These are the things that are going on with me right now (updated May 2026)…
Where?
I currently live in Phuket, Thailand where I have been, on and off since 2020. However, I am making arrangements to return to Adelaide, Australia with my wife and son who is just finishing his final year of secondary school. There, we will be reunited with my daughter.
Work
Firmly in the rat race, I work for various organisations including a university and government organisations, writing policy.
I am looking for a business to purchase so I can take a bit more control back and perhaps take a bigger bite out of this life.
Outlining for my book Bird Brain
I have developed a strong character matrix for my next book which is driving the developing narrative. Next a solid outline. Then the fun stuff, writing. I have blocked out 2.5 hours every day to ensure progress.
Kids
After finishing high school last year, my daughter is training for a half ironman, doing a double degree at university and has two jobs: one at a function centre and the other at Lululemon. I am looking forward to getting back into our hikes, runs and bike rides together.
My son into strength training at the gym and we are going together around six times a week. It is excellent for the relationship and health. He’s on the cusp of finishing the International Baccalaureate at the British International School, Phuket. It’s going to be great to spend our last month and a half together in Thailand, wakeboarding, surfing, and whatever else we discover along the way.
Marriage
I love my wife. I make her coffee (with increasingly more complex and professional-looking latte art) every day. We walk daily, ride the scooter for smoothies and massages weekly, watch sunsets every so often, drink coconut chia concoctions from the local market and the occasional wine and generally just enjoy life. She’s teaching in Thailand and just landed a new job back in Adelaide, Australia teaching year 2.
Fitness
Now that I’m back in Thailand, I’m swimming three times a week and doing boot camp twice a week, all with friends who are parents of kids at the school. The expat community here is very good. I get tired a lot since I’m doing this on top of going to the gym with my son, but I’m certain it is good for my health and soul.
Guitar
I’m trying to become better at improvising over chord changes and knowing my way around the fretboard. If I get any sort of skill in this, I know my friend Paul (who encouraged me to buy a guitar at age 32) would be ecstatic. Lately, I have been struggling for inspiration.
Investing
I’m a relative newb in shares but I’m trying to learn from the greats. I have a very small portfolio of stocks acquired since the beginning of 2022, focused on long-term value investing. I have stayed away from AI stocks for now and I’m in a bit of a holding pattern while there is so much uncertainty in the markets with inflation, wars, fuel prices, and recent changes to the tax system in Australia.
Reading
- I’m reading The Tattoist of Auschwitz. Too early to make a judgement.
- I am reading How to Live, by Derek Sivers. I know it’s intentionally conflicting but, for me, that creates too many questions and not enough answer for a non-fiction book.
Now page
Do you want a page like this? See Derek Sivers’ guide to creating a ‘now’ page.
