Interview #2 - Eric Shank
In this week’s interview we’re learning a little about my friend, Eric Shank. As former coworkers and friends for going on 15 years, Eric and I have had many adventures, including trips to Miami, Chicago and Italy.
We share a love of grammar, attending the symphony and opera and appreciate quality restaurants. Being my most frugal friend, Eric is always able to sniff out a great deal on a great meal.
When Eric was turning 26, I somehow convinced many of our coworkers he was turning 36. Now that he’s inching up on 40, it seemed appropriate to get his thoughts on the Midlife Pickle.
QUESTION: Name and age (if you’re brave enough to reveal)
ANSWER: Eric Shank - 39
QUESTION: Do you consider yourself middle aged? If so, do you remember the moment you realized you achieved that status?
ANSWER: Not yet, but rapidly approaching
QUESTION: What middle age physical ailment causes you the most grief?
ANSWER: The morning routine of “what’s going to hurt today?”
QUESTION: What’s your favorite part about getting older?
ANSWER: An overall sense of confidence. I’m not sure if that stems from a diminished interest in how I’m perceived or from increases in maturity and experience, but probably both. But as I’ve gotten older I’m more aware of my own worth and I feel more comfortable in my own skin.
QUESTION: Name one thing you’ve changed your mind about since you were 25.
ANSWER: Thai food. I had a string of bad experiences in college with Thai, that had me convinced I didn’t like it as a whole. Fortunately, some exploration in my 30s helped me find some incredible Thai food.
QUESTION: Do you have any regrets?
ANSWER: I wish I had traveled, especially internationally and for an extended period, when I had more of an opportunity to do so. In particular, I wish I had lived for a time in a Spanish speaking country to gain fluency.
QUESTION: Do you have any foolproof life advice?
ANSWER: Know, and insist upon, the value of your own time. Find a job/career you enjoy doing and do it to the fullest…but when it’s time to go home – GO HOME. Don’t kill yourself for a place that would post a job listing the day after your funeral. Determine what your work/life balance needs to be and hold to it.
QUESTION: What’s your favorite drink?
ANSWER: Non-Alcoholic: Iced Tea – Alcoholic: A non-hoppy beer or a Kettle One & Soda
QUESTION: Do you feel like an adult? If no, do you think you ever will?
ANSWER: I do now. 2019 started with an almost simultaneous mobility restricting surgery of one parent then mobility restricting accident of the other parent, necessitating me to go home and be a caregiver to my parents for the first time. That definitely removed any remaining feelings of not fully being an adult for me.
QUESTION: What is your best or funniest memory of our friendship?
ANSWER: Best always involves the intersection of food and travel – Miami and Italy in particular. Funniest revolves around a suitcase in Rome and the comedy of errors surrounding its acquisition and return.
There you have it, Eric’s thoughts on “rapidly approaching” middle age. While his advice on work-life balance is great, my main take away—we need to plan a trip to Thailand. Here’s to you, Eric Shank!
