What do you DO?

[Nick]

A bit of a "get to know eachother" sesh here.

I'm curious about you virtual personalities that post in the internet sandbox we call "NLSC". What do you guys do in your day-to-day life? What is your occupation? What do you wanna be? What are your hobbies? What's your life like? Got any goals and/or dreams? Share it!

Why don't you post here more often? is basically what i want to know

[rise]

I'm a freshman in college, studying CS. I basically do what most college kids do, have a good time, and study in between. Since I got here, I've definitely posted less, and it's mainly at night when im trying to sleep. When I'm at home, bored with nothing else to do, that's when I post more.

[Andrew]

These days I'm working for myself, repairing computers. Aside from that I got on a health and fitness kick a couple of years back so that's part of my daily routine as well. And obviously a portion of my free time still goes towards running this site, ten years on.

[The X]

Nick, I think standard protocol when starting these sorts of threads is that you open up about yourself first and lay the platform

Anyways, so I'm married with an 18 month old kid. Day-to-day life is mostly routine, working, commuting, housework, yardwork, spending time/looking after daughter, internet. Play basketball on Sit's team (he use to play on my team) each week. Not much free time these days, such that I haven't touched my PS3 nor watched TV in a couple of weeks. Generally by the time I can, I'm too tired to bother, such is life.

Workwise, I'm an Accountant. Alright job, pays the mortgage & bills, but that's about it when you're living off one wage. Don't know if it's what I want to be doing for rest of my life, but ahh well, like most people I don't really know what I want to do. Jobs a job, but when I am working, I try to work hard & do a good job. Would be nice to have a more flexible job, not be chained to the desk. If I want that, I'll probably eventually have to go out on my own, but the time isn't right for that at present.

I'm not in great shape physically, which is mainly due to snacking, lack of willpower, laziness & having no free time to go to gym &/or exercise more. I think I could do it if I really, really wanted to, but I'd have to commit ala Andrew.

I like basketball/sports, basketball/sports computer games (both no real surprise), prefer old school music (e.g. Queen, CCR, Cat Stevens, Beatles etc). I've always tended to be a more introverted, less confrontational sort of guy, but as I get older I tend to care less and I'm getting a little more extroverted & more confrontational

As for dreams & goals, I've ticked off a few like going to Europe, going to my dad's place of birth in Scotland, watching an NBA game in the flesh (LA Clippers with Brand & Cassell vs Suns with Nash & sans Amar'e who was injured). Still many to go, like travelling a lot more (see a bit of Asia, more of Europe, get back to Hawaii, go to Canada/Alaska), watching a college basketball game (preferably March Madness or a rivalry game) in the flesh, attending NBA Draft in NYC (was on the cards along with trip to Canada but got shelved when my wife got pregnant with daughter), fleshing out some of family tree since I know I must have a tonne of cousins in the States (since my Granddad on my father's side had five brothers who left Scotland for the States and he lost contact with all of them when he moved, such was life in the 50's.

Some things I don't want to do anymore are stupid long hours at work like I've done in past, nor any more study (I'm got a Bachelors degree, a Masters degree & am CA qualified).

Probably my funnest times were my university/college years from age 18 through 20 (take note z02). I procrastinated a lot & studied as little as I needed to (whilst still passing) and worked as little as possible (10 hours per week), lived away from home, drank a lot, partied a lot, ate too much KFC & drank too much Coke (all could be attributed to my 30kg weight gain over college years, which I've never since lost ).

Random party trick: I can shot more or less any form of alcohol straight faced. A nice little party trick when you see people's expressions when you can straight face Barcardi 151 shots. My shot record is 25 shots of Jim Beam White in one sitting. I wasn't in my best of form that day, probably could've done more if I was in form.

I don't shot or even drink much alcohol these days. I overworked liver from ages 17 through 23, so I've been kind enough to give it a reprieve for the most part.

Random fact: Many of friends just refer to me as X.

[Nick]

Cool, the x. Kudos for going in-depth! It's always interesting to see what nlsc posters are like outside of nlsc. It sort of gives you a refreshed perspective of their posts and personality and stuff.

Aside from that I got on a health and fitness kick a couple of years back so that's part of my daily routine as well.

Nice. I've always admired people who catch on to that. Exercising regularly has a ridiculous amount of benefits it's almost unintelligent not to.

Nick, I think standard protocol when starting these sorts of threads is that you open up about yourself first and lay the platform

Haha, fair enough. Well i'll write it out in "life story" form like mr x.

2007 - 2010... lived in a house with 2 of my buds from high school for 3 years... our house was basically like the central meeting point for our social circle... always people over... no time to yourself (or nlsc )... you can imagine what a house with three 20-23 year old males is like... lots of drinking... lots of weed... lots of noise... lots of jamming... place was constantly a mess... but lots of fun... i developed some shitty short-sighted habits... worked on and off doing shitty "means to an end/just for the money" type of jobs... rarely had much money... lots of goon (cheap ass cask wine, for you yankees)... after 3 years started to get a bit fed up with my lifestyle and desired change... it was definitely a golden era but i spose you do get to an age where you start to desire purpose and fulfilment more than getting drunk every weekend and baked every weeknight, lol... enter 2011...

late 2010 - present... me and my girlfriend of 4 years broke up (which was a huuuge change/adjustment for me, really challenging)... decided to sort my life out (i was kinda living in a bit of a dream-like haze living with my friends)... i moved out of the "house of man" and back in with my folks... my parents place is 40 minutes away from where my friends live (so i live far away from everyone i know now which is challenging also)... started sorting out my priorities in life and what i want etc, went into mega "introspect" mode... started focusing a lot on 'personal development' type of stuff... started exercising and eating healthy foods... quit my achingly boring office job and decided to fully commit to composing music for for film/tv/videogames/multimedia/etc... bought myself all the equipment i need... got an ABN number, bank account, everything i need etc... been doing various online courses throughout 2011, whether it be music, business or web design... some of you might know about my band... we built some decent buzz and made an EP (currently unreleased), but i eventually realised i can't rely on other people to make music my future (basically, the band members love the band but don't seem to be willing to commit the necessary full-time time it requires for a band to become successful... plus i got sick of democracy and not being able to make all the decisions on the spot myself )... so currently in the process of building a bit of a solo music business from the ground up... set myself some goals... now, i'm gonna make a career out of music or die trying!

That about sums it up!

Random fact: Many of friends just refer to me as X.

What's the meaning behind it? I've always wondered.

Workwise, I'm an Accountant. Alright job, pays the mortgage & bills, but that's about it when you're living off one wage. Don't know if it's what I want to be doing for rest of my life, but ahh well, like most people I don't really know what I want to do. Jobs a job

Man, that is such the typical thought pattern of people in the "rat race" type of jobs. I've been there and it's ghey az. I would suggest/encourage that you really figure out what you want to do and go at it. Otherwise 10 years will pass you by and you'll still be at it, thinking "ahh well it pays the bills". Obviously it's hard when you're starting a family like you are (kudos btw)... but enjoying the work you do is so important in life. You can't be ultra happy in life unless you enjoy the service you provide. And would you rather your wife and kid have a happy and vibrant husband/dad or a bored and lifeless one? What i'm saying is it's not selfish to do it. Have you thought about other options?
(excuse me if i'm out of line here but i just believe it's so important)

[Oznogrd]

A bit of a "get to know eachother" sesh here.

I'm curious about you virtual personalities that post in the internet sandbox we call "NLSC". What do you guys do in your day-to-day life? What is your occupation? What do you wanna be? What are your hobbies? What's your life like? Got any goals and/or dreams? Share it!

Why don't you post here more often? is basically what i want to know

Some of us choose to reveal things in small tidbits to try to make sure jackal and shadow dont show up naked at our windows...

Anyways: What I do right now is go to class and go to clinical work incorporated into the classes. Im currently getting Masters in teaching Special Education with certifications in Intellectual Disabilities and Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (although i dont want to work in that second field...those kids are psycho and can hurt me.) and as of february i start student teaching. I love kids (in a non sexual way of course nopedo), and i've always gotten along with them. Its funny because i used to say i'd never become a teacher. Then at some point i finally realized teaching is only different from coaching sports as far as the subject matter you're helping the kids master. I chose special education because i feel like they dont have any one to look to that's successful with a disability. I hope to show them that they can do almost anything if they're willing to work hard enough. I'm hoping to grab a couple of classes so i can be certified in physical education since thats closer to what i know but odds are ill end up in a regular classroom.

My life's pretty basic. I go to class, i go do homework, i see my fiancee when im not doing those things and she's not stuck at work. She works 3rd shift though so we live a pretty mellow life because most of our town is shut down by 10 pm. Lots of staying home and watching movies/television. Occasionally reporters approach me for shitty stories about how i handle being in a wheelchair with no legs etc.

My hobbies are pretty much xbox (mainly sports games with the occasional fighter/action rpg/sandbox thrown in), the internet (i kinda spend way too much time here and browsing other sites), comic books (thank you digital age and my fiancee getting me a 1 tb external), and watching sports/movies and occasional tv series. I used to play some basketball and do track and swimming but I blew out my shoulders so I had to let that shit go.

Goals and Dreams right now just consist of marrying my awesome fiancee, and having a lifelong adventure with her/starting a family and all that shit. I know thats sappy as shit but that's what I want. I also hope to be able to help my ass backwards state start to see the way we treat people in the name of religion is NOT ok. I get the feeling im going to end up in education administration before too long and i hope i can get some people to listen to me. I'd also love eventually to start a foundation that can help kids participate in wheelchair sports that dont have the money to do so. And who knows what other goals i might have?

Nick: i'd agree with you on the "FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!! BE AN ARTIST!" statement but most people dont have a choice or that luxury. You work the rat race because you have to. You can work the rat race and be just as vibrant at home.

[[Q]]

Nick: i'd agree with you on the "FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!! BE AN ARTIST!" statement but most people dont have a choice or that luxury. You work the rat race because you have to. You can work the rat race and be just as vibrant at home.

being an artist myself, i would have to agree a little here. you can't just flat out do what you want, you still have to be smart about it. i've never wanted to be one of those "starving artist" types as i am very paranoid and need the job security. luckily for me, i've already figured out what i'd like to do for a career that still involves art and being creative and am currently pursuing that right now

[rise]

Probably my funnest times were my university/college years from age 18 through 20 (take note z02). I procrastinated a lot & studied as little as I needed to (whilst still passing) and worked as little as possible (10 hours per week), lived away from home, drank a lot, partied a lot, ate too much KFC & drank too much Coke (all could be attributed to my 30kg weight gain over college years, which I've never since lost ).

I'll agree with you there already. I've never had more fun in my life, I procastinate a shit ton, but I'm getting my good grades, and I'm eating a lot more. I've been having fun without drinking though.

[The X]

I agree with Oz. I don't live to work like some in my field, I work to live. It is not who I am outside of work hours. And it's not like I hate my job, I do like it. There are parts of it I don't like (same for any job) & some parts that I love. My aptitude and skills leads me towards this sort of career. My wife says I'm good listener/counsellor & that's a possible career path, but I think I can use my want of listening & helping people into my business field. Maybe not in the exact role I'm in now, possibly consultancy work down the line. I do like helping clients.

I have thought about other options, but none have stood out as better. I would not just change for the sake of change, like many people do. That's like changing postcodes. It doesn't solve the problem, only defers it.

I wouldn't really say I'm in the rat race since I'm now working for a smaller, boutique CBD firm & not a Big 4. My priorities have also changed since starting a family. And whilst it may not be a dream job, I don't think it's causing me to be any more lifeless & boring at home. And besides, knowing my personality if I was in a job that I absolutely loved & matched my hobbies, I would work stupid hours & end up being divorced. Don't like that alternative.

But yep, work to live, not the other way around. It's good you're going for your dreams though.

Sorry to hear you broke up with your gf of 4 years Nick. That happens to be about the length of time you've disappeared from here? Coincidence?

[el badman]

In a nutshell:
I'm married and have been living in the US since 2004 (+1 year as an exchange student in 2001-02). I got my MBA in France and came back to the US to get married and try to find a good job, which I did after a while as an accounting manager for a large food service company, but things didn't go that great so I tried my luck in Los Angeles, where things were even worse, and we eventually decided to come to my wife's hometown, El Paso TX, about 5 years ago.

I like it here but I've had to settle for a mediocre job in consumer relations, and because the job market is definitely not that great around here I've actually been with that company for more than 4 years now, which is pretty sad. I did get promoted last year but I'm certainly nowhere close to the kind of position that I should have at this point. All of that and other strokes of bad luck this year have led me to become depressed and self-loathing, which I never thought in a million years would occur to me, but now that I've purchased a house I'm hoping it'll be the kick that I needed to snap out of it. This year has been a fucking disaster for me so far, so I'm thinking things can only get better.

My main hobbies are video gaming (PC only) and music (I'm no musician but I've a rock/metal fan for 20 years now). I used to be a pretty good basketball and tennis player, but a small incident almost 10 years ago caused me a herniated disc, and I've never been able to play some serious sports since then. I had a membership at my local YMCA for a couple of years to stay in shape and play a bit of BBall, but my job has been too hectic and my willpower too weak to keep doing that. Plus I'm physically unable to gain any weight, no matter how much I eat, so there's only so buff that I can get anyway...

That's pretty much it I guess.

[Nick]

Wow, i retract everything i've ever said about NLSC being full of teenie boyz. Everyone's bloody married! And older than me!

Really enjoying everybody's posts. Would love to see more NLSCers chime in.

Occasionally reporters approach me for shitty stories about how i handle being in a wheelchair with no legs etc.

Wait... you've got no legs?? What happened to them? if you don't mind me asking

Nick: i'd agree with you on the "FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!! BE AN ARTIST!" statement but most people dont have a choice or that luxury. You work the rat race because you have to. You can work the rat race and be just as vibrant at home.

Well, don't get me wrong. I'm not necessarily saying being an "artist" is the way. All i'm saying is that everyone is here on earth for their purpose, and they should follow their path. I'm of the belief that everybody has, encoded in their DNA, a specific purpose on earth. (prepares for ridicule) Some people know their purpose and what path they should be on subconsciously. Some people are way off. You'll find that the happiest people are the ones that are most closely aligned with their path/purpose, and the negative and unhappy ones are misaligned. A good indicator of what your purpose/path might be is by what your natural strengths and weaknesses are, and by what really sparks your enthusiasm and passion. Sometimes people can work a "work to live" job and still manage to fulfill their purpose outside of work which is fine. I.e. someone's purpose might be some sort of social-based thing that they can do in the workplace. I'm just saying that if you really want to be happy, you've got to figure out what your purpose & path is. Even better if you can make it your life work.

My wife says I'm good listener/counsellor & that's a possible career path, but I think I can use my want of listening & helping people into my business field.

I've actually considered this as a career path myself. I'm usually the dude where people talk about and unload their problems on to. Apparently i'm a good listener, non-judgemental and give good positive perspective on shit. I think i could definitely be a counsellor and that's what i'll pursue if the music thing doesn't work out. But like you X, i can probably incorporate healing/helping into my business field (music).

Sorry to hear you broke up with your gf of 4 years Nick. That happens to be about the length of time you've disappeared from here? Coincidence?

Very perceptive of you.
I'd say it was combination of having a GF and living in that share-house.

This year has been a fucking disaster for me so far, so I'm thinking things can only get better.

Nearly everyone i've talked to has said that 2011 has been their most challenging year yet. I spose all you can do is learn the lessons and continue on!

[benji]

Wait... you've got no legs?? What happened to them? if you don't mind me asking

It was a [redacted] operation in the country of [redacted] where we were trying to [redacted] and then [redacted] before [redacted] screaming "OH MY GOD OH MY GOD" and then the planes [redacted] but the helicopter [redacted] and were just glad we got out alive.

[The X]

Nick, the nickname X came from my older brother's friend who thought I said "what an X!!!" when I actually said "what an axe!!!" one day. My older bro's mate thought it was pretty funny & thought it must be the cool new grade 8 word/phrase (they were in grade 12). So anyways, from that day onwards, anytime they saw me at school, whether I was 30-40 metres away they'd all shout out "X!!!!". It caught on and suddenly heaps of people who I didn't know starting doing it, including ones who didn't even know who I was or who my bro was. My mates caught onto this and like it, so from that day they still all call me X & so do my bro's mates.

It's pretty classic actually. I usually don't tell people & let them wonder what the enigma is but since I've been on this site for 7-8 years, it is time

Wow, i retract everything i've ever said about NLSC being full of teenie boyz. Everyone's bloody married! And older than me!

That could be part of the problem though. We're all too busy working for the man!

Sorry to hear you broke up with your gf of 4 years Nick. That happens to be about the length of time you've disappeared from here? Coincidence?

Very perceptive of you.
I'd say it was combination of having a GF and living in that share-house.

Good listeners tend to perceptive, as you would know from your personal experiences.

Yep, share houses do that. I use to come back to old NLSC back in 99 when I had Live on PC but once I moved out of home during uni, got into share house, had no PC or Live PC, I forgot about NLSC. Only when I picked up Live '04 PC that I came across NLSC again.

[Oznogrd]

I see i forgot music..i have no talent but i am a great appreciator of good music.

Also: have i never actually posted the story here?

I should test your internet sleuthing skills and see what you come up with.

[benji]

Maybe he doesn't realize you're illini? I told you years ago about this crime of yours.

Nick, a more detailed account of the story was posted before in a thread like this but I couldn't find it.

I did find my threat to illini about changing his name though.

[Nick]

I gotta admit that upon my return i had no idea who "oznogrd" was... so you're illini? it all makes sense now.

Except for the legs part... that still doesn't make sense.

[benji]

Found it: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=68157

[Nick]

Similarities of this thread to that thread:
1. Thread topic
2. Benji fabricating stories about illini's legs

Things not similar:
1. The X's response:

Don't come to NLSC to think or talk about what I am or am not doing with my life.

Cold.

p.s. i still don't know what to illini's legs....... unless.... unless what ben said is true?

[The X]

Things not similar:
1. The X's response:

Don't come to NLSC to think or talk about what I am or am not doing with my life.

Cold.

Must've been a dark time in my life If I recall correctly I had a bit of stress.

Coincidentally, I conceived my daughter about a week after that date & look how happy & jovial I am these days Kids put everything into perspective I guess. It stops being about what's in it for me & is about others. Hopefully a second doesn't turn me back to the dark side

[Andrew]

Nice. I've always admired people who catch on to that. Exercising regularly has a ridiculous amount of benefits it's almost unintelligent not to.

It's definitely addictive, one of the best decisions I ever made too.

[Oznogrd]

Yeah I'm illini. But after leaving Illinois after graduation and realizing there's nothing even remotely that ties me to that school other than my useless bachelor's, i decided i needed a name change. This name is from my WoW days when i was Drgonzo on the alliance side. We made some horde characters one night and i flipped it to Oznogrd. Decided i liked it better than gonzo and on WoW people called me Oz way before that for some reason any way (has something to do with quoting ozzy osbourne in guild chat one night, so i adopted it as my online persona. I also try really hard to keep connections to my real name separated from this alias because around here, you can not get a job in teaching for stupidity like drinking (and there being pictures, of which there are many) and swearing online.

Im going to remain cryptic. You should have more than enough info on me to find me on google

[Axel The Great]

I'm a senior in high school, and yes, my real name is Axel. I have hopes of going to the University of Houston and majoring in finance. I work part-time at a grocery store called Fiesta Mart (which is only located in Houston, Austin, and Dallas) and my job ranges from cashier on weekdays, to picking up shopping carts on the weekends (filling in because a guy quit a few months ago so I had to fill in the empty weekend shifts. At first I didn't want to do it due to the extremely hot Houston weather, but now it's turned into a sort of hobby to me, and it's definitely a good workout). In the limited free time I get, I surf the internet, play NBA 2K11 still (which I still get some enjoyment out of), or play other video games. So yeah, that's what I do, not a very interesting life but I'm happy with it.

[Nick]

Im going to remain cryptic. You should have more than enough info on me to find me on google

You're such an enigma illini(/oznogrd/gonzo/oz/drgonzo)

And i'm still curious to hear the story (from you, not liar liar pants on fire benji) about what happened to your legs.

[kibaxx7]

Studying to become a sports journalist. Much like the Woj or Chris Broussard would do, that's my goal

Hobbies, well, my profile says it all... video games, movies, EDM (electronic dance music), that's my joint.

Friends also call me "The Fake Italian" ('cause of my last name) because I don't like pasta at all. You didn't know that one.

[Houndy]

I'm a senior in high school, and yes, my real name is Axel. I have hopes of going to the University of Houston and majoring in finance. I work part-time at a grocery store called Fiesta Mart (which is only located in Houston, Austin, and Dallas) and my job ranges from cashier on weekdays, to picking up shopping carts on the weekends (filling in because a guy quit a few months ago so I had to fill in the empty weekend shifts. At first I didn't want to do it due to the extremely hot Houston weather, but now it's turned into a sort of hobby to me, and it's definitely a good workout). In the limited free time I get, I surf the internet, play NBA 2K11 still (which I still get some enjoyment out of), or play other video games. So yeah, that's what I do, not a very interesting life but I'm happy with it.

You work at Fiesta? I go to the one in Dallas, there's quite a few up here.