Member Biography/Profile thread

[Njaco]

Wow, Cota, a real dude! Always wanted to do those cowboy stuff and ended up in animal control.

Glad to see you're still positive and hope your health gets better. You've got some friends on here!

[chook]

Interesting putting details and pictures to names. Good idea. I still haven't got the photo bucket thing happening so can't post photos yet. My wife helped me with my avatar.

Screaming Eagle you are my brother I think. I grew up in Brisbane too. Mt Cotton primary school and Villanova in Coorparoo for secondary. Been doing Boilermaking all my working life from construction steel to now owning my own business repairing earthmoving machinery on site in Sydney where I've been for 10 years now.

One 8yr old boy to my ex and twin girls still in hospital waiting to come home at the moment with my current. I'm thinking my hobby may suffer a bit for a little while at least.

Have a 78 HZ ute with a 5 litre and all the goodies, 2000 model 750 Ducati Monster and too love all things noisy and fast.

Been into anything WW2 since a kid and still have the dream of making every thing that existed from that time. I love building models cause to me they're real, not models, and the escape into fantasy and challenge of outdoing your last effort, learning from mistakes and experiments and the sense of achievement is alluring. I can easily unlock my display cabinet and waste half a day playing! Plus I regard myself as having intermittent patience and so am still often surprised I can do them.

I enjoy this site because it is full of people that I assume share some if not all of my passions too. If only I spent time here doing models instead I'd have more than my average of about 1 per year!

[rochie]

born in 1970 my dad was a sgt in the parachute regiment.
so i grew up wanting to be him, my parents split when i was 6 my brother and i went to live with my dad and his new wife and her first son then they had a son of their own
thngs went downhill from then as we became surplus to requirments.
my mother died when i was 14 and i was left to deal with it myself.
joined the army cadets (best times of my life), learned to play rugby made the county team
dad never saw me play or showed any interest in anything i did except brainwash me into following him into the army.
didnt try at school because i was always going to join the "regiment"
at 17 had both knees bent the wrong way a few weeks before my induction
whilst playing rugby so took first job i was offered and became a chef
found i was bloody good at it so it stuck
had a moment of weakness at 21 and joined the para's went right through the training but hated every minute so i walked out on the last day
(god was my dad angry )
that was the last contact i've had with any of my family except my brother sean
(my other 2 brothers are car stealing drug taking scumbags)
joined the territorial army (parachute regiment of course) fired lots of weapons did a shed load of jumps but my knees couldnt take it after a hard landing with my reserve chute.
worked my way through a few kitchens ending up as a head chef, did that for few years but downgraded in 2006 to running the banqueting dept where i still work
married my wife annmarie at 26 (1996), had daughter april at 27(1997), made bankrupt last year
still happy, still married, still a bloody good chef but with dodgy knees

[Hunter368]

Hunter368 Bio:

Born in Winnipeg moved around from there, where ever my Father’s job took us.

Lived in: Winnipeg, MB Brandon, MB The Pas, MB Flin Flon, MB Nipawan, SK
Creighton, SK Pontrilas, SK Winnipeg, MB again.

My Father was a incredible carpenter, among the best in Canada from what I have been told by sources. When I was 12 years old my Father started working up north on the DEW line for the next 10 years.

I was a teen hockey star, captain of my team for years, won medals, scoring titles. I eventually quit b/c my parents could not afford to pay for my hockey anymore. I am the youngest of three children (me and two older sisters).

We were a very very poor family growing up, at times my Mother only had dry bread to feeds us kids for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My parents were not very good with money, claimed bankruptcy three times in 20 years. At times my Dad earned allot of money on the DEW line but we were still poor b/c he wasted it.

Dad was an alcoholic, chain smoker, abusive to my Mother and sister. I remember falling a sleep many times listening to my Mother fall herself to sleep crying b/c of my Father. Once my Dad slammed my older sister’s head into the door over and over again b/c she lipped off to him. She was bleeding from her face and nose afterwards.

My Father was a different man before he worked on the DEW line and started drinking. He would take me fishing daily, coached my hockey teams, played games with me, etc. Then around my 12th birthday it changed, he worked on DEW line, became alcoholic. At times growing up in my teens I hated my Father b/c what he did to my mother, sister. I hated him b/c he was never there for me growing up, never at my games, never to talk to. I hated him with a passion for many years. Between ages 13-35 I hated him for all he had done to our family. Then he got cancer and doctors gave him 6 weeks to live.

I decided to visit him and be there for him in his dying days. I never forgiven him for all he had done, but I decided to be there in his final days. At that time I remember him, as I wanted to remember him, from my younger days. When he played with me, cared about me, cared for his family. His last days he was a shell of a man, he went from a 190lbs strong man to a 110lbs weak skeleton. After he died I was still mad at him, for dying before we could settle things between us. I was no kid anymore I was a man, I wanted to tell him what I really thought of him. But he died before I could do it, sitting here now I am getting mad at him again just thinking about. Of all the hell he put us through, I wanted to punch right in the face. But he died a thin weak man, he cheated me again.

I think of my father I think of 5 words: love, fear, hate, regret, guilt. I loved him as a child, loved him b/c he was my father. Feared what he became after he started drinking. Hated him for what he did to our family, which is still felt till this day, years after his death. I regret things could not of been different, we could have been a loving family. Till this day I at times feel guilt for not standing up to him as a teen, thinking that maybe I could of changed things if I would of stood up to him. At times I feel shame for not protecting my sister and mother from him when I was a teenager. Maybe he would of listened to his only son, maybe I could of changed him. I have considered suicide many times growing up, I still suffer at times from depression. Once as a 15 old child I walked in on mom trying to kill herself, I had to stop her.

All I ever wanted as a child was a father who was around all the time to look up to and respect, someone I could be proud of. Now I still hate him even after he is dead, but for some reason I also feel sorry for him. Not sure why. I wish things could have been different. I wish I had a father to be proud of, to talk to, for my children to love.

I married my grade 9 prom date and have had two children with her. I can’t say it has always been easy with her but she is a great person. I would never want to have children with anyone else. She is a great mother and person. I love her till the day I die. She has made me a better man and person.

Based off my experiences with my father, I do not drink a drop of alcohol. I have said this before, I want to be the opposite of everything my dad ever was. I want to grow old looking after and being there for my children and wife. I love them with my entire being.

I have several professional designations in logistics and I am a Professional Logistician. Been a manager for 17 years in business.

I love hockey, golf, mixed martial arts, reading, learning, history and gaming of all kinds. If I had one dream that could true about just myself, it would be to be a professional MMA fighter. But of course I am too old now for that but I love to watch and do it for fun.

Favorite hockey players: Scott Stevens, Cam Neely. Favorite MMA fighters: GSP, BJ Penn, Randy Couture.

My family has a bad history with cancer. Father, grand mother, mother in law have all died from cancer. Father in law has cancer, both sisters have had cancer. My mother has had many kinds of cancer. Her doctors say there is less then a hand full of women who have had the number of cancers my mom has had and lived. I hate cancer more then most people, I am sure you can understand.

I am a very healthy 180lbs 38-year-old man that looks forward to watching my kids grow up. I truly want to be there for my kids, their good times, their sad times and fun times.

Greatest fear would be not being there for my kids when they need me the most.

Sorry for my long boring post,

Hunter.

[Njaco]

Not boring at all, Hunter. A lot of it I could have posted.

[Hunter368]

Originally Posted by Njaco

Not boring at all, Hunter. A lot of it I could have posted.

Thanks, I am not one to talk much about myself normally. Most times I am a very private person, but everyone else was sharing so I thought I would also. Some of those memories are very difficult and painful ones to think about, but it actually felt good to share with all you here who I consider friends.

[Njaco]

Seems there is a lot in common with everyone here.

My father beat the 'L' out of me when young, in '80 he got divorced and it hit him hard and he turned to drink. I used to drink just to numb out his drinking. Pickled himself until early '90s when he almost killed himself with it. Came out of hospital with severe diabetes and only then was I able to really to connect with him. We did the airshows and model conventions and really got together. He died in 2004 from the diabetes (fragile diabetic they called him). Some people need a manual when they have children and he was one of them. Wasn't evil of heart but didn't understand about being a father. That is something I work hard at EVERY SINGLE DAY.

oh and all our ex's love to cheat. Love to have a Family Court Judge explain that discrepancy.

[lesofprimus]

Nice to open up once in awhile Hunter.... As the saying goes, life is tough all over....

Have u had a physical lately to see if that nasty C-Bug is roamin around there??? The only reason I aint dead is a routine check up showed something, and it was caught at Stage 0....

Luck was with me...

[Screaming Eagle]

Originally Posted by chook

Screaming Eagle you are my brother I think. I grew up in Brisbane too. Mt Cotton primary school and Villanova in Coorparoo for secondary. Been doing Boilermaking all my working life from construction steel to now owning my own business repairing earthmoving machinery on site in Sydney where I've been for 10 years now.

Cool I never had a brother! Once I do my trade I hope to do another one as a diesel mechanic, and maybe on down the line become a professional welder.

[Hunter368]

Originally Posted by lesofprimus

Nice to open up once in awhile Hunter.... As the saying goes, life is tough all over....

Have u had a physical lately to see if that nasty C-Bug is roamin around there??? The only reason I aint dead is a routine check up showed something, and it was caught at Stage 0....

Luck was with me...

Yes I get checked every year, thank god my doctor has small hands and even smaller fingers.

I had one scare, but it turned out to be nothing after several follow up checks. It did have me scared as hell for about 2 weeks, but I am fine.

[Matt308]

Cota. Take my word for it. Bouts of depression are cured by your looking into your girls eyes. You are not alone buddy.

[Matt308]

Originally Posted by Hunter368

Sorry for my long boring post,

Hunter.

Christ, Hunter. With tears in my eyes I am sympathetic. And must admit that I experience similar feelings. Effing cancer. Intrusion of alcohol affecting my youth relationships, etc.

I did not expect that you guys would post such personal reflections and now feel ashamed that my post was so superficial and contrite. It appears that this thread is either cathartic for most, or a cry for companionship. This is a time that I wish that I did not have a history on this forum, for I feel a connection with all members in a some fascimile. And a real bond with others. I would rather logout and have no conscience.

And posts like yours Hunter truly are painful. I think it was Charles who said "establish a buddy list". Some may think that we Forum members are nothing more than avatars, text and BS. But from my perspective, not so. All of you are a little part of my life.

[chook]

Yeh working on big machines does it for me Screamer and good money to be made too. Not many boilermakers around so I was extra happy to find one that shares other passions of mine too.

As for everyone else my story is not as interesting or sad so no need to mention it but I hope you all find what you need to get where you want to be and this site seems to be full of sympathetic souls which is amazing.

[wilbur1]

Originally Posted by Matt308

Christ, Hunter. With tears in my eyes I am sympathetic. And must admit that I experience similar feelings. Effing cancer. Intrusion of alcohol affecting my youth relationships, etc.

I did not expect that you guys would post such personal reflections and now feel ashamed that my post was so superficial and contrite. It appears that this thread is either cathartic for most, or a cry for companionship. This is a time that I wish that I did not have a history on this forum, for I feel a connection with all members in a some fascimile. And a real bond with others. I would rather logout and have no conscience.

And posts like yours Hunter truly are painful. I think it was Charles who said "establish a buddy list". Some may think that we Forum members are nothing more than avatars, text and BS. But from my perspective, not so. All of you are a little part of my life.

Matt, I think you just said it for me, ive been wanting to put my 2 cents in since i saw this thread but after hunters i feel that it would be repetitive, i feel very proud to talk to you guys and do consider each and everyone my friend,....even lucky....sometimes, just kidden,this hits alittle close to home so i try to laugh when i can, only way i can deal with it

[Graeme]

Originally Posted by lesofprimus

Have u had a physical lately?

Unfortunately, even then, the ‘bastards’ (some doctors) can get it wrong.

I blame a small town doctor ultimately for my fathers death. My dad (who lived in another town) was seeing him regularly for bouts of what he diagnosed as “constipation”. Eventually it got so bad he had to be hospitalised. Working full-time night shift, it was difficult to get a clear picture of what was happening on the phone from staff at the hospital. He lingered there for a couple of weeks and I made trips to visit him but never got any satisfactory answers to my questions. Even talking on the phone to the ‘Doctor’ got me nowhere as he even admitted that he was “puzzled” and continued to feed him aperients and administer enemas.

Eventually my wife and I drove to the hospital, ‘took him’ away and presented him to an emergency department at a hospital in another town.

The diagnosis was bowel cancer, that had infiltrated through the bowel wall and was so large it totally occluded the rectum, hence the “constipation”.

An anterior resection of the bowel was performed, but the surgeon (who was also a bastard) confided in me that he could feel nodules in the liver and suspected metastases and wouldn’t recommend follow-up radiation therapy based on my dads age (which was only 70). I won’t bore you with the details but the ultimate outcome is obvious.

In 1999 I was working for a Gastroenterologist who owned and operated an Endoscopy day surgery. Mid-year I was coughing constantly and could taste blood. I eventually got to see an ENT surgeon (a bastard) who could find “nothing wrong” with my throat and was convinced that I didn’t know what blood tasted like! I remember arguing with him over what blood tasted like! Eventually he decided to refer me to a Respiratory physician.

Before I could see him I had an episode of ‘expectorating’ blood. So I thought ‘Phuck’em’ I’ll sort this out myself!

One evening after work, I sprayed some lignocaine into my mouth and passed a gastric endoscope through the epiglottis into the trachea and surprise, surprise, found a bleeding vocal cord polyp and snapped some photos.



I presented these to the ENT surgeon, who I must admit was very apologetic (for a bastard) and surgery (diathermy) was performed days later.

My wife was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and is presently in remission after surgery, chemo and radiation therapy. I’ll never forget my wife asking the Radiotherapy Oncologist (a real BASTARD!) if she would still be able to fall pregnant after the radiation therapy, as we were considering a fourth child.

He SNIGGERED and said “Good God no! after this, your ovaries will be fried”.

I have to stop. I’m just making myself angry. And I’m drinking.

I guess I’m just trying to say, take care, beware of bastards, and get yourself a fibre-optic endoscope!