Cast of Characters - Gillian

Cast of Characters:

If my life was a story, the person below would have a starring role. I want you all to know more about them, so over the following weeks, I’ll be including various interviews that I’ve recently conducted with the most important people in my life.



















My Best Local Friend, Gillian

Gillian and I have been friends for almost 2 years. We met through other friends, and I didn't know right away that we would click so well. Time passed and we started hanging out all the time. Gillian is super smart, funny and delightfully random. We share an appreciation for vintage fashion, old movies, and really good food. She encourages all my "green" efforts and is tirelessly supportive of all my crazy ideas. She's always there to help me throw extravagant parties and she even lets me store all my costumes and holiday decorations at her house! She's never afraid to call me on my crap and even though we don't agree on everything, we still manage to meet in the middle where it counts.

Here is the interview:

Erin: Where are you from and why did you leave?

Gillian: Wow, that's an open question. "From," huh. Well, I was born in Brooklyn, but it's a technicality. That was the summer my family moved to the 'burbs, so I didn't get to actually live in B'klyn for another 18 years. I grew up in northeastern New Jersey, about 20 miles from NYC. It was really a beautiful area. Rolling hills, a ridiculous number of trees, state parkland all over the damn place, and whenever there was a break in the trees, the NYC skyline. Also, more shopping malls than you could shake a stick at, and oppressively humid summer heat. Ugh.

I lived in Brooklyn during my first two years of college, but I spent more time taking the subway into lower Manhattan than I did in my own zip code. I moved back to New Jersey to finish college while I worked. I went to Boulder to visit friends of my boyfriend shortly after I finally graduated, and I loved it. Three months later, I lived there. I had no savings, I didn't have a job, and I didn't know a soul (that boyfriend and I had since called it quits). My friends back home thought I was crazy, but my parents, who had spent their entire lives in the general area where there were born, thought it was terrific. It was definitely the ballsiest thing I've ever done. I figured on spending 2 or 3 years in Boulder, and then either moving back to NYC or moving on to San Francisco. I've been in Colorado for 12 years now, but I'm definitely starting to feel the wanderlust.


Erin: I know that you are a creative person and have lots of different ways of expressing yourself. What artistic medium do you find most fulfilling?

Gillian: It's funny, I've never thought of any of them as being fulfilling. I enjoy the processes, don't get me wrong, but I'm rarely satisfied with the outcome. My dad has a painting in his house that I did a few years ago, and I like how that one came out. If I had disposable money, I'd enjoy getting back into intaglio printmaking. I never did take advantage of exploring non-silver photographic prints.

I've thought about playing with a Holga, or about making myself a new pinhole camera, but then I'd have to set up a darkroom again. It would be fun to have a little offset press, or a Print Gocco kit. I've tried a lot of things... weaving, woodworking, sculpting, other stuff. Nothing holds my attention for very long. This question is making me want to run out to Meininger's to pick up a silkscreen kit, but I really should sew some of these dresses first! And I still need to perfect my Key lime pie recipe. :)


Erin: When did you first become environmentally aware and why?

Gillian: I can't think of a time when I haven't been conscious of the environment. I'm a child of my era... Earth Day and I were born at just about the same time. The infamous Crying Indian PSA ran on TV frequently. Woodsy the Owl pleaded with us to Give A Hoot. In my hometown, curbside recycling pickup was free... but garbage collection was charged on a per-bag basis. I still don't understand why everyone doesn't work on the same system. I started getting the Seventh Generation catalog around 1989, and now I work for the company that makes it (Seventh Gen is still an independent company, but they couldn't afford to keep printing catalogs... Gaiam Living is now their official catalog source).



Erin: You have a tattoo on your ankle, what is the story behind it?

Gillian: It's a flower that my sister had drawn for my birth announcement. The tattoo was inked by Carlos Haas, who currently works out of Tribal Rites in Boulder, CO. He did a great job getting the colors just right!


Erin: If there was one movie or movie star you could say influenced your style, what/who would it be?

Gillian: Somewhere between "none" and "all." I love old movies, and the clothing contained therein, but I've never tried to emulate the style of any one star or movie. I have an eyelet dress that reminds me of something Audrey Hepburn would wear in Roman Holiday, and I have a wrap dress or robe (it's vintage, and I can't quite figure it out) that strikes me as being Katherine Hepburn-ish.


Erin: What is, in your opinion, the greatest band of all time?

Gillian: There's no way in hell that I could answer that. WXPN has a list of the 885 greatest musical artists of all time; that's a good start. http://www.xponentialmusic.org/vote and donate some money to public radio while you're at it.

Cast of Characters - Echo

Cast of Characters:

If my life was a story, the person below would have a starring role. I want you all to know more about them, so over the following weeks, I’ll be including various interviews that I’ve recently conducted with the most important people in my life.

My Best Friend, Echo.

We were neighbors for many years, and we've friends since we were very young. Her wonderful friendship been the one constant in my life. Even though we've lived in different states (and sometimes countries) for our entire adult lives, we always pick up right where we left off. She's always inspired me to stretch beyond my comfort zone. When I went through tough times, she was always there with a comforting letter or phone call. The adventures we've had together are some of my most cherished memories, and the things I learned from her (and her family) have helped form the person I am today.


Here is the interview:

Erin: Where are you from and why did you leave?

Echo: I'm from Port Orford, Oregon. It's a small town (pop. 1,000) on the southern Oregon coast. It's mainly populated with ranchers, loggers and fishermen. My parents were part of a small group of alternative types who moved there to get away from it all. Erin and I lived across the street from each other for Jr. High and High School, and Erin moved in with me and my dad for our Senior year.

Erin: I know you have recently been expressing your creativity with sewing, knitting and making jewelry. What is your favorite creative outlet and why?

Echo: I have absolutely no talent or skill for drawing, painting, singing, etc. Instead, I think I have a pretty good eye. I like sewing and jewelry making because it's mainly about picking colors, textures and patterns that look good together. If I had more money, I'd love to do more decorating around my apartment.

When I get a house I'm really looking forward to painting and doing some home improvements (a passion I inherited from my super handy mom and my carpenter father). I really love working with my hands. I use knitting as a stress reliever, especially if there's the chance I might get stuck on a train or airplane.

Erin: How did you know what you wanted to do as a career?

Echo: Even though my life has had some hardships and challenges, I've always felt very fortunate that I had two loving parents, great siblings, a super supportive best-friend who gave me tons of confidence (Erin) and an inner drive. I've always wanted to help people in some way.

I kind of fell into teaching English when I lived in Belgium and I love it, especially now that I'm helping adults who are illiterate in their native language and never had the opportunity to go to school in their native countries. But, I don't see myself doing it forever. In the fall I started working towards a Master in Social Work. I've become really passionate about changing public policy and that's what I would like to do in the future. In particular, I'd like to work on policies that would provide health insurance to more people and give more people the opportunity to continue their education.

Erin: Share one of your favorite memories from traveling.

Echo: Most of my best memories are from traveling (see below). Erin and I have had some great times on the road. We drove to San Francisco once; we got tattoos, slept in my car and Erin busted a tire while singing opera. We also spent many wonderful days and weekends driving up rivers, mountains and going to the beach. Having a car provided us some much needed freedom.

I think we both thought that if things got bad enough we could always drive away (my destination would have been Mexico, Erin would have probably picked Hollywood). These days I love going back to Oregon to visit, swimming in the beautiful Aegean Sea at my in-laws summer house, exploring the northeast and exploring more of Europe.

Erin: How did you meet your husband?

Echo: This is a long story. When I went to the University of Oregon I was sure that the hot, smart, funny, interesting guys that didn't exist in Port Orford would be lining up outside my dorm room waiting to date me. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. By my junior year, I was pretty discouraged. I decided to stop dating until I met somebody who was really great. Erin and I even made lists of characteristics the person we were going to marry should have. Some of mine were: must be a vegetarian, must speak at least one foreign language, must like to travel, must like museums/art, must understand fashion, must be intelligent, etc. Also, it should be noted that everyone in my family has always know I would end up marrying a foreigner.

In addition to not dating, in my junior year I also decided to take a term off from school and travel through Europe with two friends for 3 months. We had a friend hook us up with unlimited 3 month Eurail passes and we were ready for an adventure. We spent time in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Morocco, and along the way we met a several guys who claimed to be in love with, us but it usually fizzled by the time we moved on to a new country. While in Italy I was determined to see Pompeii. So we went to Naples and checked into Hotel Casanova. The receptionist told us that Naples was too dangerous at night for women to go out alone, but if we wanted to go out there were some American guys staying down the hall and we should have them escort us. At the time, the choice seemed obvious.

So, a few minutes later there we were talking to a group of six men from Texas who were in a study abroad program in France and were traveling through Italy during a break from classes. We all went out for pizza and beer and decided to all go to Pompeii the following day. The next day, I noticed that Utku (who at that time spoke with a southern accent) was talking to me the whole time and not paying much attention to my friends. I also remember his friends joking about what a genius he was and that he seemed to know a lot about every subject imaginable, he even said he almost went to school in Oregon. He was also good looking and seemed to go out of his way to make me laugh (which I'll admit was rather easy, laughing has always been my main flirting tool:).

Even though I was having a great time, we left Italy that afternoon and went on to Prague, Budapest and Amsterdam. But, try as I might I couldn't stop talking about Utku. So Pauline (my roommate who was at this point smitten with a Moroccan guy) and I went to stay with Utku and the Texans in France. Utku was only there for one day and it was pretty clear at this point that he was into me. But I had this idea in my head that it would be way more romantic if we didn't kiss or anything. That way I would always be able to look back on this great guy and there wouldn't be any awkwardness or hurt feelings, just the memory of what might have been. Very dramatic, I know.

So, I went back to the U.S. and I just couldn't stop thinking about him. And then I remember some posters I'd left in his apartment and I had an excuse to email him. And he wrote back instantly (he didn't even try to play it cool and wait a day or two). Then I wrote him and back and forth it went for the next couple of months. Finally, he got back to Texas and we could call each other once a week. Then on July 4th he flew to California and took the bus up to Port Orford and met my family and friends. I remember waiting at the Circle K for him and feeling like I was about to vomit because I felt I had fallen in love with him, but I'd only spent about 48 hours with him in Europe, which didn't seem like enough time.

The moment I saw him get off the bus, I just knew I had been right and that everything was going to work out. We both had another year of school so I stayed in Oregon and he stayed in Texas, we saw each other every couple months. We still wrote each other everyday (letters that are now almost embarrassing to read they are so sweet and sappy) and someday I'm going to print the 800 or so emails and bind them in a book for our kids and grandkids to read.

Erin: If there was one movie or movie star you could say influenced your style, what/who would it be?

Echo: This is such an Erin question! I don't know if I could pick just one. I love Katherine Hepburn's style, so strong and confident. And I also love Grace Kelly's style, so elegant and sophisticated. I really admire Cate Blanchett's style as well.

Cast Of Characters - Kelli

Cast of Characters:

If my life was a story, the person below would have a starring role. I want you all to know more about them, so over the following weeks, I’ll be including various interviews that I’ve recently conducted with the most important people in my life.

My Mother, Kelli.

We’ve always been different, but she works hard to understand me and tries to relate. She's the mother of four (count 'em!) children and we are all drug free, still talking to our parents, and not living in the gutter. :) She’s a wonderful schoolteacher and is full of compassion for children, especially those from underprivileged families. Most of my life, it has been her voice that spurred me to be strong and independent. Everyone that knows her, says that I get my personality from her. She’s funny, silly, and loves to laugh and she’s always been my biggest supporter.

Here is the interview:

Erin: Where are you from and why did you leave?

Kelli: I was born in California and my family left during my freshman year of high school, because they felt there was too much violence. We then moved to Burns, Oregon and that is where I met my husband, Jack.

Erin: When & how did you first decide that you wanted to be a teacher?

Kelli: I have always loved children. I think the years that I home schooled you children was one way I fulfilled that desire, but I just didn't know it then. I remember teaching Sunday school, Missionettes, and Girls Club. I just really enjoyed encouraging young things to grow in safe and loving environment.

However, I clearly remember when the Holy Spirit spoke so softly, and said that he had a mission field for me. I knew in my heart that it would be with children and it would be big. At the time, I didn't really know what it would be. Then one day in 1995, I knew it would be the year you graduated from high school. I was confident that 1997 was going to be a year of change, but still I didn't know what it would be. Two years passed, you graduated and it came to me.... I said, "I want to be a teacher."

I felt determined, but I was also realistic. I struggled with speech when I was in high school, so I figured I would start with that. If I could survive that, I knew I could go to college and become a teacher. Well, I got an A in that class, and off I went. Did I ever think I would actually finish? Nope, but like the little elf in Rudolph, I just kept putting on foot in front of the other and well...the rest is history. I am in my sixth year of teaching and I will walk in June for my master's degree.

Erin: You were 18 when you first got married and then pregnant. What was that like? Share some of your misconceptions and fears...

Kelli: Well, actually I was 18 when I got married and 20 when you were born. I wanted my marriage to be forever, but I really had no clue what marriage was about. I just did it! There wasn't too much thought beforehand, we loved each other and it seemed like the thing to do. Isn't that what girls were supposed to do anyway? You know get married, have babies, and live happily ever after?

Okay, we eloped! Somehow the word Wedding brought to mind a different picture, but hey we’re still here. Our wedding cost 50 bucks and it lasted 30 plus years. Kind of like a VW Bug, reasonably priced and durable. :)

Erin: Describe for us a moment in your life when you felt exhilaration and a sense of accomplishment...

Kelli: Probably when each of my babies was born, especially the first! :) I suppose that's why I had four. The truth is I would have tons of children, if it hadn't been for my wise husband who has a knack for looking ahead.

Other than that is would definitely have to be when I graduated with honors for both my AA and BA. However, even more than just graduating was the gold sash. Not everyone gets a gold sash. Words can’t explain the joy I experienced when they handed it to me. I was so proud.

Erin: If there was one movie or movie star you could say influenced your style, what/who would it be?

Kelli: Oh, Jamie Lee Curtis. She is so amazing and real.

Erin: What is, in your opinion, the greatest band of all time?

Kelli: Hands down The Beatles, Paul McCartney, and Wings are the greatest musicians of all time! Need I say more?

Cast of Characters - Tim

Cast of Characters:

If my life was a story, the person below would have a starring role. I want you all to know more about them, so over the following weeks, I’ll be including various interviews that I’ve recently conducted with the most important people in my life.

My Husband, Tim.

He makes me laugh every day, and inspires me to be a better version of myself. Most of my readers know him as my more rational side, and I try to give him credit for that. He’s been my greatest educator in life, music, business and everything else I missed out on during the military. He is the most important person in my life and the best part about being alive is that I get to wander through this world with him. Here is the interview:

Erin: Where are you from and why did you leave?

Tim: I'm from Oklahoma City. I grew up in a 3 story house and never moved once until I left for college. I was the youngest of 6 kids in my family. By the time I came along, my Dad had created a solid business that afforded him what I always thought of as his dream house. My parents are devout Catholics and they sent me to parochial schools for elementary and high school.

I did well in high school and always intended on going to college. I always thought big about which college I’d attend. When I was young I entertained ideas of Notre Dame or Oxford. My grades didn't turn out to be quite that good and though I received an application, I never applied to Notre Dame. I was looking for a school that offered Music Business or Commercial Music as a degree. At the time I was hoping to be involved in music recording and production.

My parents, while open to my attending school out of state, limited my choices to locations that Southwest Airlines flew to. It soon became clear that the logical choices were Chicago, New Orleans and Denver. I considered Loyola Chicago and Loyola New Orleans, but was quite sure about Denver University when I visited. I convinced my best friend Jeff to apply as well and we ended up rooming together.

I changed my degree from Commercial Music to Digital Media Studies at the end of my freshman year. Studying music at that level had proved exhausting. I was far behind my peers and all the work wasn’t pointing me toward the things I wanted. My later collegiate studies revealed a knack for coding and other geeky stuff. By the time school ended I already had a great internship with a successful Denver company, Digital Metropolis, and a girlfriend (not Erin, we hadn’t met yet!) so I didn't see any reason to head back to OKC. My career started at Digital Metropolis and the rest is history.

Erin: I know that you are a talented musician, what inspired you to take up guitar?

Tim: Around the time I was probably 14, my Dad started showing me chords on his guitar. It was an old beat up 1940 Martin 00 (which means small). My Dad bought it cheap, as he tends to do, and restored it with the help of a friend who knew instrument repair. The first couple songs I remember learning were; “Chim-Chiminy” and “Puff the Magic Dragon.” My musical influences at the time were largely based on whatever my sisters shared with me. I got my first guitar for my 15th birthday. It’s was a red Yamaha Pacifica 517 and I still have it.

I immediately went to work practicing guitar for 5-7 hours a day. I quickly started stringing together every stereo in the house, with a tangled array of wires and adapters, attempting to 'multi-track' record. I must have been 16 or so when I got my first 4-track recorder. Feeling quite professional, I went to work writing and recording songs on my Tascam Porto-07. My junior year of high school I created an album and made 25 copies that I sold at school. That recording helped me earn a scholarship at Denver University

Erin: What is your favorite music to play?

Tim: As I mentioned a lot of my early music influences came from my sisters. I remember being in the 7th grade and realizing that all the music I liked the most seemed to be coming from the UK or Australia. U2 and Pink Floyd were my favorite bands. I haven't changed much.

I'd add bands like Radiohead, Keane and Coldplay as well as lot of classic rock. In short, I guess if I'm playing, then I'm likely singing too and honestly the singing is the fun part. Singing is the most athletic thing about music and one of the more energetic things I do in my life. I like singing the songs that are hard to sing. I'm sure I sound horrible, but the most fun I can have with music is getting red in the face try to keep up with the likes of Thom Yorke and Bono on their best days.

Erin: What is the best thing about being a web developer and working from home?

The best thing about being web developer is experiencing those “Eureka!” moments. I enjoy muddling though a nasty problem and emerging with something that functions.

The best thing about working from home is the autonomy of reaping such a greater share of the reward for my labor. Most importantly, it allows me to master my own career. The simple goal is to be able to create better and better pieces and avoid compromising my standards for quality. Then, of course, there is fortune and world domination. ;)

Erin: Describe for us a moment where you felt exhilaration and a sense of accomplishment?

Tim: My proudest moments so far: Becoming student council president in the 8th grade, receiving my SAT scores, being accepted to college, graduating college, getting my first salary at Digital Metropolis, and suckering Erin into marrying me.

Erin: You are a great writer, why don't you have a blog?

Tim: I'm shy. :)

Cast of Characters - Dad

Cast of Characters:

If my life was a story, these people would have a starring role. I want my readers to know more about them, so over the following weeks, I’ll be including various interviews that I’ve recently conducted with the most important people in my life.

My Father, Jack.

He’s always been a major force in my life. I inherited a lot of his strengths, and weaknesses. He’s a regular in my cast of characters, but only recently…In the past few years we’ve grown closer. Maybe he was finally able to start looking at me as an adult, maybe I was finally able to see him as a human being. At any rate, I talk to him a lot and even though we don’t see eye to eye on everything, I listen to his opinions and they definitely color my choices. (Thanks for the job advice, Daddio!) So here is the interview:

Erin: Where are you from and why did you leave?

Jack: I'm from Oregon....and I never left, at least for long.

E: What would you say was the most formative moment in your life?

J: There was no specific moment: being the eldest son of a rancher likely created the way I look at life. I learned that leadership was my birthright and responsibility; no excuses allowed.

E: I know you've had two major careers in your life; Fisherman & Parole Officer. What prompted the switch?

J: Actually I count five: rancher, military, fisherman, diver, parole officer. They were all doors that appealed to me, which opened when I pushed on them. Common themes? Adventure, risk, compensation, autonomy....I may be valuing stability more with my current occupation.

E: How old were you when you first learned to play guitar, and what is the first song you can remember learning?

J: I was twelve when I first learned to play guitar, and the first song was "American Pie."

E: Since you've taken up most of the cooking, you seem to have developed your own flair in the kitchen. What is your favorite recipe and why?

J: It’s hard to say, probably fajitas. They are quick, tasty, healthy, and the family likes them. I like cooking things that come out of the garden. Favorite spice/herb: cilantro (fresh). So useful in different recipes....

E: You've grown all kinds of plants in your garden. What crop are you most proud of?

J: For some reason, I am fascinated by mass plantings of corn. The plants themselves are so impressive, and they make LOTS of product that is great fresh and lends itself to freezing so can be enjoyed through the winter.

As you can see, he's not just another pretty face. He's a Jack-of-all-trades. He even makes fajitas...I think he enjoyed this interview, and if you have any more questions, please ask. I definitely think he could be convinced to write a guest post. ;)

More to come~

~e