It’s Monday, which means we are introducing you to yet another one of our wonderful employees here at Paddington Station! Meet Marshall Christian, who has worked with us for almost two years, and who you’ve likely seen at the front register cracking jokes and brightening up the place.
- Where did you grow up?
I was born in Orange County, California but moved around several times, including a stint in South America (more about that below!) My earliest memories were in Hinsdale, Illinois, which is just outside of Chicago. We moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana for my first few years of school and then back to the West coast when I was in third grade, where the majority of my childhood was spent in Bakersfield, California. - What is something about you that would surprise people?
When I was very young, my dad went to medical school on an island called Dominica, which is off the coast of South America. Our family lived in a shack in the middle of the jungle, complete with a plethora of deadly insects and the occasional military helicopter! Fun fact about living there- when you got a pizza delivered in that place, they asked for the box back. - What is the best meal you ever had?
I really like my mom’s spaghetti. She insists that it isn’t some special, secret recipe but it’s absolutely delicious. I would love to be able to make it but I’m pretty inept in the kitchen! - What is your favorite time of year?
Fall, absolutely. I like the cold because I like to wear heavier clothing that conceals the fact that I have limbs. Also, the colors are amazing up here! - Where is your favorite spot in Ashland?
I live right in the middle of downtown and love that I can just walk to work. I go to Martolli’s all the time and eat way too much pizza! - What are some of your hobbies?
I play a lot of video games, way too many video games! I’ve also done some model painting, but I like to keep it simple. - Tell me about your favorite pet you’ve ever had.
I’m a cat person and when there is a cat I just fall to my knees and start making wheezing noises. Not allergic, I just like cats! My cat Sophie (pictured here) was the best cat of all time, she just passed last Christmas. She was a little priss, had bright green eyes, and was convinced that she knew better than everybody. - Who has been the most influential person in your life?
I feel like I pull from a lot of different places. I think I’ll go with Bill Waterson, the author and illustrator of Calvin and Hobbes. When I was very young, I read Calvin and Hobbes every morning and I think it informed a lot of my personal philosophy and also how I speak. My vocabulary models Calvin’s propensity for using large words without checking what they mean first! - What is a mantra you like to live by?
When my dad was in medical school, one of his teachers told him, “All bleeding stops,” which is a very dark joke that they would tell each other. I’ve found that it’s applicable to a lot of stressors in my life and helps me contextualize them. - What is your favorite thing about working at Paddington Station?
A lot of the jobs that I’ve worked for have been large businesses. The thing I like about Paddington Station is that it’s about as small of a business as you can get while also still having the confidence that it’s going to stick around. When I first started working here, I felt that difference right away.
