[EddieT (Eddie)]

What a great thread idea. I just had to read them all, it's fascinating. Here's my life as nutmeat.

Played guitar since I was 7 and joined the ranks of AA when I was 9 (Amateur Astronomers that is)...Finished 3/4 of a Novice (Ham) radio licence when I was 14 but my parents couldn't get me to the next exam 100 miles away and eventually my passes lapsed.

Left school after finding Year 10 too boring. Started hanging out with more "interesting" people, which got me into a lot of trouble!

Played progressive rock music for 15 years, song-writing and recording in Sydney and lots of touring up and down the East coast. Finally got sick of agents and managers trying to turn art into money and went and got an honours degree in computer science at QUT in Brisbane then worked as a coporate database developer (programmer) for just over ten years. In that time got heavily into astrophotography and the necessary equipment.

About 12 months ago my position became redundant (a familiar theme thoughout the thread) and decided to try and become a professional amateur astronomer. Managed to convince the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme committee that it was a good idea and two months ago started my 12 month government assisted foray into the business world. I'm currently trying to turn amateur astronomy into a viable business, developing and selling software for astronomical imaging and taking pictures of objects for publication. Eventually hope to go on the presentation tour circuit talking astronomy and imaging from a non-professionals point of view covering both the technical and aesthetics of astronomy and imaging.

Wish me luck!