Greetings. I'm dtggm, and this is my intro post.

Like Matt below, I don't often reveal much about my personal life online. But, you know, what the hell. My name is Dustin, I'm 31, and live in northern Indiana where I work at a small liberal arts college.

I'm a veteran poster under the handle "Ad Astra" on various telnet-based BBSes such as HeinousBBS and EschwaBBS. Most of them were extremely hostile to newbies, so I've developed at least a partial flame-proof coating to my online personae.

I've been married to the love of my life for the past five years, and we have a two-year old daughter who's been the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I have a graduate degree in Musicology from the University of Notre Dame. (You know that song from that album by Prince? Yeah, it's nothing like that.) I'm a classically-trained flutist, but am now learning to play the frailing banjo in between diaper changes and household chores. I have a strong interest in folk and bluegrass music, and was a bluegrass and folk radio DJ for ten years at my local college radio station. Other interests include cooking, fine wine, single-malt scotch, and home coffee roasting. Politically, I'm a left-leaning liberal -- not quite moonbat-leftist, but well left of the mushy middle.

Oh, and computers. And stimulating intellectual discourse. And sharing conversations with fellow Auld Farts.

Incidentally, the handle doesn't mean anything. When I signed up for it, I wasn't sure I'd stay long, so I just used a placeholder username -- my initials with an extra "g". Hell, I probably should've signed up here under "Ad Astra." Alas.

We're too old and too tired to do any flaming here...at least that's my excuse!

Welcome!

Welcome Dustin!

Were you the DJ at your college radio station for ten years because you were in college for ten years?

Ha! No, only 5. I was music ed.

I started as a student DJ my freshman year and loved it. Ended up keeping my weekly folk/bluegrass shift all the way through grad school, just because I loved it so much and it was commutable. I ended up being one of the most popular DJs on the air at that time (at that station).

I gave it up a year ago after my daughter was born. Just didn't have the time to do it anymore.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Yup. I'm positively ROLLING IN BLING. Liberal arts -- it's the mack!

I'll tell you all this much.

In a few short posts, I have gotten to know more about people I have 'known' for a few years now!



You're very welcome Dustin.

A trained flutist.



BAHAHAHAHAHahahahahahahahaaa

Yeah, that's what they all said in Junior High. I got beat up a lot at first

But most kids STFU after they heard me play. I was pretty fuckin' good, and was really into jazz, too.

Welcome Dustin. I see you've been contributing already. Good to have you here.

"Flutist" is what stuck with me too... I typically like my women to be skilled flutists, if you know what I mean! (too bad you're a guy)



By the way, if you want to change your name all you have to do is ask. The smelly Irish one can help - you'll quickly come to realize I'm referring to Farter Ted.

Yeah, I'm a flutist AND a banjo player. Talk about your gay-nerdcore double-whammy. (And I'm neither!)

Reminds me of a joke: What's the definition of perfect pitch?

Chucking your flute in the dumpster so that it perfectly crushes the banjo.

What is the difference between a flute and a vacuum cleaner?
You have to plug the vacuum cleaner in before it sucks!!


Which one of the following does not belong: Herpes, Measles, AIDS, Banjo Players?
Measles--you can get rid of the Measles.


Welcome Anyway!!!

Some people think I'm flaming.

Welcome, Man-With-No-Vowels-In-Name. Remember, Wednesdays we all get together and swig Metamucil.

Yeah, well, about that. I happen to really like the letter A.

I have a really nice banjo, I just never learned to play it.

It's on my list of things to get back to.

Banjo's rock

I didn't realize that until today.

We went to the graduation party of my friend B's daughter. I didn't even know that B could play the banjo until today...and she's really quite good at it.

Welcome aboard. This is my first post in a month, just to welcome you. I haven't been home much lately to check anything. I grew up listening to Bluegrass music. My father was in a BlueGrass Band that travelled all over and played. He plays the Spoons. He was even in a movie playing the spoons, an old western from the 's called, "The Long Riders". If you're really into bluegrass, you've probably heard the soundtrack because it was a pretty critcally acclaimed soundtrack at the time. You can hear him playing the spoons all through it.