Wow...
I didn't know this thread existed either. Reading CJ's bio is indeed bittersweet or worse...
Well, as to myself for those that do not know, I am now retired. I was a firefighter with my city, starting in 1976, a fire officer since 1982, and retired in Fall of 2008 with 20 years as a Deputy Chief under my belt. I miss the job terribly, more than you could imagine, but it was time...I guess. I work part time in the Haz Mat Office out of the state fire academy. Mostly do fit tests for respirators...this is a hoot, for a guy with a beard :lol:
Started playing guitar in about 1966 I would guess, an old Audition acoustic. Played in garage bands and bars through the end of my senior year in high school and then college became the priority...actually the last time I played solo acoustic would have been that Fall of '71, some Tom Rush tunes in Speech Class at Fitchburg State College (now University)...sold my 'Nocaster in about '85 to buy a video camera, bought a retired firefighter's old Gibson in '90 and I was hooked again. Seemingly have accumulated all this stuff I don't use but have to have over this time, but hey as I tell Sirkku I don't hang in bars and don't bet on sports :wink:
Oh yeah, did get my Bachelors eventually, in Industrial Science/Electrical Engineering. Started working on my Master's in Fire Protection Engineering, but calculus got the better or me...did get a Certificate of Advanced Study from Northeastern University though...and am/was a Certified Fire Inspector by the state...
Oh, I should note that the comment above is not taking Sirkku in vain; as those who met her at LMG II and in Orlando, she is more patient with me than I could possibly ask for these past 37 years. I love her beyond words.
My son needs a guitarist for a few songs Saturday before his regular player shows up (at the Shutesbury Sportsmans' Club, I can only imagine this gig as something out of the Blues Brothers)...so, gotta get some heavy top/skinny bottom strings on the Mexican Strat and start practicing Tom Petty songs (Lord, save me!).
I guess
this will show what I am really made of...