Name:
Nick Pitts
Chapter:
Lygon St, previously Collingwood, Melbourne CBD, Brunswick East, and a dozen others.
What is your story?
I'm originally from the sharks and crocs and bitey things part of North QLD, when I was a kid my dad sorted me out with a Pratchett or two, and a copy of Lord of the Rings that's older than I am to get me through a hospital thing, and I suppose I've been chasing the high that reading gave me then ever since. These days I live in Melbourne VIC with my partner, and have betrayed my tropical upbringing by coming to like to travel to chase the snow (I'm still awful at snow, but I LIKE it). I have somewhere between 0-2 dogs with somewhere between 0-1 braincell shared between them, no kids that I am certain of, and am at the age and general health where I am losing a battle of attrition with both my hair-and-waist line.
How long have you been with TGBC? First Book?
10 Years just now, I specifically remember chatting about Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene and how completely independent of reading it I had recently serendipitously learned too much about vacuum cleaner parts.
How did you end up coming to TGBC?
I had sort of known about it for a while, only to find out some guy I just met at a rum bar ran the local chapter. I sheepishly rocked up; with a plan to claim to be there by accident then immediately bail. Instead I met some pretty solid guys and chatted until some stupid hour over some beers. That guy from the rum bar is now one of my closest friends.
What is your favourite TGBC book?
Oh that's a tricky one. Either Neuromancer by Willy Gibson, just for how much fun it was having the whole chapter polarized on if they loved or hated it. Or maybe Toni Morrison's Home. I reckon that might be the best straight -work- we've read. Gotta also shout out Big nowhere by James Elroy for being something I loved that I would absolutely never have picked up otherwise.
Why are you a member of TGBC?
A guy in my life once told me that he didn't have any friends outside of work, and well I reckon my life is a fuckload richer than his for how many good mates I've met via club.
What do you think a "Tough Guy" is?
The first person to say "oi, none of that" when someone is being a dickhead. Be it a shitty person out and about, or one of your friends. Being first is the hardest and riskiest, but they make it a lot easier for the second person.
What is your favourite library?
When I was young, I found myself in Albury NSW just as they (re?)opened the fancy new library. With all the bells and whistles and goodness to hang you could hope. The staff were amazing, they recommended so much stuff that got me through what was at the time the coldest, darkest winter I had lived through.
What book have we not read that you'd like to do at TGBC?
Butter by Asako Yuzuki, a fun little popcorn book about the importance of enjoying the good things in life, having quality female friends, and sometimes murder.
What's the best thing about TGBC?
I love going nuts with the challenges. "Draw yourself" done with easel and paint over wine and cheese. "Clean a graveyard" achieved at midnight dressed in a way sure to raise questions if caught. The silliness of a picnic on a mountain or spelling out a chapter name for last drinks with a bunch of great guys.
What's your favourite drink?
A shot of whisky that I will eventually regret, handed to me by someone I won't.
What is something people wouldn't know about you if they judged you by your cover?
I have three nipples, in school I failed english, once I did something that I am pretty sure is a crime with a laser, I fell of a mountain, I've rolled a car, I am allowed to operate one type of aircraft, I have the worlds' coolest sounding illness, I'm scared of cassowary's, and I've met way more rockstars that I deserve to. Other than that, I'm an open book, written by an idiot, and illustrated with crayons.
