can be an ally to the blind community is to assume  a blind person is capable of everything until they tell you they are not. We might do things in slightly different ways than sighted people, but we have methods to deal with most situations. For example, I am able to walk around and cross busy streets by myself. I cannot tell you the number of times I have been preparing to cross a street when someone comes up and grabs me by the arm, without even asking, because they assume I can’t cross the street by myself. I am standing at the street corner alone. Obviously, I planned to cross the street alone. This leads me to my other point- always ask before you try to help a blind person. Never touch them without talking and getting permission first. How would you feel if a random stranger just came up and grabbed you without a word? Now, imagine not being able to see the person.

Another great way to be an ally is to advocate for blind people in the workplace. The unemployment rate in the blind community is at 70%. As I said before, blind people can do most anything a sighted person can do, just maybe in a different way. Years ago, when I was trying to get a day job, I had so many potential employers express surprise when I said I could use a computer. It is this kind of prejudice of helplessness that keeps so many blind people from even being considered for jobs.

It never surprises me the arrogance and presumption of well-meaning ignorant people. It alarms me and disturbs me, but does not surprise.  Again, thank you for a very well crafted and honest answer.

Question 16: Is there a question you were expecting from me that I have not asked?

NO, not that I can think of.

Good, I did not want to disappoint by not asking something you were expecting.  

Question 17: What is one thing that you would like me to know about you that we haven't chatted about yet? 

I honestly feel we have covered all of the bases from my work to my interests/hobbies to my blindness. An interesting fact I can share is that I went skydiving two summers ago.

I bet that was quite the experience.  I have always been mildly interested in skydiving.  I cannot say that it has ever been a strong interest, or I think I would have made it happen by now, but I have been pleasantly curious about skydiving since I was a kid.  You are right though, this 20 Questions has gone all over the place.  

It is time for the tables to be turned... Question 18: Are there any questions that you have for me?

How long have you been doing this "20 questions" blog?

Well, the initial version of the blog started in 2004 during the heyday of blogging.  A few years of simple daddy blogging led to massive writer's block and I asked some friends to send in some questions to answer.  I decided on 20 Questions because of the name of the word game people play, and I chose Tuesday because it is my wife's name and therefore my favorite day of the week. So in addition to my usual posts I would do a 20 Questions Tuesday post every Tuesday. Eventually the other posts dropped off and the only posts I was doing were these 20 Questions posts.  The first official 20 Questions Tuesday was on April 18th, 2005.  So I have been doing this relatively consistently for 12 years.  I did not start interviewing people until a few years after that.  I started by interviewing other bloggers and then that radiated out to comedians and comic book artists.  Since then I have been circling more outward and asking people I find interesting, such as yourself.  

So here we are at the penultimate question.  Question 19:  What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you?

I am not necessarily taking anything brand new away with me. However, this process has reaffirmed my dislike of writing. This is nothing against you and this specific exchange. I just so much more prefer to converse through talking rather than writing. My entire job is about communicating orally and teaching others how to expand and explore the range of their voice. I find writing boring and less expressive. As I am sure you have noticed, it takes me a while to respond to each of your questions. This is partly because I am very busy. The other part is that I just don’t want to sit down and write. However, writing is a part of life, and something I need to always continue developing, especially since I plan to get a masters degree. That masters thesis is not going to write itself.

I am very grateful that you have stuck with this process then. I completely understand why this is a medium that might not work super well for you, and am impressed by your determination to follow this long and drawn out process to its completion. Please accept my sincere apology for anything in this process that was uncomfortable.  That was not my intention, but it still sounds like it was your reality.

I have been toying with the idea of creating a accompanying podcast to this blog, but I have not fleshed out this concept much and really feel like I would need help to make it happen.  

Well... here we are at the last question.  Question 20:  What's next? Be as vague or as specific, as concrete or philosophical, and as near term or long term as you would like.

Here is the short term answer. I am starting rehearsals for three shows here in Chicago: Billy Elliot the Musical, The Invisible Hand, and 1980 or Why I’m Voting for John Anderson. I am starting to make a dent in my waiting list of people who have reached out in response to the BuzzFeed video for dialect coaching or accent modification. This October, I will most likely be applying to grad school. I am also working on developing my stand-up comedy.

Here is my long term response: I would like to get my masters and start teaching at the college level in addition to my dialect coaching for Theatre and TV and possibly film one day. I would eventually like to get married and maybe have children.

I think all of those things you have outlined seem imminently doable, and I wish you luck with each and every one of them.

I want to take this time to thank you for bearing with me through this process.  If I ever get the opportunity to meet with you in person, I promise not to ask for tips on getting my Scottish burr more correct. 

Sammi is amazing and everyone should learn more about her.  Go to her website, SammiGrant.com and see what she can offer,  I really enjoyed chatting with her and an very happy she stuck with this process even though it was not the most comfortable process for her to interact.  I really need to get my podcast up and running.

To recap:
Houston is really messed up right now
I have a friend who is getting a brain tumor removed from his noggin today (editors note: Surgery went as well as hoped)
Many of us are pulling for him
I know that I would not be where I am today without his help
Little Man has a cross country meet today at 6
Q has a practice she has to be across town for at 5:30

Wonder Parents Powers!  Separate!
Form of someone watching cross country
Shape of someone who remotely cares about horses
Looks like we will need to split up to cover these events
Next week my wife and I will have been married for 20 years
I like hanging out with her, but the family often requires us to watch the dumb kids separately
We switch who does what
But still, could we get some events that we could both go to?
Is that too much to ask?
Other than The UX Podcast, does anyone know of a good User Experience podcast?
I have 2 more interviews ready to publish
Next week is going to be 20 Question about 20 Years of Marriage
So those 2 interviews are going to have to wait
Have a great week everyone
 

20 Questions Tuesday: 389 - Eclipse

Yesterday was the pretty interesting astronomical event wherein the moon came between me and my sun… my pretty, pretty sun. It made me sad, super sad to see the light of our star dimmed by a dumb rock that revolves around us, tugging at our water greedily. I used my mind to push it back out of the way.

Ummm… I mean, yesterday in the US there was a solar eclipse, and now I have decided to cast my eyes away from the penumbra cast by this event and type this out while wearing polarized glasses.

Thanks this week go to Bruce, Scott, Brian, and some other guy. Now… onto the questions.

1. When drawing an eclipse do you typically make it longer on the north-south or east-west axis? Oh, wait… I thought you said ellipse.
My ellipses are typically longer from left to right than from up to down.

2. Any superheroes other than Moon Knight that get their powers altered by an eclipse?
I looked at a couple of superhero wikis and did not see anything super specific about altered capabilities due to lunar or solar eclipses… that being said, I did not look very hard…. But there are some villains...

Moon Knight

3. What is the strangest superstition you know of about an eclipse?
Most of the legends and lore surrounding eclipses revolve around myths and legends about how the moon god/goddess interrupts the sun god/goddess. There is some weird shit about pregnancy and birth during a solar eclipse, but there does not seem to be many modern superstitions and myths about eclispes. The Internet has also done a great job making ancient people seem like idiots because of their “solar eclipse beliefs,” but I imagine that many of those ancient practices were more of a ritual and less of a belief. I mean the eclipse is just a cover to spray us with chemicals while everyone is looking at the sun… WAKE UP SHEEPLE! (where my conspiracy theorists at?)

4. Did you get to see (1st hand) much of this eclipse?
I watched the build up on a parking garage attached to one of the buildings that I work in. I did see the release of some birds from a helicopter.  I am pretty sure those birds were a cover for a vaccine being released on the population.

5. How did you view this eclipse? ... internet, box-viewer, "official" viewing glasses, welder's goggles/helmet, etc?
I borrowed some glasses from a co-worker as well as borrowing a cereal box pinhole viewer from a different co-worker.  On the parking structure that I watched from, there was a man who was an amateur astronomer and he set up a solar telescope… that was really cool.

6. What have you learned about Eclipse Comics since I asked the question?
The most interesting thing that came out of my quick read was the trading cards that Eclipse out out in the 80’s.  Iran Contra, the Savings and Loans Crisis, AIDS epidemic, and Serial Killers.  That is some weird shit to create collections around.

7. How do you handle the dad paranoia about your kids staring too long at the sun during this event? Did you read any scary articles to really prime the irrational fear?
Funny you should mention this.  My 9 year old daughter was afraid to even be outside because she did not want to go blind. I think the scare tactics to keep people from staring at the sun should have been tempered just a little. Staring into an eclipsed sun is pretty much just as dangerous as staring into a typical daytime sun.  The danger is just the same, but it is much easier to do when it is eclipsed. The hype that went into this made it seem that if you accidentally looked near the sun, your eyes would melt and you would be blind.

8. Isn't Eclipse a cool enough name that we should have someone better than Eclipso to reference?
One would think.  I think it would be a better character if the character if the person was also a calypso dancer.

Eclipso.... looking menacing

9. Why exactly, if you have a total eclipse of the heart, is there NOTHING you can do? It seems like you should be able to do something. Like, it's only 2 minutes.
Okay, a total eclipse of the heart lasts 5 minutes and 32 seconds. You are talking about the total eclipse of the sun with your 2 minutes stuff. That only lasts 2 minutes.  Bonnie Tyler, she has staying power.  Honestly, there really is only one thing you can do… so go ahead and do it!  Turn around, Bright Eyes.

10. Did you know anyone who owned a Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Yep, Jacob Richardson… from my high school… he might actually have been a Pleiadean.

11.  Badge engineering is where one design is sold to multiple providers/manufacturers who produce essentially the same product with different branding.  What are all the equivalencies for the Mitsubishi Eclipse from the 1990’s?
The Plymouth Laser, the Eagle Talon, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse were all the. exact. Same. car.

Mitsubishi Eclipse.... look at that hood bubble for the turbo charger!

12. Favorite flavor of Eclipse gum?
Winter Frost like a normal person… Not spearmint like and idiot lizard person, or that Polar Ice crap that the grey aliens enjoy… one day we will have Disclosure

13. Can I use high-end, polarized sunglasses to look at the eclipse?
Ummm… no… did you damage your eyes yesterday?  Wow… this question is a terrible question to ask the day after the eclipse.

14. Why is a total eclipse so rare?
Well, it reeeeeeeaally isn’t that rare.  It is super rare to only clip through a single solitary country (until we get to the One World Order, amiright?)... here is the deal, a total eclipse is always happening somewhere.  The sun is shining and the moon is casting a shadow from that sunshine, the rarity is only because we do not intersect with that shadow very frequently.

15. Solar eclipses were often considered an omen of terrible things to come.  What is the terrible thing to come?
I am going to say a larger resurgence of outright, blatant, open racism… “isn’t that already happening?” you ask… well, yes, but it is going to get worse.. There will be shooting, Americans are too fond of guns for there not to be shooting. That and the planet Nirubu is going to slam into Earth on September 23rd.  

16. How far would you travel to see a total solar eclipse?
Less than 100 miles. It was a neat process to see the partial eclipse that I did, but I do not think the travel headaches would be worth the 2 minutes of coronal viewing. Basically I would want to stay out of remote areas, skunk ape areas, where animals act very weirdly during the solar eclipses.

17. How often do complete solar eclipses happen in Australia?
Well… the mathematics of a solar eclipse are really nasty.  Here is the dealio, a complete solar eclipse will happen somewhere in the world between every 1 to 2 years, but the area of effect is only 1 to 2% of the earth’s surface.  Australia covers 1.5% of the earth’s surface, so getting those respective 1.5%’s to intersect is relatively difficult.  It involves the intersection of non-euclidean geometry with typical planar geometry. Haha it’s not like you can get a solar eclipse to happen on a flat earth right?!? The truth is out there people. They won’t LET us to the edge. THEY always stop those expeditions.

18. Do you think you will be eclipsed by your children’s accomplishments?
Goodness, I hope so. That is the whole point of having children, that and for them to eventually cut the grass, and talk to the restless spirits of the unsettled departed.

19. What is one thing you have learned about eclipses since you started writing this 20 Questions post?
That there will eventually be an antumbra as the moon gets further away from the earth.

20. How large is the shadow of the moon when it is cast on the earth?
Well, that depends on where you are on the earth when the shadow is cast on the earth.  The further north or south you are from the Equator, the larger the shadow cast. In general it is about 100 miles across, so multiply that by pi and Bob’s your uncle. I, of course, did not get to see the shadow the way I should have because of MKUltra causing cloudcover at the most important point of our eclipse viewing in Central Ohio.

My view of the eclipse

To recap:
The eclipse was awesome, yet we did not attack the Fire Nation
If I am still in Central Ohio in 2024, I will be able to experience a total solar eclipse
I got on the stupid treadmill this morning
I hated it
I watched "Supergirl" on Netflix
Not sure that is going to work as a running distraction
Too CBS/CW relationship angsty
So much of the issues on the show could be solved with simple conversations
Maybe I will rewatch the Marvel Netflix shows
Or find some crappy action movies
But I should do that prior to getting on the treadmill in the morning
I am the second heaviest I have ever been
So, that needs to change
But the treadmill, ugh…
Adulting sucks
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 388 - Racism

Do I go with nuclear threats or with rampant unchecked racism? Let’s go with the topic we can do something about as a society.  Racism it is.

Over the weekend there was an “Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi)” (Neo-Nazi)" **editor’s note: whenever I see “Alt Right, I will add a bunch of “Nazi”s after it for clarity’s sake**march at UVA because someone was going to remove a statue of Robert E Lee from a public space because Lee is a symbol of the Confederacy and a reminder to people of color of a time in the US when they would have most likely been property. It started with torches and ended in death and injury. So let’s get into the idea of racism in the US. (sorry my non-US peeps, I will be VERY US-centric for today’s post), and it’s not a very fun one.

Thanks this week go to Sandy, Nicole, Aleshia, and some other guy for the questions.  No reason to wait, let’s get into it…

1. What, if anything, is the difference between Neo-Nazis, white nationalist, and Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi)?
Nothing really.  At this point there is a semantic argument.  What is the difference between vanilla, vanilla bean, and french vanilla ice cream? They are all basically the same, but one has visible vanilla bean seeds, and another has butter, but they really are pretty much the same damn things.

2. If it’s not too personal, may I ask how you discuss this topic with your children?
Well… This super racism in the streets stuff is not something that we have typically talked with them about, but we did bring up the BLM movement and other issues up with Little Man since they are directly precipitated by the rampant killing of black men and boys by police. He has started asking questions as well when things hit the news-cycle, so we explain it to him like he’s an adult since he is 14 now.  With our daughter who is 9, we leave some details out but talk pretty straight with her as well.

Keep in mind that I am the big, dumb, white-guy part of this interracial coupleship that is my marriage. My wife, who works in and around these topics of racial disparity as one of the many topics of her work... she talks to the kids about race and how it affects who they are and how they are treated all the time.  

Racism is definitely a topic that we talk about because it is a topic that effects our household directly. More often we end up talking about "race" than we do about "racism" but those 2 things really go hand in hand. You cannot talk about family in an interracial family without talking about race. 

3. How do you do to increase diversity in an organization?
Very simple, you have to make it a core principle of the company and live by it.  There is no way to prescribe it, but it needs to be taken into account when hiring. When I was in a hiring role, I kept in mind that I hear a bunch from white dudes all day, everyday, so that was something I was not looking for.

4. How is this happening in my country?
Sometimes the how is not as important a question as just acknowledging the fact that it is happening.  It is currently happening, right now, even as I type this. Now we need to do something about it.

5. How can I let people know that not all white people are like this?
Don’t.  This is not about you.  Don’t make it about you.  If you are white and you are good non-Nazi racist person who does everything right and doesn’t have an ounce of hate in your body, that is great, good on you, but shut the fuck up about how you are not like the Nazis.  This is not about you and don’t try and make this about you. Shut up and listen and then ask how you can help. Don’t suggest, ask. Same goes for #NotAllMen

6. Heritage not hate! We should not destroy historical markers because we disagree with the history.
Okay… where do I start.  These statues of Confederate generals do not commemorate the plight of the Southern way of life.  They were not erected to remind people of the noble sacrifice that non-slave holding southerners made in defense of their idyllic antebellum way of life.  Most were erected in the 1960’s and later in direct response to the racial tensions of the 1960’s as a way to remind black people in the south that a war was fought to ensure they remain the property of others. Hell the Virginia Confederate Battle Flag (the one everyone thinks of) was not a widely accepted symbol of Southern Pride until the 60’s.  It was trotted back out as a reminder to black people specifically to know their place.  I would add references to this stuff, but you can Google it your damn self.

7. How do we move forward from this?
Excellent question. BLM is a great resource. It is grassroots and the message there is that POC matter.  Google where you live + BLM.  Follow the lead of POC, white people need to assist where asked and offer to help everywhere. POC get to drive this train though, white peeps just need to keep adding fuel. Give to the NAACP or to the SPLC.  I know that the ACLU seems to be persona non grata right now, but they are typically a good ally for rights, so they are a good place to donate as well.

8. Aren’t the alt-left just as bad as the Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi)?
Nope, and that is what we call a false equivalency.

9. Why does the media come down so hard on the Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) when they are so much more forgiving to the alt-left?
This is an interesting question.  Number 1 it assumes that there is a group actually calling itself the alt-left.  There is not. But let me try and grasp what it is you are asking about. I assume you are referring to the alt-left as BLM and Antifa… You remember the police presence and crack-down of the BLM demonstrations, right? Police in riot gear with automatic weapons and tanks to stop unarmed black people from protesting? Remember that? Or let’s go with Standing Rock.  Unarmed peaceful Native American protest that was met with multiple riot squads and the national guard. Now… let’s look at the Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) protest where a guerilla force showed up open carrying semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles and the participants were carrying clubs, weapons, and shields.  Where was the police crack down on that.  The second things went sour there should have been police to break it up.  How did a Nazi get into his car and get close enough to a group of anti-protesters to kill one person and injure many others? No, the police went at the Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) with kitten gloves.

“Antifa” means “Anti-Fascist” and is in a direct opposition of the fascist Nazi lovers out there. Where the Facist Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) wants POC to not be, Antifa doesn’t want them to have that ability.

10. Aren’t these Alt Right (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) (Nazi) just a small but vocal minority?
The most virulent one are, but the sympathetic people are not. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, our classmates, some of our Facebook friends, our IRL friends, and even our family.  Keep in mind that Germany in the 1940’s, it was the neighbors, co-workers, friends, classmates, and families that sent their neighbors, co-workers, friends, classmates and families to the gas-chambers and ovens.  Not everyone actually dropped the gas pellets, but some people drove the trains.

11. OKAY SERIOUSLY I JUST READ ABOUT TRUMP’S PRESS CONFERENCE.  FUCK THIS SHIT HE IS AN AVOWED RACIST AND IS INCITING THE NAZI ELEMENTS IN THIS COUNTRY. I SERIOUSLY THINK HE IS TRYING TO UNRAVEL THE COUNTRY. HE IS MADE OF RACIST DOG-WHISTLES AND UNEARNED CONFIDENCE. I’M DONE WITH THIS POST. SCREW THIS SHIT. I AM BEYOND ANGRY

12. What

13. The

14. Fuck?

15. I

16. Mean,

17. Who

18. Sides

19. With

20. Nazis?

To recap:
Only 10 question because I am so pissed
Rents were in town this weekend
Dad came walking in with a red ballcap with writing on it
The writing was not the MAGA slogan
Buuut it was slogan adjacent
Might have to have a chat with him about it this weekend
Because they are coming back this weekend
GOODAMN IT! MY PRESIDENT IS A OFFICIALLY A RACIST JACKASS
Before he was at least a “tended toward racist” and definitely a jackass
I am so incredibly angry
But I have work tomorrow
I will most likely have an interview for next week’s post
We are on question 20
Dumb work tomorrow
Getting in the way of my wanting to sit and stew at the repugnance of the executive branch of my government
Be nice to each other out there
Try and have a nice week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 387 - Parenting

I know it's a Wednesday, I just didn't get this done yesterday.  I apologize.  

My parents are coming in from out of town this weekend to stay for a couple of days.  So they will stay here this weekend and then go visit my mom’s family for a week and stay with us again next weekend as well. It seems to be how they visit. Honestly it kind of works in a weird “we’re not super close” kind of way.  We really aren’t that close.  They forgot to call on their only granddaughter’s birthday and on their second son’s birthday as well.  Which is a little hurtful, but it does really speak volumes as to what my expectations should be concerning their level of interaction.

So, since my parents are coming, and I am constantly parenting at the moment, the topic this week is “Parenting.”  Thanks this week go to Bruce, Sandy, Kallie, Suzanne, my lovely wife, and some other guy for donating questions.

Let’s get to it.

1. Have you noticed yourself "turning into your parent(s)"?
I have been actively fighting some tendencies that I am seeing.  I am trying not to be as controlling as my dad was concerning little things that really do not matter. I need to watch that pattern to make sure I do not repeat. I also need to make sure that I am not zoning out like my ‘rents did when they were reading the paper/doing word puzzles.

2. What is/are the best parenting advice/behavior you've taken from your parents?
My parents truly and earnestly loved me and parented me with all the skills they had at their disposal. In some areas they came up short, and they easily covered the spread in others. I am trying to do just that as well. I love these kiddos truly and earnestly and I am trying to parent them with all the skills at my disposal. In some areas I will come up short as well, but I think I am definitely covering the spread in other areas.

3. If you and your wife were parents on a TV show who would you each want to play you?
I would want to play me and I would want her to be played by Beyonce.

4. Is it even possible to get your kids to stop fighting? I'm starting to think no.
We have instilled in our kids a healthy disdain for each other.  They do not fight as much as they will lift their chin slightly and sneer. Train them for healthy disdain and Bob's your uncle.

5. When hosting aging parents from out of town, do your kids have to be sequestered too?
Hells to the no.  I think it is important that the g-parents get some in-person time with the kids, but kids need to be doing what kids need to do.  If there is a sleep-over that is going on and your kid wants to go to it, make sure the kid spends some QT with the old folk, but let them have fun. Too much of adulting is wrapped up in non-fun, kids should be able to have fun in our stead.

6. What were your parenting issues at ages 3, 7, and 13?
I was not a parent at ages 3, 7, and 13… I do not know what you are asking…
When Little Man was 3, the biggest issue was getting him to let us do non-train things… and his asthma
When Q was 3, the biggest issue was her asthma flaring up and thinking about daycares for her
When Little Man was 7, the biggest issue was me finding a job and not being a horribly depressed out-of-work dad.
When Q was 7, the biggest issue was getting her to eat vegetables and fruits… still a big one.
When Little Man was 13 (last year) it was constant worry about having a kid in middle school because middle school is a terrible place.
Q has not hit 13 yet.

7. What do you allow you allow your children to do that you always wanted to do as a kid but were not allowed?
I think we allow waaaay more time passively consuming content that is on a screen.  I did not have cable growing up, these kids have youtube and twitch at their fingertips.

8. What don’t you allow your kids to do that you were allowed to do as a kid?
To go places on their own.  I remember walking 2 miles to meet up with a friend to watch a matinee movie when I was 10.

9. What is the hardest part of part of parenting through the slime craze?
The slime being everywhere.

10. What’s for dinner?
Orange rice... when in doubt orange rice.

11. Where do you think you fall in the continuum of Free-Range to Helicopter parenting?
That is an interesting one to answer in a verbal format.  I would say that I am relatively in the center of the continuum.  I don’t really hover too much, but I also do not throw meat out the back door and let nature take care of the kiddos.  I think where I am on that continuum really depends on the activity and the kids’ ages.

12. Where do you fall on the continuum of “Elephant Mom” and “Tiger Mom” continuum?
Really?!?! Elephant is the opposite of a Tiger?  That’s a thing? Wow… people actually are willing to call someone an Elephant Mom? Do they get hit when that happens? I have so many questions. To answer the question I lean further away from the Tiger side than toward it.

13. Have you had “the talk” with you kids yet?
Which talk do you speak of?  The sex talk or the talk parents of POC kids have to give their boys about police interactions? The sex talk is an ongoing horribly uncomfortable conversation with Little Man, and that other talk is coming soon for him. We are starting to have the sexuality talk with Q.

14. How good of a parent do you think you are?
I feel I am pretty good. I am not the best there is, but I feel like I give it a good go. 

15. How good a parent do you think your partner is?
She is amazing.  She is way always willing to be silly with the kids and always has the time to give them some loving.  I am constantly impressed with her parenting.

16. When should your kids get cell phones?
Little Man is 14 and just got a smartphone. His feature phone has been passed down to Q at the age of 9.  She will not get a smartphone for a few more years (but probably before she is 14)

17. Did you co-sleep when the kids were younger?
When they were younger? Q still jumps in bed with us around 3 AM every night. Co-sleeping is a great way, as working parents, that you can get physical contact time with the kids when they are young. It does not take the place of conscious interactions with the kids, but it does help. There are times that I would have loved just having a bed to only my wife and I when the kids were co-sleeping all the time, but I do think it was a good process to bond with the kiddos in a less conscious manner.

18. Vaccinations?
Not even a question.  Of course.

19. Did you baby-proof the house much when your kids were wee little babbies?
Not too much.  We felt that we needed to teach the kids that some things are bad and need to be avoided for safety reasons but are necessary in life for living.  You can’t nerf the world enough to make it absolutely safe.

20. Do you judge other parents?
I try not to, but of course I do. My silent judgements are harsher than my audible ones.

Te recap:
The parents are coming!
The parents are coming!
This is not a drill
Sure sure there might be other more pressing matters going on in the world
But, the parents are coming!
I am alarmed by the state of my country
There hasn’t been a solid nuke scare since the 80’s
I really feel this nuclear scare life is old hat
I mean seriously, WTF
Enough about our impending doom
My parents are coming into town and that is enough doom for the week
I love Netflix’s Voltron series
It is just some lovingly made
It harkens back to the version from my childhood without being slavish to the concepts from the first show

Wooo Voltron!
Have a great weekend everyone
I hope we don’t die in a pile of “Fire and Fury”

20 Questions Tuesday: 386 - Family Vacations

This year was the 3rd year in a row that the family went on a guided multi-sport camping trip.  And for a few years more than that the family has gone on some other family vacations either to Maine or to the Outer Banksor North Carolina.  So far all of these trips have been amazing in their own way and we, as a family, have been pretty darn happy about the experiences.  That is why today the topic is all about Family Vacations.

Thanks this week go to Janna Bushaw, Jared Vorkavich, Sue Ryan, Bruce Finch, Erin Findsen, Kallie Kenyon, Linda Silverio, DrJHP, the Wife and some other guy for the questions.  I love seeing some new names in this section.

Onto the questions!

1. Is it easier or harder to parent on vacation?
I think it is somewhat easier because the normal distractions are not there, or if they are they are only there in a diminished capacity.

2. One room or adjoining rooms when on vacation?
Since there are only 4 of us, single room with 2 beds if we are staying in a place that goes by room.  Lately, our trips have been either to a house we rent in the Outer Banks or in tents, so adjoining rooms are not really a thing.

3. What is your most memorable family vacation from when you were a kid? And as an adult?
As a kid was a whirlwind trip to Colorado.  My brother went to tour the Air Force Academy and we also got to see a big swath of Colorado.  It was pretty amazing as a kid and started out my love for the mountains.  As an adult, the trip to the Redwoods with Backroads was simply majestic.

4. What's the most family friendly vacation?
I think I would have to say the Disney properties off-hand.  They really are very accommodating to any different needs you might have whilst there, but it comes with a steep price tag.

5. Family vacation: educational vs. fun?
The fun stuff can be educational, and the educational can be fun.  I would say that a good family vacation has to have aspects of both.  This is really not an either or question.

6. Worst family vacation ever (as an adult &/or as a kid)?
Hmmm…. As a kid we did not do many family vacations.  We visited grandparents a boatload, but those are not really vacations. No one wants to go to Stow, Ohio for spring break.

7. When driving on a family vacation, drive all night or during the daytime?
When the kids were reeeeeeally young we would Benadryl them up and head out on the road around bedtime and drive as far as we could, but now that they are older driving during the day works great. It is amazing how just a couple of years extends the concept of delayed gratification just enough to put up with a long drive.

8. What did you learn from family vacations as a kid (good or bad) that you either embrace or avoid when taking your kids on vacation?
Visiting family is not a vacation.  It may be a component of a vacation, but it is not a vacation on its own.

9. What has changed about your family vacations now that your kids are older?
One is traveling during the day, but also doing more active vacations. We would not go on a sea-kayaking event with sweet little tiny non-swimming babies.

10. When you only visit family and friends with no sightseeing is it really a vacation?
It is not a vacation.  There is no way to dress up visiting family as a vacation. It can be a small part of a vacation, but it, in and of itself, is not a vacation.

11. Preferred mode of transport: plane, train, boat, or automobile?
Plane and auto.  Not big on boats and have never done a long train trip.

12. Who gets to choose where to go and/or how is that choice made?
Parents choose with some input from the kids. But since the parents pay, the parents choose.

13. Theme park or not?
Maybe, depends on the cost and duration and park. That is al about the cost benefit ratio.

14. Weirdest thing you've ever done on vacation that you would never have done back in civilian life?
Half mile long zip line… that is not going to be part of my daily life… unless I could use it to get from one building to another at work.

15. Where would you never take your family on vacation?
Of the many vacation places?  Hm…. I am not that interested in Asia, so I think we would not take much effort to go to Asia.

16: Is it really a family vacation if your kids are under 5?
Nope, you are simply going on a vacation with a bunch of baggage that takes a bunch of effort.

17. In Home Alone Kevin’s parent’s left him, but took the other kids.  Is that still a “family vacation?”
I think so.  Kevin was clearly the most expendable of the MacCallisters, and therefore unnecessary for a family vacation. "Home Alone?" you ask... Kids, ask your parents.

18. Is it possible to have a family “staycation” or is that only for a single member of the family when everyone else has left?
Oh, a staycation is never a vacation.  Never. Ever.

19. For family vacations does it make more sense to have a strong itinerary and schedule of activities or to be all seat of the pants and laissez-faire?
I would say that prior to the vacation this needs to be determined.  For the multi-sport vacations that we have done through different companies, having an itinerary is absolutely necessary.  That being said, for the family vacations to the Outer Banks… that is supposed to be free and easy with no deadlines.

20.  Where is your next family vacation going to be?
Most likely the Outer Banks… but I am not sure what the one after that will be. We typically have an annual plan for the Outer Banks in June.  The last 3 years we have “made” a second multi-sport vacation happen in the late summer, but I am not sure we can make that happen 4 years in a row. If so… most likely Yellowstone or the Canadian Rockies.

To recap:
I am quite tired
I do not sleep well when my wife is out of town
She is in the Canada right now whilst I am here
Not sleeping
Tomorrow is going to come in really fast for me
I have about an hours worth of work to get done before tomorrow as well
And I have 2 dogs who are exhausted but not willing to stop
I am on question 16, question 17, question 10 and question 13 on the 4 interviews I have going currently
Backroads is the company that we used for the three canyons trip and for the Redwoods
Get Up & GO! Is who we used for the Alaska trip
I would recommend both outfits
Speaking of outfits… I need to do some laundry
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 385 - Alaska

Okay, a little bit of housekeeping to start us off here.  Today is Little Man’s birthday.  He is 14 now and I have no idea where the years have gone.  It seems like yesterday he was a whacked out on Orapred sleep deprived weirdo, but is seems that was over 10 years ago.  So, happiest of birthdays to Little Man.  He is growing up so fast.  So incredibly fast.

Now onto today’s post.  Last week the fam went on our third “adventure vacation.”  2 years ago it was a biking/multi-sport camping trip to the Redwoods in California, 1 year ago it was to Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and Zion in Utah and Arizona for the same kind of camping trip, and this year it was a week-long adventure vacation in Alaska where we camped and hiked and kayaked.  This year was the biggest of the 3 because everything in Alaska seems bigger.  I would not put it as the best (I think Redwoods will be a tough one to beat), but it was super fun.  

Anyway…. This vacation has lent itself for today’s topic… Alaska.  So this week thanks go to Bruce, Lsig, Brett, Chris, Nicole, and my wife since they sent me some great questions.  Without further ado, let’s answer some 20 Questions!

1. Have you had Baked Alaska?
Nope, I tend to stay away from flaming food.

2. Where did you go? What did you do while there?
We went to the Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska River valley, and Denali National Park.  We did crazy amounts of stuff.  We did hiking, sea-kayaking, and a glacial sightseeing cruise in Kenai.  We did a glacial hike on the Matanuska Glacier and some insane zip-lining in the Matanuska Valley.  Finally, we got to pet dog sled dogs, some calm river-rafting, a wildlife bus-tour of the backcountry of Denali that culminated in a 2 to 3 mile hike along virgin Alaskan tundra. All this while camping for most of the time with a too-short 2 day stint at a lodge. 

3. Ever try blubber?
Are you calling me fat? I think you are calling me fat. Why would you call me fat? I am now hurting.... in my big fat insides.

4. How cold was it?
No too bad.  It ranged from a low of 44°F (6.667°C for my non-US friends) to a high of 78°F (25.5°C for my non-US friends). It was pretty great actually.

5. What was your favorite thing about the Alaska trip?
Hmmmm… that is a tough one.  The geologist geek in me absolutely loved the glacial hike on the Matanuska Glacier.

6. Would you go back?
I would definitely go back, but I have more things that I want to do elsewhere prior to going back to Alaska though.

7. Was it baked?
It was not baked.

8. What was the coolest thing you saw?
3 Humpback whales feeding.  Easily the whales.

9. What surprised you?
How much of a frontier it really was.  There were parts of the state that were absolutely primitive and I did not expect that at all.  They did not have Frosted Strawberry Poptarts?  WTF?!?

That and I had never seen the color of glacial streams before.  Glacial streams have a bunch of very fine particulate matter suspended in the water called glacial flour.  It colors the stream water different tints depending on what kind of rock the glacier is specifically grinding up.  For example, the streams and even the waters of Resurrection Bay near Seward, Alaska were all this vibrant green blue because the glaciers feeding into that bay are grinding up slate.

10. Any Alaskan delicacies you discovered?
Nothing specifically Alaskan.  I had some great salmon, but that is not a fish that is solely associated with Alaska.

11.  How about Baked Alaska?
Nope...still did not have any Baked Alaska. Is that required or something?

12. Did you do everything you wanted?
I think so.  At least everything that was offered for this particular trip.

13. If it was a movie, how many stars would you give “Alaskan Vacation”?
4 out of 5.

14. What was the most Alaska thing that happened while you were there?
A bear wearing flannel attacked a moose with a salmon, why do you ask?

15. What would you do again?
I would love to do the zip-line again.  It was a ½ mile (800m for my non-US friends) long and about 250ft (around 75m for my non-US friends) tall and you get up to around 50 to 60 mph (or 80 to 95kph for my non-US friends).  It was really fun… not so fun to watch your kids do it though.

16. So, is Baked Alaska good or not?
Did not have it, I do not know.

17. What was the most surprising fact about Alaska?
I guess it has to do with scale.  I did not understand the scale of the place.  Everything there is just bigger, craggier, fjordier, wider, etc… 

18. What was your favorite wildlife?
I loved seeing a grizzly bear mama with her cub from the backcountry bus. Whales were the coolest, but a mama bear and her cub was a favorite.

19. What are you grateful for from the trip?
These trips in general tend to help the kiddos not be on the screen as much… not only while on the trip but there is a time after the trips that they just do more outside as well.

20. So baked Alaska?
I know, right?

To recap:
Such an amazing trip
So amazing
Really amazing
But I’m back
And now I have boatloads of work to get done this week
One thing still needs to get done tonight
Another needs to be done by Thursday
And even another needs to be done by Friday
On top of all the normal amounts of work I have
I drew some on the trip though
That’s good
I need to finish up some of them there drawings
My back hurts
My hip hurts
I think it has to do primarily with the sleeping on the ground stuff
Pretty sure that is what it has to do with
Because I’m old
I tried to not watch the full Thor: Ragnarok trailer
I tried really hard, but it is so good
Now, I have to get some work done
Stop keeping me from my work
Have a great week everyone
 

20 Questions Tuesday: 384 - Fourth of July

Today is the day that Americans celebrate their intention for independence from the empire building of Europe.  Today is not when the US (not the US at the time) actually gained their independence, just the day that the non-loyalists publicly declared their intentions.  The loyalists did not mark this day on their calendars at all.
 
Anyhoo… since this post actually posts on the date of the holiday, I figured I could do a 20 Questions on July 4th, but I only wanted questions from non-US citizens who are not based in the US.  So thanks this week go to a First Nations Canadian from British Columbia - Chris Corrigan, a Nova Scotian Canadian nee Englishman - Tim Merry, a Frenchman who lives in Finland - Patrick Beja, a South African in Jo’burg - Justin Render, a transplant from Montevideo, Uruguay who now lives in NYC - Daniel Puch, a German from Bonn, Germany who now lives in Austin, Texas - Lars Hinrichs, and a Canadian who wants to remain nameless.  Now, onto the questions.
 
1. All around the world people are asking "So what are you doing on Tuesday?"
Writing a post, eating some BBQ, watching some fireworks, and cleaning my office so I can get on the treadmill.
 
2. This year in Canada we are celebrating 150 years of confederation. But it's complicated and that's a good thing. Google "Unsettle 150", now how can you complicate your celebration of America?
Number 1, by merely realizing that it is incredibly complicated to begin with.  
Number 2, this blog post in a small was was trying to get an international view of how people perceive July 4th and to address some of the issues that might arise from that. (it did not work out as well as I had hoped)
Number 3. I have no idea about number 3.
 
3. Can you sing my (Canadian) national anthem?
Not without the music.  I am not great with it, but I can get most of it.  Just looking at the lyrics now and the French version is crazy longer than the English.
 
 
4. What is the greatest gift the USA has to offer to the world? The one that it is holding back?
I used to think it was that we could move past Caucasionism and chauvinism/misogyny and heterosexism, but I am not sure that is the case at the moment.  I think the US has the ability (and I hope it uses this ability) to demonstrate how to course correct when it clearly has started going astray.
 
5. What is the greatest irony of July 4th for you?
That the Declaration of Independence was signed by people who, in effect represented only about 20 to 25% of the people in the colonies.  Because of their actions, the War for American Independence was fought and eventually won (this conflict probably should have been called World War 1 with the number of countries and people involved).
 
6. What is it in your heart you feel you can truly celebrate on July 4th?
I celebrate what I have been celebrating for the past few years.  A celebration of the potential to be so much better, and the hope that we will be.
 
7. If you could set a national holiday like July 4th, what would it be?
May 9th would be Reunification Day wherein we would celebrate the end of the US Civil War.
 
8. What was the best July 4th celebration in your life so far?
When I was a kid we took a family vacation to Colorado to visit some extended family.  While there, we got to watch fireworks being shot off of mountain.
 
9. Who from American history best embodies the true spirit of July 4th for you?
Harriet Tubman (listen to this podcast and be in awe)… not just the spirit of the 4th, but the embodiment of America in general.

Harriet Tubman is a badass

 
10. If you could change one thing about July 4th, what would it be?
I would love to retire “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood… ugh… only gets played on July 4th and it is terrible.
 
11.  If you had one July 4th wish for the USA from the July 4th fairy, what would it be? ( it becomes immediately and irreversibly true )
For people to really look inside themselves to try and determine exactly why they are being spiteful.
 
The next 4 questions take a more personal bent and less July 4th centric feeling.  
 
12. Is there one thing from your 20 questions answer / session that stays with you and which you think of often?
The one throughline of almost all of the 20 Questions interviews that I constantly come back to is just how introspective these conversations are for both the person I am asking the questions and for me.  Each one is a bit of a self examination for both parties.
 
13. Why did you start doing this (you need to really think about it, not just the generic answer), and how long do you see yourself doing it?
I started doing this because as I was writing my typical run of the mill daddy blog in 2006 or so I could not think of a topic I wanted to write about.  So I sent out an email asking some friends to just ask me some questions.  I settled on 20 because of the game 20 Questions, and I settled on the day Tuesday because that is my wife’s name and it is my favorite day of the week since I found out that I loved her.  It went that way for a while.  Every Monday I would send an email to some friends and ask for questions, until that started to get stale.  So again, to create more interesting content and allow me to become “internet friends” with some people I enjoyed and admired, I used the platform to ask people I find interesting 20 Questions in an interview format, that I do not think is being done anywhere else.  Eventually the 20 Questions Tuesday content was the only thing I was generating and it took over my blog, and now here we are.  I will continue doing this as long as I find it enjoyable and I can create the content.  I have been having issue lately with getting people to contribute questions for my weekly blogs and finding people willing to do these long form interviews.  Who knows how long that will last.
 
14. What's your favorite tech device you've ever owned?
This is an interesting one.  I lean towards my first real computer, I think it was a Pentium 2 that I built with best friend Glen down in Alabama.  We played many a game on that machine. It is my favorite, because it is my first and started me on a path.  
 
15. If you could change/remove one technology from the world, which one would it be and why?
This is a super interesting question.  Technology is not bad on its own.  It is the implementation of technologies that make things bad.  I think I would go with removing tracking cookies.
 
Back to the July 4th theme.
 
16. Would you say that the majority of Americans are patriotic and honour the meaning of the holiday when they celebrate, or do many people not get into the true spirit of the day?
I would say that most Americans honor their own meaning of the day.  By that I mean that many people have radically different meanings for what today is.  I think it is a great day to celebrate how far we have come as a nation and how we can accomplish more.  Others might be simply celebrating that one time that “we kicked England’s ass on our own” as the ultimate underdog story.  Still others might be celebrating their ability to marginalize others by wrapping themselves in the flag.  The thing is, I think most of the people who actually celebrate the day really do mean it, but they can mean radically different things.
 
17. How is the way July 5th is currently celebrated (popular traditions, mainstream cultural activity) a reflection of modern US society?
Well, I think this might be a type-o on the questions and that you may have meant the 4th, but I like this questions because it asks about how well the understanding of what it is that the Fourth of July means to us stay with us.  So I will answer concerning July 5.  Both my wife and I have to get back to work on the 5th, so I think it is an excellent indicator of how much we cherish the day before.  The celebration is over and now we have shit to get done. Regardless of how good the celebration makes us feel work still needs to be done because life goes on.
 
18. Do you feel that in the actual politics of the USA, there are people honoring the 4th of July ideals on the Declaration of Independence? Or there's somewhat politics that have forgot about those ideals?
I do not see many people actually trying to live up to the ethos of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
 
19. The Declaration of Independency is basically just a cranky, long complaint about the King of England. Why is it, then, that Americans are known as such a very friendly and positive people?
Are we known as “friendly and positive?!?” Maybe positive to the point of arrogance, but I would not say Friendly.  The Declaration of Independence could be boiled down to a bunch of rich people grossing.
 
20. My biggest question (which I know you don't have an answer to) is, how quick can the 25th Amendment be invoked?
A strong criminal case takes time to get the evidence and other aspects in good order.  I would say that articles will be on the table in 2018. The problem is that the line of succession is just as appalling as 45. I mean seriously alarming.  The better question is, even if they impeach and indict him, will it mean anything?
 
To recap:
One thing this post made me realize is that I need more non US-citizen friends abroad
I fear for the future of the US
The current state of things is not good
I feel kind of like I am watching the Weimar Republic fall right now
Had a great conversation with someone who grew up in Norway this evening
He had a strong point that we all need to keep in mind
The US is still a relatively young country and much like youthful people is prone to making mistakes
Went and saw the local fireworks show
It was a pretty good one
Now it is late and I have to go to work tomorrow
I am trying to figure out how to see Spider-Man this weekend
Have a great week everyone
 
 
 

20 Questions Tuesday: 383 - Post Vacation

Last week I was on the Vacation. Super vacation time. We visited the Outer Banks in North Carolina and got back home Sunday at 6 pm.  Back to work on Monday morning wherein I realize that post vacation fall out is a real thing.  Not only do you have to get the motivation to get up at a reasonable hour you also have to wade through the detritus that builds up in your digital inbox over the course of a week, you also have to be ready to interact with co-workers in a manner that is professional. So… let’s answer some questions about this delightful topic.

Thanks this week go to pfmDesigner, Lsig, Chris Ring, and some other guy for the questions.  Let’s do this!

1. Did you come with the same number of humans with which you left?
Purely from the numbers game, I left on my singular own and met up four other people… We had 2 cars so I came home with 3 more people than I left with and the other person came home on their own.

2. Did you come home with the same humans with which you left?
I came home with extra.

3. The hip-bump-the-daughter-into-the-pool was capital H “ilarious!” Do you think she’ll remember it when you’re on life support and the doctors ask her the plug questioni?
I can only hope so.  Since we planned the whole thing.  She knows not to just hang out at the edge of a pool like an idiot.  I have taught here some things. This was staged because we were having fun with slo-mo videos on our iPhones.  Slo-Mo is the best mo, yo.

4. As a family, how do pass the hours in the car?
Audible books and drugging the kids with dramamine so they sleep.

5. Best vacation food?
Gluten Free crab cakes at Cravings, bulk peel and eat shrimp with Old Bay seasoning at Hurricane Moes, and Brunswick Stew from High Cotton Bar-B-Que.  

6. How many emails did you come back to in your inbox? How many are actually important?
Not as many as I thought there would be.  There were about 75-ish, of which 5 were useful.

7. How long does it take you to get unpacked? Do you do it immediately or does the half-empty suitcase linger in your basement for a week? (sigh)
We will be completely unpacked by Wednesday... or Saturday, mainly because we need some of the stuff that is packed.

8. Do vacations renew your zest for your daily activities, or do they make coming back even worse by comparison? (sigh)
A little of column a, and a little of column b.  Vacations can be great breaks from the daily life. It is sometimes difficult to re-insert into the daily life.  That being said, after dragging my butt to work on Monday, I felt pretty ready and invested in the work again.

9. Do you have other vacations planned already?
Yes.  We are doing an Alaska adventure vacation in July where we will get to see fjords, glaciers, and Denali.

10. Did you bring me anything?
I did not bring you anything. Do you need something? To be truthful, I did not bring me anything either.

11. Do you cut vacation one day short so you have a “recuperation day” before back to work?
Nope.  Got in Sunday at 6pm, back to work Monday at 8:47am.

12. Post vacation, rejuvenated or spent?
Rejuvenated… about the second day back.

13. How many days is your ideal vacation?
It depends on where and the what.  Outer Banks beach vacation? About 6 days. In the mountains? I could go for 9 days or so.

14. Like me do you “overindulge” on vacation ‘cuz “it’s vacation!”
You know it.

15. How long until you feel “normal” again back at work?
2 days… maybe 3

16. What is the first thing you do when you get home from a vacation?
Typically, I pee.

17. What do you miss the most when you get home for a vacation?
I think* I miss the sleeping in.

18. What is the most surprising thing you find about coming back home?
Regardless of the bed slept in over vacation, just how comfortable my own bed is.

19. Is it difficult for the kids to re-integrate into the home routine?
Somewhat. Little Man is trying to recapture all the “SR” on the competitive boards for Overwatch that he lost while being gone for a week.  We are not going to let him know that if we can take a Vitamix blender we could also pack and Xbox OneQ is having some issues getting back into non-vacation life.  She is a bit lost at the moment.  I imagine she will be good to by tomorrow.

20. Did you get any souvenirs from this trip?
Nope.

To recap:
*in this case “think” means “I know for an incontrovertible fact”
The necromancer is live now in Diablo 3…
I guess I know what I’m doing tonight
Going to get into another Great British Bake-Off episode tonight
So happy to get Series 4 going on here in the states
Don’t know why it has taken so long to get this going
Looks like the youngest will be getting braces
We are starting down the trail of orthodonture
Finally saw Wonder Woman
I am glad that so many people found that movie transcendent
I will leave it at that
I need a haircut
Getting a little unkempt
Only looks tamed when I have sunglasses pulled up on top of my head like a headband
Maybe I should just start wearing a headband?
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 382 - Google Q's

So this week I decided to just refer to the Google autofill for the words “who,” “what,” “when,” “why,” and “where.”  I just copied to first four responses for each of the five words and then will attempt to answer them as best I can. In looking at the width and breadth of these questions it seems like many of these questions seem like questions asked to Google via voice interaction on a mobile device.  Also it seems like Destiny players are very concerned with the comings and goings of Xur.  So… Thanks Google for the questions.  Now without further ado, on to the questions.
 
1. Who won the NASCAR race today?
There was not a NASCAR race today so no one won… but since the race in question does not, in fact, exist… everyone won as well.
 
2. Who is?
Everyone outside of the group that is not.
 
3. Who won the US Open?
Specificity is the soul of narrative.  No date is associated with this question, nor gender, nor event. Is it women's doubles from 1972? Is it men’s singles from 1984? Regardless the answer is Serena Williams.
 
4. Who let the dogs out?
Again, specificity is necessary to answer this question accurately and precisely.  Where specificity is not available, generality should be substituted.  So in an effort to accurately answer this question I will eschew precision.  Someone let the dogs out unless the dogs have determined how to let themselves out, and that would be a wholly different issue than laying blame. Dogs cannot be allowed to let themselves out... in that direction lies madness and madness alone.
 
5. What time is it?
It’s time to get ill. It is always time to get ill. So, everyone, get ill.
 
6. What is my IP?
It is the numerical address assigned to your node that accesses the Internet as a whole.  It is a unique identifier for all externally facing nodes on the network.
 
7. What song is this?
This is not a song, so therefore it is whatever song you want it to be.
 
8. What is the weather?
The weather is a collection of geographically and temporally localized atmospheric data that has been suitably aggregated into a colloquial description for a lay person concerning meteorology to easily understand.
 
9. Where is Mali?
Mali is a landlocked country in Western Africa.
 
10. Where am I?
I hope this was not asked with any amount of desperation.  That would be troubling to say the least.  I am going to say you should look around you… there you are.  Please make the best of being there.
 
11. Where’s my refund?
You will be happy to know that it is in the mail and on the way.
 
12. Where is Xur?
He is either at “The Tower” or “The Reef.” You find him.

 
13. Why is the sky blue?
The sky is blue because of the angle of incidence from sunlight refracting off of water molecules in the atmosphere.  That being said, not all of the sky is blue.
 
14. Why not both?
Why not indeed?
 
15. Why is the ocean salty?
Fishes are sweaty, yo. Super sweaty.
 
16. Why is Xur not here?
Because he doesn’t want to trade with you.

 
17. When is Father’s Day?
Third Sunday of the month of June.
 
18. When does Xur arrive?
2 am PST Friday morning, like clockwork.
 
19. When is Easter?
The first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
 
20. When does Xur leave?
2 a.m. PST Sunday morning, also like clockwork, but not like Clockwerk, because that’s a band.
 
To recap:
I guess Xur is important in Destiny
Destiny peeps gotta buy their shit, yo
I traveled to the Outer Banks today
Flew from Columbus to Norfolk
Traveled light, just a my work backpack that I sling over my shoulder like some kind of boss messenger
The wife met me in Norfolk and drove my butt to OBX
Then I will eat an unhealthy amount of Brunswick Stew from High Cotton Bar-B-Que
Thanks to Tom Gehrke… he knows why
He really is one of the best people I know whom I have not met
There are a handful of those jokers out there
Well, I turn 43 tomorrow, so Happy Birthday to me
42 was personally a good year for me, but, wow, it was a shit show geo-politically
If you read though to this, it would mean a bunch if you left a birthday comment
It’s for my birthday
Have a great week everyone
 

20 Questions Tuesday: 381 - Eric Palicki

One of the reasons that I loved CinciComiCon was that I met really awesome people there.  My second or third year there I had the pleasure of sitting next to Eric Palicki.  Eric is a comic book writer who is currently writing working on a really interesting indy book called No Angel.  I have read a few other of his books.  To be honest, I bought them mainly because I was sitting at a table next to him, and you have to support local, am I right? You know I am.  Anyhoo.. It turns out that the books just happened to be good. He was enjoyable to chat with and I am really happy to get to know him better.
 
So without further ado... let's jump into the questions.
 
I am going to really freak out readers of this here blog, by just shaking things up a bit.
 
Question 1: Cake or Pie, which specific kind and why? (what just happened?!?!?)

Cake. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, or rather, "cream cheese" frosting (I'm vegan). Ideally, the cake came from Patty Cake bakery in Columbus, OH.
Carrot cake is a love I inherited from my dad.

Patty Cake's Carrot cake is amazing.  As a kid, I was always a fan of spice cake (which is carrot cake without the pesky carrots).  Number 1: I love that you know about Patty Cake's in Clintonville.  Number 2. Next time I know you will be around, I will bring a carrot cake from Patty Cake. Really. Number 3. I did not realize you are vegan.  That is usually something that comes up with any interaction with vegans.  I kid. I kid.
 
Question 2: Health or philosophical reasons for going vegan, and how long have you been off the meat wagon?

A little of both, along with a bit of peer pressure. I initially went vegetarian about seven years ago,  when three of my closest friends all did it independently and for different reasons, one each for health, the environmental impact, and ethical considerations for the treatment of animals. I figured, I agree with all three of these friends, and if any one of their reasons is good enough to go veg, well, I guess I'm out of excuses.
 
Veganism started as an experiment. If I could give up the bacon, could I also give up the eggs? I just kind of stuck with it, starting about three years ago.
 
All of that said, I try not to be a vegan/veg evangelist; I won't bring it up without cause, and I never judge folks for what they eat.

I think there needs to be a portmanteau with vegan evangelist, it is all right there for the taking, but I cannot parse a "word" that rolls off the tongue.  Maybe "vegangelist"?  Actually, that might be it.  When my oldest was a wee little toddler, due to food allergies he had a limited diet such that he was basically a vegan who could eat meat. It confused many people.
 
As everyone who has read one of these interviews knows, I was a cartographer for about 20 years total, so I have always been interested in the idea of geographic place and the stories that associate with that geography.  For example, I was born just outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma moved to Montgomery, Alabama when I was a wee toddler, moved up to the Birmingham, Alabama area for the rest of my childhood until I went away to college at Kent State University in northeast Ohio.  In Kent I met the woman would I would marry and moved to the Columbus area after college to live with and marry her.  I have been in the Columbus area ever since my undergrad college years.  Question 3: What is your geographic story?

I was born in Toledo, Ohio, where I lived well past high school and graduation from the University of Toledo. Shortly after graduation, I took a job as an technical writer (not much else you can do with an English degree, frankly), and I bounced around a few gigs in Northwest Ohio before taking a job in Columbus, doing the same kind of work. In November of last year, I packed up everything I owned and moved out to Seattle, following my girlfriend. I'm one of the lucky few who, on a rare cloudless day in the Pacific Northwest, can sit in view of both the mountains and the ocean (assuming you'll give me the benefit of the doubt and accept that Puget Sound is part of an ocean -- but you tell me; you're the cartographer).

Well, a sound is technically an offshoot of an ocean or a sea, but typically if it is a named water body but attached to and consisted of the same water chemical make up as the ocean, it can be considered part of the ocean.  There are exceptions when you get to bodies of water that are attached to items named "sea."
 
Question 4: What is the biggest difference you see between Ohio and the Pacific Northwest?

Perhaps surprisingly, it's not the weather. It's actually the geography. Ohio is so flat.

It really is... even growing up in Alabama, I have found that most of Ohio is really flat.  Especially the northwest of Ohio since it was scoured by glaciation in the last few ice-ages.  Ohio is seriously flat until you get to the edge of the Illinoisan Ice Age boundary.  Then it gets some relief in the Appalachian foothills.  But it is not relief like Cascadia.
 
Your geographic story is fairly short.  Question 5: Is there somewhere out there that you would like to live, that you haven't yet?

Just down the road in Portland is one of the most robust comics communities in the U.S.

I think I'd like to give Portland a try.

Portland is just and awesome city to begin with, regardless of the comic book culture.
 
So, you are a comic book writer with an English degree... Question 6: What word in the English language do you think needs to be used more? For example, I love the word "whilst' and feel it should be used more often.

So many good but underappreciated words out there, but without too much thought, I'd say 'elan,' or possibly 'panache.'
 
This script was way past its deadline, but Palicki executed it with great elan.

Oooh... I am leaning towards "panache" between those 2.  But "elan" has a delightful ring to it as well.  Both are great choices. I have actually said “panache” before in conversation, but I only know the work “elan” because of crossword puzzles.
 
I know that you are co-writing "No Angel" with your sister, Question 7: Do you have any other siblings? and what are the biggest issues of working with a sibling on a project?

It's just the two of us, and while there weren't any issues as far as personality clashes, my sister comes at storytelling from a very different medium -- she being an actress and living in LA. We basically got together over a long weekend to figure out the story beats, and then I came back to (at the time) Ohio to write the scripts, which I then turned around and sent back to Adrianne for review. Her notes back to me were very much the result of her looking at the story through the Hollywood lens. "Where's the love interest?" Et cetera. The beauty of working in comics, specifically for a company like Black Mask Studios, is we're not beholden to those structural limitations and storytelling expectations. It was all very punk rock.

No Angel number 1 cover art

Also, my sister is a poopy stinky dummy and has been since she was two years old.

I think it is interesting to look at the story beats from a writer's point of view and an actors' POV. I imagine it makes the comic book scripts resemble screenplays a bit more and that makes me wonder if the comic book might be a proof of concept for a TV series... Say "Hi" to your sister for me.  Loved her as Mockingbird and she was awesome in John Wick, but that is enough about her.  I tend to try and not dwell on poopy stinky dummy people, because I think poopy stinky dummy people get in the way of generative creativity.
 
Question 8: Is writing for comic books your primary source of income, or is there something else you do as your primary money-maker? Good Lord I hope it is not concerning the shaking of your money-maker.

I'm still a technical writer by day, telecommuting to Abbott Nutrition from out here in Seattle, which means getting up at 4am to work according to something resembling East Coast time. Good thing Seattle's known for its coffee!

Technical writing is an interesting task to say the least. Taking info-babble and making it consumable can be really tricky.
 
Question 10: What skill from this job as a technical writer is something that you will always keep with you regardless of your enjoyment of or employment status in regards to this job?

Comics writing is like technical writing insomuch as both benefit from the ability to convey instructions clearly and succinctly, sometimes to people, whether technicians or artists, who are not native English speakers. I think tech writing has made me a better comics writer, but it has probably destroyed my chances of ever writing prose.

That is super interesting.  I did not think at all about instructional writing and how that translates to comic book writing.  It makes perfect sense, but it doesn't quite account for your ability to write dialog. I imagine that technical writing does not prepare you for dialog.
 
Question 11: Fill in the blanks.  I find that I am mostly __________. Others find that I am mostly __________.

I find that I am mostly reserved but outgoing. Others find that I am mostly an introvert.

With those answers it seems like you may be the personality unicorn known as kind of a quiet extrovert.  You are quite the enigma. Question 12: So are you energetically an introvert or an extrovert? Meaning do you recharge your batteries by being by yourself or being around others?

Oh, I definitely recharge with alone time. In fact, I mostly prefer being by myself, but that's punctuated by bursts where I absolutely NEED to be part of a group, to see people. Conventions are great "punctuation marks" on the otherwise lonely existence of a writer.

I like small intimate groups for my recharging.  Small groups of 3 or 4 people having conversation is really perfect for my recharging.  That seems to be harder and harder to make happen.  That is one reason I am so happy with the job I have now. There is the opportunity to be in small cluster conversations with very intelligent and insightful people... but enough about all that.
 
We are at Question 13: So do you have any superstitions or rituals that you adhere to?

I'm not a big believer in superstitions when I approach them from a rational standpoint, but some small things have crept in around the edges: I'll always pick up a penny, so long as I find it head-side up, and I never kill spiders I find in my house (owing more to a fondness for spiders -- wink, wink -- than to any profound superstition).
 
Ritual-wise, I try to start the morning with the crossword puzzle, because it's a decent brain game to prep myself for writing, but I don't know if my output suffers when I can't do it.

That is the exact reason I mention rituals instead of straight up superstitions.  Very few people still believe that putting a hat on the bed is an invitation for death to visit, but lots of people do some kind ritual to get themselves ready for some task. Anyone who has ever played sports has had some kind of ritual to get prepared for playing that sport.  Rituals are all about getting into the correct "frame of mind" for whatever task is at hand.  Your crossword puzzle is a perfect example of this.  You use that exercise to get you in the correct frame of mind to write.  Could you write without doing the crossword? Of course. Would some of that writing be used to get you in the correct frame of mind? Most likely.
 
Question 14: What creative projects do you have going on right now?

I have two unannounced miniseries on my plate right now, I'm helping to curate a politically motivated horror anthology which will appear on Kickstarter later this summer, and I'm contributing a ten page story to a pal's kaiju anthology. My story for that last book pits a giant monster against a samurai in Edo period Japan, and it looks like Adam Ferris will be drawing it.

That sounds awesome.  I am really glad that you have that many irons in the fire.
So... Question 15: Is there a particular existing mainstream book that you would kick a kitten in the rain to write?

Well, maybe not IN THE RAIN (I'm not a monster, Scott), but I think I have a Green Arrow story in me. Moon Knight. My dream with the Big Two would be to take a half-forgotten character and give it a Frank-Miller-on-Daredevil-style renaissance.
 
I'd love to do a Captain America story sometime, maybe when doing so isn't controversial.

I will be the judge of the monstrosity.  Spiders every issue? Really? ugh... You are a monster.   A horrible monster.

There are spiders coming out of that guy's eye sockets.... EYE SOCKET SPIDERS!!! Eric Palicki is a monster.

 
I would love to see your take on Cap, especially with this weird run they are doing right now with him being a hydra sleeper. There are so many directions the next story can go.  He needs to ditch the red, white, and blue and become Nomad again.  Only way to redeem Steve Rogers is to remove him as the iconic character, but I could go on for a good bit about the Steve Rogers character.
 
Question 16: Is there a question I have not asked that you expected me to ask?

Well, you asked about siblings, but I often get some variation of "What's it like having a sister on tv?" or "What's it like having a famous sister?" I very much appreciate that you kept the conversation in the context of our comics together and not her little side project as a semi-famous actress. I had a colleague shoulder check me at a con once and when I asked him why, his reply was "That's for your sister, for trying to kill John Wick."

This is 20 questions with you, not your "poopy-pants" sister.

Adrianne Palicki wearing her Bobbie Morse (Mocking Bird, "Ask me about my feminist agenda" T-shirt. I lifted this pic from her twitter feed.

That being said, her career has been a fun one to watch, and I love that I did not find out that she was your sister until this past October. All that being said, I love that it seems like you have a really nice relationship with her, and that is delightful. More than that, I really love that you have gone out of your way to work together, because the two of you have no requirement to work together.
 
Question 17:  Did you ever think that you and your sister would have/make the opportunity to work together? It seems like the two of you have gone down relatively different paths.

I certainly hope we'll work together. When I moved to Seattle, Adrianne flew out to Ohio and drove with across country. During that time we brainstormed a (probably) comic book follow up to No Angel. Without giving away too many details, it's inspired by a true story of a young woman who was sentenced as a juvenile for taking part in the murder of her parents, then released back into society when she reached adulthood. We made significant progress in exploring questions like how do you come back from having done something like that? Are you actually rehabilitated or is age just a number?
 
And then there's a heady conspiratorial angle to the story, because that's my jam and poopy-pants' jam as well.
 
As far as tv goes, I'd never rule it out. Although my dream is to keep writing comics, I'd be a fool to turn down a writing gig for television.

Look at the happy siblings!

I really have loved No Angel (even with all the spiders... so many spiders) and I love the idea of having an actor be part of the writing team, because an actor's and a writer's point of view are so different.  It is also so nice to hear of siblings who enjoy each other and respect each others different skillsets.  I could see and have seen sibs becoming competitive and jealous at popular success.
 
Now it is the time wherein I turn the tables on myself.  Question 18: Do you have any questions for me?

Sure! What's the TV Guide synopsis of the Scott Ryan-Hart story? (and for bonus points: what song would be the subtitle of that biopic? You know what I mean? Like, Don't Go Chasin' Waterfalls: The Eric Palicki story. What's yours?)

Wow... That is an amazing question.  Such an amazing question.  Let me think on it a bit....
 
Okay here we go.

Carry a Laser: the Scott Ryan-Hart Story
For 15 years an average kind of guy forgot to be creative.  Dusting off rusty and atrophied skills he tries to re-kindle some creativity in his life and become more fulfilled as a human.  Guided by his wife and newfound drive to do something creative, Scott embarks on a question to answer and ask questions, draw and write, and live and be.

Cancelled after one season due to the low stakes and relative boredom it induces.
 
Full disclosure... "Carry a Laser" is my southern protestant misunderstanding of "Kyrie Eleison" by Mr Mister
 
Okay, we are nearing the end of this conversation... so
 
Question 19: What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you?

Well, for one thing, it's nice to know I wasn't the only guy who thought he was saying 'Carry A Laser.' I was probably in high school or college in the latter half of the 90s before I saw the actual title written out.
 
I tweeted out yesterday about it having been 5 years since Ray Bradbury passed, and he was my first writing god (later replaced by Vonnegut and Harlan Ellison and Hemingway -- who could write a helluva sentence, even if he was a drunk misogynist -- and then by some comics writers), and I tend to still embrace a lot of Bradbury's method. That is to say, I write fast, which doesn't allow for much introspection. These twenty questions have given me pause to think about how and why I write, so thanks for that.

My lapsed Catholic wife informed me about the Kyrie Eleison maybe about 5 years ago amid nigh uncontrollable laughter. I blame Mr Mister for going too niche with their references.
 
If I have given you a vehicle for introspection, then I am very happy with how these 20 questions have shaken out. I really wish you were still in the Columbus area, because I would love to hang out with you since you are such a great guy.
 
All of that leads to the final of the 20 Questions.  You already kind of mentioned some aspects of you plans, but questions 20 is always... Question 20: What's next?  Be as vague or as specific, as concrete or philosophical, and as near term or long term as you would like.

This is maybe the most intimidating question of the bunch, Scott. I'm living in Seattle, but this move is still fresh, and as much as I'm growing to adore the city, I'm not sure it feels like 'home,' yet. My arrangement with my current day job is coming to an end (by mutual arrangement and design) at the end of June, and with No Angel wrapped, I don't have another announced project ready to go (in contrast to last year, when I had a graphic novel and Marvel gig and No Angel announced).

So, the honest answer to what's next is, I don't know, and that's terrifying. I guess it's time to get off twitter (at least a little bit) and start making some proactive moves to find a new day job and some new comics work, or even better, find a home for all the awesome creator owned projects I've developed since No Angel debuted.
 
Thanks so much for doing this 20Qs with me.

No, Thank you for doing this 20 Questions with me.  This was really enjoyable.
 
Seattle is an awesome place, I am sure you will feel comfortable calling it home soon.
 
As for work... I am positive that you will create more comic work. And if the work does not come to you, I know you will make work for yourself.  No Angel is a great series (even though there are too many spiders) and I have really enjoyed reading it.
 
You are an absolute delight, and I am sad that I will not be seeing you at Cincy ComiCon anymore.
 
So, everyone, you should buy your work on Orphans, No Angel, Red Angel, Fake Empire, and the Guardians books you did for Marvel.  People should also give you a follow on the Twitters too. You have a very enjoyable feed.  Just a reminder, if Eric is making work, you should consume it, and consume it with gusto.
 

EDIT:  Since Tuesday when this was posted Eric has been part of a Kickstarter launch for the "This Nightmare Kills Facists" project that he and a team of people are doing.  Support it like I have with the sharing and the pledging.  Do IT!

To recap:
Wife is out of town this week
And I am exhausted
I finally took the plunge and ordered SeeSo
I think it was a wise decision
I am on vacation next week
That should be fun
Outer Banks
Bar-b-Que
Donutz on a Stick… now in a gluten free version
More than that though is some sleeping in
Oh, how I love sleeping in
Like I am an adolescent, I really love it
I still need some peeps to interview
Iffens you know anyone who wants to answer 20 questions, have them contact me
Now I need to get back to paying attention to other parts of my life
Podcast? Should I make a version of this as a podcast?  Thoughts?
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 380 - Break

It has been a few weeks since I posted last so I guess I need to talk about why this Break occurred.  The break occurred because I am trying to figure out what to do with this site and concept moving forward.  If you have ideas, I am reading comments and taking suggestions.  I am over 10 years into this blogging thing and have felt that it might be time to shake up the production values on this.  Anyhoo… I am trying to figure out how to keep making this and making it meaningful… at the same time.  Anyway… that means today’s topic is “Break.”
 
Thanks this week to Lsig, Chris Corrigan, pfmDesigner, and Some Other Guy. Let’s get to the questions.
 
1. Have you ever broken a bone?  Y/N
Yes
 
2. If yes-- your own or someone else's?
Yes
 
3. With what do you prefer to break your fast?
I love French toast, but being gluten free means that is a no no.  Omelettes are good though... not so good as French toast dusted with powdered sugar... but passable... I guess.
 
4. What are the offspring doing for their summer break?
The youngest, who is now 9… how the hell did that happen? Where did that time go? Anyway… she is in a horse riding camp this week, and three other weeks this summer she is actually going to be working at that camp.  
 
Little Man is hanging out at home where he will be learning how to do his own damn laundry and some dishes.  
 
Then for both of them, there are two family vaca’s wherein we will go to the Outer Banks in NC and then a vacation in Alaska.  We are all seriously looking forward to the Alaska trip.
 
 

5 "Gimme a Break"-- better known as a classic television show or the start of an indelible Kit-Kat jingle?
Sadly the Kit-Kat Jingle.  Nell Carter doesn’t hold a candle to the earworm that is the Kit-Kat jingle.

6. Tell me a story of when you last played in a surf break.
Last year for the Outer Banks, NC.  Kids and I were playing in the surf.  The following week there were something like 7 shark attacks within 10 miles of where we stayed.
 
7. When did you last give someone a break?
I have children… I am constantly giving them breaks.
 
8. What did you have for breakfast?
Today, I had some yogurt.
 
9. The physics of breaking balls in baseball fascinates me? You too?  Have a look and see what you learn.
It is all about the Magnus effect.  Controlling the magnitude and axis of the spin of the ball will affect the ball’s trajectory and path.
 
10. What was your best relationship break up?
Probably the woman I dated for 3 months when I was 19.  She started being a bit controlling and since we were in a long distance relationship, that was not going to work honestly, it wouldn't work even if we were right next to each other.  The break up was relatively amicable.  She is a nurse in the Birmingham area now and supports Trump so I think I dodged a bullet there, amiright?
 
11. What was the last thing you broke?
Some headphones.
 
12. Have you ever had a relationship end where you don’t think you were told the truth of the reason?
Not that I can think of.  
 
13. Relate a family-friendly anecdote from one of your Spring Breaks.
Spring break denotes a time in my life where-in as a student I went on a week-long vacation before going back to school the following week.  Prior to college all my spring breaking was done with the family wherein we would visit grandparents in either Northeast Ohio or Retirementville on Waiting to Die, Florida (Venice, Florida).  In college I did not go on any Spring Break trips. I have only family friendly spring break anecdotes and none of them are interesting.        
 
14. Wouldn’t it be cool if he art of Kintsugi could be applied to human relationships? Or can it?
I think there is a definite possibility of making art from broken relationships.  We call that the band, Oasis, right?
 

15. Would you share a Kit-Kat bar if someone sang the commercial jingle at you?
Nope, I cannot partake of Kit-Kat’s because their wafers are made with evil evil gluten.  If, on the bizarre occassion, I have a Kit-Kat Bar and someone jingles at me, they would receive a full Kit-Kat Bar... rapidly thrown at their face.  I might also yell something to the effect of "Is this what you wanted!!! You monster!  IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED ALL ALONG!"
 
16. What is the past-perfect tense of break? Use it in a sentence.
It is “had broken.”  It is used to show the order of an occurrence.  
 
I had broken my arm before I rode on for a mile or so.
 
17. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” is a weird saying.  Can you think of a better way of saying it?
Hmmm… that is an interesting one.  The problem with that saying is that it is very happy with stagnation.  Maybe something like “If it works, it could probably work better. Iterate and tweak.”
 
18. Have you ever been flat broke?
Been right near close to flat broke before, but I have always seemed to have at least 2 nickels to rub together.  
 
19. What is your favorite activity when you “take a break?”
Well, if it is really only a break, I will get up and walk for a bit to not stare at a screen and focus on something further from my face than 2 feet.
 
20. Break it down for me fellas.
We’re going to end it with a Young MC reference?  Really.  I weep for my future.
 
To recap:
Men at Work’s "Business as Usual" is an amazing album
Monument Valley 2 is out
It is gorgeous
Everything about that app is amazing
If you have not played Monument Valley, do so now
If you have and are not playing Monument Valley 2, get MV2 now
So delightful
I love that the Wonder Woman movie is doing so well
I really need to see it
The kids seem to be getting in the way… darn kids
And their annoying bedtimes
Mikey from Movies with Mikey now has a Patreon
You simply have to support this Patreon because Mikey Neumann is one of the best content creators out there
Next week is an interview
Aw yeah! Interviewsville… population? You.
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 379 - Podcasts

As I was taking stock of my life, as I do every week when the darkness comes… the black inky darkness that envelops my soul… I stare into that ebon darkness and contemplate my infinitesimal existence in this infinite universe. I am a mote on the eyelashes of a god, inaudible, intangible, and invisible..  My existence is unnecessary and fruitless in the eyes of a dispassionate and removed deity…
… ummm… anyway, I come to think about how podcasts have been a part of my life for many years now.  So this week, I am answering 20 Questions about the topic of podcasts.  Thanks this week go to Lsig, pfmDesigner, Nadolny, StPierre, Dr JHP, and Some Other Guy for the questions.  Let’s get to it!!

1. What was the first podcast you listened to regularly? Is it still in your rotation?
I think the first one I listened to was Tech News Today on the TWiT network.  I do not listen to it anymore.

2. Is there anything in common among the various podcasts you like? (Besides being podcasts?)
I listen to 3 categories of podcasts.  Humor, tech, and history.  That would be the three comment threads that weave together my podcast tapestry

3. If someone asks you for a podcast recommendation, what's your Go-To?
Tech News : Daily Tech News Show
Humor: the Dollop
History: Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History

4. Would you ever consider doing your own podcast?
I am playing around with how to transform this blog into a podcast.  I gots some ideas, y’all. There is a Twenty Questions Tuesday podcast that is out there, but the last episode of that one is ep 52 from May of 2015.... there might be room for another

5. What are your top-three podcasts that are still active?
The Dollop, the Dana Gould Hour, Cordkillers…. These are the 3 that I tend to listen to first when they are in my feed.

6. What do you usually go for when looking for a new podcast? (Comedy, news, hobby, etc)
I look for recommendations on Twitter.  Often a podcast that I listen to will recommend other podcasts, or the guests on a podcast that I like will have their own podcast, and I will just follow them like a lost puppy.

7. Without naming names, what is the unpardonable sin that will make you drop a podcast like it's hot?
I think one of the things that make me leave a podcast is when the podcast stops being interesting and becomes too repetitive.  Interest for some podcasts will ebb over time.  When I start feeling that listening to the podcast is more of a chore and, weirdly, and obligation, I tend to unsubscribe and delete from my podcast app.

8. Finish this sentence, "Too bad the technology wasn't around, because I would love to have heard a podcast from _____."
Archimedes… but I don’t speak ancient Greece, so it would not really be that good to listen to.

9. Podcasts?  I am an old man, does this have anything to do with Podracing?
Nope, it sure does not.

10. So podcasts, it’s like people bantering on about something they consider themselves an expert in? yes?
Sometimes… sometimes it is just people having a conversation

11. Favorite podcasts by topic. That is if they are topical. If they aren't, then I'm confused on what a podcast is.
Patience. I will list all my podcasts that I listen to in Question 14.

12. How do you consume your podcasts? Other than Apple’s Podcast app on the iPhone I haven’t tried any of the other services, but I enjoy the feature being able to speed it up. I don’t know what it says about me as a person, I don’t think I’m impatient, but while I listen to anything except music I want it sped up at least 1.5x so I can go on to other things. Maybe that is impatience. I don’t know. Wish I could have typed this out faster.
I usedthe default Apple Podcast app for a while, but have moved to using Downcast as my podcast app. I have listened to some at higher speeds, but I find that causes me some anxiety, so I go back to normal speed.

13. What is the best/easiest source to use to sign up for and listen to podcasts?
The default podcaster apps are usually the easiest to use, but they sometimes do not have all the features that you might enjoy.

14. What is in your current podcast list?
Okay here they are in alpha order...
99% Invisible: a design podcast that looks at how design affects daily living
Backstory: an American history podcast that looks at how current events reflect history in more ways than we think.
The British History Podcast: A history of Great Britain that tries to stay away from the “Great Leader” tropes of history
Comedy Film Nerds: Comedians watch a ton of movies, so 2 comedians have started making their own movies and reviewing as well.
Cordkillers: A podcast that is about cancelling cable and how to stream content without cable

Current Geek: a "news-ish" show about current events in geek culture
Daily Tech News Show: pretty self explanatory title there
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History: A very visceral deep dive look into moments of history.  One of the best
The Dana Gould Hour: Comedian, Dana Gould, has deep conversations about politics and entertainment
The Dollop: and American history podcast wherein 2 comedians talk a look at terrible US history stories and dissect them
The Dork Forest: A comedian talks to people about their specific spheres of interest
Dumb People Town: three comedians and a guest discuss quirky current event stories about things dumb people have done
FOFOP: Wil Anderson and a revolving cast of cohosts talk to each other
FSL Tonight: A silly podcast where fantasy and sci-fi properties are pitted against each other in a fictitious game and analyzed by sports radio broadcasters… no really
The History of English Podcast: a history of the language of English and how the language started and has evolved
How Did This Get Made: a team of comedians watch crappy movies (that made it to the theaters) and try to find out how the crappy movies were actually greenlit
The Infinite Monkey Cage: BBC Radio 4’s science podcast
The Jackie and Laurie Show: two middle aged female comedians talk about their craft
Lore: a look at folklore
My Favorite Murder: 2 comedians go into details about a murder or set of murders... it is funnier than it sounds
Mysterious Universe: a podcast where 2 believers of many supernatural topics talk about supernatural topics
The Nerdist: Chris Hardwick interviews people
Never Not Funny: Jimmy Pardo and friends have conversations
The Phileas Club: Patrick Beja has a conversation with people from around the globe on a topic that affects the world
Probably Science: Comedians talk about current science events
Radiolab: a radio show and podcast weaving stories and science into sound and music-rich documentaries
S-Town: a public radio show that focuses on a shit town in Bibb County Alabama
The Smartest Man in the World: Comedian Greg Proops rants
TOFOP: Wil Anderson and Charlie Clausen talk for a bit
TV Crimes: Wil Wheaton and Mikey Neumann make fun of bad episodes of TV
UX Podcast: Per Axbom and James Royal-Lawson talk about User Experience Design
We Have Concerns: Jeff Cannata and Anthony Carboni talk about science events
Weird Things: Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood chat about weird things and how much they love SpaceX
Welcome to Nightvale: a public radio show for a fictitious New Mexico town that is just plain weird
WILOSOPHY with Wil Anderson: Wil Anderson interviews someone on their philosophy of life  

15. Will podcasts make me smarter and more beautiful?
Of course.

16. Which podcasts will get the NSA on my doorstep? (so I can avoid this uncomfortable issue)
I have not downloaded or subscribed to a podcast that has alerted the authorities (to my knowledge… hello, NSA.  What Up, G-Men? Guys, if you are there, leave a comment and let me know what got me on the list... my bet is Mysterious Universe) so your guess is as good as mine.

17. How many podcasts do you subscribe to currently? And how many hours of content do those equate to for a week?
39, and it equates to about 40 hours a week

18. Why do you think that podcasts are becoming more popular?
I think they are gaining in popularity for the same reason that on demand television and streaming services are becoming more popular.  People want to curate when and where they consume content. I am listening to the Dollop right now… even as I type this.

19. What do you think is the perfect length for a podcast?
It really depends on the intensity of the podcast.  The Dana Gould Hour is delightful and it is at least 2 hours. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History can be over 5 hours a shot, but We Have Concerns is 25 minutes and delightful.  All of these are their own perfect length.  That being said, I have found that occasionally podcast will go a bit long, so in that 30 minutes to an hour timeframe seems just about right

20. What the hell is a podcast?
A podcast is an audio or video piece of content that is accessible via download to a device wherein the user can consume the content where they want and when they want.  Some are free and some require payment, but all are meant to be consumed however the user determines. For a better look at what podcasts are (primarily entertainment podcasts) you could purchase, download, and watch the documentary, Ear Buds: The Podcasting Documentary.  It really gives a good understanding of the power of podcasts.  It is not the most complete picture of the podcasting landscape, but it is a very deep look at it.

To recap;
Listening to Current Geek right now
Next up is CordKillers
I know this is a day late, but I am a dollar short, but things have been busy, yo
One of the 2 straps that hold the gas tank on my car came off last week
I was one corroded strap from hazardous fiery death balls of explodiness
We have people staying at our house this weekend
AAAANnnnnnd Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2 is coming out
What’s a guy to do?
I apologize for the tardiness of the post, but there are sooooo many links in this post... I know it's Wednesday
Little Man was sick early this week
He was very congested in his big dumb head
Holy crap we need to clean the house up
Have a great week everyone!

20 Questions Tuesday: 378 - Music

It has been a bit since I posted.  This is not the easiest of blogs to generate content for.  It requires the input of others and, well, they do not get any bang from being a part of this other than the soft love and glow I radiate towards them.  They are wonderful souls that are being illuminated by my love. Wonderful souls… the lot of them.

Lately I have been listening to my youngest playing piano and my oldest talking about playing the bass (not a fish) and French horn (not simultaneously). My lovely wife has been talking about song playlists that the youngest can listen to whilst we don’t want to pay attention to her, and I have been listening to podcasts that are non-musical. So, this week the topic being discussed poorly is… Music. I have a great line up on questions. Thanks this week go to The MikeStand, Dr B Dawg, Lsig, Nadolny, and Chris Ring.  

Let’s answer some questions!

1. Do you like both kinds of music? That is, Country AND Western?
I guess I don’t like music then… 
Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rawhide
She rollin', rollin', rollin'
Though the streams are swollen
Keep them doggies rollin', rawhide

2. What is your favourite audio format? CD / Vinyl / 8 Track / Cassette / digital
I am really partial to digital these days. My mustache is not handle-barrish enough to be about the vinyl…. 180 gram vinyl where you hear the ‘pop’ when the needle hits the record.

3. Were you sad when Napster died, and what is your current opinion on music sharing? You may discuss pandora (still not available in Canada), spotify, apple music, and other subscription services. 
I was already unsurprised by the time it shut down and had already stopped using Napster completely by that point. I  think as music becomes easier to legally share, piracy will go away.  That being said, I have always loved music sharing because I enjoy rewarding artists I find talented with my purchases even if I have borrowed their music to become familiar with them. Jonathan Coulton is one such artist.

4. Do you think that the current era of music promotion and distribution is better than in the olden-days, when the two or three companies with the most money told you what was good and what wasn't, only now there is a such a fire-hose of crappy music out there that it's impossible to wade through it all to find the "good stuff"?
I think there is a better chance to find music that you will well and truly love with the amount of content generators out there.  That being said, you and I might love the exact same favorite “genre” of music but not listen to any of the same artists because there are so many creators now.

5. It's been said that one stops seeing their parents music as awesome at age 13, and by the time one is in their early 20s, their own tastes have more or less solidified and people will stop expanding their musical tastes. Briefly discuss. Use venn diagrams if necessary.
Who said that? Why did they say it? Were they complaining that kid’s music is not as good as their music when they were kids? I think there is always the possibility to find new types of music that are well-formed and good. No Venn Diagram necessary

6. Has music changed much in the past 20 years? To me, it hasn't. I would say the mid 90s to now has changed very little compared to 1920s to grunge in the early 90s where there were clear decade by decade shifts in style and philosophy.
I would say there have been a couple of of musical ages that have happened in the last 20 years when you look at genres.  Very rarely is there a wholesale death of a genre like there was for disco and hair-metal, usually it is a slow evolution over time. You can see the underpinnings of grunge and 90’s rap in things even like EDM and Dubstep.  It is a continuum… all of this answer was so I could use the word “continuum.”

7. Kendrick Lamar - a little overrated or a lot overrated?
Kind of overrated, but not a lot, but a bit more than a little.

8. How do Mick and Keith keep going?
They died years ago, but are so full of preservatives their bodies don’t know it yet.

9. Favorite top five guilty pleasure musical acts.
This is a difficult question because I don’t listen to too much music right now.  I mainly consume podcasts, But I imagine I can come up with a handful of musical acts.
     1. Weird Al Yankovic
     2. Sia  
     3. Taylor Swift
     4. some Katy Perry, but only some.  She is an infuriating artist because she is empowering to young women one second and then becomes a fawning object in the next song
     5. one song from G.R.L.
Keep in mind that most of these are only considered guilty pleasures because I am a 43 year old married father of 2. 

10. Do you like the same music you liked as a kid/teen/young adult?
Somewhat.  I still like what most of what I did as a kid, but I like more kinds of music now.  

11. Do you like the same music as your kids?
Not quite. I don’t quite get the appeal of some of their music, now get off my damn lawn.

12. What was the last live music performance you attended? Was it too damn loud?

Little Man's symphonic concert.  It was just loud enough.

13. Did you study music in school at any level? Do your kids?
Nope. Yep

14. Who is the best music teacher you have met?
My mom teaches music…. So... umm... not her.

15. What instruments do the kids play? 
LIttle Man plays the upright bass and the French horn.
Q plays the piano.  

16. What is the sound of music?
External vibrations interacting with the tympanic membrane that oscillates three small bones in your ear that interact with the cochlear nerve and is interpreted by your brain as the sound of music.

17. Favorite grammar rock song?
Word Crimes by the aforementioned Weird Al Yankovic

18. What song/s do you want play at your funeral party (many moons from now)?  What? You didn’t know we were gonna have a party? Shhhh, it’s a surprise.
“All By Myself” and “Tainted Love”.. please leave other songs that should be at my “Gone Away Party” in the comments.

19. What music calms the beast?
Manamana

20. Song if you hear one more time you’ll pull a Van Gogh?
There is no music out there that would get me able to paint “Starry Night.” That is beyond perfection.  If you mean, cleave off my ear, that wasn’t for a song, that was for a chick.

To recap:
Yesterday at dinner Q looked at me and said:
The song “The Carol of the Bells” is like a theme song for a squirrel
If you take away the words
She is not wrong
They are removing monuments to the Confederacy in New Orleans
1. Slavery apologists are claiming "the Civil War was not about slavery but about the economy"
That is only a nice way to say that the war was about slavery without actually saying it because the South’s economic model was built on the “peculiar institution” of slavery
2. Slavery apologists are claiming "the Civil War was not about slavery but about State’s rights."
That is also a nice way to say that the war was about slavery without actually saying it, since the State’s rights that the South was fighting for was the right of states to allow someone to own someone else
I grew up in the South, I have heard all the arguments for the Civil War… they all boil down to the South fighting for the ability for the ultra rich to own people
Suck it up South, it is time to walk away
Anyone want to do an interview?
Email me at mmmmmpig at gmail
Do it!... seriously
I have one interview out there that's about halfway done
I need to get a few more in the hopper
The youngest is in swimming now too
What have we done?
Sweet giblets and gravy we have 2 kids in the amazing time sink called swimming
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 377 - Shawn Pryor

In September during my annual trip down to CincyComiCon wherein I sell my crappy notecard sketches in what amounts to a comic book character rummage sale, I had the pleasure of sitting next to Shawn Pryor.  He is an independent comic book writer.  He has a kids book called Cash and Carrie that both my kids have devoured.  He recently got his book Kentucky Kaiju into production as well. More than that though, he was delightful to sit next to and interact with. From just listening to him pitch to others with his mellifluous voice to chatting about writing comics he was a joy to be around.

That being said, I do not know him well at all, so let's ask him some questions to remedy that.

Onto the Questions.

In a previous career path I made maps for a living, so I have always been interested in the story of place.  So I was born in Oklahoma just outside of Oklahoma City, moved to Montgomery, Alabama when I was a wee toddler, and then up to the Birmingham area when I was 3.  I lived in a town just to the northeast of Birmingham called Center Point for the next 15 years until I was able to get the hell away from there and go to college.  I went to college in northeastern Ohio at Kent State University.  Kent Read, Kent Write, Kent State.  I met the love of my life there and followed her to Columbus, Ohio so we could get married, and I have been in Columbus since 1997.  Question 1:  What is your geographic story?

Well, my journey began the day I was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and moved up to Middletown, Ohio at a very young age and I lived there until my early 20s. I went to college at Miami of Ohio and after college had stops in Dayton, Ohio and the Tri-County area in Ohio before moving to Lexington, KY in 2008. I have been in Lexington ever since.

I love a move from the South to the Midwest. That makes for an interesting mindset within the US.  Question 2: What would you say is the biggest difference between growing up in Southwestern Ohio and living as an adult in Central Kentucky?

I would say that one of the biggest differences would be the artistic community here in Central Kentucky and how it's grown over the last decade or so. From independent and major comic book creators, live art events, the independent music scene, various forms of theater; there's so much to inspire and motivate individuals to be creative, expressive and influential. Coming up in Southwestern Ohio the artistic community was few and far between unless you made the journey to greater Cincinnati, and back then most of that stuff came at a cost which kept the curious away.

It's nice to hear that the artistic community is growing in Central Kentucky.  It is good to hear that the artistic community is growing in general regardless of locale.

Question 3:  Cake or pie?  Which specific kind and why?

Cake over pie all day, every day. My favorite cake is a double layer yellow cake with all the chocolate icing. There's just something about the texture of the cake and the combined taste of the cake with lots of icing that just makes it special to me. It takes me back to my childhood and the good times I had back then.

Once in a blue moon I can eat pie, but it'll be a derby pie or french silk pie. Not a big fan of the fruit pies.

Cake always takes me back to my childhood since my mom made cakes as a side business.  I got pretty good at decorating cakes as a 12 year old kid.  I think because I had so much exposure to cakes that I tend to like pies more. It turns out one can be overexposed to cakes.

Question 4: is there a good out there that you just cannot help yourself around?  What out there can you just not help but eat?

One of my favorite foods that I cannot help myself around is Spinach & Artichoke dip. But, I'm extremely picky when it comes to who makes the dip at a household or restaurant. The proper tortilla chip is key too. If the chip is this and the dip is too thick, then you're constantly breaking chips and you can't enjoy the dip. If the chip is too thick and the dip is too runny, then there's no joy in that either. It also had to be above warm or hot when served. Cold dip gets the boot. Balance is key when it comes to Spinach & Artichoke dip, and if the balance is there I will eat it until it's gone.

Proper tortilla chips are really important and often overlooked.  Random-ass tortillas won't work.  Regardless of how nice the dip is, with the wrong delivery system it just won't work. Period. End of Sentence.

So you are a writer of some indy comic books, and if I know anything about writers it is that writers read. Question 5: What comic books are you actively consuming? and do you follow a particular writer regardless of what book they are putting out?

Currently I am reading The Complete Peanuts Collection because I want to re-learn about how to effectively use timing in the short comic format. Plus, it's really cool to see the artistic growth of Charles Schulz from when he first started creating Charlie Brown and the crew to what it became. I'm also reading The Essential Smart Football by Chris Brown, and Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older. And I'll pick up a book written by Walter Mosley no matter the subject.

I was looking through some of the earlier Peanuts strips a few years ago and I was surprised by the difference in the models for the characters.  There was significant artistic growth from year to year for Schulz.  Another interesting one to look through for sequential 3 to 6 panel story telling is Jim Davis.  The artistic jumps by that man are impressive.  Garfield was a black and white muddy mess for a few years.  If you look at the syndicated cartoonists of yesteryear, some were really allowed to grow and evolve.  I do not think that is the case these days.  It seems that syndicated cartoons have to be fully formed and fleshed out prior to being syndicated now.

The Internet is allowing people to grow and evolve on their own.  Take Scott Kurtz from the Internet's own PvPOnline.  His original strips are quite different than his current ones.  So much growth that you can just look through.  Same with Christopher Hastings' Dr McNinja (sadly completed now) and Gunnerkrigg Court by Tom Sidell.  It is a fascinating exercise to wade through their early work and see how they have grown and changed.

Question 6: Are their any webcomics that you faithfully consume?

Oh yes. Bounce by Chuck Collins, Princess Love Pon by Shauna Grant, Agents of the Realm by Mildred Louis, Alone by @OliveOilCorp, Ménage à 3 by Gisele Lagace (NSFW) to name a few. (not sure what happened with the font size here.  Thanks --the Editor)

There are others, and I would like to look more into WebToon and see what's over there because their collection of webcomics is quite massive.

I have heard of a few of those.  The others I will need to take a look at.  Since there has been more of a democratization of content do to web-based publishing and such, there is an amazing amount of content out there for people to consume.  The issue with that content is that most of it is overwhelmingly terrible, only some of it is remotely palatable, and very little of it is actually good. Since there is such an astounding amount of content out there that means that the amount of truly good things is greater than it ever has been. Question 7: How does a consumer really get through to the signal of good content when there is all this noise out there?

It's difficult to navigate your creative ship through the waters of the internet, conventions and other venues.

I continue to grown and culture my follower bases on social media, attend the conventions where I feel my works will have a visible crowd and receptive eye, create crowdfunding projects, tell family members that are interested in what I do about my projects, monthly newsletters, etc, etc. All those things add up and it prevents me from putting all my eggs in one basket, because you know like I know that if you only have one venue and that venue crashes, you're screwed.

So if someone buys a book of mine online or at a convention, supports my crowdfunding project, or tells someone else of my works via social media, between all those options the signal continues to grow. It's a slow burn, but once the fire starts to become steady you have to work to keep the flame going.

It really is a matter of not finding a gigantic audience at first, but cultivating an intimate, engaged, and committed audience. Then it is all about building from there.

Question 8: Where do you find that you have your most fervent content consumers?  Which platform do they come from and what property of yours are they associated with?

The most fervent come from Twitter and Kickstarter and are associated with the all-ages mystery comic book series I created with Giulie Speziani called "Cash & Carrie" which is currently on Amazon, or you can request your local library for a copy.  

I created a Kickstarter campaign in 2015 for a Cash & Carrie pilot issue and it was a massive success. Some of those who supported the Kickstarter campaign followed me on Twitter and other social media venues later on. A high number of those who pledged to the 2105 Kickstarter campaign came from Twitter. In 2016 we put together a 72-page Cash & Carrie book and I was able to use Twitter to spread the word repeatedly during it's initial pre-order run and after it was officially released. At least once a week I remind people that the book is available for purchase.

That's interesting.  I would not have guessed Twitter as the strongest platform.

As far as Cash and Carrie... both my 13 year old boy and 8 year old girl LOVE it.  So... Question 9: Will there be more Cash and Carrie? Pleeeeeze!

Well, from what I have been told Cash & Carrie: Book One is doing pretty well with libraries and bookstores, and I'll also be taking it with me during convention season to boost its profile as much as possible to boost sales further.

Because of this, there will be a Book Two. I'm in the process of figuring out how to make that happen. I may do a crowdfunding project for a "special edition" Cash & Carrie comic book while we work out how we're going to make a Book Two. Cash & Carrie changed my life and I've had plenty of kids and adults tell me how much they enjoy the book, the adventures these two characters have and the inclusivity it brings. I love this book. I'll do all I can to make more of it.

We all loved book one and are eagerly awaiting book 2.  If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

Now comes a fill in the blanks question.  Question 10: I find that I am mostly _______. Others find that I am mostly _______.

I find that I am mostly introverted. Others find that I am mostly an extrovert, rain or shine.

Both are true. I am more than capable of handling myself in social situations and environments, but I have a tendency to lay low, keep to myself and observe my surroundings. However, as a creative I know that there are moments that you have to be vocal, boisterous and show the passion of your projects to others so they believe in your works so the extrovert in me has no other choice than to come out of its shell and do its thing.

If you are both an introvert and an extrovert Question 11: how do you prefer to recharge? Alone with a good book or in conversation/activities with friends?

I normally recharge with a good book, glass of wine and some music in the background. Granted, it's been awhile since I've been able to do such. Maybe it's time…
Writers always seem to be reading.  I would imagine it is both a blessing and a curse.

So from time to time, as an artist I see some work by someone that is so incredibly sublime that it makes me want to throw all my art supplies out and burn my house down to rid the world of the filth I have drawn over the years.  Question 12: Is there a writer out there that makes you want to stop smashing keys on a keyboard and just give up writing all together?

In comic books, it's Christopher Priest. He's written some fantastic books and no one has a better grasp of dialogue than he does. No one. In prose, I would say Walter Mosley and the late Octavia Butler because the words they type show no fear. It's inspiring to me and I get mad that I can't get to their level yet. I will. One day.

I believe you definitely will. I really like your work.

Question 13: do you have any superstitions or rituals in your life?

Every time that I table at a convention, I take with me a small toy version of Franklin from Peanuts and Cyborg and place them in a hidden spot on the table for good luck.

I have a lot of rituals, but one that I try my best to do every morning when I wake up is to get up out of bed, take a deep breath, look at the world outside my window, ask myself what mood I'm in and take a step forward to handle my day. I also try to give at least one to two compliments a day because you never know how a compliment can change someone's day or life.

These are great.  Many people do not think they have rituals and superstitions, I think they are fooling themselves are have been doing these things so unconsciously, that they did not realize it actually was a ritual/superstition.

I got this questions when I asked Patrick Beja 20 questions a while ago.  I enjoy this question because it is deceptively simple, but harbors a wealth of complexity in its answer.  Question 14: Are you happy?

As I type this response, I am happy that I am surrounded with wonderful family and friends who are sincere, loving and kind. Internally, I am happy. Creatively, I am happy when I can bring a project to life with fantastic, energized people. Externally, I have dealt with racism and micro-agressions for so long in my life that it's hard to happy externally. It's difficult to be externally happy when some people refuse to see you as equals or human beings. Some days are better than others from an external standpoint.

I am happy for the internal happiness that you are experiencing in your life right now.  You seem to be a bit of a creative juggernaut at the moment and I love seeing creators creating.  Internal happiness is sometimes very difficult to achieve.  I am more than unhappy for you for your external happiness levels.  This aspect of our "modern" society infuriates me.  It truly does infuriate me on a level that is incredibly deep. I got your back, because it is incumbent upon CIS middle-aged white dudes to step the fuck up. I am doing everything in my power right now to not have this become a political rant, but on today of all days (editor's note: This portion of the post is taking place on January 20th, 2017 as Donald Trump becomes the President) your comment is very poignant, and we the moderate and liberal whites need to be better. We just have to be better at doing. We cannot idly sit on the sidelines.

Let's go to something lighter... Question 15: Is there a mainstream comic title that you would love to write for? If so, which one? If not, why?

Right now, there's only one mainstream comic title that I would like to write: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. It's been on my wish list to write Power Rangers for over 20 years, and for the first time in its history it has a publisher that really behind it wanting to get it out to the masses. Me and a couple of close friends have a tome of stories we can tell that's steeped in the lore of the television series and all of its incarnations. The Power Rangers are the biggest superheroes of the 1990s. I've always enjoyed Super Sentai (the material that Power Rangers originally comes from) and the camaraderie that's shared through the team through thick and thin. Plus the uniform designs, color schemes, mecha and their super-villains bring me joy.

For now, writing Power Rangers is a pipe-dream. I may just do my own Rangers book one day and give it away for free.

Very interesting.  I think I was 3 years off from really enjoying the power-rangers as a kid.  I was unhappy at the inclusion of live action Saturday morning fair removing my beloved cartoons form the airwaves.  Power Rangers has quite the history though, it has been through at least 20 iterations just in it's English incarnation.  One could easily see many potential stories out there. So that leads me to ask... Question 16: What are your hopes and fears for the upcoming (now in theaters: Thanks, --The editor) Power Rangers movie?

My hopes are that the film is fun and at least has a decent third act. Seeing how the Power Rangers are super heroes and those types of movies have been massively popular at the box office, the problem I find is that some of the super hero films have a tendency to lack a strong third act and in turn use that act to either kick-the-can to the sequel, which then leads to incomplete cinematic story-telling or the third act is anti-climactic because the antagonist (who looks like a fantastic villain, visually) may be poorly built as a character which leads me as a viewer seeing no real threat for the protagonist.

My fear is that in trying to re-imagine the property, the film will be gritty, possibly dark, and have no soul. We'll see.

I do believe it is setting itself up to be visually stunning with little substance to back it up.  My bet is the first act is good, the second is passable and the third is solely there to set up a sequel.  I think you might be on the money with this one.

Question 17: Was there a question you were expecting from me that I did not ask?

Hmm...I was kind of expecting a question about first impressions at conventions, when you meet the person tabling to the right or left of you, and how long before you know if you can socialize with that person?

Hopefully that came out the right way.

I've tabled at some shows surrounded by sincere and wonderful people on either side of me where fun stories and tips were shared, and other times i've tabled next to people that were rude and put up barriers on their side of the table that blocked me from people's line of sight while walking down convention aisles. Interesting times.

I think tables at conventions are often just reflections of the world writ large.  There are good people and bad people.  It is sad that CincyComicCon has rolled up their carpet and called it a day, because it seemed more good than bad.  I met many great a person at those cons.  I definitely count you in that cadre of great people.

So, now is the time that I turn the tables.  Question 18: Are there any questions you need to ask me?

As a matter of fact, I do:

- What is the first thing you ever remember drawing?
- When is the last time that you had a meal that you can't forget about?
- What kind of markers do you use for your sketches?
- What do you like to draw the most?

Alrighty.  Here we go.

First thing I remember drawing, that I can actually remember the drawing of and what it looked like afterwards was of a military jet with a pilot in it.  I remember being really proud of the fact that I fit the pilot's head in the cockpit.

The last meal that I cannot forget about is, at the moment, from a few days ago when I made some fajita chicken tenders for the fam.  It is memorable because both kids enjoyed it, which is rare.

I use Copics for my sketches.  I have not been drawing with them nearly as much as I should be though at the moment.

I like drawing fantasy stuff, but I find myself drawing super hero stuff more. When I draw fantasy stuff there is a better chance of me actually drawing a "complete" drawing with back grounds and context and story embedded within the pic, but I find myself drawing little super hero pin-ups more.

And here we go with the penultimate question.  Question 19:  What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you?

That for me, there is more to life than just creating comics. I need to fully express my creative abilities in other fields as well and I feel that will help me grow as a creative. Sometimes, we limit ourselves without knowing as to why. At times we limit ourselves due to fear or what others may say, but the truth of the matter is that we will never reach our true potential unless we tap into the areas we fear most and open those doors.

And at times, we just need to go outside, get a breath of fresh air and enjoy life.

That is a good thing to take from these 20 Questions.  I am not sure how I helped you to get to that understanding, but I will take it and run with it, and take credit for it even though I am not sure how the 20 questions might have led you to that conclusion. I never know what question 19 will get me, and this answer really has me happy.  You do me a great service by saying that this interaction led to anything useful.

Question 20: What's next?  Be as vague or as specific, as concrete or philosophical, and as near term or long term as you would like.

Well, I have a number of conventions and mini-conventions that I'll be tabling at this year, including C2e2, Ohio Comic & Toy Con, Derby City, LibraryCon and other places. Creatively, I am working on a plan for Cash & Carrie: Book Two with co-creator Giulie Speziani, as well as a couple of other original graphic novels. If things fall into place, I hope to write a short film this year and possibly shoot it this summer.

I also want to again make sure that I take time off/away from the creative and work world. Sometimes we need to have our own moments of solace and peace, and there's nothing wrong with that. Fresh air. Enjoy life.

Thank you for letting me be a part of this, Scott. I've really enjoyed this. Continued best to you, and blessings to you and your family. Peace.

I too have enjoyed this.  I am subscribed to your newsletter and have been digging your tweeting.  Cannot wait to see you again at one of these upcoming conventions.

Everyone should follow Shawn on the twitters and sign up for his newsletter.  Get his books, goddamnit.  Cash and Carrie, Kentucky Kaiju, and FORCE. I don’t often seriously advocate for people to consume others’ content, but seriously, Shawn’s work is amazing and should be consumed by every living being. And even some dead ones, I’m looking your way Dead Grandma Savory.

To recap:
Shawn is really great and I count myself lucky to have met him and interacted with him on this level
Would I want to hang out with him and become his friend?
Umm… I mean, uh, that would be cool and stuff, but you know, if that happened and all that..
I have been away from the blog for a while
I feel badly about that
But, I need interviewees and questioners to keep this moving
Few people are willing to ask me questions for non-interview 20 Q’s
And it is difficult to get people to answer 20 Q’s
Rock | me | Hard Place
Which would be some kind of hard rock lyric from an Scottish band
Rock me hard place, lak it huin’t baen rock’d b’ford
We are Highland Met’l! Thank You, Glisgooooo! Goonit!
On another note, April Fool’s day went off without a hitch
And March Madness finished in April
I am trying to get caffeine out of my system
So I have a nasty headache right now as I type this
This past CincyComiCon was the last, so I will need to find another con to see Shawn at
49 years ago today MLK was assassinated
Looking at the landscape, it looks like it was only 30 years ago
Ugh
Let’s make it look like it was 100 years ago
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 376 - Yukon

20 Questions Tuesday on a Wednesday?!?!  You bet your sweet bippy there is! I have been a little under the weather and didn’t really feel up to it yesterday.  So deal, kay?

This week the wife is out of town in sunny White Horse, Yukon Territory, Canada.  Yep, her work has taken her to the Yukon Territory in February.  She can pick locations.  Did I mention that she also does work in Arizona in July?  Well, she does.  Timing is everything… Anyway… she is away working in the YT and that made me choose the topic of “Yukon.”

Thanks this week go to Lsig, Dr JHP, The lovely wife, Tonya, Aunt Linda, Grapes, Steev, Bruce, and some other guy.  Let’s get to these questions.

1. Is Yukon Cornelius a fair representation of the native population or a demeaning stereotype?
I think he is neither… I was not aware that he was representing any native Inuit population… I just thought he was just representing a caricature of a prospector.

2. Yukon Gold potatoes, are any of them actually grown there in the Yukon?
Not that I am aware of.  They are a northern potato, but I don’t think they are grown in the YT.  

3. Yukon Gold or the '49er gold rush, which was a better shot at striking it rich?
They both had terrible bajillionaire rates.  I would say there was a better chance of surviving the 49er Rush than the Yukon one just because of climate. Bunches of people died just getting to the Yukon, much less staying there for the prospecting.

4. Isn't it awfully cold up there this time of year?
It is indeed.

5. Have you ever been to the Yukon?
Nope

6. Do you want to go to the Yukon?
Yep

7. What advice did your wife before she left?
Layer up?  I don’t remember. Knowing me though, it was probably something about finding the biggest person and wearing their skin like a suit.

8. Are there any black people in the Yukon?
Not many if any.

9. What's the farthest north you've been?
Edinburgh, Scotland

10. What do you feel about Yukon Gold potatoes?
I don’t like them very much, but they are better than redskin potatoes.  Those suck and you know it.  

11. Does your wife understand the “Cremation of Sam Magee” better now that she has been to the "cold?"
I am pretty sure she is not really aware of the poem that is set on the marge of the Lake Labarge.

12. Why did Yukon Cornelius have such an array of sled dogs?
He was a collector of misfit dogsled dogs.

13. The Yukon is a great place for viewing the beauty of the Aurora Borealis but most people don’t know that it also actually makes a hissing noise. Another thing that makes hissing noises are cockroaches but those are found in Madagascar. You cannot see the Aurora Borealis in Madagascar but you can see a species of periwinkle that is used to treat cancer. According to the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics, the leading cause of death in the Yukon territory is cancer. There are 1,112 species of plants in the Yukon that represent 80 families of vascular plants but none of them are cancer treating periwinkles. That being said, what is the name of the body of water on the Yukon’s northern coast?
Oooh, a geography question.... eventually.  Beaufort Sea…. also known as “Ice.”

14. Other than tinsel and/or ornaments, do you think Yukon Cornelius ever found any silver or gold?
Nope, he was insane.

15. What would you do-oo-oo for a Klondike Bar?
Not much.  It is not even an ice cream sandwich.  It is merely some ice cream with a thin chocolate shell.  If it had caramel, I would punch a bunny.

16. So, is Blaque Jacques Shallacque the best Bugs Bunny foil ever?
Yes, yes he is.  Significantly the best one-shot bad guy ever.

17. Is the GMC Yukon still being made, even with it’s crappy mpg?
It is, indeed.  It is big an SUV-ey for when there is a light mist and you need to traverse a 1% grade.

18. Do you think there will ever be a GMC Yukon with an alternative fuel source to take care of that crappy mpg?
Nope.  That vehicle name dies when fossil fuel combustion engines are no longer being used. Hopefully it will then be called the GMC Nunavut.

19. So will UConn be good at basketball this year?
Most likely.  They typically are.

20. What percentage of the total population of the Yukon Territory is White Horse?
Around 75%.

To recap:
I am sick, and I am tired
Have a great week.

20 Questions Tuesday: 375 - Laura House

This week I get the extreme pleasure of asking Laura House 20 questions.  I became away if the delightful Ms House because of a myriad of podcasts she has been a guest on. I have heard her on Never Not Funny, Comedy Film Nerds, and most recently, FOFOP.  She. Is. A. Delight.

I know a few things about her from these guest appearances, but most of all I know she is dead funny and has one of the best laughs ever.  Let's all get to know her better now. Onto the Questions.

I started out my professional life as a cartographer, and one of the things I have always enjoyed is people’s personal geographic stories.  For example, I was born outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  The family moved to Montgomery, Alabama when I turned 3.  A few years later we moved just to the northeast of Birmingham, Alabama where I lived until going off the college.  I went to college 12 hours drive away from home at Kent State University in Northeast Ohio.  There I met my wife and we settled in Columbus, Ohio smack dab in the center of Ohio.  We have been in the Columbus area for the last 19 years.  Question 1: What is your geographic story? 

I love this question. I was born in Dallas, Texas, the actual city. At birth I was put up for adoption, so my parents were in Corpus Christie, a beach town, when I was born. They didn't even know I existed until I was a month old because I had the flu or something and so I lived with social workers as a sick orphan the first month of my life. Then my parents got me and took me to Grand Prairie, a suburb of Dallas, right between Dallas and Ft. Worth. At 16 I was a foreign exchange student. I lived in Sarpsborg, Norway on Hannestadfjellet Street. I was told the word meant something like "Rooster Mountain." It was south of Oslo on the east side of the Oslo Fjord, maybe 10 or so miles from Sweden. I lived there a year. Then was back to Grand Prairie for my senior year of high school. Then I went to UT Austin. After college, I stayed in Austin for a few years, then moved to LA. A year or two into living in LA, I got a great job and in San Francisco and lived there for a year. I moved back to LA and have lived here ever since. My mom has passed, but my Dad still lives in Grand Prairie. They moved once because a new highway went through our old house. My brother lives in Dallas about 40 min drive from Dad.

Oddly enough you are not the only person I have done a 20 Questions with who had a brief stint in Norway and lived in Austin (he still does).  Interesting. My family growing up hosted a girl from Norway.  Everyone's connected to Norway some how.  

I can only guess that your school did not offer Norsk as a language.  Question 2: was it difficult to go for a year into a school where you did not speak their primary language? And by the end of that time could you speak Norwegian?

It was hard sometimes, when I felt lonely and didn't know where to fit in. But I was a teenager - I felt that anyway. I loved the adventure. I loved meeting new people. I loved the family I lived with. Overall it was way more good than hard. And yes, I became fluent in Norwegian. I could also understand Swedish, Danish and German.

I knew that Norwegian and Swedish were super close, but was not aware that Danish and German were that close.  

Now it is time for my typical question 3 that I have stolen blindly from the unparrallelable (better than incomparable) Paul F Tompkins, and then added just a touch to make it a longer question. Question 3: Cake or Pie? Which kind specifically and why?

PIE!!!
Cake is essentially oversweetened bread. It's bullshit. It's nonsense. If it didn't have frosting, it'd just be a stupid "coffee cake." And a cupcake without frosting is a muffin. Pie is creamy deliciousness. And I'm talking about chocolate cream pie, of course. Or French Silk. Black Bottom. These pies are smooth, rich and topped with clouds of whipped awesomeness.  Fruit pies can suck a bag of dicks. Let a dessert be a dessert, I don't need fruit in it trying to mule in some nutrients. Lemon pie is good, too. In a graham cracker crust (obvi).

Chocolate cream pie is the breakfast of champions. I am on board with this decision.

Question 4: Shouldn't there be better and different options other than graham cracker crusts? Graham cracker crust is so weirdly specific and oddly singular.

Short answer - no. Name one crust better than graham. Pastry kind, it's prob good in France but the ones I've had are just flour-y flavorless dough. Oreo crusts seem super fun but it's too much. Graham has a nice flavor that holds up the taste of creamy chocolate or lemon. It doesn't compete or override.

I'm fully open to reconsider my position in some kind of pie-off or such. This has simply been my experience.

Graham.

I was really hoping you had an answer other than graham crackers.  I have been forced to be gluten free in my life and gluten free graham crackers taste like dusty butt.  I was really hoping beyond hope there.  Crushed again by my love of gluten.

Question 5:  What part of your life that you enjoy can you no longer do without undo detrimental effects?

Well, this is easy. I'm 9 years sober. So anything boozy has been bad for me for a long while. Good news is that I love being sobriety. But it really put a dent in my enjoyment of dive bars, big fruity umbrella drinks and making out with strangers.

I would imagine sobriety does bite into the enjoyment of making out with strangers just a bit.  At least it would let some realize (if the making-out-with-strangers situations continue) that the behavior has something deeper rooted than merely a drinking issue.  Congrats on the 9 years.  I cannot imagine the early, and potential continual, difficulty of going to a bar and being sober.  It would be like working in a place with Mt Dew on tap for free for me... I love that green-ish elixir of life.

You are a writer, a stand-up, a podcaster, and a meditation teacher/mentor... Question 6: Do you ever really have any downtime, and if so, what do you do with it?

Funny. My reaction to the question was "I hardly do anything," but I've been too busy for 2 days to answer, so I guess I do stuff. The nature of the things you mentioned is that they function in downtime. I'm not necessarily on stage doing stand-up, but some part of me is observing and processing ridiculous life at all times. Same with meditation. Since I teach it, there's always some new/better way to explain something, some fun new analogy to use. And if I'm not doing any of those, I'm physically writing or head writing (probably called "thinking").  I also teach writing and I act and produce and audition and stuff.

But I love downtime! One way to look at it is I'm always working. But I think in a way I'm never working. Because I love all that stuff and would do it anyway for the most part. But when I'm not doing anything-anything... I've been dating, saw Thievery Corporation at the Greek last week. I got rid of cable and am deep into Amazon and Netflix. Love fleabag & easy & tried to love The Wire but couldn't get into it, even tho Idris Elba. I'm neck-deep in Oz, tho. Damn. And the past few days, when it wasn't Oz, it was Portlandia. Not a common coupling, but maybe because I'm going to Portland today? Not sure.  

I have a dog I hang out with. I have lots of friends like family I spend time with. I have a best friend in New Mexico & road trip with the dog to visit her & her family once or twice a year. TV, dog & friends, I guess. And movies. But that's work in a way. At least I'm told it's a legit write-off.

Well, it sounds like you have the yin and yang of downtime.  It both doesn't exist for you and yet is all around you.  Truly a sound of one hand clapping type of thing.  That and you are crazy busy.  I mean really busy.  wow.

Question 7: what tool/s if any do you use for time management, with your crazy amount of stuff and all?

THE NIGHT BEFORE. My best move is what I do the night before. I plan out my day with appointment times, what to do between them, often what I'll probably eat--if I'm home what I'll make myself or if I'm in a certain part of town I'll think of where to eat there. I also schedule in fun stuff and goof-off time. I don't do this in a rigid way, I do it more in a dreamy kind of "If I could wish for a perfect tomorrow..."

It reduces my anxiety, gives me lots to look forward to, pre-solves problems that may come up the next day, and often gives me new ideas for the day.

Someone once called it a "Future Journal" - you write about tomorrow the way you might journal about something that's already happened today. It's part visualization, I guess, but I don't like close my eyes and go into great detail. I write down what needs to be done in order and how I can build other things around that. I'm writing down a to-do list. I'm just imagining it out a little more. I guess I'm imagineering a great day! Boy, do I sound like a real hippy jerk!

But it helps so much. And when I don't do it, I feel kind of lost in my day.

For some reason when I do this the night before, I'm better prepared for my day, as if I've been coached on "How to have a good Thursday" or such. Like today, I have an appt 11-12. I jotted down things I could do at home before and one was to answer your email. When I sat at my computer, it simply occurred to me to answer your email - like I knew what to do because I thought about it last night. I also know I'll have a vanilla smoothie and I'll start turkey chili in the crockpot. OMG I'M SUCH A SQUARE! Also, for lunch I'll have chili and a Trader Joe's salad because there are 2 in the fridge. etc etc

I mention this and in such detail because it's helped me a TON and maybe it'll help someone else. I feel OVERWHELMED easily, and I juggle a lot of career, information, to-do stuff all the time.

When I visualize/plan it out the night before, I see how it'll all work together and I'll be productive and have down-time and eat well, etc.

So I wake up feeling like it's already going to be a good day.

That is an incredibly easy, yet amazingly helpful method of keeping your schedule together. My time management and organizational management is questionable at best.  I am starting to run into some issues with not accomplishing tasks in an expedient time frame due to my relative lackof organization.  I need to get on top of that stuff.

One thing I noticed... You are making turkey chili in the crockpot and Trader Joe's Chili in the fridge to have lunch... That is a bunch of chili to be consumed in a relatively short span of time.  Question 8: What is it with the chili?

You just wasted a question--

"chili and a Trader Joe's salad"

It's my chili and a TJ salad.  I'm not the Howard Hughes of chili.

No question is wasted.  "I'm not the Howard Hughes of chili."  is one of the best responses ever. EV.ER.

Question 9: Understanding that it is not chili, what are you the Howard Hughes of?

I love this question. Wish I had a super cool answer. But I'll say pennies. In that I save them in jars which of course is pretty normal. But I mention it because earlier this year I wanted a smart TV. 2 months ago I coin starred the pennies & used it to BUY A NEW TV!!!

Real proud of that.

Also - that's a lot of change.

Holy shit... you bought a modern TV with pennies... That is a bunch of pennies.  The cheapest Smart TV I could find was kind of smallish, but we will go with it.  It was around $140.  Let's say you got that TV on sale for 10% of.  That means the price would be $126.  That is 12,600 pennies, and a penny weighs 0.088 ounces.  So you had.... multiply the weight by the number divide by 16 to get pounds... You had nearly 70 pounds of pennies just hanging around?  That is a bunch of copper and zinc.

Question 10:  Fill in the blanks... I find that I am mostly _______.  Others find that I am mostly ______.

I was lazy getting this to friends, then they were lazy getting back to me.

I thought I'd say: I find that I am mostly funny.  But I didn't tell my friends that. I just asked them to fill in the 2nd.

& my friend, superstar Mo Gaffney said:   Others find that I am mostly hilarious.

So I'm either on-track or I slightly undersell myself. You decide.

Actually, she offered options:  Kind or Hilarious or Energetic or Smart.
And she's the only one who got back to me.

I'm glad you took the lack of responses in stride.  Some days I would have taken the lack of responses as a reason to change my response to "not worth their time" and then cry myself to sleep.  

I really love that you said "funny" and your friend said "hilarious." Methinks you do not give yourself enough credit.  You are hilarious, and you can take that to the bank. The bank won't accept it, but you can take it there.

Question 11: why do you think your self assessment is so similar to your friend's response?

Ha. I've done the taking their lack of response personally and the crying, now I'm just like - they're busy.
 
I think my friend's answer was similar because all we do together is laugh. Not all, but mostly.
I have a good group of girlfriends who laugh a ton but we also call each other when we're down, upset, or tempted to go on a murder rampage.

She probably chose to say hilarious because it's part of our favorite time together. The most fun part.

I think you should be pleased that Mo did not say "about to go on a murderous rampage."

This question is one of my favorite ones because its simplicity hides its depth.  Question 12: Are you happy?

Yes, I'm happy.

I say this as someone who's been diagnosed with and medicated for depression 3 times.
I know the difference.
I'm somewhat obsessed with happiness and consider myself a bit of an expert on the topic.

I think we're always in a flux of emotions. Everything external to us is ever-changing, and so are our moods and feelings.
I think what I mean by saying I'm happy is that I know where to find it when I wander far away from it.

I know that my experience is going to come from what I'm giving my attention. So if I'm focused on news, facebook, bills, deadlines, criticism, etc.
--general bad stuff, ie stuff that causes me stress, worry, anxiety - general unhappiness.
I know to turn my attention to things that make me happy, things I feel grateful for.

I know if something keeps bothering me, I either need to work through some kind of upset or resentment and let it go because it's taking too much ofmy attention.
or i need to turn my active attention to things that are pleasing.

Also, I've meditated twice a day for about 10 years. With each meditation, I experience a sense of bliss that's internally generated.
Over time, I've become very familiar with that place and it gets easier to get to.

does that make sense?

That makes perfect sense.  In light of recent electoral events I feel that I should probably start meditating myself.  Clarity of mind is something to relish at the moment.

So, this should be fun.  We are at the exciting Questions 13: Do you have any superstitions or rituals (let me define rituals for this particular question.  In this instance a ritual is a set of systemic actions one takes to intentionally alter their existing state of mind.  For example, when I played soccer in high school I had an elaborate system of actions to get myself prepared for playing a the game.  At the time it was my "lucky ritual" that I started doing because I did it once and had an amazing game, but it turns out it was more of a way of changing my focus from the day to day notions of a high school kid to being focused at the game at hand. make sense)?

Ok. But what were some of your actions in this elaborate ritual?

Oof... well this is a thing that will be slightly embarrassing... okay... it goes as follows.  

1. Briefs... boxer briefs did not exist
2. lucky polka dot boxers.
3. Soccer shorts (they were white so you could see the dots if you looked, I was fashionable, yo)
4. Old ratty Tshirt with sleeves cut off
5. Soccer jersey
6. Inner poly wicking hiking socks
7. Light weight mid-calf cotton sock
8. Shin guards
9. Soccer socks
10. Neoprene knee brace
11. Cleats

By that time I was focused on playing the game

You?

This sounds suspiciously like getting dressed.

I think I do have rituals. I believe I write better if I light a candle. I had a friend who told me that whenever I want to write, to light a candle, then write while it's lit, when I'm done blow it out. So lighting a candle is my cue to write. It kind of works.

I used to try the exact right amount of alcohol to make me have a good stand-up show. I think I landed on a beer & a half. I'm sober now. Also I think they weren't related. I had a good set or a bad set depending on a million other things, like who's in the audience, for one example. But early in comedy whenever I had a good set I tried to replicate what I did. One time I swam laps at the gym then had a good set. I was like, shit, now I have to swim before a set? Now, I think it was that I'd exercised and had some endorphins, some mental clarity. But 23 year olds are dumb. If they believe swimming will yield good comedy, they'll try it. Ultimately I landed on alcohol because it was easier than going swimming, drying off, going to and from the gym, changing for the show, etc. Also I'm an alcoholic, so I have to assume that was part of the allure.

Truth. I do a lot of stuff to influence outcome that is more like, psychological. Like if I have a meeting or audition and I feel "vaguely bothered" or "in my head about something," there's stuff I do. I rarely know what I'm actually feeling. Feelings show up super vague for me. So, like after an audition I'll crave a hot fudge sundae real hard. If I look into it I'll find that "I'm just hoping I get that role" or "I'm afraid I didn't do well." Before a meeting/audition/etc I'll think I feel fine but I'm restless, or easily annoyed. It took me years to notice that when I had a stand-up show, I'd be mad all day. I'd snap at boyfriends and be irritated all day. After the show I'd feel great. I was just nervous. But I didn't feel, "I'm nervous about my show tonight," I felt "God! Why is every driving like a fucking asshole!"  So, that's what I mean, I almost never know what I actually feel.

So, often before a big appointment I do the following.
I'll freewrite for 10 or so minutes - what I'm feeling, is something going on? After that I might right a fear list - what am I afraid of as it pertains to the meeting/appointment. I have a few friends I can call & read them the fear list. They may give input like "Okay, none of that is happening now" or "If you don't get this job it doesn't mean you're worthless - that's extreme thinking," etc. Then I'd take some minutes to pray to have each fear removed. and ask god "what would you have me be?"  Then I sit quietly and see if anything occurs to me. I usually get insight like, "Go have fun, it doesn't matter, be yourself, you've lived your whole life without working there you'll be fine, just show up, just listen," stuff like that. I always feel better. It's a real structured way to deal with fears that I otherwise push down or ignore.

Does that sound weird? It's not something I usually share with people. But I assume we all get afraid about work stuff sometimes.

This is an amazingly wonderful response.

First off, I feel like I need to defend myself just a tad about my pre-game ritual in my youth.  I can clearly see that my prep was very just much like "getting dressed."  That being said, it did involve a very particular way of rolling the socks up my leg and some breathing exercises though.  It was not just me shoving my feet into socks really quickly.

Second off, I love the intentionality that you have in addressing your uneasiness.  That is some great self-care and work right there.  If you think I am not going to try some of that for myself, you are mistaken. I am often impressed by the responses I get for this question, and yours is the most impressive so far.

Question 14: Of the myriad of different things you do (acting, writing, teaching meditation, podcasting, stand-up, etc...) what do you find to be the most fulfilling?

I feel like I want to say teaching is the most fulfilling and performing is the most gratifying.
I wasn't sure the distinction, so I looked them up.

fulfilling is satisfying. gratifying is enjoyable. So I think my instincts were right.

I love teaching somebody something. I love teaching meditation -- people only 100% identify with their thoughts, then they get this whole new experience.
it's amazing to see and incredible to play a role in that. it gives me physical energy and it affects my heart emotionally - it's sharing a heart connection with someone.

performing i love because - oh shit, i just realized it's in the same way. i'm connecting with a roomful of people, but it's different because it's about me initially.
when i teach it's about the person i'm teaching. i share information and experience and I'm tuned in to how they're receiving it. my focus is --is this landing with them? is this helping them?
when i perform, i'm interested if what i say is landing, and i make adjustments for things to land, but 80% or more, I have stuff I'm going to say. I thought of it, i've said it before, I think it's funny.
i'm not trying to get the audience to some new place.

both are about connection, though. i guess i say teaching is more fulfilling because it's a connection but the person is, sorry to put a heavy thing to it, they're changed forever. teaching someone fills in a gap in education or experience with the intent that it benefits the person.

performing, i connect with an audience, or i don't. but when i connect it's mostly super fun for me, they're not going to be forever benefitted by my performance. but we are all sharing nice moments during the show.

I love that you determined that both teaching and performing are aspects of connection.  I definitely have not framed them both through the same lens before. Individual versus group connection.  Even though they are ostensibly for different ultimate purposes, they are still human connections and interactions.  

So... Question 15:  other than when you are teaching meditation to someone, where do you see yourself being most present?

Easy. When I'm making out with someone I like. Next!

That makes sense.

Question 16: Is there a question that you were expecting me to ask that I have not?

I thought you might ask the follow up question of: Have you made out with people you didn't like?

To which I'd have answered: most certainly.

I think most people have made out with people they do not like.  I know many people who have made with people they thought they would like. Turns out many people are not as great judges of character as they are judges of physical attractiveness.

So... Question 17: What do you look for in someone you want to make out with?

I got stuck on this one. What do I look for in someone I want to make out with? To be sadly honest I'm not that picky. I kind of wonder what it's like to make out with almost every guy. When you're 10 ppl say you're boy crazy. Older, ppl call it slutty, I guess. Tho I was never labeled that. I think my baby face protected me.

If I'm at a party & chat with someone for a while, I want to make out with them. I guess if they show interest & make me laugh. I think I'm supposed to look for more qualities but that's about it.

Cute, makes me laugh & wants to make out with me.

No shaming here.  You could want to make out with someone because their hair is brown and we'd all be fine with that.  As long as the make-outs are between consenting adults, who am I to judge.  I would not say that is slutty behavior at all.  Older people are dumb.

So, now I turn the tables for a question.  Question 18: Is there a question/are there any questions you would like to ask me?

Here's my question for you - What's the most gratifying part of doing 20 Questions for you?
& I have a 2nd question. Has someone already asked you that? If so, I want a do-over.

Well, that is an easy one.  I get to know people in a much more thorough and (in many ways) intimate way through this process.  We have been emailing back and forth for 5 months, and honestly I don't often do that with some of my best friends. I will let you in a on little secret.  This process is honestly a bit of an excuse to become friends with people I enjoy on the Internet.  It works to varying degrees. There are people that I asked my 20 Questions to years ago who I consider friends now, and there are people I spent over 6 months corresponding with who might not remember who I am.

Now onto the second question.  Yes, I have been asked that.  You may have a do-over, so Question 18A: Do you have any other questions for me?

If you had the power to change ONE historical event (excluding Trump not being elected)....what would you change and what would you hope would be different in the world today because of that change of history?

Boom.

Wow, this is a crazy interesting question.  The whole idea of the Butterfly Effect makes this question have ramifications far greater than just altering the action.  Historical actions have historical significance and if the action is removed, what does that mean? Private negative experiences are what I have grown from, so I am less likely to remove events from my life that may have been negative to start with because they have made me who I am. To mitigate the potential error propagation, the altered action would need to be relatively personal and recent, so we are no longer talking about any significant historical event and just taking the definition of "historical" as meaning "in the past."  I had loaded nachos today for lunch and it is not sitting well with me.  I think I should have made the time to walk to the market and get something healthier.

So, we are at the penultimate question... Question 19:  What are you taking from this 20 Questions that you did not bring with you?

I appreciate all your big words but I think you avoided the question. Wasn't about personal history, was about World History - if US hadn't made the Louisiana Purchase or brought over slaves or if G Washington did want to be king or if Henry 8 hadn't started a church or if Hitler's parents had been nicer to him ...YOU HAD THE POWER TO HYPOTHETICALLY CHANGE ANYTHING AND YOU DIDN'T!. That's something you'll have to live with.

What I have taken, so really, what you've given me in this experience is a greater sense of comfort in the world.
Sounds big, and it is. But surface-level Twitter is like, no thanks kinda scary. Sometimes there's a sense of finding a like-minded person in a tweet and maybe follow them or go down their rabbit hole posts for a while.
But you were like a hand extending outward in a good way and invited me into what's become about 6 months of intimacy. Honest questions and honest answers. More in-depth than 2 people at a party, unless it was maybe a 6 month party.
So that's what I've gotten. A connection. Which comes with a sense of being seen & heard and on some level appreciated. Which is a great thing, especially amongst all the sound and fury.

Okay, here is the thing.  I will clarify my response for the historical time-altering.  Everything that is now is only because of what was in the past.  I am a big believer in the butterfly effect and non-linear recursive mathematics (chaos theory) which both ascribe to the concept of compounding the effects of change over time or iterations.

So let's look at a historically significant change that many people talk about.  A bunch of people would say that they would go back in time and whack Hitler before he became a force to be reckoned with.  So Hitler started a world-wide war that killed a total of 75 to 80 million people (including the ethnic genocides, civilian casualties, and military losses).  Potentially those 75 to 80 million people would be saved if Hitler had not invaded Poland... but by saving those 75 to 80 million people you have basically made the close to 10 billion people that have come after that war to not ever be. I am one of those 10 billion people and my family is part of that 10 billion.  I like my family and am happy with how my life has turned out, and I like the movement forward by society since the 1940's.

Now let's look at personal tragedy that is life altering, but may not actually effect the overall timeline of world events (as we know it).  On my 19th birthday, I witnessed my best friend's father get hit by a drunk driver.  He was killed and it really messed with me. At 19 I lost my invulnerability, I realized that we are mortal beings who only have a limited amount of time on this rock spinning around a star spinning on a galactic disc.  The trauma of the event altered me to my very core.  The changes that have taken place within me are in no small part due to that event taking place.  The person I met and married, I would not have met and married.  My children would not be, and my best friend who just had a beautiful baby girl would not have brought that life into the world had that even not taken place.  That event, while tragic and despair inducing at the time, has tempered me into the person I am today, and has formed many of the people who I love today.  I do not think I would change that now, 20+ years on.

So, I may have been a little flip in my response about loaded nachos (which were not great, I mean seriously they were like lead in my belly), but I stand by the analysis.  I can happily live with the results of my hypothetical inaction.  I did think it through, and very seriously, because it is a great question.  

Now onto what you have told me that you are leaving with that you did not come in with.  Wow.  I am humbled by your response.  Connections... real connections are difficult to generate in today's digital world.  So much of our interactions are fleeting noises that when we have a sustained connection it actually means something.

I really have relished the contact that we have had, and will miss it when we are done.  I have seriously enjoyed conversing with you via these 40+ odd emails and hope that this conversation has helped us to become actual internet friends.  You are a person I would love to meet up with to share food and laughs, and I hope that the feeling is mutual. I hope that we both make the effort to stay in contact, because you are a goddamned delight.

last one... Question 20:  What's next?  Be as concrete or as vague as you want, as short-term or long-term as you feel comfortable, and as grounded or philosophical as you would like.

FEELING IS MUTUAL!!! Let's stay in touch & maybe we cross paths in human form face-face one day!

Next? Going back to bed. Ha just kidding. i will give you a characteristically super long answer.

Your questions have corresponded with an interesting time.  My boyfriend of 6 years, 2 off/on before that, 10 sort of circling each other before that-- so 18 years of liking this dude, some of those years included travel and holidays together, parents birthdays, hospital visits. Family. Well, he broke up with me in a sentence on July 31. "I don't want to work on it any more."  

So, while I was answering your questions, I was also working on myself -- why was i with him, what was i getting from that, who am i on my own, what do i really want.
the things we explore when things fall apart and it's time to rebuild.

And it's been good. As you clearly understand from your answer to my last question. I didn't want it to happen, but I like where it's gotten me.
I want to act. I came to LA to act, then I shut down somewhere. I've made a living writing and I've kept performing to various degrees, but I know I want to act - so I am.

I will spend the next year boyfriend-free and continuing to pursue my own best interests. all the energy i was willing to use to work on that relationship gets poured back into me.

So what's next is to keep on with where I'm headed. Letting myself show up for the life I want.

Well, I, for one, love you working on yourself and pouring all the energy that was consumed by your relationship into yourself.  I want to remain email friends and will happily email with you for as long as you are willing to put up with me.

I have enjoyed this 20 Questions immensely and, as I stated previously, you are a goddamn delight. I feel like I am a better person for getting to know you better.

As it is, everyone should follow you on Twitter, visit your website, and listen to your podcast, "Will you Med with Me?"

Thank you thank you thank you, Laura.

To recap:
This is a long one but well worth the read
I love asking thoughtful people 20 Questions
It is even better when that person is creative and has a very strong point of view
I really love me some Laura House
Now I need to listen to “Will You Med with Me.”
I have waaay too many podcasts in my repertoire
Did not get the opportunity to march this past weekend
Little Man was in a swim meet
That will eat up some time
He dropped 5 seconds on his 100m fly
It is amazing to see him drop time in such short distances
Hopefully he sticks with it
Netflix’s Voltron Season 2 is up and running
I think I will start my consuming of Voltron now
I still need to watch the series finale of Sherlock
I also have a bajillionty things to do for my job
And I need to invoice a client for a map as well
I have another interview that is just about done as well
Maybe for next week
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 374 - Cold

Last week, much of the house was out of commission with colds and the weather here got extremely cold.  Horrible coughs with insanely filled sinuses and fevers combined with single digits (Fahrenheit, not above freezing crap Celsius single digits that are comfortable). That made me decide to make today’s topic to be “cold” even though today is more balmy than cold.

Thanks this week go to Lsig, St Pierre, Larock, J MacCallister, the Wife, and some other guy.

brrrrrr… let’s do this.

1. The Swedes have an expression, "There's no bad weather, just the wrong clothing."  What do you think of this?
There are temperatures, that regardless of appropriate clothing, will simply bother you.  I find wind chills under -20F (you centigrade peeps can google it your damn self) don’t really care about your clothing and at temps above 105F (you centigrade peeps can google it your damn self) there is not getting comfortable either.

2. How cold does it have to be to totally preclude shorts? Do you hold your kids to a different benchmark?
I am sadly enforced by work to be long-panted, so after 7:45 AM Monday through Friday it really does not matter what the temp is.  I tell the kids to wear warm clothes because they are not quite old enough to determine if they are good at not wearing appropriate clothes yet.  As they get older that might change.  I think the girl-child runs warm like I did.

3. Can you hear the expression "cold hearted" without immediately launching into "c-c-c-cold hearted...snaaaake" a la Paula Abdul? Because if so, you're a stronger person than I am.
I really don’t hear that expression unless it is in association with a reference to the song, so my answer is a qualified “No.”

4. Do you like eating ice cream in the winter? I like eating ice cream anytime, but I know folks who don't like it when it is cold outside.
I like eating ice cream whenever.  I will not eat it outside necessarily, but I do like it.

5. If I'm remembering your geographical history correctly (and I've read it about 100 times now), you grew up where it is not so cold. Have you thoroughly adapted to Ohio winters?  
Completely.

6. We’re in the early stages of planning a move back to the East coast. Living in Long Beach, CA anything lower than 50˚(you centigrade peeps can google it your damn self) and I need a winter coat. Here’s my question, Will future Fall/Winter fashions be forgiving enough in their requirements to permit me getting away with wearing 12 coats at once?
I think you will be able to layer about 6 coats and still be ambulatory.  The other 12 layers will cause you to become immobilized.

7. What is cold fusion?
Fusion is the combining together of 2 atoms to create a different atom.  It, in general, takes and insane amount of energy to make happen.  Cold Fusion is that same process just without the incredible amounts of energy to make it happen.  Currently in artificial settings, it takes more energy to combine atoms than they release in the process.  Otherwise it would be a viable energy source.  In other words, Cold Fusion is a thing that is not yet.

8. Why, in the age of science, do parents still tell their children to wear a jacket or they'll catch a cold, when a cold is a virus that has nothing to do with the weather?
We aren’t much more than hairless apes. Hairless apes who get the sniffles when we get cold.

9. Why do ice cubes float?
The angle of incidence associated with H2O makes a crystalline structure of the solid “ice” take up more volume than the liquid version of H2O.  So the solid in this version of the same chemical is less dense than the liquid.

10. Is cold pizza ACTUALLY delicious, or is it a myth contrived to justify being too lazy/impatient to turn on the oven?
In some instances, yes.  Only certain pizzas and only for breakfast.  

11. What is the lone cold family member to do when her barbaric family taunts here and makes fun of her because she is cold in the house, her house on which she pays the mortgage? What is that poor poor over chilled person to do to get comfortable in such a clearly warmth devoid environment? Where is the compassion in my house (that I primarily pay for I might add)?
This seems awfully pointed.

12. Why is cold a concept and not an actual thing?
Cold is the absence of heat which is a measure of energy.  It is a lack of something and not actually a thing.  It only exists in the absence of certain amounts of something quantifiable.

13. The capsaicin is a chemical flavoring in food that is defined as “hot,” is there a flavor that is cold?
Cucumber? That is the best I got.

14. Name all the cold based heroes in comics that you can.
Heroes?  Okay, Iceman, Ice, Frozone, ummm… Elsa…

15.  Now name all the comic book villains that are cold-powered?
Mr Freeze, Captain Cold, Killer Frost, Blizzard, Jack Frost, I think that’s all I can muster.  

16. Why is a cold called a cold when you do not get it from being cold nor is it intrinsically cold?
I would have to guess the low-grade fever that chills you.  

17. Is it worse to have your head cold or your feet cold?
Feet

18. Would you rather go to Antarctica or swim in cold water (From your 8 year old daughter… very earnestly)?
I would rather go to Antarctica. Swimming in cold water causes craps in the legs.

19.  What are you willing to do now with a cold that you were not willing to do as a kid?
Make meals so the family will not be whiny and hungry. Really pretty much any effort I make as an adult who is sick is more than I was willing to do as a kid.

20. What is the worst symptom of the dreaded cold?
Being stuffed up.  I hate the discomfort in the headline area. My sinuses are crap

To recap:
It was cold last week
And many of us had colds
I am almost over my cold now
It is the time for my sinuses to release
Little Man has a science project due soon
I am not sure how to motivate him
He does not seem to realize the relative lack of time left for the creation of content
He is done with the data collection, but he needs to analyze and summarize and then graphicize
I think he wants me to swoop in and save him
Nope
Ain’t gonna happen
Seeing the snow from the 26th floor of one of the buildings I work in is pretty awesome
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 373 - 2016/2017

2016 has come and gone, and without getting too much into it, I think the roller coaster ride of 2016 will only be getting more roller coastery.  2017 will be like 2016+1.  Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose, nes pas?

Here is the thing for us gen x-ers out there and even the boomers and that lost group between the two.  Our icons and idols are going to start dropping like flies, and 2016 was not even the start of it.  Get ready to give tributes every year from now on, suckers.  Our icons be dying, yo.

So this week I am answering questions concerning 2016/2017.  I have questions from pfmDesigner, Bruce, some other guy, the wife, child the first and child the second. Now, onto the questions.

1. What are your top-three death predictions for 2017?
Freedom of the Press, Judicial Oversight, and Mainstream Media as a source for information.

2. In what month will there be a call for a presidential impeachment?
February, followed by March and April.  The GOP will tow their line and squelch it and the Dems will give up on it by June.

3. In what month will there actually be an impeachment trial?
It will never make it far enough to get to a trial.  Too many people in lock-step now.

4. In what month will President Trump use the F-word on live television?
February.

5. Once Donald has used the F-word, will he be fined by the FCC, or will it then be considered acceptable to use in normal broadcasts?
He will be fined but will pardon himself while eating the Turkey that Obama pardoned this year.

6. 2016 was a leap year, so we got an extra day in February, we also got an extra second at the end of the year. Do you know anyone born on leap day? On non leap years, do they celebrate their birthday on the Feb 28th, Mar 1st, or not at all?
I do not know anyone off-hand who was born on Feb 29th.  I would imagine I would make my birthday last for 2 days and everyone would need to venerate me for 48 hours for three years and then just have a party on the fourth.

7. 2017 is a prime number. Anything else mathematically interesting about it?
Not especially.  I saw someone trying to do mathematical gymnastics with adding multiples of 420 and 69’s to get to 2017, but that is childish, because everything can be boiled down to 420 and 69... amiright?

8. How do you rate your 2016?
Personally?  Pretty good.  I was able to successfully switch careers at the age of 41 and then feel like I was contributing in the new career fairly quickly. The kids have done well this year and my wife is killing it this year with a bunch of different projects.  This blog has done well this year because I have gotten a few really good interviews and was solicited to actually interview someone. The big negatives for the year are the societal impacts of the most recent election and how it has become demonstrably less safe for my interracial family.

9. What are you looking forward to in 2017?
Star Wars Ep VIII and some Marvel movies… there are all sorts of unseen activities and other things that could be amazing, but I don’t know what they are and therefore cannot look forward to them.  Surprises be surprising, dawg.

10. What are you saying good riddance to from 2016?
I would like to say good riddance to the fear model that has been motivating/demotivating me for ages. It has been here long enough and now I need to be motivated by growth and challenge.

11. What are you saying hello to for 2017?
Being more present in my own skin.  I need to get into better touch with my feelings.  I need to be an adult with complex emotions instead of going through the motions and acting how “Hu-Mans” act.

12. Do you have a highlight of 2016?
Switching careers is a big one… and our second Backroads vacation is pretty amazing as well. I think those are the 2 primary highlights.

13.  Sooooo… Trump… What happened?
There have been enough treatises out there about this that are amazingly well thought out.  I am not going to weigh in beyond this.  The short of it is that the mainstream white establishment really got scared by a black man in the highest elected office of the US and did everything they could to reassert their dominance.  It is the last throws of a dying establishment.  The arc of time always bends towards social justice and equality.  It may be slow but it is asymptotic.

14. Let’s talk about 2006/2007… what did you think you would see this year 10 years ago?
Goddamnit I wanted flying mutha-fuckin cars.  Best we got was some shitty segway tours of mid-sized cities.

15. In your best Andy Richter Voice, do some predictions about “In the year 2017… In the year 2017…”
Falsetto/ In the year 2017… In the year 2017… In the 2017, Cheeto’s will drop the slogan, “It ain’t easy being cheesy,” in favor of “Cry ‘Havoc!’ and unleash the dogs of war!”
Falsetto/ In the year 2017… in the year 2017… In the year 2017 orange futures will go up and up and up in spite of Florida slowly be submerged under the weight of Walt Disney World.
Falsetto/ In the year 2017… in the year 2017… In the year 2017, Betty White will stop being a Golden Girl and finally become a Golden Woman.

16.  Which gorilla are we going to kill in a zoo this year?
My money is on Coco the sign language gorilla.  She is going to piss someone off with her back talking. “Concealed carry” and “stand your ground” means the shooter walks away. #RIPHarambe #Kony2012 #Blessed

17. How much more can Space X do this year?
They will sell space on the first MCT (Mars Colonial Transport) rocket and get a commercial launch scheduled on the books for 2019 (one year later than they initially wanted). And they will land a second stage of a rocket as well as the first stage for a single launch. Blue Origin will be Blueberry Jelly.

18. What will be 2017’s Zika Virus? and how will people of color be blamed for it?
I think it will be a pork-based influenza called Bacon-Flu and it will almost single handedly wipe out Gen-X guys with goatees because they love bacon so much. People of color will be blamed because whitey can do no wrong in Trump’s ‘Merica!

19. What other color (purple is already there) will your youngest add to her hair?
4 thin strong blue streaks within 3 months.

20.  2016/2017… WTF?!?
I know, right?

to recap:
Made Maque Choux last night for dinner
It is so tasty
Anyone who hasn’t had it is losing out
I told you that my wife made a gluten free lemon tart for the Christmas Holiday, right?
I dreamt about it last night
The kids and I are feeling a bit under the weather
I am tired of cough medicine
So, so tired of it
So much so, I am pretty much done for the evening and it is nowhere near my typical bedtime
I had 8 interviews last year and I am currently in the middle of 4 this year
Hopefully all 4 will finish up
Anyone know someone who wants to answer my 20 useless questions?
Send them my way
Have a great week everyone
  

20 Questions Tuesday: 372: Christmas Aftermath

As everyone knows, Christmas was on Sunday.  For our big gifts to each other the wife got a king sized mattress from Casper.com and I got a dishwasher to replace the shitty one we got far too recently to be getting a replacement.  Anyway... after the morning of unwrappening was over, there was an amazing proliferation of box detritus and a wealth of discarded wrapping paper.  It made me think of the whole idea of Christmas Aftermath… There is an unspoken horror that is the clean up after Christmas Morning.

So without further ado… Thanks to The Baklava Fairy, Bruce, Sandyland, Aunt Linda, the MiL, the wife, and some other guy.

1. How soon is too soon to take down the tree without being a Grinch?
Christmas Day is a bit early, but other than that no one can really call you a Grinch.  People have lives, yo.  Sometimes you have to clean up things when you can.

2. How late is too late to leave up outside lights without being That Asshole Neighbor?
Depends if you leave them on or not.  If on? January 13th is the arbitrary date I state, and if off (and they are not icicle lights on the eaves of your house) leave them up all year.  Who am I to judge, I threw out our rotten jack-o-lanterns the week of Thanksgiving.

3. Thank you cards/letters for gifts? And how soon to send them?
Nope, Christmas happens too often to get thank you cards.  If you were to send them they should go out by that arbitrary January 13th date.

4. Recycle or just put in the garbage all of the rapping, ribbons, bows, and packaging?
Recycle, my kids are going to have to live on this rock.

5. Is re-gifting ok?
Depends on many different things.  Regifting a shit gift is not.  Regifting a quality gift that does not match with your lifestyle to someone that it would… that could work. If you are going to err on a side, err on the side of caution and don't regift.

6. Have you ever refused a gift for any reason?
Nope.

7. Are the "12 days of Christmas" days leading up to Christmas day or do they start on Christmas day and follow?
They lead to the day of Epiphany which is 12 days after Christmas.  Shit ton of birds, yo.

8. Boxing Day?
Not sure what I’d celebrate seeing as how I am neither a bank worker or a delivery man and I do not expect a Christmas Box.

9. Day after Christmas shopping &/or returns?
Nope, I stay away from retail as much as I can the week after Christmas.

10. Why oh why do people think it's wise to try and return/exchange an item the day after Christmas when the lines are forever long and people are craziest?
Sometimes people have limited time off and need to return some gifts.  Don’t judge, just stay out of the way.

11. Are you glad it is over...or are you let down?
Did you just asked me if I am glad it’s done or did it suck? Those are not mutually exclusive categories.  I could be glad its done and it could have sucked at the same time.  I think your question shows a bias towards not liking the holiday. I cannot say that I am happy it is over, because I enjoyed it, and I cannot say that it let me down, because it was a good Christmas.

12. Did you eat too much?
Yes… too much Christmas Lemon Tart and no bake white chocolate peanut butter clusters.  Way too many of all of that.

13. Did you make fun of your MIL? And why?
Yes, we all made fun of her because it is how we show love. She should know that by now, unless her thinking has become really unclear as of late.  There are indications that her think melon may no longer be ripe though.

14. After the euphoria of opening gifts, which one is the most useful in your day-to-day life?
Other than the bed and the dishwasher? I got some really nice underwear and socks, but I think the shoes I got will win out for most useful.

15. Are the kids still holding onto the Santa thing?
One is, one isn’t… you can decide which is which.

16. What is the worst part about cleaning up after the “opening”?
Getting all the boxes taken care of.  They are such a painful problem… sometimes it takes a whole lot of effort to get them broken down enough to easily transport to the recycling.

17. How longs does it take you to come down from the Christmas high? You kids?
1 day for me, but the kids? about 10 minutes… then it is all “What have you done for me lately?” and “I’m hungry.”

18.  How many of the kids’ gifts will be played with in 3 weeks time?
10%

19. What is the worst thing about the Christmas Aftermath?
Dismantling the tree and putting the decorations away

20. What is the best thing about the Christmas Aftermath?
Getting the house back to normal.

To recap:
I ate soooooo much lemon tart the day after Christmas
I think it will take some time to completely recover food wise
I cannot even begin to think of how long
I do see a treadmill in may future though
My sweaty sweaty future
A great holiday was had by all
The pups at like royalty all day long
And were confused the next day and today when they were not treated to the same culinary delights
Rogue One was a tasty little movie
I need to get drawing again
Maybe a Princess Leia is in order
How about a General Leia instead?
Carrie Fisher was much more than Princess/General Leia Organa of Alderaan
So much more
She will be sorely missed
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 371 - Holiday Shopping

This week I should be ordering all of the Christmas presents for the year.  Should be.  We will see if that happens.  My bet is that there will be a mad dash to Christmas to get the last stuff all together.  Ergo, with this impending need of Christmas shopping completion, today’s topic is “Holiday Shopping.”

Thanks this week go to pfmDesigner, Nadolny, Chris Ring, and some other guy. Let’s get to the questions:

1. Do you try to spend the same amount for each child, or do you like to make the favoritism obvious?
We try to be equitable.  The issue is that Little Man’s gifts tend to get more and more expensive, so he ends up getting less objects that are worth more.

2. At what grade do you stop sending a gift in for the kids’ teachers?
On purpose and not because you are a terrible parent who constantly forgets deadlines to give money to group gifts? 7th Grade.  Otherwise 2nd. I am a terrible parent... It takes a community to make up for my lack of effort.

3.What is the latest you’ve ever hit the stores to get that one last gift?
Christmas Eve after a church service.

4. Was there a gift you received as a child that didn’t excite you then, but would thrill the grown-up you?
A nap. That’s a gift, right?

5. What has replaced Silly Putty as the best gift ever?
You have an egregiously faulty assumption in your question concerning the “best gift” status of “Silly Putty.” Specifically I do not think that Silly Putty ever was a “best gift” to be dethroned by something.

6. If stores offered (or offer) wrapping at a $1 a package, would that be something you'd pay for? $2?, $3, where's the line?  Or do you all enjoy wrapping?
I am not the present wrapper for the family.  That is my wife.  Usually she loves wrapping, but with how much of a premium her time is now, wrapping sucks. My bet is if they could wrap on our schedule, she might be willing to pay a premium.

7. How hard are you to shop for?  Many adults buy stuff when they want it (instant American gratification!), which makes it tough.
I am terrible to buy for because deep in my heart I do not feel that I deserve gifts and therefore do not let myself think about what I might like. So it is difficult for me to come up with ideas and difficult for others to think things up as well.

8. Best present you've ever heard of for Christmas? (skip the religious ones)
With how my life has been going recently, I think a nap.

9. Did you ever practice the thankfulness for gifts response from the kids?  Like when they get an ugly sweater from an aunt or uncle "Oh, thank you so much" with a straight face.
The wife and I neglect our kids enough that even if they get a pack of gum from some obscure relative they are just insanely grateful that someone knows who they are.

10. Have you ever used the campy line "oh, no presents for me, your presence is present enough!"
Nope, because no one’s presence is a present to me. Not one person… well… maybe the wife. (by “maybe”, I mean, “definitely” the wife and kids… I’m not an animal.

11. Ever gotten coal for a present?
Nope, I am amazing

12. Are you pro/con on store bought bows on presents? Prefer the hand tied ones?
Bows are useless ornamentation.  Unnecessary.

13. Ever open a present to see that it had broken?  If so, was it because you shook the package?
I don’t think so. I am not sure

14. Favorite store to shop in?
Is Amazon.com a store?  How about Zappos.com? JetPens.com?

15. Worst person to buy for?
Off-hand, I would say me.

16. If you had to buy yourself a gift it would be?
Someone to paint my office.  It is a horrid color right now. It needs painted badly.

17. Best gift you could get that cost $0?
Have I mentioned anything about napping yet? Because a nice nap would be amazing.

18. Where do you avoid shopping no matter what?
Wal-Mart

19. What is one store you always go shopping at every holiday buying season?
The Lego Store.  The kiddos love them some Legos.

20. How did you do your holiday shopping as a child?
My mom would take me to Century Plaza Mall and I would go from store to store to store to find gifts.  

To recap:
The Wife just got back in town
It is delightful
Okay, I got nothing for the recap
I see Rouge One a Star Wars Story on Friday
So there is that
I hear it is good
I am happy for that
Star Wars is good for that
I like Star Wars stuff
It is usually at least relatively good
I hear this one is pretty darn good
In the meantime I have been watching The Modern Rogue on the YouTubes

It has nothing to do with Star Wars
I’m old because I call it the YouTubes
My 2 best childhood friends are now 43
At least I am not that old
Have a great week everyone