A Little on Me

It seems only reasonable to me that you, the reader, should know a little something about me.

I am originally from Britain but have spent most of my lifetime in Canada living here on its beautiful west coast. I am recently retired from an academic career spanning some 30 years. In that career, I taught Political Science and Introductory [Western] Philosophy at the undergraduate level. I also spent 2 years as an Interim Campus Director and 12 years of my faculty time was split between teaching and performing the tasks of Department Chair [for the Humanities and Social Sciences department at my institution]. During this long career, I was also, for over a decade, heavily involved in the ongoing work of our Faculty Union. I served as Chief Steward for a short time and then much longer as VP-Chief Bargainer. I thus acquired direct experience bargaining with employers and the government to protect and enhance the rights and benefits won for faculty.

On the more personal side of things, I am an avid golfer who has had the privilege of whacking it around the Old Course twice in my life. I like a good read of fiction with a fondness for Sci-Fi. My musical tastes are varied although I confess to struggling with Country, Rap, and Hip-hop. And while I love a glass or two of nice red wine, or a dram of my favourite single malt Scotch, I confess to a weakness for a pint of Pale Ale.

Life is what we make of it and I choose to be optimistic.

We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past; and we must respect the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible. [George Santayana]