what else do you guys do?

[Jace-BeOS]

eh...Jace...well, you got the nail there with that comment!!

If it was not for the PSW work I fell into which got me into doing QA for a health care agency I might be doing the blubber business what with all the issues I've had...heart arrhythmia, so far, three cancer episodes, diabetes, several broken bones from skiing accidents, a mind that meanders the countryside...eeek..and 57 years of this...mmmmmm

Wow! Full life

Arrhythmia is a weird thing. I get palpitations. When I was on Effexor I had a decent arrhythmia too. I forgot about that till reading your post.

I'm glad you're all still with us, folks!

Neat thread

[IncarnateX]

Okay then. Male 44 years old. Married and has two daughters who are 6 years and 2 1/2 years old respectively.

When I am not making electronic music or trolling at KVR, I am an associate professer in psychology within the field of special needs education. Currently I am working with 7-11 year old children who have been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. I am trying to give these kids their own voice in an otherwise very heatened academic and political debate about the reality their diagnoses; whether it is real or a stigma. Thus I examine how the diagnosis influence on their identity formation, self-esteem and motivation for participating in learning activities in public schools in contrast to special schools, that is, whether we give these kids the potential to participate in society on equal terms as everyone else.

I got my first synth in the age of 14 but gave up being a "pro" when I wasn't world famous yet in the age of 22. Since then electronic music has been a hobby, but indeed a beloved one. I just wish I could be motivated to make music for others than myself, even at a hobby basis. I have for instance 4 tunes that I finished half a year ago that I can not even arse myself together to upload to my soundcloud account. Hope I will take the time to do this during the summer though.

Cheers

[ariston]

41 (egad), married, and a son who's 12 weeks old. I've been married before, and although it was a really happy marriage, it went kabloom over the kids issue (back then, I didn't want any; don't know what got into me - typical modern immature male, probably).

I'm a psychologist with an extended vocational training in systemic therapy. I work in a student counselling centre in a mid-size southern German city. I kind of got stuck there after doing an internship and writing my thesis. It's a wonderful job, because I would never dream of working in the German health care system, which is full of crap, meddling bureaucrats, stifling regulations and social injustice.
My colleagues and I can basically decide how we want to work; we do long-term and short-term therapy, pure counselling, group sessions, hold talks on prurient subjects, work with the university and its staff.... it never gets boring. In addition, we all come from different therapeutic backgrounds, and there's a lot of exchange and some friendly competitiveness to keep us on our toes. Aside from the money, which could be a bit better, I wouldn't exchange this job for anything.

I've been playing piano since the age of six, writing music since about 17. I've been involved with various musical projects over the years, never anything truly professional though. I never had the guts to try and make it in music, I gotta admit. I've made my peace with that, though, and hugely enjoy being able to use modern technology to create entire musical worlds in the box. I play some guitar, bass, percussion and drums as well now, not good enough to impress anyone, but good enough to be able to record myself. I've gone from rock/singer-songwriter stuff to electronic music, although this has begun to feel a little constraining. Occasionally, some of this stuff gets heard, and if there's even one person out there who gets some enjoyment out of what I've done, I'm happy enough.

Other than music, I love long distance running, Basketball, cooking (which is almost like making music), reading tons of books, chewing the fat with my friends, and, lately, I've been meddling in Buddhism (the philosophical, meditative, and practical every-day Buddhism, not the religious one). I also watch more films and series than is good for me. Oh yeah, and sex is definitely a hobby.

I like discussions, and I have this annoying habit of arguing the other way when people are seemingly too sure of themselves. Makes things more interesting, but also gets things a bit heated sometimes. No bans yet, though.

[kelvyn]

Wow! Thanks to the OP for starting this thread... It's so nice to meet all of you great people:)

I just turned 60 two days ago and I'm still trying to get my head around that number

Born in South London. England with a South African heritage (one of the diaspora i suppose) I've been making music since I was sixteen playing in various bands at the age of twenty the band I was in got signed to Rod Stewarts label RIVA which completely kick started my life in music... spent a few years touring and recording with a band from New York. Recorded an album with them in Frankfurt. Germany (long story) toured Europe and ended up staying in Hamburg (love) where I did a solo album/singles for Polydor records. None of the records I made were successful but I had a ton of fun and amazing experiences through those years. In 1984 I decided I didn't want to work with record companies anymore and through my then girlfriend got introduced to the world of advertising... jingles/sound design/sound logos. A different world but I got my head around it and with the help of a very good musician friend started up a company together. These were also very exciting times and we were pretty successful. In 1993 I met the person who was to become my wife (19 years now and still going strong) and we moved to Amsterdam where I started my own company making advertising music. It was the first time I had ever taken on the role as all round composer/musician (I am not the best player/producer/composer) but I lucked out and the company did very well. so well in fact that after 10 years of being in the studio sixteen hours a day every day... I got a major burn out. I couldn't work for two years and had completely lost the ability to make music. I couldn't remember how to compose or arrange. It took around four years to drag myself out of a depression and get going again. Since then things are growing and although I don't do as much advertising work I still do some and do get the occasional film trac. I'm very involved with projects... I have always been interested in contemporary music and have always made sure that (despite the commercial work) that I was doing something creative on the side with other musicians/singers. So I have been involved with all sort of projects from pop to trip hop and drum and bass... no dubstep as I get dizzy when listening to all that wobbly bass stuff. Also had some stuff released recently and have started a live show with one of the projects.

These days I also work a a creative consultant for a graphic design company and as a life coach (not to be confused with guard).

So! In a nutshell... Been married to a wonderful person for 19 years, live in Amsterdam and work a lot in Berlin writing and producing with some very talented young people. And as long as life is creative and people are open life is grand:)

Much love to all of you...

PS. I also like a good discussion and playing the devils advocate.

[zerocrossing]

I got my first synth in the age of 14 but gave up being a "pro" when I wasn't world famous yet in the age of 22. Since then electronic music has been a hobby, but indeed a beloved one. I just wish I could be motivated to make music for others than myself, even at a hobby basis. I have for instance 4 tunes that I finished half a year ago that I can not even arse myself together to upload to my soundcloud account. Hope I will take the time to do this during the summer though.

Cheers

Heh, this sounds a lot like me, although I plugged away stupidly until 32 or so. The odd thing was the closer I got to my dream (which wasn't very close) of being a professional musician, the more I hated it, yet I was so fixated on "making it" I ignored it. I figured it was "dues" that I had to pay. I remember at one point I just thought, "I hate travel... how the hell will I succeed in a touring band?" When our drummer quit because he was offered a paying gig in a country band I threw in the towel. I've never enjoyed music more!

[fedexnman]

36 male
Delivery courier 10-12hrs a day
married, 2 grandkids
love to BBQ

I watch too much TV , like to xbox360 with the grand kids we like to play BLUR its like mario cart but with grown up cars, I BBQ every sunday. I dont finish my music and dont write lyrics as much as i should , but still enjoy noodling around. Need to work on that one !! My main instrument is an acoustic guitar , but I have added bass and electric guitar , drum samples, and recently ableton live8 suite for its AAS synth stuff , which im really enjoying messin around with at the moment . Between working a busy schedule and life in general , I find myself making poor excuses for not finishing song ideas , but its still fun making unfinished music .

[optofonik]

Male
49
Divorced
La Crescenta, CA (foothills above Los Angeles)
I like long walks and... oh, sorry, wrong website.


Microphone boom operator, motorcyclist, volunteer fire lookout, avid movie fan, camper, hiker, wannabe photographer, occasional vagabond.

• Whilst learning to about production sound I worked as a music supervisor for a small production company in Atlanta. I grew to appreciate being on set more and pursued boom operating in earnest. I eventually moved to LA a couple of years before the writers strike. Great timing, I know.
  
  Been riding street bikes since high school and never stopped.
  
  Started volunteering with the forest service as a fire lookout in the Angeles National Forest a few years ago during the aforementioned writer's strike.
  
  I watch a lot of movies but try to avoid dramas - too much of it in the real world to spend time watching it being faked, even by great actors.
  
  I motorcycle camp in areas where there are hiking and/or good photo opportunities. I try to be as aimless and whimsical as possible about my destinations when I go scooter tramping about the west.
  
  Musical tastes run the gamut: Stockhausen, Budd, Partch, Glass, Reich, Stephin Merritt, Robyn Hitchcock, Dan the Automator, FSoL, Decemberists, DCD, Screeching Weasel, Minitry (great show at Club Nokia last Thursday), Rob Zombie, REM, Connells, Apples in Stereo, GBV, Stereolab, too much, really, etc.

I recently realized that I stopped auditioning new music to others a long time ago. Some of the old stuff is still online at the old dancetech.com site (Kilo changed the name years ago); there's a link floating around somewhere. Maybe again, someday, but for now it's an occasional harmonious diversion in an occasionally discordant world.

[rcat]

I just turned 60 two days ago and I'm still trying to get my head around that number

I tried not to let turning 60 bother me too much, but it has a way of creeping into the brain pan. What really shocked me was the sudden death of my best friend last Monday. He was 10 yrs. younger than me, and an accomplished singer/songwriter of country-western music. He also had a successful business as as a family and marriage counsellor. He was, for all intents, healthy, robust and had a positive outlook on life. He died in his sleep, which, I guess is the best way to go if you have to. We're all in shock here (especially his wife of 23 yrs.), and waiting on the autopsy report.
I've always been keenly aware of my mortality, but this brings it right to the forefront. I've always been "Woody Allen" about death, if you know what I mean. My wife claims to not be afraid of death at all, in fact she says she's comfortable knowing it is all part of the process of existence, and even looks forward to it. We're both agnostics, by the way. I know I'm in serious need of mental adjustment, but I'm the type of person who could never buy into any faith-based philosophy. So I'm doomed to searching endlessly for answers. So armed with my "papas little helper" the SSRI Lexipro, I'll keep on boogyin' down Broadway and makin' music.

[optofonik]

I tried not to let turning 60 bother me too much, but it has a way of creeping into the brain pan. What really shocked me was the sudden death of my best friend last Monday. He was 10 yrs. younger than me, and an accomplished singer/songwriter of country-western music. He also had a successful business as as a family and marriage counsellor. He was, for all intents, healthy, robust and had a positive outlook on life. He died in his sleep, which, I guess is the best way to go if you have to. We're all in shock here (especially his wife of 23 yrs.), and waiting on the autopsy report.
I've always been keenly aware of my mortality, but this brings it right to the forefront. I've always been "Woody Allen" about death, if you know what I mean. My wife claims to not be afraid of death at all, in fact she says she's comfortable knowing it is all part of the process of existence, and even looks forward to it. We're both agnostics, by the way. I know I'm in serious need of mental adjustment, but I'm the type of person who could never buy into any faith-based philosophy. So I'm doomed to searching endlessly for answers. So armed with my "papas little helper" the SSRI Lexipro, I'll keep on boogyin' down Broadway and makin' music.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I've begun to think of death as a sort of returning to a natural state. I know you stated you're agnostic (as opposed to atheist) but a term I've often heard used among church folk that I find to be an interesting analogy (and somewhat encouraging) is "going home" and it has begun to resonate with me the closer to "home" my friends and I get.

[ghettosynth]

...

[Bronto Scorpio]

Great thread!

I wish I could tell an interesting story but there really isn't much to tell

I'm 24, male, live in germany and I'm currently unemployed (which sucks...a lot).

I was a very happy child which always wanted to know everything and loved to play in the woods with my many friends (Our house was near a wood). I always wanted to know everything about nature, plants, animals and so on. I even had my own garden and stuff

I also loved it when my father played on his keyboard! I guess that's were my love for music comes from. He loved music and always talked about it to me. We spend hours in front of the PC with our awesome new 28k modem to download MIDIs. I always found it amazing how he could listen to the birds and play their melodies on the keyboard. He was one of the most talented guys I ever met.
We used to play a game were songs came on the radio and I had to guess from which year they were
I was really good at it

When I was 6 or 7 I got my first music software "Magix Music Maker"
From that on I spend every free minute I didn't spend in the woods on music. I was always more fascinated about the sound than the melodies. I spend hours trying new things with the few samples that came with music maker

When I was 10 my father died and everything changed. I never really made new friends and didn't really meet my old ones anymore. I also never really played in the woods again.
Music quickly became an obsession. I often didn't go to school to make music instead.

In my teen years I screwed everything up. I didn't care about school (or anything else) anymore. All the teachers, my mother and all the other people always told me how dumb I am. They said I would be really smart and could do so much more. I hated it when they said that.

Today I know what they were talking about. I have little chances getting a new job because I screwed up school. If I could go back in time I would seriously kick younger Dennis ass.

Luckily I got the most awesome job ever because some people were way too good to me. I worked in a sheltered workshop for mentaly and physically retarded people.
I brought them their food, played memory with them, explained them the stuff they needed to know, went swimming with them and so on.

Sadly I lost this job ~5 months ago.

Now I'm considering to start my own business to sell samples/presets etc.
I'm not good at many things but I guess I have a good ear for sounds.
Music and my girlfriend (since ~5 years) are still the only things that really matter to me. And I don't say that as a bad thing!

Other random facts:

I don't like to be in places with a lot of people and rarely talk to anyone.

I look like a dead zombie! I'm as white as the whitest thing ever
One summer I was always in the sun to try to get rid of it. No luck!
I also sleep only ~4 hours a day or something. And I can eat as much as I want (and I do!) I simply can't gain weight.
I'm stuck at ~63kg (I'm ~1,80cm in size).

My doc says that's all just related to my high metabolic rate. That's not a problem or anything! But I thought I should tell it since it's usually the first thing people notice about me. When I met new people the first scentence is always "You should go to bed.....you look ill!" or they assume I'm on drugs

That should be enough
I don't even know why we write stuff like that down here! We are just some anonymous internet people! Shouldn't we go back and praise Reaper and Diva instead?

I usually avoid to write long posts since I fear that they won't be understandable because of my bad english. I hope it's OK this time

Cheers
Dennis

[Jace-BeOS]

Your English is much better than many native speakers'

[trimph1]

Your English is much better than many native speakers'

Definitely is good!!

[an-electric-heart]

I'm 30, I practice Muay Thai and MMA five days a week, compete in marathons (when I can be bothered), I'm into art, photography, film and design (I studied these things), work full time in retail, don't own a T.V and sleep about 5 hours a night to fit it all in.

[trimph1]

This thing I used to race way back when....