Of course! The little jobs start to wear you down after a while, especially when you don't WANT them to be little jobs, but bosses decide otherwise. If I could pay my rent with singing and/or radio stuff I would do it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately it is a small pond with lots of fishies. I'm slowly starting to work my way in, the first real step would be that course for studio technician and producer.

The thing about growing up is that your plans and dreams change along with you. As John Lennon said: Life's what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. My first dream job (as a kid) was ... dolphin trainer, can you believe it? :) It stuck in the back of my mind, but when I found out in highschool that such a job (or more specifically marine biologist) would include lots of biology lessons, cutting open frogs and cow's eyes, I changed plans pretty fast.

I don't regret doing Hotel Management school. I think the key moment in the 'where it all went wrong' story is my first job. I finished a traineeship in a dutch bungalow resort, and the staff there wanted me to return after graduation. However, I had this wonderful apartment in the city of Maastricht, and returning to that specific resort would either mean moving or driving 3 hours a day. So I asked if I could get a position in another resort (from the same chain) in Belgium. And so it happened. It took me 2 years to find out that my expectation and theirs were totally different from each other. Had I gone to the first resort, things would no doubt have been very different.

But I digress. To answer your question: If I could go back in time, I would (with my current knowledge) have tried for the entertainment business. Drama school, Arts & performance, that kind of stuff. Some of my happiest moments in life were on stage. Guess I'm a whore for applause :)

Alas, time travel hasn't been invented yet. However, I haven't totally given up on my dreams. I'm trying to switch to the wonderful world of music and radio. Somewhere out there, there's a chair with my name on it. Just have to work very hard to find it.

Maybe if I pour my life into a nutshell with lots of dry information, you might get a little idea of who I am.

Rob, born in november 1977 to parents Theo (ICT network architect) and Susan (beautician). One brother Jeroen, 4 and a half years younger than me, he's currently chef in a small bar/restaurant in Eindhoven. Grew up, learned a lot, spent more time reading the newspaper than playing outside with friends. Was tested positive for extra-high intelligence (or 'gifted' as some call it) when I was 6 or 7. Breezed through the lessons, moved to Maastricht at age 17 to study Hotel management. Graduated, went to work at a bungalow resort in Belgium, then McDonalds, then a 5 star hotel at the dutch coast, then a archeological themepark. All jobs in hospitality.

Was infected with music at a very young age (dad's quite the guitar player). Chose for electronic organ, later the keyboard. Discovered I could sing quite well, became singer of a coverband in my student years, still trying to get back into the music biz ever since. I now live in Katwijk aan Zee, a sleepy religious town at the coast, wanting to move but no cash and no affordable homes in the region. Social housing plans suck here.

My favorite movie The Lion King made me discover a small dutch Lion King fanclub which later evolved into the dutchfurs (at least, that's my point of view). Have always loved dolphins and disney, then learnt about cheetahs and admired them ever since.

I highly value friendship and honesty. I only have a few REALLY close friends (you know who you are) but I would go to hell and back for them. I know I will go to hell because:
- I worship Ben & Jerry's ice cream. It's SO good, it must be the work of the devil
- I only go to church when I really HAVE to (weddings, funerals)
- I live a life of vices :)
- I don't take religion seriously :p

I have lots more loves, hates, hopes and fears, but I think I'd better stop here before there's nothing left to talk about anymore :D

It took you three months to come up with a question? ;)

But seriously... I'm not a brave man. There are quite a number of things I fear, but the common factor is my life being at risk. I fear getting a gun pointed at me. I fear losing family members through anything but old age. I fear going deaf or blind.