Introduction
Some friends and family have commented about my unique life experiences and suggested writing about it particularly when considering my :
‣ New Jersey upbringing followed by living and working in
culturally and geographically diverse regions such as Alaska , New York City and Australia ;
Barry Steven Epstein
‣ Strongest love for my family - wife Mimi of more than 32 years and two adult and successful sons Luke and Ryan ;
‣ Life sciences career that has helped and should further assist health outcomes on a global scale as well as allowed me to travel extensively worldwide ;
‣ Overwhelming passion for the wilderness and a strong sense of adventure ; and a
‣ Photography hobby that has zealously motivated me for over 40 years .
You can take the boy out of New Jersey but you can ’ t take the Jersey out of the boy . After 27 years living in the absolutely beautiful part of the world in Perth , Western Australia , my Jersey accent is still strong as ever . After meeting people in Australia or when traveling to other countries , as soon as I open my mouth they think that I am from New York . They don ’ t believe me when I say that I am from City Beach , a beautiful upscale Indian Ocean beachside suburb . Over the last few years when I tell people that I am from Perth I add the iconic catchphrase used by Robert De Niro in the 1976 psychological thriller Taxi Driver . Yes , I am from Perth . You talkin ’ to me ? I try to use my heaviest New Joisey [ SIC ] accent when saying it as well . People usually chuckle . For some whom I am comfortable with , I sometimes say , again in my strongest NJ accent ; Get the fuck outta here .
Funny enough , it was only after seeing Jersey Boys on Broadway that I then told people where I grew up - New Milford , New Jersey that is about 15 miles from New York City . Before then , I used to simply say that I was from New York or the New York Area .
The best though is when I travel to professional conferences in the United States and people ask me where I am from . After mentioning Perth , they always seem to comment , you don ’ t sound like you ’ re from Australia . My immediate quip is usually ; Yeah , I was just practicing an American accent that I just learned so I am glad that it is working !
This photo-autobiography details some of this Jersey Boy ’ s exploitations over 62 years with a view towards both informing and entertaining you and includes some of photographs that have been taken over 40 years from around the world in remote and suburban locations during my extensive travels . Perhaps , some of my experiences may actually shock you so be prepared . Hold on while I take you on a journey of this adventure loving , psychedelic , color blind photographer , fusion jazz loving nature boy and scientist who squeezes every drop of out life , every day . In fact , why don ’ t you get up against the wall and let ’ s see some identification before you read further . At least I can say that when that when my time comes , I will go with a smile that I have done some awesome things in my life . Existential viewpoints :
Your mind at birth is a blank slate ( tabula rasa ) that is actualized by experience . John Locke
The individual is solely responsible for giving his / her own life meaning and for living that life passionately and sincerely . Soren Kierkegaard
Lyrics to a best-loved jazz song Nature Boy sung by an amazing modern male vocalist Kurt Elling : “ The greatest thing you ’ ll ever learn , is just to love and be loved in return ”. Most-used saying , “ Cover me , I ’ m going in .”
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