O tempora o mores!

I started this blog site with no real idea of what it would contain and for whom it was intended. The initial impetus was to learn more about the ‘architecture’ of the internet and and how to design one’s own blog space (with the help of Wordpress!)

It is now 1 1/2 years since my first entry. It’s not my intention to write daily or even weekly but just when the mood takes me. And its not my intention to write much about my own opinions. There is enough ill-informed, poorly expressed opinions broadcast on the internet as it is!

I view my blog as a commonplace book for the 21st century. I don’t feel I have much to say that has not been said, and said better, before me. Nearly all the articles are quotations from other people, or clips of music from artists and performers who have caught my attention for a time and some who continue to inform and inspire me.

My private life is just that, private. But what I think and feel, and what kind of person I think I am, and what I would like to become should be manifest from the entries thus far. In most part the writings expressed here resonate with my own feelings especially when it comes to philosophy, spirituality, art, music and to some degree my work or rather my passion.

I am an Englishman, though a Yorkshireman first! I worked in investment banking from 1987 until 2001. In that time I worked initially in London, a city I love and hate with equal passion. London, England and Yorkshire are my home and I miss them.

For the first 6 years I was based in London. During this time I was sent for a 6 months stint to Chicago, working night shifts during the winter – an experience I would not like to repeat.

After returning to London for short while, I was told I would be moving to our New York Office in October 1993. Thus began my overseas odyssey which continues to this day. My 1 1/2 years in New York were life changing and all too brief. Changes in the business organization required me to move to Singapore. At the time I was almost entirely ignorant of Asia and barely knew where to find it on a map. All I knew was that it was a small city state ‘near Malaysia!’

From 1995 to early 1999, I lived and worked in Singapore, followed by a little over 2 years in Tokyo. I loved staying in Japan; its culture, history and food fascinated me. I lived in an old exquisite Japanese house, traditionally furnished along with a good friend.

However in May 2001 I finally resolved to quit and return to England. For some years I had been working on the idea of doing my own ‘day trading’ of sorts and other investing. I disliked working for other people and was never very comfortable in the corporate environment. I also had an inner yearning to ‘follow my bliss’ and at least give my trading idea a chance.

Returning to London was like a homecoming. Though feeling apprehensive due to the years I had been absent, I still felt London was my city and my home. I quickly realized that there was no way I wanted to go back to regular salaried employment. I developed my trading and other business ideas and enjoyed getting back into the London cultural life I had enjoyed and missed so much.

In October 2003, following 2 years of expensive London living, and with a yearning that I wanted to return to stay in Asia, I left England again, this time to Bangkok, Thailand. Computer in hand and a couple of suitcases were all I needed.

I dearly enjoyed living in Thailand – learning the language (something I thought I could not do) loved the food which I consider the best in the World, and fascinated by the cultural life in general, after 3 years and for various reasons I decided to move to Singapore again. Unfortunately all the furniture, art and artifacts I had accumulated on my prior stay in Asia did not come along with me but remained with family and friends or in storage in London. I was travelling light.

I have been in Singapore for nearly 2 years. I came here to carry on my trading and to help out with a retail business I had invested in a year earlier. Things were not as expected when I arrived and most of 2007 has been spent in legal wrangles over the business. Although its hard to believe, the legal battle has continued through 2008.

I now have my own business here and this has enabled me to rent an apartment and obtain an employment pass which will allow me to stay for the forceable future.
September 2008