Ok, I'm going to port all of these threads over from the old board. With one exception, of course.

Should be an interesting read for our newer members, and I'll start a new one with a MYSTERY GUEST shortly

Why are pirates called pirates?

Ok, finally the interviews begin

A few points first.

1. No posting in this thread, except for myself and the interviewee. Once the interview is finished, then there will be a couple of days when the audience can ask questions, but bear in mind that the interviewee is not obliged to answer them

2. I'm just doing these in no real order, so don't get all upset if you're quite far down the list. Someone has to be, so if it's you then it's nothing personal

3. The first few of these will be a bit of a test really, until we can settle on a format that works

4. While the interviewees are free to pretty much say what they want, bear in mind that anyone could be reading, so it'd be helpful if people try and maintain the standards of elsewhere in the board

So, let's bring on the first victim, Buzzfloyd.

Hello and welcome Buzzfloyd.

If you'd like to start the ball rolling by giving us a condensed autobiography of yourself, what do you think the audience should know about you?

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:cd07274acb]Posted by Buzzfloyd[/b:cd07274acb]

Thank you, Doors.

Let's see.
My real name's Grace, and I'm 21 until this Saturday (that makes me a Scorpio for anyone interested, a Rooster in the Chinese zodiac, and Ivy in the Druidic tree calendar). I live in Hastings, which is a coastal town in the Southeast of England. I was born here and, apart from two years away, have lived here all my life.
For three years after leaving school, I worked as a receptionist and office clerk at a local firm of funeral directors, but for the last six weeks have been in my new job of trainee accountant. My ambition is eventually to be a professional writer. I love writing.

My four sisters and I were brought up to be a bit hippyish by my zany and wacky parents. My first life ambition was dashed at the age of six, when I found out that children would probably not be allowed out on the [i:cd07274acb]Rainbow Warrior[/i:cd07274acb], taking part in direct action against whaling ships.
I was taught at home for several years, and remain an advocate of such educationalists as Rudolf Steiner and AS Neale. On my return to school at the age of seven, I was found to have an adult reading age and to be on average two years ahead of the children my age. Like many members of this board, I was a gifted student who found mainstream school difficult. That sounds terribly smug and arrogant, but I hope I am not immodest.

Apart from school, my life was relatively easy until I reached sixteen. We never had much money, but the Methodist Church, in which I grew up, always provided for us. Several life crises took place in the subsequent five years, including two of my great-aunts dying, my Grandpa nearly dying twice, me nearly dying (I had acute appendicitis), suffering depression, moving schools three times, moving house seven times, my dad being arrested for having an affair with a pupil of his and losing his job, my mother giving up her job, losing our family home, one of my sisters suffering depression, my mother suffering depression, my parents divorcing, my grandma being ill. There have been good things too, but life has been a bit of a marathon. Still, I feel more like a real person for it all. It's moulded me.

These days, I live in the flat that belongs to my mother (she has remarried and lives in her husband's house), on my own again, except for Bart, the cat, who is a lovable nuisance. I am, however, in a longterm relationship with someone who makes me very happy.

I do a lot of reading (as I always have done), and a lot of singing. I also have a piano of my own now (thank you, Grandad!), and have recently started playing my viola again.
I no longer have a television, since I found that I just didn't watch the one I had, and it didn't seem worth the licence fee.*
My interests include history, philosophy, language, literature, neurology, wildlife, psychology, music, religion (I'm currently training as a lay preacher in the Methodist Church, though I don't shout about it for fear of being mistaken for a conservative evangelical), trees, politics and folklore. I'll readily admit, though, my knowledge and understanding in most of these subjects are very limited.

My life is quite busy at the moment, but I do seem to enjoy myself most of the time, which is good. These days, I even like my job, so overall I'm pretty contented.


*I do listen to the radio though. To anyone who suffers insomnia, I recommend listening to the shipping forecast on the BBC World Service. [/b]

Why are pirates called pirates?

Soooo, you say you're called Grace?

Conclusive proof that the name doesn't automatically make you amazing!

But seriously, you said that you're studying to become a preacher in the Methodist Church?

Perhaps you could tell our audience how you came to be involved in that exactly, and what the job entails?

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:8867cfd81c]Posted by buzzfloyd:[/b:8867cfd81c]

WARNING: this post includes an oblique spoiler for [i:8867cfd81c]Small Gods[/i:8867cfd81c].


In fact, there's a story behind my name. When my mother was pregnant with me, back in 1981, she was walking around the house barefoot and trod on a needle in the carpet, which went right into her foot and embedded itself there. She had to go to hospital to have it removed, and because of the nerves in the foot, required a general anaesthetic. I don't know if there is less danger now, but there was certainly a high risk then that the anaesthetic would brain damage or even kill me. My mother prayed, saying, "God, if you let this baby be all right, I'll name it after your grace."

And, of course, I was, and she did. I asked her once what she'd have done if I'd been a boy - she said she'd still have called me Grace... Thank you, God!

As to the preaching... I don't often talk about it to people I don't know very well. People often express surprise on first learning that I'm a Christian - most assume I'm a pagan, which I am as well, really. But you've asked, so I'll tell you. Please don't feel that you have to agree with what I say. And remember that I have no intent to convert anyone, only to explain how I feel. I don't like to associate myself with the assumptions that most people make about Christianity.

I've grown up in the Methodist Church (my mother's a minister), and although there was a period of uncertainty recently, have remained there. The Methodist Church has been built on lay preaching (preaching by ordinary, non-ordained people); indeed, it was John Wesley's refusal to stop ordinary people from preaching that got the Methodists chucked out of the Anglican Church. In Methodism, we call them local preachers. I have to do about six months worth of training with various tests and ongoing assessment to see if I'm fit for the task, after which I will become a local preacher for life. This involves going on the preaching 'plan' for my area, and travelling around to preach at different churches, probably about once a month.

There are two principle reasons why I took the decision to candidate for local preaching. The first is that I was hearing a lot of preachers who I really didn't think were very good. In some cases, I thought they were quite damaging. And I though, "If you want something doing well, do it yourself!"

The second reason is that I do have something to say, a call to preach. All religions have things to teach us, and I draw from many areas in my thinking. There is a reason, though, why I have stuck with Christianity. I tend to think of religion in mythological terms, and the message of the Jesus story is one that strongly appeals to me.

The concept of Emmanuel - God with us - is key. The unique image is one of a God who does not remain perched on his throne in the lofty heights, but who climbs down to crawl in the mud with us. God in the homeless baby, born to an unmarried mother, God in the refugee in a strange land, God in the young man, weeping in desperation, God in the convicted criminal, God in the man wracked with pain; God who embraces the human condition and becomes a part of it.

In several of the DW novels, but particularly in [i:8867cfd81c]Small Gods[/i:8867cfd81c], Pterry explores the concept of Emmanuel in action. All that we have, ultimately, in this life, is ourselves. Therefore, if we offer ourselves, we offer everything. Think of Brutha and Vorbis at the end of Small Gods - Brutha's decision to give himself is the sole thing that turns Vorbis' hell to the possibility of heaven.

There are many situations in life - bereavement, loneliness, illness, homelessness, loss of any kind - where sometimes the only thing you can do to help is to be there. Nothing more and nothing less, just be there. It is the only gift, the best gift, the gift that transforms. One is lonely, but two is the world.

"Fear not, for God is with you". These words hang like a banner over the Jesus story. It's a gospel of love. That's why I believe in it, and that's what I preach.

Why are pirates called pirates?

Fascinating stuff, Grace!

And now to more trivial matters.

As a young woman, I'm sure this next question takes up a lot of your thinking time. I'd imagine you lie awake at night thinking about it.

If you were stuck on a desert island, what 5 things would you want to have with you and why?

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:2344677164]Posted By Buzzfloyd[/b:2344677164]

Number one, my man. OK, so technically he's not a thing, but I still insist on taking him. He's resourceful, intelligent and creative, all assets to survival. He can cook, he can build stuff, he can grow plants. All in all, a lot more capable than me at practical things. And two is an awful lot more people than one - or could become so, anyway.
Besides, I'd be lost without him.

Number two, a sharp knife. It would make life an awful lot easier.

Number three, a pair of goats. With any luck, we could make a herd. They'd provide milk, meat, skins and advance warning of which berries etc are poisonous.

Number four, a blanket. It'd be a while till there were enough goats for hide, and even if the desert island is warm in the day, it'll be cold at night. A blanket will be necessary to our well being.

Number five, a working two-way radio. Well, we don't want to stay there forever! And I wouldn't want to miss "I'm Sorry, I Haven't A Clue", now, would I?

Why are pirates called pirates?

Ok, lets talk politics. Tell us your thoughts on all things political. A fan of George Dubya and Tony?

What are your thoughts on the Iraq war, the mess it's in now and so on? What would you do if you were in charge of the country (Britain I mean)?

This is quite a qide ranging question, so you've got pretty much free riegn to let us know your thoughts

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:f4f5093482]Posted By Buzzfloyd[/b:f4f5093482]

Ages ago now, Doors once again pointed out to me that this interview thread was still waiting for my answer, and that several interviews had been completed while mine, the first, lurked in the archives. But then, he admitted, he had asked a real bastard of a question.

But it's been a long time, so I'm going to attempt to answer it, incomplete though my response must necessarily be. Those who think people don't matter and only ideas are important need not bother reading an interview with me, a person, and may ignore my unimportant ramblings in favour of their own pretentious and poorly-constructed notions...

Politics - what a minefield. Various arguments and discussions on this board have made my political leanings quite clear. I tend towards the 'red and green' end of things, ie socialist and environmentally concerned.

I remember, when I was about eight, asking my mother what the difference was between the main political parties. She told me, "The Conservatives look after the rich people, Labour look after the poor people and the Liberal Democrats look after everybody. I vote for Labour, because I think the poor people are the ones who really need looking after." (I should note that this was when Margaret Thatcher, she of the poll tax, was still in power.)

I live in a part of the UK that suffers impoverishment by international standards (so much for the stereotype of the affluent south-east!). Decades of Tory (Conservative) rule destroyed us. I was an ardent supporter of the Labour party, and was delighted, as a teenager when they finally got into power. These days, I am fairly disgusted with Tony Blair, especially with his foreign policy. However, I will acknowledge that under New Labour, my home town has finally started to improve, with a better quality of life across the board for people who were otherwise doomed to a lifetime of misery.

After some real soul-searching, I voted Labour in the recent general election. In terms of domestic policy, they are the clear choice for me, as they are the party of social justice. However, I have been appalled by Blair’s behaviour over the Iraq war. Sadly, if Labour didn’t get in, the Tories would have – and they have said all along that they would have gone to war with even less deliberation than Blair. They have always been a war-mongering party, and historically even further up the backside of the US than Blair (I know that might seem hard to believe, but look at Thatcher and Reagan). So I voted Labour; a vote, no doubt, for the ‘special relationship’ with Bush, but also a vote for action on world poverty, climate change and social justice.

My politics have, naturally, been influenced by my religious beliefs. Archbishop Desmond Tutu once remarked, "When people tell me that religion and politics don't mix, I am puzzled as to which Bible they are reading." I find it hard to reconcile Jesus' urging to look after the poor and to give all we have to other people with a very conservative outlook on life.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism (my particular denomination of Christianity) has been credited with being the founder of English socialism and with alleviating the lot of the working class enough to avoid a revolution à la France. I couldn’t say how true this is. The Methodist Church did, however, provide the first free schools for the working class, and enfranchised women and the working class into its ministry far earlier than many. Methodism has also long been liberal and intellectual, refusing to condemn homosexuals, actively seeking partnership with those of other religions, allowing remarriage for divorced people, and so on. Methodism encourages members of the church to think for themselves, and rarely issues doctrinal declarations. As a British Methodist I am pretty much free to believe what I like, so long as it’s loosely Christian. I think this liberal, socialist, Christian background is evident in my political leanings.

I am not a fan of the capitalist system, as it does not acknowledge the situation of those who cannot help themselves due to long-term exploitation. I have commented elsewhere on the boards that people in my town have suffered generations of poor nutrition, lack of education and lack of opportunities. There are people who require the helping hand of the socialist model before they can get a foot on the ladder towards self-sufficiency.

However, I do not like the ‘nanny state’ that socialism encourages. Our present government does little to acknowledge people’s choices for an alternative lifestyle. I feel that New Labour encourages a ‘mummy is always right’, Big Brother style system that frightens me. I am not a political scientist, and cannot always put my finger on where the problem lies, but I do know that in Tony Blair we have come dangerously close to electing a de facto dictator. However, we must not confuse the people in power with the theories they claim to represent - see Stalin, for example.

I do believe that the world is a community, and that the nations must have responsibility to and for each other. To make an analogy, I feel that when the US chooses to ignore the UN just because they can, this would be like me ignoring the wishes of, say, Garner, Doors, Marcia, Saccharissa, Rincewind, Mynona, Tony, Kenny, Pepster, Cat, Ba etc, and flagrantly violating the Board’s Guidelines, in order to pursue my own personal agenda. It is unjust and inappropriate, and usually dangerous and damaging with long-lasting effects.

I think the world’s richer countries have a duty to assist the developing countries whose economies and politics they have ruined through self-interested meddling.

I believe ardently that we all must pay attention to the increasing damage we are doing to the environment and wake up to the fact that we really have to act now to rescue ourselves from our own stupidity. We breathe the air that we pollute, we live on the world we are desertifying, we need the trees and the algaed sea to survive. Just how thick are we that we willingly destroy our home for the sake of the transient dream of money?

I think there may be an alternative to the monetary system, but I don’t know what it is, and it would have to be a pretty damn good idea to work. I’m open to suggestions though.

I believe in responsible farming practise, including ‘organic’ growing techniques, since these preserve our wildlife and environment as well as our good health. For the same reason, I am opposed to the use of GM crops, which have now been shown to be less good for wildlife than non-GM crops. I am aware that Americans often have a hard time understanding the European view on this, but I will not be intimidated by the scorn I have seen heaped on ‘backward, old-fashioned’ Europe by Americans over this issue. I am also aware that there are plenty of Americans who don't fit my generalisation.

I have a lot of big problems with the European Union. I am furious about the Spanish trawlers that are allowed to fish in our waters, depleting the cod population to its current endangered level, while the small-boat fishing community that has been the key to my town’s economy for [i:f4f5093482]thousands[/i:f4f5093482] of years is struggling to keep going. I know plenty of Brits who don’t consider themselves Europeans; it is hard for a continent full of people with such a convoluted history and such varied socio-geography to work together. They don’t even all speak English!

I think I ought to stop at this point, as this has been a very long answer. I am also aware that there are a lot of newbies who probably don’t know me, having joined while I've been lurking these past few weeks, and may therefore find this boring. Although, if you’re a newbie and you’ve read this far, hopefully you’ll have something to say when this thread finally reaches the ‘audience participation’ stage. Assuming you’ll be around in another decade, that is...

PS: If you were confused by previous posts in this thread, note the dates on them. I am now 23 and married to 'my bloke', Garner.

Why are pirates called pirates?

Ok, for an easy last question, since it's been like, a million years since we started this, could you provide an update on your life since the first post?

Basically, what's new?

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:46bf2c0038]Posted By Buzzfloyd[/b:46bf2c0038]

My name’s still Grace, and I still live in Hastings, but I’m a little bit older now than when this thread started! I’m now 23, and will be 24 in October this year. I realised the other day that when I first joined this board, I was still a teenager! That freaked me out slightly.

I am still plugging away at the accountancy job. Last December, I took my first set of exams, and managed to pass all three. This was not easy! As a result of the intensive study necessary to qualify as an accountant, I decided to put my local preaching on hold. I will take this up again as and when my life reaches a calm enough point to do so. Given that Garner and I hope to start a family in the next few years, that day may be a long time coming.

Writing is still massively important to me. I have not managed to get much work done on serious writing recently, but my boardfic occasionally creaks onwards. And yes, I [i:46bf2c0038]do[/i:46bf2c0038] plan on updating it soon. I have a plot mapped out in my head and everything!

In my first post, I skimmed over the serious problems I and my family faced over the last few years. I did have a really tough and traumatic time. Some of the friendships I formed on this board genuinely helped me through. Depression is still something I do periodic battle with, and it is no joking matter. I seem to win most of the time, though, so that’s OK.

I now live (with Garner) in the house of multi-coloured optical extravaganza (rented). Sadly, Bart the cat had to move out of the last flat we lived in, as he was unhappy without access to a garden. Garner was particularly unhappy to see him go.

Garner… That brings me to the main change. As you now know, he’s the someone with whom I was in a longterm relationship. Garner and I got married on 29th May 2004. It was pretty stressful dealing with the visa and the move and the wedding and the housing and the job hunt, but we’re still here, and we still love each other. We have done our fair share of arguing, but we’re very happy with each other most of the time. Fortunately, we both know that a marriage is not just the wedding, but everything that comes afterwards – and that it’s something you have to work at – and that good communication from the start is vital.

My step-father, who I mentioned before, sadly died last year after a swift and painful illness. My mother remains philosophical about it, and our strong family support network has made things a lot easier for her than they might have been.

I still play my piano and sing a lot, but haven’t picked up the viola for a while (for which Garner and the neighbours are probably thankful!). Music is very important to me. My family and I sing a capella together, and I find great joy in making music. (By the way, I believe that anyone can learn to sing; we just start at different places.)

We pay for a TV licence as part of the terms of our rental agreement, but I have not had a telly plugged in for about three years now. I don’t really miss it. My interests are still diverse, although I’m slightly baffled about what made me put down ‘trees’ as an interest last time… I mean, yeah, they’re cool, but… Maybe I was reading something about trees at the time.

Religion has continued to be an awkward area at times for me. I go to church, and my mother’s a Methodist minister, but my beliefs are very much on the fringe. I get angry when people brand all Christians with the same ignorant stereotypes. I get angry with fundamentalists and evangelicals who misrepresent other Christians to the world. I get angry with people who are religiously atheist bashing what they think I believe. I get angry that it’s incitement to religious hatred if you take the piss out of a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu, but not if you take the piss out of a Christian (though actually I think we could do with tuning down the politically correct radar a bit – it’s healthy to take the piss – according to some religions, anyway!). And then I have to not be angry and turn the other cheek and stuff. Ah well.

Generally speaking, though, I am contented and cheerful, if a little bit intense on the subject of the boards. Life has changed, and continues to do so; but only, it seems, for the better. I’m happier now than I ever have been before

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:4d215bb9f4]Posted By Buzzfloyd[/b:4d215bb9f4]

In order to bump the thread to the second page, and thus avoid annoying
scrolling, I shall now subject you to some of my poetry. Mwahaha!!!

This one has no title. Feel free to suggest one.

blue streetlights and rainy skies
thunder in the distance and lightning flies
tears on your cheek and a smile on your face
a song on your lips and a nightdress of lace
the blankets are warm and our hands are cold
the pillows are flat and the bed is old
dreams of happiness and hope inside
and rain falls unceasing on blue lights outside

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:1491a71575]Originally posted by Toaf[/b:1491a71575]

That's a really nice poem Grace. I can't think of a title, but it's good anyway. I especially like the way you did the no-capitals thing. Reminds me of e.e. cummings's work

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:b51c13ce8d]posted by Miss Teak[/b:b51c13ce8d]

That's quite a good poem. It kind of soft and cool, like a fluffy blue blanket, but with warmth inside. It reads content.

Why are pirates called pirates?

[b:22508c3076]Posted by Cynical Youth[/b:22508c3076]

I agree, the message comes across quite strongly. A title? Hmmm... Shared Dryness Upstairs? :p

Okay, how about Sheltered Warmth?

Why are pirates called pirates?