More Outside the Industry continues with me continuing to provide introductions into this space…probably until March? I’m still figuring out some stuff with this column, including when to get into contact with industry people, what they can talk about, etc. Anyways, until next month, if you have any suggestions on people you’d like to know what they’re doing when not working on anime or manga, email at organizationasg at gmail dot com.
This month I kicked off the anime portion of the Industry series this month by having Evan Minto share the stuff he does at Crunchyroll. Now we’ll have FUNimation’s Gia Manry, who’s the Associate Brand Manager there, share what she does when not getting swamped by FUNimation anime. It may or may not involve a filthy animal. (Ok, it’s not filthy!) – Justin
I’d like to say that when I’m not at work I’m relaxing but as I started to think about the stuff I do outside of work, I realize that’s not really very true…
Maybe Lauren and I are starting a trend here, but I’m two years into earning my M.A. in Strategic Communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia’s esteemed journalism school, and that takes up a good chunk of time outside of work, as you might imagine—there’s a TON of reading and a lot of papers. It’s an online program so at least I don’t have to drive to or from a campus…though I admit I kind of miss the in-person class experience at times.
I’m sort of an animal fanatic; my childhood pet parade included dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs (so many guinea pigs), tarantulas, snakes, lizards, frogs, and exactly one cockatiel. That’s spread out over some 18 years, so don’t worry, we weren’t animal hoarders. Early in the mornings on Wednesday and Friday, I tie on my crummiest pair of sneakers and head to a veterinary office in Flower Mound that offers some of its space to the Humane Society of Flower Mound, and I help take care of the cats. Mostly this consists of feeding, watering, and cleaning the space of cats in the “well room,” which is where we often have a small number of cats who are waiting to find a foster home or who need persistent medical care. There’s also a quarantine area where cats who are about to receive a medical treatment, usually spaying or neutering, hang out, and I also help clean those spaces as needed. If we have no cats in on a given day I’ll often help out with the dogs, who need to be walked and have their spaces cleaned also. I only do this a couple of days a week but it’s usually very peaceful and it makes me feel good that I’m doing a little something for the animals in my area. I’m kind of an animal nut, even though we’ve managed to limit our little household to just one dog.
Which brings me to the relaxing part of my life, I guess! This consists primarily of three things: hanging out with my fiancé, spoiling the hell out of our dog Pixel (she’s a Pomeranian mix), and…um…consuming media! And by my media I mostly mean games, and by games I mostly mean League of Legends, where I’m a max level support who is desperately trying to work her way up the ranks. I…kind of play League a lot. Probably a couple of hours most days, so…10 to 20 hours a week? Though I did take a couple of months off when Dragon Age: Inquisition came out, because I am a Dragon Age fanatic.
Outside of games, I watch a lot of anime (though I tend to prioritize the shows I’m working on, because I can usually only squeeze in a couple of episodes during my work week) and a decent amount of American TV and movies. I also read a lot: novels, manga (faves include Assassination Classroom and Library Wars), and some American comics (Rat Queens. Mostly Rat Queens).
…But mostly I just spoil my stupid cute dog.
