10 Things You Might Not Know About Me

[Intoelectrics]

For off-road I a Honda Transalp and a BMW HP2. No MotoX (too old ), I do mostly desert riding locally in the Karoo or mountain trails in the Cederberg mountains.

Brill! that's something I've always fancied doing
I have a Honda 450 CRF moto x bike and a GasGas 300 pro factory replica trials bike.

 

[Squid]

So here's a few bits about me

1. At 16 wanted to be either a machine tool service engineer like my Uncle, a spark or a software engineer (this is when merely owning a computer made you a complete nerd)
2. I used to play the Violin, now just dabble with synths (not as much as I would like) and would like to learn to play the guitar, drums and piano
3. Used to engage in amateur dramatics, preferred role was stage manager so I could attempt to cremate people and scenery with pyrotechnics
4. I like playing geek games like TIS-100, Shenzhen I/O and Silicon Zeroes, but I also like playing Diablo III, World of Warcraft and Grand Theft Auto 5
5. I did have a legitimate frag count of over 55,000 on Quake III Arena
6. I once competed for a place in an early e-sports team playing Painkiller, got my --- whooped by a guy who went on to win because I got bad lag on my 56k modem (he was on an early broadband connection) and I'd only been playing the game for a matter of days
7. My greatest software engineering achievements include reverse engineering a network security appliance to make it do things even the suppliers tech support department said were impossible, being one of the first people to successfully interface to a particular system in a language other than Perl and the crowning achievement, single handedly putting together the software for a browser based space strategy game (the intention was to make money, but in the end it didn't. My housemate designed it, I coded it and my brother produced the artwork for it)
8. My preferred tipple is real ale
9. Back on the musical theme, I did once have a song I wrote the music for recorded properly in a studio
10. I know how to weld (arc and MIG)

Bonus fact... I've designed and programmed quite a few custom digital controllers based around the PIC microcontrollers

Synth's a nerd eh this is you isn't it,

I have a Korg Microkorg sold my Korg MS2000 last year.

Nessa who can sing.........

 

[Darkwood]

1) - Yorkshire born and bred
2) - other than this career path I was an Usher at showcase cinema's to pull some extra cash in in my apprentice days, I didn't take the job seriously and all the perks etc like free film passes made it enjoyable.
3) - I am learning guitar, self taught using youtube, its slow moving but I am getting there.
4) - In my teens I was swimming about 3miles a week at the local pool, once I hit 18 I swapped this out for dancing, I was regularly taking people to the big nightclubs to teach them how to dance and be more confident to do so.
5) I have an eclectic taste in music and can listen to anything from classical, opera all the way to heavy metal and indie.
6) I went through a punk/rock/goth phase and this is reflected in a pic I posted in 'what member look like thread...my ex is also a goth
7) I have nearly died twice through misadventure as a kid, I nearly suffocated in an old coal storage yard as I was sinking in a soup of coal dust/water acting like quick sand, my mates were also falling foul of the same, our screams were fortunately heard as I was up to my chin by then. The other occasion was my mate went under the ice in the local damn, I went under trying to save him, if it wasn't for a 3rd friend grabbing me as I had hold of the other lad then we were both certainly doomed, my body went into shock with the cold and I couldn't move as I went under.
8) Lost one of my best mates in a car crash when I was in my early twenties, it made me look at life totally different and probably shaped my character there after to who I am now, I was not involved in the crash myself.
9) I have only been in trouble with the law once as a young teen, I was bound over £50 for 1yr initially under the explosives act but it was reduced to breach of the peace because of my age (I was building my own fireworks by dismantling existing one and rearranging them, unfortunately the power and noise from my new fireworks was too much for the neighbours as they didn't take to it too kindly), I also nearly lost my hand when an airbomb pellet when off with static charge so a big lesson was learnt - I moved onto computer games after that.
10) I suffered a gambling addiction most of my younger days to bandits I no longer am and I cured my own problem but it has cost me a few relationships over those years although not because of the money as many would expect, I didn't do too bad out of it, it was just I pushed away the people around me to feed my addiction.

 

[The Ghost]

Brought up as catholic, and navy discipline Father was in the Royal Navy.

Spent some of my youth going off the rails, say no more. Made good though!

Started playing guitar, and have since built my own spanish guitar, would love to do this full time making instruments. Proper face matched norwegian spruce german rosette 1mm thick routed into front soundhole etc. It is really nice. Have a few guitars especially an old Roca (spanish luthier) circa 1860 and fabulous sound. Repaired it from pretty smashed up state. Love that one.

Chosen to do electrics by class mate John Donovan, in Shorinji Kempo class. He said you look like you're lazing (actually a bit more coarse than that) about get and do some work for me. Never looked back and it's where my electrical career began in east London latterly Scotland and Bristol to this day.

Trained acupuncturist. Reiki Master. Astrologer taught on free scholarship when this school read my chart! I can read palms etc.

Studied Law degree. LL. B. Hons. The diet of ashes as it is known.

Started up trust R. W. Bailey Memorial trust turnover .75 M at its height helping people from a mental health background, still going but bumping along the bottom as it were. Still have a farm in south bristol teaching horticulture through cannington college. Been going since 1989.

Studied and taught master classes in martial arts since 17 (45 yrs.) Shorinji Kempo, based on Uechi Ryu, Tai Ji, Aikido and so on also Iaido, fast draw sword.

Have seven children, 19 grandchildren (soon to be 21, twins on the way) 4 great-grandchildren, Four grandkids live with us. Done my bit for England. Married thirty-five years no slip ups!

I have read the bible cover to cover, must say I did not understand some of it but got some startling revelations reading it. A fantastic historical document with many incredible stories was my impression of it among other things. I recommend the book of Job for anyone interested.

Looking at the the fact that I have less time in front of me than behind me is quite sobering. Taking stock and wondering where it will all end.

 

[Darkwood]

Ruddy hell Vort' seven kids and 21 grandkids bet xmas is why you work the rest of the year lol.

 

[Squid]

Brought up as catholic, and navy discipline Father was in the Royal Navy.

Spent some of my youth going off the rails, say no more. Made good though!

Started playing guitar, and have since built my own spanish guitar, would love to do this full time making instruments. Proper face matched norwegian spruce german rosette 1mm thick routed into front soundhole etc. It is really nice. Have a few guitars especially an old Roca (spanish luthier) circa 1860 and fabulous sound. Repaired it from pretty smashed up state. Love that one.

Chosen to do electrics by class mate John Donovan, in Shorinji Kempo class. He said you look like you're lazing (actually a bit more coarse than that) about get and do some work for me. Never looked back and it's where my electrical career began in east London latterly Scotland and Bristol to this day.

Trained acupuncturist. Reiki Master. Astrologer taught on free scholarship when this school read my chart! I can read palms etc.

Studied Law degree. LL. B. Hons. The diet of ashes as it is known.

Started up trust R. W. Bailey Memorial trust turnover .75 M at its height helping people from a mental health background, still going but bumping along the bottom as it were. Still have a farm in south bristol teaching horticulture through cannington college. Been going since 1989.

Studied and taught master classes in martial arts since 17 (45 yrs.) Shorinji Kempo, based on Uechi Ryu, Tai Ji, Aikido and so on also Iaido, fast draw sword.

Have seven children, 19 grandchildren (soon to be 21, twins on the way) 4 great-grandchildren, Four grandkids live with us. Done my bit for England. Married thirty-five years no slip ups!

I have read the bible cover to cover, must say I did not understand some of it but got some startling revelations reading it. A fantastic historical document with many incredible stories was my impression of it among other things. I recommend the book of Job for anyone interested.

Looking at the the fact that I have less time in front of me than behind me is quite sobering. Taking stock and wondering where it will all end.

Thats an interesting read.

 

[Squid]

Just to ad my downfall in life was always pretty woman, bars and clubs and my nickname is Diable or the Wolf for my sins.

 

[The Ghost]

The way things are in our house I do not actually need to work I just do it because I love working and doing electrics and some of the challenges it throws up. I must say nowadays people are saying things like "take it steady old timer" and "are you ok with that old man" ok they don't say the old bit but that is what they mean. I feel fine though so far anyroad.

 

[Pete999]

Dont forget to add your probably the most respected member here either

Difficult post to respond to without blowing my own Trumpet, are you saying I'm like this bloke? but it is nice of you to think of me in this way

 

[SparkyChick]

Synth's a nerd eh this is you isn't it,

I have a Korg Microkorg sold my Korg MS2000 last year.

Nessa who can sing.........

I'd like to be able to sing like Alison Moyet and write songs like Vince Clarke

I've not got that much kit, mainly Roland (Alpha Juno 2, D110, XV-5080) and a Yamaha MU-1000, plus a collection of software emulations (mainly the Arturia V-Collection)

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

PMSL, more like wiltshire

cheeky sod.... Bath is firmly in somerset unlikely you lot out in no mans land, not quite a bumpkin and not a midlander either....

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

1) left school joined the forces as weapons tech.
2) medically discharged due to having a seizure. not had one since in last 12 1/2 years.
3) After leaving forces worked for a firm doing commercial and domestic refurb projects, mainly cafes, pubs, hotels etc.. did my 2365 courses whilst working
4) Did a bit of work for a private investigation company, installing covert cctv in buildings (with owners permission!)
5)Enjoy lock picking as a hobby! I enjoy the challenge of it..
6) Bit of a cocktail connoisseur - anything with passion fruit or mango then i am happy
7) Bath rugby fan.
8) Currently looking into getting private pilots licence (NPPL) to fly small planes, had some lessons before but never finished it properly. I may go down the microlight route instead as they are literally a plane in all but name these days.
9) Lives in the great City of Bath, @Pete999 will know it well!
10) Now working for myself as It means I can balance my work and home life better without living in hotels.

 

[Pete999]

Brought up as catholic, and navy discipline Father was in the Royal Navy.

Spent some of my youth going off the rails, say no more. Made good though!

Started playing guitar, and have since built my own spanish guitar, would love to do this full time making instruments. Proper face matched norwegian spruce german rosette 1mm thick routed into front soundhole etc. It is really nice. Have a few guitars especially an old Roca (spanish luthier) circa 1860 and fabulous sound. Repaired it from pretty smashed up state. Love that one.

Chosen to do electrics by class mate John Donovan, in Shorinji Kempo class. He said you look like you're lazing (actually a bit more coarse than that) about get and do some work for me. Never looked back and it's where my electrical career began in east London latterly Scotland and Bristol to this day.

Trained acupuncturist. Reiki Master. Astrologer taught on free scholarship when this school read my chart! I can read palms etc.

Studied Law degree. LL. B. Hons. The diet of ashes as it is known.

Started up trust R. W. Bailey Memorial trust turnover .75 M at its height helping people from a mental health background, still going but bumping along the bottom as it were. Still have a farm in south bristol teaching horticulture through cannington college. Been going since 1989.

Studied and taught master classes in martial arts since 17 (45 yrs.) Shorinji Kempo, based on Uechi Ryu, Tai Ji, Aikido and so on also Iaido, fast draw sword.

Have seven children, 19 grandchildren (soon to be 21, twins on the way) 4 great-grandchildren, Four grandkids live with us. Done my bit for England. Married thirty-five years no slip ups!

I have read the bible cover to cover, must say I did not understand some of it but got some startling revelations reading it. A fantastic historical document with many incredible stories was my impression of it among other things. I recommend the book of Job for anyone interested.

Looking at the the fact that I have less time in front of me than behind me is quite sobering. Taking stock and wondering where it will all end.

Don't own a Bible, but have a deep facination of all things Religious, from the Classic teachings to the "God was an Astronaut theory".

 

[Pete999]

1) left school joined the forces as weapons tech.
2) medically discharged due to having a seizure. not had one since in last 12 1/2 years.
3) After leaving forces worked for a firm doing commercial and domestic refurb projects, mainly cafes, pubs, hotels etc.. did my 2365 courses whilst working
4) Did a bit of work for a private investigation company, installing covert cctv in buildings (with owners permission!)
5)Enjoy lock picking as a hobby! I enjoy the challenge of it..
6) Bit of a cocktail connoisseur - anything with passion fruit or mango then i am happy
7) Bath rugby fan.
8) Currently looking into getting private pilots licence (NPPL) to fly small planes, had some lessons before but never finished it properly. I may go down the microlight route instead as they are literally a plane in all but name these days.
9) Lives in the great City of Bath, @Pete999 will know it well!
10) Now working for myself as It means I can balance my work and home life better without living in hotels.

Visited my Sister in Law can't believe the changes to the city center, Bus Staion as I knew has moved, MOD Ensliegh, Fox Hill gone, now where are the tissues?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Visited my Sister in Law can't believe the changes to the city centre, Bus Station as I knew has moved, MOD Ensliegh, Fox Hill gone, now where are the tissues?

Bus station is now next to train station and they dug out / uncovered the old victorian brunel era vaults turning them into restaurants. the new shopping area where old bus station was is much better though.
Fox hill is going to be a huge new housing estate mix of social and affordable/private housing.
City centre at the old stothert and pitt works is all being developed, everything along the river both sides is a free for all and worth a lot of money and being developed. one firm have had to delay the work as they said that they couldn't get a known reliable contractor for the works. all busy on other projects! There is so much development in the city its hard to keep up with them all.

 

[The Ghost]

My daughter lives in Bath lucky girl. Always wanted to live in Bath could never afford it so far anyway.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

My daughter lives in Bath lucky girl. Always wanted to live in Bath could never afford it so far anyway.

I can just about manage it, prices are indeed getting silly now, i fitted some new lights in a house last week, couple paid for £320k for a 3 bed semi and its not exactly spacious and has no drive/garage either... garden is small. crazy world we live in

 

[The Ghost]

House prices in Bristol are pretty crazy. In 1986 we bought our house for 17K and were biting our nails about servicing a £60 per month mortgage can you believe it? Our rent was £30 pound per month. Now...well I think we all know. On the original deeds in 1899 the house was sold by the builders for £3 5s 6d!

 

[Pete999]

I bought a house on the Lower Bristol roadwhen I first got WwedMortgage £7 50 per month, worth a quarter of a Mil now, strange world indeed .

 

[Kamikaze]

1: Been a member of the forum since 2010. It's a bit like being unable to stop getting mugged by a granny with a zimmer-frame and a blunt spoon. I think it’s reading about the electrical adventures of the armatures that keeps me coming back. It’s like a joyride in a clown car powered by sh!t. Every day they stray further from God's light and I just can’t get over some of the stuff they get up to.
2: I like cake!
3: It was partly the curiosity and the sense of adventure, but mostly the babes and the money that turned me into an electrical ---- and the fact that plumbers have to have heroes. On my journey I’ve had the pleasure of some truly outstanding sparkies and worked in some amazing places. I could tell thee of tales that thine eyes would burn from awesomeness. Although nowadays the best part of my job is that my chair swivels and my Scrooge McDuck backstroke is truly impressive.
4: Give me a hammer and everything starts to look like a nail.
5: Sooner or later, whenever left unsupervised, I end up listening to Jay Z or LL Cool J.
Just kidding!!! No such astounding pile of dog-dos deserved to be listened to in full stereo. I’m a big fan of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin which are best played LOUD!
6: I have a tool fetish. Does anyone know if there is a cure for me?
7: The fickle finger of fate is a strange mistress. When I met Lady K, I knew I was punching well above my weight but went for it anyway. She is far too happy for the wretched darkness called my existence. I couldn’t have wished for a better person to share my life with though. We have three daughters and five grandchildren, which are a constant drain of my resources but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
8: $ʎ¡ʇ happens whenever I party naked!
9: When I’m not on duty on the Starship, I’m chillaxing in the noble kingdom of Shrewsbury. Better known as the graveyard of ambition. But if Brexit goes completely t!ts-up, I will be leaving you all to it. Anyone know what the Cayman Islands are like?
10: My favourite catchphrase is “Sooo why eyy eyyy can't I touch it?”

 

[Leesparkykent]

Started sparking at 13 for my brother in law during the school holidays. I never went back to school after year 9 and told the local authority I was being home educated but was actually grafting on building sites. Took my 16th edition at 16 and passed it with 100% mark, started my apprenticeship, still working for my brother in law. Final year I jumped onto a bigger company doing newbuild tower blocks in London and become a QS within a year which didn't go down to well with some of the older sparks. Jumped onto a mechanical and electrical company as a QS/supervisor/on the tools foreman. Went back to work with brother in law as he was struggling after taking a knock and personal issues, within a year he went into liquidation. I took some of his contacts and started up, Built the company up to 8 sparks. I went into partnership with another sparks/mate and we vary between 8 and 15 sparks. We are now going into the mechanical side of things so are now an M&E company. I had my first child at 16, 2nd at 18 and 3rd at 24. My Mrs is in her final few months of uni becoming a nurse. I own my house and another in Canterbury which is a HMO. I'm still a young pup compared to many on here

 

[Leesparkykent]

1: Been a member of the forum since 2010. It's a bit like being unable to stop getting mugged by a granny with a zimmer-frame and a blunt spoon. I think it’s reading about the electrical adventures of the armatures that keeps me coming back. It’s like a joyride in a clown car powered by sh!t. Every day they stray further from God's light and I just can’t get over some of the stuff they get up to.
2: I like cake!
3: It was partly the curiosity and the sense of adventure, but mostly the babes and the money that turned me into an electrical ---- and the fact that plumbers have to have heroes. On my journey I’ve had the pleasure of some truly outstanding sparkies and worked in some amazing places. I could tell thee of tales that thine eyes would burn from awesomeness. Although nowadays the best part of my job is that my chair swivels and my Scrooge McDuck backstroke is truly impressive.
4: Give me a hammer and everything starts to look like a nail.
5: Sooner or later, whenever left unsupervised, I end up listening to Jay Z or LL Cool J.
Just kidding!!! No such astounding pile of dog-dos deserved to be listened to in full stereo. I’m a big fan of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin which are best played LOUD!
6: I have a tool fetish. Does anyone know if there is a cure for me?
7: The fickle finger of fate is a strange mistress. When I met Lady K, I knew I was punching well above my weight but went for it anyway. She is far too happy for the wretched darkness called my existence. I couldn’t have wished for a better person to share my life with though. We have three daughters and five grandchildren, which are a constant drain of my resources but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
8: $ʎ¡ʇ happens whenever I party naked!
9: When I’m not on duty on the Starship, I’m chillaxing in the noble kingdom of Shrewsbury. Better known as the graveyard of ambition. But if Brexit goes completely t!ts-up, I will be leaving you all to it. Anyone know what the Cayman Islands are like?
10: My favourite catchphrase is “Sooo why eyy eyyy can't I touch it?”

I was born in Shrewsbury and moved to Kent when I was 9. I haven't been in a few years but still have family there. I lived on the Telford estate and went to belvidere juniors, moved over to gains park and started at Oxon school.

 

[littlespark]

1. Born in '74 in rural Scottish borders. Lived in Dundee for 11 years, but returned to rural life in '07
2. Married in '98 and still with the same woman. Got 3 daughters, the eldest just about to turn 18
3. Left school at 16 straight into electrical apprenticeship. Wide range of experiences from domestic, farms, factories and chicken sheds.
4. Went to uni in Dundee for a combined engineering degree. Basically automation with a hand in everything. Computers, electronics, electrical, mechanical and pneumatics/hydraulics. Graduated with a BSc Hons but couldn't get a job in the field. Fell back into the electrical trade as that was paying the mortgage.
5. '07 brought us back to the Borders as my father in law needed a new manager for his caravan park, and I had just been made redundant. Big change. Became licensee for the site's bar.
Thought that was my job for life now.
6. '16 My mother in law had a brain haemorrhage on a flight to New Zealand. After that, the caravan site was becoming a chore for the whole family. The decision was taken to sell.
7. Started self employed in January '17. I don't think I could work for someone else now.
8. We own a second home that I renovated and rented out, but its on the market. (2 bedroom, 2 reception. Ample parking. £90k if anyones interested)
9. I can ice skate. Not Torville and Dean level, but good enough to teach kids the basics. No interest in football, but will watch the international rugby games.
10. Lego collector. Still got 40 year old models on display
10.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

8. We own a second home that I renovated and rented out, but its on the market. (2 bedroom, 2 reception. Ample parking. £90k if anyones interested)
10. Lego collector. Still got 40 year old models on display

2 bed home for £90k.... 90K would not even get you a studio in Bath.. be lucky to buy a garage to park your car for that money.
40 year old lego models!! there is your pension if you have complete kits.. some of them go for silly money.

 

[Marvo]

10: My favourite catchphrase is “Sooo why eyy eyyy can't I touch it?”

Good question especially as it seems so real and you can hear it....go figure. Last time I was in the Caymen Islands it was wall to wall Americans but you can join me for a while when I buy my place in Mauritius.

 

[Marvo]

Well a few highlights of the things I've learned in this thread;

Leesparkykent, hardly old enough to buy a round of drinks and far too motivated by a long way for my liking but a hard working success story.

Kamikazi; off the wall, a family man at heart and he likes cake so already way up in my estimation.

Littlespark; recipient of the Scottish engineering genes by birth, family man, ice skater and Lego fanatic.

Vortigern; guitarist, philanthropist, master of dark Eastern arts and unbelievably fertile.

Pete; One of my favourites, what can I say apart from old, very old..... ancient in fact....so old if he still had any of his childhood toys he'd be rich enough to single handedly bail the UK out of the recession. One toe in retirement but not yet ready to take the full plunge.

Darkwood; self taught pyromaniac who no doubt caused his parents many gray hairs. The official forum goth. I've organised someone to teach you frozen lakes rescue techniques.

I'll get to some of the other members later.

 

[littlespark]

Sadly the models are built. Instruction books are held together with sellotape and the boxes are gone.
I’ve seen the vintage stuff on eBay and keep trying to grab a bargain.
Newer models include wall-e, ecto1 and the vw camper

 

[Marvo]

I'm quite enjoying this thread. Here's another quick 10 from me;

1. I hold 3 patents for things items I've invented and developed (all industrial process specific things). I had four up until recently but sold one of them.

2. I tried one of those park runs recently but couldn't manage to run 3 km without some walking breaks

3. Out of 4 motorbikes I own only one of them is actually on the road at the moment. one has bent forks, one is stripped for respray and one has a flat tyre.

4. I hope to retire in the next couple of years (but I've been saying that for the last 10 years at least)

5. I've been involved with running forums since the days of dial-up internet, Bulletin Boards and IRC.

6. I don't use Facebook, pintrest, twitter, linkedin or any social media.

7. I'm a fairly competent machinist and used to recondition firearms back in the days when I had spare time.

8. My actual name isn't Marvo, it's Andrew.

9. I don't think I'm going to feel like working tomorrow so I probably take a day off.

10. I get around 200 emails a day and around 160 of them are junk/spam.

 

[happysteve]

1. I lived on a number of narrowboats for 8 years (then 2 years part time as I transitioned to living on land).

2. Before I was 16, I could drive/control a Land Rover (with logging trailer), dumper, tractor (with back actor) and drot.

3. I've never owned a Windows PC, and haven't really used them much.

4. I wrote a teeny, tiny bit of the Linux kernel (for an obscure A/D card). I've written code to enable you to talk to high-end scopes, analysers etc from Linux using the VXI11 protocol.

5. I used to be in a band called Skiff, based in Bradford, I played bass. I once wrote the tune for one of our songs based on the chords E, A, D and G so that I could play open strings with one hand, and drink beer with the other.

6. I've got about 50 papers, 3 patents and a PhD on the subjects of laser ultrasonics, materials characterisation, and additive manufacturing.

7. My sister's settled down in Portugal, and I quite like it there.

8. As well as being an electrician, I teach level 2 and 3 C&G 2365 courses, and I'll be teaching 18th Edition when it comes out.

9. I suffer from vagues, though never (so far!) when I'm working.

10. Although I'm usually Happy Steve, I have an alter ego called Evil Chris.

 

[Marvo]

Vagues?? Whats vagues?