I am one of many dual linguists on this site, french being my second language, and if you would like to know anything about teas and coffees their origins and anything of the like feel free to message me, as this was a job i had up until recently, selling fine teas and coffees. as of september i will be studying psychology, sociology and (British) social policy, so will be able to help in some retrospect with that.
My experience is in: Electronics Electrical Engineering Computer Maintenance Computer Programming Rotating Polyalphabetic Cryptography As you might guess, I like writing Science Fiction.
I currently work in aviation but also have skills in Silversmithing Sewing\tailoring\pattern making Playing harp Permaculture 18th Century costume and corsetry Ancient methods of tanning Perfumery - working with naturals including various methods of extraction The creation of basic salves, ointments and other cosmetics including colour cosmetics Soapmaking I like to think my job and the hundreds of people I encounter everyday gives me some insight into human nature. Well, human nature in confined spaces maybe...lol! Did I mention I like fantasy?
That's awesome. I tried playing the harp once, and it seems like it would be hard to play for long periods of time because of how you have to use your fingers.
Harp is at once both the easiest and most difficult of instruments to play. It's hard to make a harp sound bad. Any string plucked will sound glorious and any succession of strings will sound pretty good. It's playing something on purpose that is the hard part. If I don't practise daily then yes I can get blisters on my fingertips after about 30mins. I have a concert strung harp, which have thick strings and high tension. The folk harps are much easier on the fingers and have a prettier sound. Mine sounds very much like a piano, except for the style of playing.
I study English philology at uni and work part-time as a translator (English-Finnish-English), planning to translate full-time when I graduate. I'm hoping to add Swedish and Russian to my repertoire of translatable languages. I also know Bulgarian. I've been playing classical guitar for 25 years, electric guitar for 13 years, and drums for 20 years. I've also studied music theory. I still suck at it, but I understand enough about harmony and structure etc. to be my band's songwriter. I've played drums in dozens and dozens of gigging line-ups, and performed even more gigs with a classical guitar trio and my band (playing electric guitar). I've also performed a bunch of solo gigs on classical guitar but not in a while. I've recorded all three instruments several times as well, but I don't know much about mixing, mastering etc. I've trained various martial arts and combat sports for 25 years: boxing, muay thai, krav maga, senshido, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and a teeny bit of HEMA (grosse messer and medieval grappling). My main focus is in self-defense, including its psychological side, how adrenaline works (incl. its manipulation) and stuff like default positions, reading pre-fight cues, awareness & avoidance etc. I compete in IPSC (aka practical shooting) with a pistol (production class, minor), but I suck at that too. I do have some knowhow about self-defense with handguns, knives, and impact weapons like saps and blackjacks as well as concealed carry. I'm planning to expand my IPSC repertoire to rifles in the near future. I'm into non-combat sports too, like swimming (my first love and favorite sport), working out at the gym, running, parkour etc. and nutrition, of course. I'm not sure where survivalism fits in, but I know something about that too (including the basics of first-aid and pain management). I used to be a beer and whiskey enthusiast (partial to ales, stouts, weiss bier, trappists, and Islay whiskeys), so while I rarely drink nowadays, the knowledge remains.
I actually went to Bulgaria in the early 2000's. I stayed in the capitol city of Sophia. It was a beautiful but dirty city from pollution.
[OT]The pollution can get pretty bad, especially in central Sophia during rush hours, but that's when you wave a cheap cab and head to some sub-urban café for some baklava. I do prefer the mountains to the cities and beaches, specially the Vitosha and Rila mountains. They're great for trekking in lush mountain forests and the Rila monastery is an interesting place to visit if you like old, historical places; it feels like stepping a full millennium into the past (it was founded in 1000AD)... and some of the souvenir stands on the streets down the hill sell stun guns and brass knuckles! How awesome is that? ETA: @KaTrian and I loved London, but the pollution there was actually worse; the smog tended to irritate the eyes and throat when we walked in the city center for longer periods. It was totally worth it, though. Okay, I'll shut up now... [/OT]
Well, this describes me perfectly: I have a few areas I am really interested in, but for none of them could I call myself an expert (yet).
I work with food. I have little bits of knowledge about lots of things but not lots of knowledge about anything in particular ... And I'm good at researching things in obscure corners of the internet!
Very knowledgeable on: Accounting and Business (SME Sector especially) Business Management Chemistry Physics Scrivener (Moderate expert anyway)
It would be great if we could catalogue the topics and members from this thread and put it into a sticky
I should point out to an earlier post of mine on this thread: I'm an English teacher, trying to break into academia.
Psych student, willing to share any of that knowledge. I've been studying it since I was young (12 or 13) Customer service associate, and certified (yeah, it's actually a thing) in babysitting, and have done it for years. I'm also picking up Spanish as a second language, and can talk about learning a second language, or about the language itself.
I am a professional tutor at a community college with 10 years experience helping students with math, writing, and computers. I have a Bachelor's in psychology and am finishing up a master's in mental health counseling.
Very nice idea for a thread archerfenris! Happy to answer any questions you guys might have on any of the following fields I've got experience in: Teaching English as a foreign language Management and general people-leadership (the psychology they teach you, the problems you encounter!) Finance Private-sector intelligence gathering (political instability, military, terrorism, fraud, organised crime, corruption, human rights abuses) Russian politics and society After a brief look at some of the other posters here, I feel like with a little help I'll be able to integrate so many more topics into my writing
This is a fabulous thread! I'm a professional procrastinator, but I'm studying Early Childhood Development and Education in the US. I've got a lot of textbooks sitting around, and I know where to go to find legit info about kids' cognitive and emotional development. I'm also a semi-professional researcher, meaning I will dig through Google for hours to find information about anything and everything. My interests tend to reflect what I'm working on at the moment, so right now I've got a lot of rather vague information about bodyguarding techniques and the methods of the US Secret Service. I've got a lot of personal experience being on both sides of the American Special Education system, as well as a not so passing interest in mental illness.
I concur, @Teviya Abramson ! The website www.dankoboldt.com hosts articles where 'experts' relate their field to writing and share insights/tips etc. I've used it a lot since finding 'What writers don't know about the forest' (which I thought was awesome). I actually wrote an article for him based on my experiences with BESD children (behavioural, emotional and social difficulties), but wouldn't call myself an expert. I'm a qualified primary school teacher but haven't actually done the job since graduating (I've worked in schools since then but in different roles). I play piano and flute and been part of random bands/music groups and even directed a choir for a while. I've also been a Christian for almost 20 years, grew up in the Brethren tradition though I don't ascribe to their model of faith (they weren't complete extremists but still rife with sexist theology and practises). So, feel free swing by and talk teaching, music, religion or faith in general
Forensic scientist in late seventies to early eighties (got to do some grunt work ploughing through material on Yorkshire Ripper case), research technician from middle eighties through nineties. Since then variously involved with running various research facilties and a little teaching. Have had the opportunity to work with some unique and talented scientists. Oh, and I spent a short stint as an apprentice boiler smith on steam locomotives, and was involved in crashing a replica of Stephenson's Rocket.
Oops, I see theres someone else with a lot more experience ^^! Probably better you ask them! Currently studying criminology and forensics at university 2nd year
I could probably help with anyone specialising in fiction needing knowledge of 1980s forensic techniques. You can cover more up to date stuff. Am still in touch with people working in current forensic science and the biggest challenge is the manner in which it is carved up into agencies and forces, with costs of investigations being critical. There seems to be a growing problem of no body controlling and enforcing standards. There is also no clear of what happens to investigations that don't fit neatly into the portfolio of services offered ny the various contracting laboratories.
