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**Jeff** · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 01:21 AM

Congratulations to our Member of the Month for July, 2008 -- Philip!

Philip was voted MotM two years ago, and has been active as a member and a dedicated staffer. I caught up with Philip today to congratulate him.

Tell us a little about yourself. What's new since the last time you were recognized as MotM?

Well I'm two years older, lol. Probably the biggest change in my life was setting up my own blog and web site. I actually started my blog on a whim, but I didn't bank on so many people reading it, from all over the world (yes, I have spies). And then more recently I decided to go the whole hog, acquired my own domain, and started my own site to promote my first ebook.

I've also gone from XP to Vista and can't understand all the Vista bashing that's been going on. For what it's worth, Vista is great (but make sure you've got a computer with lots of RAM and a decent graphics card).

Can you tell us a little more about this ebook, or is it a secret?

Another shameless promo, but I need all the shameless promos I can get. In a nutshell, my ebook is entitled LEARN TO PLAY THE PIANO IN 12 LESSONS. This ebook is perfect for you if you meet any of the following criteria:

You've always harbored a desire to tinkle on the ivories (properly, I mean. Not like a cat clawing its way on the keyboard)
You fall under the 15 to 92 age bracket
You shudder when music lessons are mentioned (perhaps you're an independent spirit, preferring to march to your own "beat." Or you just dislike music teachers)
You have a keyboard or piano at home gathering dust. And if you don't, here's a good excuse to get one!
You enjoy challenges of the musical kind (heck, if you can learn how to use a computer, you can learn how to play the piano. Both involve keyboards)
You want to impress the ladies (or the men. Take your pick). Remember how impressed Julia Roberts was when Richard Gere started playing the piano in an empty bar in Pretty Woman?)
Any other reasons you can think of. Shucks, if you can think of a fantastic reason, let me know-you might get a free copy of my ebook!
The truth is this: you CAN learn the piano on your own. All it takes is a little patience and determination. And if you really get stuck, grab a hold of me!

What do you like most about BigBlueBall? What keeps you coming back?

The camaraderie between staff, and also between members, to an extent. Sure, we fight and we bicker, but that's part of the package. And I've met some LOVELY people here, whom otherwise I'd have missed knowing (you know who you are!).

What keeps me coming back is an urge to participate and to help, to do it because I love doing it. There's a Chinese proverb that says that when you have knowledge you should share it out with others, and then the blessings will come back to you ten-fold.

Boxers or briefs?

Bikinis or thongs? Uh, let me go check...I think only the missus knows. And she's not telling.

Where would you like to see BBB go in the next 12 months?

Ah, this opens up the proverbial can of worms, but I'll just pry it open a bit. I'd really like to see more involvement, among staff, among members. Most times it's always the same people posting. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but we need more ACTIVE participation from members and staff. This is an issue that has been raised up in the past, and it hasn't gone much further than the starting point. Perhaps we should periodically brainstorm for ideas in order for BBB to take off.

Thanks for the update Philip. And thanks for sharing your knowledge here at BigBlueBall!