Stan Wood's Bio PageI'm a 50 year old guy. I live in Columbia, Missouri and work at CARES, at the University of Missouri. I've lived in Columbia since 1963, when my family moved here. I own a house on 8th Street only 4 blocks from Broadway and within easy walking distance of the University. My brother Eric lives in the house next door on Rogers Street. My father Dr. Ray Wood, the famous Plains archaeologist, is a charter member of the UMC Department of Anthropology, and although retired, he hasn't slowed down. My mother, Bonnie Heidy, recently retired from the University. She worked at University Extension and ran the Extension Publications Distribution Center. Let's start at the beginning... 1974 - I began my (off and on) 20 year employment at the Heidelberg Restaurant (the 'Berg), 410 S. 9th St, Columbia, Mo. 1977 - Graduated from Hickman High School, Columbia, Missouri (barely). I majored in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). 1977 - Kim Palmer and I started the Derelict House tradition with our ratty apartment on Hitt St. 1977-78 Disastrous first year at the University of Missouri. Dropped out because school interfered with D&D and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). 1979 - Was very involved in the local SCA group, the Shire of the Standing Stones. Did many wars and events. 1980 - I became the kitchen manager of the 'Berg. You can tell how much I liked that job, because then I...
Began the Monday night tradition of D&D and other role-playing games at the 'Berg which continued until July 2000. 1982 - Went to Air Traffic Control school in Oklahoma City. Missed the graduation cut off score by 1.5%, so I got fired by the FAA. 1983 - Promoted to Sergeant (E5) and made Gun Chief of Gun Section Three. I commanded a M109A3 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer with a crew of 6-10 gun bunnies. Bill, Sievert and I traveled to Cooper's Lake for Pennsic 13.1984 - I was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E6). 1985 - Went back to school part-time at Mizzou to complete my interrupted education. At first I was contemplated a degree in Computer Science. At the time, personal computers were actually becoming interesting (and affordable). I quit the Heidelberg because they weren't too flexible (and neither was I) with my school hours, and went to live with my dad. Got my Award of Arms in the SCA. 1986 - Started cooking at Ernie's Steakhouse in February. It was my home away from the 'Berg for the
next 5 years. 1989 - In January I left the Army Reserve and joined the Missouri Army National Guard's 35th Infantry Division (Mech), Division Support Command (DISCOM). At DISCOM, I was an intelligence sergeant until late 1991. Then they found someone better and kicked my fat ass out. I'm not bitter though! 1991 - I earned a BA in geography from the University. My course work emphasized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and computer-aided cartography. I began to work at the 'Berg again to pay for Monday night gaming. 1992-1995 - Worked as a cook at the 'Berg and Ernie's Steakhouse and looked for GIS jobs in the local area. Didn't find one until... 1995 - Finally. I went work for the Center for Agricultural, Resource and Environmental Systems (CARES) as a Research Specialist (later re-classed as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist). CARES is a center within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri - Columbia. I began working at CARES in August and was finally able to leave the food service business. My professional vitae. In addition to maintaining data bases and digital map layers, I sometimes write the HTML for the CARES web site. My brother Eric and I bought the house on 8th Street (once known as the "Bone House" and previously the McCambridge Center for Women, I still get mail for them 20 years after they moved!) this year and got a second house in the deal. He moved next door to the new place and I eventually ended up with the old one. 1996 - Went to Palm Springs for the ESRI User Conference. 1997 - Had my first map published in a book; Dave Connett and I had our ESRI poster accepted for the 12th Annual ESRI Map Book. 1998 - Started this website and got my own Internet domain; eswood.com. Bought the Honda 750 Shadow ACE to the right. 1999 - Presented again at the ESRI User Conference. Earned my MCP certification.
2001 - Re-classed again to Systems Administrator Specialist. I started my cigar smoking hobby in January of 2001. A year and a half later I had four humidors, three igloodors and nearly 4,000 cigars. 2002 - Did a second cruise
in January, this time on the Celebrity ship Century to the
eastern Caribbean including San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and the
Bahamas. Spent a week in Las Vegas in July attending a tobacco
trade show. 2003 -
Bought a car, a 1993 Chevy Caprice Classic from Jim Meyer. The AC was too
expensive for me to fix it and a month later the radio died.
2004 - Got back into SCA joining the
Incipient Shire of Amleth Moor and becoming
the Web Minister. I changed my SCA persona to Roibeard mac Auleth, and attended War College, Lilies 18 and Tribal Revelries.
That fall Tristram of Lindesfarne from Standing Stones won crown tourney
fighting for Katherine Thorroffsdottir and thus the first Derelict ascended
the Falcon Throne. 2005 - Increased activity in the SCA as the
newly approved Shire of Amlesmore (new
domain name too) held Coronation in the spring then it was off to Lilies again
and I attended the Pennsic War (34), for the first time since Pennsic 13 (21
years ago). Due to the influence of Kevin Goodwin's Tinder Box/Vino 100
store bringing in vast variety of single malt scotch, I began to collect single
malts and indulge in scotch again. Something I hadn't done since my days
at the 'Berg in the early 80's under the tutelage of Jim Turpin. What else does this year have to offer? |
1981
...Enlisted in the Army, and after Basic Training and Advance Individual Training, began
serving in the US Army Reserve 102nd ARCOM as a 13 Bravo (that's Cannon Crewman to you
civilians). Served in Charlie ("C") Battery, 3/75th Field Artillery in
Jefferson City, MO. 
2000 -
