Instead of starting with the usual “I am a certified unicorn whisperer with a decade of experience in rainbow management,” let’s skip the formalities and dive into the essence of who I am.

The question of “who are you” is a rather philosophical one that often devolves into a discussion of nature and nurture. Since I’m not comfortable uploading my genetic code to show you my nature, I’d love to tell you a bit about how I was nurtured to set the backdrop for this site and its content.

Quick facts:

• I grew up in rural New Zealand. Being the youngest of four children by about seven years likely contributed to my very “free range” upbringing.
• We didn’t have a lot materially. This could be a coping mechanism, but I am grateful for it—resourcefulness is a trait I wear proudly, and going without isn’t a stressful ordeal; you just deal with what you have. I also recognize the subjectivity of such a statement, as being born in Aotearoa, New Zealand, puts me materially better off than the vast majority of people in the world.
• As a child, I would pull anything and everything to pieces. I was more interested in a broken record player than any other toy you could put in front of me. I disassembled my very first bicycle the same day I was given it.
• I come from a practical and pragmatic family that prides itself on that fact, perhaps to a fault. Sometimes you’ve got to stop and smell the flowers, but there’s no time for that when there’s work to do.

Principles that I hold dearly:

• On the topic of nature vs. nurture, I believe that people are largely a product of their environment and the others they surround themselves with.
• Often people say, “judge people by their actions, not words.” I prefer to do neither and instead try to judge people by their intentions. Where intention is ambiguous, assume best intent.
• Change is the only real constant. Those who are adaptable thrive.

This page is a perpetual work in progress, much like myself. Stay tuned as I continue to unravel the mysteries of my existence and figure out what exactly I’m doing on this big floating rock.

To sum up: I enjoy exploring how things work, fixing things, telling stories, and learning about people.