MICHELLE ATWOOD (middle row second from left)
What’s your job?
Production Manager / Graphic Design.
How long have you worked here?
It’s been 19+ years — I was hired for the start-up of FFWD but didn’t start actual work for two weeks because they didn’t have a computer/desk/anything for us in those first two weeks.
What’s your favourite memory?
Karaoke nights with the FFWD gang — particularly Ian Chiclo and Sandy (big boosomed gal) singing Sonny & Cher “I Got You Babe.” Ian was on his knees and Sandy kept grinding his head into her boobs every time the chorus came around. A visual I’ll never get out of my head. Good times!
JAMES WILT (front row right)
What’s your job?
Staff writer/resident white boy hip-hop fan.
How long have you worked here?
I didn’t make it to the end of my probation period.
What’s your favourite memory?
Repeatedly dumping a potted plant on Josiah’s desk/quoting a real-life card-carrying communist in an article/having free-reign over the beer fridge/being informed that my cover story was “completely biased and incredibly poorly written” in our comment section/having the chance to work my dream job for two months.
TIM MERCURIO (middle row second from right)
What’s your job?
Advertising account manager.
How long have you worked here?
Not long enough 🙁
What’s your favourite memory?
Getting screamed at by a restaurant owner that resembles a burly version of William Shatner. He told me I was representing a “dish rag” of a newspaper. But his spring rolls and vermicelli noodles are amazing!
JOSIAH HUGHES (front row left)
What’s your job?
Music and screen editor.
How long have you worked here?
Freelanced since 2008 official employee since 2011.
What’s your favourite memory?
Too many to count…. I reviewed Paris Hilton’s DJ night at Cowboys. I interviewed a brony. I picked a fight with the entire Canadian music industry. I went to a million 10 a.m. screenings of terrible movies. I interviewed Lil B for a cover story. I got to publish some freaky Deviant Art sex pictures. I spent hours every day arguing with Larry Heather. I can’t believe you guys paid me to do this shit.
MAUREEN McNAMEE (middle row far right)
What’s your job?
Which one? I’m arts & life editor so I get to attend a lot of performances and sample of lot of local beer (it’s been tough). I’m also special projects editor responsible for annual supplements like the Arts Guide and Bar & Restaurant Guide (the food stories in this issue are a glimpse of what you would have found in the guide if well you know). And I’m copy editor which means I get to debate the use of words like “kosmische” and “powerviolence.”
How long have you worked here?
If you were born around the time I started here you are now of legal drinking age. Congratulations.
What’s your favourite memory?
Which one? Seriously there are so many and some are a bit hazy but I’ll never forget the unbelievably fun and talented people I’ve had the privilege of working and partying with over the years.
KARI WATSON (middle row middle)
What’s your job?
Listings Editor Office Manager Admin Front Desk Enforcer Resident Cycling enthusiast Kate Bush and Nick Cave Worshipper. My job is also to swear like a sailor.
How long have you worked here?
For 19+ years. I started when I was 13. [editor’s note: that’s not true]
What’s your favourite memory?
There are far too many and some very inappropriate so I am going to keep it clean and say it is a tie between following the Tour of Alberta around and blogging it for the paper and the time that Pete Harris brought two black garbage bags full of The Uptown Stage & Screen’s popcorn to the office and we ate it until it was old and stale. Both were extremely satisfying in their own way.
DREW ANDERSON (back row right)
What’s your job?
Publisher and editor cusser-in-chief whipping post social media maven brand ambassador soon-to-be lifestyle blogger.
How long have you worked here?
Seven years with a quick trip to Swerve magazine for 10 months in 2010-2011.
What’s your favourite memory?
Getting chewed out by political strategist Stephen Carter the chief of staff for Premier Alison Redford at the time because he disagreed with part of a story we wrote. I had just started as editor and it got me all fired up for what was to come. Carter swears like a trucker when he’s worked up but after a while he stopped being angry and just started talking to me normally and asking how long I’d been in the job etc. It was weird.
MELISSA VANDERWOUDE (back row left)
What’s your job?
Advertising Sales Manager.
How long have you worked here?
Seven years.
What’s your favourite memory?
Laying on the floor next to the water cooler the morning after my first Best of Calgary party! Also penguin fights.
EMILY GRAY (middle row far left)
What’s your job?
Photo & Design editor.
How long have you worked here?
1.5 years.
What’s your favourite memory?
I can’t really pick a particular memory but my favourite part of Fast Forward is the feeling of being a part of something important. From before I worked here to the nights where I would go to my other job (at the Ironwood) on Thursday and everyone was reading the week’s issue. Also the hilariousness that happens on Wednesday mornings when the pages are being checked and sent to press. Headline writing really brings out the best (and worst) in this gang. Thanks guys!
