Just For Fun: Interesting Facts About Yourself

[Aikmaniac]

Did you skip school out of sadness, or to avoid the razzing?

Both, actually. Being a kid with little to no responsibilities, the Cowboys were everything to me. I remember crying when they lost or being white hot with anger lol

 

[ArtClink]

Mob Rules is my favorite album with RJD.

Great one! For me it’s a tie between Long Live Rock & Roll and Heaven and Hell. I’m a huge Blackmore fan!

 

[Creeper]

Do you still play guitar?

Rarely. I find my fingers don't work like they used to. If is very frustrating. But I do still try to play every now and then.

One thing I find about age. When I was younger I would learn to play a song and I would remember how to play if for years. Now I learn a new song and I forget how to play it in a week. LOL. I need to see the sheet music , but it's like learning to play the same song over and over again.

 

[ArtClink]

Rarely. I find my fingers don't work like they used to. If is very frustrating. But I do still try to play every now and then.

One thing I find about age. When I was younger I would learn to play a song and I would remember how to play if for years. Now I learn a new song and I forget how to play it in a week. LOL. I need to see the sheet music , but it's like learning to play the same song over and over again.

I'm really sorry to hear that. I have tendonitis in both hands and my hands hurt all the time but I am still able to play everyday.

 

[cald0d30s0]

I just turned 72. Where did the years go?

I am retired, happily. I have lived in NJ almost my entire life.

I have a BS degree, chemistry and can honestly say I don't think I have ever used by education for anything practical!

I worked in the banking industry for 36 years, first in software development. Then I switched to a job in Information in Information Security and did that for about 18 years. Had some interesting experiences there but mostly it was a lot of boring administrative stuff.

I like a lot of different music, Santana, Moody Blues, Led Zep, Eagles, early Pearl Jam, Nirvana and more. I started playing bass guitar at 12, picked up guitar at 15. Sold my 1969 Les Paul Gold Top like an idiot at 18 and have regretted it ever since! I was in a band in high school that made it to the top 7 finalists in the WABC Big Break contest with Cousin Bruce Morrow (aka Cousin Brucie). We got to play at Carnegie Hall but completely messed it up. We were 14 and 15 at the time.

I too loved the 60s and early 70s muscle cars. I had a 1968 American Motors AMX at one point. Loved that car. 390 cu in, 315 HP, 425 ft. lbs torque! I also regret selling that car when I was in college and desperate for money.

Over all, I have had a boring but satisfying life. I am just one of 7 billion average Joe's in the world.

Interesting life! How was your transition from software development to information security? If you don’t mind.

 

[StarOfGlory]

Close to 70 years old.

Born in Philadelphia.

My uncle played football at the Naval Academy with Roger Staubach.

I have dinner with Roger when I was a kid. I wanted to be like Roger and play football.

Roger Staubach is still Mr. America to me, and I will fight anyone what says otherwise.

Was acquainted with a few members of the Philly Mob while growing up.

Played MLB at Rutgers University, started 22 games. I was 6'4", 245. I am a bit heavier now, lol.

I actually attended class and hold a MS in Physics and a MA in Criminal Justice. Thank you Rutgers for the scholarship and giving me the chance to play football!

I was in the NYG and Washington camps but didn't make the cut.

I married a cheerleader and am still married, soon to hit my 40th anniversary.

I was fortunate to invest well and have good jobs. That enabled me to own homes in Naples, Florida and South Jersey.

I love to fish and own a 34' Regulator center console.

I live near many football fans from the Northeast in Naples and like to host football Sunday.

 

[Creeper]

Interesting life! How was your transition from software development to information security? If you don’t mind.

I loved software development, but I saw the writing on the wall. Companies were more interested in buying than building so it became a struggle every budget cycle. Also, when I started it was more entrepreneurial, less red tape and stuff. By the time I got out the focus was on creating and adhering to bureaucratic procedures. Everything slowed down and we were expected to do more BS work with the same or less people.

I got into InfoSec after a hacking incident involving one of our customer funds transfer systems. This was in the days of dial-up lines modems, character based systems. I was part of the investigative team. They caught the hackers. I thought it was fun and interesting so I chose to make the transition. It was slow at first because we had no real InfoSec organization. There were few standards or guidelines for what to do or how to do it. It was difficult at first trying to get buy in from management. But for me it worked out. I think the thing to understand is there is a lot of administrative nonsense that goes on. It is not fun all the time.

 

[Creeper]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I have tendonitis in both hands and my hands hurt all the time but I am still able to play everyday.

I think it is wonderful to be able to play an instrument and derive satisfaction from it. I used to play all the time, learn several songs each day. and spend time and money on it. I recently sold off most of my equipment and kept just a couple of guitars and a small amp. If I hear a song on the radio I may go downstairs and pick up a guitar and give it a try, but my frustration level of how I used to play vs what I can do now is peaked. I have the same problem playing golf. I have the same swing, the ball just doesn't go as far as it used to! Getting old sucks. Although I'd rather get old than not.

 

[SlammedZero]

- I love cars and also fly R/C airplanes.

I used to be into R/C airplanes. I got into them about 15 years ago and had a lot of fun with them, mostly experimenting with brushless electric motors. Eventually, I wrecked one of my favorite planes, and the hobby gradually faded into the background. It was one of my many interests I've had growing up. lol

Now I just own a drone (I mostly use it for photography). I can confidently say that flying R/C airplanes made transitioning to drones effortless. It was second nature to launch one and zip around.

 

[Streifenkarl]

Hey guys,

45 years old

married, two children of 5 and 1 (late starter, met THE ONE at 37) currently living in northern Germany near Hamburg. Great city. If you're ever visiting that area, call me up for a beer. My take.

I wrote my "how I became a Cowboys fan" Story here, if you're interested.

Born and raised in the Ruhrgebiet in the west of Germany. Rough terrain for a kid, but you learn your way around and how to handle trouble. Helped me ever since. Been working in the banking industry ever since university and it helped me afford a good life. Mostly project management now, but I started in people management.

I do alot of jogging now since that takes the least effort. Just tie your running shoes and go, no extra gear needed (well, I am wearing a shirt and pants, dont worry ) But I like to do mountain biking and kajaking. I also play the guitar, I dont have a great collection though. A Yamaha acoustic 12 string, a 6 stringer acoustic from Washburn and an Ibanez e guitar. Used to play in a band in high school but just to get the girls. Just been playing at home ever since. Hopyfully my kids want to learn doing it.

Love to travel, have been to many cool places on this planet. I love fast "daily driver" cars, mostly BMWs. But as you can see in my avatar, there is a spot in my heart reserved for 70s american pony cars. And yes, the movie is my favorite lol.

I've been learning english from movies mostly. My mothers best friend was from Denmark and they dont dubb their movies. So she brought me VHS cassettes with all kinds of movies I watched all the time as a kid. Then started to read books as a teenager (mostly John Grisham lol) so I didnt really need school for that.

Had a school exchange year in Denton near Dallas in the late 90s, what a great time that was. These texan girls... fond memories As far as the USA goes I have travelled down the whole east coast, been to California and the southern states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Since I have watched Yellowstone I'd love to do a tour through some north western states. Never been to Australia but have seen pretty much all other continents so that's that.

Favorite bands are (were) Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and yes, Nirvana back then. But been listining to all kinds of alternative / rock music. Have Creedence just as Panic at the Disco. Best concert I have been to was the Dynamo festival in the Netherlands and watching Metallica in the late 90s live from the first row. My ears still ring from that lol.

Apart from the movie mentioned above I love the works of Taylor Sheridan, political thrillers, movies in historical settings, whether accurate or not. Master and Commander is probably my favorite historical movie. I'm interested in British Empire stuff and read alot about it. I find it still astonishing how you guys were able to kick them out 250 years ago lol.

Favorite fictional character is probably Indiana Jones. Favorite quote (since I've become a dad) is probably "It's not the age honey, it's the mileage."

Well, so much for now, thanks for reading and sharing your stories, loved to read each one of them.

 

[cald0d30s0]

I loved software development, but I saw the writing on the wall. Companies were more interested in buying than building so it became a struggle every budget cycle. Also, when I started it was more entrepreneurial, less red tape and stuff. By the time I got out the focus was on creating and adhering to bureaucratic procedures. Everything slowed down and we were expected to do more BS work with the same or less people.

I got into InfoSec after a hacking incident involving one of our customer funds transfer systems. This was in the days of dial-up lines modems, character based systems. I was part of the investigative team. They caught the hackers. I thought it was fun and interesting so I chose to make the transition. It was slow at first because we had no real InfoSec organization. There were few standards or guidelines for what to do or how to do it. It was difficult at first trying to get buy in from management. But for me it worked out. I think the thing to understand is there is a lot of administrative nonsense that goes on. It is not fun all the time.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! As a software engineer myself, I love to ask experienced people so I can learn more about it. I have been crafting software for a while now, but I really want to start more on cybersecurity (Related also to LLMs), I find it very very interesting.

Again, thank you for sharing!

 

[ArtClink]

I think it is wonderful to be able to play an instrument and derive satisfaction from it. I used to play all the time, learn several songs each day. and spend time and money on it. I recently sold off most of my equipment and kept just a couple of guitars and a small amp. If I hear a song on the radio I may go downstairs and pick up a guitar and give it a try, but my frustration level of how I used to play vs what I can do now is peaked. I have the same problem playing golf. I have the same swing, the ball just doesn't go as far as it used to! Getting old sucks. Although I'd rather get old than not.

I get that about being dissatisfied with your playing but I hope you never quit and enjoy whatever capacity you have to enjoy playing. Perhaps learn some new things or techniques but enjoy what you can do vs your limitations. It’s great to meet other guitar players on a Cowboys forum lol.

 

[Creeper]

I get that about being dissatisfied with your playing but I hope you never quit and enjoy whatever capacity you have to enjoy playing. Perhaps learn some new things or techniques but enjoy what you can do vs your limitations. It’s great to meet other guitar players on a Cowboys forum lol.

I ame like Eric Clapton now. I play more acoustic guitar than electric. LOL.

 

[ArtClink]

Hey guys,

45 years old

married, two children of 5 and 1 (late starter, met THE ONE at 37) currently living in northern Germany near Hamburg. Great city. If you're ever visiting that area, call me up for a beer. My take.

I wrote my "how I became a Cowboys fan" Story here, if you're interested.

Born and raised in the Ruhrgebiet in the west of Germany. Rough terrain for a kid, but you learn your way around and how to handle trouble. Helped me ever since. Been working in the banking industry ever since university and it helped me afford a good life. Mostly project management now, but I started in people management.

I do alot of jogging now since that takes the least effort. Just tie your running shoes and go, no extra gear needed (well, I am wearing a shirt and pants, dont worry ) But I like to do mountain biking and kajaking. I also play the guitar, I dont have a great collection though. A Yamaha acoustic 12 string, a 6 stringer acoustic from Washburn and an Ibanez e guitar. Used to play in a band in high school but just to get the girls. Just been playing at home ever since. Hopyfully my kids want to learn doing it.

Love to travel, have been to many cool places on this planet. I love fast "daily driver" cars, mostly BMWs. But as you can see in my avatar, there is a spot in my heart reserved for 70s american pony cars. And yes, the movie is my favorite lol.

I've been learning english from movies mostly. My mothers best friend was from Denmark and they dont dubb their movies. So she brought me VHS cassettes with all kinds of movies I watched all the time as a kid. Then started to read books as a teenager (mostly John Grisham lol) so I didnt really need school for that.

Had a school exchange year in Denton near Dallas in the late 90s, what a great time that was. These texan girls... fond memories As far as the USA goes I have travelled down the whole east coast, been to California and the southern states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Since I have watched Yellowstone I'd love to do a tour through some north western states. Never been to Australia but have seen pretty much all other continents so that's that.

Favorite bands are (were) Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and yes, Nirvana back then. But been listining to all kinds of alternative / rock music. Have Creedence just as Panic at the Disco. Best concert I have been to was the Dynamo festival in the Netherlands and watching Metallica in the late 90s live from the first row. My ears still ring from that lol.

Apart from the movie mentioned above I love the works of Taylor Sheridan, political thrillers, movies in historical settings, whether accurate or not. Master and Commander is probably my favorite historical movie. I'm interested in British Empire stuff and read alot about it. I find it still astonishing how you guys were able to kick them out 250 years ago lol.

Favorite fictional character is probably Indiana Jones. Favorite quote (since I've become a dad) is probably "It's not the age honey, it's the mileage."

Well, so much for now, thanks for reading and sharing your stories, loved to read each one of them.

Great to know someone from Germany! And another guitarist with great taste in music. I love both eras of AIC! I think Texas has the best looking women in the world, so no arguments there.