User:Boz
From BozNet
Hello! Everyone who has known me from the age of 14 knows me as Boz, but my real name is Alistair Bowness. I was born in Leicester in the UK on September 29th 1970. I moved (with my parents) a few times while growing up, staying for the longest time in the Newfoundpool area and going to New Parks Secondary School (later named New Parks Community College and Project).
I hated school. I'm one of those people who just thinks something is fundamentally wrong with a crowded room full of kids -- a third of who probably couldn't give a fuck about their education -- sitting quietley listening to someone drone about something I didn't think I'd need in my future life, whatever it was. So I quit as soon as I could (which unfortunately included a year at college) and, in 1987, started a YTS (Youth Training Scheme) course as a junior programmer, earning the princely sum of £40 a week. This allowed me to buy books and other stuff (including computer material) to learn in my own time, under my own steam. It seemed to do the trick; after two years I was working as Senior Analyst Programmer.
In 1992 I fell in love with a wonderful woman who lived in London; and it was then that I decided to pack my bags and leave my home town. She remains one of my closest friends and, although we don't get to speak all that often nowadays, I will always thank her for opening my eyes to the world and giving me confidence in myself. I spent 10 years in Chessington (and a brief stay in Osterley), working for a company and then getting the courage to start my own programming, web design and general audiovisual production company. Unfortunately, however, work started to dry up and my mortgage was ever increasing, so in 2003 I sold my flat and moved to Worcestershire, where I had friends and was near enough to Leicester to visit my folks.
After spending a year in Droitwich and a further year in Worcester, I had begun noticing that England wasn't "feeling right" for me any more. The people weren't friendly, society as a whole was declining and I just couldn't be my "laid back" self anymore. So, in June of 2005, I made a BIG life decision, and moved to Gothenburg (Göteborg) in Sweden.
And that's my life so far...
Things I've Done (That Happen To Be On The 'Web!)
Back in Time 3, an audio CD of Commodore 64 remixes, appearing with Chris Abbott as "Slow Poison".
Karma 64, a more "trancey" Commodore 64 remix CD, once again with Chris Abbott.
Back in Time Live, live events of said Back in Time series, as a co-arranger.
Back in Time Live: The DVD, producer and director of the DVD showing live bands playing mainly at Back in Time Live: London 2004.
SLAY Radio, I'm a staff member and DJ most notably hosting "The Bowness Bit o' Bollocks[1]" on Wednesdays at 20:00 CET.
Where Else Can You Find Boz?
http://www.c64hq.com/ - Andreas Wallström's site about the Commodore 64. I have contributed reviews to some of the games on there.
In the "real world", you will find me at Kville Biljard. It's a pool hall (biljard) in the Kville district of Gothenburg. My friend Slaygon and I go there on a very regular basis, drink beer and play pool (with the odd Air Hockey and Sega Rally break). Great pool tables, very good food (try their nachos) and the staff are very friendly (which is the case for most Gothenburg people in general).
I suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. It's a much-misdiagnosed symptom which strikes mainly when you are at rest, or tired. You feel a strange, "spidery" creepy feeling in your legs, which sporadically makes you twitch your legs. At the least, it's an annoyance. At the most, it can keep you awake (or even wake you up from sleep). One doctor advised me that Quinine could relieve the prolem, and drinking a glass of Indian Tonic Water before going to bed seems to help on my worst nights. Failing that, I can just stand and "rock" from side to side, alternating weight on my legs, and that helps it go away. UK doctors are very slowly starting to recognise RLS, but you may still find that your doctor hasn't heard of it.
Breaking news, 4th May 2006: apparently, a drug to combat RLS has been granted a licence. More info on this BBC News page.
I have a profile on Facebook and a Blog on Blogger, where I try and keep an online diary. There's usually big gaps in it, because stuff I do in my life is pretty much "You Had To Be There" stuff. But it's worth a read if you need to kill a few minutes!
Oh, and if you'd like to e-mail me, choose E-mail this user from the toolbox on the left!
