Carl's Ongoing Absence...

[Carl]

Hey all, I'm really starting to miss this place!

For those who are interested, here's my story...

About 3 months ago I was laid off from my day job, 2 months later I closed my teaching studio (I had my last class 2 weeks ago, and their last performance the following Sunday)

In the mean time I've been looking for a job like a madman, and there is blessed little out there! The sad thing is that I've been spending hours a day at my computer doing the job search thing, and almost no time online keeping up with all of the cool things going on here lately!

Hopefully, with luck, all of that is about to change. After a careful assessment of my employment opportunities (few and far between) my wife and I had a long discussion, off an on for about a week. The end result is that as of last week, I am treating my situation as being "self employed" as a musician!

Part of the reason I closed my studio is that I needed to stop everything so that I could work on a new business plan which was based on my current situation. I am preparing literally a couple of dozen income possibilities, and then of course there is the whole TTM path which I started a year ago. Hopefully I can get everything up and running before the unemployment fund runs out!

Sadly, I do not see myself having a lot of time for djembefola.com for a few more weeks, however I am writing in "community development" time into my business plan, and I can think of no other online djembe community that has what this place has to offer.

For the djembe teachers out there, teaching is going to be a big part of my business, so if you are interested in hearing what I'm working on, let me know and maybe we can start some threads in the teacher's forum.

I hope to keep a few posts rolling in over the next few weeks and I hope to be able to return as a more productive member of this community in a month or two.

Thanks for being such a cool community,
Carl

[michi]

Hey Carl, thanks for letting us know! I've been wondering what you've been up to...

Hang in there, and the best of luck with your teaching plans. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

All the best,

Michi.

[Dugafola]

good luck bro!

[bops]

Hey Carl, sorry to hear about the job... but then again, when one door closes, another opens...see you around!

[bubudi]

carl, that sounds tough for you but let's hope it turns out a blessing and allows you to make a living for yourself and family with what you love doing most. good luck and best wishes.

[e2c]

Carl - all best wishes to you and yours!

It does sound like a difficult time (albeit a creative one, in some ways) and I trust that things will pan out as time goes on.

[Paul]

Good luck man, I took the big step about three years ago... Had to do some nasty stuff like playin in clubs to start but its going well...

There are alot of areas you can get into with the drum, community development, special needs...

[rachelnguyen]

Hey Carl,

I am routing for you! Keep us posted on how it is going.

Love,
Rachel