My Biased Opinion
For those that aren't getting a STGAA Newsletter (or just want to see my original draft), here's the article I wrote:
Once upon a time, Sean Treacy had stitched together the words “my biased opinion” while writing a journal entry about social interaction and interpretation. I sent him a reply stating that, “My Biased Opinion would make the best title for a newspaper editorial”. He laughed and said the title was mine if the opportunity ever arose. And so here we are...
For my first article I'd like to talk about some personal philosophies that shaped the creation of The Storytellers' Guild Alumni Association.
There will come a time in your life when you decide to champion a cause. It is a powerful obsession for something, so much so, that you believe it is greater than yourself. It was my last year with the StoryTellers' Guild in Fall 2003 that I realized storytelling was my cause. My life was infused with it in multiple mediums; books, theater, television, paintings, roleplaying games. The story was key. It tells us our past, it teaches us morals, and it fuels our imaginations. Stories entertain us, question our actions, and show us new things. They are also one of those rare things that make us human. Rabbits don't tell war stories, and dolphins have never been interested in Aesop's Fables.
It was the summer of 2009 that I first proposed an alumni association for STG. Here was a student organization that nurtured the creative development of storytelling. It is in their mission statement; “To promote and provide a safe and comfortable environment for individuals to express their creativity whether they are...storytellers or others...”.
I have fond memories of STG's family-like atmosphere and it's positive impact on everyone (members and non-members alike) that came into contact with it. In my mind, it's members deserve opportunities and hope. Let us talk about the latter first.
Those of us that have walked before you remember those last dwindling days of college where fear creeps in and you think, 'Will I still be able to do what I love after I graduate, or is there no room for that in the real world.' I am here to tell you that you might not find your dream job, but you will find one that allows you to continue your creative pursuits in the medium of your choosing. Some career paths will be difficult to traverse, and others will come easily. But yes, I bring you a glimmer of hope, and through the STGAA it is my hope and wishes that other alumni will share with you their tragedies and victories as they turn their hobbies into a fulfilling, enriching career. My philosophy; If you have to work for fifty years, then you might as well do something you enjoy.
And what of the former...opportunity? The more opportunities you are given in life, the more choices you are able to make. I realize that no one goes to SUNY Oswego because they have a full ride scholarship to Harvard. No one goes to SUNY Oswego because a family job and a life of luxury are waiting for them at home. We go because it's what we can afford to better ourselves and increase our choices in life. We see the potential in academic degrees and we do what we must to pursue them. I remember the days of college, and I remember the overnights of a part time job to get by. And I don't need to remember my student loans because they are still with me today. For opportunity, I proposed a scholarship to students in good standing...students within STG that would go forth and bring their creativity and imagination to the world.
The idea of an alumni association was well received. The knowledge of how to create it...we would slowly, ever so slowly, learn it. It took over a year with great gaps of inactivity that were each followed by a rallying cry from a different alumnus, giving us enough momentum to push forward once again and reach our goal. Donations of cash and personal time and professional knowledge have all been spent to make this organization a reality. Our story begins...
To the reader, I welcome you to our newsletter. To the alumni, I look forward to reconnecting with you and hearing your tales. To the current STG member, I implore you to seek us out and partake of what we offer.
Dicavi Fabula. Dices Fabula.
I have told my story. Now you shall tell yours.
Once upon a time, Sean Treacy had stitched together the words “my biased opinion” while writing a journal entry about social interaction and interpretation. I sent him a reply stating that, “My Biased Opinion would make the best title for a newspaper editorial”. He laughed and said the title was mine if the opportunity ever arose. And so here we are...
For my first article I'd like to talk about some personal philosophies that shaped the creation of The Storytellers' Guild Alumni Association.
There will come a time in your life when you decide to champion a cause. It is a powerful obsession for something, so much so, that you believe it is greater than yourself. It was my last year with the StoryTellers' Guild in Fall 2003 that I realized storytelling was my cause. My life was infused with it in multiple mediums; books, theater, television, paintings, roleplaying games. The story was key. It tells us our past, it teaches us morals, and it fuels our imaginations. Stories entertain us, question our actions, and show us new things. They are also one of those rare things that make us human. Rabbits don't tell war stories, and dolphins have never been interested in Aesop's Fables.
It was the summer of 2009 that I first proposed an alumni association for STG. Here was a student organization that nurtured the creative development of storytelling. It is in their mission statement; “To promote and provide a safe and comfortable environment for individuals to express their creativity whether they are...storytellers or others...”.
I have fond memories of STG's family-like atmosphere and it's positive impact on everyone (members and non-members alike) that came into contact with it. In my mind, it's members deserve opportunities and hope. Let us talk about the latter first.
Those of us that have walked before you remember those last dwindling days of college where fear creeps in and you think, 'Will I still be able to do what I love after I graduate, or is there no room for that in the real world.' I am here to tell you that you might not find your dream job, but you will find one that allows you to continue your creative pursuits in the medium of your choosing. Some career paths will be difficult to traverse, and others will come easily. But yes, I bring you a glimmer of hope, and through the STGAA it is my hope and wishes that other alumni will share with you their tragedies and victories as they turn their hobbies into a fulfilling, enriching career. My philosophy; If you have to work for fifty years, then you might as well do something you enjoy.
And what of the former...opportunity? The more opportunities you are given in life, the more choices you are able to make. I realize that no one goes to SUNY Oswego because they have a full ride scholarship to Harvard. No one goes to SUNY Oswego because a family job and a life of luxury are waiting for them at home. We go because it's what we can afford to better ourselves and increase our choices in life. We see the potential in academic degrees and we do what we must to pursue them. I remember the days of college, and I remember the overnights of a part time job to get by. And I don't need to remember my student loans because they are still with me today. For opportunity, I proposed a scholarship to students in good standing...students within STG that would go forth and bring their creativity and imagination to the world.
The idea of an alumni association was well received. The knowledge of how to create it...we would slowly, ever so slowly, learn it. It took over a year with great gaps of inactivity that were each followed by a rallying cry from a different alumnus, giving us enough momentum to push forward once again and reach our goal. Donations of cash and personal time and professional knowledge have all been spent to make this organization a reality. Our story begins...
To the reader, I welcome you to our newsletter. To the alumni, I look forward to reconnecting with you and hearing your tales. To the current STG member, I implore you to seek us out and partake of what we offer.
Dicavi Fabula. Dices Fabula.
I have told my story. Now you shall tell yours.