So, who are you anyways? That is a question I have definately been asked more than
once or twice and in a wide variety of situations! This article will try and answer
that question, for today at least.
I try not to define myself by the things I do, and especially not by the things I do
to make a living. Yet I am a musician and I am a technologist. I also try not to
define myself by my relationships; with my sons, with my friends, with the new
special woman in my life. Yet I love them all dearly and they influence and inform
me.
I try not to define myself by my race or my nationality. Yet I am a white, english
speaking Canadian.
These things, to me, seem to separate me from the vast majority of others, as most
others on the planet are not white, englsih speaking, Canadian jazz guitar playing
technologists with 2 sons, a few good friends, and one very special other in their
life. I would rather find those things in me that connect me with others I am
blessed to share this planet with.
So then, what "connects" me to others? What do I share with the rest of humanity?
Well, I do seek happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of belonging. A shared
"community" with and of others. Since the beginning of time, humankind has sought
community; a coming together with others and establishing and sharing a common
set of expectations, hopes, and a shared code of ethics or conduct. One that
respects others and encourages individual growth and empowerment.
I have been blessed with experiences I truly never dreamed of; meeting and sometimes
playing with many world class musicians, time spent with and in the presence of some
of the brightest minds in software development, both down in Redmond on Microsoft's
campus and elsewhere around the world, hanging out with developers here in Canada,
across the US, and over in Europe, watching and helping my sons grow, learning to
love again in the arms and care of a wonderfully free and natural woman.
Being and becoming, simultaneously. This is indeed a rare combination. I have
seen it only a few times in people that I have been fortunate enough to know.
I try to find myself in that state. Knowing who I am at this moment, with my
eyes and my heart looking beyond to who I might become.
I will use this section to share with you some of me; little glimpses into my
live as a musician, as a technologist, as a father, as a person in relationship.
As one striving to be and to become.
