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# Get to know PPP: Achariya
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/get-to-know-ppp-achariya/
- Published: 2015-07-14T13:00:03.000Z
- Updated: 2015-07-14T13:00:03.000Z
- Description: With so many new faces here at Pension Plan Puppets, we're going to use the off-season to introduce ourselves.
- Author: Achariya
- Tags: #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:01

Once upon a time, Scott Wheeler wrote an [article about Sean Burke](http://scottcwheeler.com/2015/04/19/on-sean-burke-hockey-domestic-violence-and-privilege/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) and interviewed me for it. I thought I'd use his interview questions to introduce myself.

##### Tell me about your heritage/childhood/background/how (or what) you got into hockey

I'm probably not the most typical hockey fan. My dad was in Vietnam, so I was born in Bangkok (my mom is Thai and my dad is Caucasian-American). I grew up in various places, but mostly Hawaii.

![](http://gtf.org/tanya/emote/baby_mommy.jpg)

I got into hockey when I started graduate school in Boston at age 22, in 1995 -- not because of the [Bruins](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/boston-bruins?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), but because of [Paul Kariya](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/55132/paul-kariya?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), another half-Asian player. I followed his career with the Mighty [Ducks](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) until he left it in the early 2000s. Then I took a long break from hockey because I was worried about player safety.

When I moved to Florida in 2011, I started to follow hockey again, specifically [Tampa](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/tampa-bay-lightning?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com). I was drawn in by Steve Yzerman because I remembered how he played in the 90s, and was excited to see how he GMed. Turns out he GMs pretty well.

##### What does it mean to you to be a hockey fan?

To me, being a fan means that I am unable to NOT follow hockey every day, immerse myself in the media, write about it, listen to it, watch it, and feel absolute joy when I get to discuss it. It's the most beautiful sport I've ever seen, graceful and dangerous and difficult, and I'm helplessly addicted to it.

I admire PPP and SB Nation's hockey communities in particular because they recently helped a group of women (including me) [write and publish an article about sexism](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/too-frequently-asked-questions-about-sexism-and-the-nhl/). Change is slow, but it's happening.

![](http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz5cng6vd61r11s4xo1_500.gif)

##### What do you do for PPP?

I am your extra-special dedicated ECHL affiliate correspondent!

- I write this section of [game reviews and news about the Solar Bears](http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/orlando-solar-bears)!
- I also help write the FTBs and game recaps, and was kindly allowed to bring my Tampa homer perspective to this year's playoff games. Along with Katie Flynn and Phylliskessel, I write such articles as [Rule 63 and NHL media coverage](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/rule-63-and-nhl-media-coverage/).
- Most recently, SB Nation sent me to the draft, and I wrote about the [NHL Draft and rituals of manhood](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/the-nhl-draft-and-rituals-of-manhood/). In other news of the weird, I wrote [What if Marek vs. Wyshynski covered ballet instead of hockey](http://www.battleofcali.com/2015/7/10/8928809/what-if-marek-vs-wyshynski-covered-ballet-instead-of-hockey?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)?
- I have been known to moonlight on other sites, if they need me. I helped the [Blackhawks](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/chicago-blackhawks?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) navigate [Amalie Arena policies: Fact vs. fiction](http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2015/6/2/8701869/amalie-arena-policies-jerseys-tickets-blackhawks-lightning-2015-stanley-cup-final?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), and helped write [Battle of Cali's game preview for Tampa](http://www.battleofcali.com/2015/2/18/8048455/ducks-gameday-guest-post-by-achariya?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com).

I adore PPP for the discussions that range everywhere, for people's ruthless adoption of fancy stats as a way to describe players, for Toronto's liberal culture, and...well...for the Leafs. I can't help but like this team, especially as it starts its slow and inevitable growth toward becoming a fierce contender.