Spotlight on Staff/Spotlight on Kitrina

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"Cake, beer and gummy bears (at the same time)." -- Kitrina

Assistant Product Manager (Derby Queen)

Hi and stuff. I'm GM Kitrina. I've been a GameMaster for four years. I was hired to be the liaison (read: human shield) for the development team during the GemStone III to GemStone IV conversion. Interacting with players and nagging development types for info is good fun and I would recommend it to anyone. After a couple years I was promoted to Senior GameMaster of the Events team. My very first project was managing the return of Foehn's Promise in 2005. Since then, we've had several events, storylines, and festivals. Today I somehow find myself as the Assistant Product Manager of a game that I have been totally in love with for 8 years. I'm really proud to be a part of the game, staff and amazing community that is GemStone IV.

Where were you born?
Small-ish town in southern MN
Where do you currently live?
A smurf village in the Twin Cities area of MN.
Do you have any pets/kids/both?
A daughter, Amelia, who will be three in June. A cat (Ogre) and a dog (Nemea) too.
What is your current occupation?
Project Manager (of Doom!)
What did you want to be while you were growing up?
Either making video games or designing ginormous structures made entirely out of Legos.
Favorite TV shows?
Currently I'm into Heroes, House, and Lost. Of all time?... possibly a tie between Charmed and Melrose Place. Don't lie, you watched them too.
Favorite actors/actresses?
I don't really have a favorite.
Favorite musicians/bands?
My husband plays in the band All The Way Rider and they're pretty good. Plus their front man is hot. Har. Um... I also like Gameface, Riddle of Steel, Disney songs (don't judge me!), Quicksand, No Doubt, The Tank and a large handful of others. I don't really like country or emo so go cry to someone who cares, mmkay?
Favorite books/authors?
I'm not an avid reader.
Where did you go to college and what did you study?
Graduated with a double major - Communications and Political Science.
Favorite/least favorite job you've ever had?
My favorite job is GMing. No other job can compare!
Favorite hobbies?
Gaming and roller derby.
Favorite foods?
Cake, beer and gummy bears (at the same time).
Favorite board games or computer games?
Board games are fun, but I don't really have a favorite. Favorite computer game? Why, GemStone IV of course! The King's Quest series by Sierra got me into RPGs when I was just a mini-Kitrina. Other than that, I'm a console & handheld gamer for the most part.
Favorite sports/sports teams?
The Minnesota RollerGirls Roller Derby Team!
What would you do with a million dollars?
Two chicks at the same time? Sorry, that reminded me of that Office Space quote. I'd invest it so I could make $2 million.
What three people past or present would you invite to dinner?
I can't cook. (Bubba's Note: I guess that means Colonel Sanders, Ronald McDonald, and Chuck E. Cheese...?)
What is your favorite quote?
Here's a fun one: "Was it a dream where you were standing in sort of sun-god robes on top of a pyramid, and there were hundreds of naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?" - Val Kilmer as "Chris Knight" in the movie Real Genius (Bubba's Note: So I guess I'm not the only one that has that dream...)
Name something you'd like to do before you die.
Learn to SCUBA dive
What's your favorite acronym?
ST*U
Who is your hero or heroine?
Link and his pieces of heart.
If you could have any musical group or artist, past or present, play at your birthday party, who would it be?
Gameface
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Bitch slapping people over the internet. Was that mean? Teehee. :) How about... the power to heal others? Yeah, let's go with that one.
And the Zobmondo question
Would you rather...
Drink a gallon of milk and then ride a roller coaster....
Or...
Ride on a roller coaster behind someone who just drank a gallon of milk?
I'm going to reach back to the third grade and throw a "grody" at this question. Grody like Skittles "Smoothie Mix". (Worst candy ever.)
But anyways...let's see...
I choose the first option. I would much rather be in charge of losing my own lunch than be at the mercy of someone else. You don't know what they had to eat! :-)

Co-Worker's Not-So-Candid Quotes

  • "She has the ability to take a high-pressure situation and diffuse it and make things fun and relaxed. She has a genuine dedication to seeing this game grow in a positive way."
  • "Energetic and bubbly!"
  • "When I talk, I think Kitrina listens, and that's one of the highest compliments I can give a person."
  • "Kitrina is a wonderful manager and a great friend. She is an imaginative and communicative presence that has served as a huge boon to GemStone as long as she has been on staff. She is always willing to hear everyone's opinions with an open mind and is accommodating in any conversation."
  • "Kitrina has a totally great outlook on life. From her I have learned that there is always a positive in any situation, and always an answer to every problem, sometimes you just have to look for it."
  • "We're so lucky to have Kitrina for our APM! She's a bundle of energy (ON SKATES) and has a great love for our game. I can't wait to see where she takes us."
  • "She sure is bossy! Wait, isn't that her job?"
  • "Kitrina is the kind of person who makes you instantly comfortable, and who really, truly listens when you have something to say. Add to that the fact that she sees what needs to be done and then gets it done, and you have someone who you WANT to work for and with. She almost makes you want to get up and do the "Rah-rah-rah! Go team GemStone!" shout and dance. Almost. (I just wasn't born to be a cheerleader, unfortunately. Sorry, Kitrina!)"
  • "She's a mild-mannered APM by day, and a supa-star roller derby killer at night"