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Over the last couple of weeks I've put a great deal of thought and effort into my posts. I have also tried to make them feel a bit less "rigid" in structure, adding a personal touch here and there.There's only so much of that I can do when writing about blogging and website tips. Every now and again I'll try and include a more personal post. Don't worry, I'm not going to write an entire post about the less exciting aspects of my life. I'll also try to relate the post back to blogging if I can.
Today's post is a list of 9 things (I couldn't think of a 10th) you might not know about me. How many did you already know?
1. I live in Australia, but I am British. I visited Australia for the first time in May 2006. The purpose of the trip was to meet my wife's family, but I also wanted to consider whether Australia might be a suitable place for us to settle down. One of the main reasons for moving was because of the ridiculous house prices in the UK, but there a lot of differences between the countries. I miss family and friends back in the UK, but I don't miss the place at all.
2. All of my technical knowledge is self-taught. I've learned programming mostly from books and websites. As I read a tutorial, I'm typing away, trying to get the examples to work.
Recently, I think I've figured out why I teach myself things. Whenever my job sent me on a training course, I often had difficulties picking things up. People said to me "oh don't worry, you'll get it in the end". And I couldn't work out what was stopping me.
In the end I realised that most people don't explain things in a way that I can understand. I don't know if it's a learning disability (I've never pursued it to find out) but I seem to pick things up much better when I do them at my own pace.
If you're new to my site and you think that because I'm technically minded, this all comes naturally to me - well, I have problems learning new things too. I try to explain things as clearly as I can, because I know what it's like when someone explains something and it doesn't make any sense!
3. I met my wife on a message board. We talked online, phoned each other, then met up and got on well. We actually noticed a shift in our relationship after we emigrated to Australia. We got on well before we moved, but currently, we're closer than ever.
4. I would work for free if I didn't need the money. I've met a lot of people for whom work is simply a means to an end. It supports them and they have to do it to live. I am not currently in a position where I could survive without an income, but I really enjoy the work I do. As an example, if I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd still work. I'd be bored if I didn't! I might take a short break first, though.
5. I hated school. I did enjoy my music class, but most of my school life felt like a nightmare that just refused to end. I hated homework. I hated having to do work for subjects I found boring. I hated teachers telling me I wasn't working to my full potential after I put in loads of effort. I hated having big glasses and crazy hair. There were some people I liked, but there was really nothing that could make school work for me.
On the other hand, I love work, and at one stage I really wanted to be a teacher. But once I had become totally disillusioned with school, I decided not to put myself through the pain of studying for a job in teaching. I didn't go to University because I hate studying. And because of that, I am infuriated by companies who insist on employing people who have degrees, as if that means the person is automatically suitable for the job. I'm not saying a degree is a bad thing, but it is not the only way to determine if someone is a good worker.
6. I have completed four albums of original music. I write for myself; if other people enjoy my music, I'm happy, but I accept it's not to everyone's tastes. As with anything really. You can hear the albums for free via my Music page - they are the first four graphics (the others are unfinished).
7. Some people think I'm a complainer. The truth is, I love making things better. I can be very critical, but I'm honest. Usually my comments focus on some kind of software. If I can see something that could be improved, I'll make a point to mention it. If I find a bug, I'll report it.
Complaining might not seem productive to some, and may even seem annoying. But if your comments are constructive, they can help more than not saying anything at all.
8. I am not actually bald (and I'm not in denial!). I shave my head out of choice. It looks ridiculous otherwise. If I actually went bald it would be a convenience - less hair to shave!
9. I don't fear getting old. One of the biggest issues I had with being young was that a lot of the things I said were not taken seriously. Laughed at, ignored, you name it. Who cares about the opinion of a teenager?
At my last job, we used to send round an email when it was our birthday, usually sharing cakes or other sweet foods with our department. I was probably the only person who didn't lie about my age and told them how old I was every single year. Someone once joked that I was rubbing it in, as they were all 10 years older than me (and more).
My response? It doesn't matter how young or old I am, I'll always tell people how old I really am. I do not see myself changing my mind as I reach 30, 40, 50 and so on. The way I see it, with age comes respect.
Being older doesn't automatically make you wise, being younger doesn't make you stupid, but for some reason people are judged based on how old they are. I don't agree with it at all, and I hate it. I just know that as I age, certain people will be less likely to write me off as "too young to know better" when simply voicing an opinion.
Still, I guess some people will write me off as "too old" at some stage in my life, so maybe it doesn't matter all that much. Either way, I don't have an issue with my age, and I never will.
So... Did you know any of that?
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Tags: getting personal, about page, ben barden
Posted by Ben on July 03, 2008 19:00 / Edited: July 02, 2008 21:32
Comments
Thanks Ben for sharing. I think it helps people that come daily to your site to understand a little more about the "author." I would have known some of those things about you, I could just feel it.
It makes me happy to hear about technologically gifted people being self taught. I think you make good teachers for the like minded.
You have a great site Ben and I've learned a good amount from you.
Thanks!
Ben -- my knowledge of SQL, HTML and CSS are the same as yours - self taught from books, some seminars and some of those intense classes where all you learn for 3 - 5 days is one thing. I have a raft of certificates from those. I do have two plus years of college but not even a minor degree (what's called an Associates Degree here in the US). I'm making entry level salary for my position despite having been in it for the last 4 years and doubt I'll ever get much more than that because my boss's boss is one of those "degree junkies" who thinks that if you don't have that piece of paper you can't possibly know your job much less be worthy of an experienced person's pay.
His opinion does not make me feel any the less worthy of my salary or raises, although I usually have to time requests for raises with having done something to save the company a raft of money. That's getting harder and harder to do, but I still manage.
I'm quite a bit older than you as 60 is looming. I don't FEEL like I'm 60! You have a lot of good years left in you.
:P
I didn't know those things about you, but I could have guessed most of them. They come naturally if we are used to your behaviour.
Thanks for the positive feedback! :)
Hi Ben!
Even though I am not terribly tech savvy nor interested, I have still enjoyed visiting your blog. That you're from England explains why. Now don't ask me to explain that! It's just one of those things that I've come to notice about the people who interest me. That does not mean that people from other countries don't. Not at all! It's just one of those curious synchronicities of sorts...
It's lovely that you've chosen to reveal a little of your personal self. I'm sure most people find it interesting, if not endearing.
As for learning and not being taught in a way you could understand...sadly, that is something that's been true for too long despite efforts in recent years to educate student teachers differently.
Most (despite the training they get) still operate from the belief that their students are (empty) vessels into which the teacher can and should pour their 'knowledge' into. Its called the transmission mode or teacher-centered model.
Educate comes from the Latin word 'educare' which means to 'draw out'...to draw out from the learner what they naturally know and can do. This principle is what guides the 'learner-centered' model of teaching-learning. In classes of 20 + students where emotional development is competing with academic achievement for attention/resources, it can prove hard to do.
If you ask me, you cannot say you have 'taught' if what you have set out to teach has not been learned. And by that yardstick (and what a radical one at that...yes,I am being sarky), there is far less teaching going on that we assume!
Oops, I have gone on a bit, haven't I??? :-)
Wow. I didn't have to log in. The cookies must be out of the oven.
We share some things.
I moved here six years ago. I feel more at home in Australia than anywhere else I have lived other than the UK, which I was used to after 20 years growing up there, so that doesn't really count. I never felt at home in America where I lived for over ten years.
We have such a stable happy life here. Although my trip here was not so straightforward, I am very happy to be here.
I have two degrees, one of which is useful for my current work. My brother has no degree. People in his field just assume that he has one. He is much more succesful and earns more money. I am happy. He is happy. Your attitude is great about this. So many degrees are just gate keepers. Knowledge is the key in the future. Having a degree will be a minor detail in many fields in my mind.
I met my current wife at a party in Singapore. She was from Adelaide and I am glad that we ended up here.
Like you I would be happy to work for free if I didn't need the money. I would likely change field and do something more socially useful.
I also hated High School, where I was bullied. A few redeeming features I supppose. I was very happy to leave.
Last year I shaved my hair for the first time. Well it was a number 2. That was pretty short for me. I had always had it pretty long. I now look much more like two of my brothers, who also have short hair.
I am also not too fussed about my age. Most of the people I work with are younger. I am the office joker and that works for me. Being older doesn't necessarily make you an old fart.
Glad that you shared some of yourself. I am a bit more open on my blog, which suits my personality. Not for everyone I know.
Hi Ben,
Hope i am not intruding you privacy but i loved your blog and just couldn't resist to comment you here. Well i am at a early stage to decide weather what is good for me or not . But yes like you even i h8ted school but yea there are the parents who keep pushing you since the time your born till the time you die. I mean IT!
When your small they push you around so that you could start walking then even get you a darn walker so that you could learn quicker!! Then they push you to school and keep doing that untill you graduate push you to eat and do good stuff AKA CHORES. Then when that's over your GF comes in Well now she becomes the pushing factor in your life . If you don't graduate she's not going out with you . So you do that . Well that's my pitifull story lol living like a complete push off!!...
And i know how it end too .. .. bosses pushing you your children pushing you till death hahaha... well that was just me humoring you .. no pun intended!!.. Anyways i never get time to write such elaborated posts and comments but yes if i do like something then i just try .
Well this was just a try ..!! Hope you like it !
Thank You ,
Asim
Thanks for all the comments guys and girls. :) Very interesting to hear your stories, too. Glad this post was well received, I didn't want to share too much!
Hello Ben!
Very nice enjoyable read indeed. I did know a lot of this. Guess it came from knowing you when we were hanging out and posting at Yucko. ;)
Didn't know about the learning part. I can understand where you stand for we are a lot alike in that area. It can be very hard at times and I too can learn much more if I do on my own and at my own pace.
I've listened to your music some time back. You've done some very good stuff there for sure, Ben!
What is age anyway??? Only a stupid number! ;)
Take care of yourself Ben and have a very good week coming up! :)
Being fascinated by people in general, I welcome this kind of post - you're interesting facts are certainly interesting!!
Now sure I agree about the getting old one - I think getting old is cool until you reach a certain age and then my experience is that it becomes cool-n-longer. That age? Depends on who you are...
As an Irish person I am morally-obliged to say the following:
"G'wan ye *are* bald - ye big baldy ye!!!"
(sorry)
I think you already know what I'm going to say!
Sometimes it is a very good thing to do a judicious bit of sharing. Especially for someone who comes across as calm and cool and logical and unshakeable and all those wonderful strengths for which we secretly yearned to be Mr. Spock at times... ;)
Humanity is the one quality we all share, and to reveal your humanity is to build bridges with other people. Good on you, Ben, for daring this!
Well I didn't know that, but I'm glad to know now. I have noticed the change in your posts, making them more friendly and it works well!
Thanks for the latest comments. :) I'm very glad to see this post was well received, it's reassuring to say the least!
i did actually know a few of those tidbits! i love that you guys are self taught. it encourages me.
I'm sad I missed this when it went live but I wouldn't felt bad being on the internet while I was in New York! Great to get know you just that little more Ben!
I did know several of those nine things. I'm surprised that I was surprised you are self taught technically/ computers. I am also self taught so you would think it wouldn't be a surprise to find someone else the same.
I really know what it is like to miss family when you move to another country. I didn't move as far away but I married a guy in the US and moved there, not knowing anyone. Glad to hear things are working out better for you than myself.
I love the cello, the deep sound of it. That is my musical weakness. I'm not especially musical, mostly I like it in the background while I am doing other things.
My little sister has crazy hair too. Hers is also very red, not that orange but a gorgeous red colour. When she was a little girl we kept it cut very short and she would be angry (red head temper is not a myth) when people assumed she was a boy. Now she has long gorgeous curls. She found a way to deal with her hair just as you did. She just doesn't brush it out as that turns it into soemthing that looks like a clown wig.
Nice to read a bit more about you. I'm always interested in anyone who has a few things in common with me. That's what got me started reading your blog; the ideas and thoughts about blogs are good too. ;)