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Post by Edina on Jan 5, 2005 22:37:14 GMT -5
Nice to see you posting James. Welcome to the forum. It seems like the Bach family have a little reunion on here. Does Kristelle know about this place too? How come both of your brothers said there's a second book coming from Jon, but you don't know about it?
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Post by James Bach on Jan 6, 2005 0:50:34 GMT -5
I don't know if Kristelle or Erika know about this forum. I just found out about it, recently. I think I'll check in from time to time just to help explain Dad's ideas and attitudes, if I can. I have read the books, but more pertinently I was raised in accordance with his ideas and ideals. So, I'm a product of them, in some sense. Each of his kids reflects the ideas, the boys moreso than the girls (or maybe just moreso in a way I know how to recognize) and each of us reflects them differently.
I think Jonathan was writing a book some time ago, but if he's still actively working on it, he isn't telling me. And it's the kind of thing he probably would tell me about.
-- James (james@satisfice.com)
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Post by passenger on Jan 8, 2005 22:56:24 GMT -5
Could I ask a question that, at its face, might sound impertinent? How do we know that James and Jon are who they say they are? I guess I'm asking the moderators more than anyone. It would be so nice if, in fact, they were! Thanks!!
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Post by jamesbach on Jan 9, 2005 11:18:08 GMT -5
Try this. Go to www.richardbach.com and verify, to your satisfaction, that it represents Richard Bach's website. Now, go to networksolutions.com, select WHOIS, and look up richardbach.com. Notice that a Mr. James Bach is the administrative contact for that site. Contact that man. I predict that man will agree that he and me are the same person, and that Jonathan is the real Jonathan, etc. -- James
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Post by Jonathan Bach on Jan 10, 2005 23:31:35 GMT -5
And to verify me, you can ... well, you'll just have to trust James because I can't think of a verifiable way.
I'll tell you that in reading both Rob and James' posts, I think they're real even though they haven't yet told me they found this place. If they are fakes, they are damn good ones because they sound just like them in person. And if they aren't fakes, then hey guys, we need to communicate more offline, ok?
Anyway, James is right that I'm not working on a book. I just don't know what to call the thousands of words I've written in the last 12 years since Above the Clouds. I know there are four or five different plot categories (book ideas) that I've been working on, and although I've made a lot of progress on each, I haven't found a solid finish for any of them. I get excited about an idea for a day or so and write the hell out of it, then hate everything the next day. All my words seem cheesy, as if I was drunk and channeled it all, or as if my DNA has totally been replaced. Those cycles have been plaguing me for years.
That's why most of my writing these days is in software testing, like James. If you Google "Jon Bach", "testing", you'll find more about me because "Jon" tends to be the name I use for my testing persona -- in the fast-paced software world, I figured I'd save everyone the extra two syllables so they can spend more time on other things...
As for my relationship with Dad, well, it's been shaky for a few years. Before ATC was published, I didn't relate to Dad, but James was a big part in helping me turn that around. Today, after a few other troubles with him, I find myself almost in the same spot I was then, and true to history, James is at it again -- trying to help me understand how to relate to him.
What's challenging for me is that Dad is a contradiction -- uplifting and inspiring like no one else I know, but also the most phobic. I'm pretty sure I was the reason he bailed out of I&B, because just like now, it was in an online forum where I said some things about him when responding to a question (from Joe, coincidentally, who posted earlier in this thread). What I said was pretty harmless and generic (like now), but, in my opinion, he amplified it, took it out of context, considered it such "a breach of privacy" that he bailed the next day. Despite an apology from me, we did not talk for 3 years.
Dad once told me that there are two choices in conflict: Fear or Learning. To see him choose fear more often than learning is hard for me to accept, but I confess it's an expectation I have for someone who writes what he writes. But it looks like I have some work to do on accepting that it's ok for him not to live all that he writes.
After all, I'm not exactly living up to what I wrote in ATC. There are recurring clouds that bug me and I get frustrated with them but tend to do nothing. I wrote that you can get above them, yes, but now I know there's another tactic -- accept them.
Until I can do either of those, maybe it's not a choice between fear and learning, but a third option -- fear, but learn anyway.
Jonathan
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Post by Edina on Jan 11, 2005 1:42:35 GMT -5
Welcome back Jon! Like Jeff's song goes, "Hey, Jonathan, sure is good to see you again". Well, should I say what's on my mind? I guess. Simply I'm amazed by all this... In a good way. Let me just say, if you read what James posted, probably you'll also notice the contradiction between what he had to say and the experience you had with your Dad. I'm sure everything he wrote was right for him at the moment, which was 20-30 years ago, if he kept living by those ideas, would mean he hasn't made any progress or changes since then. Let me presume this applies to everyone. As they say "history repeats itself", I certainly hope you'll know this time what to share with us and what not. Indeed, he has the right to his privacy just like everyone else, and as we all know he's been keenly protective of it in the past. Let's respect that. If something bugged me though, I would never be able to accept it until I resolved it, but it's just me... as I like the look of the clear sky. Anyway, I'm just bubbling, mumbling here and should go to sleep now... Once again, welcome back and hope you'll enjoy the times you visit here!
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Post by l8rpixi on Jan 11, 2005 10:23:22 GMT -5
I googled Jon's name like he said, and I found a document that mentions BOTH James and Jon in the jobs they say they have. I don't know of a reason anyone would want to falsify their identity here. Anyway, here's the link if anyone wants it, it's an adobe acrobat doc, just open it, "ctrl-F" and type in their names to find them. www.kaner.com/pdfs/exptest.pdf
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Post by Bluebird on Jan 11, 2005 10:52:27 GMT -5
I can well imagine that I could be a person with characteristics you, Jonathan, described about your father. It's so beautiful to live in a world of ideas and ideals, to dream about them and see the beauty in the logic of thinking. BUT... to actually live them to the truest sense possible? It's terribly demanding and sometimes so hard I can't see the reward at the end. I know I'm not a perfect person by far, even if I expect everyone else around me to be _almost_ perfect. That's not fair, and I know it.
I guess in the end intention matters as much as true actions. If I keep a vision of myself in my mind, a vision of a person who strives to do good things and act according to my highest right, then perhaps weaknesses are forgiven to some extent?
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Post by Edina on Jan 11, 2005 10:53:18 GMT -5
Thank you pixi. By usernames, we can also trace their IP numbers, if we really wanted to, nevertheless I don't feel the need to do that, they have said and told more than enough to dispel any doubts.
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Post by Dwayne on Jan 11, 2005 18:49:31 GMT -5
Welcome Jon. Am a newcomer myself here now. It is taken several days to get my head around some of what you share. Am offering the following from my own personal experience & have every hope that you'll receive it in the light in which It Is intended ... Met a college instructor in 1993 while living & working in a one room hovel that had only a few electrical outlets with no running water or direct heat while continuing to delvelop my artwork (paintings & writing). Was hungry most of the time. One day out of the blue came an opportunity to make 20 bucks by modeling for his college artclass, as the model due in less than 2 hours had dropped her gig suddenly. Responded to their needs & in 90 minutes was in class, robed & ready. Understand: had never modeled before & am certainly not an exhibitionist (didn't own a raincoat at the time anyhow) though in a big way this situation called me on a certain notion personally held for years ... that once one's intimate writings were out there & published then posing nude in front of strangers would be easier. Was correct, though will admit to sweating profusely as my heart was slamming inside my breast for the initial 5 or 6 minutes of the 2 hour drawing class. A most revealing thing to say the least. Will likely never model again but am open to it should another need arise. Have always had a servant's heart &, in a most unusual way that day, was able to be a servant. With all that this tortured soul understands about his body (it is "imperfect" as are all others) it nevertheless took guts to practice what I've professed: that having poetry/writings/artwork of your inner-most searchings, ideas & hopes published is more difficult than walking downtown New York City with no clothes ... for people see inside of you. " There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed; Nothing whispered in closets that will not be shouted from the rooftops"One greatly admired man once shared that with us all ... & once this becomes a comfort rather than scary then we may truly be growing in one important aspect of our existence here now in this strange, wonderful & fragile place named Earth. My point is that were Richard to one day walk into a Wally-World with an assault rifle & blow some souls out of their space suits & end his stay himself accordingly then this simpi would continue to value & honor & cherish the truths which he so wonderfully had the courage to share. Blessings ... ~Dwayne~ Edit- spelin ... again
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Post by Joe Buchman on Jan 12, 2005 1:40:40 GMT -5
Jon,
Nice to meet you again here. We should do something for the 10th anniversary of the I&B SLC Party I suppose. Or maybe something for the 10th anniversery of the blow up! I was looking at some old posts earlier today. I believe it all cam to an end on September 11th -- 1995.
Joe
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Post by Rob Bach on Feb 10, 2005 1:54:12 GMT -5
Sorry, Jon/Jim, I've been flying like crazy. Good news is I'll have more trips to an airport near you sooner than you think! I'll throw in my cents, too. You can verify me by googling my name and you'll find a pic of me (good family resemblance) at a website put up by the BBC...or you can just ask my brothers. They seem to be more in touch with what's going on here than I! As far as being cast from the mold my father made, I confess to being acutely and tightly compressed by the artist. My wife Stephanie is at times frustrated by my adherance to principles I've come to trust along the way, but she is always delighted by my fairly quirky worldview and creative problem solving skills. I am the pilot of the family (though Erika has quite a few hours post-solo, James was one of my best students, Jon is working his way into it like a kid at a cool pool, and Mom is one of the best natural pilots I've ever flown with) so I suppose people identify me with Dad more closely than some of the other kids. It's always a pleasure to fly with my colleagues at the airline and find out they were inspired to fly by something Dad wrote. It makes for an enjoyable trip when I can add a little background. I'll let Jon and Jim comment on philosphical issues or other principalia. If you have any historical or aviation questions, I'll endeavor to answer them best I can. Glad you're all here Rob Bach
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Post by Edina on Feb 11, 2005 1:41:22 GMT -5
Hi Rob, it's good to see you again! I just replied to your email. Thanks for dropping by!!
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doug
New Member
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Post by doug on Mar 15, 2005 21:14:43 GMT -5
all,
touching base after months' hiatus. it's a joy to read the passages hence, keeping it all real. jon, keep writing... it'll come. we're all searching.
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Post by Jo Guest on Jun 1, 2005 13:53:05 GMT -5
How wonderful to arrive at this page and this forum!! My son is also called Jonathan.. no need to guess why and although the last messages are a few years ago..it is fascinating to learn that there are other books of which I had no knowledge and which I shall now go in search of...
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