20 (or so) questions on how Charles Ek works

This series of posts was inspired by Lifehacker’s How I Work series, which I’ve been reading for quite some time and thoroughly enjoy. It’s about time we discover how our colleagues work and get to know them a little better.

If you want to participate in this fun series, email us at info@linguagreca.com for the Word template where you can fill in your answers & bio (incl. site/blog/social media) and then send it back to us as an attachment along with your photo (optional but preferred). If you don’t like any of the questions, just delete them and add your own. Check out the previous interviews here.

Location: Milton, New Hampshire, USA
Desired location: Puget Sound, Washington, USA
Current work title: Freelance translator of the Scandinavian languages to English
Desired work title: Freelance translator of the Scandinavian languages to English
Languages you have studied or currently speak: English (native speaker), Norwegian (speak and write), Danish (read), Swedish (read) and Spanish (speak and write)
The project you’re most proud of: Translation of texts for Danish National Archives website “The West Indies – Sources of history”
Your current computer setup: iMac (27 inch); MacBook Pro; Mac Mini
Do you own a smartphone? iPhone 6 Plus
Favorite time of the day: Early morning in the woods during the middle of the week
Favorite gadget (apart from computer & smartphone): Silva Ranger compass
Next conference/event you’re planning to attend: None
How many hours per day do you usually work: 9, occasionally 12 or more!
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Extrovert, according to my introverted wife
Are you an early-riser or a night-owl? Both, as needed
What do you listen to while you work? Classical music

And a few non-work related questions to get more personal.
Your babies or pets, incl. names and ages: Two dogs, Border Terrier “Trace” (11) and Belgian Malinois “Dylan” (1) (actually my wife’s dogs, but I’m home with them all day)
Next city/country you want to visit: Greenland
Favorite vacation place: Alaska (used to live there)
Favorite book: Anything by William Faulkner
Favorite song: “Drift Away” as sung by Dobie Gray
What are you currently reading? “Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology”

Author bio

Charles Ek, CXTranslations.com: My family roots are in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. My father’s mother emigrated from Norway, my father’s father was born of Swedish parents, and my mother’s parents emigrated from Finland. I have a B.A. in Scandinavian Languages and Geography and a J.D., both from the University of Minnesota. I taught Norwegian for one year at the University while a student and for several years as an adult education instructor in local schools.

I worked for several years as a commercial insurance underwriter and then as a corporate risk manager. I practiced law for five years in employment law, environmental law, and criminal defense. Before becoming a freelance translator in 2009, I was the executive director of a nonprofit organization providing environmental education, environmental service learning, and outdoor recreation programs to local schools. Like many Norwegians, Swedes, and Finns, I have a strong interest in outdoor pursuits. I was a search-and-rescue dog handler for seventeen years, and I am a lifelong Nordic skier, canoeist, and backpacker.