Interesting idea for a thread.
Let's hope my identity isn't completely blown between this thread and the one with my ugly mug in it.
1. I've lived in Central Finland for most of my life, but I used to live in California on 2 seperate occasions; first time when I was a kid back in 1991-1992, and then as an 18-year old in 2002-2003, with plenty of extended vacations there in between and after that period of time. It left its mark on me, and I daresay I left my heart there. Even though I find the American society a bit harsh and unforgiving in some ways (not that I am glorifying this Nordic "welfare" state of ours; quite the contrary), there was something damn near mystical about Cali, something I will never be able to shake off. I'll always miss that place and hope to return there again soon (last time was in 2008 on a singing trip).
2. I am a classically trained bass-baritone and I wanted to be a classical singer/singing instructor, but I've had some vocal problems that have forced me to put that plan on hold for now. I still maintain my voice as best I can.
3. I also play the bass, both for my own amusement and in various band settings (right now mostly jam sessions). We used to do lots of gigs but it's been quiet on that front lately.
4. Before I picked up the bass, I played cello for 4 years, and I was told I was something of a child prodigy with the instrument. Sadly I had a terrible teacher who killed my enthusiasm for that instrument. Had he not done so, I would probably be a professional cellist now.
5. I'm a health enthusiast, I lift weights, eat clean and I don't drink, smoke or do drugs (used to drink and smoke when I was younger, but then I came to my senses). Let's just say I learned the value of health the hard way. It's something you can't afford to lose.
6. I love to travel, and would do so more often if I had more money.
Last time I went abroad was last december to see the Chili Peppers perform in Munich, Germany.
7. I used to read and write lots of poetry, but my creative flow has slowed down these past few years. I still write plenty of lyrics, many of which make it into songs.
8. My political beliefs could perhaps be summed up into one word: antiestablishmentarianism. I'm not an anarchist, but I see the pitfalls of our system painfully clearly. We are little more than string puppets, with a relatively tight-knit global elite of bankers and powerful established families tugging at the strings. The system is rotten and corrupt at its very core, little more than glorified slavery with an elaborate facade of freedom constructed to hide the ugly truth from the masses. It is so fundamentally corrupt in my eyes that I cannot even begin to comprehend how it could be fixed.
9. I've had a pretty rough life so far in many ways, but I always try to stay positive and optimistic.
10. I'm interested in paranormal/unexplainable phenomena (UFOs in particular), fantasy literature/games/other entertainment and other geeky things. Even though I'm pretty far from a geek if you really know me.
