Old Territory

Daily writing prompt

Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.

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Been there, done that. What the heck else did I do all those years when I worked as an anthropologist? Interview by the dozens, participant/ observation, and write up results. Also, I shot thousands of photos, slides, and hours of videotape. Then I’d write up a report. Because I usually worked for organizations or agencies that wanted exhibits, programs, or articles, I’d synthesize the goodies into a “product.” I’ve worked Festivals in pouring torrential rain, baking heat, and wind-chilled afternoons in flimsy tents, “presenting” incredible artists.

Because of how I worked, I was mainly the conduit for the voices, lives, or crafts of the folks I had worked with. The less of me, and the more of them, the better things turned out. There were people who made Polish Pisanki, wood turners, musicians, and boatbuilders. Some of it rubbed off. And I am enriched with knowledge of many traditional crafts, along the way I was blessed with a wonderful Polish Babchi, being considered as the official anthropologist in residence of a great Saints Society, and boatbuilding friends who stood by me when the whirl of anthropology ended.

OK, I’ll stop getting sloppy here. It is true I still miss my career.