Captain Hank Quinlan
Writer in Illinois
Good Day Fellow Travelers:
Captain Hank Quinlan matriculated at a public university in Illinois receiving a BA in British and American literature with a minor in radio and television. Hence, the penchant for literary quotations, shopworn clichés, the many references to movie quotes, and the odd, arcane turn of phrase. Yes, it is right and just to give credit to the authors of quotations. The Good Captain then went on to a career variously as a video camera operator, lighting director, and editor of commercials in Chicago from 1973-1979. He then received a big break; recruited by a then major post production facility to relocate. All expenses paid involving relocation for him and family, to toil happily in the vineyard of the motion picture industry in Hollywood, California. The Good Captain specialized in telecine color correction, at the time comprised of a very, very small coterie of individuals versed in the operation of the then nascent, mysterious hybrid analog/digital technology. Halcyon Days these.... The Captain et al. could virtually name their price for services rendered; “Video Whoring” as The Captain coined it. Captain Q. color timed motion pictures to videotape for Universal, MGM, and a smattering of Warner Brothers films 1979-1992. These were heady, drunken, cash rich times for “The Industry” and those working in it. All under the auspices of President Reagan et al., detractors all be damned; there shall be no, no further discussion states Captain concerning this good man, may he rest in peace. Captain Q. then suffered acute personal reversals. Dumbfounded, tired, physically and emotionally exhausted; our Good Captain was to wander in the desert of Purgatorio for his sins… mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. For his sins, Captain Q. wandered back to Illinois. Mirabile dictu (i.e. wonderful to relate), our indomitable spirit with resolve became once again a man of purpose. Northern rural Illinois offering a very limited choice of occupation, Captain Q. went back to college eventually becoming an RN in a step-down ICU unit 2000-2008.
At this time, Captain Q.'s interests remain the liberal arts, motion pictures, life sciences, and an armchair interest in all other matters of scientific and technological import. The Captain writes a blog called, "The Fat Bastard Gazette," which is published every Thursday.
He is now retired.