2015 - AHC 2 - Brad Klinger
Introduction and Background:
Howdy!
I'm Brad. Chances are we've met before or at least exchanged emails. You may know me from such applications as Head Coord 2015, or really 70% of other elections this year.
I know, I know, right now you're probably pretty confused because this application isn't just a cut-and-pasted version of the others. Well that's because I'm taking this one a little more seriously.
A little.
Because I'm honestly interested in this position. Yes, I know that it might be hard to judge that seeing as how this application isn't as professionally written as most that you are used to. However that's in part because I think it's time election season stop feeling like a job interview by people who don't like you. Because this is a hobby, not a job, and the only pay we receive are passive-aggressive notes on Facebook.
So my application will be me very plain speaking. Rather than fill this space up with the kind of bullshit I might put on a résumé, I'd prefer simply to be honest and forward.
I want to do this position. You want me to do this position. Even if you don't know you want me to yet, you do. Search your feelings, you know it to be true.
Administrative Experience:
If you really want a point-by-point breakdown of my experience, by now you're read any of my other applications including my one for HC.
Thing is, that's all largely irrelevent. We're gamers and while this is kind of a job, it's not like it requires a degree. I've been an ST for LARPs for 15 years, been a Coord for 2.5. None of that really matters in this process because either I'm capable of doing the job or not, and how much gaming I've done in my life has little bearing on that. I think we need to stop thinking of this section as a sort of 'gamer cred' that needs to be filled with a lot of notches and instead just focus on the person's intentions.
Personal Statement:
I truly hope to bring a bit of levity back to OWBN. That's a big part of the reason I'm doing this thing with all the apps. I understand that based on this little "stunt" as some call it that you will be less likely to vote for me for this one position I'm actually genuinely interested in. That is your prerogative and I understand. For those of you on the fence, I believe what this hobby needs is someone who remembers that it's a hobby. We're here for our entertainment.
That simple fact is something that gets forgotten all too often in OWBN. There's so much drama between players, STs, and Coords. This game that we theoretically all play for our entertainment as a simple pass time gets blown out of proportion and feelings get legitimately hurt.
Now, I'm not saying that concerns raised by members of this Organization shouldn't be taken seriously. I fully intend, if elected to become AHC, to treat each matter with all the seriousness that I would want my own players' concerns addressed with by others. However I do think that perspective that remembers this is just a hobby is something that needs to be a part of these sorts of situations.
Anyone who's been on Council for several years knows that in the past I've been that guy who gets bent out of shape over this hobby. I've yelled and said some truly heinous things to people. However real life events have shown me what really matters in life and I've re-organized by priorities to suit. LARP is no longer something that I get upset over, and if something about it annoys me I just walk away from my computer for a while and play with my adorable son. It's strange how playing with a toddler adequately prepares me to deal with members of this organization sometimes. :-)
And that's something I think our Organization can benefit from, particularly when our members are having disputes of their own and having feelings not unlike the ones I used to have. I think that people need that little reminder to help put things in the proper perspective so we can all get back to the real business of enjoying our shared game. This isn't a lifestyle people should feel trapped by, it's a game they should have a good time with.
Goals:
My goals are to be awesome. All the time. Forever.
So far, so good.