Is this normal procedure?

[Les Smith]

On Thu, 1 Oct 1998, Phil Bondi wrote:

> > From now on, your local chapter will refer to you as the LATE
> > Phil Bondi! :)
> 
> ..what chapter?..am I missing something here?..!

Hi, Phil:

If you have to ask, the answer is yes. When someone serious about making
a career for themselves in piano technology comes to me seeking advice,
I have two suggestions to make. The first is to invest in a compputer.
Yes, it will prove to be a great help in managing your business, but
just as important is to get "wired" to the internet, so that you can
avail yourself of all the great, on-line resources now available. I
consider a computer to be indispensable to the serious technician. My
second suggestion is to join the PTG. This one's a "no-brainer". If
you want to go through life as a piano technician who LOOKS GOOD,
that's easy. Simply constantly associate with those who are less-
skilled, less-experienced and less-knowledgable than youself. That's
easy to do. The world is filled with imcompetent people who spend
their entire lives "faking it". You can, too. On the other hand, if
you want to actually BE GOOD, there is only one way to do it. You
must constantly interact with, and receive in-put from, those who are
MORE-skilled, more-talented, more-experienced and more-knowledgable
than you. The PTG will give you this opportunity.To put it a somewhat
different way: If you are not already a member. you'll likely find
that joining the PTG will prove to be infinitely more valuable and
worthwhile to you--both professionally and personally--than being low
bidder on a contract to tune a bunch of derelict, school-pianos.

It's been said that the only truly dumb question is the one that goes
unasked. I think that's true. I know some feel that asking a question
reveals a lack of knowledge, but I have always thought it reveals a
desire to learn. That's good. I thoroughly enjoy your presence on this 
list. Your great enthusiasm for what you do shines through in every
post you write, and is an example for all. Your questions are important,
too. Ask about a phantom sound in an old Steinway "O" and suddenly
Newton Hunt springs to life and fires off a reply listing a dozen pos-
sible causes, a fix for each one and a note that says he has a dozen
more possibilities in reserve if you need them. Your questions--and
those of others--are what make Newton a star and help to keep him on
his toes--and maybe even help to keep him awake these days, too! :)

Les Smith

PS I really had a good chuckle when a gentleman wrote in recently     
to introduce himself and mentioned that he had been elected president
of his local chapter in "absentia", when he went to the restroom.

ls