cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
21032
OK, I'm CAZALEA
which is a contraction of california (CA) and a flower (azalea).
I have a wonderful wife of 34 years and a watch-loving cat. My wife will go anywhere and try anything! And that is a great blessing.
Here she is smiling in a muddy Scottish 2CV-laden campsite (with Seiko Braille alarm clock)
I'm almost 58 - born in the very very early 1950's.
I lived in Hawaii before it was a state, but spent most of my life in Southern California with a few years in Seattle and some time in Weybridge, Surrey, UK.
I've been in publishing from Job 1 (Bellevue American newspaper) in 1967 to math textbook publishing today. I've done work in Sunday School curriculum, magazines, auto repair manuals (Autodata, Bentley, Clymer, Chilton, Haynes, Mitchell, Motor, etc), car price guides (Glass's Guides, Edmunds) and auto shop management software.
Have been everything from shipping clerk to editorial assistant to Senior VP, was down-sized to nothing -- oops I mean I left "to pursue other interests" became a consultant for 15 years, then Managing Editor again.
I like to write on the wall (must be from childhood) so in all of my offices for the last 20 years I have put up huge whiteboard wallpaper surfaces!
I have a genetic mutation. It's called COLLECTING. Can't stop. Can't want to stop. Doctors say it seems incurable. 
So over the years I have collected bicycles (30-40), cars (70-80),
watches (~100), Michelin Man (~100), champagne caps / muselet (~800),
Russian icons (20), oriental rugs (30-40), books (thousands), stained glass
windows, orchids, and so on. Did I mention wine & champagne? Can
you really collect it, or just drink it?
I have my own personal sommellier Francois, a gift from my sister on a birthday a few years ago.
At one time doing international publishing business I piled up about 2 million frequent flier miles on American Airlines, and who knows how many passport stamps, but those "collecting" days are past. However, for more than 20 years I have been attending "the World Meeting of the Friends of the 2CV" which has taken me from Northcape -> Greece. On our own in North America we have been from Ontario Canada to BC, across the US several times and down to middle of Baja California - all in a 2CV.
A few years ago I got interested in watches through a long-involved story, and ended up buying into a watch repair business and apprenticing myself for 4 years to learn how to do minor repairs.
But repair is too much stress, sweat and tears. I am more interested in having, learning about and enjoying them than I am in fixing them. (I also work with a theatre company on their board of trustees, where I got the big watch backdrop shown above)
And that brought me to the Purists years ago, and on to PuristsPro.
And my time is up.
Mike
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2009-04-01 16:22:34
Introductions...
When Time Out first opened its cyber-doors nearly two years ago one of the first threads invited participants to introduce themselves. It was a novel approach given the usual anonymity inherent in fora such as these but it was received in great spirit at ...
Finally!!!
Congratulations pplater!! You read my mind Was thinking a lot lately about this thread was even thinking of asking PuristS to add a photo in order to "give face to the post" like Steve did back then (due a fact that almost we know almost all moderators fa...
Here's my shot at this!
Hey guys, this is very interesting, since i wasn't here 2 years ago, let me give you guys mine! Indonesian Nationality, Born in Singapore, with Dutch, Thai & Chinese ancestry Born (almost) 2 Chinese Tigers ago Totally Single 1st class Company representati...
i guess i'll jump in now
the screen name just my initials; also an homage to a truly groundbreaking motion picture; the main character's name in fact; and the final coincidence that i worked on said film. left coast. daughter's right coast. one gold guy, more plaques on wall. win...
et, you were one...
..of those who made the original 'introductions' thread so interesting when TimeOut began and back then you posted a photo of yourself on the walkway of a sensational building: This may be displaying Antipodean ignorance, but the standard of the preservat...
Welcome 'Amerix' to the forums!
MainPost : Amerix now presenting himself By: amerix (registered) PM Posts: 145 Amerix now presenting himself Aug 28 2009,09:25 AM To your cordial invitation for an introduction. Amerix is a mix or blend of Amery and "Asterix", the scrappy little Gaul in t...
Not much has changed since then, pplater . . .
. . . but I've transitioned to finance from operations at my place of employment, where we've just had a Reduction In Force . . . here's a very recent photo with two dear recently departed comrades, James and Patti: Two years doesn't seem like a terribly ...
Nothing has changed, but everything has...
Your use of capitals to underscore your distaste was not missed Art - “Reduction In Force” is an euphemism on a par with “Collateral Damage” for the extent of its callous inhumanity. Doubtless its use assists cynical corporate robots to forget that it is ...
Great idea! Let's also add.....
Hello pplater! Fantastic idea, let's also add how we came up with our screen/user names. I always found it interesting when I meet people at GTG's or watch events and introduce ourselves, usually only when we reveal our screen names is when we recognize e...
Well, as you have asked...
In this jurisdiction a driver who has learnt the basics, but who is still very new to the wheel, is required to spend a period ‘on probation’. Such a probationary driver is required to display on her or his car, fore and aft, a plate such as this: As you ...
thats too deep for me...
thats too deep for me as i just thought you had a fetish for young ladies in/with bad habits :) best Graham
Okay!
I'm not a big fan of pseudonyms. Thus, my screen name is my last name. I'm a fourth generation Angeleno. 40 years old and happily married for 16 years to an incredible woman who's given me 3 fantastic children. I'm a baker, so to speak. I'm a huge fan of ...
Santa Monica Blvd?
What a great place--food and hospitality! I have to fast if i want to come close to finishing half the portion, though! ...maybe I'll come across it next time...
A baker, 'so to speak'???...
...there's a story there by the look of it - care to share? Cheers, pplater.
I don't mean to be coy.
Since you've asked, not long after earning an MBA at a top school, I broke from the herd of bankers and consultants to develop and operate a multi-unit franchise of a well-known doughnut chain. I immersed myself completely in this project, including spend...
Great post!
First of all, Hello to all the passsionate PuristS! I am 43 (still), Belgian, born in Peru and grew up in South America and Africa changing countries almost every year until 18, Studied engineering and Design, divorced , two kids, 14 and 11. Love and coll...
Chronology in your chronometry…
Hi Luc, Very nice to meet you here on Time Out and PPro. Just a snapshot, I know, but you posted a very compelling evolution of you life thus far. I noticed you juggling a cup of coffee and I know the first thing my wife would ask (well perhaps the second...
You ??
Belgian just over 40 years Studied engineering and Design than those pics ... You're Luc D., right ? THE person who designed the Murcielago, and Gallardo It's a privilige to have you here !!!
no,no Bruno! You are getting it wrong, I am the one privileged
because I am being paid to do something I would do for free . I actually enjoy more than anything the company here, I feel the passion here and it inspires me a lot. I have been reading in a lot of forums but I really appreciate the PuristS for a lot of r...
Very gracious comment, Luc…
I am reminded of something that happened to me a few years ago. I was doing a live-in management course with a group of executives from diverse backgrounds (I was the only one from the health industry). As we got to know one another it became clear that o...
omg...
you are the reason why I love Lambos so much... I do not own a car yet. Why? I am saving for my first lambo ;-). I chose banking hopefully to make a fortune ;-) not likely to happen anymore... anyway what I really wanted to say I am not about engines, hor...
Thanks for your compliments, Conrad
The design process is a long , difficult battle and there is one fear that at the end of the tunnel, the result is tasteless after so many compromises. Glad that this dream did not turn into a nightmare, but now go back to your banking business, the car i...
Strong banks indeed...
Strong banks are a necessity to the car business; especially after the recent scandal involving Lamborghini of Orange County which literally stole several million dollars from the Lamborghini and Volkswagen bank to buy cars for inventory. Lamborghini of O...
Thanks Patrick, I will be coming for Pebble beach and certainly will participate
to the Lambo Giro before. I will keep you posted , maybe we could meet in the neighborhood. and about the bank, I would not want to hide even with a lot of millions in the pockets...prefer to keep on designing. Cheers Luc
Re:
Sounds good, I hope to see you in August! We should have a little meet in Monterey or Carmel for a PuristS who love watches and automobiles.
Similar picture ..
I see you travelled and moved a lot, you're a lucky guy and you deserve it ... being able to be the head of design in a major company ... no words to describe it .... all i can say is ... CHAPEAU ! A lot of people must envie you because of your capabiliti...
Thanks Filip, great picture!
By the way,I have to use the oportunity while I communicate with a Ducati fan like you to tell that I had the chance to meet Pierre Terblanche, Head of Design Ducati until 2007, he was a truly creative person and a great passionate. I do not know who repl...
Designers
Claudio Domenicalo and Giandrea Fabbro replace Terblanche i read somewhere .... the task of making a new model replacing the 916 was simply impossible !!! I remember when the 916 came out in 1994 we simply couldn't believe it to be possible. A lot of bike...
Very nice to meet all of you.
Quickly approaching 44 years of age, I grew up mainly in California. I've lived in many places in the US, and twice in Europe, where I intend to return to live permanently. The culture of Europe brings out the best in me. I moved to New York 6 months ago,...
Hello boa2!
Glad to have you here on PuristSPro.com! Thanks for sharing your background. When you come back to the west coast in the SoCal area let me know and we'll round up the local L.A. Purist for a gtg! BTW, Is there a story to your user/screen name 'boa2' ? -MW
Thank you so much!
I certainly will. I used to be in LA all the time when my mom lived there, but now only occasionally. If I'm out that way, I'll let you know. By year's end, my wife will either have moved here to NY, or we'll be in San Francisco...so, stay in touch. As to...
About me...
Hello, and great idea to bring this up, pplater. I'm Alejandro (aka AlexSunrise). My nickname comes from shortening my first name and by translating my last name to English. I have been posting in The Purists for a little under a year, and I just love it!...
my turn
not good on user ID's so just use the same one everywhere. mine and my wifes initials(Graham & Michelle) and my Surname English living in Wales born in august 1964, a chinese dragon and leo married for the 2nd time 7 years ago and immensely happy as my wi...
an update to my introduction
my user ID is now very simple, just my initial and my favourite number. now living in the south of england about 500m from the sea (or portsmouth harbour to be more precise). now divorced and enjoying my new life even though i no longer have my beautiful ...
Home for the PuristS
Great to learn about my Purists friends. Login is just a name. Live in Texas 46 years old. Still married to my first wife for at least 17 years (wife says the second wife gets the big ring and I like small rings). One daughter almost 15. Work in the Real ...
Howdy, Jerry!
Greetings from south of the border! I travel frequently to Texas (even planning on relocating to Dallas). By your boat I take it that you live around the Houston area? I travel frequently to Houston, and it is a city which brings back a lot of fond memori...
Jerry, that is one....
...seriously sharp split screen 'Vette. Going from memory here, but weren't they very low production numbers for a year or eighteen months only? Great work. Cheers, pplater.
Hi ...
Thanks for initiating this, pplater. A little mystery is good, but I can share a few things and the rest can be found buried in my posts. I am an Andrew in real life as well. 44yrs (yes, another ’64 Dragon – the horological stars must have been aligned th...
A special request, Andrew . . .
. . . please post the photo of your Connie with the SME arm in the background on the Omega forum . . . thanks in advance, Art
Something to whet your appetite…
Hi Art, Too dark to get a good shot of the SME V tonight, but I will be on the task in the morning. However, here’s what I could get to whet your appetite. Pink Floyd are my Rolling Stones, so to speak. The entire system has been tweaked over the years wi...
Great choice of music Andrew
My fav since the 70's. For about several years PF was the only cd's in my car. Now I let a little dire straits and zep into the mix.
why is it that us...
why is it that us men of a certain age all love the same music. i've got all my music on a 30gb mp3 player. every bit of PF, Genesis, Led Zep and a huge selection of other 60-80's blues based rock. Cream. i rarely listen to music in the car, but when i do...
Because our generation was uniquely defined . . .
. . . by our music. Rock can trace it's antecedents back to elements from blues, soul, gospel, and country music, but it was forged in the development of the technology of the times . . . both the music and the culture would never have been possible witho...
The soundtrack of a generation
That’s an interesting perspective, Art. I always assumed that music was important to each generation and something that provided a ‘soundtrack’ in those formative years. I know I am not alone with this, but there is a period of time, from about 1973 (I wa...
Interesting question, Andrew.
"So, did we really live through a ‘golden’ musical age, or is every teenager’s music important to them?" IMO, the answer is that every teenager's music is important to them. What's great however about the music of rock's golden era, is that the songs are ...
well said Daos, i also...
well said Daos, i also got some idea of your age :) a teenagers music is the most important thing to them and they dont consider anything else until they mature a bit and realise that 60's rock was the foundation on which all modern music is based. i was ...
Lucky indeed, Graham...
...to experience Zeppelin live in '76. Wow! Page, Plant, Jones, Bonham...these are the giants upon whose mighty shoulders so many modern artists stand. Because of Led Zeppelin, I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with music. As a little girl in...
Master
Hi Jerry, Here is the master tape of our beloved DSOTM, which I think had its last outing for the 30 th Anniversary remaster. The stuff of legend. What I wouldn’t give to hear this directly! Andrew...
NOT for the PuristS, perhaps…
…in the sense that you will doubtless cry that it lacks the ‘warmth’ and ‘colour’ of your magnificent OMR vinyl, but for audio clarity there is something to be said for this Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab UltraDisc II 24k gold-backed disc produced in 1988 from...
Another shiny gold brother…
LOL, pplater, you sound like you are apologizing for the ‘clarity’ of that little shiny disc. I have heard several MFSL versions of DSOTM and they generally sound excellent. Guthrie also did a great job on the 30 th Anniversary remaster and the vinyl pres...
"ROFL", as they say....
...who woulda thought that there would be two of these little fellas south of the Equator??? - As you'd know, it's not as sharp as MFSL, but it's not shabby either. Vaguely recalled that there had been a nasty rumour about the master tape so Googled it af...
How about a trade . . .
. . . for your Dornblüth, pplater? Only one disc has been played, and once at that ;-) . . . and yes, I have a sizable collection of MF vinyl, including three (!) copies of Cat Steven's 'Tea for the Tillerman' UHQR . . . cordially, Art...
Nice, Art
If you have the Beatles box set as well, Art I may just be buying a plane ticket over to LA. Like bottles of wine, I keep unopened records to be played on special occasions. Your MFSL Stones Box is probably a better investment than watches as well. Andrew
Nice to get to know more about everyone :-)
About myself, My user name is my name and location I'm the third generation in Kuwait but we're originally from Pakistan, having said that I feel more like a Global Citizen having lived around all my life, my fav. being my time in Florence and in New York...
Let's see...
I'm 46, been married nearly 22 years to the same wife and have two children, ages 14 and 17. I've lived in Massachusetts for most of my life and enjoy mechanical objects. Soooo, I have many wrist watches, but also table clocks and a nice English long case...
How about...
.. a photo of the town clock Senort (or should that be 'Senor T'?). That's dedication.... Cheers, pplater.
Town clock
Here's one off the web. If it's too small, I'll go downtown and take a better one. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkeleher/185673541
Based on the age range of responding Purists, I feel like I...
should be set adrift on an iceberg as the old man at the age-next of 56. I've been a regular lurker on this forum since 2003, and originally my handle was timeonmyhands for the obvious pun. Changed to AV when PuristSPro after reading a post that suggested...
Hi AV. Nice to see that view again.
Hope we have a chance to travel with our PuristS friends again. JerryW
I will not hesitate introducing myself ...
.... because i'm turning 40 this year .... soooooo .... i'm a 39 year old purist and have been interested in watches since i was a little kid. But some how i lost my interest in watches some 20 years ago ... up until about 4 years ago .... . This seemed a...
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