Even though I had this view of life histories before really getting in to the interview process, I learned a lot about how the interview is an encounter .  It is not just about the person being interviewed, but its about the interviewer too.  How I asked the questions and when affected Bill's answers.  Also, the fact that I did not know Bill before I started this project, affected the interview as well.  He in fact tuned the interview around at one point and started asking me questions.  (see second interview)  Then my decisions about how to edit the interview could totally change how he is perceived by someone who was not there to hear him speak. 

     So really I discovered that an "individual" is different depending on who they are talking to, the situation, and their background (how they were brought up to express themselves).  So not only are we all different in our experiences, we are different in our expression of ourselves.  Then, the "individual" that is presented to you here is also my interpretation of his demeanor and words he showed to me.  (Confusing, no?) Context becomes extremely important for these interviews. 

     I am an extremely shy person, and that reflects in my interviewing style and how I chose to ask the questions (in fact I am so shy about asking the questions, often you can't even hear my voice on the tape I am speaking so softly).  Bill did not seem reserved, but I believe that since he did not know me before the interview, that affected what he decided to reveal to me. 

     All in all it was a difficult, nerve-wracking experience, especially the transcribing of the interview tapes.  But by far the most rewarding part was actually talking to Bill and laughing with him on many occasions.