This is William Hickox...
Where did you grow
up?
Since I have yet to become an astronaut, I'm assuming I haven't yet. My
larval stage was on PEI.
How long have you been in TO?
Just about three years.
What keeps you busy?
Apart from the steep learning curve of my new job? I'd say the care and
feeding of my wannabe black panther. Not to mention applying antiseptic
and bandages after feeding and caring for my wannabe black panther.
What is your specific role at work?
It appears to involve a lot of staring bug-eyed at a screen and Dilbert-esque
encounters with sales, management and end users. Nothing dries up the
creative writing juices quite like business cases and technical documentation,
let me tell you.
What is your passion?
I like writing comedy, both the absurdist verbal sparring of a John Cleese-inspired
sketch or the kind of comedy that also makes you think differently about
something you took for granted. It's neat to be part of a church that
welcomes a Hanz and Franz parody to promote their small group program.
. . or lets a risque dialogue shed light by analogy on people's relationship
with God.
What do you do to give back to the No Fly Zone?
Mostly music, lately, with a band from church. We were part of a multicultural
festival a couple of weeks ago where we presented songs in English, French,
Spanish and Lingala (a language spoken in central and east Africa). The
church had us lead a multilingual worship service the next day where we
got to celebrate the miraculous unity in diversity that Jesus makes possible
among His people.
How do you feel about the NFZ?
I love it . . . now that my job has me spending more time on the road,
I miss the freedom I had to wander around the neighborhood on my errands.
Are you an Artist? Discuss.
I never really thought of myself as one, apart from being moody and socially
inept. I'm still not sure I'd call myself one, even though I do some writing
and performing. The artists I admire are ones who are out there producing
work regularly, not just coasting on intermittent inspiration.
How has Art influenced your life?
Much of my work has been in words. Art reminds me of the power of nonverbal
communication, of image and sound and texture, to influence perceptions
and help people understand the universe better. For all the ink I could
spill about, for example, pornography, I don't know if I could communicate
it better than I will in my "Check Your Appetite" art exhibit.
How do you feel about Art in the NFZ?
There's so much of it going on that sometimes I feel like getting into
the scene is like jumping onto a spinning carousel. Since it's unlikely
to slow down its sensory assault on my behalf, I guess I'll just have
to find my space, grab hold and enjoy the ride.