Hello Adland!

I was certainly surprised when Marilyn Martin/Ali sent me a message with congratulations for being selected to “Parade of Stars”, and for those of you who know me you also know I’m not entirely comfortable with the “spotlight”.

Still, in the spirit of cooperation, I bow to you all in acceptance of this recognition and say thank you for this opportunity to share with you .

I’d also like to thank, most profoundly, my wife Patricia, and my four daughters, Mila, Katie, Nicole, and Loren. Without their love, patience, and support I wouldn’t be here.

So, my bio? Do y’all really want to know all that stuff?

Well, I’m a prairie boy, always will be no matter where I go. In my mind’s eye I can still see the grasslands, some flat as a table, and others..rolling hills left by the glaciers of ages past. I see the golden wheat fields rolling like waves on the ocean, and I see prairie structures, old homesteads against the backdrop of an endless sky, and new shiny Quonsets and silos filled with equipment and grain.
In my minds ear I hear the rustle of an ever present wind, cooling and blessed on a hot summer evening, cutting and bitter on a wintry walk to school. I hear the meadow lark, the robin, the cricket and the loon, my eye quick to spot that gathering of deer in a field, or the ponderous porcupine crossing the road, and of course the ever present summer traffic spectators (and daredevils) the Richardson ground squirrel (otherwise known as the gopher) standing on hindquarters at the roadside, ever vigilant of the hawk but unfortunately not as vigilant of the hurtling death on the highways.

Most people I know speak of the prairies as a bleak and boring place, but I say there is great beauty and an abundance of life if you just stop for a moment to look and listen. In fact my life there trained me to spot the beauty in every place I’ve ever been since.
The prairies are my home, no matter where I live, and my return always feels like a homecoming.

I grew up in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, a city with a rich and colorful history, and an oasis on the prairies. In ancient days gone past, a mighty river or glacier must have flowed through the area, carving a number of valleys upon which the town was settled, most likely because of the proximity of water, and of course because of the rail line the city prospered.
My life at least into its early teens was “Tom Sawyerish”. I spent much of my spare time exploring, building rafts on the river, forts in the valley, and playing with my brother and friends. The outside world barely existed to me in that small community, and in some respects I’m grateful for that. It instilled in me a kind of innocence that remains despite of what I’ve witnessed since leaving that place.

Gradually though..my awareness expanded as I grew older, and I eventually left like so many do, to find my way in the world. But I always go back, and still call it home.

Here’s a poem that I wrote when I was 19, in the service of the Canadian Navy, and feeling slightly homesick (not seasick..lol)

Prairie Sailor –  © Tim Southernwood

If I were to be a sailor

I’d sail not the seven seas

but ride atop the golden waves

of the great Canadian prairies.

I’ve never been so happy

when running that desolate spot

with the long long grass beneath my feet

and the sun burning brightly and hot,

And though I’ve lived coast to coast

the place I love most

where I can truly feel free

and I say this with pride

with love deep inside

is the Great Canadian Prairies.

In some respects I see Adland in a similar light. It’s a small community carved out of the landscape of the internet by the vision of Bogdan. I like the feel of Adland. It reminds me of a small town, where everyone (to a degree anyway) knows everyone else. Not much goes on here that someone doesn’t notice and share with others (sometimes news..sometimes gossip). We look out for each other here, and although I would say that while not every opportunity that people bring here is a fit for everyone, I have to say that because of our community spirit and closeness, any “opportunities” that are pure scams simply cannot exist here for any length of time.
I hope that we manage to keep that sense of community and togetherness going here, because that is what makes Adlandpro so special.
I’m soon coming up to my 1 year anniversary here in Adland, and I’ve seen so much and learned so much here that I’d need 10 forums to encapsulate it all. I’ve been exposed to almost every product and scheme known to man on the internet and weathered the storm. I’ve learned what to look for, and what to look out for. Mostly, I’ve learned what fits me, and I think that is most important when turning to a career of marketing, because whatever it is that you involve yourself in, if you don’t believe in it you’ll never be able to sell it.

I’ve learned that my MOST precious commodity is my integrity, and that I must never allow my honor to be besmirched. To bear false witness whether for or against any one or any thing will only damage ones credibility and honesty is the very foundation upon which my marketing career is built.

I am blessed to have joined with a number of other marketers to form a company called WOSAT, and although I do have a number of other “affiliations”, WOSAT is my primary focus. In the near future Adland will see what can be accomplished when a group of people join together in the spirit of cooperation and teamwork. We’ve had our ups and downs in the process of learning how to form our own company from square one, but we have persevered, and everyone on the team has brought forward their own talents and skills. Watch for our announcements as great things are coming soon!

My wife Patricia is also becoming a very successful marketer in her own right, but is much too busy to spend time gabbing in forums and such.

And so should I be, so I’ll take my leave of you now. Thanks for this opportunity to share with you.

Now it’s time for me to get back to work! To Success!