Back in Tech Again

In 1997, I began working for Ultranet, a regional ISP based out of Marlboro, MA. My father was one of their customers. At this time, 28.8 kbps modems were about the fastest thing out there without paying for a dedicated circuit (T1, Frame Relay, ISDN). I started out in tech support. Within a year, we were bought by RCN and I was able to move to the NOC. I moved up the technology ladder until I became a routing engineer. In February of 2002, I was laid off from RCN.

While I was working at RCN, I made a friend who introduced me to Realms a LARP (Live Action Role Playing) which is based on the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronisms) style of fighting, but incorporate fantasy and uses boffer weapons instead of rattan. Through this group, I made a lot of new friends.

Also while working at Ultranet, I made a friend who introduced me to a new Renaissance Faire that had opened up in Lebanon, Maine. It was called The Maine Renaissance Faire and they had their debut in 1998. I had been to "King Richard's Faire" in Carver, MA and I recall going to one as a child, perhaps the Maryland or Virginia Renaissance Faire when I lived in Maryland. In 1998, I attended the Maine Renaissance Faire as a patron. In 1999 I returned with a lot of friends. That would be my last year as a patron.

In 2000, thanks to friends from Realms, I auditioned for the Maine Renaissance Faire and was given the dubious role as one of the Queen's guards. I learned about acting and stage combat. I would continue to perform at MERF through 2003 and returned in 2004 to help in the gaming glen. More on MERF and Renaissance Faires here.

In 2001, an opening came up to replace a veteran performer in a stage combat troupe that included three performers from MERF. The executive director from 2000, who had been replaced in 2001, was one of those performers. It also included MERF's fight captain. Of those who auditioned, four were considered for the part, all of whom had performed at MERF. I was cast originally as an understudy but within a year, moved into one of the primary roles. This was the gateway to ATACC and Paragon Jousting. The rest, as they say, is history.

Life After Ultranet