GM: How did you get involved in PBEM and how long have you been involved
with PBEM(s)?
Sheldon: I became involved in PBEMs back in 2001. I had just moved to Milwaukee and
wasn't finding any gaming groups other than the gamestore groups and they were high school age or so. So I began looking on
the web.
GM: We know you as Ensign Suder on the USS Olympic. What can you tell us
about Sheldon?
Sheldon: I'm a everyday, average, weirdo. I've been playing RPGs since 1980 (8th
grade for those who need to know ages, although I only admit to 28 years old). I have a twisted sense of humor, enjoying the
bad puns as much for the wordplay as the groans of pain of my 'victems'. My husband and I have been dating since 1997, living
together since 2000, and married just over a year. And I have worked for SBC for 13 years and part of the companies GLBT organization
for 8 of those years. What intrests me? RPGs (I collect them as well as play them), books of all genre's, live shows (concerts,
comedy acts, stage, not too fussy.), and friends.
GM: Your Bio of Ensign Suder is well thought out and intricate. It has been
stated by some that it is one of the best they have seen. What inspired the idea of Ensign Suder and how did you go about
creating him?
Sheldon:How did I come up with the idea? I started with the job/positions that were
open that I was interested in. I pretty much knew I wanted to play a Betazoid, so it was simply a matter of figuring out how
a Betazoid got to that point. Some of the items were just personal touches that would make a character stand out (like his
liguistics) and some were logical leaps from his history (like the scars or his comfort around animals). I like
to think he's well thought out, but I really don't know about intricate, some of the others are more intricate and detailed
(I think) and more 3 D.
GM: What do you see in Ensign Suder's future as far as character developement
goes?
Sheldon: Long Term - Working his way into being an Official Starfleet ambassador.
Short Term - Learn what he can as an officer on a galaxy class vessel (and a first contact or otherwise unknown race wouldn't
hurt...a man can dream)
GM: Is there a favorite Star Trek episode or story you would like to see
revisited by the USS Olympic?
Sheldon: My favorite episode and/or movie was the one involving Data's daughter
or when the crew rescued Jean-Luc from the Borg. What would I like to see revisited...I think I would like to try a
variation on Nemesis of some form.
GM: What is your favorite Star Trek Episode, Series, Movie, Book?
Sheldon: See above. I am a major fan of TNG, followed by DS9. My favorite characters?
Dr Bashir, and Lwaxana Troi.
GM: ok, The all time favorite Trekkie question; Do you consider yourself
a James T. Kirk or Jean-luc Picard?
Sheldon: Jean-Luc Picard....he at least thinks before jumping in.
GM: You provided us with an excellent picture of yourself in a Gay Rights
Parade. How involved are you in Gay Rights (other than being Gay) and if others wanted to be more involved in such activities
do you have any suggestions for the beginner?
Sheldon: I provided one of the only electronic pics that I am halfway happy with
of myself. To answer though, I am an officer of SBC's GLBT employee organization as well as a voluteer with Milwaukee's LGBT
Community Center. How would others become involved? Decide what they are interested in and look into that with their local
GLBT center/organization or see if their work has an employee organization similar to Spectrum. If there are no local resources,
the internet is a great place to look as well.
GM: Where do you see the Gay Rights Movement in five years from now?
Sheldon: Still divided over the issues. I've seen a lot of progress in my life, but
there is still along way to go for equality to be fully reached and accepted.
GM: Do you have any advice for the PBEM newbie?
Sheldon: Ask if you can lurk to get a feel for the other players and the GM. And
ask questions. But my first advise, find a game based on something you enjoy, whether it's a system or genre or movie or whatever.
If you enjoy the genre (for example) you will be able to follow some of the technical pieces (game speak - 3d6 etc) without
getting lost and you'll be interested enough to follow the plot(s).
Sheldon (And on a personal note): I would like to thank all of you playing
and moderating on the Olympic for putting up with a newcomer and being patient as I adjusted to this games format. And most
especially Thank you for inspiring me to be better.
Well there you have it. A personal look into the insights of USS Olympic P.B.E.M's October Player of the Month.
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