Martin Osten

German, Russian, Kiwi, Southern (u'all), My Chicago accent can be strong. I was born in Germany and is my native tongue, although I actually have to force an accent initially since the country has various hamlets with different slang. My father was a POW in SIberia for 5 years, caught in the battle of Stalingrad. Obviously he transferred some of the language to me, while my mother was actually hiding Jews in the rafters of the house when the SS came by. My mom, and 2 sisters escaped the Communists via the Eisenhower Airlift. My father met them in the West where I was born in the town of Bochum. We came over on a ship called the Copenhagen when I was 3, then T-boned the Andrea Dorie on the way back. I lived in New Zealand for one year. Never understood a word they said :) 3 months in both Hong Kong and OZ. Finally, all over central Europe on business and pleasure. I do not understand a word of the German dominant in Bavaria. Mannnn.

One acting slot for a commercial at TANDEM Computers in -- years ago. Otherwise, frankly none. Electrical Engineer/Computer Science at University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana Some graduate level studies at Loyola University in (yes) Industrial Psychology People have said that I have a "speaking" writing style. As in, I assume, my written communication reads very much as if I was speaking. My parents insisted on my becoming an engineer, and so it was. Yet, I took one look at the Freshman class during New Student Week, and promised myself I would NEVER look like one of them. Hope I kept that commitment. As an immigrant family from Europe I spoke only German in the home. My 1st grade teacher insisted that my parent's keep the native tongue in the home, and so it was. After a week or so in Europe, people ask why my English is so good. Everyone's mother thinks their son has a great voice and should go into "whatever." Not mine. A disciplined, engineering oriented, upbringing brought academics and sports to which I credit my 17 swimming scholarships to universities such as Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, etc. Still voice had no part in my life other than lifeguarding at Oak Street Beach in Chicago. Little things began to occur: I had a female boss who made comments about my phone voice that were out of line with any HR policy :) -- a wealthy girlfriend insisted I attend the Marin Actor's Workshop and meet Terry McGovern. I had been laid off at Sun Microsystems and was looking at alternatives (I'm an avid sailor and have a 200 Ton USCG license). Then, at an electronics retail store, I just casually began chatting with a gentleman who thought I should give this a second chance. I won't name drop. So, once the "golden boy" of the Silicon Valley, I'm willing to put that energy and more, into this arena. I have lived internationally via my career: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, most of central Europe, and 47 of 50 states. I have enough frequent flyer miles to orbit Saturn. Best, Marty