In just over a month (May 6th), I'll be turning 40. Nothing big about that - and then again.... there is.
I've recently found myself reflecting more and more on the past, than on what's to come.
Here in Denmark, we have a 'saying' about people (mostly men) turning 40; The 3 F's - 40, fat and finished
Perhaps this is why I'm 'checking my past'.... but the more I think about it, the more I find that my own saying fits better: '40 fresh and fiesty'
I may be(come) 40 and may be finished, but I sure as hell ain't fat
So, what are my 40+ year expectations? None actually.... I am born pessimist, which I'm constantly criticised for - untill people hear why...
It's best explained with an example from "our own world"; whenever I submit a skin, I never expect it to rate high or get many downloads. So if it does get a high rating and many downloads, well I'm off cause possitvly happy about it, but if it gets a low rating and few downloads, I simply shrug it of and think "Well, that's what I expected" and move on.
More people should think this way - instead of crying and screaming about low ratings, and shoving skins down peoples throats, simply to brag about a high download count - as if this were a life essential feat!! Live with it, folks. Some of your submissions rock, some suck. That's life.
Anyway.... I'm turning 40, and what have I to look back at? Not alot actually.....
I have done nothing (yet) that will be remembered after the day I decide to leave this planet - for good. <alien>
In skinning, though, I may have been one of the most dedicated people/users/skinners of all. I've been in the "business" since 1996/97. I have 435 skins in my "portfolio" - hopeing/planning on hitting 500 by the end of 2009.
Many of these skins are for applications most you have never used, let alone heard about
I'm proud to be able to call myself multi-site admin/moderator.
I'm currently admin at Skinz.org (since 2002) and Lotsofskins.com (since 2008), and submission moderator at Wincustomize.com (since 2003). I used to be head-admin at Skinbase also (2001-2003), but decided to leave when another "high-roller" muscled his way in, and sucked up to the boss to push through a bunch of changes - in his own favour. I gave them an ultimatum, which they didn't meet - heck I never even got a responce on it, and that was something I simply couldn't accept - so I left. Have heard nothing from anyone of them since, either. Luckily Brad (Frogboy) had noticed my hard work over there, and had headhunted me to be WinC moderator prior to this 'incident'.
The one thing I am most proud of though, is my skins collection; [The Skinventory], started in 1997 (Went on-line in October 1998). It is the largest (known) private skins collection in the world, with just over 55,500 skins and themes for 200+ different appliations. Many of these skins/themes are most likely only to be found in my collection, because so many skin-sites have gone bust over time. You'll get a more in-depth view of The Skinventory in an article later this year.
Now, my whole life doesn't only evolve around what's going on on-line.... well ok, not anymore though
I do actually have a few off-line accomplishments, that I am quite proud of too. Here I'm of cause thinking about all my lovely kids! I have three kids, two sons and one daughter. Kenneth (14), Johnny (10) and Nanna (1). I was actually writing this article on the train, on my way to and from Nannas first birthday
(March 22nd)
But that's not all of'em though.......
I'll let you in on a lill' secret, if you promiss not to tell anyone
My current girl-friend is pregnant with my fourth kid, due to arrive on May 19th - but she normally is 2-3 weeks late (she's allready got four kids).
What a way to turn 40
- nearly 40, but still fresh and feisty 