Happy Holidays / Happy New Year - Checking in

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 9:58 am

Just dropping by to wish everyone here at Speedguide DOT net Happy Holidays and a great new year.. all the best!

This year started off bad for me and my family, with the unexpected passing of my Father. I've been going through some of his things that I inherited of his. Some older computers custom built towers and some old laptops, but still useful to me and I'm slowly backing up some of his files and installing Debian 11 Linux on them. As an electrical and mechanical engineer he could build and fix anything. Even though some of the computer towers he built are old, at the time he did so... They beyond maxed out as in overbuilt. And I like have his computer in my office near me. I know some of you folks understand what I'm saying.

I also had some major health issues myself... BUT ... On a positive note I am on the upswing again, so that is good. I'm looking forwards to a positive 2023.

Let see what else can I tell all you old timer SG folks here... I'm still working in information technology and services, primarily information security, enjoying that role.
I work very long shifts but I always come by here for a quick read or two. I actually turned down a few certification teaching positions this past year as I'm busy to do that. I'm thinking about making some free videos and posting them on YouTube just to keep in the swing of things. I mainly teach just CompTIA certifications as I (now) have a long history with them.

YOSC and others probably remembers my involvement in music. I play many instruments now, not just synthesizer, but also acoustic instruments like guitar and ukulele. I write and record mainly instrumental tracks, like background music and overhead music. I just signed on a three agreement to another large music library which makes four total two in the USA, one in Canada and one in the UK, it's great to global. I'm also under two professional music associations that help me collect my royalties. Sometimes I get large direct payout depending on commercial license. I do all of that part time, and it helps keeps me mental and internally going forward... if that makes sense. I also gained a few sponsorships with music gear companies and they help out at time sending me instruments and other gear to use for my music.. So all in all, I'm doing pretty well on that side.

I'm planning to play out locally next year. I try doing that once in a while because playing LIVE is way different then recording music where you always can do it over.. playing live you have to roll with it.

At any rate, again enjoy the holidays and I wish all of you the very best.
Shinobi (Tom)

twwabw · Post by **twwabw** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 10:26 am

Nice to hear rom you.... one of us "old timers"....

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 3:06 pm

twwabw wrote:Nice to hear rom you.... one of us "old timers"....

Thanks hope you are doing well :-)

Post by **Philip** » Tue Dec 20, 2022 4:43 pm

Happy Holidays everyone!

Thanks for sharing Tom, seems like you have your hands full and doing things you are passionate about, both carreer-wise and your music.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Thu Dec 22, 2022 8:55 am

Hey Tom, great to hear from you.
That's cool that your music hobby turned into something that rolls in some $. I bet I've heard a few of your tracks....would be cool to know them. PM links if you want to keep them private.

Also if you're starting a YouTube channel for education, PM that (or post here if you want more traffic).
Just started a YouTube channel myself for the office, as we have a need to make some "hand holding videos" for our clients on how to do certain things in Microsoft 365, Teams, setting up the MFA on the MS Auth app on phones, etc. I'm really focusing on moving clients from old on prem servers to all "Microsoft 365 Business Premium/AzureAD".

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Thu Dec 22, 2022 7:50 pm

Happy Holidays Tom and everyone.

Really cool to hear about the music side doing so well.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Dec 23, 2022 9:51 am

Rodent! You sneaking....jeep driving into the base camp with an explosive pack sneaky one!

Merry Christmas!

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Sat Dec 24, 2022 1:46 pm

Merry Christmas SG family. Wishing you a healthy year!

Post by **Philip** » Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:09 am

Merry Christmas!

Easto · Post by **Easto** » Sun Dec 25, 2022 1:06 pm

Merry Christmas

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Sun Dec 25, 2022 3:00 pm

Philip wrote:Happy Holidays everyone!

Thanks for sharing Tom, seems like you have your hands full and doing things you are passionate about, both carreer-wise and your music.

Thanks Philip... I'm really lucky. Merry Christmas, have a great upcoming New Year!

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Sun Dec 25, 2022 3:22 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Hey Tom, great to hear from you.
That's cool that your music hobby turned into something that rolls in some $. I bet I've heard a few of your tracks....would be cool to know them. PM links if you want to keep them private.

Also if you're starting a YouTube channel for education, PM that (or post here if you want more traffic).
Just started a YouTube channel myself for the office, as we have a need to make some "hand holding videos" for our clients on how to do certain things in Microsoft 365, Teams, setting up the MFA on the MS Auth app on phones, etc. I'm really focusing on moving clients from old on prem servers to all "Microsoft 365 Business Premium/AzureAD".

Hi YOSC, I'll let you know on the IT Instruction videos. I'm actually listed as a CompTIA Instructor on CompTIA site for the same. One thing that I want to do, is create an overview of the New CompTIA A+ certification. I've talked to three book publishers to see if they'll send me one of their books so I can recommend that in my video.. And I know I have at least two of them interested. The problem as always is time is always against me. I also turned down a remote IT certification part time teaching deal because again.. Time is against me. I work really long shift (12 hours) BUT the good thing is I have the rest of the weeks off and almost all of next week after new years day.

On the music side, a few years back I actually co-wrote a song with a three well known people (that came out in the 1980s era), they helped me out thru another person as I was going to quit all together. And since they kicked my @ss back into writing music, I've been doing that part time ever since. I even have a few sponsorships and endorsements with music instrument and gear companies, they send me free gear at times as they know it help me out in my music that I write and record. Depending on time.. again I want to try to write a small retail album and play more again locally down here. I can still sing a bit as well. I'll send you a PM on some of my smaller instrumental tracks. Some sites, I make streaming mechanical royalties, other sites I get direct payouts some small... some quite large and also depending on the license. I'm planing to sell sheet music as well as in traditional music composition. What I'm sending you is smaller "bulk" music for media. Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year! - Tom

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Sun Dec 25, 2022 3:28 pm

Randy wrote:Happy Holidays Tom and everyone.

Really cool to hear about the music side doing so well.

Thanks Randy, I hope you are doing well. I have to say I'm very lucky and blessed with what I have. I also feel VERY happy today as on Wednesday, I decided to wrap / put covering on my pipes outside my house. I live in a relitive new neighborhood and everyone has tank-less hot water heater mounted outside on the external house wall. So I bought some good Frost King pipe coverings and also dripped the facuets and kept the door open under the sinks (I'm originally from up in the North East). And I'm glad I did that as all my neighbors and other neighborhood don't have water now.. Or don't have hot water. It's close to 40 today and it will be dropping again below 20 and should be back to normal temp on Wednesday.. But those pipe covering wow they saved out @ss! LOL. Have a great day today and an awesome new year. Early dinner today at my house.. my Wife said the Turkey is done.

Post by **Philip** » Sun Jan 01, 2023 9:55 am

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a better 2023, lots of health, joy and all the best!

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:56 am

Happy New Year everyone. I still cannot believe we are in to 2023.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 4:21 pm

Hi Debs!