John

Life – Terror. Ecstasy. Fight. Denial. Flight. Failure. PAIN. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Hope. Love. Peace – Death.

Professionally

1973-1999 – Musician… ask me who I am, I would reply – ‘I am ‘Johnny Riff’ – Riff to my friends, I play in a band’.

A performer, an artist (recording), a writer (songs, music), an engineer (music, sound studio, live), a producer (music), a business man (management of artists/bands), an administrator, an entrepreneur… I have been all of those things.

I began by wanting to be the best, ‘the best guitarist in the world’, or at least I though that is what I wanted. I realise now what I wanted wasn’t to be the ‘best’. I wanted to be successful, not even the most successful, just successful … to be the best wasn’t enough.

1999-2001 – Learning

2001 – 2021 Academic or teacher? Teacher – ask me who (what) I am? I am a teacher.

I might be a gatekeeper, an aggregator, a facilitator, a mentor… all of these things. I began ‘teaching’ to gain employment. My aim was to work at a specialist Higher Education Institution (LIPA). At least, that is what I thought I wanted.

I realise now that to be successful, was also not enough, I needed to be ‘good’ at what I did, to be a good, and also. a successful teacher. Recognition, academically, professionally, by my peers, by my students, by my family, by my friends – by my AUNTY MAY!

Personally – Personality?

Family man – Husband. Father. Friend (& now grandfather).

Ambitious, driven, dedicated, committed. Selfish.

Have i changed?

Probably?

How do i know?

I have cancer.  

Thanks for reading

Peace