20 Questions Tuesday: 364 - JP Sears

This week I have something unusual in store for the 20 Questions.  Usually I have to go begging people for questions or I approach people I think will be interesting and beg them to answer my 20 dumb questions.  This week, as a change in plans, I have been approached by someone wanting to be asked my 20 Questions.

This week I am asking JP Sears 20 Questions.  I know very little about Mr Sears.  He has a YouTube channel (Awaken with JP) and you can schedule some personal sessions with JP through his website AwakenWithJP.com.  He is a mindfulness spirituality practitioner and teacher.  But other than that, I don't know much about him.  I guess this is what the 20 Questions will be for.  

As my very few consistent readers know, my first career was as a cartographer.  I have always loved maps and mapping things out.  When I was studying geography, I really enjoyed the concept of a "geographic story."  Let me share with you my personal geographic story. I was born just outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at Tinker AFB.  As an Air Force Brat my family moved to Montgomery, Alabama and stayed there a few years before moving 2 hrs north to just to the Birmingham, Alabama area, more specifically, in a smallish town called Center Point.  I went off to Kent State University in Northeastern Ohio where I met my college sweetheart.  We both went to grad school in Columbus, Ohio at Ohio State, and have lived in the Greater Columbus Area for almost 20 years now.  Question 1: What is your geographic story?

I grew up in northwestern Ohio and then moved to Southern California when I was 23 because Ohio wasn’t spiritual enough for me.  Two years ago I moved to the east coast of the US because I got too spiritual for Southern California, it couldn’t handle me.  More recently, I’ve moved from practicing hardcore presence in the Now to being present in the Soon.  It’s a much more progressive place for me to reside.

I am not certain that Northwestern Ohio is spiritual enough for anyone.  It is kind of a spiritual void, ask any of the dead-eyed drones living there.

So, with your level of enlightenment, Question 2: Where would you most like to live?

I’d like to find a place with the spiritual pretension-ness of Santa Monica, the organic-ness of Ashland, OR, the unkept armpit hair of Boulder, CO, and the Ayahuasca-ness of Peru.  So, in other words, I’m still looking for real estate.

I'm not sure that Shangri-La exists.  Maybe it is like that old maxim of you can choose 2 of the 3: good, fast, or cheap.  I would suggest the armpit hair and pretension-ness... That's got to exist, right? (Not a question, only rhetorical.  We all know that is Berkley.)

To steal a bit from Paul F Tompkins. Question 3: cake or pie? Which specific kind, and why?

Definitely pi. The sacred geometry behind it is simply far more sacred AND geometrical than the glutenous filled boring poison that is the wet dream of any child's birthday party. Always pumpkin. And always exactly 3.14159 ounces of it.

Oh, the ratio of diameter to circumference wins again. It really is irrational how many people enjoy pie. Measuring to the hundred thousandth place is difficult.  I commend your precision.

Question 4: If you had to choose between precision and accuracy, which do you go for?

Accuracy.  It’s always way more precise.

Interesting.  Accuracy without precision can be an issue, and accuracy does not presuppose precision... and vice versa. These can be mutually exclusive properties. One can be accurate without being precise, and one can be precise without being accurate. It is like the yin and yang of targeting.

My favorite yoga position to say is "chaturanga dandasana." It is great to say in an announcer's voice. Question 5: Do you have a favorite yoga posture that you just enjoy saying? Not necessarily doing, but saying.

Yes, a cliff side Anjali Mudra is my favorite pose to say that I do.  Speaking of the dangerous location in which I say that I do the pose adds more mystique, which obviously gives me better results from the yoga session that I talk about doing.
JP

P.S. Check out “What I Love About The Olympics” my latest Ultra Spiritual video. 

Ookaay… Interesting that you want me to look at your video.  Not quite germane to our discussion, But I will give it a view.Anyway… dangerous locations do add mystique to everything.  My favorite is cliffside milkshake making.  The milkshakes are just better when there is some risk.  Everything is more vibrant when one's fear of heights is engaged.  I am quite the milkshake maker. Really I am a bit of a milkshake marvel. Most people do not know of my amazing capability to make milkshakes. It is one of my best hidden talents.

Question 6: Do you have a hidden talent that people would be surprised about?

Yes, I’m exquisitely talented in having the inability to pay attention when someone is going on and on about milkshakes.

That is not nearly hidden enough. Your loss anyway.  I have been perfecting a cookie butter milkshake that I can never eat.  It is very much a “the sound of one-hand clapping” thing.  I am perfecting something of which I cannot experience.  How do you like them apples? Rhetorical question not the actual question...

So, I unfortunately have to be gluten free.  It is under much duress and gnashing of teeth that I am no longer allowed to eat any breads or grains that actually stay together when chewing... I have watched your gluten video... Question 7: why must you mock my pain?

First of all, congratulations for achieving gluten intolerance status. It's true, I do not people who can still tolerate gluten. It's my way of helping wake those people up so that they can live a good life of progressive intolerance to gluten. One of the main purposes of my life is to democratize gluten intolerance for all. Your next step on your path of progression will be to become intolerant to those who can tolerate gluten.

You.. you seem to have turned that on me somehow… I am only intolerant of them because I want to eat a doughnut so badly.  A nice yeasty doughnut that has been deep fried and glazed with some type of confection.  Those were the days, my friend.  I could eat doughnuts with wild abandon.  I miss them so much.  

Question 8: "Doughnut" or "Donut?"

Donut. The simplicity in its spelling bleeds Taoism.

Question 9: Aside from any "free Tibet" arguments, does Taoism actually bleed?

It bleeds more than Confucius bleeds confusion.

You have not read Confucius lately then.  His witticisms are confusing and sometimes just outright wrong

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

All I have to say is SPIDERS

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Even the best jobs have drudgery.

"I hear and forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

Ugh... I get it.  Confucius is a visual and kinesthetic learner.

Any hoo...

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

Humble.  Amazingly humble.

It is really nice that you are on message with yourself.  

Now I am going to ask a deceptively simple question that has nearly infinite levels of complexity underneath it's simple form.  Contemplate the complexity before answering it because it requires a surprising amount of introspection.

Question 11: Are you happy?

No, I don't do emotions. They're too damn human for me. The feelings that I am into are very non-human emotional feelings such as bliss, ecstasy, euphoric, unconditional love, and abundance. I'm all of these things and an abundant amount of more than them too.

That makes so much more sense.  I understand you on a much deeper level now.  Question 12: Transcendence can be an emotion, right?

Transcendence is a dimension of enlightenment where you end the trance of having emotions.  Trans-END-ence.  I don’t know exactly why the word has the “ence” on the end.  But I do know that you can’t spell transcendence without “end.” And that’s exactly what you should do to all of your non-spiritual emotions, which is all of them by the way… End them.
JP
 
P.S. Check out “Flat Earth Theory” my latest Ultra Spiritual video. 

I am starting to think that you are only using my blog for some kind of marketing thing.  Weird segue since I am a geographer at heart and a cartographer by training.  Anyway… Back at it…

"Ence" just shows that it is a noun and sounds better than "transcendosity."

Oh, unlucky 13... Question 13: do you have any superstitions or rituals?

I don't believe in superstitions because I think they're bad luck. I do have rituals though, big time. Who do you think put the ritual in spiRITUAL?

The same people who put the "GLAD in gladiator?"

Anyhoo... I figured you would be against superstitions, but full of ritual.  That seems to be how you roll.

Question 14:  What ritual do you find yourself doing the most? What does it do for you? (2 questions at the same time? my dojo, my rules)

Posting yoga photos of myself to Instagram.  What does it do??? Scientifically speaking, I’ve documented that posting a photo from your yoga session makes your yoga session 50% more effective.  And if there’s a 50% chance that you’re gonna die in your yoga photo set up, then your yoga photo is 50% more effective at making your yoga session 50% more effective.  Cliff side Anjali Mudras and Downward Dogs at high tide are my favorite.

Question 15: Do you really think that risk increases reward?

No.  But it definitely increases the effectiveness of your yoga session.  And there’s significant reward in that.  The only alternative is to increase your risk of being unrewarded.

That is some convoluted risk assessment.  It seems almost circular.  Well we are on the downward slope of the 20 Questions now.  Question 16: is there a question you were expecting me to ask you that I have not?

Funny, because I was expecting you to ask that question. I do anticipate you asking me what my hair care beauty secrets are.

So, you have lustrous silky smooth copper colored hair that seems to always be amazingly coifed.  Question 17: what are your hair care beauty secrets?

Look at that hair!!!

I'm not telling, because they are secrets.

Fair point, but it is so lustrous... It is like copper silk. Oh well.

It is time to turn the tables. I am a little afraid to ask this, but Question 18: do you have any questions for me?

Yes. How intimidated does your higher self feel by me?

My higher self is beyond simple concepts like intimidation.  To be intimidated implies inferiority and superiority.  My higher self is beyond such base concepts because my higher self understands that aspiration for superiority is hope and that hope only leads to pain because it is the acknowledgement of something better that is missing.  My higher self is beyond the trifles of this mortal concept of "better."

That being said, I have never accessed my higher self and have been quivering in your inimitable shadow for 18 questions.  

Question 19: what are you taking from these 20 questions that you did not bring in with you?

I'm definitely taking a new ray of enlightenment. I've learned so much reading my own answers to your questions.

Well, I am glad to have supplied a platform for you to inspire yourself.  I am the mirror and you are the bird calling itself "pretty."

Question 20: What's next? Be as vague or concrete, as close term or long-term, as philosophical or grounded as you want.

Next I'm going to the Symbiosis Gathering where thousands of people are coming to see me. I think they might have some other speakers and performers too... In addition to my speaking, I'll be practicing some hard-core being as well as aggressive compassion while I'm there.

Okay everyone… that was a thing.  Not sure I know any more about JP now than I did beforehand, but I did enjoy my conversation with him.  Give JP a follow on Twitter, subscribe to his YouTube channel, give his Instagram a looksie, and check out his website and his Facebook page.  

The Symbiosis Gathering is this week, so if you want to see him, that is where you need to go.

To recap:
That was odd
The line blurs between what is and what is portrayed pretty strongly
CincyComicCon was a bunch of fun the weekend of the 9th
I drew these whilst there

I am happy with them
Our dishwasher is broken
And the kids are useless when it comes to dishes
I have 2 other interviews going on right now
They are going slowly
I need a couple more
Anyone want to answer 20 Questions?
Even if you have done it before
I have at least 20 more questions I can ask anyone
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 362 - Mikey Neumann

Today I get the pleasure of asking Mikey Neumann 20 Questions.  I became aware of Mikey's existence because of his Movies with Mikey series on the YouTubes with his Chainsaw Suit Original channel. He now houses these fine pieces of art at his website newly launched MoviesWithMikey.com website.  The first of his Movies with Mikey I greedily consumed was his treatise on "The Force Awakens," but I came to love this Mikey Neumann fellow with his critically acclaimed review of "The Iron Giant." Good goddamn that was beautiful.  Mikey is more than just a film critic/analyst (he gives more than mere critiques).  Mikey also creates a boatload of content as well. So enough of my waxing eloquent.  Let's get to some questions.

My first career was as a cartographer.  When I was studying geography, I really enjoyed the concept of a "geographic story."  For example, I was born just outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  As an Air Force Brat my family moved to Montgomery, Alabama and stayed there a few years before moving 2 hrs north to just to the northeast of Birmingham, Alabama in a town called Center Point.  I went off to Kent State University in Northeastern Ohio where I met my college sweetheart.  We both went to grad school in Columbus, Ohio at Ohio State, and have lived in the Greater Columbus Area for almost 20 years now.  Question 1: What is your geographic story?

I would say my geographic story is quite bland, possibly even boring. I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and lived in a small town called Broken Arrow until it was unceremoniously and completely destroyed by a tornado. It was by all accounts, a one street down culminating in the town's church on a tall hear near the end of the street. The tornado landed on one end of main street, destroyed practically every business on the strip, and dissipated because it couldn't get up the hill to the church upon it. It was a Little House on the Prairie-esque moment as the church was just about the only thing still standing in the town (and if you don't get that film reference, you are understandably off the hook).

From there, I lived in Norman, OK for a bit before heading off to Texas when I was in 4th grade. I went to a lot of schools as a kid, not really finding a place I really fit in until high school. I went to college in Austin, but moved to Plano to work at Gearbox Software, 15 years ago, where I still currently work on the daily.

I've seen a great variety of states in our union, but unfortunately, have only lived in two of them. I think I want to live in Hawaii at some point. Outside of the exorbitant price of cheese, I do quite think I would enjoy it there.

Or maybe Vermont. I always wanted to say I have a "summer home in Vermont." That's not a thing I will afford in my life team, but a kid's gotta have a dream, right?

Oh, that is not a boring story at all.  I think you may be the only other Okie that I have talked with for this humble blog.  I find it interesting that you would like a home in Hawaii and a summer home in Vermont.  Those are very different climates to gravitate towards.  I like it, but it is different.

Question 2: Do you see yourself moving anytime soon (not necessarily to Hawaii)?

I work a full-time job at Gearbox. I love my job and what I do so, no, I don't see myself moving anywhere else anytime soon. Having said that, my dream is to someday live in Seattle. I love too many people up there and I love the area too much. Everything about Seattle is beautiful to me.

I can completely understand that.  Gearbox is the real deal.  Everyone loves at least one Gearbox game.  Seattle is an interesting place. No haven't been there in years, but it was a fairly enjoyable time.  I went there to present a paper about the Emergency Broadcast System and tornado risk in Ohio. I'm great at parties.

Now to my usual third question.  Question 3: Cake or pie?  Which specific kind and why?

Pie. Cake is just sugar-bread with sugar-milk on top. Pie is an art form; an exercise in discipline. If I had to choose a pie, which I will freely admit is unfair, I think I'll go with a somewhat classical choice: French Crumb Apple Pie. The mix of textures and layers makes it the most exciting pie-eating experience (ranked solely against other pie-eating experiences ... not, like ... ranking it against fighting 200 zebras to the death in a cage match). That's cooler than all pie by a comfortable margin.

I love doing these with people who have opinions.  Interesting that you went with the French Apple Pie since it sounds eerily like a Dutch Apple Pie (which is what I would go for since I live on the outskirts of Amish Country).

Your Movies with Mikey pieces run the gamut of genre, Question 4: do you have a particular favorite movie genre?

Oh, wow. Are we too early in the process for me to reply: "I disagree with the premise of your question?"

It implies a few things, haha. I'm such a dick, but at the same time, I honestly disagree with the premise of the question. If I have a Movies with Mikey crusade it's that, it's okay to like all kinds of things and you shouldn't endlessly rank and choose favorites. This is what the blogosphere has done to us. We believe that everything must be ranked, filed, and sorted--that something's value is derived from how it stacks up against others.

What's your favorite genre of painting?

Oh, that's weird when it's paintings, right? Paintings hang in museums because the volume of experience is important. We need to be exposed to things we both already appreciate and things we are not even aware of. At the end of the day I like film as an art form, and I want to keep myself as open to all experiences within that medium as I can. Music is like that too. "What's your favorite type of music?" As we learned in high school, once we classify a genre, we immediately start pigeon-holing ourselves into it.

Apologies for that brief sidebox (it's like a soapbox, but it's one as delivered as a side conversation).

To truly answer you, I would say the genre I have derived the most joy out of over time: The Action-Comedy.

We are never too early in the process to question the premises of any of my questions. Always question.  I guess a better way to phrase the question would have been "what genre of movie are you always compelled to consume regardless of the perceived quality or popular and critical review?" Kind of a proxy for what's your fav.  

Anyhow...I used to make maps for a living, and now it is hard for me to look at what people call maps. I peer at them in disgust and wonder at the state of the world. Question 5: Since you work for a computer gaming company, can you play games objectively or are you constantly critical of the product in front of you?

In short: no. I've been working on games for almost 20 years at this point. I've worked with practically every aspect of game creation and it does start to disincentive you from playing certain types of games. I tend to stick to "gamier" stuff at this point. Games like Civ V make no attempt to hide their game behind the ruse of an "experience." That's where I run into trouble and cannot be objective in a slightest. When a character shouts "You're our last hope, Johnson! Follow me to victory and tell my wife I love he--" and is insta-murdered. That's where I cease to see a game at all and can only focus on the facade of what the developer is trying to create.

At some point, you reach a point where games can no longer lie to you, so to speak. In the last 10 years, honestly only Naughty Dog has succeeded in allowing me to believe in a scripted universe again. They create experiences so flawlessly that I can silence that aspect of myself and just enjoy it.

I like clean rules. INSIDE does not disguise what it is. Sure, some of the moments in that game cheat a little timing here or there, but if you "test" the limits of that game (for lack of a better term,) it will kill you. That's where game design is the most fun. INSIDE is never afraid to show you how dangerous the universe is and kill you. I think that's important in game design: intellectual honesty with the player.

I hope that answer wasn't too rambly. I could probably talk about this for 50 more pages or so.

Not too rambly at all, but I thought I that it might be the case that you could no longer easily just enjoy a game.  Once you know how some things are made it makes it difficult to remove yourself from that equation. It is always interesting to see something you love become something you make and the become something you cannot do anymore.  

So considering your time in the gaming industry, Question 6: what do you uniquely know because of your time in that industry?

I know that truly great games are made by a team of dedicated people. This myth of the 'visionary' is kind of bullshit. I mean, our industry certainly has them, and some of them are even really that good, but without a team of dedicated, exceptional individuals behind you, all the good ideas in the world don't mean a hill of shit.

And game design isn't really that much having good ideas, it's being able to neatly and directly convey ideas to programmers, artists, designers, etc. in a way that builds of a deeper working relationship. In all honesty, I've been in the creative director seat and made a lot of mistakes. Being right doesn't mean damaging a relationship to prove so. In fact, acting in this way ensures that you are sort of automatically wrong the next time around, because it will be near impossible for a line of communication to exist that would facilitate a winning result.

To quote Wheaton's Law: Don't be a dick.

I think people see those indy game developer documentaries and think that fewer people are necessary to make a good game, and sometimes but rarely that's true.  I think people underestimate the effort necessary to make a good game and how many specialized people are necessary to make something good.

You bring up Wheaton's Law, and you cohost a podcast with the aforementioned esteemed Mr Wheaton called TV Crimes. Question 7: how did you hook up with the guy who played Joey Trotta in Toy Soldiers?

In short: I make really good chili.

It's a bit of a dismissive way to describe our friendship, but it's also kinda true. We had met at PAX Prime one year, and we hit it off okay. I was in LA for a game recording, and I wasn't too far away from his house. I offered to make chili (just something I do) and the rest is kind of history. I remember when I was making it thinking "if Anne and Wil don't like this, at least you have the story that you made chili they hated."

We were playing Wits and Wagers when I served the chili and I remember Wil took 2 bites, looked up at me and said "This is the best chili I've ever had." It's sort of its own legend at this point, the "Mikey Chili." It's all very silly but it's also kind of hilarious. It was big with the Desert Bus crowd too. We raised $1000 in 15 minutes once for DB because I agreed to talk about my chili secrets.

The reality is I just really enjoy cooking and food and learning. What makes my chili kind of an experience is that I 1) never make the same chili twice and 2) will do everything in my power to incorporate things you love into it. I've made a garam masala indian chili (with fresh naan bread,) I've made vegan chili that fooled an entire room of people, I mean--I've made a lot of chili, haha. There's a Gearbox chili competition every year and I have my name on the wall plagues quite a few times.

It sounds very boastful--a trait I usually try to avoid--but it's a porridge-like meat sauce you scoop onto hot dogs. It has very little value to the human story at large, chili. I'm okay being a little boastful about it.

Anyway, to pull that back around. I made chili so good that we became really good friends and now we make a podcast where we beef on silly old tv shows and it's kind of awesome.

Sometimes you just gotta take stock of the things in your life that are like "how the eff did this happen? How is this my real life?" and just bask in it. Be thankful for the miracles in your life. You'll enjoy it more.

Interesting.  I would not have guessed chili as the glue between you and Wil. I love that you do not make the same chili twice.  That is great.  I also dig that you incorporate your philosophy into everything you do.  I do not dig that I just used the word "dig" twice in that way.  Ugh... I hate myself a little for that, ya dig?

Question 8: is there a word/phrase you find yourself using in spite of yourself?

Hm. That's a tough one. I think I've reached that mid-30s age where no matter how I talk, whether sarcastically or not, there are certain things I will not get away with uttering in front of other, breathing humans. I cannot walk into a room and proclaim something is on 'fleek' without appearing sarcastic, or worse, like an idiot screaming at a wayward family of clouds.

Lately, I think I quote random Youtube things, even if the people I'm talking to haven't seen it. In true honesty as it pertains to the question, the thing I keep saying and should probably stop based solely on the confusion of it, is Griffin McElroy from the golf episode of Monster Factory. I cannot (and seemingly will not) stop saying "The King's Game: Ball Chess" when I'm playing Rocket League. I don't know why I do this. It makes no sense that I do this. But I do this.

The King's Game.

Ball Chess.

I am not super up on the YouTube stuffs, so a bunch of what you just typed seemed a bit confusing to me. I am old and out of touch.

That being said, I think "on fleek" was only non-ironic for about 3.4 seconds.  The rate with which things go from hip and with it to "hip and with it" is alarmingly fast. By the time the mainstream picks up a trend the trend has been passed over by the avaunt guard.  

Question 9: do you think with how trends are becoming increasingly ephemeral that eventually trends will end up becoming meaningless to pop culture and people will only deal with micro-climates of coolness?

Well, trends and pop culture are sort of synonymous in real time. Lots of trends cease to be popular culture after their moment in the sun has diminished. YouTube was like a 20x multiplier on this particular topic. Example: We're going to remember Duran Duran forever. They are part of history from the time period they evolved music from the inside. However, Leave Brittany Alone, David at the Dentist, Chocolate Rain--the memetic offerings of popular culture today, don't live the same life cycle. None of these YouTube blips will live on in our collective historical record of culture. Even if all of those things, for about a week, were as 'known' as Duran Duran. On the internet, you can be Duran Duran famous for one day, but history will not remember you.

I think to look at it from a different way, popular culture today is very different because our number of inputs has increased so exponentially, that we can ride from wave to wave on the success of people rising to the top of the internet pile for a day or a week. With that in mind, what kind of YouTube examples have elevated above the 'one and done' mentality and actually earned a spot in our cultural, historical record? In simpler terms, who are the Spielbergs and Scorseses of this generation, if there even are any?

Or have we become too addicted to the quick fixes that it's now completely about the disposability of entertainment. ie. We now have so much access to whatever we want, that it's all kind of disposable now. We simply never run out, so it's value, by sheer volume, is diminished?

Hey, I ask the questions around here... But to your point, I think we are seeing a flattening of trend setting.  Trends are now significantly shorter in time span but more widely hitting.  It is very much a deep and narrow trend setting of the past vs the broad and shallow trends of the present.  In this regards I don't want to say that the "shallow" trends hold no significance culturally, but that they are so fleeting that there is little chance for their significance to transcend multiple cultures into a larger cultural significance.  "Fleek" really meant something to some group of people.  For them it really was "on fleek," or "OG fire," or whatever else those damn kids are saying today with their beep beep and their boop boops...

As for will there be some larger trend setter personalities or content creators? Time will separate the wheat from the chaff.

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

I find that I am mostly curious. Others find that I am mostly WHERE THE FUCK IS HIS OFF SWITCH?

Well, those are really two sides of the same coin, aren't they? (Rhetorical questions don't count for the 20)

When I asked French blogger extraordinaire Patrick Beja 20 questions he stumbled into this absolute gem of a question.  The question's simplicity belies its depth and meaning. Question 11: are you happy?

Yes, correct. That is a deviously insightful question to ask someone because it forces them to hold up a mirror to their own woefully inadequate lives as juxtaposed against the trajectory they envisioned for themselves.

I don't think there's a true answer to the question, just perspectives on it. To answer differently--I am at my most happy when I am creating things and putting them out into the world. It doesn't really matter if I'm writing a major project like a Borderlands game, or making new episodes of Movies with Mikey, or doing silly music projects just for the reward of doing them ... I am at my most happy when I am creating. Like anything, happiness is not a binary. You are not all-the-way-happy and then another time all-the-way-not-happy.

Sometimes we are more happy.

Sometimes we are less happy.

I can go to Hawaii and sit on a beach sipping on a Mai Tai and be really damn happy, but I can also get bored in Hawaii. You can go to Hawaii and be reminded of a painful memory and then you might even be sad in Hawaii. It's all relative. Similarly, being around family can run a gamut of emotions across the entire spectrum. Family can make you the most happy, the most frustrated, the most angry, the most saddened, and the most perplexed of pretty much anyone in our lives. So, in the simplest terms, 'are you happy?' has but one answer: no, because the question is an impossible and ultimately myopic way to view existence. But I am at a point in my life where happiness is a pursuit I can afford myself with less effort to achieve it. When you are younger, this is less possible due to circumstance.

I am at a point in my life that grants me a lot of times to make things and a full-time job that I am provided a fountain of happiness by working at.

What a strikingly introspective back-and-forth this has turned into.

Right... so you are happy.  Got it.

You actually bring up an interesting point (damn you and your interesting). The "sometimes" piece is really important, because overall I am relatively happy right now, but there are moments when I am crazy happy or not-so-happy.  Those moments matter and are valid.

Question 12:  Do you have any mottos, credos, sayings etc... that get you through life?  

I do. It's probably silly but it's something I honestly believe because you can measure the success of any day with it.

"Leave the world a better place tonight than the one you woke up in this morning."

It's pretty simple but you can use it to gauge interactions and events in your life. A lot of the time, you can go a little out of your way to do something nice for someone else. Like, I can go to the Rocket Fizz by work to buy a bottle of root beer, but if I buy 2, I can give the extra bottle away to someone at work. Surprise bottle of artisanal root beer? Generally, this improves someone's day every time. It's silly and small, but it works.

That's just a silly example but I think it illustrates my point. Think about this in every interaction. And if you piss someone off or hurt someone's feelings, you know you have to work extra hard to make sure you didn't make the world a worse place (collectively speaking). Though, and this is the simplest advice I can give, do not allow whatever mistake you've made to fester. If you wrong someone, apologize as quickly and as earnestly as you can. Pride is a dangerous thing as it applies to human interaction.

I probably sound like a hippie but that's my creed, if you will.

That is not bad at all.  I really like the simplicity and effectiveness of it. And who doesn't want artisanal root beer? I know I want one right now.

The motto I typically gravitate towards is "Don't let the fuckers get you down."  This one hails from my Mother-in-law and is all about not letting haters win.

Oooh, it's spooky Question 13: Do you have any superstitions or rituals in your life?

Not that I am aware of. Though, I certainly notice them in the day-to-day. Right now, it is 2016. And yet, pretty much every building built today does not have a 13th floor listed. Generally, floors in buildings go from 12 to 14.

Today. In 2016. The fear of superstition is so great that the people building our structures believe that people will simply refuse to stay or work on the 13th floor of something (despite it actually being the 13th floor and simply labeled as the 14th).

I find that silly. Actually, I find any infrastructure that exists to hold up long-held superstitions to be quite reckless.

Superstitions are dumb. Don't rub the slot machine, you look like a whack-job.

Superstitions are silly, but I see tons of ritual that make a certain level of sense.  Ritual is often useful for getting into the right frame of mind.  I do not have any ritual in my life at the moment, and I find that is a bit of a loss.  I should add some mindfulness rituals or meditation rituals to my life.  Ritual, it seems, is important for focus and such.

I have never understood how 13 was "unlucky."  But that is relatively understood.  I would love for architects to just give the 13th floor a letter distinction or just a blank button and for all of us to refer to it as "the floor with no name" like it was Voldemort or something.

So you podcast, your create videos, you animate things, your job is to create video games... Question 14: is there a media platform out there that you want to produce content for, but have not yet?

Yeah, film. Obviously, film is something that is very important to me.

I think my dream currently (as these things change) would be to be a script doctor for a while. I romanticize it in my mind a bit, the idea of rewriting scripts to help get them to where they need to be before they film (and sometimes during). Joss Whedon did a lot of this back in the day. Speed comes to mind. He was brought in at the last minute and they were like: "Rewrite all of the dialogue but don't change anything that happens in the film." I really like the challenge level of that. It's probably a nightmare, but I'd like to give a try.

The platform is film but I have a pretty specific way I'd like to get into it. I feel like films lens too early as of late. We, as the audience, care about characters. I want to help take part in that.

Is that cheating? Am I attempting to divine my own trajectory a little too much here?

I should have guessed film, and no, you are not cheating.  You should try to drive your own trajectory.  That is something that I need to be doing more of.  I feel like my fear of failure takes precedent too often and hampers me from even attempting to drive my personal or professional trajectory as much as I should.

Okay, I might be pushing a bit here, so feel free to tell me to mind my own business and buzz off. You know a boatload of creatives on the Interwebs. You already work and co-create with many of those people on the regular. Question 15: Have you ever plotted out a trajectory that involved that cadre of people in getting you creating film shorts to get moving in that direction?

Not really. I'm thinking more in the long-term. As of right now, I have a full-time job I adore at a game company that makes amazing shit, so, I don't want to be throwing any of those darts right now.

Having said that, I have been making some short films and stuff on the side. I got some short film side-piece action in the pipe (Did I use any of that terminology correct, fellow kids?) In a perfect world, some film director that is already into my stuff would just email me out of the blue and be like "Yo. Rewrite this." And then I'd be cagey at first, instilling our conversation with a feelingof uncertainty. This is all a ruse. Then I'd say yes and the rest is Star Wars history.

(Please call me, Star Wars, okay thank you.)

It really is great that you clearly enjoy the job you have and the fact that you feel part of them making some really amazing games with very compelling interactive story-telling.  If I were not now doing something I enjoy, I would be incredibly jealous of that statement, but I luckily changed my career 5 months ago and am now really energized by and no longer dreading my job.

You have gone in depth about aspects of the gaming industry with some of the previous questions, and they were very insightful.  In your answer above you reference that you "adore" your job.  Question 16: what is one thing about your specific job at your specific company that you absolutely love?

This is pretty easy to answer.
Making trailers for Borderlands games.

(Disclaimer: When I use statements like "I made" and the like, I am not attempting to take any much-deserved credit away from audio design, animation, cinematic design, the marketing dept., and all the other departments supporting our efforts on the trailers. I'm just talking about conceptualizing something and editing it.)

It's only one (much smaller) aspect of my job that comes up every few years. It's actually informed a lot of who I am now in surprising ways. Back in 2009, I'd never edited a trailer before. I'd never really edited anything that wasn't silly high school and college short films before. I imagine there are not a lot of game companies where you can just fall into something like that. I guess I'd done those Claptrap shorts before this, but there's a pretty large difference between ancillary content where a robot swears at food and an actual worldwide marketing campaign. I would say both Gearbox and 2K have been admirably patient with me in that respect. On this side of it, I see how big of a risk it was.

The first trailer is so tame, comparatively, looking back. It was the first trailer (and certainly not last) trailer to feature the tagline "87 bazillion guns" (a tagline coined by Randy Pitchford). I had the real number of guns on there and Randy wanted to make it funny and he saw an opportunity to make up a sort-of slogan for the game. Genius.) We did quite a few Borderlands 1 trailers and I remember, going into BL2, having some conversations in marketing about how we were going to steer a much larger ship this time around. But the trust was the same going into the 'Doomsday' trailer. Only this time I pushed it with the stuff like "Get ready to Joy Puke your face off" and whatever other asinine word-chocuterie that--and this is true--ended up on official Borderlands merchandise at Hot Topic. Oh yeah. There's a JOY PUKE hat. I have it.

I have a weird job sometimes.

I created a trailer for BL:The Pre-Sequel where I called in an assist from the Dance Central team at Harmonix so that I could have a dance break in the trailer about Vault Hunters fighting on the moon. There were many phone calls.

"You want to put another company, that is unrelated to the game in any way, in the trailer?"

(Harmonix is amazing.)

The mission with Borderlands trailers was always very simple: make a piece of entertainment that people will like and tell them about the game. So, characters and phrases from the trailers sort of bled into the overall Borderlands universe. I've learned so much on this sort-of side journey I've taken with all the lovely people involved in Borderlands marketing and PR.

Epilogue: Movies with Mikey obviously wouldn't exist without my experiences in that space, with those people. Every person along the way is making you better, sharpening your toolset, even if you're not aware of it at the time.

I absolutely love everything about that aspect of my job.

Good goddamn, that is amazing.  I want to work at Gearbox now (truthfully, I wanted to work there before).  They sound great and willing to take chances.  That is honestly amazing, do you know if they are looking forUX guy willing to tele-commute from Ohio?

So Question 17:  Is there a question you were expecting me to ask that I haven't?

There is not. Oof. Looks like you wasted one!

Well, crap.  I only have a finite number of questions and I just whiffed on one, and I will never get it back.

It is now the time of the blog where I turn the tables on myself and give you the opportunity to ask me something. It is always a trepidatious time for me, but Question 18: do you have a question or questions you would like to ask me?

What are two movies you would remake and why? I will point that the necessity of the film for a remake is important to the question.

This is an incredibly difficult question.  The reasons are many-fold.  One: the movies need to be ones that can actually be told well. Two: the movies being re-made need to be poorly made movies or almost good movies.  Otherwise the movies wouldn't need remaking. This is something I think the industry misses sometimes.  They remake good movies when those movies are already good.  A remake should fix something that is broken.

Okay.  So here goes.  Movie The First: GI Joe.  How did they mess this one up? Good guys v bad guys with a world beating macguffin in play.  Simple really... Except to throw a left hook to it, go old school and make it make it the original GI Joe (he has to have a beard and a six wheeled vehicle) and make the first movie a singular commando (kind of a non-espionage James Bond) who has to take care of some kind of macguffin from an unknown terrorist organization that is show to be the seed of COBRA in a post credits scene. Then the franchise is in play.

Movie the Second: Flash Gordon.  That movie was incoherent.  It would be difficult to make this movie, but it could be great.  This is a pulp icon that could use some love.

So... Question 19:  what are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring with you?

I have discovered that interviews can be a lot more than just a fluff piece about a particular piece of content.

This was fun. I would definitely do more stuff like this.

Well, thank you kindly.  This is a very different format of interviewing to be sure.  I find the fact that it happens over a longer period of time and that it allows both me and the person answering the 20 questions to really think about the answers and the questions makes for an interesting read.  The amount of thought you have put in has been amazing.  Thank you for that amount of effort.

The last question, sadly.  I have had a blast getting to know you better and slowly but surely consuming every bit of content you have been creating.  Question 20: What's next? Be as vague or concrete, as close term or long-term, as philosophical or grounded as you want.

More of the same things I'm doing. New videogames coming out over the next few years, more Movies with Mikey, more TV Crimes, more shorts, more of all of the things people know me for, I guess.

And hopefully some bigger surprises. I always have too many side projects going on at any one time. I've been trying to get better at this and say no to more things, concentrating on fewer, bigger things. Not a lot of ways for me to get more concrete that that. I love what I do and I hope I continue to have the opportunity to get to do it. For whatever reason, people wanna hear me talk about stuff and be a little silly. That's a pretty great way to make a living, I do believe.

Everyone should be awarded the opportunity to bring more silliness in their lives.

I agree, everyone should be a bit sillier in their lives, and that is a great sentiment to end this on.  Well, this has been an absolute delight.  Everyone should give you a follow on the Twitter, and check out the Chainsawsuit Original channel on YouTube.  Check out his new website MoviesWithMikey.com and make sure you watch Every. Single. Moves with Mikey. Ever. He published his Movies With Mikey on Interstellar, and it is stellar. Now I need to carve out time to listen to TV Crimes and shoot myself for the Stellar/Interstellar pun.  Ugh.

To recap:
Mikey is amazing
Next weekend I will be at CincyComiCon... I will be at Table D-14
I got an artists table and everything
Selling my Crappy Notecard Sketches™
Our house is a mess at the moment
I blame the puppies
They take soooo much effort
And are just messy
I love my pups, but I don’t think I like dogs
If they were not my dogs, I am not sure I would like them much
The wife has started converting herself to a dog person
She even listens to the “Can I Pet Your Dog” podcast
She is also a morning person now
I am not sure what the Universe has done with my wife
The King's Game... Ball Chess
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 355 - Jeff Cannata

Today we get to read the 20 Questions of one Jeff Cannata... One Jeff Cannata? I mean THE Jeff Cannata.  I became aware of the exuberant Mr Cannata is ages ago because of The Totally Rad Show.  After that podcast called it quits I lightly followed Jeff around.  He would guest and interact with people and shows that I followed.  His content creation orbit intersected my content consumption orbit and it was always enjoyable when our arcs intersected. Then I found myself following him actively again with his podcast, We Have Concerns.  That podcast is a combination of improv comedy and odd tech news.  It really does defy description.  Now I am a fan and supporter of that podcast.

So without further ado, my 20 Questions with Jeff Cannata.

I have always enjoyed maps, and that is why my first career has been as a cartographer.  When I was studying geography, I really enjoyed the concept of a "geographic story."  For example, I was born just outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  As an Air Force Brat my family moved to Montgomery, Alabama and stayed there a few years before moving 2 hrs north to just to the northeast of Birmingham, Alabama in a town called Center Point.  I went off to Kent State University in Northeastern Ohio where I met my college sweetheart.  We both went to grad school in Columbus, Ohio at Ohio State, and have lived in the Greater Columbus Area for almost 20 years now.  Question 1: What is your geographic story?

My geographic story isn't nearly as varied.  I lived in one house my entire life, until moving away for college,  My father still lives in that very house, in Antioch, California, up in the East Bay Area.  I went to college in Santa Barbara at U.C.S.B., then moved down to Los Angeles, where I've lived ever since.

That is surprising.  You seem not especially California centric... Question 2: Do you travel much? If so, what would b your "go to" travel spot?

Absolutely!  My wife and I love to travel.  In fact, this year for Christmas, instead of physical gifts to each other, we decided to just take a small trip.  It really is our favorite thing to do.  We got engaged in Australia, and married in Italy.  Last year, we traveled to Portugal and France.  If I had to pick a favorite, it would be difficult to choose between Tuscany and Provence.  Both are magical places.  But rather than returning to spots we love, we both still have so many new locations we dream of visiting.  So, it is much more likely that our next "go to" trip won't be someplace we've already been.

I love traveling, but I haven't been able to as much since the kids have come along.  I am a bit jealous of your travels though.  All of that traveling sounds amazing.

So, here comes my typical and extremely important Question 3: Cake or pie? Which specific kind and why?

This is perhaps my favorite question in the known universe... and I have a definitive answer: PIE.  A thousand times, pie.  Even bad pie is better than most cake.  Now, I've had some extremely impressive cakes.  There is a place here in Los Angeles called Susie Cakes that makes an amazing marble cake.  And the Nothing Bundt Cakes chain serves up stellar cakes, too.  But the very best pies?  They obliterate the very best cakes.  The perfect pie crust, flaky and delicious, with any number of wonderful fillings - I'm a sucker for Pecan, Blueberry, Peach, Key Lime, Pumpkin, you name it.  There is a place near my house called Simple Things that makes a Salted Caramel pie that is to die for!  Inside the lid to their pie box they stamp the words, "You Make Good Decisions".  I couldn't agree more.  My own mother's Chocolate Pie is simple and perfect and one of my favorite things in the universe.  You have hit upon one of my favorite topics: sweets.  And pie in particular brings no end of joy to my life.  I'm not gonna turn down a good cake, but pie is almost never bad and frequently divine.

Simple Things Restaurant: Salted Caramel pie

I love enthusiastic answers for this question. You are the first person to have ever been vehemently on team pie.  Most of my pie choosers always say "Of the two, I prefer pie" and the people who choose cake would hip-check a 3 yr old out of the way to get some cake.  I love the enthusiasm.  

I think many people who choose cake are really choosing frosting. Question 4: Do you think frosting would take pie to the next level or ruin the delicate balance of flavors and textures found within pie?

Man, I don't know.  I do love frosting, but I'm not sure it has a place on most pies.  Cookies, on the other hand, benefit greatly from frosting.  A nice frosted sugar cookie is pretty great!

I have some thoughts in regards to cream cheese frosting helping out on an apple pie, and some other flavor combinations I have been ruminating on.  I could flip some of the cake-eaters to the side of pie.  I've got ideas.  

You clearly have multiple interests in pop culture, science, technology, and gaming. Question 5: Is there a specific topic that you cannot help yourself but to consume it? What topic above all others calls to you?

Boy that's a tough one.  I find myself pulled in so many directions.  I think I'm naturally curious, and have a genuine love of learning.  I think I might be more successful in my career if I wasn't interested in so many diverse topics.  I find myself wanting to do everything, and would probably do better to focus on one thing.  Politics fascinates me, and I love sports, travel and culture, as well as all the things you mentioned.  I think perhaps if I had to choose one, gaming might be the closest to my heart.  My lifetime is pretty much the lifetime of video games, and it has been so interesting to mature alongside an entire industry, to grow up and see pong turn into arcades, turn into home consoles, turn into mainstream entertainment media experiences. And with real virtual reality at our doorstep, the future is bright.  I think that interactive experiences have the potential to change the world as well as provide entertainment, and I'm so fascinated by what is possible.  But in just the last 10 years I've become obsessed with analog gaming, too.  The way in which learning systems can inform you of how things inter-operate from the inside, and the way simple rule sets can engender deep strategy.  I love board games, and it has been irresistible to deep dive into the hobby tabletop explosion that is occurring now.

Oh, the questions only get tougher from here. Get some paper, this is going to take calculations. A train leaves from Chicago at 11:13AM while in Cincinnati...

I have to say that I was expecting "video games" as your pop culture item of note, but I did not expect the turn to the tabletop experience.  That was surprising.  Question 6: What was the last tabletop game you purchased and what was the last one you played?

I purchase entirely too many Tabletop Games, entirely too often.  I'm sure I have well over a hundred designer board games now, and the collection continues to grow.  It's a problem.  I think the most recent purchase was a Kickstarter game called Roll Player, although I also have a new expansion for my favorite game of last year (T.I.M.E. Stories) on pre-order to pick up this Thursday.  The last one I played was last night - it is called Loop, Inc, another time travel game, actually. I try to play at least one board game per week, and often many more.  I love the tabletop experience.

I would think the coordination aspect of tabletop gaming would be the most limiting factor.  I love that you are able to make that kind of event happen weekly.  Question 7: Do you have a regular weekly gaming group, do you force your wife into playing tabletop games with you and any neighbors who make eye contact, or is this weekly "game" one you play with yourself to ensure your winning?  How are you able to wrangle at least a board game a week with the complicated schedules of modern life?

You're right, that part is tough. And the answer is all of the above, mostly. The only thing I don't ever really do is play board games solo. There are solo variants for many of these games, I'm just not particularly interested in that experience. I enjoy the social aspect of tabletop the most. But yes, I have several regular game groups, I wrangle my wife into 2 player games all the time, forcing her to try the new game that just arrived on my doorstep, and anyone who expresses even a passing interest in venturing beyond Monopoly or Clue has me throwing all kinds of strange and complicated games at them.  Anyone who visits my apartment inevitably sees the massive shelves full of games and probably wonders about my sanity.

Question 8: Do you think that the "massive shelves full of games" is the primary red flag for your sanity? Or is there something else that would tip people off? What other outward manifestations of your idiosyncrasies might puzzle people?

Oh man, I think red flags to my sanity might be a Pandora's box you might regret opening. :) There are probably quite a few idiosyncrasies that would come off as odd to others. Thankfully, my wife is getting used to them.  I tend to sing little songs about whatever I'm doing. I am obsessed with words and grammar, to the constant annoyance of others. I run marathons - I'm sure that is a red flag for my sanity for some too. Doubtless, there are many I'm not thinking of now. It really is a question better directed at my wife

Everyone has things that are red flags.  When I was younger and non-parenting a philosophy of mine was "funny over nice." That is quite a red flag.  Quite a red flag indeed.

My wife is a runner.  She has a handful of marathons under her belt and a 50k trail race as well.  She is definitely insane in a wonderful way... Wonderful in that way that made her want to marry me, but I am pretty sure she runs to create some time just to herself.

Question 9: Aside from the physical fitness aspects, why do you run?

I fell in love with running for a number of reasons. I like the alone time. It's fun to get outdoors, to be in nature, and turn on a podcast or audio book and just go. I also became enamored by the concept of doing something I didn't think I could do. Finishing a race is thrilling, and there is such a sense of community from everyone doing it, who all understand how difficult it is. Good people, good feelings, and healthy living. It's pretty great. Now, if it just wasn't so hard in the knees.

Running on roads is crazy hard on knees.  My wife only wants to do trail runs now.  Otherwise he knew swells up and she aches for days. Plus it seems the trail running scene seems nicer.

Question 10: fill in the blanks: I find that I am mostly ________. Others find that I am mostly ________.

I find that I am mostly looking for new projects. Others find that I am mostly busy. It always surprises me when people describe me as being so busy, because the t doesn't feel like I'm doing enough things.

Even from the outside, I can tell you are doing things.  I think you may be dealing with the curse of the self employed person,  constantly on the look out for more work. Your free time will evaporate right in front of you soon enough.  Babies tend to have that effect on people.

So, recently I have noticed that you have been getting into openings of marquee movies such as Star Wars Ep VII, Batman vs Superman, and (most recently) Captain America:Civil War... Question 11: How have you gotten this super power? And how can I get it? Have you been doing this for a long time and I just did not realize it?
Haha, well, I review movies for a living, so I'm fortunate to be able to attend early press screenings. Been doing so for 9 years now. It is certainly a perk of the job. :)

I noticed that you deftly avoided the "how can I get it?" Portion of the question.  A high tide raises all boats, Jeff. A high tide raises all boats...

So you are a movie critic, you host multiple web shows, host a traditional TV show, and you have multiple podcasts... Question 12: is there a type media that you would like to do that you haven't done yet?

Well, as an actor, I'd still very much like to do a big, mainstream theatrical film. I'm also really interested in doing more voice work. I've done some animation for the web, but a voice on an animated series would be a dream.

I would love for you to break into voice work as well, but from what I have heard out here in Ohio drifting in on the easterly breezes is that VO and voice acting are incredibly hard to break into.

Here we are at the dreaded Question 13: Do you have any superstitions or rituals?  For example when I was fencing in college I would practice toe touches by flicking a piece of athletic tape off the floor with my epee.  That in and of itself was not ritualistic, but the rhythm I would get into would be both calming and help me to clear my brain of non-fencing stuff.

You know, for as much of a skeptic as I am about nearly every kind of "supernatural" thing, it's pretty odd how many little habits and rules I have for myself. Especially when I'm doing a play. If a performance goes well, I tend to do the exact same pre-show rituals the next night, down to touching things and wearing things. It's like I'm a baseball player on a hitting streak. I know it's silly but I do it anyway.

It is very interesting when people decide on replicating those small little details.  I know I used to do that back when I played soccer as a kid.  In many ways I miss having that kind of ritual in my life.

You call yourself a skeptic.  I have heard that skeptics are pessimists with the hope that something is real.  Of all the supernatural things that are out there, Question 14: is there a supernatural concept/idea/creature that you would absolutely be overjoyed to find out is real?

I suppose I'd have to say alien life. It seems wildly improbable that there aren't countless other forms of life in the galaxy and the Fermi Paradox (which I'm fascinated by) tells us that the fact that we haven’t seen any evidence of them should worry us. It would change so much in the world to discover life out in the galaxy - I hope it happens and I hope it happens in my lifetime. But I'm certainly a skeptic about any theories that posit it has already happened and the government is covering it up. As far as other supernatural stuff goes, an afterlife would be nice, too. I ain't getting any younger. :)

I have always wanted Bigfoot/Sasquatch/yeti to be real. I love the whole idea of a large primate out there.  That idea is super enthralling.  Plus, the underground lizardmenare going to make sure we never find out about the illuminati's contact with alien life. All hail the underground lizardmen.

You are quite the proponent of Virtual Reality.   Question 15: which VR platform do you think will take hold of the popular culture?

That's a tough one.  I think we are still in early days.  At this point, Playstation VR seems to be in a strong position, simply because it will have low lowest price and fewest barriers to entry.  I think Facebook/Oculus is in it for the long haul, though, and I wouldn't bet against their resources.  Of the 3, I think Vive offers the most interesting play experience at this moment, but has the weakest corporate structure behind it.  Hopefully we will know more at E3 in a few weeks.  Ultimately, I have no doubt that our kids and their kids will think of these kinds of experiences as the norm rather than the exception.  Being present in the digital world rather than staring at it is just too compelling not to take over at some point.  I suspect they will laugh at flat computer screens with bafflement.

I am not sure our kids will make fun of most the tech that we have currently. I remember the tech my parents had as a kid and think about it fondly and am always impressed with how far we have come as a technological society.  Our kids will make fun of our parents' tech.  I think it skips a generation.  The rocks my grandparents smashed together to entertain themselves as kids make me giggle whereas thoughts of the blinking 12:00 on my parents' top loading VCR bring a wistful sigh to times gone by.

I think I might jump on the VR train after a few generations of the tech have come out.  By that time the systems should have miniaturized enough and the bugs should have been worked out.  I wish I was typically an early adopter, but it seems that I am much more a bandwagon jumper.

Question 16: Is there a question you were expecting me to ask that I haven't?

Ha!  Boy, I wasn't sure what this was going to be, so no, I don't think there was a question I expected.  As we've gone through, I've enjoyed not knowing where you were headed :)

I would love to say I know where I was headed, but that is categorically not true.  These 20 Questions often end up going all over the place.  I have found the more I try to force the direction on a conversation, the more boring that conversation becomes.  I have about 7 questions that I ask everyone, but beyond that it is anyone's guess where this will go.

Since we started this questioning process, it came to light(at least to me) that you are about to have your first baby.  One thing that I enjoy finding out about is how people decide on what to name their child.  I understand that you may not want to divulge the little one's name, because that is insanely private and people have weird comfort levels in telling others that the think the name they have chosen for their child is terrible.  I honestly do not need to know the kid's soon to be name, but I love hearing how a couple decides on a name.  My wife and I poured over baby-name books for years and had a bevy of options on hand prior to our wee ones being born.  Just before the birthing time, we had the names narrowed doing to 2 each time.  The first go round, we waited to meet the baby to give him his name, and just prior to the birth of our second tootsa we decided on her name. Question 17: How are/did you and your wife choose your impending progeny's name? (how's that for out of left field?)

Naming a child is such a formidable process!  Of course, everyone has an opinion, and I tend to feel the pressure of setting up a path for his entire life.  Names are powerful things.  We both have a desire to honor our family traditions, and would like to connect him to a relative somehow.  It is a lot to manage.  We've got several frontrunners for names, but we've made a decision not to settle on one until we've met the little guy.

Naming a kid is incredibly daunting, because it really can be a bit of self fulfilling prophecy. We are dealing with that just because of naming one of our pups Chewie... He chews on everything.  So I suggest you do not end up naming your child Chewie or Poopy or Farty regardless of whether or not it is a family name.

Now it is time to turn the tables.  Question 18: are there any questions you would like to ask me?

What has the experience of doing this 20 questions with people taught you?

First is that the people who agree to do these 20 Questions are by and large nice, patient people.  It seems like I am being a bit a bit pandering here, but this process is not a trivial task.  You and everyone else who has spent the considerable amount of time are saints.  You are the best.

Second, everyone is very complex.  Sometimes it takes a bit to get to the complexity, but everyone has layers like a layered thing such as shale.

Third, Cake eaters will shoot their neighbor in the head for more cake.

Question 19:  What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you?

I guess I would say an appreciation of having a conversation like this over an extended period of time. It is an interesting way to do it!

It is a very interesting process. I have started this 20 Questions process with people who have gone through some serious life changes over the course of the conversation.  There have been a few people who have found out they were going to have kids.  There has been an interview where the person I was conversing with had a family emergency and had to return to Australia.  It is really fun to read back through the conversation and see how life has changed over the course of the conversation.

This has been wonderful. I have really enjoyed it, and I hope you have as well. Question 20: What's next? Be as vague or concrete, as close term or long-term, as philosophical or grounded as you want.

Well, the most significant what's next for me is becoming a father for the first time. My son is expected Sept 8th, and that will obviously be a huge lifestyle change. I'm excited and nervous and not quite sure how it will affect all of the other things in my life. From a career perspective, I'm always looking for new projects, and hoping to do new and interesting things as both an actor and a host. I love the shows I'm doing now, but part of what makes my living so fun is that it is always shifting. I'm hoping the next few years bring lots of cool new challenges.

You have taken your first step into a larger world....

Having a child automatically re-prioritizes much of your life.  Parenthood brings many things that did not need to be clear before into a stark clarity that was previously impossible and inaccessible.  I am sure with how thoughtful you seem to be that fatherhood will be a good match for you.  Congrats, things only speed up from here.

I am also positive that you will continue to create very enjoyable content for everyone to consume to their heart's desire.

This has been an absolute delight for me, and I hope that you were able to enjoy this process as well.  Everyone should follow Jeff on the twitters, instagrams, and his website.   Jeff is an amazingly nice man, and I am grateful to have had this long and intimate an interaction with him.

Thanks Jeff!  Listen to his myriad of podcasts and consume the media he is creating.  If I can suggest any one of his properties that he has put his name on, I would suggest the podcast “We Have Concerns.” It drops a couple of times a week and is only around 20 minutes in length.  Every episode gets at least 4 solid laughs out of me and a derisive snort.  So worth your time.

To recap:
I made cassoulet last night in my new badass Dutch oven

It was really good
Later this week, I am making Skimpy Shrimpy
I don’t really know what that is
But imma gonna make it
The pups love doggie daycare
Sometimes I think they love doggie daycare more than us
The new job is going really well
I dig it
It has been a bit on the hotside lately
Nope, don’t like that at all
Brexit is a terrible portmanteau
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 343 - Jennie Josephson

This week I get the pleasure of showing you 20 Questions with Jennie Josephson.  Jennie is the primary producer for the Daily Tech News Show hosted by Tom Merritt of previous 20 Questions fame.  Jennie often stays behind the scenes and gets DTNS to work in what looks to be an effortless manner, but occasionally she will jump in an offer these amazing nuggets of wisdom that are incredibly incisive and very useful.  Jennie also has a podcast called “Tell it Anyway” where she invites people to tell stories that are a bit uncomfortable for the people telling the stories.  Topics include “bad dates ,” “The Doctor is In,” and etc…

I honestly do not know much about Jennie, but that is what this 20 Questions is intending to change.

Onto the Questions!
I started out my professional career as a cartographer.  I have always enjoyed people’s stories of place.  I like to consider it each other’s geographic stories.  For example, I was born just outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Whilst I was a little toddler, the family moved to Montgomery, Alabama, and then moved up to the Birmingham, Alabama area (a little town called Center Point) where I spent most of my childhood. I then went off to school at Kent State University where I met my then fiance/now wife.  I followed her down to Columbus Ohio for grad school and marriage, and I have lived in the Columbus, Ohio area since then.

Question 1: What is your geographic story? 

I was born in New York City, and brought home to an apartment on the upper West Side of New York. Back then the building still had an elevator operator, a distinguished man named Junius. When I was 4, I moved to Brooklyn with my mom, went to high school in New Jersey, then college in Washington, D.C. I moved back up to NY for a while, living in Harlem and on the Lower East Side, and then moved out in 2002 to Los Angeles, where I’ve been ever since! (Also, a cartographer? Awesome! I'm obsessed with maps!)

It is always interesting to find people who have lived on both coasts, because they usually have strong opinions about the coasts and their differences, but this blog is not a hack comedy routine from the mid 2000’s and will not stray into Los Angeles be like____ while New York be all like ____.  Who am I kidding? Of course I am that hack.

Question 2: What do you perceive as the biggest difference between LA and New York?

As a 13-year LA resident, I come back to New York and I’m shocked that everyone walks so fast! I remember how intense I used to be as a New Yorker. Everything MATTERED. And some things actually did matter a great deal, especially after September 11. So when I moved to LA in 2002, in my mind I was 3 hours behind the place that mattered most to me. And that allowed me (eventually) to relax just a bit. To walk slower, to try and be kind to people, to notice how the wind felt like velvet on my arm when I drove down Sunset Blvd. And most importantly, I learned how to laugh at the things that pissed me off instead of letting them eat at me. (Credit for that last one goes to my husband Matt.)

I do so love asking these questions to people who have at some point in time written for narrative.  It is the only time I get to see nuggets like “ to notice how the wind felt like velvet on my arm when I drove.”  Just delightful to have those words dance past my eyes and into my brain box.

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

Cake AND Pie. This is America! 

Cake: A simple moist vanilla cake with a hint of almond, and usually no icing whatsoever.  

Or, in the totally opposite direction, my mother’s Hungarian rum cake - a multi-layered sponge cake, dyed red & green with apricot filling between one set of layers, and a chocolate mousse between the others. The whole thing is drowned in a sugary rum sauce, and then you use a BRICK to weigh the cake down so the rum sauce is forced through all the layers. It lives in your fridge and you have to feed it more rum sauce every day for a week. Then you slather on hot pink butter icing and pray for forgiveness! 

Pie: One bite of every pie ever. Apple Pie from the Bridge Cafe in Frenchtown, NJ. Earl Grey pie from Pie Hole in downtown, LA.  Any pie featured in the movie Waitress. We ate a lot of Hamburger Pie during the 2008 economic meltdown. 

I ate a bunch of humble pie for the 2008 recession, I was caught in a workforce reduction in early 2009.  It took a year and a half to get back to steady full-time employment.  That job has been a great job to help me find out what what I want to do with my life now, but a terrible job as far as feeling fulfilled and actualized as a human being.

Question 4:  What did you want to be as a kid when you grew up? 

Depending on the day, a lawyer, an astronaut, the president of the United States or a superhero. After I read the book and saw the movie for  “All The President’s Men” I wanted to be a journalist. Always wanted to be, and still want to be a working writer.

From an early age, maybe around 5 or so, I wanted to be a comic book artist.  I really made a pretty concerted effort up until college. I have relatively recently started seriously drawing again and am aware that without taking a significant time off from any vocation, there is no way that I could be a successful comic book artist.  If I spent 40 hrs a week for 6 months I could probably get into fighting shape drawing-wise. I also wanted to play wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.  

Question 5: with all the democratization of media going on right now, where are you writing?

I am a huge fan of Medium. ( https://medium.com/@jenniej23 ) Their look is beautiful and it’s really easy to use. My favorite thing I wrote there was an article called “Red Wedding Got You Down?” which actually got featured on the front page of Medium. Now it’s all famous people and actual pro writers so that doesn’t happen as often. My other favorites are “The Unexpected Magic of Casa de Fruta” which is the kind of travel essay I don’t always have the time to write, and a piece called “A Culinary Three-Way” which is not what you think :) There’s also some techie stuff in there from when I go and cover CES.  The rest of my stuff is unpublished, mostly because getting something published is a full-time job, but here’s a poem I wrote once, and now you’ve published my first poem!

Through the glass

Standing in the shower in the grey of April
one of those bugs, the kind I always smash, 
appears on the misted glass.

I reach out to end it but the light is clear
and reveals shimmering wings, a benign stalk,
and a mouth like two petals.
I see this creature will do me no harm.

This new thing, its end stayed, sips mist off the pane;
its kisses leave puckered circles
in orderly lines
that could almost be letters.

And I remember
how this creature and its kin huddle under my lamps at night
when the garden is too cold.
And I how they hover above my bed,
polite, without the buzzing of flies,
or the dangling menace of spiders
whom I know not to kill, thanks to Charlotte.

So many mist-sippers gone
before I took the time to see they were not mosquitos.
Penance is due, for lost moments, in the shower,
in the lamp-light, in bed.

And how many other mist-sippers, in other forms
have I smashed,
without listening to their music. 

Okay, well.  That was a first.  No one has ever shared any poetry on my blog before and I feel less for it. Thank you.  A sincere and heartfelt thank you.  Seriously though… is there something you cannot do? Wait.  That’s not Question 6, don’t answer this.  It sounded very question like, but I intended it to be rhetorical.  Great, now I am flustered.

Medium is a bit of a conundrum to me.  I do not quite understand it.  I will definitely add you into my feed.  I have read some articles on there, but see no way to insert my inanity into its format.  I feel like if I started to write for/on Medium, I would need to come at the platform from a different direction of my other artistic endeavors.  I really have no idea what form that would take.  Maybe something more professionally related.  I don’t know.  Right now I am focusing on NaNoWriMo and a job search (editors note: NaNoWriMo was a success, I finished the story... now I need to edit the heck out of it and hit up some artist friends to help flesh it out). Medium will have to come later.

I know a bit of Tom Merritt’s story and the whole generation of DTNS.  I was lucky enough to be his first post-TWiT interview, but Question 6: How did you get involved with DTNS?

So, how I got involved with DTNS is a funny story about how chance encounters with awesome people can pay off years and years later. In 2010, I was freelancing for my former employer CBS News covering forest fires and mudslides with a producer named Mary. We got along great and she recommended me for a gig working with CBS Interactive down at International Comic-Con. I was supposed to work with a great host name Derrick and I started to talk to him about my love of Battlestar Galactica, and Joss Whedon and all these things I was excited to cover, when from across the room I hear, “HER. THAT’S MY PRODUCER.”  And that was Molly Wood. And we had an absolute blast running around Comic-Con together. Cut to October 2013. Molly reaches out and says "there’s a guy living down in LA now that I think you should meet, his name is Tom.” So Tom and I meet for I guess what you’d call a “general”. Cut to December of 2013 and I get let go from Yahoo, and Tom gets [insert whatever you call it that happened at TWiT] on the SAME DAY. And Molly calls again and says, “You two should REALLY talk.”  And so we did! There wasn’t any money yet for the show, but I thought, this seems interesting, and so I just started working for Tom. Cut to today!  So it just goes to show you that you never know how one random gig covering Comic-Con in 2010 is going to change your life. 

That is awesome. I love that kind of serendipity. The show seems to be running very well.  It is a great show. I do not listen daily, but I do binge the eps and listen to every episode. I love the show and its consistency.  Best tech news show in the podcastosphere.  I always love it when you chime in with information, your voice is always welcome.

Question 7: Is there a topic in the geek/nerd/tech that you can’t help but chime in on? Tom starts talking about X and I know we are about to get some Jennie-Insight.

Usually when it’s a media-centric show, I can’t resist. Having worked at a major network in the exact last moment when the network news was still hosted by  “The Big Three” right before the internet became a viable platform for storytelling, I’m constantly fascinated by the shifts in the media landscape. I also tend to chime in when we have an issue that would specifically benefit from the opinion of a) a woman b) a normal non-techy  or c) a super user of a particular product. But we definitely hold guests on this show to a certain standard of quality of original thought, and before I’m on a main show I always ask myself, can I meet that level on any particular topic? 

Well, I absolutely love when you chip in.  Since you primarily find your livelihood via the Internet...

Question 8: Do you work from home now?

I spent the first 9 months or so of 2014 working from home, sitting at the dining room table.  But that got a little old / uncomfortable, so eventually my friend and I got a great little office together (she’s a video editor). It’s in a great part of LA, and it’s actually turning into a bit of a podcast studio. We record Tell It Anyway here as well as the other podcast I produce called Hooray for Garbagetown, which is about trying to make it in the entertainment industry here in LA.  It’s actually starting to sound pretty great, although I grew up in a home with a public radio studio in the back, so I developed a particular ear for good audio quality, which is a little annoying/frustrating when you’re still learning how to achieve the level of audio that would satisfy that ear.

Because of course, like any rebellious kid, I ran away from radio into the “glamorous” world of television, so when I started to do podcasting, I had to learn a lot of stuff on my own that I could have learned very young. :) My dad, who is a long time public radio host and producer has been great in sending me gear and giving me advice now that I’m back in the audio universe. 

But back to the office. It’s made me feel much more like a professional, which is important for an independent. 

Also, we have a small office trampoline. 

That is awesome. There is a bit of difficulty when your living space becomes your workspace.  There is a nasty danger of the work/life balance becoming crazily out of whack.  That is an issue we are currently having in the house because of the work my wife does. If we were making all the moneys, I am positive that my wife would get an office of some kind.  At the moment it would not be fiscally responsible.  

Question 9: As an independent podcaster and producer, how do you dance the line of the work/life balance?  Do you find yourself bringing too much work home?

I do have a tendency to bring work home for sure. Mostly because the days get so busy with the show, with meetings, with errands etc, that the best time to do intensive “buckle down, don’t get interrupted” work, like research or writing or editing is in the evening. I also sometimes find that the “going” to places takes so much time away from the “doing” of work (especially in LA) that sometimes it’s just easier to roll out of bed get your coffee and start plugging away.  This of course is why some freelancers often go the whole day without getting out of their pajamas. 

Pajamas are comfortable, and business casual (my uniform, so to speak) is comfortable enough, but not as comfortable.

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

 I find that I am mostly happy.  Others find that I am mostly pretty useful in a pinch. 

Mostly happy is great.  I wish more people were able to answer the first part of that pair of statements that way.  That being said…

It is interesting that others answered with a comment about your efficacy in problem solving, while you answered with a comment on your internal state of being, but enough of that.  Let’s move on to another topic…

You are typically very (and this phrasing is a little strong for what my actual intention is) outspoken when you talk about gender equity in movies.  You often have very well formed and well spoken opinions about, for example, the merchandising snubbing that Black Widow gets in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Question 11: Why do you think the powers that be consistently marginalize female characters when it is clear (at least to my circles) that female characters are becoming more and more integral to the cultural landscape? As the father of a seven year old girl who is stoked that Captain Phasma is a woman, I am really interested in your answer.

Welllll now, that is a good question:  There’s a lot of excellent commentary about this on sites like the mary sue and the elemental but as a quick visual guide here are pictures of the CEOs of Mattel, and Hasbro.

Seriously though, to me the lack of female action figures represents the larger challenge of innovation within large companies and being agile in the face of a changing market. In the toy market, the conventional wisdom has long been that girls want dolls, Barbies, and stuffed animals, and boys want action figures and trucks and blah blah blah. So toy companies, mostly continue to “go with what has always worked”  and market the same type of toys to each gender. Which then means that the sales figures “reflect” the conventional wisdom.

Now thanks to extremely popular and strong characters that came out of the book world (Katniss Everdeen) and of course the long line of awesome Disney heroines (Anna! Elsa!) you do see strong indicators that conventional toy wisdom might be a bit outdated. So you can bet there are a lot of meetings going on behind closed doors at these companies about what to do, but as with any manufacturing company, you’re looking at a lag time between idea and hitting the shelves. (Although if there are not rows and rows of amazing Black Widow action figures by the time Captain America: Civil War comes out I am going to flip the fuck out.)

Believe me, by the time Star Wars: The Force Awakens completes its world domination, there’s going to be a lot more sales data on female action figures. #ReyRules

Now as for badass, fully realized female characters in popular entertainment, I’d say TV is kicking some serious ass in that department right now. And bonus: women are no longer just being represented as the perfectly put together “best at their job” hard ass, hot cop, blah blah, but in all shades of good/bad/crazy, and that’s just on Fargo. 

Anyway,  I could write all day on this topic, but I’ll just say that when I was four years old I got a Princess Leia action figure for Christmas and carried it with me everywhere, man chin and all. 

Addendum: #WheresRey

The tide is definitely turning. My 12 year old son asked why Captain America was on the motorcycle in the Quinjet instead of the Black Widow, and, as I said, my 7 year old daughter is all sorts of ready to see a female baddie kicking some ass in the Star Wars universe.

After getting the amazing Patrick Beja to answer 20 Questions, I stole one of the questions he asked himself.  That question was “Are you happy?”  You kind of answered that one in Q10… so thanks for that. 

Question 12: What is the most interesting aspect of being a producer on a podcast (DTNS)? and what is the most difficult aspect of being “on air” content creator on another (Tell It Anyway)?

I love working on DTNS because working for Tom Merritt is awesome. The only better thing about DTNS is working for our bosses, the people who back our show. Whenever I hear my friends in other media jobs worry about ratings and streams and how much their bosses want them to “generate engagement at scale” etc., I think about the people who fund our show with their hard earned dollars. The best part is how well we know our audience, not because we have sophisticated metrics, but because the people who support us do so in SO MANY WAYS. They write emails, chat with us,  show up at meetups, build things, draw things, and give us amazing suggestions that make it clear just how much they are invested in the show, and you know what? There’s no metric that I know that will ever measure that kind of awesome. It’s such a humbling thing to be a small part of. (Oh, no! I ended a sentence with a preposition! SMACK.)

The most difficult part of being “on air” is having a story to tell every time! Oh, and getting good quality audio from Skype convos. So many great friends in so many different cities and countries, but none of them have podcast microphones! Oh and making the time to edit. I have a way I want these episodes to feel in my head with the way the conversation flows, and the  music and the fine-tuned editing and I reach that goal once every five episodes or so. 

There has to be such a different set of skills for doing these two different tasks. I bet it is fun to exercise those different muscles.

We are now at Question 13: oh, Triskaidekaphobia… do you have any superstitions or rituals?

Nope! 

Interesting. I would have thought you might have some pre-show rituals.  From what I understand, Patrick Beja was born ready.  Good on you for not falling into those traps. 

I have found that I am missing ritual in my life right now.  I left the religion thing a while ago due to the insidious invisible racism I experienced with my home church growing up.  I think I need to figure out some intentionality and ritual to my life to add in time for reflection.  

Question 14: Do you do anything currently to encourage self-reflection and mindfulness?

When I get  caught up in a moment, I try to think about how other people feel in the same situation. What brings those people to their moment of anger and frustration or what their point of view might be on the issue we’re talking about. And then I try to remember that at the end of the day I’m really lucky to be where I am, doing what I’m doing. And that unless someone’s life or immediate welfare is in danger, nothing is worth flipping out over. I will say, that took some time to learn. 

Those lessons are difficult to learn.  I am still in the process of learning many of them.  The one I am working on right now is not thinking that I can do something, feel something, become something as soon as X happens.  I am trying to remove these self-imposed barriers and allow myself to grow and change without arbitrary requirements. I wish I could say it was easy, but it is very easy to focus on a ‘grass is greener” mentality where life will be better after X.

Question 15: Is there a particular mind trap that you find yourself falling into more than others?

Ha ha this feels like the question they ask you on a job interview, like, what is your biggest weakness? 

Maybe frustration? I value fairness and I try to being kind before being a jerk, not the other way around. But that doesn't always happen, and it's not even something that I can achieve 100% of the time (just ask my husband). So nowadays I just try to smile through it and laugh it off later. 

Smiling through and laughing it off later can be a great methodology.  I try to do that as much as I can… It works well some days, and on others… Not so much. C’est la vie.  

Question 16: Do you think that Internet culture has caused a bit more of the reacting virulently before pausing to think? Or has this reactionary outrage always been there, but the instant connection of the Internet has made it more noticeable?

A little bit of both, but I think another aspect of internet culture--the ability to use a username that isn’t directly connected to a person’s legal name---has also had a huge impact on the online experience.  Anonymous (ish) usernames allow a greater degree of expression, both negative and positive. On the positive side, sometimes a username can come to feel more like a person’s true self than their legal name, especially if they’ve had tough experiences in the real world. I don’t need to tell anyone the downside, it’s all out there for anyone to see. 

As always, I think the answer lies in ground up community decision-making in concert with the platforms on which those communities thrive. We have to figure out how to live in the digital world the same way we’re constantly figuring out how to live in real life, and that takes time, effort and most importantly, empathy. 

Personally, I think this tendency has always been within the human condition, but the potential for someone to generate outrage was limited to a smaller population of people who were more or less the same.  By the time news of something that might cause outrage typically reached people, the issue was already resolved.  I think the amount if connection coupled with the speed of interaction has allowed this outrage reflex to come to the forefront, but this isn’t about me, it’s about you.

Question 17: Is there a question I have not asked you that you feel I should have asked?

I like my eggs scrambled (soft) with a little bit of cheese melted throughout layered on top of sliced ripe avocado on sourdough toast. Lots of butter throughout the whole process. 

Butter is always required. I like eggs over medium with thick bacon and sourdough toast.  We could get along well, I think.

Now it is time for me to turn the tables for a second.  Question 18: Do you have any questions for me?

What have you learned asking all these questions of various people on the internet? 

That is an interesting question, and a logical question to ask.  I have learned that asking people relatively sensitive questions requires sharing from me.  Often, for these 20 Questions, I feel like I am exposing parts of me a bit more than I expose of the people I am asking my questions.  I have also found that there needs to be an ebb and flow to the depth of the questions lest the 20 Questions become less readable.  I have had some really compelling conversations within these 20 Questions that were absolutely terrible to read and needed levity.  I hope that I have hit that balance more often than not.

Question 19:  What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring with you?

That I’m genuinely fond of eggs. And questions. 

Eggs and questions are worthy of fondness.

Here we are at the end of the 20.  I have really enjoyed doing this 20 Questions with you. I feel honored that you shared your poem with me, and am happy that we chatted about misogyny in toy sales.  I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I did.

Question 20: What's next? Be as vague or concrete, as close term or long-term, as philosophical or grounded as you want.

I had so much fun doing this! I will recommend it to others. As for me, 

Some things may change, or not. Others will remain the same, or not. I will still love empanadas, bbq pork bao, kolaches and all other meat wrapped in bread.  Jennie out! 

This was an absolute blast. Please any and all of you listen to, watch, and support Jennie with the podcasts that she involved with, Daily Tech News Show (as the producer) and Tell it Anyway (as the host).  If you like those podcasts, please go their respective patreons and donate to make them better, (DTNS and Tell it Anyway).  Follow Jennie on Medium and Twitter.  She is awesome and should be a part of your daily social media consumption.  Do it people.

To recap:
2 interviews in 2 weeks?
Yeah, you read that right
I am on the fires
So, Iowa happened
That means the political race in Ohio is warming up
Ugh…
Election year in a swing state is a terrible thing
It is a good thing that the fam has cut the cord
Netflix and Amazon Prime do not have commericals
I have upgraded to YouTube Red and am contemplating upping to the non-commercials version of Hulu
No more ads
That would be glorious
I really need to change this job sitch
Have a great week everyone!

20 Questions Tuesday: 342 - Bill Doran

This week I get to ask the delightful Bill Doran 20 Questions.  "Who is Bill Doran?" you ask.  Well, dear reader, stop interrupting my blog with your questions. If you would have been patient, you would have been found the answer to your question. I ask the questions around here.  This is my house, my rules.  Anyway, before you rudely interrupted me, Bill Doran is a guy who creates amazing cosplay armor and weapons, and creates props for some movie makers (For example Bill created the ankle bracelets in the short "Proximity" for the movie maker I interviewed in 20 Questions Tuesday: 285 - Ryan Connolly) He is the owner/operator of his company Punished Props and has created costume pieces, replica props, and original props for multiple genres. Seriously, Bill's work is incredible.  He has a YouTube channel where he goes over tips and tricks for creating your own props and has published some books on the subject as well. He really is a badass, and I feel very lucky that he is taking time to answer my questions. Before we go any further, I apologize for not getting this posted yesterday.  The wife is out of town and I had an IXDA event to go to last night that kept me from formatting and posting this.  One day late is not too bad.  20 Questions Tuesday… on a Wednesday.

Onto the Questions:

So, I have a background in cartography, the idea of people and place feels like an interesting story to me.  One of the most interesting stories to me, is an individual's geographic story.  For example, I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  My family then moved to Montgomery, Alabama for a short jaunt.  Then on my third birthday, the family moved to my childhood home just to the northeast of Birmingham, Al in a little place called Center Point.  I went off to college in Kent, Ohio where I met my wife and settled down with her in Columbus, Ohio.  We are still in the Columbus, Ohio area in the edge city Worthington, Ohio. Question 1: What is your geographic story?

Hello there Scott! I was born in central New York state in a wee little town called Oswego on the banks of Lake Ontario. I was there until my college days where I went to both Alfred and Oneonta, both in New York State. Then a couple of years after college, my friends and I caught a bit of wanderlust and moved all the way across this great country of ours to Seattle, Washington. We've lived here in the Pacific Northwest for the past decade or so and we couldn't be happier!

A cross country move on a whim? Awesome.  I dig it.  Question 2: what would you say the biggest difference between Upstate New York and Washington State?

There is a really large gap in the attitudes of each coast. One isn't necessarily better than the other, but they're different. NY is more fast paced, "get with the program or get out of the way" where the west coast tends to be more mellow and passive aggressive. Also snow. Central NY gets WAY more snow!

That is the consensus I have been hearing... At least with the pacing, not necessarily the snow thing.

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

Pumpkin pie. Unless it's a pumpkin cheesecake. Then I'll have that. Mostly anything pumpkin.

Then you are in your happy season, as everything pumpkin's up for the holidays (Editor’s note: this interview started in the Holiday Season of 2015). Since I have had to go on a gluten free diet, pies seem to work better for me.  They are better because pie crust does not have to be spongy and light and fluffy.  Pie crusts can be flaky and it seems that GF stuff can handle flakey.

So, you love you some pumpkin... Question 4: What is a food that you feel you need to avoid at all costs?

Believe it or not, I really do not enjoy salmon. Everyone else I know seems to think it's the bee's knees, but I just can't do it.

I can definitely believe that.  I am not a lover of all things salmon.  I have eaten some really good salmon, but in general I tend to stay away from salmon.  Shrimp and crab can get in my belly though.

You are clearly very talented at making props and replica props for all sorts of purposes.  Question 5: Was there a specific "ah-ha" moment where you learned that not only was this a past time that you enjoyed, but it was something that you were really good at?

A few years ago I was commissioned to make Mehrunes' Razor, a dagger from Skyrim. When I posted the final photos to my Facebook page, the internet exploded with joy and my email inbox flooded with requests from Elder Scrolls fans who wanted their own legendary dagger. After that I started thinking "I might actually be pretty good at this!"

It is interesting that with creative fields, there is usually an instance, a specific time or event, that a person can think back to and know THAT was the moment. I promise to not make this all about prop building, because I am sure you get build questions all the time, but I feel that one or two more are warranted.

Question 6: Do you enjoy building props for any particular genres more than any other and why?

I really enjoy the challenge of making props and weapons from video games. They don't tend to be designed from "found objects" the way movie props are and I prefer to scratch build my projects. As far as the genres are concerned, I tend to bounce between sci fi and fantasy.

I would also imagine that video game elements might be more difficult to find clean imagery or schematics to base your builds off of. Which leads me to Question 7: What is the most limiting factor to you creating your props? For example, the pre-production research work hampers you from creating a realistic prop because there just is not enough reference to create a quality prop, or the technical detail work of the build is beyond your capability just because of how intricate the work needs to be?

The factor that hampers my output the most is time. There just never seems to be enough of it! Every project I work on eventually just needs to get done, so I end up making compromises. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. If I didn't have deadlines I'm sure I wouldn't finish anything because they're never "good enough". All I can do is continue to put out good work and improve my skill and speed.

Oh, the problem with artists.  There is always an edit that can be made and sometimes deadlines are the only thing that can allow an artist to walk away from a piece.

Question 8: Is there any particular piece of yours that you are especially proud of?  A piece that you find yourself looking at occasionally or thinking of fondly?  

Most of the pieces I finish are sent out the door with great pleasure and I try not to look back on them. In fact, I don't even have a copy of many of the props I've finished, even though I have molds to make more copies. However, the District 9 rifle is a particularly fond piece for me. I am super proud with how it turned out and I'm slowly, but surely, finishing my own copy to proudly display in my home.

I really enjoyed the video highlighting the build of the District 9 gun.  That turned out great.  I watched the video a few times with my kid, he was impressed as well.  You are impressive to a jaded YouTube junky, so you at least have that going for you.

Question 9: Do you go from singular project to singular project or do you have multiple projects going an that you work on in stages? How many builds do you tend to have going on simultaneously?

I usually have a handful of projects going on at the same time. I like to have several burners going so that when I need to wait on one part, like drying paint, I can stay productive on another project. For example: I'm currently finishing a space gun kit for a client, writing a new book, constantly filming new content for my YouTube channel, and designing two other client commissions. Never a dull moment!

After watching most of your edited videos, I figured that was the case. There just seems like there is too much waiting to cure/dry/print/etc... time in a single build to not have multiple projects going at the same time.

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

Blank 1: Optimistic
Blank 2: Idealistic

=)

Those are closely related but not identical.

Question 11: How would you define the difference between "optimistic" and "idealistic?"

I consider myself a "rational optimist", based on a book I read of the same name. Being truly idealistic tends to be less rational. It's all a delicate balancing act. Nowadays my motto is "Hope for the best, but plan for the worst."

That is a delicate balancing act. That is really a good motto to live by.

Question 12: Are there any other personal mottoes, credos, or mantras that you reference in your life regularly?

"Every pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard and believe in yourself."

I might need to adopt that one.  That is great.  The one I have incorporated is from my Mother-in-Law.  It is "Don't let the fuckers get you down." Words to live by.

So we are now at the triskaidekaphobics nightmare.  Question 13: do you have any superstitions or rituals? For example, when I was a kid and played soccer I had a very specific sequence of steps to get dressed and ready to play in a soccer game.  At the time it was superstition because I thought that if I deviated my luck would run out.  Turns out it was really a ritual to help me get into the correct frame of mind... Less superstition and more ritualistic. You?

Gonna let you down here and admit that I don't follow any sort of superstitions or rituals. Although in the past week I've cut my knuckles on the build plate of my 3D printer every single time I've tried to pry a printed piece off the surface. Does that count?

You have not let me down in the least.  I would say cutting your knuckles every day on the build plate could be considered a ritual if there is some other underlying purpose of the knuckle cutting... if the knuckle cutting somehow got you in the correct head-space for accomplishing your task at hand... I will allow it.

This is the question that I stole from Patrick Beja.  I love the depth and profundity of ot while it is so simple.  Question 14: Are you happy?

Absolutely. =)

This is a delightfully succinct answer.  Honestly, it shows in your videos.  You seem genuinely happy in your video posts, and that is one of the reasons I love watching your vids.

I do not make props or do any cosplay, but I watch every one of your edited vids. I watch them because I enjoy watching process and seeing people who are really good at what they do, do their thing.  I find that watching process is oddly calming for me.  On YouTube, I will watch potters throw pots, glass blowers create their pieces, speed paintings, etc...  on Question 15: So, is there any non-entertainment specific content out there that you enjoy consuming, but do not participate in?

I'm pretty laser focused on two things right now: Making things and building a better business in Punished Props. Just about everything I consume these days is either how-to content designed to increase my technical knowledge or books on business. And Star Wars. =)

There is always time to focus on Star Wars. Question 16: How many projects are you working on right now that are primarily for you vs the number of projects that you are working on that are commissions? and do people usually just ask you for a particular piece, or do they want you to create an entire ensemble for a complete costume set? 

We're actually shifting away from doing commissions for other people. It used to be that I would only ever do work for my clients, with little time for my own endeavors, but that's changing. We only have a couple of client pieces on the docket for 2016. Back when we did take more commissions the focus was primarily on single prop pieces like weapons. I tried doing full costumes for a while, but the complications with sizing and design over the internet was so much of a hassle, I didn't want to do it anymore.

Interesting.  I would have thought, through my own naivete, that the bulk of your Punished Props income would be for doing the hard to create pieces for cosplayers. 

Question 17: Is there a question you were expecting me to ask that I didn't?

HA! I don't think so. You've been exceptionally thorough. Maybe my favorite color? It's blue.

Okay, it's the time of the 20 Questions where I turn the tables... I am always nervous about this.  Question 18: do you have any questions for me? 

What was the last thing you built with your hands?

ooh, that is a great question.  I helped my kids (especially my daughter) build some of their Lego sets at Christmastime, but I am not sure if constructables are what you are talking about.  I would have to go to a "racer" that I built for a birthday party my oldest was going to. The party was to have the kids race found object "race cars" down a hill.  It was a pretty awesome party. Anyway, for this party, I used a base from an old shelf, added a kick-board steering axle, a rear axle, bolted down an old kid's booster seat to the shelf, and screwed in four lawn mower wheels (I had to buy the wheels).  It was a fun little build. Other than that I assembled my grill.

That was an awesome question.

Question 19:  What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you?

I think this is a very interesting way to run an interview. I will sometimes do my own interviews with other professionals in my field and I've definitely gleaned some interesting questions from your batch.

Well, I have enjoyed the heck out of this.  You are an absolute delight and I am very happy to have gotten to know you better.

Question 20: What's next? Be as vague or concrete, as close term or long-term, as philosophical or grounded as you want.

Next is a whole lot of internet video. We're working on getting more, better prop & costume making tutorial content out on the internet. Things have been ramping up and I'm really excited to share all of the really rad projects we have in store for 2016!

Thanks so much, Bill.  This was great.  Everyone should follow Bill on the Twitters, check out his website at Punished Props, and make sure you give a look to his YouTube channel.  His tutorials are amazing and whether you like to build things or not they are enjoyable to watch.  It is always good to watch someone do something that they are good at.  Process is enjoyable to watch when the person is invested in their craft.  Watch and learn folks, watch and learn.

If you are at all interested, you should jump on his Patreon, or buy his books on foamsmithing.

To recap:
I am a day late and a dollar short
That’s the best I can do
Deal with it, peeps
I am on the SnapChat like the kids today
Check me out at mmmmmpig
I’m snappy
Today I said something about my pants... you know, like all the kids are doing these days
Shnazzy
The wife is in Minnesota today but will be back tomorrow night
Tonight I made the kiddos their favorite meal
A meal that both my wife and I cannot tolerate anymore
But the kiddos love it
This is, of course, the incomparable Orange Rice (they ate it all)
I had some frozen pizza
I baked it, but it started out frozen
Bill Doran is a gem of a man
I do not mean that he is truly outrageous though
Have a great week everyone 

20 Questions Tuesday: 331 - Bryan Brush

This week I get the pleasure of asking one of the hosts of the "All of the Above" podcast, 20 Questions. All of the above is a podcast I have guested on where I waxed eloquent about Siri. The main page for the podcast can be found here  and, more importantly, the episode featuring me (yes, featuring) can be found here.  Other than getting to know Bryan from the podcast and my limited interaction with him via the twitters and email, I do not really know what makes Mr Brush tic.  So without further ado... let's get to some questions.
/EDITOR’S NOTE: hey, it’s me, here.  This 20 Questions took a long time to complete because things were crazy for both of us for a bit.  You can read about those changes whilst reading the 20 Questions/

My first go round in higher education ended up getting me a degree in Geographic Information Systems.  I landed on this degree in geography because I realized I really enjoy stories told through place.  So, for example, I was born in Oklahoma City, moved to Montgomery, Alabama when I was a toddler, moved into my childhood home on the outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama when I was a young boy, went off to college in Kent, Ohio at 18, moved to Columbus, Ohio upon graduation from college, and been in the Columbus, Ohio area ever since.  That is my geographic story.  Question 1:  What is your geographic story? 

Geographic stories are an amazing concept. Mine is relatively simple and begins in Kettering, Ohio where I only spent a couple years of my childhood before my family moved to the small town of Germantown, Ohio. Germantown and it’s neighboring village of Farmersville, which collectively have about 7,000 people, is where I grew up until I graduated high school. From there I moved to Columbus, Ohio for college. That was a culture shock for me as just the student population of Ohio State University is 12 times the size of my hometown. I have been living in Columbus or one of its suburbs ever since. Outside of all of that I spend as much time traveling wherever I can. On those trips I am quite often joined by Sam Bantner, one of my cohosts on All of the Above.

Wow, that is an extremely Ohio-Centric geographic story... It is rare that I chat with someone who has only lived in one state.  So... Question 2: Is there a dream place that you would enjoy living that does not happen to be in Ohio?

My dream place to live always seems to be changing. I sometimes think I would prefer a life of perpetual travel instead of just being anchored down into one specific location. That said, Seattle and the Netherlands have always called out to me. Both have cultures that, while quite different, still seem to match my personality quite well.

That is funny, Seattle and the Netherlands do seem oddly similar while being vastly different.

I admit I have stolen this question from the immeasurable Paul F Tompkins, and it is my "goto" number 3.  Question 3:  Cake or pie?  Which specific kind and why?

Oh, man. This seemingly innocuous question has the potential to turn friends against one another. I never realized how passionate people were about their desserts until I first saw this question proposed to a group. I choose Cake. Pretty much anything that ends in cake is awesome. Cupcakes, cheesecake, carrot cake, yellow cake, etc. I’m fond of just a simple white cake with buttercream icing.

My mom, before becoming a nurse, spent time making cakes professionally. Baking was always one of her favorite ways to relieve stress and as a result I grew up making a lot of cakes with her. Although pie is delicious it doesn’t carry that feeling of nostalgia that I get when eating or baking a cake.

My mom was also a semi-pro cake baker.  I often helped her out There was always homemade frosting in the fridge at home and that has saddled me with a horribly active sweet tooth. I have always had a love for cake, but I think my love is actually for frosting.... mmm frosting.  Buttercream is delightful.... but my favorite is cream cheese frosting.... so good.

I have often said in these 20 Questions that people who like pie would love a slice of pie, but they rarely, if ever, are they willing to kick a kitten for some pie. People who choose cake, very often will push over toddlers to consume as much cake as possible.  Question 4: Why do you think most cake people are overzealous in their love and desire of consuming cake?

Frosting is definitely the best part of a cake. Although my brother strongly disagrees and removes the frosting. I used to sneak spoonfuls of left-over frosting out of the fridge as a kid. That was until my mom caught on and switched the frosting with cold mashed potatoes. My taste buds have never recovered from the shock.

I’m not sure why cake people are so fanatical about their cake. Maybe it’s because pie suggests a more wholesome experience. It’s almost as if it’s the Andy Griffith. Cake on the other hand seems to remind me of the happiness and joy of childhood, which leads to a passionate and nostalgic zeal.

I will buy that.  Pies are quite wholesome.

All of the Above is a podcast where you, and 2 of your friends talk about different subjects by looking at the subject through different lenses.  It is a delightful podcast that I have had the pleasure of guesting on. Question 5: What made you decide to do this podcast?

Thank you for the kind words on the show. We loved getting to record an episode with you and hope to do it again sometime. 

The idea for the show in some ways started for slightly selfish reasons. From time to time I would find myself having amazing discussions with friends like Sean and Sam about design and technology. I loved every second of those discussions and wanted to have them on a more regular basis. in order to satisfy that hankering I pitched the idea of doing a podcast. Sean came up with the idea for the format and here we are.

As a fun bit of All of the Above trivia we were going to have another good friend, Connor, on the show. Unfortunately his schedule was just too hectic, but he did join us as a guest on episode 8.

Let's be clear here, you were a floundering podcast until episode 12.  The guest on episode 12 really turned it around for you and you clearly owe all of your success to that glorious guest appearance. Since that guest righted the ship, that podcast has been just cruising.  In all seriousness it is a very interesting concept to look at multiple aspects of a topic from 3 significantly different, but oddly inter-related viewpoints.

You are a consumer of content, Question 6: So  what podcasts do you listen to?

I’m not going to make any argument against the idea that episode 12 was a major turning point for the show. I mean, it even led to the creation of the first pieces of fan art for the show.

Answering what podcasts I listen to is always a tough question for me. I just took a look at the list of shows in my Overcast feed there are over 90 shows that I have listened to in some fashion. Some of those are now defunct, while others I only listened to select episodes from. Many of them are technology and Apple focused. As for shows I would say of all of those I actively listen to around 50. Instead of listing all of those off I’ll give you some of my favorite active podcasts:

Theory of Everything
Analog(u)e
Strangers
Song Exploder
StartUp

I have 45 podcasts that I actively listen to, and probably another 45 that I have listened to for multiple episodes at some point in time.  I might take a look at the 5 you mentioned.  Color me intrigued.

So, podcasting seems to be the democratization of audio content creation.  Question 6: What do you think is the appeal of podcasting from a content creator standpoint and then as a content consumer standpoint?

It always gives me a sense of relief when I find another person who engages on some level with as many shows as I do. 

This is a particularly tough question. Podcasting, like most forms of media, brings about its own world of personal preferences. So I may not be able to come at this from a universal perspective as to the appeal of podcasting. Instead I can let focus in on some of the reasons that appear evident to me personally and those that I have spoke with. And, fair warning, this answer may get long-winded.

Podcasting is in many ways a very intimate form of media. While I am not necessarily a fan of Andy Warhol, there is an idea presented in The Philosophy of Andy Warhol that I find interesting. Throughout the book there is this idea that telephones may be the most intimate form of communication. There is no opportunity to judge someone by their looks, clothing, posture, location, etc. With the telephone you are only judging one another by their voice and the thoughts that they are communicating to you. Podcasts interestingly take this to another level as the listener cannot interject their voice but can only listen. Sitting and listening to someone else’s thoughts or conversations, without the ability to interrupt, is rather intimate and powerful. It forces you in some ways to consider another person’s perspective and hear the full extent of their argument. This can aid you in not only learning about and considering another person’s perspective, but it can also help you become more aware of how you feel about a topic. Listening to that podcaster speak are you upset and wishing you could debate with them or are you nodding your head enthusiastically in agreement? Recognizing those moments and identifying your personal opinion on a subject you may not have considered before can also be very rewarding. That is one of the major reasons I have become such a fan of podcasts.

Of course there are also utilitarian reasons that make me find podcasts to be appealing. I have a special type of hunger for education and learning. This is probably a side effect of being a millennial and living in the information age. Podcasts allow me to learn a great deal of information even when accomplishing other tasks. And on top of that I can accelerate the speed at which that information is piped directly into my ears. Music is, for the most part, restricted by time. Altering the speed of a song, while sometimes beautiful, is not typically how you are supposed to listen to music. With podcasts on the other hand you can increase the speed of playback and thus get through them at a speed you feel is appropriate. And that is part of why, in spite of my incredible love for music, I often listen to podcasts while working.

Thus far I’ve only answered one half of your question, which is the potential appeal to consumers. Those that are producing podcasts could have a myriad of reasons for doing so. Sometimes these are ideological reasons, sometimes they are entertainment reasons, and sometimes they are a combination of both. Let’s consider the amazing podcast Rocket on the Relay.FM network. It is hosted by three incredibly intelligent women who are all in some way concerned with how women’s voices are often unheard in technology. They are able to simultaneously spread their voice and thoughts on technology and culture while simultaneously having a great time and enjoying conversation with one another. 

Then some other podcasters treat their shows as a way to help assemble their thoughts and arguments. John Gruber has often mentioned that his podcast, The Talk Show, has been a powerful platform to throw out ideas and see where they go before writing about them on his website Daring Fireball.  And finally, you have some podcasters who are happy to produce their shows because they are powerful learning moments for themselves. I know each week I find myself learning something when I am preparing for an episode of All of the Above and/or when we are actually recording. So perhaps the appeal of creating podcasts is simply the diverse number of ways in which it can affect us and our listeners.

I hope that long, rambling, thought didn’t just bore all of your readers to sleep.

If my readers have not been run off by my prattling on about nonsense, I am positive that your cogent argument about the merits of creating and consuming podcasts will feed their intellectual pursuits in ways that, frankly, I cannot hope to scratch.  I think we are seeing podcasts as a new democratization of content creation.  Blogs were the first step.  Good blogs garnered a good readership... so to with podcasts.  Even though there are thousands upon thousands of podcasts out there waiting to be consumed, the good ones will accrete an audience and become desired content.

So, with so many podcasts that you actively listen to, your podcast listing has to be rather eclectic.  I can only imagine the scope of interests that you have within the hours of content you regularly consume.  Question 7: Is there a topic of interest to you that does not have a podcast associated with it? If not, what podcast caters to your most esoteric of your interests that you actually listen to?

The more I review the list of shows I am regularly engaged with the more I feel the audiences they appeal to are rather large. None of them seem to specialized outside of the show Philosophize This! That podcast does a wonderful job at looking at the history and evolution of philosophy. But most of them, even ones which claim to have a specific focus, often branch out. 

What I would love to see are some shows devoted to World Literatures and Translation Studies. Nothing I have seen out there seems to hit those subjects very well, if at all. Of course, with there being hundreds of thousands of podcasts, I sometimes wonder if there are shows that discuss these ideas and I just cannot find them. Additionally, my field of instructional design is barely discussed, and the shows on it are not of the greatest caliber. That’s part of why I’m so happy when we do solo episodes on All of the Above and I can get more specific with it. I would still love for there to be some high caliber shows devoted to instructional design, educational technologies, and learning theories though. 

Well, it looks like you know what the next bit of content you are going to create will be.  You just need to find another voice to bounce ideas off of.  I'll listen... I find instructional design very fascinating.

You are crazy thoughtful and very deep, even your cake v pie answer was introspective.  Let's lighten this up a bit. Question 8: Is there a part of pop culture that you cannot help but consume?

Growing up I was always a fan of my superhero stories from comics to cartoons to movies. That's remained with me to this day. I'm also a fan of Game of Thrones. At least up until the end of this last season. I'm running out of characters to care about. And lastly I will admit my undying love for Anna Kendrick and Pitch Perfect as well as my fondness for Taylor Swift's record 1989.

I read the first 200 pages of A Game of Thrones... and I put the book down because none of the characters were likable.  Every single character was terrible, and I just did not care what happened to any of them.  That is actually an issue for me at the moment.  I actually had a discussion about this with on another 20 Questions I am doing right now. (/EDITOR'S NOTE:  See 20 Questions Tuesday: 326 - Cobra Commander/) Most of the really well-made TV right now are incredibly complex stories with very flawed characters who are questionably likable. There are enough unlikable people in the real world, my fantasy worlds need to be populated with at least 1 or 2 characters that are likable and I can root for. I have not listened to 1989 yet, but I hear good things... I am tempted to download it and give it a go.  

So, I have interviewed some hosts from some massively popular niche podcasts. These people either have large-broad based or smaller extremely involved audiences. One of the questions I have enjoyed asking those people has been about the disparity between the amount of intimacy between themselves and their audiences.  The audiences know significantly more about the podcasters than the podcasters could possibly know about them.  Since you are the host of a relatively young podcast that has not yet hit that type of notoriety...  Question 9: When "All of the Above" and your forthcoming "instructional design" podcast (which I have named "Can I See Your ID Please" in my head) hit it big, how do you think you will deal with the disparity of those levels of intimacy?  Basically, what do you think about the disparity between how much audience members know about podcasters and how audiences often think of the podcasters as "friends" even though they have never had an interpersonal dialog with those hosts?  Did that make any sense?

This is a question that they actually try and tackle at a few points on the aforementioned Analog(u)e. Podcasts are interesting in that fans of a podcast are often much more passionate than fans of most other mediums. Certainly you have your devoted fans in all means of communication, but podcasts seem to draw a unique form of ardor. This is probably due in part to the fact that on a podcast our personalities and opinions are presented in all their glory. And if you’re willing to hear my thoughts piped directly into your ears each week than that’s a huge honor and privilege for me. However, as you have pointed out it is quite one-sided in that I don’t get to hear the audiences response unless they reach out. If the show grows to a size where we get an endless supply of responses than we may not be able to keep up.

I’m not entirely sure if there is a best strategy for how to handle that. I adore the fact that we have as many listeners as we do and am humbled that they believe the thoughts we present on the show are worth showing up for each week. If that many people showed up in person each week just to hear me talk I would be completely overwhelmed. So as our show continues to grow I only hope that Sean, Sam and I will show that same level of respect back to our audience. We may never get to know them as intimately as they know us due to the nature of the medium. In spite of that we will still respect and appreciate that they take the time to listen. Most importantly we will keep looking for ways to get to know our audience. That could be through discussions by email, twitter, or any other method of communication. Sean is always testing new platforms to see how they work and if they could be beneficial. 

We also take feedback very seriously. At the end of each episode we direct people to get in touch by going to www.alloftheabove.audio/contact and that is not just for kicks and giggles. When I talk with the guys about the show we frequently question if there is something we could be doing better. Even the very format of the show gets questioned regularly. We consider any feedback we have received in those discussions. I think listening to and honestly considering feedback is one of the best ways to show respect. Maintaining that perspective on feedback is something I feel will be critical as the show grows. We may not get to know the audience in the way they know us, but we will listen to their feedback in the same way we would if they were our friends.

After having written all of that I’m still not sure I’m even close to fully displaying my thoughts on that disparity. The TL;DR is that I find it incredibly humbling, but I also feel it is important to find ways to close the gap. A gap may always exist, but I respect the audience too much to not try and make it a little bit smaller.

I think it is valuable to take into account constructive criticism, it s too bad most internet comments devolve into non-constructive epithets.

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

This took me a bit of time but I got a few responses. So I find that I am mostly calm. Others find that I am mostly chill and articulate.

If I were asked the second portion about you, I would add "insightful." It is very telling that your answer of "calm" matches very well with others's answers of "chill."

So, in a 20 Questions I did with the French podcaster, Patrick Beja, we stumbled upon this profound and simple question that I try to shoe-horn into every 20 Questions now. Question 11: Are you happy?

I come with a family history of mental illness and many of my own personal challenges with mental health, so this remains one of the most difficult questions to answer. Am I happy? At the moment I would be more inclined to say yes. But this question always sends me through a series of mental tangents in which I question what exactly we mean by happiness. Kierkegaard is oft quoted as saying, “Happiness is the greatest hiding place for despair” (I cannot recall if or where this was written, but it is most likely in The Sickness Unto Death). That is an incredibly painful perspective to take on happiness, but one I have been able to relate to at times.

Another perspective is that happiness is simply a state of satisfaction or contentedness. When defined that way happiness seems like a much easier thing to obtain than the artists and poets of the world would suggest.

But, I will avoid writing a treatise on happiness as that is best left to philosophers, psychologists, and poets. To answer your question, I think I am happy. And I’m okay with not knowing for sure. Although, since we started this series of questions, we have decided to take a hiatus on All of the Above. So that’s got me a bit bummed out.

Happiness is sometimes a fleeting gossamer fog that is just outside of our grasp, but others can be seen obscured by the fog... The interesting thing about fog though is that it always seems like the fog is out of reach, but, in truth, it is completely enveloping you.  I think happiness is like that... it is always around you, but you have to change your perspective to recognize it. 

I am a bit bummed that "All of the Above" has called it a day, but it is understandable. The interesting thing about this interview format is that many parts of life can happen between Question 20 and Question 1.  I have had someone find out they were going to have a baby, I have had someone get a new job, I have had someone have to deal with a family crisis on a separate continent.  

Question 12: What is one change in your current existence that you would like to see in place by the time we get to Question 20?

Assuming we will get around to question 20 by the end of the year, I am hoping to have found a more healthy schedule for my life. Over the past two years I have been working on my Master’s degree, working full time, and tackling a variety of projects. This has left me with a sometimes chaotic and exhausting schedule. In turn I’ve not been able to do quite as much of other activities that I love or get the exercise that I need. I’d like to change that so I am more regularly exercising and getting back to doing some of the things that fill my soul with joy.

We will get around to 20.  I always do.  

So, here we are at Question 13.  Only 7 left after this one.  That's manageable, right?

Question 13:  Do you have any superstitions or rituals that get you through the day, week, month, or year?

I’ve been trying to think about what I would call a superstition or a ritual rather than just a habit. I have some compulsive tendencies such as the fact that I will almost never step on a metal object on the ground. I wouldn’t necessarily call that a superstition or a ritual, though. It is more of a psychological peculiarity. I do try to spend some time in silence everyday as a form of prayer and reflection. This mostly stems from the fact that I identify with the quaker faith, and am rather fond of the idea of unprogrammed worship. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers#Unprogrammed_worship. That time of silence can be incredibly balancing and can keep me going through some of the toughest times.

I think silence as a form of prayer and reflection would fall under the category of ritual.  I do not have any ritualistic things in my life right now, and I feel that I am the worse for it.  When I turned away from religious things (for various reasons of which I will not go into today) there definitely was a void in my activities that has not quite been filled since that time. I think meditation is in my future, I just need to figure out how I am willing to do it.

So, since we started this process your All of the Above podcast has come to a resting place.  It has gone kaput.  Question 14: Do you see yourself jumping into a different podcast that did not involve the coordination of 3 busy schedules?

I definitely see myself jumping into an other podcast, but it may wait until I am wrapped up with my Master’s program (and possibly that PhD I may pursue). Some ideas I have may have me running solo, or if I work with a cohost it might be more of a fortnightly event. I have a pretty big love for podcasting so there will always be an itch to put something together.

I think you are definitely cut out to be doing podcasts.  You can allow space within a podcast that allow ideas to breath, but you also are not afraid to fill the space if you need to. Those are good qualities to have for a podcaster.  

Also, "fortnightly" is an awesome word, and deserves comment.  Well done, good sir. There are a myriad of delightful words out there that are not in daily use anymore.  Question 15: What is another word that you think needs to be reinvigorated in daily vernacular?

I view your comments on my ability to keep a show moving as a big compliment. Thank you. Hopefully I can continue to improve those with another show in the future. 

Fortnightly is definitely a word that needs more attention. I used to keep a journal that I just filled with words that I was fond of, which is something I need to get back to doing. Some of my favorites are not even english, such as saudade, cafuné, wabi-sabi, and the untranslatable Russian word, Тоска. As for an English word that I would like to see jolted with some new energy, I’d have to say "defenestration." Table flipping has taken over as a way to communicate frustration, thanks to emoji like this one: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻. But the idea of throwing something out of a window in frustration is begging for a revival.

I imagine that there is not much call for the use of "defenestration" now that we have indoor plumbing.  I think that one might be more difficult to reintroduce to the everyday vernacular.  The word "whilst" is the one I want to see used more often.

Question 16: Was there a question you were expecting from me that I have not asked?  If so, what is it?

I’m wondering if we have different definitions of defenestration. I am referring to the act of throwing something or someone out of the window. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defenestration

I’m not sure there are any questions I expected that you have not asked. I have also recently started trying to approach life in a manner that could be called "Ex Tempore."

This is pure speculation from my noggin.  I think the word "defenestration," being as highly specific as it is, has to date back to a very specific usage of the word.  The only timeframe that I can think of where there was a preponderance of things being thrown out of windows on the regular would be the middle ages when people basically threw their waste out of their window.  Most often this was the pitching of refuse into the streets.  I would imagine that the "Defenestration of Prague" happened as a play on the term defenestration that was commonly associated with the liberation of refuse out of the window thus calling the seven city officials the equivalent of human refuse sent out of the window.  Again, this is purely my supposition. 

Being present is always a laudable goal. I would say through this conversation that I would definitely consider this to be a very present conversation. Even though this has taken some time to happen, I think it has been very present and enjoyable.

I know this is a bizarre question, but Question 17: when you close your eyes, what image pops in your head?

This is an interesting suggestion on the etymology of defenestration. We should contact the Allusionist Podcast to see if we can get a good history of the word. 

At the moment I am, to the surprise of no one, currently listening to a podcast. And I happen to have a bit of synesthesia that brings about visual flickers of color when I hear spoken words. Thus when I close my eyes it is just a flurry of colors since I am listening to a show at 2X speed. But before I closed my eyes the first image that popped into my head upon reading that question was of Chicago’s skyline.

I am currently binge listening to "The British History Podcast" so my initial imagery that comes to mind is all about Celts with wild hair covered in Woad hurling curses at the Roman 7th.  I lead an exciting life.

It is time time to turn the tables... Question 18: Do you have any questions for me?

That is quite the scene to imagine. I will have to get around to listening to that show.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

The best advice I have ever been given is from my Mother-in-Law: "Don't let the fuckers get you down." It is most definitely words to live by.  Fuckers want to bring you down, but we should not let them.

Question 19:  What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring with you?

Solid advice.

A better understanding of myself out of this. The choice of questions somebody picks can tell you a lot about them (so I’ve also developed a better understanding of you), and trying to answer those questions can, of course, tell you a lot about yourself. As Heraclitus pointed out, the world, including ourselves, are in a constant state of flux. Answering questions, even ones you have answered before, can help you understand just who you are today and where you’ve been.

Anytime I can help with overall understanding of oneself, I consider it a win.

Question 20:  What's next?  Be as concrete or as vague as you would like.  Be as short-term or as long-term as you would like. Be as philosophical or grounded as you would like.

My very short answer to the final question is below:

Another breath. 

Bryan is such a great guy.  These 20 Questions are quite possibly one of my favorite due to the high level of introspection he brings to the table.  His answers made me think about myself in ways I have not introspected since I was in therapy on the regular.  

Everyone should give Bryan a follow on the twitters and check out his website, bryanmbrush.com.

To recap:

Fall season premires are starting up again
So all is well in the TV landscape
I need to draw more
I now have an About.me page
Also an online UXD Portfolio
UXD jobs here I come
The wife is going to be doing some webinars on how to make meetings effective
She is the awesomest... awesomiest... most awesome
My arm finally is not bothering me when I sleep
and I actually rode my bike for a bit this weekend
I have also been running on th treadmill
Running on the treadmill and watching bad action movies
The Dwayne Johnson Hercules movie wasn't half bad
Wasn't half good
I would say a 1/4, 1/3 good and 5/12 meh
That adds up to one right?
Heuristically that measures "meh"
Have a great week everyone

20 Questions Tuesday: 326 - Cobra Commander

I had no idea that I would ever be able to actually ask a head of state 20 Questions for this rinky-dink blog, but this 20 Questions is not only with the head of state of a recognized island nation, but also a ruthless dictator megalomaniac of a United Nations recognized terrorist organization. 

1. Not a dictator, never have been, don’t plan on becoming one.  I’m an elected official.
2. You say megalomaniac like it’s a bad thing.
3. Our terrorist label has been revoked by the UN, though I believe we’re still listed as such in the US.  

Honestly, I feel like I am putting my own safety on the line to ask these questions, but I've been doing these 20 Questions for almost 10 years and, well... it's been a good run.  So without further ado... 20 Questions with Cobra Commander.

I would say your safety and wellbeing are entirely in your hands, that should give you some comfort -- and hey!  10 years!  That’s impressive.  

I have a background in geography, specifically in cartography, and I have always been interested in people's personal geographic story.  For example, I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, moved to Montgomery, Alabama, and then grew up in Birmingham, Alabama.  I went off to college in Kent, Ohio and then moved to Columbus, Ohio where I have been for 18 or so years.  I know you are enigmatic, and I will most likely not get a full answer for this question, but... Question 1:  What is your geographic story? At least the portion you are willing to share....

Ah, an excellent question!  See, we’re starting off well and fine, there’s little need to worry about your future.  I mean, there’s always reason to worry about something as vague and encompassing as one’s own future, but perhaps your immediate future, and your possible immediate murder, isn’t one of those things you need to worry about.  

Firstly, I am enigmatic because I have been made out to be that way.  When Cobra was picking up steam the government seized all records of my existence and identity.  I believe they had many reasons for this, but chiefly among them was an attempt to dehumanize me.  An enemy with a mysterious background (or no background at all) is much easier to cast as a villain.  Going against this established narrative, I will answer your questions as honestly as I can. 

Secondly, I too believe in the importance of a “geographic story” as you put it.  Sometimes we never realize a place’s impact on us until we leave it, in its absence we see how much it and you are intertwined, even if it was not your intention, the transformative powers of a time and place are undeniable.  Home is where the heart is, after all.  

I was born and raised in a little town called Springfield, USA. Hasbro fans will surely recognize the name, though they made my hometown out to be a secret and sinister base of Cobra operations.  This was unfortunately never true, in fact I left Springfield in quite a hurry to not yet return.

There are forty-one towns/cities/townships called Springfield in America, so you can pick your best guess as to which is my Springfield on your own time.  I’ll give you a hint though, it’s definitely one of the boring middle states.   Very small town, the kind of place where kids on bikes ruled the streets, and everyone knew your name, or at least knew you as “so-and-so’s kid,” or “so-and-so’s brother.”  I didn’t know it at the time, but that small town upbringing instilled in me a strong sense of community, love thy neighbor, be your brother’s keeper, and all that jazz.   Through the years nostalgia has only sweetened those sentiments, and I have strived all my life to replicate the good nature and hospitality I experienced in my hometown (re: Cobra Island).  

It was in Springfield that Cobra was founded, more as a political club compromised mostly of my brother’s Veteran friends.  It was in Springfield I suffered a terrible accident that gave me the lovely voice you’ve all come to know and fear/enjoy/parody.  It was in Springfield I recovered and trained and dreamed of something more and something better than the life I had been given and expected to be satisfied with. 

I probably would still be in Springfield, or at least have some roots there, if I had not been forced out by the presence of enclosing authorities.  This was all in the late 70’s and by then Cobra had been labeled a dangerous and potentially violent organization by the US government.  For Cobra to survive it was vital that I avoided arrest, and so I went on the lam, happily surprised by my own enjoyment of traveling around the country.  I met many people, recruiting wherever I went, and let me tell you, I went all over.  

Anyone who feels empty or bored with their lives, be you a twenty-something millennial, or an aging baby boomer, I urge you to go out and see your country.  From the big attractions, to the natural beauties, to the little forgotten diners, it’s all spectacular. 

Eventually, I moved on to Europe, in search of a man named Destro, who I was told could supply my followers with weapons, thus giving our bark a little more bite (this was actually my first trip outside the US).  My closest comrades and myself were smuggled out of the country via a sympathetic pilot; the closest to Scotland we could get was Italy.  I took the name Baron Ironblood (which was more or less a jet-lag inspired joke name), and we proceeded to backpack through Europe, from Italy, to Switzerland, to (the terrible country of) France, Germany, Belgium, and finally Scotland.  Noble Destro proved difficult to get an audience with (what with us being unwashed common criminals from America), and his castle was literally a castle, made impenetrable back when the crusades were still a thing.  Once more we wandered Europe looking for someone who could act as our emissary.  That ended up being the Baroness who we met in the dark mountain forests of Romania. 

As if traveling the US wasn’t enough, my European vacation further expanded my understanding of the world as a whole.  I was still a young man back then, with a limited worldview.  Those few years of nonstop travel had given me a unique perspective on not only America but America’s place in the global community.

From there it was the 80’s and we were all in full swing, both Cobra and G.I. Joe at the height of their active years.  I went around the world at a break-neck speed, evading capture, getting captured, escaping said capture, recruiting, organizing armies, building fortresses, gathering intel, putting together scientists, rubbing shoulders with presidents and prime ministers and dictators and kings and queens, etc, etc…

And then half way through the 80’s Cobra Island happened, appearing in the Gulf of Mexico, just north of Cuba, and I have lived comfortably there ever since. 

Wow, I had forgotten how much you like to see your own words.  I cannot imagine how long you would have gone if this interview was in person and you were allowed to hear your own voice while I would be forcibly required to make active listening noises like “um,” “a-ha,” “I see,” “go on,” and “fascinating.” …Now that I think of it, there is a better than average chance that you are dictating to your unfortunate PR Officer, and you are, in fact, listening to your own voice.  Regardless, this is a really comprehensive geographic story, and yet incredibly vague.

So you don’t want me to be honest and comprehensive with these answers?  Is that what you’re trying to tell me?  Hm.  All right.  It’s your blog thing.

I’m not unfortunate.  I’m really the opposite of unfortunate.

PR, are you typing what you’re saying now?

Well, I just want to be clear here, I am not unfortunate.  I want that to be documented, in my own words, from me.

Silence, I can handle this.  You are the opposite of unfortunate.

That’s what I said.

Cobra PR is part of the first generation of children who have grown up on Cobra Island.  They get all the benefits of living in our prosperous nation.

And I have the honor of serving you so directly.

Gross, PR.

What?  I didn’t mean that in any lewd way, I work directly under -- 

I said GROSS.  Why are you typing that part?  

So… since you have lived in many places and traveled all over the world, sometimes looking for components to various doomsday devices, sometimes because you are on the lam from anti-terrorist outfits such as GI Joe or the Oktober Guard… Question 2: Where do you like to go just to get away from it all? Are you a beach comber? A mountaineer? Do you like the nightlife of a bustling city?  Or simply retire to your study to coil up with a good book? Where does the Cobra Commander go to relax?

The Commander doesn’t know how to relax.

Wow, rude.  Hang on, firstly, I want to say:  I wouldn’t really qualify a teleporter or a weather-controlling tool as “doomsday devices.”  That’s the American propaganda machine speaking through you.  The MASS Device allows for instantaneous transport of our trade goods, the Weather Dominator ensures constant perfect and safe weather for Cobra Island.  No hurricanes for us.  

But to get to your actual question, I am one of those people who must work to feel comfortable.  I relax by keeping busy.  I always have.  If I’m not properly preoccupied I’m prone to sullen moods.  I’m a very frenetic individual, and have, over the years and with practice, learned to take all that energy and be productive with it.  I multi-task, I like doing five or ten things at once.  It’s how I think, and there’s some satisfaction projecting the way you think into the way you interact with the world.  

I’ve also taken to island life very well.  I went to Cuba on a diplomatic mission right before the creation of Cobra Island.  I fell in with that nightlife and that island culture.  Cobra Island’s really coming into its own in terms of bars and restaurants. There’s a Tiki bar on the top of Cobra Island’s volcano, The Summit, and I’m a regular.  The drinks are top notch and the desserts include roasting marshmallows with the volcanic heat.  Who wouldn’t love that?

I have had roasted marshmallows before, because I am human, but I have never had the pleasure of roasting them over an open volcanic vent.

I know this seems like an odd topic jump, but my Question 3 for everyone is always the same in these interviews. Question 3: Cake or Pie?  Which kind specifically and why?

I’ve been leaning towards pie lately.  I mean, I am as American as apple pie.  

Good call.  You can always go with a classic. 

Interesting thing that I have found by asking this question.  People who choose pie really like pie and would love a slice of pie, whereas people who choose cake would kick a kitten in the rain to get to a piece of cake.  They have an irrational love and desire for cake.  They NEED cake and will stop at nothing (aside from learning to bake) to get cake. Question 4:  Who in your organization would you think is that kind of cake-eater? 

Kick a kitten?  Definitely Serpentor.  

A bit of your personal grudge coming out there?  I had money on you saying Dr. Mindbender. That guy is unhinged, and you cannot deny that.  He is certifiable… a mad genius, yet mad is definitely an equal descriptor in this sentence. 

It’s usually a coin toss between Serpentor and Mindbender on who will I mock now, and today Serpentor won out.  

Question 5: Are you still Hell bent on world domination, or has running your own island nation kind of mollified the “conquer the world” thing with the day-to-day running of a nation state?

I was never hell bent on world domination, that’s another misconception from my failed PR efforts early on in Cobra’s history.  But let’s take a second and seriously consider this, who would actually want to rule the world?  Have you watched Game of Thrones or even the news?  The world’s sort of a mess right now.  Yes, in a historical sense, there is less war and disease than there’s ever been, but it’s still sort of a mess.  No individual can fix it.  It’s too big of a problem.  

Now originally, well, you have to remember, Cobra started out as a political-oriented club with just me and my friends, our goals were about the betterment of our town.  Things began to escalate of course, and it went from our community, to our state, to the rest of the country.   This was late 70’s, and the 70’s were a really chaotic, and I’d say destructive, time in politics.  Not just with Vietnam and Watergate, but we were all learning about these nefarious covert operations of the CIA, and how the FBI had open files on more than one million citizens.  We watched Ford take over the presidency without a single vote cast for him.  Modern “investigative journalism” was being perfected on our televisions so we could keep up with all the sensationalized scandals.   Everything was a mess, everyone was a crook, and there was nothing you could do about it.  

With that surrounding you, it was easy for someone like me to imagine that they could do better.  I think a lot of people must have thought that, I was just one of the few who actually did something about it.  It’s just in my attempts I was labeled the leader of a terrorist organization.  

Now I’m a President officially elected on Cobra Island.  Being a national leader is a lot easier I think than what we were dealing with before, at least for me.  It’s like playing whack-a-mole on a national level, constantly solving this problem then that problem, and so forth.  Much easier than being a wanted terrorist.  

I actually have never watched “Game of Thrones.”  I know it seems like I would be the most perfect audience to watch a sword and sorcery show with gratuitous boobies, but none of the characters are redeemable (I read the first 120 pages of the first book in the series.  Did. Not. Like. Well-written, but just lacking fun.).  Every character in the show is a jackass.  I have enough exposures to jackasses in my own life, I don’t need to see fake jackasses on my television.  Tyrion, Daenerys, Arya, Sansa, the Hound, Jon Snow, Stannis, Joffrey etc… they are all either evil, distasteful, or disturbingly flawed.  I don’t care about any single one of those j-holes.  This seems to be a terrible trend for the past seven or so years that not one damn character on any damn show is a good person that I will remotely care for.  Question 6:  What the hell is up with that?!?  

Geeze, I should’ve made a House of Cards reference.  Touchy, touchy, aren’t we?  

Same deal!  Claire and Francis are both sociopaths.  Doug Stamper is a remorseful tool that just wants to be loved, and can only show that love by doing whatever dirty work Francis feels needs to be done.  Remy is a mercenary whose loyalty is only to whomever can pay him the most.  I could go on, but I won’t.  Suffice it to say that there is not a sympathetic character on that casting sheet.  It is a problem with current TV.  “Breaking Bad?”  Same deal.  Who is the sympathetic character?  There isn’t one.  Sometimes I feel like we should just… just introduce cascading root viruses into the computer systems of the increasingly sovereign multi-platform entertainment complexes.  The virus would lock down all capabilities to use the digital assets that the entertainment industry currently has and prevent the generation of any new content.  Then set off mass EMP devices for all the cloud storage facilities in the Black Hills of North Dakota, the Research Triangle in the Carolinas, Siberian Novosibirsk, Hangzhou in the Shenzhen Province in China, Manaus in the wilds of the Amazon Rain Forest, and other mass storage data facilities.  The Mass EMP’s will delete all back-ups of “the industry’s” content, erasing their stockpiles of critically lauded irredeemable character arcs bringing the entertainment industry to its knees!  Umm… ah, you know, or I could change the channel or stream something else.  Whatevs. The important piece to note is that you did not answer Question 5… sidestepper.  Let's just skip 6 then...

Question 7: What’s your favorite color?

Oh, I’m sorry.  Was there a question in all that ranting against the second renaissance of American Television?

It’s called catharsis buddy, fictional characters sometimes tend towards cruelty so that you may live out your cruel fantasies vicariously without actually ever committing cruel acts.  Your inability to process this basic human experience is probably where all this aggression is coming from.  Lighten up, they’re just TV shows.

This color:   

Hmmm… where have I seen that color before?  I cannot quite place it.  I bet it works well with white and chrome though.

Prior to going off on my tangent concerning bringing the entertainment industry to its knees, I mentioned how Remy is mercenary as Hell in “House of Cards.” You have been known to have independent contractor mercenaries in your employ.  Some of these mercs are odd ducks and, honestly, would make me uncomfortable being in the same room. Question 8: Who is creepier to work with Zartan and his Dreadnoks, Tomax and Xamot (Basque names?), or some other merc you worked with?

Not Zartan, definitely not Zartan, we get along just fine.  His family not so much, but Zartan and I always understood each other.  He was one of the first mercenaries I ever met, and you know Zartan, he’s an actor assassin, he enjoys the acting of a part just as much as assassinating the target.  I quoted some Richard III at him when we met and we’ve been good ever since.  Zartan’s the poet philosopher of his, I’ll call them crew, his crew, and everyone knows it.  Buzzer, Ripper, and Torch get it.  Buzzer 2 and Ripper 2 get it (Monkeywrench and Thrasher), Buzzer 3 and Ripper 3 get it (the rest).

Serpentor’s an easy pick what with him being a scientific abomination with no soul, but that’d be rather selfish to mention him twice…

Croc Master’s actually a nice guy and super into environmentalism.  Crystal Ball is like every chill yoga master ever but is into hypnotism rather than yoga.  

Oh, Firefly! Firefly’s another easy pick, Firefly’s just as weird as you’d expect a ninja-master-saboteur-explosives-expert would be.  Not to say he’s not good company, he’s a riot at parties, but underneath all that craziness you can tell there’s an actual craziness.

Tomax and Xamot are freaky, twins are just freaky in general, twins with almost the same name, even freakier, but on top of all that I’ve got this fan theory, PR what’s that called? 

Head Canon.

Yes, I’ve got a head canon they were conjoined twins that were separated like not when they were infants, but as children.  How else do you explain this weird phantom limb pain they got going on for each other?  

But you know, I know the answer to this, but I’ll note here, these mercenaries have become pertinent to Cobra’s survival.  I don’t know where we’d be without the Baroness, or Storm Shadow, or even the Drednoks.  Mercenaries get a bad reputation, but I’m supposedly a terrorist, so I figured when meeting these people there were perhaps two sides to their stories, and that was mostly true.  I never recruited someone I didn’t believe in, and who didn’t believe in, if not me, Cobra.

One of the few exceptions to this was Dr. Venom, who I’m ninety percent sure was an actual psychopath.  Like, not the cool kind you see on TV, but an actual living, breathing psychopath with the inability to understand other human beings’ pain.   He had a way of looking at you, where he was sort of looking at you like a piece of meat, like a thing and not a person.  It’s disturbing, recognizing someone else’s total indifference to you.

Of course, we didn’t know this at the start, he did a very good not-psychopath impression, very personable upon first meetings, he said all the right things, told us how much he believed in Cobra, gave us his sob story about the US government taking away his funding, commandeering his research.  It’s only when we started to come down on him concerning his more nefarious use of our time and money that he started to slip and his true nature slithered out.  He’s dead now.  He’s been dead for a long time.

So, you have mentioned most of your compatriots as being mercenaries.  Now mercenaries are paid to work for you.  They are your paid employees.  So, Question 9: Do you have any friends? Honest to goodness non sycophantic friends? 

They’re mercenaries, but again, I wouldn’t have recruited them if I thought they were in it just for the money.  The money helped, money always does, but we didn’t even pay that well back then, we couldn’t afford it.  Our mercenaries offered their expertise not just for the cash, but they believed in Cobra, and if they didn’t, I needed to convince them.   That was half of my job in the 80’s, but lucky for me, I am a natural born salesman.  

The Baroness is actually one of my closer friends.  I know that makes no sense to followers of the cartoon and comics, but she was our ticket to meeting Destro, we met her, myself and my friends and followers, when we were just some lost Americans in Europe on the run from the authorities with no other alternatives.  It was winter, and months had gone by with little progress towards Destro.  We were desperate.  She knew it too, we tried to hide it, but she knew, she’s a super-spy-assassin from a family of super-spy-assassins, she knows everything.  

She was amused by us at first, but after my sales pitch my sincerity came through, and my naiveté.  She was the first one to ever say Cobra was a revolution, and I was a revolutionary.  She took me under her wing, she taught me proper etiquette befitting of a leader trying to get an audience with someone like Destro, remember, I was just some kid from the middle of America.  I didn’t know how to properly address “royalty” of any sort.  Even more useful, she trained my men in guerrilla war tactics she learned in South American jungles and African coasts, fighting wars we had never even heard of.  She was our von Steuben for sure, taking us to the next step in our evolution towards a militarized force to be reckoned with.  

For that I will always be indebted to her.

Destro is another good friend, my bro through and through.  Our relationship was never as rocky as you’d expect, he only tried to overthrow me twice…maybe thrice, but we’ve patched things up and recent years have only been good.  Old age and a successful island nation suit Destro, he’s finally calmed down after all these years and has become a pretty fun guy.  

But besides Cobra High Command, do I have friends?  That’s really the heart of your question isn’t it?  Of course I do, I’m Cobra Commander, I know each of my citizens by name.   Antonio, my personal chef, I love that guy.   Sunny, the founder and bartender of The Summit (the Tiki bar at the top of our volcano).  Jackson, my main Televiper.  So on and so forth.  

And even more personal than that, even deeper into the heart of your question, there are the people who have been with me since the beginning.  My friends from Springfield, who I grew up with, who inspired Cobra, who were there for me when I had nothing, and who made me the person I am today.  They followed me on the run across the country, to Europe and back, through the 80’s to here to Cobra Island.  Not all have them have made it.  Some left and some are dead, but they are all like my family.  

Interesting, You have your Crimson Guard from hometown Springfield, and your inner circle, but most of the people in those circles have either tried to overthrow you are beholden to you for your existence.  Heavy is the head that wears the crown.  No matter how you shake it, you are an island unto yourself on an island. To save space, I will eschew Question 9.

So…  Question 10: Fill in the blanks:  I find that I am mostly __________________.  Others find that I am mostly _____________________.  

I find that I am confident/cocky/charismatic/crazy fine with who I am and what I have done.  I have no interest in what other people think of me.  

PR’s snickering, what are you snickering over?

I think it’s funny you put down “cocky” before “charismatic.”  

So, like any typical democratically elected official, you are terribly worried about how others perceive you… guh... deflate the ego a bit, Commander.  Heck, you want people to refer to you as Commander.  Don’t you have a real name?  Dave?  Steve? Mike? Alfonso? Joseph? Gordon? Levitt? Question 11: When was the last time someone called you by your given name? Ted?

Joseph Gordon Levitt!  Why?  What was that?  What was any of that?  I’m the Baroness’ brother?  Do you know how awkward it was watching that?  I was sitting right next to her in the theater!  It was TERRIBLE!   Hollywood drivel, not even trying to offend me, not even trying to be American propaganda, glorifying the armed forces, just cashing in on 80’s nostalgia, and they couldn’t even do that right!  It was just noise, noise and nonsense!  

Now, why wouldn’t I want people to refer to me as ‘Commander?’ You make it sound like an ego thing, but I am the commander in chief, it is the proper way to address me.  Don’t go blaming me for my actual name being stricken from the public record.  That was the American Government’s doing, not mine.  How would it look on them that the most prominent enemy of the States, the number one “terrorist” in the world, was one of their own, an American citizen?  And not some radical, not some cult member, but a homegrown kid from some small town people only drive through. They couldn’t allow that detail to be part of their narrative, and with my allegiances to mostly international members it was easy to assume I was some foreign force.  They confiscated my identity, buried down my existence so deep that not even the Joes knew who they were dealing with.

During my time at Blackwater Prison, after the incident with the MASS Device, I was under Joe supervision twenty-four-seven awaiting trial.  A few weeks into this we finally determined that they had, this entire time, and we’re talking about a year from first engaging with Cobra, mistaken me for my brother.  I laughed, of course.  I laughed and laughed and laughed.  It made sense.  By then the government was hiding my existence, the Joes had on their own determined my family, and they saw my brother’s paperwork with all his on record military training, and a death that could have easily been faked.  It made sense, but it was still wrong.

I never stopped using my identity and my name.  The government could keep me hidden to the public but they couldn’t stop me.  My friends know it and my friends use it, and I have been known to introduce myself with it.  The last time someone used it was last night. 

To be clear, no one liked that movie.  It was terrible… absolutely awful.  It was worse than the weird ass animated movie, and that was bizarre indeed.  It would have been so easy to make a movie for GI Joe. Power suits?  Really?  What the hell?  And Ripcord in a power suit?  Ripcord is a HALO Jumper, his specialization should have been all about doing HALO jumps. The power suit should have been given to a Joe who was trained in power suits.  I don’t know, maybe he would be given the callsign Gundam or Manzinger or something like that.  But seriously, how difficult would it have been to make a compelling GI Joe movie?  I hate Hollywood… Hollywood makes me so angry.  I believe I mentioned something about that previously…. 

It’s a tragedy when you make enemies of those in control of IP’s you love.  

Question 12: So, are you planning on any succession planning?  Are you grooming the next Cobra Commander?

I like to think that all the citizens of Cobra Island are being educated and trained to their fullest potential, free to pursue whatever they want in life, including the presidency of our nation.  

Our government is set up with five-year terms without any limitations on how many terms an individual may serve, hence my long-standing presidency.  There have been a few people to run against me over the years, but I suspect it will take my retirement to usher in fresh blood.  No, there is no plan of succession; there is no individual who has my favor.  I have no doubt that whoever ends up taking over will be completely capable and as competent and compassionate as a national leader should be.  

I am going to change topics a bit because of where we are in the 20 Questions.  When I was a kid, I played soccer.  I really enjoyed it, and for a time I was pretty good.  I used to have a ritual, a lucky sequence of preparation that I did to help the team towards victory.  The ritual, generated over time by positive results seemed at the time, something that had to be done in a very specific sequence to enact that luck.  It was simple superstition at the time, bit looking back at it, that ritual actually did a different thing for me.  Instead of enacting some abstract concept of “luck” it was a ritual to help me into the correct headspace prior to being in a game.  It was a way of closing out the parts of my life not associated with the game and magnifying the parts that were.  It became a ritual that was akin to a type of meditation.  Question 13:  Do you have any superstitions or rituals in your life?

No.  

Innnnteresting… Good to know. Surprising, but good to know.  I would have thought you would have had a lucky hood, or a special way to polish your visor, or some kind of weird mindfulness.

I am in control of my life, not luck.  

Question 14: How do you celebrate your successes?

An Old Fashioned and a cigar…or a mandatory Island-wide party.  Have you ever crowd surfed across an entire nation?  Yeah, we don’t mess around on Cobra Island.  I think the longest party we had was just over ten days.   It’s a real morale booster for everyone.  

An “Old Fashioned and a cigar?” What are you? 90? That is how my dad’s dad would celebrate.  

Your dad knew how to celebrate then.  Perhaps I should be talking to him.

This question came up in one of my other 20 Questions interviews.  It is a simple question whose answer is often quite profound. Question 15: Are you happy?

I’m Cobra Commander.  

…and that is not an answer.  Maybe if you were some iconic image synonymous with happy that would be an appropriate response, but you are Cobra Commander.  That title is not synonymous with happy.  In fact I think that title seems almost opposite of happy.  Are you saying that Cobra Commander = happy? 

No, my name is synonymous with a hissing voice and yelling and throwing chairs isn’t it?  Well, I am happy.  Why wouldn’t I be?  Now, that doesn’t mean I’m content, or satisfied, there’s still more work to be done, there always is.  Always one more battle to win.  But when I’m busy is when I’m happy.  Because happiness is itself work, it is itself something to be won and earned.  

That’s an interesting take on happy. I do like the philosophy that “happiness is itself work.” That is an interesting sentiment.  Happiness does not just happen.  Happiness is something you have to work for and on.

And often protect.  

It is pretty obvious that I am very interested in your personal life because that is not information that is very widely disseminated.  I am clearly trying to get an understanding about the man behind the chrome.  I have to say (as we are rounding the corner on these 20 Questions) that you are a more personable and, dare I say, relatable person than I would have imagined.   One thing that I have been trying to tease out from these questions is what your personal life must be like as the “democratically elected leader of Cobra Island.” I would imagine that much like an insanely wealthy and popular rap mogul or Hollywood superstar, it must be difficult to discern the true friends from the hangers-on.  You mentioned beforehand that your friends are mostly in your employment.  I know that the power differential is most likely palpable regardless of your intentions, and in the quiet times when you are by yourself, you may have questions as to the loyalty of your inner circle...  especially the ones who were not there from the beginning. So…

Question 16: Is there a significant other in the life of Cobra Commander?  Do you have a romantic partner that you share your personal life with? Is there someone who rises above the yes-men and people in your employ? A person whom you treat as your equal and with whom you share your personal life? 

Are you flirting with me?  I know it’s hard not to, it’s the uniform, ain’t it?  

We’ve been talking for some time now and I believe there are some misconceptions that are continuing to prevail in your view of me.  I am not surrounded by yes-men or people who I think are beneath me and not deserving of my respect.  I don’t have time for people like that.   Time is a very precious commodity, you only get so much of it, and it’s a waste to spend it with boring, useless people.  I guarantee you no one in my country is boring or useless.  We are Cobra, the Great Snake Lives Forever, and I have spent nearly my entire life believing in us.  I love Cobra, and it has, with great effort, culminated into its current form as a society, and a culture, a people.  

I digress though.  You’re looking for an individual I can point to, a name I can give you, someone who can fit into a cartoon version of my life, but such a thing doesn’t exist.  Not for me, not for anyone.  It’s all very complicated, and messy, and full of intense conflicting emotions, and ultimately for myself, I feel that I feel too much for too many things to allow for what you’re talking about.

But have some gotten close?  Sure.  Some even closer than others. 

There clearly is a misconception on my part, because in most popular cultural representations of you, you are portrayed as a solitary island within an island.  You are represented as the aloof ruler consistently dealing with the Machiavellian machinations of your power-hungry subordinates all the while vacillating between being a jack-booted, fear-inducing, unhinged paranoid dictator and a mewly-mouthed coward sending your underlings to do tasks that you are incapable and unwilling to do yourself.

Yes, and as you know most pop culture regarding me is fueled by the American propaganda machine.  Let’s be smart and not insult me by believing in any of that.  

Clearly that is not the case.  Regardless of our interaction, or any efforts you have made to disavow those portrayals, a long-standing leader of any organization cannot survive as leader with those traits. My questions merely have been to more fully flesh out the real Cobra Commander as a person with friends, family, loved ones, wants, needs and dreams, and to do that I guess I had to wade through my own misconceptions.  I thank you for your patience.

I had dreams once, a long time ago.  They were about this interview being over.  Now nothing remains…but memories.   

Question 17:  Is there a question that I haven’t asked you that you were expecting me to ask?

Usually people ask me more about the Joes and stuff from the cartoon.  Is Serpentor seriously a clone?  Yes.  Did Destro ever wield Excaliber?  No.  Am I a snake man from a secret society of snake men?  No.  What’s your favorite toy?  The Terrordrome set.  Did Scarlet and I ever have a thing?  Yes.  

Wait, what?  

I thought you might ask me about my ex-wife or my brother.  

It was wise to not mention my son.  

I have some level of couth… maybe not much, but there is at least a little.  Well, I am nervous to do this, but it is time to turn the tables… Question 18: Do you have any questions for me? 

No not really.  

Why did you seek out an interview with the Commander?

Hey!

Well, I was wondering!  

Who would not want to ask THE Cobra Commander 20 Questions?  I grew up with the 3.75” GI Joe toys.  When I was really into it I would get every action figure I could get my grubby little hands on. In the beginning, all that was available was the Cobra Soldier and the Cobra Officer as a foil to my initial team of GI Joe heroes. I sent in my Flag Points along with my $0.50 check to get my Cobra Commander mail-in offer… I think I got about 5 of them in total. It was glorious. Cobra Commander is a character that is near and dear to my heart, so interviewing the actual Commander was to be a bit of a dream come true...They say, never meet your heroes, I guess this applies for your villains as well.  Ah, well.  You win some, you lose some.

The penultimate question… Question 19: What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you?

That the book I’ve been meaning to write might not be a terrible idea.  

If I have even been of a minor service, my job is done here.

Question 20:  What’s next?  Be as vague or as concrete, as short-term or long-term, or as literal or figurative as you would like.

Oh, are we done?  Oh my Lord, is it true?  Can it be?  The legends were true!  Twenty Questions finally came to an end at the twentieth question!   And look, neither of us died!  I didn’t kill you a blind rage because I don’t actually do that, and you ended up being a legitimate fan and not some secret wannabe assassin trying to get close to me.  It’s a good day, eh?

Next up?  I think I’ll have another coffee.

That just happened folks.  Everyone should give the Commander a like on Facebook and thank him for doing this interview... quite possibly the most in depth Cobra Commander interview by someone outside of the Cobra Island media outlets.  I want to thank Cobra PR for setting up and facilitating this process.

To recap:
We went on Vacation last week
Things have been hectic
ergo no posts for a few weeks
We did the California: Redwoods Empire Multisport Tour
We went through Backroads
They were amazing
Simply amazing
I highly recommend their vacations
Both kids have said it was their favorite vacation ever
I tend to agree
Even though I sprained my elbow on day 3
A week later and I am doing much better
I would say that my arm is at 85%
Here is a pic of the kids under a redwood

Those trees are huge
On a totally unrelated note, Mae is awesome
She knows who she is and why
Nothing creepy
Still looking for the UXD job
Take a look at 9thPointStudio.com if you want to see my bonifides
The Mom-in-Law got the sepsis and is recovering in the hospital
The wife leaves for Tampa tomorrow
It is hectic this week as well 
Have a great week eveyone

#YoJoe #Cobraaaaaa

20 Questions Tuesday: 315 - Patrick Beja

Today I get the pleasure of sharing with you 20 Questions with one Patrick Beja.  Patrick is now a delightful correspondent for the Daily Tech News Show headed by multiple 20 Questions Tuesday participant, Tom Merritt (interview 1, interview 2).  He brings a very measured thoughtfulness to his reporting on technology and backs up his thoughtfulness with his own experience in the computer gaming industry.  Most of his podcasts are in French, because he happens to be French and speaks French as his primary language.  I have listened to Le rendez-Vous Tech in its natural French... I understood enough of it to know that I should stick to the Daily Tech News en anglais.  Patrick is delightful to listen to because of his insight and his supple French accent.  So without further ado... Voici nos Mardi de 20 Questions:

I am a cartographer and one thing I really love is looking at a person's geographic story.  For example, I was born near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  My family moved to Montgomery, Alabama when I was a baby and then to Birmingham, Alabama when I was 3 or so.  I grew up just to the northeast of Birmingham in a small town called Center Point and lived in the same house until I left for university when I was 17.  I went off the school at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio where I met my wife. We moved to Columbus, Ohio when we graduated from college and have lived in the Columbus area since then.  Question 1:  What is your geographic story?

Ha! There couldn't have been a more complicated question to start us off... So, let me do this chronologically, as you did:

I was born in Lebanon, where I stayed for only a couple of years before my family left the country, chased away by the war. We found ourselves in France with not much more than a suitcase and my newborn baby brother. We stayed there for a year or two and "tried" to move back home, as my parents felt the war was winding down, which turned out to be wishful thinking. So after a few months we left Lebanon again and came back to France. Another few years, and my father's work took us to Cyprus for a year, and then to Beirut (again) for a year. I was 13 or so by that point, so it wasn't an easy change. Then back to France (thankfully!), where I had a hard time re-adjusting, as could have been expected.
I did high school (redoing my first year) and university in Paris (two widely different university courses: IT and Japanese), and then, as I turned 25, I decided I wanted to live in Japan, almost on a whim. So I did just that; I lived in Japan for about four years, split between Tokyo and Kyoto. A wonderful and trying experience; I left a part of my heart in the streets of Akihabara and another on the banks of the Kamo-gawa.

At almost 30, my time away had made me realize I didn't have to be what I thought I had to be, so I figured I'd forgo my pre-ordained path of working in the IT industry and decided to find work in the movie industry instead, and Paris was probably the best city to do that. So I came back and did just that, again. Half a decade later, I met my Finnish wife as she was swinging through Paris on a student exchange (she has a pretty complex geographic story herself), and it was love at first sight (which I wouldn't have believed existed before it happened to me). She went back to Finland shortly after, and the long distance relationship took me there every few months. Then she came to live in France, and we huddled in my tiny 20m2 studio for a couple of years, getting married in her countryside home town midway through. Now we've moved to another lovely apartment in the very close suburbs of Paris, and we're planning on staying here for a while... until we move to Finland for a few years, maybe? Time will tell I guess.

Wow, that is quite a geographic footprint. I love sharing with people who have moved all around the world.  The shifts you made are impressive ones, not only geographically, but culturally and linguistically as well.  So... You most likely speak Arabic from your Lebanese roots, you clearly speak French since you live in France, you have to know some Japanese, I would imagine you either can speak a bit of Greek or Turkish from your time in Cyprus, you most likely are learning/know some Finnish, and we are chatting in English.  Of the languages I listed out, most come from different language trees.  That is some crazy impressive polyglot action going on there.  Question 2: So... how many languages do you know? and to what level of functionality do you consider your knowledge of them?  

Heh, you like questions that will illicit lengthy and complicated answers, don't you!

Ok, so first, my parents' and my native tongue is French. They were both part of the French speaking community (Lebanon used to be a French colony, and kept strong ties with France after it got its independence. Actually it had strong ties with the French, English and Arab worlds and was a very westernized country before the war. But I digress). So yes, I do speak French, and it is my first language.
I apparently spoke Arabic as well when I was a kid (around 3 or 4 I think), but I've since forgotten 97.3% of the little I knew. I can kind of understand the topic of a conversation if I pay attention and your definition of "understand" is loose enough. My parents speak Arabic as a second - no wait - third language, and aren't fluent (my mom has a strong accent even). Their second language is English.

And I speak English as well, as you know. I wasn't totally fluent until I started listening to podcasts though. I spoke pretty well already: in Cyprus I learned practiced my English and not Greek or Turkish, and in Japan I lived with a kiwi for a year or so (a New Zealander, not a bird. Or a fruit), but I didn't speak very naturally until I got into podcasts; movies and TV shows will only get you so far.

I also speak Japanese reasonably well; I studied it for four years in college, and started really practicing there. We went back there for our honeymoon last year, and I was surprised at how conversational I could get, even after all these years…

And finally, I'm learning... Swedish! My wife is a Swedish Finn, so her family's first language is Swedish and not Finnish (Finland is a bilingual country with a Swedish speaking minority), and so I'm learning that of course. I learned by myself a bit and I can say a few things, but I'm not quite there yet. I'm starting serious lessons in 2015.

And in case you were wondering, my wife speaks more languages than I do. I think as a general rule of thumb, you can just assume that she basically does everything I do, and more, only better.

I knew that Lebanon had a French colonial influence to it, but I did not realize the strength of that French legacy.  Also, I did not realize that Finland had a Swedish speaking minority.  I just thought that since Finnish is such a small language group that the Finns would be a bit more isolationist about their official language.

This is my typical question 3, so without further ado a sharp left turn from geography and linguistics to Question 3: Cake or Pie, which specific kind and why?

Gluten and dairy free pecan pie. First because pecan pie is by far the best dessert pie ever conceived, and second because I can't really eat gluten and dairy nowadays (food intolerances; it's not allergies, it'll pass).

I grew up in Alabama with two pecan trees in my backyard... I still have never and will never like pecan pie... I understand the gluten and dairy thing.  I have had to be gluten free for about a year now... I hate being gluten free.  Absolutely hate it. France is known for croissants, baguettes, crepes, and other gluteny delectable ... I am not sure that I could handle the aroma of freshly baked European breads daily... 

Question 4:  If you do  accidentally eat something with the gluten in it, how long does it take you manifest your symptoms? 

Well, as I said, it's not an allergy so it's not very severe. It only gets annoying if I eat gluten a few times a week for a few weeks, and I've been observing a strict "everything-free" diet for a couple of years or so now, so hopefully I'll soon be able to eat it again. Although to be honest I'm not sure we're made / supposed to be eating gluten, intolerance or no intolerance. Or at least not as much as we do.

And yes, being deprived of croissants, pains au chocolat and warm baguettes has been very hard on me, as a French person especially. But surprisingly, among all the things I couldn't have (there were more than just those initially), the thing I craved the most was coca cola. For the first two or three weeks, I missed it more than chocolate, which was a surprise...

I have the intolerance pretty badly.  It is not an allergy because it does not affect my immune system as much as it irritates my gastrointestinal system to the detriment of all around me. 

You are now a correspondent on a tech news podcast that is based in the US whilst you are in France. Question 5: what are the technical difficulties that you are running into with this cross-continental kind of job?

The timezone differences are the main challenge. Not only because it's bloody confusing (especially around Daylight saving switches, which happen at different times in different places), but mostly because now that I'm doing this full time, I want to preserve as much of my evenings as possible to be with my wife... Given how much I work with Americans, it would be easy to get every evening filled with podcasts, and that's something I want to avoid as much as possible - it doesn't mean I'm never doing anything evening time for me (DTNS being the prime, and weekly, exemple), but there has to be a balance: I could very easily end up having three or four evenings a week eaten up by podcasts. Most of the time my US friends are kind enough to wake up early enough that I'll be done by 8pm my time, which I immensely appreciate.

The Phileas Club is also an interesting show to schedule in that regard : since we often have people from the Americas, Europe and Asia/Australia at the same time, finding a common time slot is... fun. I usually end up doing it on a Saturday afternoon my time.

My wife works with an international cadre of people, so she is constantly trying to coordinate schedules for people in the Netherlands, England, British Columbia, and occasionally Australia... how she manages to get people in relatively similar time zones to meet at the same time is dizzying.  The fact that she is often having to coordinate intercontinentally is even more boggling.  I would imagine the second you work becomes yours alone and you are the one responsible for content that the work/life balance is almost immediately thrown asunder.  I know that since my wife decided to go it alone, we have been constantly renegotiating our own work/life balance.  It is difficult to say the least.  There is a saying that when you work for yourself, you are always working.   The only thing that keeps us sane and our marriage intact is near constant communication.

I have consistently heard that prior to your recent striking it out on your own as an independent podcaster that you were in the "gaming industry," and I am sure you have gone into detail on some of your own podcasts and guest spots on other podcasts, but I am going to ask anyway.  Question 6: What was your professional role in the gaming industry? 

I've talked about it here and there indeed: I was working at the PR department of Blizzard Entertainment, in their central EU office, working mostly on World of Warcraft and Hearthstone (it's no big secret: I'm listed in the credits of all Blizzard games for that 5 year period). The question I often get when I tell people, especially gamers, what I now used to do is: "why in the world would you ever leave a job like that?!". It always makes me laugh, but I haven't looked back since I put in my resignation a few months back, simply that I'm doing something that I love even more... And hopefully I won't have reasons to regret leaving that awesome job! :)

It is a difficult thing to willingly leave a good thing to try something that might be more fulfilling.  Honestly, I commend you heartily for doing it.  I am in a dead end job that I cannot stand, and I am nearly immobilized by the fear of the unknown.  I need a new job that allows me to grow and learn... I am getting a masters in User Experience Design all in expectation that I will do the work to find a new job, but this fear is hamstringing me from moving forward at a pace that would be helpful.  It is time for me to get out of doing GIS/data warehousing of holes in the ground and get into something dealing with UXD.  I really stand in awe of your ability to take that chance. I am so happy for you and your ability to create content unfettered.

Question 7: What creative endeavor have you wanted to do, but just not felt like there is an outlet for it?

Honestly, the steps to being happier (in work and elsewhere) are different for everyone, so maybe taking things slow and small are the right way to go. One thing I'm certain of though, is that you can spend your whole life saying "tomorrow". Not everything needs to happen immediately, but if you reach the point where not doing what you want has become routine, you're in danger of looking back at things years later and saying "I wish I had", which is the saddest collection of words in the the human language.

Anyway, to answer your seventh question, there are tons of creative endeavors I would like to initiate or take part in but don't. It's not for lack of outlet though; I believe that with today's tools and means (computers and networks) there is nothing that can't be formalized somehow. Sure you might not be able to direct a blockbuster movie from your bedroom, but you can certainly take up 3D graphics, or stop motion video, or something to convey your ideas. Similarly, podcasting will enable anyone's ideas to reach the world in an even more simple manner. Honestly, the things we can do today and the possibilities we have, they're almost endless.

I have a deep seeded aversion for the "back in my day" type of ideas, because most of the time they're rooted in preconceived and erroneous notions. Now is the best time to be alive, likely for almost anyone almost anywhere, but mostly for us privileged first world dwellers. Not making the best of it when we are afforded so many opportunities is an insult to... well, the world. There, rant over. :)

You are a simply wonderful, deep, contemplative man.  I am fighting a tendency that runs deep in my family of dealing with "if only" and "not ready yet." It is conversations with you and people like you that get me to actually get myself moving.

You create an amazing amount of content through your large amounts of podcasting.  I can only imagine that much creation takes up a huge portion of time. Question 8: What do you do to rest and relax?  What are your hobbies?

Here lies my deepest problem: I've made my hobbies into my work. So when I want to relax for a bit, I basically get some work done (playing video games or browsing the tech and gaming blogs). I know, right?!

But aside from that, I also enjoy cinema quite a bit, and dinners with my friends. I'm not one for evening dancing in trendy clubs. Although there was a time when I did go out to bars around the city. But that's a story for another time... :)

I was curious about that.  I have heard from some comic book creator friends of mine some similar issues. Some of the magic of doing "what you love to do" goes away because you are now forced to do that activity for your subsistence and not just for the love of it.  It doesn't necessarily diminish the love someone previously had for an activity, but it does sometimes transform the joy of a beloved activity into the tedium of a chore.

All of this being said, Question 9: what is your favorite aspect of podcasting?

Definitely this: it's not radio. Radio has a very set tone and way of speaking even. It doesn't feel natural, it feels written, artificial. I love the fact that podcasters make listeners feel like they're part of the group, just talking it out and having fun while having coffee. That's, in my opinion, what creates the unique proximity between podcasters and their audience, and there's nothing quite like it in the "traditional" media. At least in France…

I would say there is nothing quite like the podcast/audience relationship most any place in the world at the moment.  It is at both times a very intimate interaction and a global distribution methods.  

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

I really think I've never seen anything like a podcasting community anywhere on the Internet... It's a great place to be.

And to answer your questions:
I like to think myself as balanced, first and foremost. Interestingly enough, I think it shows very much in my work, as I insinuate that value anywhere I can. Well, almost anywhere I can. :)
And apparently others think of me as passionate, at least according to twitter... I like it too!

"Balanced" and "passionate," while not diametrically opposed, could be fairly disparate.  Since many people would consider impassioned behavior to be un-balanced... Question 11: Why do you think there is a perception gap between how you view yourself and you feel others view you?

I... guess I'm passionate about being balanced? :)

I think balance is a very misunderstood value nowadays, because of the politicization of... well, everything. I believe it's not only possible, but also important to listen to what the other side has to say if you want any of what you're saying yourself to have value. Wait, let me rephrase that: I think it's important to *understand* what the other side has to say, not just listen to it.

Even that idea of "sides" is polarizing. It frames the world in one dimension, where you have to disagree with someone on everything if you don't agree on one thing. It creates a world of enemies and opposition and, quite frankly, breeds unproductive anger.

And it's easy to talk this talk and say "yeah! right! we need to hear each other!" and then just get angry the next time you hear something you've labelled as "not my side"... But that's exactly when you should take a second and listen and, again, understand what that person is saying.

And maybe you'll discount and condemn them afterwards, and that's fine! I'm not saying we should all hold hands and sing songs around the world tree; it's ok to disagree, of course it is. I certainly have a strong set of opinions myself. But far too many people disagree with one another without even understanding what they're disagreeing with or why. And that's why I strive to represent all the arguments in most of the things I do, even when it's not easy.

So yeah, this value of balance - wait; after this vibrant speech, which no doubt moved you to tears, I feel I should capitalize the word - this value of Balance is really important to me, and I believe it's a way to make the world a better place.

So that's how I can marry Balance and passion I suppose (see how I sneaked a capital B in there?). But I'm sure a lot of people responding were referring to my passion because I took it so far that I quit my job for it. And it's true that podcasting is a real passion for me: it's such a wonderful tool, at the crossroads of expression, technical expertise, comedy, art... You have to have a little bit of all of that in you to be a podcaster (or at least to be the kind of podcaster I enjoy listening to). I really love that medium.

But I love other things as well: tech, of course, is one of my great passions, and I think it shows in the way I cover it. I'm not the most knowledgeable person on the topic, but when I talk about something on the show I try to understand it well enough that I can then explain it in a simple way to my listeners. And that's not as easy as it sounds; it takes real dedication.

Video games too; I think it shows in my voice, when I talk about a game I love, how passionate I am about these things.

I'll skip the other topics I cover (I could talk about The Phileas Club all day), but suffice it to say, I am not afraid to love something and to let people know.

I think ultimately this passion thing comes down to a key value of our now prevalent geek and nerd culture: don't be afraid to be yourself. We've lived for years kind of hidden away, being made fun of, ostracized even. Life was never hard per se (first world problems), but now that we're older and can tell people to fuck off, it's liberating.

I also realized myself (in the sense that I became a fuller person) a few years ago, after a somewhat-upsetting-but-not-world-ending breakup in my 30's: I decided, consciously, that I had had enough of the dating / masquerading game, where it was expected that you would present the best version of yourself, hiding, transforming, deforming who you are, in order to fit some image of what you think would get you in someone's pants or heart. It's all so silly really, and we know it, and we still do it...
So I was ready to be myself, or die a lonely male spinster trying. Resigned would be a better word; I wasn't happy about it, and it wasn't like it was a great revelation... I was just tired and sad of not quite being myself is all. I can't quite take for myself the immortal words of Joey Tribiani "I've had my share of women... Actually I've had a lot of people's share of women!", but I can say that by my mid thirties I was satisfied that I could get a girl, have a relationship, and that I wouldn't die a virgin. So that part of my animal alpha caveman brain was "checked", kind of, and I was ok with the idea that I wouldn't compromise myself anymore.

So I started just being myself, pretty much all the time. At a party, I wouldn't necessarily limit my conversation to music or movies or oh so trendy TV shows; I'd also talk about video games and the Internet and how incredible and transformative and amazing it all is. It probably kind of sounds silly today because those topics have become very mainstream, but in the late 2000s it wasn't so. iPhones were barely a thing, nobody used Facebook, and the media was only discussing video games when they could link them to a terrible tragedy. It's amazing what a few years can change...

And you want to know the kicker? I was tired of dating, I stopped even trying, and I had half given up on the romantic thing altogether, right? Well, of course, that's when I met my wife. She was a law student, she had never played video games in her life, and I was in love with her the moment she said hello... I have never been more myself with anyone, from the get go. Of course I wasn't being obnoxious and we talked about a lot of things other than smartphones and video games, but I never avoided the topic, never hid who I was (am). I knew I would ask her to marry me within weeks; I still don't quite understand how I was lucky enough to find her... :)

Wow, well, there you go: passion! I guess my passion is to answer a two line question with an insufferably long essay on the human condition! But I guess it is kind of answer: passion and balance can be two very different things, can't they?

This was indeed a long response but no where near the idea of insufferable.  I agree that balance and passion are not mutually exclusive because one could believe very fervently in their ideas and not completely dismiss opposing ideas out of hand.  I am very happy that my 2 line questions are eliciting such thoughtful responses.  This makes me feel like I am doing something right.

Question 12:  What is something in your life for which others (and potentially you) are surprised at your amount of passion?  What is a unexpected topic/subject that you cannot help but voice your opinion? For example, I have oddly strong opinions about frosting and icing that I could expend surprising amounts of energy discussing at length..

I like to think of myself as balanced, but one might describe my attitude as contrarian. They would be wrong of course, but it is true that my pathological need for balance tends to make me argue (or attempt to argue) the opposite of pretty much anything anywhere. If a person or a group veers towards a unified/uniform view of something, it makes me uncomfortable and I start thinking about the other side of the coin. Almost all the time. I'm sure I would debate frosting and icing with you at length if you became adamant and I was given the chance... It's a curse, really.

So to answer your question, there isn't just one thing, it's pretty much everything.

I have noticed you sometimes becoming the de facto Devil's Advocate, so to speak, on DTNS before. This makes pretty good sense.

Oh, unlucky 13.... When I played soccer as a kid, I would get ready in a very specific sequence.  I did it at the time because it was my "lucky" method. Looking back now, it was clearly not about invoking any sort of luck, but a method and ritual to get myself in the correct frame of mind to go onto the field and play my best. Question 13: Do you have any superstitions or rituals?  

Hmmm that's going to be a quick one : I have very very very little of those. I'm not saying "none" because I'm guessing everyone has their amount of healthy OCDs, but I prefer to separate myself from those things, doing what I do because I want to, or need to, or think it's important, rather than delay or change them because of a supernatural reason that I know shouldn't matter. It's not always easy mind you, but I feel rituals are a ultimately doing me a disservice... Emphasis on "me" there: I'm sure they're very helpful, maybe even necessary, to a lot of people.

Interesting.  I would have thought you would have some mindfulness rituals or something. Some kind of pre-game warm-up before you start a podcast. 

Bringing it back to technology, since that is how I know you primarily, Question 14: What do you think is the big technology story to watch for in 2015?

I've always hated trying to predict technology trends, mostly because I always get it wrong... :)
But I think it's safe to say there are two fields to keep an eye on for important developments this year:

- First is the Internet of Things, in which I'll include the smartwatch market, which will be bolstered or undone as a "mass consumer market" for the foreseeable future by the release of the Apple Watch this April. My prediction is that it'll sell truckloads in the first month or two, and will ultimately end up in drawers. I haven't seen anything in that product that convinced me it'll be a long lasting success on the scale of the iPhone/iPad/etc. I'm happy to be proven wrong.

- Second is Virtual Reality, which I'm curious to see evolve. My guess is that it'll reach consumer grade product and release this year (Occulus Rift seems likely, and maybe even Sony's project Morpheus, although I'd see that one released mid to late 2016, as Sony coasts on the PS4's organic success), but practical application won't become convincing until later, 2016 or 2017 even. We'll get impressive demos quickly, but it's such a different environment that people (developers) will need a significant amount of trial and error. I'm also doubtful of short term prolonged use in gaming environments; it might come, but my suspicion is that it'll initially be more akin to a theme park ride for most people (those who aren't enticed by a four hour long trip in a space ship or a mech, which are the kind of environments where the device makes sense to implement). Long term, who knows, maybe, with specific tailor designed experiences. It might also fizzle out as motion gaming did though... It's not a sure-fire hit, unlike a lot of people are betting. That's gaming only though; as Facebook's acquisition of Occulus suggests, VR tech will likely not be limited to games, and we might see it become more prevalent in other (unexpected) areas. Only time will tell though…

Time will definitely be the great arbiter of things to come.  I guess time is always like that.

I was unsure of the "Internet of things" until we got wi-fi enabled lights in our basement.  All the lights in our basement have individual pull cords and switches... now they can all be turned on, dimmed, and turned off individually or as a group from nearly anywhere.  It made a believer out of me.

I feel like this year will be yet another year of seeing the potential of VR without coming to the culmination of anything consumer ready.  I want VR to be a thing this year, but it just seems to fanciful. This is, of course, is the opinion of a guy who has not even seen what an Oculus Rift looks like, much less what one can do.

Question 15: So I am intrigued about this Phileas Club podcast of yours... What is your favorite aspect of the that podcast? and why should I become a listener? 

Heh, you're tugging at my heart strings now. :)

The Phileas Club is a show with a simple idea: gather people from different countries and cultures every month, to let them tell us how the important events had been relayed in the their countries. Being of a diverse cultural background myself, I have been shocked at how limited our view (incl. mine) of most issues is, especially when we think it's broad. I'm also 100% convinced that a lot of our disagreements come from a lack of understanding of what we actually think. This show is a way to try and fix that, at my tiny level.

So it's a show I've had a lot of love for for a long time, but with the latest episode (about the Charlie Hebdo attack), I've found a way of putting into simple words the reasons why I think it is so valuable: it's not a show about agreeing or disagreeing, it's a show about listening.

We had a wonderful individual (Mahmoud) on that episode, from UAE who expressed his views and opinion on the attacks, as a muslim and as a Jordanian national, and I was struck by the realization that we basically never hear from normal people in these countries. Here's what we usually see: 1) terrorists killing people. 2) Extreme fringes burning flags. 3) War victims crying for their lost ones. Here's what we don't see: normal people explaining what the see, think and live every day, and who are much much closer to ourselves. I think this is a deep failing of our media, and podcasts is a perfect medium to remedy it.

The Muslim world is obviously a big part of it, and Turki from Saudi Arabia had become a large part of the show in its previous run, but it's not limited to that of course. I've always tried to be as inclusive as I can, and hope to be even more in the future.

I love that.  You have a new subscriber.  I often see most of our conflicts come from lack of empathy and some of this lack of empathy is due to lack of information.

Question 16: How many podcasts are you a primary contributor to?  I know of 3 off the top of my head, but if pressed I could probably remember 1 more.

Hmmm actually for active shows it's "just" The Instance and DTNS. I won't count Overwatchers since it's on hiatus until we actually have something to talk about... There are a million other things I'd love to do, but I've learned not to rush in and to take time to do things well rather than quick. :)

methinks you sell yourself short, but I will allow it. (Pixels, the Phileas Club, Le Rendez-Vous Tech, Daily Tech News Show, The Instance)

Since we are nearing the end of the 20 Questions... Question 17:  Is there something I have not asked that you are surprised I haven't, or feel that I should have asked?  And feel free to answer that question.

That's a tough one...

Well, after thinking about it for a while, I came up with one. It's not so much that I would have expected it, but I think it's a very important one that not enough people ask themselves: "are you happy?"

We're getting into easy philosophical debates here, but I do believe that it's very important to take action when you're not. In the immortal words of Steve Jobs (I like quoting him a lot) at his memorable Stanford commencement speech, if you're not happy doing what you do every day, and that continues for too long, you have to do something about it. It's so very tragically easy to slip into a comfortable routine, and wake up 20 years later, aghast at the time you've lost! That's everything.
As I paraphrased in an article I wrote when he died (Steve Jobs), "No one can be happy every day of their life, but you should be happy most days." And not everyone can quit their job and go para-sailing all day (some have families, obligations, etc), but we shouldn't put off learning to dance, or playing games, or writing books, if we feel that's important to us. At least not putting them off forever. Set a date, a limit, and if you haven't done something about your situation by that point, realize what it really means for the rest of your life. Realize that if you don't do it now, you might never do it, and examine the consequences. If you're fine with it, whatever. If it make you ache, my advice is to act.

That's also why I don't like New Year's resolutions: I understand why they work the way they do, but I don't want to wait until the New Year to do stuff I feel is important... If there is stuff left for me to decide I should do around the New Year, it means I've failed to make a change before that. Why wait? If you're going to do it, do it. If not, don't kid yourself with what we all know is New Year bullshit, and consider whether it's actually important to you.

And to be clear: this is also about money. Keeping in mind the goal of living a full, happy, fulfilled life, how much money do you really need? A roof over your head, food in your plate, Internet in your home... And in Europe, we even have "free" education and health care. Is there anything more that's essential than that? Everything else, the money can't buy. You don't necessarily have control over finding love, which would be the other "important thing", but you do have control over what you do with your time. Will you spend it recklessly climbing a corporate ladder that will give you only more worry and less of... everything else? Will you kill yourself "making it" as an entrepreneur, neglecting yourself in the process? What's the ultimate goal? And if it is to become regional manager of FuturaMegacorp, awesome, do that! I just worry about doing things out of habit, and not examining our "real" wants.
Do we need money? Sure! A roof doesn't come cheap, and food isn't free. Will I take more money if I can get it? Of course! Bring it on, I'll always find a use for it. But will I sacrifice my time and my happiness for the pleasure of being able to show someone else something I'm not?... That's another tough one. I try not to at least, and trying is already something.
And if you're reading this, chances are you're lucky enough to be living in a part of the world where you're afforded that chance to try. It feels like it would be a shame to throw it away...

So to answer my own question, yes I'm happy. And I like to think it's because I chose to be.

I'll leave you with one of my famous quotes (they're famous in my mind anyway): "there's always a good reason not to do something". And it's true, there always is... :)

I love that question, and I might need to appropriate it for future 20 Questions that I do.  That really is a fascinating question because, as long as the question is not answered glibly, it is an extremely telling response.  That answer means something.  I am glad that you are happy Mr Beja.  That is wonderful.

I have to say that I am not quite happy right now.  If I could shore up some professional issues right now, I think my overall happiness would go straight to happy.  Usually the workplace does not temper my mood, and regardless of that environment, the family life and my creative endeavors bump me easily over into happy, but currently my workplace coupled with the time requirements associated with my education responsibilities (I am currently getting my Master's in User Experience Design in order to alter my workplace issues) has tipped me into slightly less than happy, but I am working toward becoming happier, and I can see happy on the horizon.

Now it is time for me to turn the tables, Question 18: What question would you like to ask me?

I think as long as we're actively working towards weeding out of our lives the things that make us unhappy, we're good. The real danger comes when we're constantly saying "next week", "next month", "next year"... and then it's 2015 already.

Alright, question 18. Well to be honest, by now there are a lot more than one question that I'd like to ask you: this has already been a wonderful, almost introspective experience (I honestly didn't think it would be this cool), and you've steered it pretty masterfully...

But if I had to chose one, it would be this: what defines you?

It's a simple question, but it shouldn't be taken lightly; you could even read it with a slow, dramatic movie voice in your head to grasp the gravitas of its implications... :) It's tricky because it could refer to the way you see yourself, or to the way others see you, or to the things that are important to you, or any other things that you choose to read into it.

So what do you think? Is it a good question? A bit too pompous maybe? I'm really asking; you're the expert here. :)

You have free reign to ask me any questions you want… I have really enjoyed my time chatting with you via email.  When these email interviews conclude I always feel a bit sad because I know that the level of contact I have been experiencing with my questionee will never be the same.  

As to the question you posed... Wow, that is an incredible question because it is so fraught with meaning.  I always ask my questionees to ask me something on Question 18, and this is the deepest question anyone has asked me.  To answer your secondary questions first because it gives me some time to think, I think this is a wonderful question.  It is better than good. It is not remotely pompous, and I hardly consider myself an expert.  

Now onto "What defines you?"
To start with I am going to treat this as an action verb and who the actor is on this verb.  Ultimately I want to define me, but I am afraid that in some instances I allow others to define me.  My definition should be consistently mine regardless of how much that definition changes I should be the one changing its content and meaning.  One good thing is that I would say that more often than not I am the person defining me.

Now onto the content of that definition... 
Currently I would define myself as  father, a loving partner to an amazing woman, an artist, someone who wants to laugh,someone who wants to learn, and someone who is too often hamstrung by his comfort in the fear of change.  Does that about crack it?  I hope that cracks it.

Question 19:  What are you taking from this 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you? 

For question 19: It's honestly very difficult to separate my experience with your questions and the changes in my life over the past few months. We basically started this relatively soon after I left my job, and things have been evolving slowly into a situation where I'm starting to get my bearings again. So I guess I don't know how much this series contributed to my thought process throughout, but I'd say that I have done a substantial amount of self examination, and probably a bit more than if we hadn't been going back and forth. And while it certainly hasn't been the only factor, it's helped me situate myself a bit better, driving me to take the time to wonder about stuff I don't often do. Not sure it works as an answer, but that's what comes to me... :)

That is a wonderful answer.  If this 20 Questions conversation has contributed to any self-reflection or helped to illuminated any of the path you are currently on, then it has gone beyond my wildest expectations.  I know that I have thoroughly enjoyed myself in this back and forth interaction and I hope you have as well.

Unfortunately it is time to come to a close though, but let's end it on a high note.  Question 20:  What's next?  Be as concrete or as vague, as short-term or as long-term, and practical or philosophical as you want.

Heh, I hope you're going to like this one: "I don't know, but I'm excited". :)

I love it.  I think that it is one of the most appropriate answers to this question

I want to thank you heartily for taking the time to answer my inane questions with such grace and aplomb.  You are a gentleman and a scholar.  I have enjoyed this conversation more than you could know.  My wife listened to you on the Daily Tech News Show last week, and she agrees that one of the supporter levels on your Patreon should be you reading our emails out loud to us.

Thanks so much for this gift of 20 Questions.

Please follow patrick on twitter @notpatrick and for more information concerning all of his various podcasts (like the newest episode of the Phileas Club wherein a Frenchman, a Swede, a Thai, and a Saudi Arabian talk about Putin... so much fun) please go to Frenchspin.com.  If you want to partake in Patrick's French language offerings, please make your way to FrenchSpin.fr

Merci!  Merci Beaucoup, Patrick!  Je suis dans votre dette.  Bon chance!

To recap:
I guested on a design podcast a few weeks ago
It was bunches of fun

You can listen to it here, go ahead, give it a listen
I talk about the Siri
Mainly I talk about how Siri does not live up to the commericals
I just finished up a final project for class
Ergo the absence for the past few weeks
Sorry about that, but there are only so many hours in a day
This week’s topic for the Ten Ton Studios Sketch Challenge is Space Ghost
 

What a great topic
Have a great week everyone
Live Long and Prosper

20 Questions Tuesday: 273 - Tom Merritt v2.0

On Thursday, December 5th of this year, previous 20 Questioneer and tech news enthusiast, Tom Merritt announced with grave sadness that his contract with the TWiT network was not being renewed and that on 1 January 2014 (today) he will no longer be an employee of TWiT.tv and done with the podcasts Tech News Today and Framerate (2 podcasts I listened to/ watched religiously).  Much sadness, gnashing of teeth, Internet grumbling and general consternation ensued.  I found my reaction to be surprisingly emotional and disproportionately strong, considering my actual interactions with Tom have been relatively few.  I found myself having difficulty sleeping and so I tweeted at him my condolences. He responded and asked if I was interested in asking him 20 more questions… so here we are.  Without further ado… Tom Merritt’s 20 Questions v2.0

Onto the Questions!

I was let go from a job of 9+ years back in 2009.  That company was a victim of the economic downturn, so me and another 10% of that company found ourselves boxing out stuff up and going home early one day.  About 9 months after that I got a completely different job at a large non-profit.  The non-profit job was clearly a bad fit and just didn’t work out.  Summarily I was canned from there rather quickly.  After each of these changes in employment my wife and I went and had celebratory dinners together.  These dinners were used to celebrate the release of the increasing tension associated with the obvious stress in both professional environments as well as the new possibilities for my future employment.  Question 1:  How did you and your wife mark this particular employment event?

Answer 1: On that Tuesday I found out and couldn’t tell anyone publicly I stayed up until she got home from work because she worked late that night , heh. Then there was the Thursday announcement and that fallout. Finally on the weekend, we found a nice place to have a cocktail and some delicious food. She has been unceasingly supportive and cheering me on to whatever comes next.

It is always nice when the support system really kicks in. I had the luck/misfortune of knowing that things were going to happen at some point in time at my previous employments.  It really was a double edged sword... while I knew I would not be completely surprised when the hammer dropped and I was let go, I was also living in a world of anxiety.  I had been absorbing the tension  in my environment and knew that at some time, any time, maybe even the next phone call, something was going to happen.  Question 2 Was there any indication that your contract was not going to be renewed or were you effectively blindsided by this?

Answer 2: It was unexpected right then. I really thought we were about to reach an agreement but they decided to terminate the contract which took me by surprise. Still, I knew it was always a possibility. I had heard Lisa offered my job to someone else in May and of course Leo had made it clear all along that he didn't like my having to move to LA and preferred to have his hosts in studio. So it wasn't a shock that they let me go, and I understood why. It was just surprising at the time how abruptly it happened.

I figured it was something similar to that, just from the tone of the announcement and people’s reactions to the news.  It truly is unfortunate because one of the things I really enjoyed about Tech News Today is how it embraced the changing business culture and demonstrated how a team could effectively work together without being geographically constrained to the same office.  It showed that telecommuting is a viable collaborative work environment.  That will be sorely missed when only the guest is non-local.  

Question 3:  Was there a difference between how you thought/hoped your personal support network, friends, co-workers, etc... would respond to your situation and how they actually did?  In what way, if any?

Answer 3: Somewhat? I mean I guess I hadn’t really thought about it but I had a core group of friends right beside me the whole way, texting calling and telling me things I needed to hear both good and bad. It was *extremely* helpful and I wouldn’t have handled it nearly as well without them. My co-workers were sweet too. In fact Jason, Sarah and Iyaz packaged up the show logo plaque that a fan in Hawaii had made for us and sent it to me. Plus a bunch of other little notes of support and facetime calls and such. Best of all was Eileen, my wife. Right there with solid support telling me not to worry and just keep on. She is the best ever in the world.

You seem like a very genuine person, at least the limited interactions I have had with you have been grounded and enjoyable, so it does not surprise me that your support system really, well… supported you.  Question 4: How about your fan-base?  Did you realize that you had a fan-base prior to this (because you clearly have a fan-base)? and how would you describe how this fanbase has reacted?

Answer 4: Yeah that blew me out of the water. I knew we had fans of the show and I love hanging out in the chat room and talking to folks. And back at Buzz Out Loud we had a great tight community of folks whom I still love. But I never was sure how many people were along for the ride with me because they were just TWiT fans in general, or NSFWShow fans or what. The response was overwhelming. They organized and began spreadsheets to help me keep track of everything and sold weird shirts with my face on them and all kinds of crazy stuff. I’ve always said we have the smartest audience in the world but they showed they were also the most supportive too. I am honestly not deserving of this audience. Too amazing.

There is something here to say about self-organizing systems, but that is the forte of my wife and her mates.  I have to say that I was surprised with the rapidity and vehemence of the organization.  I figured there would be moral support and a bunch of “Man, sorry that happens” kinds of messages, but the actual mobilization of a network supporting you and just getting shit done is pretty amazing.  That is something I have never seen, and I have to say, I did not expect to be a part in.  I am a proud owner of a Merritt Militia shirt and am awaiting my Current Geek perks.  Having a fan-base must be both humbling and wonderful.    

Now, enough of the dour past and how that chapter of your work life has finished, let’s get into more enjoyable topics of what you are doing and what you will be doing in the near future.  You have announced a few items that you will be generating as you ramp up your independent productions.  But before we get into what will be new in this year of 2014, Question 5: What from your previous undertakings are still continuing?  Many people know you from your TWiT properties, but that is not all that you have been producing.

Answer 5: Sword and Laser is the science fiction and fantasy book club I do with Veronica Belmont. We have an amazing community at Goodreads, an audio podcast and a recently-funded second season of video! I also hope to continue writing the comic TenState with Len Peralta. We kickstarted the first 5 issues and have them for sale *finally*. I also have a few seasonal podcasts which means we only do 12 episodes at a time and usually one or two seasons a year. Those are all continuing, including Autopilot, a show about TV pilots, FSL Tonight, which is an imaginary fantasy sports league populated with teams from the great scifi and fantasy franchises. And It’s A Thing which is a trend commentary show I do with Molly Wood. Finally East Meets West which is my recreational podcast I’ve been doing with Roger Chang since 2005 will continue in its sporadic fashion. I also do a guest spot Wednesdays on The Morning Stream where I used to promote my daily tech news show and probably will again. I also appear on KFWB radio in LA every Monday morning as well. That’s all the stuff I had pre-existing that I’ll keep doing.

So, you have all these different properties that you are associated with and you have books that people can buy on your website tommerrittbooks.com.  You have audio podcasts, video podcasts, print media, you are on the radio… Question 6: What aspect of media have you not done (interpretive dance?) and is there a type of creative product you want to focus on or enjoy more?

Answer 6: I have not now, nor will I ever inflict interpretive dance on the world. That is a comment on my own dance skills, not on the form. I quite like a good interpretive dance when done well. I really enjoy writing fiction these days. I don’t seem to be able to stop. I woke up this morning and wrote the beginning of a story. I’m not certain I’ll ever be any good at it, mind you, but I do love to do it right now.

I have never found interpretive dance to be very good… if it is just dance in a broader narrative it makes sense to me, but just interpretive dance does not work work for me… much to my wife’s chagrin.  I have a copy of “Lot Beta” on my Kindle app right now, but due to my class readings, I have not been able to get into it just yet.  One of these days I will finish the book I started a handful of NaNoWriMo’s ago.  Lot Beta is in the chamber as soon as I am done with DogBoy: Den of Thieves by the delightful Bill Meeks.

I have a love of the words “whilst” and “ergo” (as well as some others) and have been trying to reintroduce those somewhat archaic words into everyday vernacular.  You are clearly a lover of words and quite capable of stringing together wonderful sentences in both the spoken and written word.  Question 7: Is there a word that you want to reintroduce and bring back to popularity? Could you use it in a sentence?

Answer 7: Luncheon. Lunch is a verb. The proper usage of luncheon is for the event we attend whilst we eat. Ergo, I would like people to say I lunched on sandwiches but say I went to luncheon. This is a sad and pathetic dream that will never occur and likely serve only to annoy people if pressed. But it is my dream.

That is honestly something I did not know.  I always thought of “luncheon” as a specific kind of lunch event, usually in a larger room and with a speaker droning on about a topic no one there is truly holds any interest.  The speaker's name is usually Carl or something like that and the topic is usually some new data collection method… at least that is how I see it.

You clearly enjoy the history of tech…. You had a mini-podcast called Tech History Today where you outlined significant tech history news everyday for a whole year.  You are producing tech history books monthly illustrated by Scott Johnson (Scott was also 20 Questions Tuesday: 219)  Basically you are generating multiple methods for people to consume tech history.  Question 8: Is there anything specific within tech history that you gravitate to more than other aspects of tech history, or is it the whole of tech history for which you find yourself fascinated?

Answer 8: I’ve always loved history. I love to discover how people did things in the past, how they changed and didn’t changed in the future and how our world came to be as it is today. I also have always been a sucker for anniversaries. I always had those “Today in history” books when I was a kid. And I obviously am very interested in technology. So this is just me combining all that into one happy package. It started with me helping Molly Wood research her tech history show on CNET way back in 2009. Then I kept doing it for my own fun. Then I did the podcast you mentioned for about three months, but they couldn’t figure out how to sell it effectively and it was a lot more work than it looks to gather all the video and stuff so I retired it. But I decided to turn it into a blog post and then that made me want to make a book and then the rest has just cascaded out from there.

Question 9: So where do you consider the beginnings of “tech” history to be?  Is it the advent of the modern transistor, is it the creation of the Gutenberg press, is it the creation of the astrolabe by the Greeks a long long time ago?  Where does “tech” start for your consideration in the historical context?

Answer 9: Fair question and one I don’t have a definitive answer for. I kind of center my attention around computers and the 1950s. Anything that sprang from that obviously is fair game for the chronology. For prior stuff, anything that was essential goes in, like the development of electricity, audio recording, video recording, anything that was necessary to have the things we all love to mess with today. The grammophone is the ancestor of the iPod. Then there’s also the stuff that’s just geeky or fed our technological mythos, like the Library at Alexandria which is sort of the ancient idea of universally accessible information. But to answer your question, “tech” starts March 30, 240 BCE with the first recorded observation of Halley’s comet. Astronomy bloggers FTW!

Heh, I have never thought of ancient texts as the equivalent of blogging… this changes the whole idea of what I am doing right now…  The idea of this being an artifact as a legacy of this century is a little chilling.  Chilling indeed.  Scares me a bit.  Hellooooo archeologists, how’s things?

Question 10: You have a bajillion podcasts, write books, do a radio show, etc… what do you do with down-time? Do you have down time or are you addicted to the workahol? Does the amazingly prolific Tom Merritt have any hobbies?

Answer 10: I try to turn my hobbies into my work so the line is all blended. Reading tech news, watching TV shows, all that stuff is now part of my work and it’s still fun. I’ve been doing a lot of cooking lately though which is only tangentially related to my work in that it keeps me alive. I was inspired by reading Darya Rose’s “The Foodist” to start eating better. It was rough the first couple of weeks but I’m getting good enough that even Eileen says I’m good, and she’s picky. I try to make three meals at home every week and all my lunches at home unless I have an appointment. It has the beneficial side effect of saving money. I’m going to sound like a freaking hippie but I’ve been making a lot of Kale salads that rock. But I also do pork chops, steak and chicken ok. OK?!?!? And sometimes Quinoa.  BUT ALSO BEEF! AND STEAK! WITH DRY RUB. sheesh.

I find that kale has a hard time getting rid of the dirt taste.  I have used it in some juices and such, but I have never had it in a solid form that was palatable.  I do most of the cooking at home but I cannot bake to save my life… well maybe to save my life, but I am much less inclined to bake now that I have gone all gluten free and such.  Gluten free sucks, by the way.  I miss donuts more than any other baked good (well, other than crusty breads meant for sandwiches), the other gluten free stuff works pretty well, but I have not found a bread that works well just yet.

Question 11:  So will there be a tech of cooking show coming up or is the cooking going to stay more of a private thing?

Answer 11: Well never say never but right now I have no intention of doing a cooking show. Just for me and the wife. Though I will say massaging the kale in a lime and miso dressing softens up and almost eliminates any dirt taste. (Kale Radicchio Superhero Salad with Farro)  I also like it pan-roasted with pecans. My god!  What have I become!

You’ve changed, man.  You’ve changed. I don’t even know who you are anymore. Kale, lime and miso, pan-roasted pecans…  Oddly enough this is the second 20 questions interview that I am doing currently that has brought up pecans… Growing up, we had two pecan trees in our back yard.  I am still pretty tired of pecans.  Yep, even now.  I do love cashews though…  not sure I would want some cashew production plant in my backyard.  Mainly because cashew trees are weird.  

Ah, Question 12: Top dozen podcasts, in your opinion…. and go.

Answer 12: NO!  I will not fall into that quagmire. You trickster god with your seemingly innocent question. That way lies peril. WITH the caveat that I don’t listen to VERY FINE podcasts because Veronica makes me read too many books, here are the podcasts on my subscription list. WARNING: These do not constitute a list of Tom’s favorite podcasts nor should be taken in any way as a ranking of value. OK. In alphabetical order: The Angry Chicken: A Hearthstone Podcast, Common Sense with Dan Carlin, Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History, Do We Need This?, The Economist All Audio, The Instance: World of Warcraft Podcast, Jawbone Radio, NASACast: This Week @NASA, The Shakespeare Sound, Tangential Convergence.

Fine, question dodger, just go ahead and dodge the question, like, like, like a question dodger…  When I posed this question in a slightly different format last 20 Questions, you only mentioned 3 podcasts that you regularly consumed.  This time, 10 podcasts in alphabetical order… slowly I will get a ranked list out of you.  I feel that I am wearing you down, eroding your podcast ranking defenses.  I am surprised you did not just list 12 of your current and past podcasts and just be smugly self-referential… that’s what I would have done… except I have no podcasts and only this one blog… this one lonely blog.  All of that being said, I will take on the mantle of the trickster god.  I am Coyote, I am Loki, I am Lugh, I am Mercury ascendent, I am not Anansi… spiders creep me out.  /shudder…

Question 13 is usually all about superstitions and rituals, but we covered that in our previous 20 Questions foray.  So today we will make this question all about the year that was.  We will put 2013 to rest with Question 13.  Question 13: What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? and to what do you want to say goodbye (and/or good riddance)?

Daft Loki

Answer 13: I’m up all night to get Loki. Best thing that happened to me this year was getting to spend the summer with my nephew. He interned with me and we got to hang out and drink beer and go to the beach and generally have a fantastic time. I would like to say goodbye to dramatic life changes. Moving cities. Major job changes. Family deaths. All of that and other stuff piled itself into 2013 and I’d like to be mostly clear of that when I leave 2014. So goodbye and good riddance to 2013.

2013 was, all in all, a perfectly respectable year for me.  I am now two semesters closer to my degree in User Experience Design.  My job is still full-time employment with pretty good benefits.  The kids both made it another year, and my wife's work continues to grow and thrive.  This was our first full year of living in our house, and the old house now only inhabits my memories when I  stop and think about it.   It was a pretty good year.  There was nothing especially groundbreaking that happened either positive or negative… which means it was a pretty great year.  There is nothing I can honestly say goodbye or good riddance to from 2013.  The more I think about that, the better I feel about 2013.  

So… 2014 is nothing if not filled with potential.  I have good feelings associated with this upcoming year, and, honestly, it is time to start looking forward in these 20 Questions.  We have looked back enough.  Question 14:  What are you getting ready to say “hello” to for 2014?

Answer 14: Independence. Frightening, unexpected, independence. On a less heady note, I’m looking forward to making four fantastic shows. Sword and Laser’s second video season kicks off this year thanks to generous Kickstarter support. I can’t wait to head back to the space castle and chat with more amazing science fiction and fantasy authors. Cordkillers is already underway and Brian (Brian Brushwood, 20 Questions Tuesday : 210) and I are enjoying its regeneration. My Daily Tech News Show is only going to get better as well. And Current Geek with Scott Johnson may have the most potential to surprise and delight people of any show I’ve ever done. That and my casual efforts to write interesting fiction are all plenty to keep me really interested in 2014! I welcome my new year.

I too am looking forward to your 2014.  I truly do think of this as a year for you to creatively thrive.  The rest of these 20 questions are going to focus on the future, so for all you readers out there in the Internet who don’t like the future, I suggest you put down your printed out copy of this blog post and stop reading now.  Question 15:  Since Current Geek will be posting in a matter of days, if not hours, can you give a hint at the awesomeness that you and Scott have in store for the rest of us?  Or are you just going to tease us for 2 more days?

Answer 15: Yes of course. Although I really have no idea what we’ll end up doing, I’ll tell you the aim. Scott Johnson has created a pretty amazing association of kind, talented and entertaining people covering all aspects of things geeks like. From comic books to tv shows, to movies to tech to all the things, you can find a Frogpants show with good people having interesting conversations about it. So Current Geek will gather together people from that group each week along with special guests to talk about the interesting things happening that week. It should be really fun, at least for us, and hopefully the audience gets something out of it too.

That sounds pretty darn amazing.  One of the things that I am looking forward to with Current Geek is the lack of constraints that you will have this time around. You did seem pretty hamstrung in the previous version due to your non-compete clause with CNET. Iffens I remember correctly, by the time you did not have that non-compete, Current Geek had been relegated to a segment for Scott’s The Morning Stream, and it was clear that it was withering a bit on the vine.  I think it is an interesting and exciting concept to see Current Geek being a potential hub tying together all the spokes on the Frogpants Network. At least that is how I am viewing it, and you cannot tell me otherwise.  

Now I am going to go old skool Fourcast on you for this next question in regards to this new chapter in your professional life.  Question 16: A: What is a short term, B: medium term, C: long term and D: crazy-ass prediction for your professional career post 2013?

Answer 16: Yes you remember correctly and I think you’re viewing Current Geek right. And Current Geek will have a little Fourcast in it! A: This year I’m going to have a lot of fun. It’s scary, because nothing is guaranteed but it’s amazing for that same reason. By the end of this year I hope to have figured out a main direction. B: In the medium term I want to get in a rhythm of what things work for me and what don’t and be able to do fewer things but do them a lot better. I also want to write. Not because I think I’m any good at it, but because I love coming up with stories. C: Eileen and I retire to Hawaii/NewZealand/Island somewhere and continue to make amazing independent things that support our geritol. D: Crazy ass prediction. All this independent stuff that you and Scott and Brian and Dan Benjamin and everyone else are making becomes the dominant way of making most things from real products to entertainment and beyond.

I love that your long term is not your crazy-ass prediction.  Many people would not consider retiring to an Island paradise as merely “long term” when “crazy ass” is an option for the prediction.  I would bet that your short term and medium happen in a time-frame you were not expecting.  I also think your crazy ass prediction seems to be more and more reasonable.  There are some ideas I have had with this blog to change it up and kick it up to a different level of multi-media. I have toyed with the idea of making this a podcast, with my wife and myself.  She would play the part of asking the questions and I would take the time to obtusely answer them.  Then, when I could, I would create an interview with interesting folk, such as yourself.  I think this is an idea for when I am not also in full-time classes for this UXD program.  It is a medium term goal to be sure.

So we are rounding the corner on these 20 Questions.  Question 17: is there a question that I have not asked you that your are surprised that I haven’t, or feel that I should have?

Answer 17: Nope.

MWahahahahahaha. I kid. Although in all honesty I always have a hard time with this. You know, like in the interview for a job and they say, “what questions do you have for us?” and you cast about and can’t think of anything. I guess you could ask me “How were you able to marry such an amazing person like Eileen?” but then I would say “I don’t know, she must be insane but I’m glad she did,” or something sappy like that.

Marrying up is the way to go.  I did it for sure.  The wife (20 Questions Tuesday: 262) was actually patient enough to do one of these 20 Questions as well.  I. Clearly. Married. Up. No one doubts that.

Question 18: With your new Daily Tech News Show, who is a dream guest outside your normal cadre of dream guests (you have so many great friends and delightful colleagues)?  Who is your elusive white whale of a tech news podcast guest?... and do you have aims at landing that whale?

Answer 18: Well now I feel odd answering because you’ve cornered me into unavoidably comparing my dream guest to a whale. So very carefully, and pointedly NOT comparing these people to a whale, these are folks I’d love to interview. Jeff Bezos to chat about his unique take on what’s important in a tech business. Linus Torvalds, to get his perspective 30 years on about what open source means. Same for Tim Berners-Lee about the semantic Web. Tony Hsieh to talk about HIS perspective on what’s important in business compared to his boss Jeff. Marissa Mayer on how she has formed her guiding principles for Yahoo. Ian McKellan, because Ian McKellan. David Tennant because he just sounds like a fun chap to talk too.

Ooooh, all of those are great.  I would also love to corner any one of those “whales” and ask them 20 odd questions.  I think comedically I would love to get Jimmy Pardo, Patton Oswalt, and John Hodgman to answer 20 Questions.  There are so many actors I would love to get… weirdly, Emma Thompson, is near the top of that list… but there are so many others… I got whales to the left of me, and whales to the right…

Anyway, now is the time on this blog where I let the tables be turned.  Question 19: Do you have any question you would like me to answer?  You have been crazy candid with your answers and I will strive to do no less.

Answer 19 that is actually a question: What is the one thing (or three) you think you need help with to make your projects really work the way you want to? I don’t just mean time, or money, either. Our community of creative types has proven themselves willing and more than able to help each other out. All of the Internet is listening. What do ya need buddy?

I honestly can say that this question caught me off-guard.  It is most certainly not an unwelcome question, but definitely an unexpected one.  To be able to answer it fairly, I first had to sit down and contemplate what it is that I actually wanted.  I need to know the direction and desire before I can consider the obstacles involved.  After much deliberation I decided to just focus on what I would like to do to make 20 Questions Tuesday a thing.  It may be a bit of a cop-out, but I have no idea what I want to do professionally and feel it would be wise to be further along in the UXD program before thinking about professional goals.  Plus, my job is the one with benefits, and until there is a single payer system in the US, I will need to be gainfully employed with benes. So, for the time being, let’s simply consider making this a thing.   

I have been doing 20 Questions in some way shape or form since August of 05. Holy Crap!  That is a long time.  Other than the aforementioned time and money (of those 2, time is the more salient issue… not that my fam is proverbially “rolling in it,” but we are doing okay) the hurdles are mostly very typical… I need to...

• get a url (Done)

• find hosting and have a plug and play template (ie squarespace) (Done)

• consolidate my content from the blogger days and the more current tumblr run onto the new platform (Done)

• get an audience

• switch up with a monthly podcast where the Wife reads the questions and I obtusely answer them...as my classload subsides, maybe ramp this up a bit

Of all these, the finding an audience is the most daunting of the tasks.  I think some of this is due to the relative randomness of the content.  One week I have an interview.  Some of the interviews are of relatively well-known people.  I got Clark Gregg (20 Questions Tuesday: 202) of Agent Coulson fame to do 10 Questions and then asked comic book artists 10 questions about the character Agent Coulson.  That one was super popular.  I have done a sizeable number of comic book artists.  Primarily they were young up-and-comers and now are drawing marquee books and becoming fan favorites.  I have done a handful of stand-up comedians.  Some of those 20 questions have been absolutely stunningly wonderful, because comedians typically have a depth that most people don’t see.  I have done a goodly number of Internet personalities that seem to have orbited around the TWiT network either as hosts or as guests. Coupled with these I have also done local people I know and find interesting from my Wife to a local mommy blogger nutritionist to the local Baklava Fairy (20 Questions Tuesday: 260 - Ann Marie McCallister).  In-between these interviews I ask friends, colleagues and some people I only know on the Internet for 20 questions for me to answer obtusely.  I give this bevy of questioneers a loose topic and they collectively send me 20 questions.  Last week’s 20 Questions about Christmas was one of them.  

Many action items I will be taking care of soon after I post this.  I will have a url and a squarespace site, and slowly building the site for public consumption. The piece that I have no idea about is the gaining an audience.  The technical aspects of creating a podcast and getting that feed going are also a bit daunting.  At one time I was acutely technically savvy, but 1995 was a looong time ago, and I need mentoring along that process.  Technical support mentoring as well as moral support.  So… of the list I have presented, the two obstacles that I need some motion and help with is the audience building as well as the technical aspects of adding a podcast to the mix.

Enough about me…

Question 20:  What are you taking from these 20 Questions that you did not bring in with you?

Answer 20: Calm. As you probably noticed I had to rewrite those first few answers a few times to make sure I meant what I said. It’s hard to keep your answers straight sometimes when you’re emotional. 19 questions later and I’m relaxed. I feel hopeful about 2014. Nothing is certain but at least I know what direction I’m headed and like you, have had to do a lot of thinking about what things I want. Now it’s a matter of doing them. Thanks for helping me out in that thinking process Scott.

You know, it’s easy to have convictions when they’re never tested. A lot of virtuous people both famous and not, get by on that one fact. I’m not saying they’re not good folks, just that circumstance can make it easy to be one way or another. When you’re thrown out of your comfort zone, you find out what things you really believe and what things you’ve really learned. Losing my job in December is far from the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, but it was not easy and it was not fun. I’ve been lucky enough to be supported by amazing friends and an insanely awesome audience. I keep reminding myself not to forget how lucky I am to have that and never to take it for granted.

I’m a kid from a town of 5,000 who’s Mom wouldn’t let him ride his bike more than one block away. A trip to downtown Greenville was a big deal for me. A trip to downtown St. Louis seemed the pinnacle of existence. That certainly has changed for me, partly, maybe mostly because of the Internet. The Internet has opened the entire world to lots of kids like I was and I want that to continue to be a net positive. (Pun! Sorry) We’re all in this together. Let’s go make something great!

On my blog, you never have to apologize for a pun.  Speaking of making something great… Where can people find what you are doing now, and how can they consume what you are producing? (an unofficial Question 21)?

Answer 21: Well the easiest way to find everything is tommerritt.com. I collect all the linky things there in a page called ‘subscribe to stuff’. There’s even a link where you can subscribe to all the stuff in one go, if that’s your preference. I also chatter a lot on Twitter @acedtect and Google +. I have a fan page on Facebook but I’m embarrassingly absent from it.

Everyone should follow what this man is creating.  He is a voice of reason in a sea of chaos when it comes to the things that could be labeled tech and/or geekery.  But you should also follow what he does because of more than just his professional capabilities.  Tom is a nice man, and I do not say this lightly or flippantly.  He is genuine and all of my interactions with him have been just delightful.  He is witty, enjoys both good and bad puns (probably bad ones more than good), knows when to be silly, and brings out the best with whomever he is working.  I know this personally because in the two times that I have interviewed him, he has made me better.  He continues to do so through example and through my hopeful continued interaction with him.  I often say that my interview “was a delight” and sometimes to say “delight” is stretching it just a bit.  With Tom I can easily and without reservation say that this interview was a delight.

To Recap:

Tom Merritt = Awesome

A new year is upon us

“Let’s go make something great” is a great mantra for a new year

The kids really need to get back into school

They are running around like caged monkeys in the house

Thursday they go back to school… that will be good

We had a delightful Christmas

And it is a new year full of promise and opportunity

Tom Merritt made me get 20QuestionsTuesday.com

Made me…

With his forcefulness

The site will become more visual as the weeks progress

Check back early and often

Happy 2014

Have a great year, everyone!

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