Trivial Matters

A little about me and my background for those interested…

Name: J Andrew Parsons
Age: 27
Occupation: Full-time Student, Army Reservist (37F), Freelance Writer
Majors: Math / Physics / Education

On the military: I joined the Air Force in 1999 because it seemed like a good idea at the time. When I joined, the only job I didn’t qualify for was the one that I found to be the most interesting: Geophysics (or as it is now called Technical Application Specialist). I didn’t qualify because I didn’t score high enough on the ASVAB in “mechanical” so I took a job as a mechanic (specifically an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician) in the hopes that I could boost my score and apply for the other job later.

I was a decent mechanic, but I did far better with a computer than a wrench and I found myself in Operations where I spent two years coordinating the flightline maintenance efforts. In 2004/5 Congress told the Air Force that they were overmanned and to cut 40,000 jobs. My enlistment was up that year, and my job was one of the extra ones, so I retook the ASVAB, got the higher mechanical score I wanted and applied for the original job. However, a combination of timing and incompetence (not on my part) led to my separation from Active Duty before a decision could be made. I took a position in the Air Force Reserves because I didn’t want to leave the military, but after two more years I decided to leave the Air Force.

Under “Operation Blue to Green” I was able to transfer to an Army Reserve unit in Portland (where I grew up). I spent most of the first year training to be a soldier in the Psychological Operations field. Having already committed nine years to the military, I’ll probably stick it out for the remaining eleven and retire.

On being a student: I started taking college courses when I was 14, but back then I wasn’t the best of students. After two years of high school, I dropped out and attempted to go to college full-time, finishing my diploma through them. That didn’t really hold my interest and I dropped out of that program as well, but not before earning enough credits to get into the Air Force.

While in the Air Force, I tried the college thing again despite my constantly changing schedule and duties. I managed to earn enough credits for a 2-year degree, but just couldn’t find the time to finish a 4-year program. After transferring to the Army and moving back to Portland, I decided to finish both the high school program and get a 4-year degree. I finished the high school program in December 2008, and am working on a transfer degree to apply to a 4-year school (still to be decided) in the Fall of 2009.

On writing: I kind of fell into the freelance writing thing after I left active duty and been doing it off and on ever since. I wish I could do it full time, but I don’t yet have the educational background nor the experience to do so. So I take projects when I can find them, and work other jobs to make ends meet.

I started this blog as a way to encourage me to write every day. I think I’ve done well, only missing a handful of days in the first month and a half (and most of those days I was writing for another project). I would love to get feedback on my writing style here. People have said that I have a “unique voice” which is good, but I’d like to know what specifically makes it unique. Based on the number of hits for my most popular post thus far, I’d say that my “voice” is definitely snarky (when I have to be).

On the rest: As some of my posts have indicated, I like to do Pub Quizzes and other trivia games. I play in a regular game on Tuesday nights. If you are in Portland, you are welcome to join my team, Mostly Confused, at the Bridgeport Pub. We usually have one or two seats open. I’m also a member of Mensa. I will be running for Local Secretary (i.e. President) of Oregon Mensa in March 2009. We are planning to host the Annual Gathering for 2011 here in Portland, and I will be working to help make that a success.

I welcome any and all feedback in the comments section or by email .

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