Member Interviews - Meet Member Old Hippie
@Old Hippie has been a member of B&B since Dec 23, 2018
01. How did you find Badger and Blade and why did you become a member?
A few years ago I was at a conference and dropped my electric razor. The replacement razor I bought was a piece of crap and didn’t shave close at all. I always shaved electric, but I started looking for a better shave. My Google-Fu was just good enough to get me to B&B and I’ve been here ever since. I became a member, and then a contributor, because I value the community here and the interactions I have with other members.
02. When you did or if you are working, in general what did or do you do?
JUST retired! Wow. Lots of things. I was a high level window washer; offshore fish boat crew; slash logger; and then a soldier. Then I decided to try something a little less strenuous and took a degree in journalism. I worked as a reporter and producer in magazines, radio and television for 20 years. I also did a few years as a broadcast engineer because I get along with electrons. I ran a recording studio and sold it just at the right time when digital came in. I then decided to teach journalism, so went to grad school and got the Master’s and Ph.D. and then wrapped up my career the last 16 years teaching in a small university in British Columbia.
03. What part of the country where you were born do you like the most?
I was born in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and spent a lot of my time in “Ore-Tucky” which is what we called the Coast Range mountains and valleys. I’ve lived in rain forests and deserts and high prairies in the US and Canada – I guess my favourite part at the moment is right where I am, in the North Thompson Valley north of Kamloops.
04. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d like to try New Zealand, but really I’m happy where I am. Except during fire season!
05. Do you have any hobbies or pastimes?
Aside from wet shaving, I’m a ham radio operator. Brewing beer and making bread (and cooking in general) are also among my favourite ways to relax.
06. Why did you choose the avatar that you have now?
I used to be a MAJOR R. Crumb fan. Still like the stuff but I’m not that kid any more. I always liked Mr. Natural, and in fact I kinda look like him with a beard and a shaved head.
So, it was a natural.
07. If you could choose any person in the world, now or from the past, who would you like to sit down and have a drink with?
Nikola Tesla. I’ve spent a lot of my life studying his notes and patents and I’d like to chat with him about all that.
08. What is something you'd like to do, but have not had the opportunity to do it?
I’ve always wanted to attend the Scottish university Sabhal Mor Ostaig for a Scottish Gaelic immersion course. At my age I probably can’t learn it, but it’d be fun to try, I think.
09. What is one thing or accomplishment in your life that you are proud of?
Teaching and mentoring several hundred students over the years. Not all of them went into my profession, but many of those who did have said their mentors were crucial in helping them get a good start in a tough world. I miss that now, but it’s time to do other things.
10. What is one piece of advice that you would offer to people in general?
Lighten up, man. It’s the thing I need to hear the most often.
11. If you could have any super hero power, what would you choose?
It’s funny, but I’ve always wanted the ability to touch someone and cure all their physical or psychological problems. It’d be cool to leave people just a little better off and better adjusted just by giving them a pat on the back. Come to think of it, it already works that way. We don’t appreciate each other enough sometimes.
12. If you had to choose to be a kind of animal, what would you want to be?
Winston Churchill supposedly said, “I like pigs. Dogs look up to us; cats look down on us; pigs at least treat us as equals.” Actually? I think being a raven would be interesting. I talk to the ones around here all the time. If I start getting investment advice, though, I’m checkin’ into the funny farm.
13. What kind of music do you like?
Medieval vocal chant and Tibetan throat singing. Seriously. I like most kinds of music. “Hard Electric Texas Blues/Rock/Cowpunk” would probably be the genre that I turn up loud most often. Nothing like a punk band of old geezers. They can afford LOUD gear and their hearing’s already shot so it’s a win.
14. If you could be any movie character, who would you like to be?
I’ll expose my big secret. I really don’t like movies. I grew up with the pictures in my head from books and radio, and movies never have pictures as good so they frustrate me. Either Kimball Kinnison or Lazarus Long!
15. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the Title of that book be?
Maybe “Hold My Beer and Watch This!” I’d like it to be “Chop Wood, Carry Water.”
@Old Hippie has been a member of B&B since Dec 23, 2018
01. How did you find Badger and Blade and why did you become a member?
A few years ago I was at a conference and dropped my electric razor. The replacement razor I bought was a piece of crap and didn’t shave close at all. I always shaved electric, but I started looking for a better shave. My Google-Fu was just good enough to get me to B&B and I’ve been here ever since. I became a member, and then a contributor, because I value the community here and the interactions I have with other members.
02. When you did or if you are working, in general what did or do you do?
JUST retired! Wow. Lots of things. I was a high level window washer; offshore fish boat crew; slash logger; and then a soldier. Then I decided to try something a little less strenuous and took a degree in journalism. I worked as a reporter and producer in magazines, radio and television for 20 years. I also did a few years as a broadcast engineer because I get along with electrons. I ran a recording studio and sold it just at the right time when digital came in. I then decided to teach journalism, so went to grad school and got the Master’s and Ph.D. and then wrapped up my career the last 16 years teaching in a small university in British Columbia.
03. What part of the country where you were born do you like the most?
I was born in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and spent a lot of my time in “Ore-Tucky” which is what we called the Coast Range mountains and valleys. I’ve lived in rain forests and deserts and high prairies in the US and Canada – I guess my favourite part at the moment is right where I am, in the North Thompson Valley north of Kamloops.
04. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d like to try New Zealand, but really I’m happy where I am. Except during fire season!
05. Do you have any hobbies or pastimes?
Aside from wet shaving, I’m a ham radio operator. Brewing beer and making bread (and cooking in general) are also among my favourite ways to relax.
06. Why did you choose the avatar that you have now?
I used to be a MAJOR R. Crumb fan. Still like the stuff but I’m not that kid any more. I always liked Mr. Natural, and in fact I kinda look like him with a beard and a shaved head.
So, it was a natural.
07. If you could choose any person in the world, now or from the past, who would you like to sit down and have a drink with?
Nikola Tesla. I’ve spent a lot of my life studying his notes and patents and I’d like to chat with him about all that.
08. What is something you'd like to do, but have not had the opportunity to do it?
I’ve always wanted to attend the Scottish university Sabhal Mor Ostaig for a Scottish Gaelic immersion course. At my age I probably can’t learn it, but it’d be fun to try, I think.
09. What is one thing or accomplishment in your life that you are proud of?
Teaching and mentoring several hundred students over the years. Not all of them went into my profession, but many of those who did have said their mentors were crucial in helping them get a good start in a tough world. I miss that now, but it’s time to do other things.
10. What is one piece of advice that you would offer to people in general?
Lighten up, man. It’s the thing I need to hear the most often.
11. If you could have any super hero power, what would you choose?
It’s funny, but I’ve always wanted the ability to touch someone and cure all their physical or psychological problems. It’d be cool to leave people just a little better off and better adjusted just by giving them a pat on the back. Come to think of it, it already works that way. We don’t appreciate each other enough sometimes.
12. If you had to choose to be a kind of animal, what would you want to be?
Winston Churchill supposedly said, “I like pigs. Dogs look up to us; cats look down on us; pigs at least treat us as equals.” Actually? I think being a raven would be interesting. I talk to the ones around here all the time. If I start getting investment advice, though, I’m checkin’ into the funny farm.
13. What kind of music do you like?
Medieval vocal chant and Tibetan throat singing. Seriously. I like most kinds of music. “Hard Electric Texas Blues/Rock/Cowpunk” would probably be the genre that I turn up loud most often. Nothing like a punk band of old geezers. They can afford LOUD gear and their hearing’s already shot so it’s a win.
14. If you could be any movie character, who would you like to be?
I’ll expose my big secret. I really don’t like movies. I grew up with the pictures in my head from books and radio, and movies never have pictures as good so they frustrate me. Either Kimball Kinnison or Lazarus Long!
15. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the Title of that book be?
Maybe “Hold My Beer and Watch This!” I’d like it to be “Chop Wood, Carry Water.”