Throughout my career, I've always believed it's as important to showcase my personality and my experiences as it is to showcase my work. I am always on the look out for new experiences and I never know when one might just trigger a great idea or give me vital insight for an up-and-coming brief.
It's been a while since I started this collection and recently made some updates in 2021, 10 years on from when it started.
I hope by skimming over the below page you'll get a strong impression of my interests as well as learn a little about my personality.
2021 Fitness update - Since living in Hong Kong, I found 2 new passions to keep me going in my 40s. Dragonboat Racing and "Ninja Warrior" training, my body is just about holding up to both! I also loved getting the chance to spend a day trying Strongman training under the watchful eye of 2019's World's Strongest Man, Martins Licis, when he came to Hong Kong.
Fitness - Ever since University when I started using the gym, I've tried to maintain a high level of strength and fitness. I use regular weight training sessions to keep both my body and mind in check. Occasionally I like to challenge myself with slightly unusual activities such as the 8 mile "Grim Challenge" in 4 degree weather and Dubai's vertical marathon up 52 floors of the Emirates Towers.
Karaoke - I always contemplated having singing lessons! I used to sing at school, but never since, unless of course there is the chance to perform a Karaoke Rock track. It's always preferable to have beer to hand! Pictured here, "Sweet Child O'Mine" a duet performance that won us 2nd place!
Musical update 2021 - By the end of 2019, I decided to finally bite the bullet and give singing lessons a try. I'm not great, the truth be told, but I'm not terrible either and performing live with fellow students is a lot of fun! I also decided to pick up the guitar and try my hand at that too ...so far so good!
Driving - I'm always looking to try out cars I've never driven before, that's why I love renting cars when traveling. The best driving I've enjoyed however, has been behind the wheel of my Seat Leon FR in mountainous Lebanon and tearing it up in the UK in my old Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo!
Live Music & Performances - From Classical Music and Opera through House to Heavy Metal, I'm a really big fan of live performances and the added energy they deliver.
Water Sports - I've swam since the age of 3 and have no fear in the water. This was certainly a good foundation to try as many activities on the water with confidence. During my life I've enjoyed learning to windsurf but with no great success. I've sailed small one man and two man dinghies, spent a fair amount of time in canoes on the sea, rivers and lakes from the US, to Europe to Vietnam. I enjoyed trying body boarding in Sri Lanka, but couldn't quite get the hang of it. In Dubai I got to try waterskiing, a lot of fun, and I was both surprised and impressed that I stood up first time! I look forward to trying wake-boarding and kite surfing when I get the chance.
Animals - Since I was a kid I've always loved both domestic and wild animals. I always find time spent with animals is both relaxing and rewarding. I often try to get close up to wild birds and animals, to befriend them and have a little chat.
Video Games - When it comes to relaxing at home, I would much rather keep my brain involved in something interactive. Therefore given a choice I will always choose a Playstation Game over a TV show. Recently I've been enjoying online gaming with friends and strangers all over the world. Playing Modern Warfare 2 and Gran Turismo 5 online from Lebanon with friends in the UK has been a great way to stay in touch with each other. I pretty much enjoy any game head to head, but definitely the new party favourite is Guitar Hero. It's great to see friends rocking out as they complete their first full track.
Scuba Diving - As a kid I always enjoyed Snorkeling and free diving under the water, seeing how long I could hold my breath whilst counting the fish! Finally in Dubai I got the chance to study Scuba diving with a PADI certified dive center. This year I hope to continue my dive studies in Lebanon and pass the advanced diving course.
Outdoor Adventures - The planet we live on has such a great a diversity of terrain and nature. When the opportunity arises I love to get out and about to explore. Hiking is always a great gentle way to enjoy the outdoors and get close to nature. I really enjoy moving a bit faster out there too, so had great fun in the UAE trying Dune bashing on Quads and in Toyota Land Cruiser. I also had an amazing experience quad biking across the top of Lebanon's mountain ranges. As a teenager I reall enjoyed the chances I had to go rock climbing, abseiling and caving in the UK. I would love to do more of all three plus a face first Rap jump. So far I've not experienced freefall parachuting or bungee jumping, but they are both very high on my list.
Modern Art & Street Art - Art is always subjective, though this makes it a fun subject to discuss, it also makes it a tough one to study. When it came to studying Modern Art History I had to learn the "facts" about artists, their works and their opinions. Often tough, because subjectivity got in the way. Nowadays I find it quite simple; I know what I like as soon as I see it and that's all that matters. I can also recount the artists and works that stuck in my mind for one reason or another. Most of the modern art I appreciate is colourful, simplistic in form, and often abstract. I think that's why certain styles of street art really appeal to me also.
Snow Sports - I learnt to ski on a dry slope in the UK at the age of 10. After my first week on snow in Austria I won the gold medal in our end of week race. The instructors told my school they should let me stay for a year and they'd have me skiing for England. Unfortunately this wasn't possible, but I've kept my passion for skiing until this day. It's an amazing experience being up in the mountain air, with sun on your face and peaceful snow all around. This Season being in Lebanon, with slopes only an hours drive from Beirut, I have had the chance to also take up Snowboarding. I can't say I've mastered it yet but am on my way! It certainly is a whole lot of fun too :)
Traveling - Traveling is simply awesome, the journey itself as well as the destinations. Whether it's a road trip or a long haul flight, I can't wait to get going. I was lucky enough to visit a lot of countries for vacations as I grew up and recently I've been enjoying the opportunities to travel with my job. Moving to Dubai was a great experience and opened my eyes to a whole new world of opportunities. Living in Beirut and Lebanon has also been a real eye opener on both the beauty of the earth and complexities of mankind. There are thousands of places I still wish to visit, people I hope to meet, food I want to taste and experiences I want to live through. I hope to keep exploring this world way into my 90s :) One of my ambitions is to walk the whole Inca trail, Machu Picchu in Peru. Another is to set foot in all 50 US States... so far I'm 18 and counting!
Skyscrapers - Ever since I first visited Chicago as a teenager as saw the Sear's Tower, at the time the world's tallest building, I've had a fascination with skyscrapers. The construction of the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, and all the other skyscrapers in Dubai, were a major plus point when I considered my move there in 2006.
Tattoos - I was 19 when I got my first tattoo, I remember showing my mum and her saying "very nice, how long until it washes off?" I was a rebel, my parents were quite shocked, but let me get on with making my own choices. I am a big fan of tribal tattoos, and really not a fan of what I consider tacky "popular" tattoos. I've continued to add more tattoos to my body over the years, but always ones that I researched and designed myself. Someone once told me once you have one, you're hooked. In my case they were right as I would definitely like to add some more when the time feels right. People often ask does it hurt? My answer is sure, there is some pain, but I also like the feeling too.
Landscape gardening - Before studying graphic design, I considered landscape architecture as a career. In 2004 I took on my own garden in the UK with a few friends. It went from jungle, to blank canvas, to decking, bbq, raised beds and a decent lawn. I look forward to the next chance I get to design another.
Cooking - Once my mother commented on what a good cook I was, and said she must have taught me well. The truth however is that I taught myself ever since I went to University. I'm not a great fan of recipe books. In general I try to use them just for reference when I'm really unsure about something. I recently watched Australian Master Chef and one of their "Invention tests." I think I would be pretty good at that challenge as I really enjoy making things up as I go along. I try to figure out what flavours will go well together, and which techniques to use. I then try, and if I fail... No problem, just learn from the experience and try to adjust things the next time around.
Spectator Sports - I enjoy watching any sport on TV as the level of expertise and skill displayed is always quite inspiring. I prefer watching fast paced and contact sports as there's always a heightened level of energy and anticipation. I really enjoy going to live rugby matches. The energy and passion in the crowd on top of the skill and determination on the field always make for a great experience no matter the final score. I really enjoy the fast pace action of NBA Basketball, the NFL and AFL plus the awesome power and skill in UFC fights inside the Octagon.
Thrill Rides - Rollercoasters are awesome, thrilling and make me smile so much! During my teenage years I had a lot of fun trying out different rollercoasters in the US. There was one day, mid week and off season, where my friend and I took the same roller coaster about 10 times back to back! We tried the front car, the back car, the middle and kept trying to hold crazy poses for the "thrill cam" which normally gets very goofy looking shots of people. I haven't had the chance to ride a decent roller coaster in many years. One of Dubai's appealing features were all the planned theme parks. I was very upset when all the plans got cancelled, I had big plans to ride a lot of coasters! Last year in Vienna I was excited when I saw a coaster where you lie down in a "Superman" flying position. Unfortunately the actual experience wasn't as interesting or exciting as I hoped. Another future ambition of mine is to visit and ride the worlds, Highest, Fastest, and Longest coasters.
Food & Wine - One of the reasons I train hard in the gym is because I am very passionate about fine food and wine. I really enjoy spicy dishes from Asia and India. Thai food is definitely my number one cuisine of choice. When it comes to European cuisine I have a real interest in strong cheeses, particularly from France and Italy. These cheeses are nearly always consumed along side some of the best cured meats I can find and washed down with some wonderful red wine. When it comes to wine, I am certainly a fan of new world wines from as far and wide as Australia, to South Africa and South America. My absolute favourite wine however is vintage Rioja from Spain. The full body oak flavours are amazing for both the nose and palette. One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is always discovering new foods to taste and new recipes to try.
Sport - I am pretty competitive by nature, and also very determined when it comes to developing new skills. Because of this I am always happy to play any sport on offer. I enjoy both solo sports and team sports. As a kid, at school I played a lot of Basketball and rugby, whilst outside of school I focused on tennis, and cycling. During university I was able to realise one of my dreams, which was to play full contact American Football, I enjoyed playing with Maidstone Pumas for 4 seasons until a broken leg ended my fun. These days I keep toying with the idea of playing rugby again, but I'm not sure if my joints will handle it! So I stick to swimming and running instead. When it comes to socialising, I'm always the first to suggest bowling, pool or darts rather than just sitting in a bar.
