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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
 Posted - 03/18/2007 : 09:54:51 AM
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Mark, don't believe for a minute that you're not good enough.
You are more than adequate
(Actually, Mark is one of my favorites.) |
Dusty |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2007 : 10:24:33 AM
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Mark - believe you me, your music touches people. If it would touch them in the pocket book, that would be mo bettah.
As far as I am concerned, anyone who is brave enough and confident enough in themselves and their skills to play in front of strangers, is certainly good enough. Anyone who helps, coaches, teaches or shares with others is even mo bettah than good enough. Its you guys who add the sun to a gloomy day, add the rainbow when the rain is finally going away, who put the warm in the room when the snow is blowing outside, and you who put the chicken skin on my arms.
Mahalo. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2007 : 10:30:59 AM
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Hey Mark!
After seeing Dusty's picture, I had to read what you wrote... so then I had to go to your website and see if I might get lucky enough to have you tour down to here... (no such luck); and to see what else you are up to ... But I just hafta ask re: "Mark's going to be doping something..." ummm.... whatchu mean by that? I mean, my dad used to dope airplanes in the old days when he was re-covering them....
Aloha!
n |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2007 : 6:13:34 PM
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| Da buggah is mo' brave dan me! I stay too chicken fo' quit my day job. Ah, the humanities! What truly makes us human and bequeathes wonders to future generations is woefully ignored. More for us akamai folks! |
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Trev
Lokahi
United Kingdom
265 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2007 : 06:57:07 AM
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Mark really hit the nail on the head with his post. Charlie Watts, drummer with the Rolling Stones once said "25 years I've been with this band. It's been five years of playing and twenty years of hanging about!" - and they were successful!
Being 'good enough' to get the gig - there's a whole other topic there I reckon!
I used to have to spend a lot of time away from home when I was younger, due to being in bands. I was in a punk/folk/ska band that split up in 1995, during a 3 month tour of Europe. After doing that, I wasn't particularly keen to repeat the experience, so I decided a day job was the way forward. However, at the time, my country being what it was, day jobs were as plentiful as rocking horse manure. I only knew a couple of people who had 'proper' full time jobs. Then in 97, our Government changed hands and within a year, all of us had jobs.
Where I work is in the UK Immigration department. I deal with applications for work permits.
Things that are good about my day job
1) It pays more (or at least if it doesn't, it pays the same amount each month so I know what's coming in.)
2) I get 25 days holiday a year. With the band, we didn't get 'holidays', only times with no gigs.
3) I know where it is and how to get there. With the band this was often hit and miss.
4) I get to go home every day when I finish. This was a bit of a treat with the band
5) I can actually go and play music every night if I want to. (This is thanks to the excellent local music scene where I live, but the day job helps pay for it).
6) I get to sit in quite a comfortable chair. Not on a wheel arch in the back of a van.
7) I will get a pension when I retire.
8) I get to ride to work on my motorcycle.
9) Hey, I can afford a motorcyle!
10) The bank actually gave me a credit card, so I got to go to the Aloha Music Camp! Wahaaay!
11) I can pay the credit card bills.
Things that are bad about my day job.
1) Everyone hates us. When we refuse an application we are the heartless beaurocrats denying people an opportunity, (or worse, condemning them to returning to a cruel and hard life). When we approve one we are 'too soft', 'letting the country become overrun with foreigners' etc etc. This leads to:-
2)Being harangued by people at parties etc. when they find out what I do. My own sister had a right go at me recently - apparently the war in Iraq is my fault, because I 'work for Tony Blair' (which I don't.)I didn't understand that one. Particularlly as my brother works for the Ministry of Defence and she didn't blame him! Too much gin I expect.
3) I have to show up every morning. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2007 : 08:13:19 AM
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Aloha, Trev. Boy, I sure understand being harangued politcally because of working for the government. I, too, work for the government. I work for the U.S. Department of Defense, as a quality assurance specialist. I go to factories all over northeast Ohio who manufacture complex goods for the Defense Department. I monitor their manufacturing processes like machining, welding, heat treating, plating, etc., and I inspect the product by measuring (micrometers, calipers, coordinate measuring machines, radiography, liquid penetrant, etc) prior to it being shipped to the end user or to a depot.
Interestingly enough, when I was in high school and college, (Viet Nam era), I was about as anti-war as anyone could be. I firmly believed in "What if they gave a war and nobody came?" I did not believe in the draft. I did not believe that a man should be forced to serve against his will. Eventually, though, I grew up. I realized that there would always be wars and there would always be a need for a country to defend itself. And I learned that many times our young men would die because a gun malfunctioned, or a mine would not explode when it should, or they had no "widget" to install on a jeep and couldn't get around. I decided that since I could not prevent wars, that I could prevent our soldiers from getting wounded or worse because some product they relied on did not work as intended. And believe it or not, not every government contractor is honest and forthright. Some actually see having a government contract as a way to riches as opposed to a respectful way to serve their country whilst still making money in an honest way.
Now, though, not one of our soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines is there against his/her will. They made the choice to become a part of the military and the defense of our country.
Needless to say, with the war in Iraq, I get plenty of questions about how could I possibly work for such a president. I tell them I do not work for the president...I work for the 18-year old boy, scared to death away from home in a strange country. I work for his mother...so her son will come home to her. I work for his children, so they will have a father.
I work this job because it is honorable. I work this job because it needs an uncompromising eye to make certain our warfighters have every advantage toward being safe. I do not like wars. I do not like killing. I would love for my job not to be necesssary. But.....some people say I'm a dreamer...but I'm not the only one...........
(And I get most of those perks you talked about --- a good salary every two weeks; a good pension plan...and enough kala to go to Hawai`i once a year, and buy lots of Hawaiian CDs. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
Edited by - wcerto on 03/21/2007 06:36:58 AM |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2007 : 03:35:44 AM
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| Well stated, Wanda. A complex society requires a complex infrastructure. Doing our very best, no matter what the job, promotes our wellbeing as well that of others. But life still seems too much work, not enough sleep and never enough music. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2007 : 10:16:05 AM
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To my friend Jwn: I wholeheartedly agree with all the points you brought up. I am very sorry for forgetting the National Guard. You are right about that. It is my opinion that they signed on to take care of the home front. But they need me to do my job, as well. They use most of the same equipment that the rest of the services use. One never knows when or what they may have to assist with. I remember the May before I started college at Kent State University. I remember.
When I say I grew up, I mean that I finally realized that all idealism aside, war was not going away. There have been wars fought throughout history. Not all have been for noble causes.
Yes, I certainly cannot know how it is to walk in those government issued boots...or to walk point. I can see how it affected my husband and many of my friends. I went with my husband to see the film, "We were Soldiers". Paul was in the 1st Cavalary while in Viet Nam, albeit a few years later than Ia Drang. I was crying. I just could not imagine how he could have come away from something like that and still be the loving, kind man that he is. He was just a baby. I saw the horror shown in that movie, but I still could not experience how he must have felt when he did whatever he had to do...especially for the Bronze Star hanging in the frame on our wall.
I do my job because my baby daughter was in the Army reserves. I was terrified that she would be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Thank heaven she was not. Yes, that is selfish of me because someone else's daughter or son would be there instead of her. I think I felt the way any parent would...don't hurt my baby, never giving much thought to the next mother's child. Very self-centered of me.
We did learn a few things...I don't think anyone is spitting on returning soldiers or calling them baby killers. And a few things we didn't learn. But I am not a tactical expert.
Bottom line is that I do my job as well as I can to keep those in harm's way from further unnecessary harm.
And, even though I am part of the Executive branch of the government, I do not work for the President. He comes and goes every few years. My customers, the warfighters, are always there. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Ianui
Lokahi
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2007 : 12:48:42 PM
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Thanks for making sure the contractors manufacture products according to specs. Paul and all the Vets know whats it like not having proper tools and equipment.
Speaking of proper tools and equipment Someday I hope to have my own proper tools and equipment to play Slack key on like a nice booming Taylor or a Tacoma like Patrick Landeza has. Those high end guys do sound so good. I fake it now with a Stomp Box |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2007 : 5:15:35 PM
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| I used to dream of a Martin, 'till I started hearing Taylors at jam sessions. They really turned my head around. The best sounding guitars I've heard on recordings is those two Grimes Keola Beamer plays. But I can't seem to convince myself to put that kind of money into a single toy. I don't think they sound THAT much better than the Taylors. Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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javeiro
Lokahi
USA
459 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2007 : 6:31:38 PM
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| I've been an architect for just about 40 years now. Like nearly everyone my age, I played in a rock band in high school and partly paid my way through college doing that. I quit playing altogether when raising a family and life's other challenges got more serious. Then about 10 years ago I decided to try slack key because I've always liked it so much. I don't play outside my home much (well, maybe once in a great while) or make any money at it but it gives me great pleasure and is also a terrific way to relax. Besides, my grandkids love to hear it and I'm now teaching one of my grandsons to play. |
Aloha,
John A. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 09:08:16 AM
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Bump - I am bumping this up again because we have so many new additions to our `ohana since this thread was started over a year ago. Lot of new friends, and many things have changed in that year. For instance, I am now retired instead of working for DoD as a quality specialist. I am fortunate to have been able to retire at age 55. Of course, I was also fortunate to have been retired for almost two months when I had heart problems, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and needed bypass surgery. I guess my philosophy should not have been "Pork fat Rules" -- thanks Emeril for getting me in trouble.
Now my days consist of Cardiac Rehab three days a week, scrapbookiing and card making. I've been cookiing great dinners for Paul (low-salt and low-fat, of course). He finally gets to have the little woman keeping house for him and cooking him a nice dinner every day when he gets home from work. After the snow stops flying, I'll probably pick some other things to keep me busy. I'm seriously considering buying a treadmill or some other such torture device to ensure I go from physically pfffft to physically fit.
Anyhow, please, if you have just joined us here in the "Patch" within the past year, please tell us how you make your living or how you support your music habit. And e komo mai. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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javeiro
Lokahi
USA
459 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 10:38:43 AM
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Hey Wanda, I believe I retired the same month you did, though they still call me back every now and then. But it's nice to be collecting social security after paying it all these years!
I forgot to thank you for your work 'cause I was one those guys that you say you worked for. I was with the 101st Airborne Division near the DMZ in Viet Nam. Who knows, Paul and I may have been there around the same time. As an architect in Hawaii our firm designed several buildings for the Department of Defense, not only in Hawaii but in other countries as well. We had another kind of Quality Control Specialist looking over our shoulders all the time to make sure things were done properly. It's an important job! |
Aloha,
John A. |
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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 12:56:04 PM
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Used to farm taro in Waipi'o for nearly 30 years- mostly luau leaf. Worked as a Realtor for a bit once I moved to the mainland while my wife attends medical school, but the market had already turned and I could see the money was coming from owning the homes, not making a commission on selling them. So I decided to focus on my real plan I had in coming here- purchase, rehab, and rent houses to create an income stream that will free us to do what we love; serving the poor. When my wife has time off from school we go to Honduras and provide free medical services and development aid- micro lending and infrastructure improvements like water lines and a new orphanage.
My music habit is cheap- I am fine with my $300 guitar I bought 15 years ago and a sax and electric base I picked up at a pawn shop, $175 for both. My wife's habit comes a little more steeply, however, as she plays piano. We settled on a good $2500 electric model as we move too much and in Waipi'o the humidity will kill a real piano. First I bought an upright from the Salvation Army for $200, but when we moved from Hilo after she finished school there I didn't tie it down moving it a few blocks to a friend's house- the noise it made falling off the truck sure brought out the neighborhood! We settled on a good $2500 electric model as we move too much and in Waipi'o the humidity will kill a real piano. So I have spent about $3200 on instruments in the last 18 years- not too bad!
I have never played in public and doubt I ever will, but my wife won a few piano competitions when she was young and was paid to play in a church in Hilo for a couple years. Her mother taught piano, her sister teaches violin, one brother plays violin and viola in several orchestras and at weddings and makes a decent bit of money, another brother plays piano for a ballet company and makes good money, and the last brother just dances (ballet and break dancing), so I guess music just runs in the family. Me, I mostly just enjoy- after all, musicians need an appreciative audience!
Chris
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 1:40:35 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
...I had heart problems, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and needed bypass surgery. I guess my philosophy should not have been "Pork fat Rules" -- thanks Emeril for getting me in trouble.
Now you also understand what he meant when he kept saying "BAM!" |
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