Post by Hockeynutville on Mar 8, 2010 20:36:37 GMT -5
HNV: Hello and welcome to another edition of my series, "Eyes on the Islands" where I go into greater depth with citizens of the Islands to give you all a greater glimpse into the people behind the nations. Today with me is a man who has not been around as long as some of our veterans, but has left an indelible impression upon us. He is our current Minister of Labor and currently a candidate to become our next Delegate, Biblical Importance. BI, thank you for taking the time to do this interview.
BI: Glad to be here
HNV: To start with, let's get a little background about you. When did you first sign up on Nationstates and when did you come to the 10000 Islands?
BI: April 1, 2009. I was reading something on Wikipedia about April Fools jokes and the article mentioned something about a joke that Max Barry had pulled on a game called Nationstates. I became curious and created a nation quite quickly. Ananke II sent me an invitation to come to 10000 Islands and I moved in to the region, so 10000 Islands was my first and only region.
HNV: What were your first impressions of the Islands?
BI: I think like all new nations, it took a while to get up to speed. I spent about a week and a half looking around Nationstates and watching the issues that were given to my nation before I finally signed up on the XKI forum. But very quickly I discovered a number of helpful and friendly nations: Ananke, Minna, and Enigmatic for example - they answered some questions for me and helped me to feel comfortable.
HNV: I would imagine that a few people have wondered why you chose the name you did for your nation?
BI: Well, I'm a Pastor in real life as some people already know. And that may have influenced my choice of nation name. But really I choose it because that is the status level I aspire for my nation to achieve - to be of biblical importance (non-capital letters) - or as close as one can get on Nationstates. In that way I find my nation name a bit humorous.
HNV: Well now I don't need to ask you what your profession is. But maybe I could ask some more personal questions of you. Do you mind sharing your first name with the people of the Islands?
BI: I may have let it slip from time to time - but I would rather not share it here. However, I would like to say that I have one of those names that includes both two first names and two last names. I always have to tell people which is my first name and which is my last name.
HNV: Where were you born?
BI: Wisconsin, USA
HNV: Traveled anywhere outside the US?
BI: It has been a number of years, but I have traveled quite a bit in Europe. Let's see - France, driven through Belgium, flown in and out of Amsterdam, Luxemburg, Lichtenstein, Germany (back when it was West Germany, I then visited Berlin after reunification) Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, and Israel (although technically this one is in Asia). I have also been to Jamaica.
HNV: Which of those was your favorite to visit and why?
BI: I like Germany, especially Bavaria. The mountains are spectacular and the beer is great. Funny story, I was traveling around Europe with a choir while I was in college completing my undergrad. We flew into Munich and took a bus to the central part of the city where we had about 2 hours to spend before heading to our next destination. I had been there before and knew in which direction the famous Hofbrauhaus was but didn't quite know how to get there. There were several of us that wanted to go so I started leading the group in the direction I thought it was, and then I stopped and told everybody to shut up. Then I listened for the um-pah music and followed the sound. Everyone was quite impressed.
HNV: Are you single, dating, married?
BI: I am married, for about 13 years now.
HNV: Well congratulations! Do you have children?
BI: I have a daughter who is 3 years old.
HNV: Awww. Would it be ok to inquire as to which form of religion you follow?
BI: I'm a Congregationalist - If you are at all familiar with US American history, the Pilgrims who came from England on the boat "The Mayflower" seeking religious freedom were Congregationalists (in England they are called independents). The tradition that I am a part of trace our history back to them.
HNV: Indeed, was your father also a Pastor?
BI: No, I am a first generation pastor.
HNV: Are you hoping your daughter will follow in your footsteps?
BI: I wouldn't say I wish against it, but I don't necessarily have that hope for her either. Right now I'm focused on potty training.
HNV: Did you have as your goal when you were younger to be a member of the Church or did you envision other things, Doctor, Lawyer, etc...
BI: It was never a lifelong ambition to become a pastor, but when I finally answered my calling to the ministry, I realized that being a pastor was a calling that I had had for a long time.
HNV: Alright, so how about we move on to the short answer questions?
BI: Sounds good.
HNV: What is your favorite color?
BI: Red
HNV: What is your favorite food?
BI: I like everything - but I am kind of unique because I really, really like rice.
HNV: What is your ethnic background?
BI: My family has been in the USA for so long and there are so many different nationalities represented - German, Danish, English, and Irish - that at this point I can only say that I am an American.
HNV: What is your favorite Beer?
BI: Guinness
HNV: Favorite Movie?
BI: The Godfather.
HNV: Favorite Book?
BI: I seem to re-read Doug Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series quite a bit. A better answer would be "The Count of Monte Cristo."
HNV: What are your hobbies?
BI: In the winter I like to do a lot of ice-fishing. In the summer I'll do anything that gets me outside. I love dogs so you could say that that is a hobby for me.
HNV: If there was one thing you could do, as impossible as it might be before you die, what would it be?
BI: Climb Mount Everest.
HNV: Pepsi or Coke?
BI: Pepsi.
HNV: McDonalds or Burger King?
BI: I can proudly say that I have not been to either of those grease pits in close to 10 years.
HNV: Cars or Trucks?
BI: Trucks - although currently without one.
HNV: Ok, let's get back to some NS oriented questions. How are you currently enjoying your position as Minister of Labor?
BI: I enjoy being the Minster of Labor and the seat that it holds on the Council of Nine. It is different from the other Ministries, Immigration and Education both have continual tasks that they need to keep up on. As Minister of Labor, there is nothing like that, I wait until Grub or someone else has something for me to do.
HNV: If you enjoy your current posting, why did you decide to run for the office of Delegate since you would have to step down as Labor Minister if elected?
BI: For the opportunity of it. It is a chance to expand my efforts in the 10000 Islands. I don't think that I would want to change to one of the other ministries or a senator right now, but this is the WA Delegate. You get your name at the top of our regions page, so this is the one position that I decided I would make an attempt at if and when an election was held for it.
HNV: Since you joined in April of 2009, you were right on the front edge of our greatest population surge in Islands history, easily crushing our first boom in 2004. What do you think of our ever expanding and ever more active region these days?
BI: It's impressive, and I am certainly glad to be a part of it. When I started, the population of XKI was around 250. I remember when you, Hockeynutville, became delegate; you finally gained the position on the NS side with only about 30-35 endorsements. So this population surge is cool and I hope that it continues.
HNV: What is your take on these relatively new Commend and Condemn resolutions? Do you think they are a hindrance to the game or add a dynamic aspect to NS?
BI: We have certainly seen the ugly side of them. They were perhaps a good idea, but I think that they should probably not be a part of the game given what we have seen. A commend is great, but if it can be taken away as ours was, what is the point? The same with a condemnation, there are groups who find it just as prideful to have a condemnation badge as we were with our commendation. If a condemnation is not going to deter anyone, than it is just a useless feature. They only lead to the political battles that we were at the center of.
HNV: What do you think of the Islands as whole right now? Are there any changes you would make such as adding new things or taking away old?
BI: Although the Islands have a significant history that I was not around for, I think that we are in a bit of a Golden Age right now. Immigration is humming, many new nations are becoming a part of our online community, and TITO is a significant force able to accomplish multiple missions at one time. There are not any significant changes that I would make. I would, however, like to see the Houses play more of a central role in things. Right now they are just kind of a novelty. But overall, the Islands are a great place to be.
HNV: What is your favorite aspect of the 10000 Islands?
BI: The people that I have met and gotten to know, in a way, on the forum. I also think the global aspect of our region is kind of cool. Conversing on a regular basis with people in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia – sometimes all in the same chat room session – awesome.
HNV: Have you gotten to know many personally outside of the forum i.e. AIM or MSN?
BI: Not really, I have talked to a few people on AIM, but not many.
HNV: Who is your favorite Islander overall?
BI: Oh I have to pick? That's hard to do, as I find so many people intriguing. I would have to say, though, Ananke. She recruited me to 10000 Islands, she is probably the person I have spoken the most with and gotten to know the best, especially in the chat room. But there are several others whom I have gotten to know a bit as well.
HNV: One of the most discussed topics in the Islands is about who or what Grub is. What is your theory to who the mystery man in green is?
BI: I think Grub is more of a state of being rather than just a person. The original Grub left Nationstates long ago and passed his two nations and all its achievements on to a worthy successor who continued to carry the torch. Over the years, this has happened two or three more times without anyone other than the old Grub and the new Grub knowing. And so, 10000 Islands goes on, secure with a founder.
HNV: Hmmm, perhaps you know too much after all... I mean one final question before we wrap this up. Do you think we will ever reach 1000 nations as a population?
BI: Yes we will.
HNV: Alright then, that concludes the latest addition of "Eyes on the Islands". I'd like to thank you again Biblical Importance for taking the time to answer these questions.
BI: Thank you. This was fun.
BI: Glad to be here
HNV: To start with, let's get a little background about you. When did you first sign up on Nationstates and when did you come to the 10000 Islands?
BI: April 1, 2009. I was reading something on Wikipedia about April Fools jokes and the article mentioned something about a joke that Max Barry had pulled on a game called Nationstates. I became curious and created a nation quite quickly. Ananke II sent me an invitation to come to 10000 Islands and I moved in to the region, so 10000 Islands was my first and only region.
HNV: What were your first impressions of the Islands?
BI: I think like all new nations, it took a while to get up to speed. I spent about a week and a half looking around Nationstates and watching the issues that were given to my nation before I finally signed up on the XKI forum. But very quickly I discovered a number of helpful and friendly nations: Ananke, Minna, and Enigmatic for example - they answered some questions for me and helped me to feel comfortable.
HNV: I would imagine that a few people have wondered why you chose the name you did for your nation?
BI: Well, I'm a Pastor in real life as some people already know. And that may have influenced my choice of nation name. But really I choose it because that is the status level I aspire for my nation to achieve - to be of biblical importance (non-capital letters) - or as close as one can get on Nationstates. In that way I find my nation name a bit humorous.
HNV: Well now I don't need to ask you what your profession is. But maybe I could ask some more personal questions of you. Do you mind sharing your first name with the people of the Islands?
BI: I may have let it slip from time to time - but I would rather not share it here. However, I would like to say that I have one of those names that includes both two first names and two last names. I always have to tell people which is my first name and which is my last name.
HNV: Where were you born?
BI: Wisconsin, USA
HNV: Traveled anywhere outside the US?
BI: It has been a number of years, but I have traveled quite a bit in Europe. Let's see - France, driven through Belgium, flown in and out of Amsterdam, Luxemburg, Lichtenstein, Germany (back when it was West Germany, I then visited Berlin after reunification) Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, and Israel (although technically this one is in Asia). I have also been to Jamaica.
HNV: Which of those was your favorite to visit and why?
BI: I like Germany, especially Bavaria. The mountains are spectacular and the beer is great. Funny story, I was traveling around Europe with a choir while I was in college completing my undergrad. We flew into Munich and took a bus to the central part of the city where we had about 2 hours to spend before heading to our next destination. I had been there before and knew in which direction the famous Hofbrauhaus was but didn't quite know how to get there. There were several of us that wanted to go so I started leading the group in the direction I thought it was, and then I stopped and told everybody to shut up. Then I listened for the um-pah music and followed the sound. Everyone was quite impressed.
HNV: Are you single, dating, married?
BI: I am married, for about 13 years now.
HNV: Well congratulations! Do you have children?
BI: I have a daughter who is 3 years old.
HNV: Awww. Would it be ok to inquire as to which form of religion you follow?
BI: I'm a Congregationalist - If you are at all familiar with US American history, the Pilgrims who came from England on the boat "The Mayflower" seeking religious freedom were Congregationalists (in England they are called independents). The tradition that I am a part of trace our history back to them.
HNV: Indeed, was your father also a Pastor?
BI: No, I am a first generation pastor.
HNV: Are you hoping your daughter will follow in your footsteps?
BI: I wouldn't say I wish against it, but I don't necessarily have that hope for her either. Right now I'm focused on potty training.
HNV: Did you have as your goal when you were younger to be a member of the Church or did you envision other things, Doctor, Lawyer, etc...
BI: It was never a lifelong ambition to become a pastor, but when I finally answered my calling to the ministry, I realized that being a pastor was a calling that I had had for a long time.
HNV: Alright, so how about we move on to the short answer questions?
BI: Sounds good.
HNV: What is your favorite color?
BI: Red
HNV: What is your favorite food?
BI: I like everything - but I am kind of unique because I really, really like rice.
HNV: What is your ethnic background?
BI: My family has been in the USA for so long and there are so many different nationalities represented - German, Danish, English, and Irish - that at this point I can only say that I am an American.
HNV: What is your favorite Beer?
BI: Guinness
HNV: Favorite Movie?
BI: The Godfather.
HNV: Favorite Book?
BI: I seem to re-read Doug Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series quite a bit. A better answer would be "The Count of Monte Cristo."
HNV: What are your hobbies?
BI: In the winter I like to do a lot of ice-fishing. In the summer I'll do anything that gets me outside. I love dogs so you could say that that is a hobby for me.
HNV: If there was one thing you could do, as impossible as it might be before you die, what would it be?
BI: Climb Mount Everest.
HNV: Pepsi or Coke?
BI: Pepsi.
HNV: McDonalds or Burger King?
BI: I can proudly say that I have not been to either of those grease pits in close to 10 years.
HNV: Cars or Trucks?
BI: Trucks - although currently without one.
HNV: Ok, let's get back to some NS oriented questions. How are you currently enjoying your position as Minister of Labor?
BI: I enjoy being the Minster of Labor and the seat that it holds on the Council of Nine. It is different from the other Ministries, Immigration and Education both have continual tasks that they need to keep up on. As Minister of Labor, there is nothing like that, I wait until Grub or someone else has something for me to do.
HNV: If you enjoy your current posting, why did you decide to run for the office of Delegate since you would have to step down as Labor Minister if elected?
BI: For the opportunity of it. It is a chance to expand my efforts in the 10000 Islands. I don't think that I would want to change to one of the other ministries or a senator right now, but this is the WA Delegate. You get your name at the top of our regions page, so this is the one position that I decided I would make an attempt at if and when an election was held for it.
HNV: Since you joined in April of 2009, you were right on the front edge of our greatest population surge in Islands history, easily crushing our first boom in 2004. What do you think of our ever expanding and ever more active region these days?
BI: It's impressive, and I am certainly glad to be a part of it. When I started, the population of XKI was around 250. I remember when you, Hockeynutville, became delegate; you finally gained the position on the NS side with only about 30-35 endorsements. So this population surge is cool and I hope that it continues.
HNV: What is your take on these relatively new Commend and Condemn resolutions? Do you think they are a hindrance to the game or add a dynamic aspect to NS?
BI: We have certainly seen the ugly side of them. They were perhaps a good idea, but I think that they should probably not be a part of the game given what we have seen. A commend is great, but if it can be taken away as ours was, what is the point? The same with a condemnation, there are groups who find it just as prideful to have a condemnation badge as we were with our commendation. If a condemnation is not going to deter anyone, than it is just a useless feature. They only lead to the political battles that we were at the center of.
HNV: What do you think of the Islands as whole right now? Are there any changes you would make such as adding new things or taking away old?
BI: Although the Islands have a significant history that I was not around for, I think that we are in a bit of a Golden Age right now. Immigration is humming, many new nations are becoming a part of our online community, and TITO is a significant force able to accomplish multiple missions at one time. There are not any significant changes that I would make. I would, however, like to see the Houses play more of a central role in things. Right now they are just kind of a novelty. But overall, the Islands are a great place to be.
HNV: What is your favorite aspect of the 10000 Islands?
BI: The people that I have met and gotten to know, in a way, on the forum. I also think the global aspect of our region is kind of cool. Conversing on a regular basis with people in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia – sometimes all in the same chat room session – awesome.
HNV: Have you gotten to know many personally outside of the forum i.e. AIM or MSN?
BI: Not really, I have talked to a few people on AIM, but not many.
HNV: Who is your favorite Islander overall?
BI: Oh I have to pick? That's hard to do, as I find so many people intriguing. I would have to say, though, Ananke. She recruited me to 10000 Islands, she is probably the person I have spoken the most with and gotten to know the best, especially in the chat room. But there are several others whom I have gotten to know a bit as well.
HNV: One of the most discussed topics in the Islands is about who or what Grub is. What is your theory to who the mystery man in green is?
BI: I think Grub is more of a state of being rather than just a person. The original Grub left Nationstates long ago and passed his two nations and all its achievements on to a worthy successor who continued to carry the torch. Over the years, this has happened two or three more times without anyone other than the old Grub and the new Grub knowing. And so, 10000 Islands goes on, secure with a founder.
HNV: Hmmm, perhaps you know too much after all... I mean one final question before we wrap this up. Do you think we will ever reach 1000 nations as a population?
BI: Yes we will.
HNV: Alright then, that concludes the latest addition of "Eyes on the Islands". I'd like to thank you again Biblical Importance for taking the time to answer these questions.
BI: Thank you. This was fun.
