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 get to the point.

The question “Who are you?” tends to lead to abstract discussions of nature versus nurture. Since uploading my genetic code isn’t an option, I’ll focus on the experiences that shaped me to provide context for this site and its content.

Quick facts:

• I grew up in rural New Zealand. As the youngest of four by about seven years, I had a very “free range” upbringing.
• We didn’t have much in terms of material possessions. I value the resourcefulness it taught me. Going without isn’t a source of stress; you just work with what you have. Of course, being born in Aotearoa still places me among the more materially fortunate on a global scale.
• As a child, I constantly pulled things apart. I was more interested in a broken record player than any toy. I disassembled my first bike the same day I got it.
• I come from a practical, hands-on family that takes pride in that mindset—sometimes to a fault. There’s not always time to stop and admire the flowers when there’s work to do.

Principles I value:

• I believe people are shaped largely by their environment and those around them.
• Rather than judging people by actions or words, I try to understand their intentions. When intentions are unclear, I assume good faith.
• Change is constant. Adaptability is essential.

This page is a work in progress, much like myself. Updates will follow as I continue to make sense of what I’m doing on this large, spinning rock.

In short: I enjoy figuring out how things work, fixing them, telling stories, and learning about people.