<snip> >On 1 November 2011 16:14, Tim Hickey <[email protected]> wrote: > > Who is everyone? For instance: age, location, job, family, outside > interests? > </snip>
Hi Tim I'm 31 and originally from London; I now live in Hertfordshire, but temporarily staying in Southend-on-sea, Essex. I have so far led a ... varied life, but I have found it interesting. However, even Rincewind wearied of "interesting times". Schooling was 'normal' and when I applied myself I obtained excellent grades. At 17 I went backpacking around Australia for a year. Had a fantastic time. Upon my return to the UK I took up a position in one of the family (mum's side) businesses, which is a trampoline club - and became a successful trampoline coach. I was the youngest coach to produce a National champion (U18s age-group); although I wasn't the only coach to teach the pupil, I did rather graciously take the credit. I still teach now. At 21 I again took off travelling for another year. This time I volunteered on a couple of Kibbutzim in Israel, and ended up working on a tourist boat out of the Red Sea resort of Eilat. We would take boat loads of tourists, on day or night cruises, up to Egypt and back (depending on the specific requirements of the charter). Again, I had a fantastic time. Despite it's portrayal in the media, it is a truly remarkable country, with a multitude of delightful sights. Upon my return to the UK I resumed my post as a trampoline coach. However, I eventually left after becoming addicted to hard drugs. A drug-addicted trampoline coach is not conducive to good working practice - or Health and Safety. At least I had the presence of mind to quit! Anyway, after leaving, I continued a downward spiral which culminated in a lengthy stay at one of Her Majesty's Establishments. I do not recommend the room service, nor the bedside manner. I never once saw a decent wine list. And as for the Single Malts being talked about on the list... forget it. As I mentioned in a previous post, it was at this time that I was introduced to REF's works. Upon my eventual release, I obtained employment variously as a painter, forklift operator and removal man (a legal removal-man of course). I have discovered within me an insatiable desire to learn new things. To discover. To this end I read everything I can get my hands on. It has been Literature, Biology, English Language, financial derivatives, HTML, Human Evolution, Criminology - the list goes on. At the moment it is Cosmology and Meta-physics. One thing I have discovered is that you learn the most from the least likely/intended sources. I have been free of drugs for eight years and feel fresh and relatively happy. I try now to help other people as much as I am able, trying to use my negative experiences to perhaps dissuade people from following the wrong route. However, as REF has said, "But always remember, you're the master of your life, no one else". I have found when talking to many younger people that they seem to WANT to burn their hand, to discover if the fire is indeed hot! I think travelling beckons again. I would dearly love to visit America, but I do not think I am allowed entry. Still, I suppose there are always border crossings by night, and the like. ;-) This is a fantastic mailing-list and I feel privileged to be able to read everyone's thoughts and about others' lives. It is REF's work that brings such a diverse selection of people together. I wish to thank him for this, and for putting such fantastic stories out there year after year. Long may it continue. Again, many thanks to all. Dave Williamson
