Here I am then and now , how bout you

[Bass4real]

Just a few pictures of me through the years and the lady I love 

No she's not a BASS GUITAR :?)

 

1 -My brother's and (me , the second tallest in 2nd grade 

2 -Me bottom row right corner in 8th grade 

with a broken ankle  :?(

3 -Me in 2003 in Stavrapol Russia outside in 45 degrees below zero 

4 - My love Sofiya

5 - me in 2024

 

What's up BASS PLAYERS

[bass_dinger]

13 hours ago, Bass4real said:

the second tallest in 2nd grade 

2 -Me bottom row right corner in 8th grade

As someone who grew up in England, I have always wondered what " second grade" and "8th grade" means, in terms of age.

 

People from the USA seem to use it as shorthand for their age. However,  I have not seen any information online on how old an 8th grader is (probably because I have not looked).

 

So, this is my opportunity to convert grade to age!

[Bass4real]

1 hour ago, bass_dinger said:

As someone who grew up in England, I have always wondered what " second grade" and "8th grade" means, in terms of age.

 

People from the USA seem to use it as shorthand for their age. However,  I have not seen any information online on how old an 8th grader is (probably because I have not looked).

 

So, this is my opportunity to convert grade to age!

Well I graduated high school at 18 yrs old

So in 8th grade I was 14 yrs old 

High school can start in 9th grade or 10th 

Depending on the school 

My high school was a 9th through 12th grade graduation.

But I've heard about children obviously highly intelligent for their age being 

12yrs old graduating high school .

In the U.S. I don't think a childs age and the grade their in is set in stone.

I do know when I was in school, I got an actual education. 

I'm really glad I was expected to use my brain . 

Computer, cell phone, social Media, didn't exist when I was in school.

Thank God :?)

 

[SpondonBassed]

18 hours ago, Bass4real said:

In the U.S. I don't think a childs age and the grade their in is set in stone.

 

It's a lot like that here but exceptions are made.  The majority have to be funded privately or sponsored at Primary and Secondary level.

 

One of the big issues here is how third level education is paid for.  By third level, I mean college, university or apprenticeships.

 

Primary and Secondary levels are seen to be necessary for the majority so we happily pay with public funds.  Those who are capable of faster development are often stuck with that route.  By the time third level is being considered seriously, puberty has kicked in and ALL bets are off.

 

There is disproportionate pressure to put young people through university here.  Then there are (for a vast number of them) loans to be repaid once they've started to earn.

 

I was expected by my dad to go but I didn't like the idea at all.  Even though he had been putting money away for it, I was more into getting started working for a wage and doing stuff I liked.  That got me into an apprenticeship with a major commercial airline and saved Mum and Dad a small fortune.

 

I have no regrets.  As a consequence, I have a much more "round" education academically, practically and socially*.  I'm pretty sure that my parents were glad they let me decide for myself too.  They considered me able to take part in family discussions about my future from about age ten.

 

For this I am eternally grateful.  We were leaving the UK at that time.  I returned fifteen years later with marketable qualifications and social skills that set me above the pack.

 

When you are young in the UK, I think a lot of unnecessary emphasis is put on whether to choose a profession, an academic career or a practical one.  Indeed the word career seems to get undue attention seeing as how times have moved on and there are few guaranteed "Jobs for Life" these days.  It's probably a hangover from our renowned class system.  Who cares?  The slow demise of the British class system is a good thing!

 

It's just taking longer than a lot of us would like.

 

Thanks for sharing your family photos.  I think BassChat has a dedicated thread for them somewhere.

 

 

 

*The social aspect is so important for young adults but it is glossed over too often.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 31 by SpondonBassed

[Bass4real]

On 31/01/2025 at 08:41, SpondonBassed said:

 

It's a lot like that here but exceptions are made.  The majority have to be funded privately or sponsored at Primary and Secondary level.

 

One of the big issues here is how third level education is paid for.  By third level, I mean college, university or apprenticeships.

 

Primary and Secondary levels are seen to be necessary for the majority so we happily pay with public funds.  Those who are capable of faster development are often stuck with that route.  By the time third level is being considered seriously, puberty has kicked in and ALL bets are off.

 

There is disproportionate pressure to put young people through university here.  Then there are (for a vast number of them) loans to be repaid once they've started to earn.

 

I was expected by my dad to go but I didn't like the idea at all.  Even though he had been putting money away for it, I was more into getting started working for a wage and doing stuff I liked.  That got me into an apprenticeship with a major commercial airline and saved Mum and Dad a small fortune.

 

I have no regrets.  As a consequence, I have a much more "round" education academically, practically and socially*.  I'm pretty sure that my parents were glad they let me decide for myself too.  They considered me able to take part in family discussions about my future from about age ten.

 

For this I am eternally grateful.  We were leaving the UK at that time.  I returned fifteen years later with marketable qualifications and social skills that set me above the pack.

 

When you are young in the UK, I think a lot of unnecessary emphasis is put on whether to choose a profession, an academic career or a practical one.  Indeed the word career seems to get undue attention seeing as how times have moved on and there are few guaranteed "Jobs for Life" these days.  It's probably a hangover from our renowned class system.  Who cares?  The slow demise of the British class system is a good thing!

 

It's just taking longer than a lot of us would like.

 

Thanks for sharing your family photos.  I think BassChat has a dedicated thread for them somewhere.

 

Well our education system is not very different than yours except for what they are named 

 We have a preschool , when I was in school it was called kindergarten.

1st through 6th grade is called grade school here, public schools are Free 

Private schools charge a tuition 

7th and 8th grades are Junior high school, some junior high schools do go to 9th grade, and our High schools depending on the school are 10th through 12th or 9th through 12th.

   People get away with what we let them get away with.

And by people I mean Politicians first and foremost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The social aspect is so important for young adults but it is glossed over too often.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SpondonBassed]

3 minutes ago, Bass4real said:

public schools are Free

 

I don't know why but our "Public Schools", back in the day were only for the wealthy public.  They were neither free nor cheap.

 

We used to call our free of charge secondary schools "Grammar School".  They were only free up to the age of fourteen.  Being without children of my own, I am not at all sure what happens in detail these days.

 

7 minutes ago, Bass4real said:

   People get away with what we let them get away with.

And by people I mean Politicians first and foremost.

 

That, my friend, is not a conversation for this forum.  We have been warned officially.

[Bass4real]

1 hour ago, SpondonBassed said:

 

I don't know why but our "Public Schools", back in the day were only for the wealthy public.  They were neither free nor cheap.

 

We used to call our free of charge secondary schools "Grammar School".  They were only free up to the age of fourteen.  Being without children of my own, I am not at all sure what happens in detail these days.

 

 

That, my friend, is not a conversation for this forum.  We have been warned officially.

 

1 hour ago, SpondonBassed said:

 

I don't know why but our "Public Schools", back in the day were only for the wealthy public.  They were neither free nor cheap.

 

We used to call our free of charge secondary schools "Grammar School".  They were only free up to the age of fourteen.  Being without children of my own, I am not at all sure what happens in detail these days.

 

 

That, my friend, is not a conversation for this forum.  We have been warned officially.

"WE" have been warned ?

You've been warned  ?

Officially ?

About what exactly ?

By whom ?

I haven't been officially warned about anything 

by anyone 

Would you be so kind as too tell me what are you talking about.

Know that 

I'm not from the UK 

I'm allowed to speak freely 

Sorry if not the same for you.

 

 

 

 

[LowB_FTW]

25 minutes ago, Bass4real said:

I'm allowed to speak freely 

Sorry if not the same for you.

This has cropped up in previous threads, but it's worth mentioning again.

Yes, whilst you are free to say what you wish, you still have to abide by forum rules.

Here, politics is a topic that is generally frowned upon for discussion, for myriad reasons, but mostly just to try to maintain decorum and a peaceful environment for everyone.

 

Mark

[SpondonBassed]

28 minutes ago, Bass4real said:

Would you be so kind as too tell me what are you talking about.

 

Of course.

 

One of the site moderators posted about the no-politics rule last night UK time.  I think it was after I had replied to one of your posts.  I have an idea what triggered it but it's no longer relevant.  Just a friendly note to be careful.

 

I notice Rich has since removed said post from view.  Moderators gotta moderate, you know?

[SpondonBassed]

1 hour ago, Bass4real said:

Sorry if not the same for you.

 

Oh you can say whatever you like here as long as it doesn't involve sex, religion or politics... oh and guitarists.  If you want to go to a discussion about free speech there are loads of places you can freely go to where it is appropriate.

 

No need to apologise.  It's only an Internets' forum for special interest.  Although we do have general discussion, we just don't tolerate flaming.  It's what makes BassChat popular.  Enjoy it because legislation is about to make this very difficult to continue running without charging much more for people to manage it.

 

I am a supporting member, meaning I have paid because I appreciate there are people here to suppress forest fires before they endanger the rest of the villagers.

 

Just keep it friendly and relax.

 

This should help if you haven't already found it -

 

BassChat Terms and Conditions.

 

@Rich; I'm damned if I can find the BC Ts &Cs.  Can you drop a link into the topic title above for me please?

 

PS:  Here's what I was looking for:

 

Posting guidelines - a reminder

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 2 by SpondonBassed

[Geek99]

@Bass4real

we are fairly free to speak here, but the forum rules are “no politics” and I think that’s a good thing. Save your keyboard energy for discussing bass and criticising guitarists (EDIT) is my general view 

Edited February 2 by Geek99

[Bass4real]

12 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

@Bass4real

we are fairly free to speak here, but the forum rules are “no politics” and I think that’s a good thing. Save your keyboard energy for discussing bass and criticising guitarists 

Sounds great to me 

Honestly I'm a musician I couldn't care less about anything political 

 

My bad 

 

 

[Bass4real]

5 hours ago, LowB_FTW said:

This has cropped up in previous threads, but it's worth mentioning again.

Yes, whilst you are free to say what you wish, you still have to abide by forum rules.

Here, politics is a topic that is generally frowned upon for discussion, for myriad reasons, but mostly just to try to maintain decorum and a peaceful environment for everyone.

 

Mark

No problem 

My bad 

[Bass4real]

8 hours ago, LowB_FTW said:

This has cropped up in previous threads, but it's worth mentioning again.

Yes, whilst you are free to say what you wish, you still have to abide by forum rules.

Here, politics is a topic that is generally frowned upon for discussion, for myriad reasons, but mostly just to try to maintain decorum and a peaceful environment for everyone.

 

Mark

I apologize to you and everyone on BASSCHAT 

I honestly couldn't care less about politics here or there.

 

 

 

[Geek99]

You don’t need to apologise. We just try and keep it nice and bass-oriented 

all nationalities welcome 

[SpondonBassed]

1 hour ago, Geek99 said:

You don’t need to apologise. We just try and keep it nice and bass-oriented 

all nationalities welcome 

 

Bass or cake... either.  I'm not bothered.

 

Plus one to what our Geekster says.

[Jack]

I'm nearly always up for a political debate. Nearly always. But anyone who remembers Tin Pan Alley on that other bass forum will almost certainly agree that bass forums are for talking about bass. The only right vs left that matters here is what sub forum you list your basses for sale in. 

 

Besides what does something petty like politics matter compared to the big issues like rounds vs flats? 

[Geek99]

@Jack and all that twaddle about tonewood… or is it ?  🤔🍿

[MacDaddy]

17 minutes ago, Jack said:

Besides what does something petty like politics matter compared to the big issues like rounds vs flats? 

 

Exactly! Do you want your bass to sound great, or like a dull thud? 😜

[SpondonBassed]

Oh dear.  Oh deary deary me...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heeheehee

[Lozz196]

Continents have fallen over less……. 

[ghostwheel]

2 hours ago, Jack said:

rounds vs flats

Why not rounds AND flats?

[2pods]

6 hours ago, ghostwheel said:

Why not rounds AND flats?

 

You're sticking your neck out.

 

IGMC

[SpondonBassed]

6 hours ago, ghostwheel said:

Why not rounds AND flats?

 

I think some players do mix the two.  I can't think where but someone was using flat B & E strings with round A, D & G ones.  Something like that anyway.

[ghostwheel]

3 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said:

 

I think some players do mix the two.  I can't think where but someone was using flat B & E strings with round A, D & G ones.  Something like that anyway.

That's interesting. I've never thought about it this way.

What I meant earlier is rather to have basses strung with flats and rounds. It'd be a perfect excuse to buy one more bass