Snook History

What made the Snook a Snook. Or, what I've done before arriving here.

Born and raised in northern Wisconsin, Married at 17(ok two days before my 18th birthday but I still tell my wife she robbed the cradle), joined the navy (U.S. that is) and traveled the world.

The born thing took place a long time ago, the marriage 22 years ago, (yep high school sweetie, actually dated since 8th grade) Naval  career ended in '83 and a many checkered career since that time.

High School was mostly Music, Electronics, and Theatre classes. All of which I had some bit of talent for it seems. Though my theatre experience was primarily behind the scenes, as a techie, I also managed to be in two of the productions, including the lead in a forensic competition one act play in which, as our drama department had done for the previous three years, we scored a perfect 4 "A" all the way to the state level. Electronics came naturally, my senior year was an independent study class, which I had to show up for once a week. Music, *sigh* my first love was singing, being in the concert and "Swing" (separate performing group) choirs included a trip to sing on a Bicentennial tour of the northeastern states, culminating in a concert at the White House.

Navy life was fun and hard work, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for everyone, but it enabled me to learn a lot more about myself, and to travel to places and do things I'd never otherwise have been able to do. I gambled in Monte Carlo(winning a few thousand dollars even), went skiing in the Alps(some people called it sliding on my butt and falling down the mountain, but it's as close as I came to skiing), going on safari in Kenya(that's in Africa), visiting Rome (and ending up stuck in the airport overnight with 30 0ther passengers when "Air Italia" went on strike), making a trip to Mt. Vesuvius(an entire story in itself) and so many more things.

It was in NYC that I was able to return to the stage, in a minor way, which I'd missed since HS, yeah, I was a theatre geek back then. Rosie O'Grady's was a neat little pub a buddy and I found our 3rd night in NYC, and where we almost lived for the next 8 months. Singing with the piano player won us a spot with the locals, to the point where we couldn't even buy a drink or meal there, when we arrived they started "Art's" tab (we sang anything Art requested and thought he was just being a nice old gentleman when he bought us drinks for it, but when we tried to buy HIM a drink, , twas a mistake. Art was intensely annoyed that someone even considered buying him anything, and directed the bartenders, and later the owner of the place, to start HIS bill when we arrived. So, imagine it, being a sailor in NYC, having a bar you drank in for free, all the bartenders, cooks, waitresses, and waiters knew you by name. *sigh* twas like being in heaven. Then came the Real fun, some gentleman was in one evening and was listening to the "gang" in the piano bar and invited me to attend his new club he had opened in the Wall Street district. "The Compass Rose" became the second bar I couldn't pay for anything in. After attending one night I was asked back to perform(sing that is) and although I hadn't worked out anything with the pianist ahead of time I managed a 30 minute set. A couple more clubs ended up being a part of my occasional singing career. *sigh* those were the days.

Life after NYC was pretty tame. I worked for an audio design and engineering company for a few years, got bored, started my own sound company doing recording and reinforcement work for concerts, then on to being lazy for a couple years as a bench technician repairing commercial, broadcast,  video and audio equipment. Last of all an audiovisual company took me on as Vice President of Operations and I left there in September of 1998 after working 80 - 100 hours a week for 7 years. Now I'm Mr. Mom, doing a little programming work on the side and thoroughly enjoying time with family and friends again.

That's about all the pertinent history. If you have any questions I'm always willing to chat with folks. I can be found roving the internet quite often, you just have to know how to look for me.