What is your speciality?

[Dirty Dog]

I guess it depends on how you define "expert". I like to think I have some expertise in my profession. Outside of that...

I like to build cars with a couple of friends. Here are some of our projects:
'95 TransAm - Supercharged 383 stroker LT1. 100% smog legal, even in California. 576HP at the rear wheels. In "drive to work" condition, ran a best of 11.22@124. With a change to BFG Drag radials and nothing else, 10.88@128.
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'89 Jeep Wrangler - 383 Chevy, TH350, Atlas 4-speed transfer case, full width axles, D44/12 bolt with 5.13 gears and detroit lockers, 37x14 IROKs on Staun internal beadlocks, MileMarker 12,000lb winch, full cage, etc. There are 3 trails in Colorado rated 10 of 10. 21 Road, Carnage Canyon and Independence. She's run Carnage Canyon once and Indy twice, plus just about every trail in the state rated a 7 or higher.
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'98 Dodge Ram - Selected as one of 20 trucks from across the country to compete in the 2nd 4Wheeler Magazine Real Truck Challenge. First 4x4 I ever built, and I'd been offroading a whopping 2 years. Ended up 14th out of 20. And this was the ONLY truck that actually got driven (from Colorado to Attica, Indiana) instead of being trailered. Drove out, competed, drove home.
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I'm a PADI rescue diver. Cave certification is next...


I haven't touched a forge in about 10 years, but at one time I did play at being a bladesmith.

 

[shesulsa]

Do you think maybe that is only the case when you judge against the standard of others?

Possibly.

I know you have expertise in MANY things you do not give yourself adequate credit for, yes I would bet that to be true several times over I would really like to hear of those.

LOL! I can't imagine what. I suppose I focus on what more there is to learn rather than what I already know. I guess I know a lot about living with an autistic person and how they process things, I think I can be rather direct and confronting with school officials and others who don't want to follow rules. I've been a victim several times over so I think I understand some things from that perspective and try to use those experiences to learn. But I don't consider myself an *expert* at it. That said, I'm not sure where I would draw the "expert" line. LOL! I suppose there are gradations of expertise as stated before, so perhaps "what's your specialty" would be a good question!

I think I have worded the OP badly. I think I am expert in things that greater experts doubtless would not. Is that naive do you think?

Not at all!

And can I ask what you write? And are you published online or in print that some people have been able to read and give you their opinion?I can imagine your proficiency in that field.

Much of my writing right now is private though I have a blog called myindianajohn on wordpress - it is the beginnings of a chronicle of my son John's story in his and our family's journey through autism. http://myindianajohn.wordpress.com I've had to do much policy and procedure writing as a secretary and as a business owner as well as communications and trainings in leadership in Girl Scouting. I would be very happy to have feedback on the blog, thank you!

I think problem solving requires expertise in a number of areas not least adaptability and novel thinking. Thank you for sharing these things, I am grateful to you!

I am grateful to you! What a knack you have for pointing folks in the direction of self-appreciation and self-examination without ridicule nor judgement!

I think time and other things do step in to stop us from becoming "the world's best" at whatever. Still there can only be one world's best and everyone else after has simply a differing level of expertise I think

Agreed. Thank you for this thread!

 

[Big Don]

No-I think there are gradations in expertise, just as there are in everything else.

That is a hell of a good line

Significantly boring. :lol:

Sure, to you...

 

[Big Don]

I have over 10 years experience speaking to groups as large as 3,000 over several different mediums, from small groups to auditoriums to satellites.

To hell with that, you couldn't pay me or threaten me enough to do that.

 

[elder999]

That is a hell of a good line

Keep it.:wink:

Sure, to you...

Trust me-mostly boring....when it wasn't boring, it was a little terrifying-of course, those "not boring events" are among the things that I can't talk about, ever thus reducing my possible memoir to......significantly boring. :lol:

 

[Jenna]

There are a lot of talented folks on MT im starting to fell "Not worthy"

NO!!!!!!! Please do not think that If you are thinking that then you know that other people will be thinking that same thing of you also!!! and then they will not share because they do not have your level of expertise!!!

I want everybody to share their knowledge and experience. It is ALL expertise!

I am remiss and shortsighted for wording this thread this way. I would change it to what Shesulsa says: what is your specialty? Each of us has a speciality; each of us has a place and each of us has a skill, a knack, an ability, an expertise with great INTRINSIC value. That is a crucial word I have capitalised: INTRINSIC value.

Everyone has done great things. Everyone has accumulated expertise and for each of us who are not the "world best" then there is always at least one person better at what we do. That is true and but it is no belittlement of our achievements and our expertise. There is no inferiority in having achieved what each of us has achieved.

If nothing else, every single person here is expert at living THEIR lives. Nobody else could have lived your life. No matter how expert an expert they are, they could not have done what you did the way you did it. I respect that some people have said they are not expert in anything. However I would likewise respectfully disagree. Everybody here is an expert in something. It is only that sometimes we are blinded by ideas that someone else is more expert and then we do not see our own expertise on its own merit nor feel it deserves as much respect. It is all worthy of respect and I only wanted to admire what people had achieved. Thank you.

 

[Jenna]

You shouldn't, there are people here, myself included, who couldn't do what you do. I help make a high tech comm system that hopefully gives folks out there in uniform a better chance of returning to their family in once piece, but that's not the same as actuall doing the work. :asian: Our LEADS (Law Enforcement and Defense Services) director recently put this quote in his signature at work:



It's not the bureaucrat,

it's the 'beat cop' who fights crime - get out there

and lead by example!

Yes! This! Help me to get this idea across Carol that we should not feel a deference at least not when being openly asked to share what is expertise to others with a view to both self-appreciation and to mutual learning for the benefit of everyone... I think I have lots of little bits of knowledge even from reading these wonderful posts that you have all posted Thank you

 

[Jenna]

@elder999, eeek you have piqued my interest in some things by telling me that you cannot tell me! That is not fair!! I have heard of tritium when I was shown a watch and was told it was radioactive which is why the hands lit up. I do not know if that was true or the same thing though as I do not think you could make a nuclear weapon from watch hands. Unless you were Vin Diesel. I do understand your reticence though. Privacy is always a concern on the internet, I know this too well also. I appreciate you sharing what you shared and I am very grateful for the opportunity to tap into your knowledge. And but there is a strange thing.. I cannot reconcile what you have achieved and the expertise you have with what I am perceiving as indifference towards such great things? I do not even know if I should ask, remembering what my father would have said that is not for me to be peeking in people's heads when they are unlocked Ah you are lucky though to have owned such a beautiful vehicle as the Elan though. Very sweet cars. I have always had a soft spot for these. British made you see. That is why they fall apart and die. I should not say that. I would say other things about Lotus from when I was there shadowing (for as short a time as it is possible to spend) only I will not Gorgeous car to stare at. Do you have any photos left maybe? And you are driving something similar now? I am usually good at matching owners to cars and but that is only here in UK. If I were your car "stylist" lol, then I know what I would pick for you. I wonder what car you drive in reality? Is it sensible? It is good to be sensible. Sometimes. Thank you very much for sharing what you have shared. It is gracious as ever.

Can I also ask, why do you think some people are reluctant to share the same?



@Flying Crane, Michael thank you for your courteous reply and so you were going to instruct in diving techniques for your profession? In the Bahamas too?? Wow... And thank you for explaining that a swordsmith makes blades also. I did not know that and you instead work with hilts and scabbards. In previous times Michael did craftsmen specialise in that way do you know or would the one craftsman have completed all parts of the weapon? And but you know I cannot help but wonder to myself, if money was somehow no object or you could turn sufficient profits, would you take forward one of your areas of current proficiency? Thank you for sharing



@Makalakumu, I like your view of labels. I think this is well discerned. As you can see, it works in many ways. I would only say though that ceding our definition of expertise to accredited peers can be fraught with its own psychological hazards. Do you not think this is true? I like that you see possibilities in having proficiencies in many areas. From what you have said, I think you yourself (and others here) are exemplar of this. It is very interesting the progression of your interests from environment and science towards people and culture. Of course you keep your prior expertise and apply prior lessons to current situations. I wonder what lessons from your outdoor environment and travelling and interests in science you would apply to your dealing with other people and study of culture? And thank you for sharing your interactions with your brothers. I am sure they are both your beloved kin and your biggest competitors simultaneously Did you fight with them growing up? I mean not in a bad way, horseplay? Do they do martial arts also? Being spiritual (with a small s) I can imagine why Patagonia. I think for me the place is rich and romantic in some ancient historical context. And your doctorate sounds as if it is no small task of compilation and research. How does one design a system that is both necessarily directive and collaborative in good equilibrium? I should think the completion of your thesis would have wide-ranging impact. Thank you for sharing these things. You have an informed perspective.



@Steve, you have addressed 3000 people at one time? Goodness, do you suffer from nervousness or have a constitution of iron maybe? How must you treat an audience of 3000 differently to an audience of 10 or 20? Which do you think you are better at, addressing monstrous groups or addressing smaller groups? And I wonder does the term expert carry connotations that cause us to diminish a view of ourselves in the face of others with greater knowledge or experience? I mean you often will call upon a subject matter expert and but still you are expert in knowing who to call and at what stage in the process to call them and for how long you will require them. Perhaps you are not explicitly titled expert and but still you demonstrate expertise? I like very much that you have identified that public speaking expertise. And do you think empathy is a necessary condition of good people management or is it incumbent upon employees to account for their own receipt of directives and instructions? And you work with unions in a bargaining capacity? Do you do arbitration work, that is quite a skill I think. And but thank you for sharing these things. I am grateful to you Steve.



@oftheherd1, wow I love that depiction of your choice and use of an anthropologist. That is pure skill right there. It is truly in the realm of extraordinary! Thank you for sharing that. It must be such an intriguing and diverse field of work yes? And goodness I cannot understand Greek lol, I can muddle by phonetically *reading* the Greek alphabet and but I have no concept of what I would be saying All I know is the Lord's Prayer which is easy since I had prior familiarity with it in English And but yes, I also loved looking up Christian extra-biblical texts. I have found some remarkable material too, heretical in its way and but nonetheless powerful and romantic to read intimate conversations purportedly of Jesus with Mary and disciples omitted from all biblical compilations. Greek is very important here. Is this one of the reasons for your choice of language? I suspect it is not for holiday conversation with the current Greek economic issues, you may arrive in Athens and find they have repossed the airport! And that is very very interesting about the use of tone and distribution in Vietnamese, and no conjugation either? I think you sound highly proficient in the mechanics of learning a language. I think that can be half the problem at times. And I am extremely grateful for that expansion of John1:1. You are very generous to share this way. Thank you. And I believe one of the most important aspects of learning a language is motivation. Can I ask a little more of yours for Korean? It is based on your MA perhaps? Thank you again very much.



@Buka, can you tell me does Gin Rummy differ from Poker? Are the two similar enough or completely different? Can I ask how or where you acquired your expertise in Gin Rummy? I think there is money to be made from card playing at expert level nowadays. Here in the UK we even have gambling channels on TV and online with monstrous prizes. Is card playing legal where you are? I think it is different in the US? And tell me also do specific cigars go with specific wine? Or is wine only to accompany food? And with all your adeptness and proficiency in your former career and many interests you feel you can claim no expertise at all? I have never even held a real firearm. In that respect, in comparison to me, or most people here in the UK, I would guess as a LEO you possess considerable expertise I appreciate your reply and thank you for such courtesy in sharing.



@Carol, ahh I am unable to persuade you to share your expertise that I know you have and I respect that and but I am grateful for your contribution. Thank you.



@Dirty Dog, I think the definition of expert should be what you feel you are proficient at, specialised in or have as your special skill. Can I ask what would you take as your own definition of expert? And I love your motors. Did you post these before? I recall that figure of 576 at the rear wheels and wondering if you had a contract with your local tire shop! Amazing vehicle and love the plate. Your offroaders look as if they have seen some good action when I think most that we get around here have rarely seen a scratch on their sump guard. Looks like a whole lotta fun! And between that, scuba and swordsmithing, where do you feel your greatest proficiency lies? Thank you for sharing these things. I am grateful.



@Shesulsa, yes I see what you mean regarding looking at knowledge with an eye on what we do not yet know as opposed to what we do know. I think both are equally useful. If we think we know it all then there is no point in learning more. Though if we feel lacking or in a distance off competence then we might either lose motivation to strive or even miss what we already are and have achieved Yes you do not need to be medically qualified to understand autism. Living with any condition is where the rubber meets the road I think. It is not something we shout about and yet it is not something to hide or to hide from. There are blessings in even things which are not positive. The person you are and the knowledge and expertise you possess and your capacity for love and patience are things which would not have in the same way had you not to deal with the things you have had to deal with. Likewise to be forthright in a way that does not cause argument or offence is a multidisciplinary skill. And I like your idea better than mine about rephrasing the question to what is your specialty. I would change the thread title if I could. And so what is your specialty out of all your proficiencies? You write from your heart and head in equal measure. Indiana Jones. I like that. Indiana Jones always escapes from his adversaries even if it seems he will not. And but he does not escape to save his own skin rather when it comes to it, he is the altruist. And just as I do not wish people to see their expertise by comparison to the expertise of others, so too your son has and will gain expertise that is true expertise whether it is comparable to that of anyone else is not intrinsically relevant. And do you or he keep a pet can I ask? Pets understand us and yet do not judge us nor psychoanalyse us. Horses especially. Dogs too. Swimming with dolphins I would love to do one day. I appreciate you taking time to share. I am grateful as ever for the opportunity to connect and to learn.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Bill, your post was a real trip down memory lane. We had a couple of BBS in Seoul Korea around 1985/6. I don't recall exactly now. Based on what you are saying, it must have been 1986. I helped the owner with one, basically just making sure when he wasn't there that it stayed up or I restarted it. I remember the first 1200 modems. It was suddenly hard to read the screen as it scrolled, so different from the 300 modems where you could check spelling with your dictionary. lol

I once lusted for a 286. When I got my first PC, it was a 486 and I thought I was king. Why, the video board had a whole meg of memory. lol I studied Unix about 1991 or 92, and fell in love. I even bought my own PC version of Unix, a program called Coherent. Linux soon killed the commercial Unix programs for a PC. Before the PC, I had a Commodor 64, and had C and Cobol for that. Actually, for all that the Commodore 64 could do, its real thing was the incredible game programming the assembler programmers came up with, including using the eight sprites more than once per second, fooling the eye into thinking there were more than eight. Its sound chip joined right in for games. But Commodore seemed bad at marketing and finally went away.

I got tired enough with Windows slowness and poor security, that I loaded Ubuntu on the laptop I am using to write this.

I think we stomped on some of the same ground! I bought the $50 book that included the compilable source code for Minux, but could not get it compiled. I bought Coherent and ran it for awhile also. As you said, the first Linux murdered Coherent! I did my COBOL programming in college on a Utah COBOL compiler that ran on...get this...CP/M! My last computer before the Leading Edge 286 was a Kaypro I that I bought surplus in Computer Shopper (when it was a huge newsprint type magazine) for $99. My code compiled on my Kaypro, then I took it in to school and it compiled on the VAX I worked on, just changed the ID Division.

I had a Commy 64, didn't do much with it. Worked at Radio Shack for awhile, played with all the CoCo computers and the last of the TRS-80's before that. I did buy a Timex/Sinclair when I was in the Marines, but never did much with it.

I was never into games; still not; I only like to code, script, and otherwise geek out.

 

[elder999]

@elder999, eeek you have piqued my interest in some things by telling me that you cannot tell me! That is not fair!! I have heard of tritium when I was shown a watch and was told it was radioactive which is why the hands lit up. I do not know if that was true or the same thing though as I do not think you could make a nuclear weapon from watch hands. Unless you were Vin Diesel. I do understand your reticence though. Privacy is always a concern on the internet, I know this too well also. I appreciate you sharing what you shared and I am very grateful for the opportunity to tap into your knowledge

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen-in the "hydrogen bomb" much larger quantities than that used to make watches (and old "EXIT" signs) glow are radioactively coupled to "boost" a primary fission device to make a nuclear detonation "thermonuclear." So yeah, stuff that makes watch hands, "EXIT" signs, and pistol sights glow, makes big booms into big, BIG booms...(just can't put a lfao smiley here like I usually would, because, frankly, it's just not f'ing funny.)

There, I can say that much-what I can't say is how much tritium, or draw a picture to explain "radioactively coupled," or even point to a URL that has a reasonably accurate drawing, if there is such a thing-or even say that there is such a thing, or any number of other things. That's what life is like for me, fairly often: imagine you're me, and you have to tell Rita-that's the wife-complete lies about your reasons for going to work out of town, and knowing that she knows that they're complete lies.........or, if you prefer, imagine that you're Rita-that's the wife.

I can make a bomb out of dirt,though, and Vin Diesel is gay.. :lfao:

And but there is a strange thing.. I cannot reconcile what you have achieved and the expertise you have with what I am perceiving as indifference towards such great things? I do not even know if I should ask, remembering what my father would have said that is not for me to be peeking in people's heads when they are unlocked

Part of it is the moral ambiguity I've experienced professionally-I think that's been obvious in the past, anyway.As far as my personal accomplishments outside of my professional life, I didn't do them to do "Great things," I did them because.....well, they're what I do.....:lol:......In the end,though, tomorrow or twenty years from now-or fifty-I'll be quite dead, and dust, and none of these things will matter at all.

Or, if you prefer:

"Merest breath, said Qoheleth, merest breath. All is mere breath."

Or, just so that it's more familiar:

"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

This is, of course, Ecclesiastes, 1:2-I'll spare the koine Greek and Hebrew (which were part of my miserable education, a thousand years ago as well-I'm the victim of a classical education, so two of my six languages, are dead languages....:lol:... I can even read Aramaic passably, though it's not quite dead yet... :lol: )

Ah you are lucky though to have owned such a beautiful vehicle as the Elan though. Very sweet cars. I have always had a soft spot for these. British made you see. That is why they fall apart and die. I should not say that. I would say other things about Lotus from when I was there shadowing (for as short a time as it is possible to spend) only I will not Gorgeous car to stare at. Do you have any photos left maybe? And you are driving something similar now? I am usually good at matching owners to cars and but that is only here in UK. If I were your car "stylist" lol, then I know what I would pick for you. I wonder what car you drive in reality? Is it sensible? It is good to be sensible. Sometimes. Thank you very much for sharing what you have shared. It is gracious as ever.

No photos-I bought the car to turn a profit, but a total Diana RIgg, Avengers crush made that car my idee fixe........my regular driver until recently was a Cadillac STS, but some moron T-boned it in a parking lot, and basically killed it. I have two Porsches, though-a few Dodge pickups (POWERWAGONS!!!),some bikes and a Ferrari that I hardly ever ldrive.....I had a few (some might say "quite a few") American muscle cars that Rita-that's the wife-has had me selling off since around 2000-but my everyday driver these days is a Nissan Altima, SCR with a few mods.....quite fast, quite comfortable, and quite practical, even in snow.

I've got a least two automotive projects left in me, though: a Factory Five racer, and an extra-special Chevy Vega build......:lfao using the words "Chevy Vega" and "extra special" in the same sentence. :lfao:

Can I also ask, why do you think some people are reluctant to share the same?

I really have no idea. :lol:

Now, in light of the theme of this forum-Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi is an impossible throw that I've said for years-like 30 years-that I couldn't pull off, especially against a "big man" like me in a match.

This has told me that I pretty much couldn't pull it of anywhere but a match, and maybe has told me how, but when I first saw it, I felt about 12, because it looked like magic (though, in the words of Max Schmeling, I zee somezing :lol: )

 

[Bill Mattocks]

...a few Dodge pickups (POWERWAGONS!!!)...

an extra-special Chevy Vega build......:lfao using the words "Chevy Vega" and "extra special" in the same sentence. :lfao:

I had a Chevy Vega; my first car. Only burned a quart of oil a week. It was the only car I ever owned that was a native Colorado car that rusted. Very impressive.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Steve]

To hell with that, you couldn't pay me or threaten me enough to do that.

Glossophobia, fear of public speaking, is more common and absolute than a fear of death. In every survey I've ever seen, it's number 1, over fear of heights, fear of disease, spiders, dying and every other "fear", affecting something like 75% of children and adults.

Unfortunately, though, it's one that could kill a career. We do a class on public speaking where we focus on common situations. The ones that come up for our new supervisors most are training, meetings and executive briefings. The first two are the most important to operations, but that last one can cripple a career in less than 20 minutes.

 

[Xue Sheng]

I am an expert at clicking a mouse I am also an expert at modesty...and I am damn awsome at being modest

 

[shesulsa]

@Shesulsa, yes I see what you mean regarding looking at knowledge with an eye on what we do not yet know as opposed to what we do know. I think both are equally useful. If we think we know it all then there is no point in learning more. Though if we feel lacking or in a distance off competence then we might either lose motivation to strive or even miss what we already are and have achieved

Good point!

Yes you do not need to be medically qualified to understand autism. Living with any condition is where the rubber meets the road I think. It is not something we shout about and yet it is not something to hide or to hide from. There are blessings in even things which are not positive. The person you are and the knowledge and expertise you possess and your capacity for love and patience are things which would not have in the same way had you not to deal with the things you have had to deal with.

Knowing this keeps me sane ... and keeps me going.

Likewise to be forthright in a way that does not cause argument or offence is a multidisciplinary skill. And I like your idea better than mine about rephrasing the question to what is your specialty. I would change the thread title if I could.

Yes it is - I was good at it once, before a lot of crap happened in my life. I was considered quite the diplomatic leader in a local non-profit. I'll see if I can put a bug in someone's ear about the thread title.

And so what is your specialty out of all your proficiencies?

I think it is the ability to break things down to make them learnable to a wide variety of people. Seems to work for almost anything I know, whether it is martial arts, Microsoft Office products from a user level, cooking, lacing shoes ...

You write from your heart and head in equal measure.

Thank you!

Indiana Jones. I like that. Indiana Jones always escapes from his adversaries even if it seems he will not. And but he does not escape to save his own skin rather when it comes to it, he is the altruist. And just as I do not wish people to see their expertise by comparison to the expertise of others, so too your son has and will gain expertise that is true expertise whether it is comparable to that of anyone else is not intrinsically relevant.

Indeed, he does have a drive to dive deep into his interest - it is often seen as obsession or perseveration in autism, but it can be an asset which translates into careers for some.

And do you or he keep a pet can I ask? Pets understand us and yet do not judge us nor psychoanalyse us. Horses especially. Dogs too. Swimming with dolphins I would love to do one day. I appreciate you taking time to share. I am grateful as ever for the opportunity to connect and to learn.

I keep a dog - Angel, my Bichon Frise, is an amazing animal and for a small, fluffy white dog is the most wonderful all-around breed. She is happy to go hiking, swimming, camping, walking, driving, cuddling, lazing about ... whatever you want to do, she is right there. Especially eating! It is the one activity she wishes to share the most! Though she's not a service dog, she is a great companion and have I ever needed her these last three years! John cannot keep a pet according to his house rules, unfortunately, though it is probably a good thing as he will put a kitty in a drawer and close the drawer, only to leave the cat there to take out at his discretion. I have little doubt an animal is good for him, but he will need assistance with one for a very long time. If we had money, after we paid off our debt, we would get John to hippotherapy. There are two ranches who provide this service in our area and I would love for him to ride.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Glossophobia, fear of public speaking, is more common and absolute than a fear of death. In every survey I've ever seen, it's number 1, over fear of heights, fear of disease, spiders, dying and every other "fear", affecting something like 75% of children and adults.

Unfortunately, though, it's one that could kill a career. We do a class on public speaking where we focus on common situations. The ones that come up for our new supervisors most are training, meetings and executive briefings. The first two are the most important to operations, but that last one can cripple a career in less than 20 minutes.

I took a class on public speaking in college. I thought I would be scared, and I thought I would bone it up. To my vast surprise, I wasn't scared. I didn't do the greatest job with the speech I was required to give, but it was my first ever.

I got a job traveling for a living, and I had to teach classes on the product we sold and I supported in the field. Turns out, I loved it. Felt like a rock star. At the end of an 8-hour day teaching, I always felt wrung out but charged up at the same time. I did that for seven years. Turns out I love to talk. I know, who would imagine that? I also discover that I learn more about my subject when I have to teach it; people ask hard questions and you really have to be an on-the-fly problem solver to be able to keep them moving the way you want them to move. What a rush it is to teach! I don't stand up in front of classrooms anymore, but I still write a lot of training material and I do make presentations via conference calls and desktop sharing from time to time.

 

[Jenna]

Part of it is the moral ambiguity I've experienced professionally-I think that's been obvious in the past, anyway.As far as my personal accomplishments outside of my professional life, I didn't do them to do "Great things," I did them because.....well, they're what I do.....:lol:......In the end,though, tomorrow or twenty years from now-or fifty-I'll be quite dead, and dust, and none of these things will matter at all.

Or, if you prefer:

"Merest breath, said Qoheleth, merest breath. All is mere breath."

Or, just so that it's more familiar:

"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

This is, of course, Ecclesiastes, 1:2-I'll spare the koine Greek and Hebrew (which were part of my miserable education, a thousand years ago as well-I'm the victim of a classical education, so two of my six languages, are dead languages....:lol:... I can even read Aramaic passably, though it's not quite dead yet... :lol: )

I think the Qoheleth of the admonition would be referring to the vanity of striving in the face of God, no? In which case the statement is appropriate and valid and every striving is reducable to pointlessness. I think though we are just people here though and we attribute meaning and gain satisfaction from our endeavours and I am not God and I think it is not vanity to take satisfaction from achievement and from acquisition of knowledge and experience

I can make a bomb out of dirt,though, and Vin Diesel is gay.. :lfao:

Now how can that possibly be?

 

[Jenna]

I was considered quite the diplomatic leader in a local non-profit.

Perhaps people are not as deserving of diplomacy now? I am sure that expertise is still resident in you whatever happens.

I think it is the ability to break things down to make them learnable to a wide variety of people. Seems to work for almost anything I know, whether it is martial arts, Microsoft Office products from a user level, cooking, lacing shoes ...

That is a very particular and important skill. I can see how you and others that have taken time to post here either work / study in similar areas or would work well together. Do you make your teaching either elaborate enough or simple enough that everyone can understand, or do you tailor your teaching to suit the people you are instructing? Can I ask is teaching your profession?

Indeed, he does have a drive to dive deep into his interest - it is often seen as obsession or perseveration in autism, but it can be an asset which translates into careers for some.

I think you are correct in that where it controllable, positive outlets for obsessiveness are how we have our top athletes, thinkers and artists. Being able to correctly direct and channel how he works into what he likes will bring him satisfaction and income in measure. And can you teach to him the same way as you can teach and explain to others? I think it is not always easy to do with those close to us? If he were your student or client would that be different? I hope I am not being impertinent to ask. I know we are different in different situations.

I keep a dog - Angel, my Bichon Frise, is an amazing animal and for a small, fluffy white dog is the most wonderful all-around breed. She is happy to go hiking, swimming, camping, walking, driving, cuddling, lazing about ... whatever you want to do, she is right there. Especially eating! It is the one activity she wishes to share the most! Though she's not a service dog, she is a great companion and have I ever needed her these last three years! John cannot keep a pet according to his house rules, unfortunately, though it is probably a good thing as he will put a kitty in a drawer and close the drawer, only to leave the cat there to take out at his discretion. I have little doubt an animal is good for him, but he will need assistance with one for a very long time. If we had money, after we paid off our debt, we would get John to hippotherapy. There are two ranches who provide this service in our area and I would love for him to ride.

I did not know horses were so empathetic until I saw a little television show

. And but I am so glad you have your little Angel Ha, yes eating is her favourite thing and I am sure it is small price for the companionship. And the idea of hippotherapy sounds amazing too. I believe minds are seeking connections. I get a feeling that John will find his soon. I want to thank you again for sharing and doing so with such generosity.

 

[Dirty Dog]

@Dirty Dog, I think the definition of expert should be what you feel you are proficient at, specialised in or have as your special skill. Can I ask what would you take as your own definition of expert? And I love your motors. Did you post these before? I recall that figure of 576 at the rear wheels and wondering if you had a contract with your local tire shop! Amazing vehicle and love the plate. Your offroaders look as if they have seen some good action when I think most that we get around here have rarely seen a scratch on their sump guard. Looks like a whole lotta fun! And between that, scuba and swordsmithing, where do you feel your greatest proficiency lies? Thank you for sharing these things. I am grateful.

I think I did, and yes, it can go through a lot of tires. Not as many as you might expect though. When racing, there's no acceleration to be found when the tires are spinning. And when racing on street tires, there's no traction benifit from burnouts. Burnouts heat up and soften race tires, to aid traction. Street tires, on the other hand, have more traction when they're cold. I go AROUND the water box, and tap the throttle to turn the tires over once. On a perfect day, they spin for exactly one revolution. That's done just to make sure there are no rocks or other muck on the tires. People who do big smokey burnouts in street tire classes are only demonstrating their ignorance.

As far as the offroaders go, I think a clean, straight body on an offroader is a sure sign of a mall crawler. If you never get stuck and you never break anything, you're just not trying.
I'm not really serious about that. There are a lot of AMAZING places in Colorado that you can't see from the interstate. And lots of people use their daily driver 4x4 to go see them. Until you start running trails of 7 or 8 of 10, you can avoid body damage with a little caution. Once you hit 9s, you might as well assume you're going to bang things up. And on 10s, the guideline is that the best way to be sure you'll drive home at the end of the day is to bring another vehicle...

It has been too long since I forged a blade to claim any real proficiency at this point. I'd have to work at it a lot again to get back to where I was. In answer to a question you asked someone else... back in the day (at least in Europe) a bladesmith made blades. Hilts and scabbards were made by other craftsmen.

As a car builder, I'm best with engines. Jon is best with everything behind the engine, and Glen is best with suspensions and welding/fabrication. Between the 3 of us, we make one good builder, but none of us could do a bare-frame buildup without the others and have it come out as well as they do when we work together.

As a diver, I've been offered jobs by instructors we've dove with. I'd have to take the instructor courses, and when I'm ready to leave EMS and semi-retire, I may well do that. The offers aren't because I'm the worlds best diver though. Small dive operators (the type we dive with, because we hate hate hate cattleboats) need instructors with varied skills. The "ideal" instructor, in this setting, is a proficient dive instructor, a gear tech (dive gear needs regular and careful service), an engine mechanic (boat motors get a lot of hours on them, and need maintained and repaired), has at least some level of first aid training (EFR and CPR are required minimums), and can speak more than one language. As an ER/Flight nurse who maintains his own gear, can build an engine from a bare block and speaks American, English, Spanish, Geek and (working on) Korean, I'm fairly marketable as a dive instructor, especially in those parts of the caribbean that we frequent, where Spanish is the native language and the vast majority of tourists speak some variety of English.

 

[Flying Crane]

@Flying Crane, Michael thank you for your courteous reply and so you were going to instruct in diving techniques for your profession? In the Bahamas too?? Wow... And thank you for explaining that a swordsmith makes blades also. I did not know that and you instead work with hilts and scabbards. In previous times Michael did craftsmen specialise in that way do you know or would the one craftsman have completed all parts of the weapon? And but you know I cannot help but wonder to myself, if money was somehow no object or you could turn sufficient profits, would you take forward one of your areas of current proficiency? Thank you for sharing

I taught for Club Med in the Bahamas, and while the diving itself was excellent, working for Club Med was a nightmare for many reasons, the biggest one being that you do not get a day off. never.

When I moved to San Francisco, I looked into it again and finally decided that it's just very difficult to do it around here. In order to make any profit, I would need to teach larger classes than I was comfortable with, and teach more often than I desired (I thought this could be a fun side job). Otherwise I was just spending my own money for the privilege of teaching others, and I didn't care for that. So I gave up my teaching credentials, but I still love to dive, and my wife and I have managed to travel to a few good places to do it: Thailand, Maui, Baja California, Belize, Bonaire.

I considered the possibiliity of making my living doing my metal working, making swords and I have my line of silver pendants that I sell on Etsy.com under the seller name flyingcranedesigns. I don't do nearly enough business to make a living, it's just a fun hobby that makes a little money on the side. Honestly, I was thinking about it recently and I realized that while I dislike the actual work that I do in my day job, I really love the people that I work with. On some level I guess I still need that interaction with people, and if I decided to go it alone with my metalworking, it would probably mean that I spend my days in my garage, working by myself. I think I'd start to get a little crazy after awhile, with all the alone time. I'm kind of a lone-wolf, very self-reliant, but I need people in my life.

 

[Jenna]

I think I did, and yes, it can go through a lot of tires. Not as many as you might expect though. When racing, there's no acceleration to be found when the tires are spinning. And when racing on street tires, there's no traction benifit from burnouts. Burnouts heat up and soften race tires, to aid traction. Street tires, on the other hand, have more traction when they're cold. I go AROUND the water box, and tap the throttle to turn the tires over once. On a perfect day, they spin for exactly one revolution. That's done just to make sure there are no rocks or other muck on the tires. People who do big smokey burnouts in street tire classes are only demonstrating their ignorance.

As far as the offroaders go, I think a clean, straight body on an offroader is a sure sign of a mall crawler. If you never get stuck and you never break anything, you're just not trying.
I'm not really serious about that. There are a lot of AMAZING places in Colorado that you can't see from the interstate. And lots of people use their daily driver 4x4 to go see them. Until you start running trails of 7 or 8 of 10, you can avoid body damage with a little caution. Once you hit 9s, you might as well assume you're going to bang things up. And on 10s, the guideline is that the best way to be sure you'll drive home at the end of the day is to bring another vehicle...

It has been too long since I forged a blade to claim any real proficiency at this point. I'd have to work at it a lot again to get back to where I was. In answer to a question you asked someone else... back in the day (at least in Europe) a bladesmith made blades. Hilts and scabbards were made by other craftsmen.

As a car builder, I'm best with engines. Jon is best with everything behind the engine, and Glen is best with suspensions and welding/fabrication. Between the 3 of us, we make one good builder, but none of us could do a bare-frame buildup without the others and have it come out as well as they do when we work together.

As a diver, I've been offered jobs by instructors we've dove with. I'd have to take the instructor courses, and when I'm ready to leave EMS and semi-retire, I may well do that. The offers aren't because I'm the worlds best diver though. Small dive operators (the type we dive with, because we hate hate hate cattleboats) need instructors with varied skills. The "ideal" instructor, in this setting, is a proficient dive instructor, a gear tech (dive gear needs regular and careful service), an engine mechanic (boat motors get a lot of hours on them, and need maintained and repaired), has at least some level of first aid training (EFR and CPR are required minimums), and can speak more than one language. As an ER/Flight nurse who maintains his own gear, can build an engine from a bare block and speaks American, English, Spanish, Geek and (working on) Korean, I'm fairly marketable as a dive instructor, especially in those parts of the caribbean that we frequent, where Spanish is the native language and the vast majority of tourists speak some variety of English.

I think sometimes the US muscle cars can be awkward to convert the power into torque at the wheel. I always persuade owners to allow me to change their curves to actually make the motor less reactive under higher revs and more pumped at the lower end which helps away from in the traffic light drags And goodness Colorado must be offroad heaven. Your winches must be essential kit also. I would love to try those extremes and lol@mall crawlers.. we have Chelsea tractors here driven by posh mothers and Gordon Gekko types And so you all three of you are tweakmeisters in your own ends of the motor, I think then you can all work simultaneously! Rollbars and suspension takes loads of noodling around to get stiffness and damping just so and even then when it feels just right and you drive somewhere else it is all off again. You three sound like a great team. None of my friends give a hoot about my motor lol to them it is a 2+2 taxicab. And are forging skills not retained in your hands and mind do you think? Like old MA techs that we have not done in a while, they are still hardwired in? I think it is an almost poetic expertise to possess. And wow you do need a lot of skills to be a dive instructor in those environments. A cattleboat sounds pejorative.. I am guessing it is a kind of McDive tour then is that correct? And you are another language expert too wow. I am so glad you can see your huge skill base and experience as the expertise it is and better still that you can put it all to use going forward. I think combining work with pleasure in that way cannot be beat. I think you have it sussed as we say here. Or maybe you say there too Thank you for elaborating and doing so with courtesy. I am grateful as ever.