Thursday, January 8, 2009

Cracking the Enigma

I think of myself as a type AB personality. I certainly have traits in both A and B personalities, most folks see me as a tempered personality, then there are those who see me as totally extroverted. Nature probably has a lot to do with it, but then again nurture rears itself in trying to decipher the intricacies of Eskimo Bob.

My blog associate Willow, from Willow Manor fame is taking a stab at figuring out what makes me tick. So let's move forward with this interview: Enjoy.

1. Your Alaskan heritage is very intriguing. Without jeopardizing your anonymity, fill us in on a bit of your ancestry.
Well - I'm a half-breed in the true sense of the word. My father is full German, whose father immigrated to the U.S. during the second world war, then turned back around to fight those whom he had just left. My father's mother is the daughter of German immigrants. My father moved to Alaska after his service in the Army to become a bush pilot. He has been in bush Alaska for nearly 40 years and loves it deeply.

My mother is full Yup'ik Eskimo. She was born in a summer camp near the Yukon river, she is a warrior who has overcome some very difficult circumstances, and continues to be a source of inspiration everyday she still draws breath. She is the youngest of seven children, and lost her mother shortly after she was born. She was born in a time when her people were going through a major change. They were losing their land and their sense of culture as the Western world began expanding into Alaska.
When she was still young - somewhere between 5 and 7 she lost her father. She was raised by other families, then going into the foster care system when she began school. She was shipped off to southeast Alaska, where she was punished for speaking her Yup'ik language. She met my dad in the early 70's then Eskimo Bob joined them a few short years later. I was raised as a typical Gen. X'er, with two working parents. Recently I've come to really appreciate both of my ancestral heritages, I'm blazing my own path now and trying to take the best of both cultures along for the ride.

2. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Well - this is obviously still a work in progress. I attribute what ever I have accomplished to those who have supported and stood by me. It would be awfully selfish of me to take full credit for the things I've seen to completion.

First and foremost I take great amount of satisfaction with my family. I've been married to my beautiful wife for ten years now. We have two boys who are healthy and productive.

Second - I've been gainfully self-employed for four years. I've been able to help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their goals.

Thirdly - I've held onto lifelong friendships. As I get older and meet new folks, I see how rare it is indeed to still have deep friendships from childhood. I appreciate and treasure my association with those friends. Also I'm always glad to meet new folks.

3. If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be and why?
Hmmm - guess it would depend on who is cooking. If the guest is providing the meal, then probably Julia Childs. Did you know that she was a secret agent? So not only good food, but confidential conversation as well. How cool would that be?

If the meal were catered then probably King Henry VIII, cause you know it's gonna be a good spread. Even if it's medivel food, I would try to sneak in some utensil's and a coke. Then I'd ask him some tips on picking up the ladies.

If I were to make the meal, then I would invite Ghandi. I'd tell him my friend Steve just finished reading his book, and I saw parts of his movie. He'd probably be hungry enough not to mind whatever I made. Plus he's just so peaceful, even if he hated my food he'd make me feel good about trying.

4. What is your motto?
It's always too early to quit.


5. Before blogging, what, if any, was your main mode of personal expression?
This was something that seemed to be put on hold since college. Starting a family, working, starting a business seemed to take over everything. I could make the argument that my business, or being with my family was my main mode of expression, but that's something that while enjoyable is also just responsibility.

It is important for folks to have a mode to feel that creative process; and even though I've never fancied myself as an author of any type, this blogging has been fun.

So thanks for the opportunity to answer some of these questions. I hope that it was enjoyable for you. If you would like the same opportunity please follow the directions below:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the
questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview
someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask
them five questions.

10 comments:

Steven Adami said...

Interview me!

Tess Kincaid said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this, Bob! Thanks for letting me be snoopy! "It's always to early to quit". I love that.

A Cuban In London said...

Brilliant, eskimo and willow.

Greetings from London.

Eskimo Bob said...

Steve - On it's way.

Willow - Very fun, we'll have to do that again sometime.

Cuban - Thanks for visiting, see you on the flip side.

Tess Kincaid said...

...that should read "too", but you knew that!

Eskimo Bob said...

The beauty of the U.S. English language, is that it's malleable. So depending on what you intended it to be, so it is. Depending on the definition of "is" of course though.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Really enjoyed this my first visit - via Willow -I've just been interviewed too!

I'm looking forward to visiting again when I've time to read more - it's currently 1 am here!

I love your motto too!

Eskimo Bob said...

It's a pleasure to have a Giraffe representation here, the walrus and seal were starting to become quite common place.

Mary said...

Loved your posts and your wit...will be back to see when your next final post will be

darsden said...

read you lil german eskimo you