April 20, 2020

Boredwalk Community: Distance Learning With a Side of Nachos

Shirley Temple Shirt

Welcome to our weekly Boredwalk Community series, where we ask Boredwalk fans fun questions! This week we're talking to Paige C. of Marianna FL, showing off a Shirley Temple shirt.

1. What's your actual day job and what's your dream day job?

My Brand! New! Day! Job! (Thanks a lot, COVID-19) is distance learning with my incredible students. We are learning new things every day, to say the least. My dream day job? I'd like to be a professional sea glass gatherer or a mudlarker. (Ed. note: I definitely had to look up mudlarking just now because I am an uncultured troglodyte.)

2. What's your biggest pet peeve?

Super-relevant — and I think it's the teacher in me: folks not complying with social distancing and hygiene guidelines even when it's in the best interest for everyone involved. For example, wearing a mask when you are around others. My stepmom made me my excellent mask! I am in a rural community where there is still a very low number of COVID-19 cases. I want to help keep it that way. (The rest of us aspiring curve-flatteners salute you!)

3. What's a book that you think the Boredwalk community should read?

Well, I fall in love with books fairly regularly. I recently read Emily McGovern's Bloodlust and Bonnets and really enjoyed that. I'm a big fan of her webcomic "My Life as a Background Slytherin." She makes me snort-laugh. (I just checked out her comic, and it IS really good! Maybe I'll link to it in Wednesday's email...)

4. What experience do you most want to cross off your bucket list?

Hiking out to The Old Man of Hoy, in Orkney. Did you know that is where they filmed part of the video "Here Comes the Rain Again" by The Eurythmics? True story: went to Orkney and did an archeology tour. On the first night there, we went around the table and introduced ourselves and gave a reason for why we were there. Answers ranged from being interested in Neolithic structures to studying the "in between" spaces of mystical places. My answer? "Well, when I was a teenager I really loved the landscape in this one particular music video..." The tour guide didn't miss a beat, and for the rest of the week she would point out places that didn't make sense to anyone else but me. "That's the window where Dave was videoing Annie," and "See that beach? The boat wreck used to be there." I didn't make it out to the Old Man of Hoy that time, but I REALLY hope to return! (This resonates with me! The only reason I'd ever really go to Manchester is to have my photo taken in front of the Salford Lads Club because of The Smiths, so I totally get this.)

5. If you drink, what's your go-to drink? If you don't drink, what's your go-to snack?

Please see my t-shirt. The more cherries, the better. I also love nachos. (Right?! A good bartender knows they will ALWAYS get a nicer tip if they don't skimp on the maraschinos.)

6. What's a surprising fact about you?

I got my first tattoo at age 50. Then I immediately got a second one. I can't wait to get my third one. I was all ready to go, but had to cancel once the Stay in Place order went out.

7. What's the most useful piece of advice you've ever received?

The 5 P's: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance! And then this one: what you think of me is none of my business. That one is still a struggle for me sometimes.

8. What's a life pro tip the Boredwalk community needs to know?

Don't be afraid to reach out to people you find interesting.

9. Where can the rest of the Boredwalk community find you?

Paige didn't answer this one, so I guess she doesn't want anyone to find her. Unfortunately for her, though, I am a master amateur sleuth and discovered she's talented photographer who's sold some of her work in the past on Etsy! You should go marvel at her sold works here.