Dear reader, this is my 100th post. It's been an unexpected journey getting to this point, and frankly I'm still kind of amazed that people recognize me when I pop off to tournaments, tell me they read the ding-dang thing, or tell me how much they enjoy it.
I was trying to figure out how I could celebrate 100 posts. Balancing an innate desire for the sweet dopamine release of metrics against sincerity (read: fewer clicks) is a tricky business. But, as ever, I asked my partner which made more sense: having my 100th post be a cute lil' write up about the Urban Open, or do something that marked the occasion with some introspection.
And to quote Mollie: "I guess you have to decide: do you want to be more of a sports writer, or do you want to be someone documenting their journey in axe throwing?"
And man, that's a real good way to put things into focus.
So, to celebrate my 100th post, I went ahead and farmed out questions from my readership for a self interview. When only a few people responded (of course), I then farmed questions from my own axe house. So here we go: An axe thrower interview with myself.
WHY ARE YOU CALLED BADGER? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? ARE THERE OTHER HOBBIES YOU'RE INTO? WHERE DO YOU STAND ON PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA?
Willie, Meduseld Meadery
I picked up that nickname from my D&D friend group, and then from my street medic work. My original nickname was "MK Ultra," but that didn't stick.
Green.
D&D, ink making, sleeping.
As long as it brings someone joy, I'm not against anything on anything.
How LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING IN GENERAL, DO YOU WRITE PROFESSIONALLY?
Katrina Riley, IATF
I've been writing since 1st grade, when I won a "poet and didn't know it" award from a teacher who felt bad I wasn't good at anything else. I ended up going for an undergrad and an MFA in creative writing, and work as a copywriter for my career. You can find my short stories out there on the internet, but they don't have any axe throwing in them (I don't think).
DO YOU TIE YOUR HAIR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR HEAD BECAUSE YOU ARE LEFT HANDED?
Scott, Meduseld Meadery
Yes. I caught my bun once while throwing and that was the end of that. Now I tie it off on the side like a manic pixie dream Badger and that's good enough for me.
DO YOU CALL IT SODA OR POP?
Soda pop.
WHEN YOU STARTED T.A.B., WHAT SORT OF EXPECTATIONS DID YOU HAVE FOR ITS CONTENT AND VISIBILITY, AND HOW HAS THE REALITY IN ONE YEAR COMPARED TO THAT EXPECTATION?
Matt Chapman, My Dad
My expectations were pretty limited. I wanted people to see it, I wanted people to enjoy it. Content-wise, I wanted to give tips, share what I learned, and review axes/axe-adjacent things so people could save money and find exactly what they were looking for.
Overall, I think I've been doing pretty well. I don't know that I'm giving great, practical advice, but I think I've hit a niche with capturing the culture and the...I dunno...hope of the sport? The community of it? Basically, I want people to feel like I'm next to them in the lane, joking around and pumping them up to feel good about their axe throwing.
DO YOU HAVE A RITUAL WHEN THROWING? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING WHILE THROWING?
Liz, Meduseld Meadery
I don't know that I have a ritual. I DO try to remind myself none of it is important, and the goal is to have fun, and I'm lucky to have a life that lets me be a part of such a cool community.
I think the most difficult thing, while throwing, is forgetting all of those reminders. It's easy for me to get down on myself, but life is short and regret long, so I try my damnest to not give a hoot.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS OF YOUR AXE THROWING JOURNEY?
Stephen Haldis, Choppers
Well, shit. I don't know. I'd like to keep getting better. I would love to say I have a goal of getting a top 5 finish at a bigger tourney, but I doubt I'm anywhere close to it. I guess I hope my next 12 months include me going to a few more big tourneys, meeting more people, and keeping my axe-buying number low.
YOUR POSTS ALWAYS HIT THE MARK WHEN IT COMES TO HUMOR AND REAL FEELS (aw, thanks!) - FROM YOUR POV AS A WRITER, HOW DO YOU FIND THIS BALANCE SO CONSISTENTLY?
ALSO - WOULD YOU EVER GET A CLUTCHY TATTOO? IF SO, WHERE?
Matt Chapman, My Dad
I look at it like this: write like you speak, and don't bullshit people. I try to be genuine, meaning I admit when I'm just guessing, when I don't know, and I stand behind my own nonsense. What I hope for my writing is people understand I'm mostly goofing, but when I'm sincere, I mean it.
Maybe. Probably on my calf. But I suspect people would think it was a Mr. YUCK sticker (which is fine).
IN CLOSING
Thanks for this self-indulgence, dear reader. And thanks for hanging out with me for this long. I hope you stay along with me for the next 100 posts. Sneak peak: more obvious advice, more horrible MS Paint pictures, and maybe 100% fewer self interviews.
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