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Dear Prudence;
Doing things simple and on the cheap without a lot of fanfare or expectations of accolades is how I have chosen to mosey along through my remaining years and I hope these scribbles will define everything I ever attempted, even if it makes no sense to anyone but me! I call them "gum flappers"; those that take a contrary approach to be reckoned with or anyone who goes further than I am willing to, just to be noticed and flagged as difference makers or owners of special or extraordinary skills. I am good at what I do and when I encounter anyone that may have an opinion that is opposite in nature of what I believe then I discount them as not anyone that matters much to me. My writing style is very simple and not dissimilar to my approach with words that has always worked well for me in radio broadcasting. To some I come off as arrogant but rarely can anyone argue that I am misinformed or without reasons to say or do anything. However to others I may just be a throwback to a different era when people were less fearful of saying what they really think or doing the things they would rather be doing as opposed to falling in someone else's line and waiting to be called upon before they speak or do anything. In other words, when I am of a mind to do something I simply do it without much regard to what anyone else thinks and without waiting for approval.
Recently I was made aware of someone's attempt to compete with me on two separate levels; both as a writer and as a would-be broadcaster. Naturally it piqued my curiosity so I explored their work and I will leave that here by only saying that we all have our roads best traveled. My resume is just fine and it must be because here I am, a 63 year-old man with 25 publications (good ones or not) and twenty-five-plus years of making a living in commercial broadcasting. I know that sounds like bragging a little but it is what it is. My portfolio of work has become more than I ever planned but that too is just what it is, and when I am made aware of someone else that believes in themselves as much as I do; and if I am to be compared to anyone that I think won't live long enough to go toe-to-toe with me I would tip my hat to them (if I wore hats) and simply encourage them to keep on truckin' and comparing themselves to whoever they want to. There are millions of good writers penning many interesting things, but being able to write well doesn't make any of us stand out unless our efforts have made us famous to the world.
That won't happen for me but I never expected it. I do this because I like it. I program and operate a internet radio station for the same reason and I have recently noticed a few others that have recognized the many ways the internet can work to get their messages out as well. I saw this four years ago and my programs have evolved and are currently carried by the largest radio internet in the world, but what I do there is from a history of doing it after learning from some of the best professionals in the trade. I don't fly by the seat of my pants hoping that someday I will be good at it or thought of as such, I apply a long history of successful work in that industry. So once again, it will take someone else who is just discovering a new interest a very long time and many mentors to catch up. This piece is titled "Penny Candy" to reflect my modest means of going forward year after year with my own passions; cheaply put together, but put together without ever again asking someone else to either validate it or lend favors to make it all work. No publicity stunts and no talent agents or promotional people, or publishers with deep pockets; just simple and sometimes controversial musings about life and my take on it.
Most of us visit social networking sites to see what others are up to or to share with whoever might be interested in what we are doing day-by-day, I have merely taken things to a few different levels; places where I can be confident and comfortable. I do this because I did build a few scooters (cheaply put together) out of boards, nails and wheels from discarded roller skates; and all I needed was the desire to do it and a little imagination. I chose this life as a one-man band because I work better alone and because what is left of my time is too precious to worry about having to pay something back or waste much more of it trying to be noticed or reinventing myself. Legacy Baby! Albeit a small one, but one nonetheless. Here are a few rooms you can visit to learn more. Trust me, Prudence, I can back it all up. All one has to do is read, listen and pay attention!
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rickery+dickery+books
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