Considering the Past - Part IV
As most teachers can attest, the first 5-7 years of teaching are really about establishing yourself and getting a handle on being the very best teacher that you can be. So as it was with me. As a result, I didn't get much time to indulge in tabletop roleplaying. That doesn't mean I eschewed it completely, simply set it aside for the most part and took opportunities where I could.
From 1986-1988, I didn't game at all. I was teaching in a far-west country town that had two TV channels (one was the ABC) and two radio stations (both of which specialised in playing only country music - which I don't mind, incidentally ... but 24/7 ...). I got involved in other pastimes, including indulging other passions of mine: the local dramatic society (acting/directing/writing) and the Trades & Labor Council (industrial equity). And just how did any of those pastimes help me in my quest to be a better TRPGer?
First, the local dramatic society taught me humility. It taught me how to enjoy success when you have it, and be humble in failure (and yes, there were failures!). It taught me how to fail publicly, and then get up and dust yourself off and go forward. The dramatic society taught me how to embrace working and collaborating with people from many diverse backgrounds, and it taught me how to deal with prickly personalities, ease concerns, and keep a team working positively. I failed. A lot. Each time I failed I learnt a new life lesson. I'm still learning them! The dramatic society taught me that even a writer never works alone, and collaboration is an important critical friend every creative person should embrace.
Second, working with the Trades and Labor Council taught me a lot about business, and dealing with business people, and gaining the trust of others. It taught me book-keeping and meetings, and about probity and equity. Once again, I met a diverse range of people and, again, I was humbled working alongside many people who were struggling to make ends meet and simply feed their families in those days. Later in life, organising roleplaying conventions, my work with the T&LC helped me run a profitable venture, and liaise effectively with many businesses across the community.
In 1989, I returned to roleplaying and Sydney (if only briefly) to live for a while and attend SydCon. I remember the excitement in the air: AD&D Second Edition! I bought it and, to be honest, I wasn't enamoured at first - but it grew on me. I didn't know it at the time, but SydCon was going to be my last TRPG convention for 12 years. It was a lot of fun, and quite sad at the same time, for it would be the last time I would ever play D&D with the people who introduced me to tabletop roleplaying.
I moved to Cairns in 1989. You can't get much further away from Sydney. Two years of in and out of jobs (it was the recession we had to have), until I finally got placed at Trinity Bay State High (where I still work - 25 years later!). I got re-involved in performing arts and various activist causes, and this kept me busy (alongside teaching). I played some AD&D here and there - and had a once-a-month group for a couple of years - but nothing solid.
Then something happened: I became English Head of Department in 1997. This meant that I was forced by necessity to leave behind performing arts and branch into new domains and find new lighthouse projects for my new department.
That's when I thought: what about a Tabletop Roleplaying Club?
My next blog post will discuss this in more depth, alongside how much teaching has influenced my TRPG lifestyle and career. Stay tuned ...
From 1986-1988, I didn't game at all. I was teaching in a far-west country town that had two TV channels (one was the ABC) and two radio stations (both of which specialised in playing only country music - which I don't mind, incidentally ... but 24/7 ...). I got involved in other pastimes, including indulging other passions of mine: the local dramatic society (acting/directing/writing) and the Trades & Labor Council (industrial equity). And just how did any of those pastimes help me in my quest to be a better TRPGer?
First, the local dramatic society taught me humility. It taught me how to enjoy success when you have it, and be humble in failure (and yes, there were failures!). It taught me how to fail publicly, and then get up and dust yourself off and go forward. The dramatic society taught me how to embrace working and collaborating with people from many diverse backgrounds, and it taught me how to deal with prickly personalities, ease concerns, and keep a team working positively. I failed. A lot. Each time I failed I learnt a new life lesson. I'm still learning them! The dramatic society taught me that even a writer never works alone, and collaboration is an important critical friend every creative person should embrace.
Second, working with the Trades and Labor Council taught me a lot about business, and dealing with business people, and gaining the trust of others. It taught me book-keeping and meetings, and about probity and equity. Once again, I met a diverse range of people and, again, I was humbled working alongside many people who were struggling to make ends meet and simply feed their families in those days. Later in life, organising roleplaying conventions, my work with the T&LC helped me run a profitable venture, and liaise effectively with many businesses across the community.
In 1989, I returned to roleplaying and Sydney (if only briefly) to live for a while and attend SydCon. I remember the excitement in the air: AD&D Second Edition! I bought it and, to be honest, I wasn't enamoured at first - but it grew on me. I didn't know it at the time, but SydCon was going to be my last TRPG convention for 12 years. It was a lot of fun, and quite sad at the same time, for it would be the last time I would ever play D&D with the people who introduced me to tabletop roleplaying.
I moved to Cairns in 1989. You can't get much further away from Sydney. Two years of in and out of jobs (it was the recession we had to have), until I finally got placed at Trinity Bay State High (where I still work - 25 years later!). I got re-involved in performing arts and various activist causes, and this kept me busy (alongside teaching). I played some AD&D here and there - and had a once-a-month group for a couple of years - but nothing solid.
Then something happened: I became English Head of Department in 1997. This meant that I was forced by necessity to leave behind performing arts and branch into new domains and find new lighthouse projects for my new department.
That's when I thought: what about a Tabletop Roleplaying Club?
My next blog post will discuss this in more depth, alongside how much teaching has influenced my TRPG lifestyle and career. Stay tuned ...
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