In the Hot Seat... Women, Fire and Dangerous Things

We're BACK!!!! We now return to the regular bi weekly feature of In the Hot Seat here at Burnham Down the House. This week I put Women, Fire and Dangerous Things in the seat, and by that I mean blog owner and author, Clark Oliver! Sorry guys, no actual women are in the hot seat this week. Maybe next time. Clark and I met at the B&O Railroad Station Museum in Ellicott City, MD back in 1992. I was the volunteer coordinator of the Civil War programer there and Clark came to volunteer. I think we may have said five words to each other and from that we knew we were destined to be very good and very sillly friends. We're just two grown men who can't get enough of each other! Sorry, that's an in-joke. Some things that don't come out in this interview are that Clark - although he kind of hides it - is an Uber Star Wars geek. He makes excellent prop replicas and has a kick-ass Han Solo costume that HE MADE!!! Last year for Christmas he gave me a replica of Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber from Episode IV (some of the photo links are broken and I am working to fix that). It has a place of honor in my Star Wars display case. Anyway let us get on with the interview and be sure to visit Clark's site and visit often.

BDTH: When and how did you meet Will Burnham? Did you become instant friends or did it take a while?
Clark: Instant friends. I finally knew where the other half of my brain was being kept.
BDTH: And I finally knew why I have this extra large head because it's holding that half of brain!

BDTH: When and where were you born?
CO: July 7, 1967, in Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD

BDTH: Where do currently reside (general geographic area)? Is it where you really want to be or would you like to be living someplace else? If so, where?
CO: In Severn, MD. I love it here, but if I could, I would like to live in an historic house on a battlefield or a scenic river or the Bay, but definitely in Maryland. I would like this house to cost no more than $400K. I would also like to be a Jedi and have a real spaceship.
BDTH: Having a real spaceship would rule!

BDTH: What was your childhood like?
CO: It was great until my parents divorced.

BDTH: What is your favorite childhood memory?
CO: Hanging out at the Chevy Chase firehouse.

BDTH: What person, or what group of people has most influenced your life?
CO: Chevy Chase firefighters and my stepfather, who became a nurse after he retired. I used to read his nursing textbooks in bed. As a result, I became a firefighting nurse: a paramedic

BDTH: What do you do for the Shitty Little Job (SLJ) and do you love or hate it?
CO: I’m a firefighting nurse: a paramedic. I love the job; hate the brass

BDTH: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
CO: Park ranger, house husband.
BDTH: We do really share one brain! For me add full time artist photographer to that list. Being a house husband would allow that.

BDTH:What profession would you not want to attempt?
CO: Law enforcement.
BDTH: Same here.

BDTH: What are your hobbies and interests?
CO: Star Wars, American Civil War and history in general, geocaching
BDTH: It’s pretty obvious why we get along so well.

BDTH: What are your favorite three movies?
CO: Star Wars (all episodes), Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Blazing Saddles.
BDTH: I think you were the brother I was supposed to have. Were we separated at birth?

BDTH: What are your favorite three TV shows?
CO: Emergency!, Star Trek (original series) and Rescue Me
BDTH: I’m sure you meant to also say The Simpsons, but I did limit you to three. The Simpsons is probably the forth show on your list.

BDTH: What are your favorite three books?
CO: Dove by Robin Lee Graham; A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith; Blackhawk Down by Mark Bowden
BDTH: Print is dead! HAHA! I know that you know that movie reference.

BDTH: What are your favorite foods and drinks?
CO: Lasagna and milk
BDTH: Milk is a favorite for me too at breakfast and bedtime. Is it good with lasagna? I've never tried that combo.

BDTH: What is your favorite curse word?
CO: God dammit

BDTH: What is your favorite word?
CO: Will (and not just because it’s your name)
BDTH: Yeah, that is a damn fine word. Will power, where there’s a Will there’s a way. All good.

BDTH: What is your least favorite word?
CO: Can’t (the opposite of will)
BDTH: Kind of like my youngest brother. He is the opposite of Will… me.

BDTH: What turns you on creatively, spiritually and emotionally?
CO: An idea for a cartoon; celestial phenomena; movies
BDTH: Works for me.

BDTH: What turns you off?
CO: Telemarketers, pushy salespeople and proselytizers
BDTH: Have you ever kept a telemarketer on the phone and turned the tables on them by trying to sell them stuff? It's a laugh riot and it really aggravates and flusters them.

BDTH: What sound or noise do you love?
CO: Surf

BDTH: What sound or noise do you hate?
CO: A specific cell-phone ring tone. I’ll have to hum it for you.

BDTH: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear (insert deity of choice here) say when you arrive?
CO: “I’m not pissed that you doubted My existence.”

BDTH: Clark, thanks for participating and may the Force be with you!