About Myself

Philosophy and Soapbox

My name is Ryan O'Connell and I am a student of History, and as such, I see the

world a little bit differently than most people do. I became a student of History as a result of my travels across the United States and active involvement in Civil War Living History where I have been active for over 18 years. Most of my weekends are spent saving the Union from almost certain peril. Faro is actually kind of a side thing. That's me with the flag on the right, by the way. Living History is the best way to reach an audience into embracing history. History comes alive when you put yourself into it. It's not about maps and black-and-white photos of frumpy bearded men anymore.

Unfortunately, it attracts those who wish to escape their reality. I am tired of the lords, knights, generals, and dandies. Not everybody in history was a somebody. When people reenact this time period, the 2000's (and I don't know why but someone will), will they all be wearing Hugo Boss suits, Rolex watches, and portraying CEO's of multi-billion dollar enterprises? Psh! If they want to be a representative of this time period they should be wearing jeans. So to I apply this logic to the time periods past. In my 19th century personas I am a nobody, a vital slice of the heart-blood of everyone. I am distinctive and yet nondescript. History is lived by the everyday work-a-day people and I want to portray that. As you will note about my dress I don't wear nice brocade or wear a dapper suit with an accenting hat. My image is rather the opposite and is designed in such a way as to elicit a one word response from one glance at me...

...Dodgy...

Thank you because that's the look I am after. Some poor mick who wants to make some money running a snap faro table. Aside from my mean appearance, I rather fancy m'self a nice fella.

More about me

I first got started in faro a few years ago when my friend, Keith Deluca, introduced myself into it at a reenactment. He was sketchy on the details and we hammered it out as we played. And as we played I got pretty good at it. Then when we were playing later on that day I was accused of cheating. I'm not a cheater and despite what I look like I'm a true born straight shooter. So when I protested one of my other friends, the one who accuses me, Mike "Shane" Padden , pulled a derringer on me. Reports indicated that my eyes got as big as supper plates. But I had seen that Derringer before, it belonged to Keith's fiancée. Shane also had a huge smile on his face. So we played with it. He "shot" me and in his escape he was "shot" by our Provost and we were both dragged behind the tents to emerge some time later after the crowds left. We Civil War bunch are a strange lot. I'm sure the SASS folks reading this would be more shocked about that than I was. We only use powder. But that kinda sealed the deal with me and Faro. My first table was made on the back of a rubberized piece of canvas used as a rain poncho, also painted on it was a Chuck-a-luck table featured above. Since then I've searched the internet for more information and most of the links are places I've been going to for a while now. A good number of them have disappeared and I sorry to see them go. Mark 'Evil Swede' has been a tremendous help in patiently answering my questions and handing out pointers. Thanks!

About the Website

I learned how to go some webs design from a class I took at the university during my undergrad days, where this website was the result of a project. This site was set to launch back in 2006 but I put it on the back burner for a while and years passed. Then one day I got the itch to work on it again and with the help of my friend, the day finally arrived when I revealed it to the world in 2013. However, the hosting service I was using fell apart and so the site lay in internet limbo until I was able to get enough time to be able to find a way back!

Aside from my history and gaming obsessions

But more about me. I like to read, play tin whistle, play cigar box guitar, and the

bodhran, find new and exciting things on the internet, spend time cooking with my wife (who tolerates my crazy existence), and play tag with my son. I have received my Master's Degree in History from California State University Fullerton and I happily and gainfully employed. I also write a blog on historical interpretation and you hope you take the time and read it through.

~Ryan O'Connell 12/9/2016

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