James A Watkins, 1422 Fans, 162 Hubs, Joined 13 months ago
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WomanNshadows interviews James A. Watkins
A Hubber shares his views and interests
1. First of all, your profile photo. It is of a handsome man, some would say dashing even, wearing a tie and really cool shades. What city is that behind you? I have always wanted to know.
Thank you for asking me for this interview. I am honored that you did. I love your introduction, BTW. The locale behind me in my avatar is (drum roll please): Monaco. I was there on vacation. I don't have many photographs of myself, at least not recent ones. This one seemed the best of my limited selection.
2. I would be remiss as a hard-nosed interviewer in not asking about your band, White Summer (unapologetically plugging the band). It was such a big part of your life before, as you wrote, “gave it up as a career.” When you get together for your annual reunion concerts, do you play all the old favorites, or do you sneak in one or two new songs? One does not simply give up being a musician even though they no longer accept gigs or go on tour. Shining the metaphorical bright light in your eyes, aren’t you, James, still a musician?
My, you are hard-nosed! For our annual reunion concerts of White Summer we play the old songs that our fans expect and love to hear us play again. They enjoy our remakes of tunes by Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, Cream, et al. Besides, we do it without rehearsal so we have no opportunity to try new material. I suppose I am still a singer and musician, though nowadays I only sing Karaoke and sit in occasionally with other groups.
3. In your profile, you tell us that you are a lifelong student of history and theology. Some of the more, shall we call them “lively,” debates to your hubs stems from your expressing your religious views. Your equanimity shown in your return comments is something I have always admired. Do you ever wish you could just not publish some of the harsher comments from your readers? You know, that wonderful “disapprove” button that suddenly glows so temptingly when you feel stung?
That is a good question. I decided early on to never delete any comment I receive. I believe strongly in Free Speech and that everyone has a right to be heard. I do not mind criticism at all; it serves to sharpen my own worldview, allows me the opportunity to clarify my ideas, and oft times I learn from the opposition.
4. I read in your hub, “One Year on HubPages,” that a friend of yours got you started on HubPages. Overall, has this adventure been a good one? Did you expect to have such a huge following? Do the lights from the paparazzi hurt your eyes?
I do have to duck the paparrazi when I go out in public. Such is the price of fame. I did not expect so many followers; I didn't know what to expect. Writing on HubPages has been an extraordinary experience that I have never regretted. I am thankful to HubPages (and my readers) for this ineffable blessing.
5. I have read that writers read. I know I have a book with me even at the grocery store. The checkout lines might be long. What authors, both on and off HubPages, do you gravitate to? Who and what topics inspire you?
I have wide-ranging interests. I seek out knowledge and wisdom, in the hopes that I can better understand the world I am in and what it all means. History is therefore my favorite subject as it includes everything on some level. I can't say I have a favorite author; I read works by so many of them. Paul Johnson is a great writer, as well as Jacques Barzun, Guy Murchie, and Francis Schaeffer. What interests me most are works of great perception—those who can pierce the veil. On HubPages, I read the work of hundreds of writers, and enjoy most all of them—or I wouldn't read their Hubs. I am a huge fan of DeBorrah K. Ogans, Ken R. Abell, RevLady, Kaie Arwen, Allan McGregor, and you of course. But it would take up too much space to list all of the Hubbers I admire and love.
6. The claim of being a “student of life” or a “lifelong student” is sometimes just a line and can be untrue, yet you have the diversity of topics and content to back up the claim. I think such a well-read, well-spoken, and popular man as yourself would be intimidating to talk to. Please tell me you have a few vices. Do you ever go into a bookstore and simply hit the casual summer fiction, the fun trashy stuff?
Oh, I have vices. I shouldn't reveal them here in this family publication. Oh . . . you mean reading! Well, no. Life is short and mine grows shorter all the time. I only read non-fiction. My light-hearted fare would be magazines I subscribe to such as City Journal, First Things, Touchstone, American Spectator, National Review, and the New Yorker. All highly recommended, BTW.
7. When you are not writing, reading, collecting art, or contemplating the world’s problems, besides your music, what do you do for fun? What is the casual James like?
I watch a lot of film—that's where I get my fiction fix. And a ton of documentaries as well. I watch the Chicago Cubs' futile efforts to win a championship. They remind me of Sisyphus. And being a Cubs fan is the road to Sainthood. How else can one better learn the lessons of patience, loyalty, longsuffering, acceptance, and unconditional love? I love to travel. Most of all, I love to socialize, in most any setting. I think myself fun and funny.
8. Give some serious thought to this query – another James-type word. Lean back in your chair and take five or ten minutes. If you could have a lengthy dinner conversation, one of those fantastic moments when time means nothing as the mental give and take lasts long into the night, whom from history would you choose? What might you ask them?
My obvious answer but be Jesus—but I talk to Him all the time. So, let's see . . . The Apostle Paul would be an interesting chap to get to know. It would be an honor to chat up Winston Churchill or Ronald Reagan or Cecil Rhodes. Michelangelo would be a great choice or Leonardo or Rembrandt. C.S. Lewis might be my second choice—but I'd have to go with Paul. I would simply ask, "What's it all about?" and then just listen.
9. This is definitely a tough question. I apologize. It comes with the job. A lot of us have had people in our lives that we can point to and say, “I am like I am because of them,” or “in spite of them.” Is there a person like that in your life who made you the man you are today?
I don't think there is a living person who has made me who I am today. I wouldn't cast that aspersion on anybody. I will say that the people I have known and the books I have read are mostly responsible. I had no child-rearing growing up; I raised myself. I suppose that answers both questions. Who I am is a combination between what God has tried to make out of me, and my shortcomings.
10. Sadly, the last question has arrived. Hot drinks are now cold. Cold drinks are now warm. We’ve laughed. We’ve been serious. So, if you could have the proverbial last word knowing you really would be heard, what would you like to say to your fellow hubbers? It doesn’t have to be writing advice. It can be wise words that you have learned along the way about any subject. We want to know. Okay, I want to know. I really need some wisdom.
Don't stand downwind.
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