MySpace a place for friends

Hmm! What can I say about me? I've written a couple of e-books, and may find the time to write a couple more. I have an interest in history, and studied archaeology to Masters level. I'm a competent herbalist/healer, herbal medicine being the subject of one of the books. Mind you, I don't do that for a living; could do, but I've never been very happy about making a profit out of other folk's misfortune. In any case, half the folk who wind up coming to me couldn't afford me if I made a living out of it. Meantime I am teaching a lass who is a superb student (amongst other things), and who has already made a major impact on a lot of lives.

I enjoy playing music (guitar and pennywhistle) but I'm not sure that I'd call myself a musician. I've been told my pennywhistle playing is up to a good Irish pub standard; on the slow airs, my technique is markedly influenced by the pipes. I've occasionally played with an old friend, Peter, who plays the Irish harp, though he's also a mean hand with the whistle. We've busked together in the past order to get some practice. :-) More recently I've played with Liath.

I have also been known to write poetry, and have had a poem published on Autumn Leaves. I'm also a competent photographer - in fact it's been something of a passion of mine for a long time, and I'll often have a camera in my pack when travelling or camping. I'll also have one of my whistles. If the place is right, I'll sit down and play, and listen to the echoes coming back from the mountains or from the forest.

Wildernesses are for me a place where things are really pared back to the bone. There's you, on your own. No mobile (cell phone) - they won't work. If you need modern technology, don't go there, not in this way. There's just you, your wits to deal with any problems, and your knowledge of yourself. You have to know the rules of the place. Break them, due to stupidity, or tiredness, or hypothermia, and you have no comeback - and you don't get too many chances. Sometimes it only takes one mistake. You need to have part of you doublechecking yourself and telling you when you're making too many wrong decisions, and stop.

That's my idea of a holiday. :-) Though one friend did remark that my idea of a holiday was on a par with an SAS selection test. :-)

Doesn't matter whether its the Rockies, the wild places of the UP Michigan or my beloved southwestern moors. Not something for people who aren't happy being alone and facing themselves. And sometime soon I intend to tackle Dartmoor in January. Not something for the inexperienced - the moor is highly dangerous then. Hey, I've been doing this since I was 10-11! :-) At that age I was wandering around the the moors of the Peak District National Park and falling in trout streams. :-)

Mind you, I don't just lose myself in wildernesses. I've been on a couple of roadtrips round the US, one of which included a couple of interesting experiences in the rougher parts of Detroit. I've also visited Prague, Antwerp, Arnhem and Amsterdam, and Paris, where I stayed in Mont-Martre. Future travel plans? I wouldn't mind going to Istanbul one day. Come to that, I'd like to travel the Silk Road if people would stop having wars along the intended route! :-(

Though the photography isn't limited to being out in the middle of nowhere. I also combine it with music. :-) I've done more than a few gig shots, though right at the moment I'm having to sort other things out. I also periodically I take my camera off to cover demonstrations. I'm also the photographer, webmaster and business manager for Caroline Hardy Designs. For good measure, I have my own business. I specialise in selling or repairing Japanese swords, plus selling other Japanese artefacts. If you want a sword, I can find one for either your budget, your martial art, or your dreams. And yes, I can use them - I have trained with them.

In the meantime, it should be noted that all images on this site are copyright by me, unless otherwise stated. Since I use film, and have slides, negs and prints, on top of the datestamped jpegs, there's no problem at all proving copyright. Now I don't mind if someone wants to use a photo for personal, nonprofit use, as long as they credit me. That's not too much to ask, is it? If someone wants to use it commercially - see me.

And finally there's one of my favourite enjoyments - sitting down, enjoying good times and laughter with friends over a pint of beer, and meeting folks who may become new friends. :-) And watching cats. I have a lovely cat called Puddles. I first met her when she was abandoned. Well, rescued her really. When she was only a few weeks old she was abandoned in a cardboard box late at night - you could have sat her on your hand back then. Anyway, she'd managed to get out of the box. When I met her, she was standing on a dustbin, terrified, and shouting in a distressed manner. I wouldn't have given much for her chances of surviving much longer since there were a lot of foxes about. She is now 7, cantankerous, affectionate and intelligent - she's worked out how to use the door knocker to attract my attention. :-) Not by example - just by watching visitors. :-) Now there's a peremptory knock on the door when she wants to be let in. :-) She could come in through her cat door but no - she wants to use the people door! :-)

Anyway, she's currently tucked up on the chair behind me as I write.

Oh, and in case you're wondering about the photo on my profile, that's myself and a friend on Chicago Navy Pier on 8 September 2001. I'm the short one - and my friend is nearly 7 foot. The wife (a Cherokee lady) and I were at the start of a road trip that went to Oklahoma and back. We arrived in rural Oklahoma at 5am on 9 September. I got about 4 hours sleep before being woken up to be told about the WTC.

Finally, don't bother sending me friends links for unclad women, webcams, nookie, begging letters or spam. You won't get anywhere, and you're only likely to irritate me into reporting it as abuse. Don't think I am remotely kidding - it pisses me off.

And now for one of these blogthings, where they purport to divine your character from the picture you choose! :-)

Your Hidden Talent

You have the power to persuade and influence others. You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around. The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!

I always enjoy meeting people who may be a potential friends. What they do isn't important. Famous or obscure doesn't matter - they all get treated as people. Doesn't matter if they're Johnny Depp or Scott Tizzard. Never heard of Scott? You should see his art!

I have met folks who have had the "don't you know who I am?" attitude, and I wasn't in the least bit impressed. That's the way to get me walking out the door going "Whatever!" It's who the person is as a person that matters. A fair number of famous people are crap as people.

I have an attitude - I am no one's inferior, I am no one's follower, and I am no one's superior. Screw the masks - if you can be an honest human being, enjoy a laugh over a pint or a glass of wine, and also enjoy a serious discussion about whatever, where differences of opinion are respected, then that's all that matters.

Lessons learnt in the wilderness.