How to begin this? A more formal "hello"? A rather pompous "greetings"? Some sort of trendy saying like "wazzup"? No. I'll start off the way I start off meeting most people: Hi.
My name is Christopher James Priestly, but I go by Chris. I'm 41, married, gainfully employed and generally pretty content with things. I love food, drink, movies, TV, comic books, travel, animals and video games. Video games are a big part of my life currently as I work for BioWare as part of the Community team in the marketing department. It is a great job, not always without frustration or rage, but as a life long nerd it makes me look forward to going to work each day and not many people can say that.
Now if you're reading this hoping to see me 'dish the dirt" or reveal inner company secrets or whatnot, you'll probably be disappointed. Why not? Well, as I teach to other people in the company, what you say publicly on forums, blogs, Facebook or whatever you are representing BioWare. Sure, you can say "this is my opinion NOT that of BioWare", but you're still going to be representing the company. If I say here that Assassin's Creed 2 is a fun game (which it is, I'm playing it right now. More on that in another blog.) thats fine. If I say "AC2 is good, but I think BioWare makes better games", well then we have a discussion as to why I am right and you're wrong or whatever. Things are nice and friendly. But if I come here and say how WW2 was caused by Neptunians working with the Mob to overthrough our way of life! Then people will think you are a loon (aside from the few who believe such things who then try to become kindered spirits and that is never good) and things get messy. Now I will say what I think here. In my going on 10 years with BioWare I've seen lots of good stuff, but we've made mistakes as well and so have I. But I'm not coming here to give away company secrets or to reveal stuff that'll get me fired as I like my job too much (and paying my mortgage, buying gas, etc).
So why, if I am so content, do I feel the need to write a blog about myself and my opinions? Well, partially because it is rather cathartic. It is nice to have someplace to come and give my opinion that isn't hosted by BioWare. Don't get me wrong, I owe much of my success and cushy life to BioWare, but it is nice to get away a bit. I also use the BioWare forums as my job day to day. I intend this blog to be more for me to talk about things I find interesting (or upsetting). I'm a big foodie (and I do mean "big", but my weight problems are grist for a future blog entry) and drink person (is there a "drinkie" to go with foodie? Or do you just go straight to alcoholic?) I love animals and own 2 cats (but I hate spiders). I enjoy travel. I collect comics and read books when I find time. I watch LOTS of movies & TV and play as many games as I can fit in the time for. And I plan on making this blog someplace I can give food tips, movie reviews and generally all the stuff I think I know that I think you should know.
So, this is the opening, the start and the first. Hopefully you'll read it and want to come back when I update again. Hopefully, more will come, both blogs and readers. Hopefully this'll be the start of something fun, informative and worthwhile.
Hi.
