Is it a good idea to open up to "who you are?"

I was having an email conversation chat with one of the core members here (who I respect highly) a few days ago. We were discussing an issue involving another regular member in the group. I had a certain opinion about this person which changed drastically when I was told his background (where he was coming from...what he did in his life and what he experienced to form who he is today). I still have the same opinion, but, now......I'm more understanding, more tolerant, less judgmental, and less sensitive to our interaction. It was quite a lesson for me. Learning to look beyond the surface!

I've thought about this many times over the years. How so many people play their cards close to their chest when it comes to their personal lives. And how different you would (and could) talk to them once you know their background. How they got to be who they are today!

In this group (or any group you're in), I think it would go a long way if we understood what each one of us is about. Example. I’m sure Steve doesn’t mind me using him as a positive example. I never understand Steve’s role as a pianist. It’s only through his many posts that I learned he plays professionally. Gary, thankfully, is an open book. When he says (or plays) something, you understand it better because you “understand” what he did with his life. (and I admire him for the diverse life he chose to lead).

In short, you learn about people in bits and pieces.. Why not learn about people in one go, again, so you understand them better when they post something.

Leading up to......I think Nigel might consider a member’s section that anyone who wants to can tell their life story. I, myself, would really like to read the background of many of you as I find you all interesting people in many different ways. At the very least, you could maybe just do a regular post telling about yourself.

This all stems from that email conversation I mentioned I had a few days ago. Been thinking about it for a while now.

Any of you would like to tell your own life story, knowing we'll probably understand your posts better if we knew how you got to be who you are today?

The Bar is available for general discussion. Or people can PM if they don't want to discuss publicly.

Since i don’t visit the bar area, i will answer your questions here..

I am one of the few people here that doesn’t comsider himself to be a musician..

I started playing Organ at the age of 10..
But never really very serious..

When i finished high school (havo in dutch) i joined the Navy as a radar electronics engineer. In that time i also played in 2 navy ships bands.. i did quite a few gigs on the ship and even in quite a few foreign harbors.. severe stage fever was my part, and thats why i only dared to enter the stage under the influence of quite a lot of alcohol.. nevertheless it was a lot of fun..

After that i got transfered to the caribean with my fammily ( i got married quite young) and somehow i never touched a keyboard from there for like 20 years, spending time with the fammily and making career in the Navy as a self build ICT networks engineer.. i did a lot of sailing in those years.. all around the world.

About 10 years ago, i landed ashore and enjoyed a job as ICT instructor. Which i really enjoyed.. its also when i picked up keyboards again, and started making music again.. about 5 years ago we lost our only daughter due to braincancer after being sick for almost 2 years. Still miss her a lot, but it was also when we realised we should spend more time doing things we like, instead of living for our careers.. i started piano lessons, and my wife quit her job and started painting(she is also the best cook i know).. we also travel a lot and try to enjoy life whenever possible.. we own that to our daughter, that never had the chance to do so.. i still work for the dutch navy as a projects engineer..


Where it comes to making music, i still don’t know what i think is more important, improving my musical skills, or just enjoying making music... i have a fettish for musical gear. From every new interesting keyboard, i download the manual and read it.. also from my owned keyboards and software, i try to figure out the depths and how it works..


I hope this helps, understanding who i am...

Interesting topic! I don't have the foggiest notion about exactly who I am! Hopefully, all will be revealed at "check out time" when I'm told to take either the "Up Elevator"... or the other one! LOL!

I think Mark's post is extremely insightful; well thought out and worth serious discussion.

I'm heavy into graphics, and I have come to the conclusion that much of the interpersonal communication today; particularly that conducted via social media, is "black and white". The significance and life affirming details are in the "greys or in the vast palate of colors you really have to search for.

Mark brought my arrogant old A** down a notch or two (man, THAT was needed)and I'm looking forward to a personal visit someday.

Be well, all, and LISTEN and look for the real meaning in what others say and do, like Mark has.

That is something to be admired.

Russ

Nigel, I think that would be defeating the purpose right off the bat. The Bar is fine for everyday general misc posting. I'm thinking in terms of a dedicated location on the site where you can post your personal resume. And in this format:

------------------------------------------------------------

Member ABC
Senior Member

Registered: June 6, 2012
Posts: 800
Loc: USA

(link) interested in reading about (member ABC)?

------------------------------------------------------------

This link then leads to the dedicated “revelation room” where members have posted a few paragraphs about themselves. I, myself, would find that very useful in understanding a post more by understanding the “poster” more.

New Synthzone lexicon: OAS (only a suggestion)! .

Russ.....I’ve got to hand it to you. You could have been an Ernest Hemingway had you not gone the musical route. I love the way you said that. Instead of an explanation, you painted a picture.....of the benefits of seeing and understanding there’s more to vision than what you physically see in front of you.

I love words and how they’re used to convey information. And I admire people who use them to express themselves poetically. You said that better than Damon Runyon even. That paragraph is going right into my “Book of Quotes.”






Mark being confused.

Russ......I never noticed you were arrogant. But don’t explain that one to me because I might then start thinking you’re.....arrogant!

Your friend,

Mark

Mark, my biggest source of income is copy writing. I was head writer for one of the largest electrical manufacturers in the world for over 35 years, and, now, my production company produces over $25 million in collateral materials (films, brochures, annual reports, film scores, packaging,P.O.S. material, social media pages, etc.)annually. I have over 5,000 writing credits for clients including IBM, the US Air Force, UPS, Ford Motor, Toyota and many others. I write all copy and do organizational layouts. I am known by my clients as the BWANA of BULLS***.

Words and serious expression means a great deal to me.

Plus, it pays up to $250.00 per hour....$750.00 per page (LOL)

My problem is, I have never been able to chose between music, copy, film production, design, research or academics. That's why I work 110 hours per week. Luckily, many times these elements are all combined in various projects.

A recent heart incident tells me something has to give. Problem is, lots of people count on me and won't work if I don't initiate the content and elements.

But I look at that as a GOOD problem....working a lifetime in related fields (lots of original music tracks on all my video productions...lots of photography in my print projects....teaching at the University level anytime I want to, etc.). Plus, other than every single cute young lady I could find in my MUCH YOUNGER days, I NEVER took advantage of anyone, and have turned down big bucks for projects that would not succeed, and cost the originator a lot...sometimes, everything they have.

A treasured list of friends, now including you, make for a satisfying, multi-interest life.

Now, if I could just watch my "smart mouth"....!


Be well,

Russ (BWANA) Lay

Russ ... THAT is the most important thing I read in your post ... You've got some hard thinking to do, but you have GOT TO cut something out ...

I already told him that. He is too stubborn to listen. Wait until they have to shock you Russ. THAT will get your attention!

OUCH!

R.

Russ... or should I say "Bwana?" LOL!

Pick one or two you enjoy the most... and let the rest begin that long slide into infinity. As humans, choices are often difficult.

All the best, ----Dave

Russ- We are all replaceable, not the only apples in the basket. Frankly, clients and vendors will survive whether you jettison them, retire, or checkout..

The question is which do you want to happen first, while you still have control of the decision?

My Mother waited to long to have her stomach pain checked. She died a year after. My Dad had prostrate problem, the Doctors used radiation, they had it under control. He was told to have it checked in one year – he did not. He died shortly after. I lost my wife to cancer in 1994. After they found a dark mass she was told to go for a checkup – she waited to long. After hearing the bad news her words were, “You mean I’m a gonna”. (NY slang)

Included in my health plan I have primary doctor; His job is to OK my request to visit a specialist. When I find that he is hesitating I fire him. Fire him is the term that my friend uses – 20 years ago he was told that he had 10% chance to live. So he fired him and he is still with us today.

I do not live in fear, but I will not play the game of denying what might be, the odds are too high.

Russ, I’m your senior, listen (Smile) --- you are a precious human being.

John C.

I've been trying (unsuccessfully), to convince the Captain to take some time to smell the roses before those roses are being placed on his casket. Of course, that's like the pot calling the kettle black - I worked until health issues forced me to retire at age 75. When I left the profession of being a musical entertainer, I left kicking and screaming. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has a way of kicking us squarely in the nuts when it comes to heal problems.

With luck, I hope to take Captain Russ sailing when warmer weather returns to the mid-Atlantic region. Russ is among my many Synthzone heroes that I have yet to meet in person. But, when we do, I'm confident we will hit it off just fine.

Good luck,

Gary

My question to Russ would NOT be "why don't you take time off to smell the roses?" It would be: "What's the reason you work so much?"

I can empathize with him. I do the same thing. Only difference between he and I is probably $100K-$200K a year vs my mere annual pittance!

Mark, I think it's because I only do things I love. I graduated as an accountant nd hated it. Now, music leads to recordings.
Recordings lead to film scores. Film scores lead to video production. Video production merged into script writing, which lead to associated print and social media work. Keeping up academically lead to communication research, teaching and on and on.

I don't want to drop anything, and my son, who will inherit the business is a technician, and a very good one, but not a creative. He is a sound engineer, video editor and photographer (product).

I do all the prep....copy, photos, scripting, music writing and performing.

The agent I work with in Atlanta is a very dear friend who rely s on me for things like strategic planning, budgeting,all packaging, brochuring, film, social media, etc.

They both rely on me completely and would be hard pressed to even know where to look for a replacement.

This is what I want to do. Cutting back is hard. "Don't tell me about the labor pains, show me the baby", is the mantra for this kind of work. You're all in, deadlines and long hours....the whole ball game.

Thanks for the concern. I'm working on it.


R.

Russ, I think we both know that you will die with your boots on, in full gear. Hoping it's not for another 20 years or so. As good as you are, they will find someone to take your place, as they will for us all.
You love what you're doing, so why stop?