Everyday people in photos

I recently stumbled upon a fantastic photo blog. Through "Everyday people. Every day," Gary Matoso articulates the experience that my blog has created for me:

It's given me the privilege of entering the private worlds of people from just about every walk of life. People whose paths I would have never crossed...

Take a moment to review a few of his photographs -- his connections with everyday people.

Interview two: check plus!

I'm done with my sociology interviews! I recently interviewed a 20-year-old firefighter. Because he was so new to the job, he offered some great insight into the profession -- great material for my term-paper! Below are some of the lighter points of our conversation.

What type of person excels as a firefighter?
Surprisingly, he explained that having a sense-of-humor is more important than anything. As the youngest firefighter at his station, he is often the brunt of practical jokes. Locking him out in the rain, making his food extra spicy, hiding his clothes -- they do it all!

You must get annoyed!
He does, but he can laugh about it. He told me that he anticipates a new-hire because he will be able to give someone else a hard time. He admits that the chief is an expert joker, and he has a lot to learn!

What's the most difficult part of the job?
He has a hard time with the almost monthly written exams. He showed me some of the street grids that firefighters are required to know. I think anyone would dread memorizing so much information. It was like medical school! He told me that you really have to be dedicated and disciplined to pass each test.

What about the best part of the job?
He loves that the fire station has created a second family for him. His father has always worked at the fire station, as well, so he grew up with the firefighters. He has known many of his colleagues since he was in diapers. He explained that you have to love the people you work with because a majority of his time is spent around the station waiting for calls.

What do you do around the station to kill time?
They have become great chefs! He told me he's an expert at the grill. In fact, the other night they invited their wives over for dinner.

What does your wife think of your job?
According to him, she loves that he's a firefighter. He works for three days and then has two days off. On his days off, they like to ride bikes. Also, they love to take their three dogs to Memorial Park in Athens.

Who's next?

I'll admit it. It's been pretty difficult to interview strangers. Initiating the conversation is not the hard part. It's the whole, "Well, I have this blog, and I want to interview everyday people. Can I ask you a couple questions? Can I take your picture? Do you have an e-mail address?"

That being said, I want to make these interviews worthwhile. Therefore, I need YOUR suggestions. Who do YOU want me to talk with, and what do YOU want to know about them?

Please leave any suggestions you have in the "comments" after this post. Thanks for your help!

Hey, maybe I can interview you...

Interview one: check!

As you may recall from my recent post, I am required to interview people in two different professions for my sociology class. The interviews are meant to be lengthy -- an hour to 90 minutes.

Well, my first interview is done AND was very successful! I had a fantastic interview on Friday afternoon with an elementary school teacher. She reminded me of my favorite teacher, Ms. Garrett. I wanted to be just like her!

The purpose of the interview was to discover how she views her work, but I found out so much more. As I mentioned previously, I can't give away too much about her for the purpose of sociology, but here are some highlights:

How do you keep such great energy?
Think of every single day as a fresh start. She explained that she may go to bed with with a bad feeling about something, but when she wakes up, she has likely forgotten the negative. She commented that it is almost necessary to be this way in a classroom full of 8-year-old children.

What's your biggest challenge?
Technology! She has been teaching for about 30 years and has now realized the importance of keeping up with the changes. She's catching of very well! In fact, she told me that she gets some of her best ideas from viewing other teachers ideas online.

What do your students think of you?
"They hear rumors about me. They hear that I'm strict and really hard." She went on to explain that those preconceptions are definitely true, but her students always thank her for it in the end. They love the challenge of living up to her expectations. "I get daily hugs from almost all of my kids before the year is over."

When did you feel most successful?
Her greatest feelings of success do not come from her work as a teacher, but they come from her role as a mother. Two happy, healthy, and grown-up children are her greatest success.

What about job-related success?
Little things are what make her feel she has accomplished great things. For example, a past-student recently visited to show-off his new haircut. She explained that she constantly pestered him to cut off his long hair. "He wouldn't do it, and it bothered me so much because he never washed it." Well, five years later, he returned with short hair. She was so proud that she made such an impact for him to even think of her.

Publix and popcorn

I LOVE Publix! It's got that small-town atmosphere. Every employee is so friendly. And, they've got the best produce department. Laura, I've never had problems with the ATM, although I understand your frustration.

That being said, I'm sure you understand my excitement when I say that the new Publix is finally open! (Yes, I'm kind of embarrassed how much I enjoy grocery shopping.)

It is during my first official visit to Publix on the East side that I met Sal. We both reached for the same box of Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop. (If you haven't tried it, do! The Kettle Korn is the best.) We bonded in the most meticulously organized isle of snack food that I have ever seen.

I don't think Sal was quite as excited about Publix as I was, but he did seem to like food. He had a shopping cart FULL of groceries, so I had to ask...

Who are you shopping for?
The food was definitely not just for him. He's a father of three! (That explained the diapers.)

Sal had a shopping list. I told him I was impressed that he made a list AND did the shopping.
He corrected me. His wife, Lauren, made the list. She had actually made is two days ago, and he was just now getting to the store. He was a little worried about that...

So, what's for dinner tonight?
He told me he wondered the same thing. Sal explained that he often does the shopping, and Lauren cooks. He told me she's a fantastic cook, and her speciality is anything Italian. Yum!

Do you have any tricks to get your 13-month-old (named David) to eat his veggies?
Cheez Wiz. (Sal, Laura in Florida offers some fantastic ideas!)

Publix or Kroger?
Sal said he prefers Kroger, only because it's a little less expensive. Apparently, Lauren insists on Publix.

Sal was so nice to talk to me. He agreed to take a short break from shopping, even though he was in a little bit of a hurry to get it all done.

P.S. I convinced him to get the Kettle Korn!

I need your help! (if you're a teacher)

This semester, I am am taking a course on sociology of occupations. The final project for the class is a 12 to 15 page term paper in which we are required to complete two occupational interviews. The interviews are very inclusive and are designed to last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes in length. After the interviews, I am to compare and contrast the way the two individuals feel about and perceive their work.

These required interviews are fantastic material for this blog! Although the occupational interviews are much longer than the standard "5 questions," I think the material is very relevant.

As this is an official study in sociology, our professor has suggested that the interview subjects remain anonymous. Many of the questions on my interview protocol are quite telling and personal. Therefore, I won't reveal their names or any specific information.

Stay tuned to read about my LONGGGG interviews with individuals in the two occupations I chose.
For the teachers:
1. Describe the perfect and not-so-perfect day on the job.
2. What do you think is the biggest misconception about teachers?
3. Are there times that you have considered switching careers? (**Did you know that over 50 percent of Americans say they would choose a different career if they could do it all over again?**)
4. How do you define success?

The first interview will be with a teacher, so I've been checking out these blogs to get a little insight:

• The Reflective Teacher: true stories from a language arts teacher
  
• First-Year Teacher: the trials of a first-year middle school teacher
• Hobo Teacher: Ryan jokes about how teachers love free samples and coupons.
  

Please help me with this preliminary research!

YouTube star

Although he may only be a "star" on my blog, Trevor Andrews is a truly talented "YouTuber!" I'm sure you remember his video from my recent post.

Trevor lives in Colton, Calif., so he was nice enough to take part in an e-mail interview. Read on to learn about his love of motorcycles, tattoos, "American Idol" and KISS.

What do you do out in California?
"I'm a sheriff's food service supervisor! I've worked with food all my life, until about nine years ago when I started DJ'ing! I tried a career in radio for about three years. Did great, but the pay isn't very good! So I went back to food!"

What's your favorite thing to do on the weekends?
"I spend time with my kids and wife. I love to ride motorcycles and roller coasters! I spend time with a couple of good friends whenever possible."

Some favorites:
"'American Idol,' 'Heroes,' and I can't get enough of 'LA INK!''

What about music?
"Rock, old 80s and big hair. I also get in the mood for hip hop and old-school jams."

Do you have a favorite YouTube video?
"I have a ton! I love old KISS videos! I'm a big KISS fan. Of course, I love all the videos I've done! There is a series called 'Planet Unicorn' that's pretty funny!!! If you like that kind of humor!"

Do you blog?
"I have a MySpace. Not many blogs on it, but you can check it out."

Trevor seems like a great guy: "I'm crazy when I work and play. I always love to have a good time and enjoy life! Life is too short to hold back! Always live life to the fullest! I wake up everyday and try to live it like my last. You never know when you will have to say goodbye! Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today!!"

Well said.

93-year-old exercise enthusiast

She's too cute! That's all I can say about Claire. I have wanted to talk to her for about a year now, and I'm so happy I did.

Claire is a 93-year-old dedicated treadmill enthusiast at my gym. Two to three times each week, she walks next to me for about 15 minutes and leaves. (We joked about the fact that you can't actually call what she does walking--it's more of a very slow meander.)

I caught up with her in the locker room. We had a chat as we drank from our water bottles after a "hard" workout.

Have you always been a dedicated treadmill user?
Claire has had a gym membership for about 20 years. She prefers exercising outside, but she can't tolerate the heat very well anymore. She doesn't necessarily enjoy using the treadmill. She actually used to be a marathoner, and biking was her favorite part.

Do you think exercising keeps you young?
She absolutely does! She explained to me that being active is what has kept her going. Table tennis (ping pong) is one of her favorite hobbies. As it turns out, she is quite the athlete: tennis, golf, track, swimming and even Thai boxing. She's done it all! Apparently, variety is key.

Other hobbies?
Church activities, knitting, painting, gardening, cooking, spending time with her grand kids. Claire made me feel so lazy.

Cooking? So, what's your specialty?
Claire loves making fruitcakes. She likes taking her time to make them. "It's a long, fun process." She explained to me the importance of soaking the fruit and nuts overnight, or longer, in brandy or another liquor. "Ripening" is critical, as fruitcake tastes better with age. In fact, Claire will begin making her Christmas fruitcakes within the next few weeks! I think all older women love fruitcake. Her passion for cooking reminds me of my own grandma.

I told her that she must have some great stories to tell.
She has a great sense of humor because she told me she I'd have to come over and eat fruitcake with her if I wanted a "real" story. I have a feeling if I keep catching her in the locker room, I'll get a good one out of her one of these days.

Some related blogs about fruitcake

• Fruitcake Knits
• Mondo Fruitcake

What was going on in 1914, the year Claire was born? Check out the Wikipedia entry.

Musical inspiration

This may not be the Sly and the Family Stone original, but it's hilarious!


Here's the original "Everyday People."

Mother, gardener, mail carrier -- in that order

Janet Tucker knows the name and apartment number of every person in my apartment complex by memory. I introduced myself as "Lizzie," and she replied, "Lizzie Azzolino!" No, she's not crazy--she works for the U.S. Postal Service as our mail carrier.

I walked away from our 23-minute conversation in a fantastic mood. (23 minutes? I know this because I recorded it using my fancy, new Olympus digital voice recorder. Of course, I can't figure out how to get the recording onto my computer, which pretty much defeats the purpose. If anyone can offer help, I will be incredibly grateful!) Janet and I discussed everything from her four children, to her dream vacation to Jerusalem and the fact that she still gets lost in Athens. She even offered some parenting tips.

How long have you been working for the U.S. Postal Service?
"Over 20 years, and this time of the year is always the best. The hot weather slows you down, so I like the cool."

What's your favorite thing to do in Athens?
"I don't really do too much in Athens. I don't know. I don't live in Athens. I always get lost around here. I live in Jackson County on 8 acres, and we like to garden a lot." She grows a good portion of the food for her family: vegetables, fruit and herbs. (Steve, maybe Janet can offer some advice on those tomatoes.)

Do you garden alone?
"My husband and me do most of it, but the kids, they like to help sometimes. Mostly our youngest, Jacob."

What I learned about Janet's children:

• Jacob (6): He's an artist. In fact, he just used a permanent red marker to draw all over her antique kitchen table, which was a wedding gift.
• Rachel (9): "She keeps me goin'."
• Child No. 3 (17): She plays high school volleyball and runs track. Janet is amazed that her gym can fit two volleyball courts. From what she told me, this girl has never-ending supply of energy.
  
• Child No. 4 (23): He was married last year on Sept. 9, one day before Rachel's birthday.
  

Describe your dream vacation.
"There's a TV channel that tells Israeli news that's on regular cable. One place I do wanna go is the Holy Land, Jerusalem. We watch a lotta shows about that. We like to watch the Hallmark movies, too."

I hope that Janet makes it to Jerusalem. She is one of the most positive people I have ever spoken with. Most people would be furious about the "red marker incident" mentioned above, but she said, "It's material. It'll go away in your mind. They're just learnin'. I know he had some fun. That's all that matters about it."