Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Who are you, Why do you live where you live?

Forgive me if I am deliberately a bit vague on specific details - I'm just a bit cautious about revealing specific identity info on the net.

I'm was born in the mid 50's and raised in one of New Zealand's cities. Started riding motorbikes at 15, formed my own rock band at 16, started work as an artist in the advertising industry at 17. Joined one of NZ's most well known rock bands at 18 and oscillated between advertising art and professional bands for about 10 years. My path so far was pretty wild and lubricated by drugs (my memory is a bit fuzzy). I had a pivotal spiritual experience and went to Bible College in my late 20's and married shortly after. I settled into advertising for the money and became a person I would now consider obnoxiously arrogant.

I worked in Thailand for one or the world's largest ad agencies but after my first marriage failed I returned to NZ. Struggling out of recession I co-founded a successful specialist ad agency with a business partner. I grew in business stature and unattractive character traits. I met my wonderful wife back in NZ and married her in my late 30s. I have visited LA, San Fran, Atlanta, New York and Maputo, Mozambique. The failure of a very large client who owed us $$$$ and embezzlement by my business partner resulted in the closure of my ad agency.

We moved to Brisbane 15 years ago because my wife's family were there ... and, because we had to start again, it made sense to move to a better climate.

I worked (read struggled) as a specialist consultant (and professional musician) for several years and realized I was over the hill for the ad business. I drove cabs night shift for a year. Was that ever humbling! But it was the best thing that could have happened to me for that reason. I got back into bike 7 years ago and got my black America 2 years ago.

I now help a mate manage his performance exhaust factory. I am soooo glad to be out of the ad industry. I don't particularly enjoy my job now but I really enjoy helping my mate and working with him.

My wife and I are very involved in our local church (nothing wacky - just a great, real community). We plan to move to a slightly cooler climate when we become unemployable - or maybe become gypsy's in a Winnebago selling my oil paintings and traveling around the country.