Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Still kicking..just...

It's been 12 months now since I worked last and 10 months since I last received any benefits from the government, In Australia you only get the dole for 2 months then you are on your own.

Have had no luck in the last 6 months obtaining any more discs, which is a pity, I thought I was just getting good....

Ive had loads of people promise discs but it always falls though or they just "forget".

And Ive had a few thousand "tell me how you restore disc" emails That I don't reply too.
It took me years to do this, I had hoped at one stage I could do this professionally for a archive or a broadcaster or even for a small time CD company. But no... My work is obviously not good enough. so I suppose Ive wasted the last 10 or so years of my life, Ive enjoyed every minute of hearing new sounds on disc and restoring them, but at what cost..
Im now 36 and very unemployable, No qualifications to speak of and no trade.
I really don't know how long I can "hang on" to this shadow of a existence but I'll try,

I might have a look at some of the B-sides Ive never put up here before.
So stay tuned.

22 comments:

Devo said...

Adrian - God didn't make any failures - hang in there!

mel said...

Ade, when I moved to another continent at the age of 49 I found a job for which I had to be entirely retrained as it had no relation to what I'd previously been doing. It was a responsible position; I applied myself and succeeded - to the extent that I received, over the years, two certificates for excellence and became a star employee. I am absolutely certain that you can do the same - all you have to do is take off your blinkers, be prepared to diversify, get rid of the idea that what you've always wanted to do is the only thing you can do, and apply yourself.

And be positive!

I wish you every success.

Devo said...

Well said me! - Adrian, you can do it - I went to TAFE and did a Diploma when I was in my 40s!

There is no right age to do anything!

Devo

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear. I am already 60 and found no more work after having closed our plant in 2003. I live from what I have, I am disappointed and it burns inside me. I speak six languages, can read more then 12, have traveled for the company more then 30 eyars round in Europe and yet I am too old, or too sick or what knows the cuckoo to get a job. I am meanwhile in a stage that i am no more willing to work, for me i am quuiet happy, for others, no to be a slave, no thanks. I am a proud man and i will be it on the en d of my life. And working for these temporary work offices which I call modern slave office, I miss only an iron ring orund the neck of the people. Nothing has changed since roman times, but we all like or love classical music. So just conitnue doing it and do not give you up. You are to young.....

Dr. Keats said...

I'm sure if you made the quality of your restorations known to the various Aussie OTR societies and collectors, you'd pick up work...

But, hang in there - once your work becomes known, I'm sure things will pick up; it's just a matter of getting the word out there...

Marc said...

Hi Ade, just wanted to say how much your work is appreciated.
Fantastic job with the Kenny restorations. I work in TV / Films / animation. Kenny was a big influence. I'll pass on your Kremmen restoration to Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall. I know they'll be please to see their work looking so good.

I'm greatful for your time and dedication on these restorations.

Thanks for the giving us Kenny in the wonderful world of Crispy Vision!

Tiptruck said...

Thanks for the Wilbur Kentwell resto of "The Continental" which I think is great. The problem finding anyone to actually pay you to do such work is pretty common. I've spent 14 years running a very large website without ads and finally put a donate button on 18 months ago. I've had 3 donations out of several hundred thousand visitors. People just won't pay for anything these days. You could always become a volunteer for the National Library of Australia in Canberra and help them out.

Unknown said...

Just an idea, but have you considered contacting Kaleidoscope in the UK?.

Best of luck!

Ade42 said...

Well post some more stuff over the next few days.

Thanks for the messages of support.

and yes, I did try Kal UK, I even emailed Dick Fiddy, No one wanted to know, or even take the time to bother to reply, Nice aint they...s

Hochzeits DJ said...

I wish you all the best! Hang in there dude! Love your posts.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ade

I'm writing from England where it's now heading for 1 AM. I'd been casually searching for a quick audio sample from a particular 78rpm disc, and meant to go to bed about two hours ago. But then I chanced on one of your transcriptions on YouTube, and I've been playing them, fascinated, for the last two hours. I've a PhD in audio electronics with a long standing interest in old recordings, and I'm hugely impressed by what you have accomplished. I don't know what qualifications you may have but you certainly have NOT wasted your time. I'm not going to ask how you did all this (nor for now discuss ideas of my own!) but have you considered joining the Audio Engineering Society? There you may find both contacts who can help you exploit your talents and techniques, an outlet for discussing your work should you choose to do so, and routes for further professional development.

http://www.aes.org
http://www.aes.org/aes/mike-turner

Best of luck and hope things look up soon

Mike Turner

Mike Turner said...

I meant to add, it's good to know there is at least one other person in the world who hates the overprocessed, "dead" sound of so many "remastered" 78rpm transcriptions. I've even written to CD labels like Dutton Labs and ASV to complain about their over-use of the "CEDAR" process -- quite dreadful. You're comment about "TMNR" ("Too Much Noise Reduction") is absolutely spot-on.

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Anonymous said...

Just a suggestion: like a great restaurant will not hesitate to give a recipe away (knowing that no one will be able to do what they do in the manner in which they do it), you might consider offering up some of your hard won expertise rather than keeping as some sort of personal trade secret; i.e. help others who express a sincere interest in the art and craft that you've worked so hard at, and you might just find that the world will help you back.
Also, there's some truth to the idea that you create your own reality, at least in part. I suggest you remove your depressing post or at least update your blog with another post that is more positive. Don't describe yourself as unemployed, even if there's some truth to it. Really, imagine you're an employer yourself. Would you be more interested in hiring someone who sounds self-pitying or someone who sounds positive/upbeat?
Good luck to you, at any rate. I'd love to know a few of the tricks that you've figured out over the years, but not because I'd want to be a professional like yourself. I've come into a small collection of 78s and I want to 1) treat them right in cleaning/care, and 2) get as great a recording from them as I can.

Cheer, Paul

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Anonymous said...

I agree that running things past other people is a early good idea. Even if you are melancholy due to being unemployed , volunteering for any organisation will get you to get out of that door every day. What about playing those records in nursing homes , doingg a "show " for the oldies once a month … when people hear your show they spontaneously think of other venues/gigs and some of that could lead to aid work . Also what are you doing about your depression … it is del and there are wonderful treatments and help out there .. speak to your GP or get another opinion at least
AND PAYPAL is a wonderful tool to sell remastered things on the internet, so is ebay , ask for help … it's a sign of maturity being able to ut your hand up and say can I have some help

Anonymous said...

sorry I meant paid work

Unknown said...

I have been collecting 78s for about 60 years, and have thousands and thousands. I have a good playback setup and a computer with software to restore, but I don't get as good results as you do! Love your work!

Anonymous said...

F

Anonymous said...

Ade, no comments or updates for many years.
Please let us know that you're OK. There are many who appreciate your work.

Diego said...

Sorry to read this. Sincerely, I wish you're doing well after this ten-year absenteeism. I'm writing from Chile; I'm a 30 year-old man, and I've been a 78 record collector since my pre-teens. Just like you, I feel like I've postponed many life goals for my passion about listening and collecting 78s, but for sure it was worth every minute of it. Being a hard-working, industrious man is a goal I constantly pursue. That's how I've been able to pay my bills, and buy my 78s and record-playing equipment. Also, I'm currently studying a secretarial degree in my 30s. Although I know it's difficult to make a living out of this collecting trade, I hope you have found your path in life, and lead a productive, prosperous existence full of good records and music.