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A B O U T

Firstly, feel free to email me.

My name's Pete, I was born in 1980 in a country town (very small, very isolated, very dull) in the Mid North region of South Australia. It's only nice in winter. I have two older sisters and grew up on a farm, frighteningly out of reach of the technologies which now keep me alive...

Possibly interesting information:

- About 6 ft, slim build, not carrying a weapon. My eyes are green and I've been blessed with mouse-grey hair. I live in Tokyo and tend to lose weight when stressed.

- Christian. While originally Lutheran, I haven't settled on a denomination yet. I'm neither for nor against denominations, and appreciate the option of different worship styles. I'm a big fan of faith over religion. I'm wary of fundamentalism but all for unconditional tolerance and acceptance. I don't like being put on a church database and then getting phonecalls every second day from perfect strangers inviting me out for coffee and a chat.

- I'm vegetarian. This does not mean I'm automatically anaemic and yes I do eat foods other than lettuce. I'm not militant about my dietary choices and do not hassle people about it. Similarly, I don't like being hassled about it.

- I like all sorts of music from electronica to folk to progressive rock. A major obsession with female singer/songwriters is underway at the moment. I appreciate challenging lyrics and challenging sounds. I also love some forms of classical music. In theory, my favourite band of all time is U2. They also wrote my favourite song, which is, incidentally, The Unforgettable Fire from the album of the same name.

- My favourite film is quite possibly Breaking the Waves. It's very harrowing and distressing but ultimately wonderful. Other films that are high up on the list include Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire, Buffalo 66, Magnolia, The Hours, Spirited Away, the Three Colours trilogy, look, there are many, best not get me started.

- Then of course there are the books. I struggle to name favourites, so I won't.

- I like to travel. I have a long list of required destinations and a much shorter list of places I've visited.

- I tend to talk a lot, though I'd like to think not in a nagging, incessant, annoying way.

So there we have it. A small collection of so-called identity markers. Please don't build too detailed a mental picture based on this information, because who knows, you could get it all wrong. :)

And now for the facts that do not define my personality so much as suggest my place in the world:

- I live and work in Tokyo. Yes I'm doing the conversational English thing. I swear Japan is like the new UK when it comes to the population of young Australian expats. Not that I've been to the UK. Tokyo is all-consuming (although it's not fond of vegetarians). I don't know if this job really counts as a career move. Previously I have worked as a web designer, a web support officer and as a university tutor, so I guess this is a career change of sorts. Or perhaps it's just delaying the inevitable. I like to view work as something that supports my lifestyle, as opposed to something that is my lifestyle. It's nice to be idealistic, and in reality I'm far from satisfied.

- Apparently my studies have led to two degrees: a bachelor of computer and information science, and a bachelor of arts majoring in multimedia studies. Whatever that means. Both qualifications are from UniSA in Adelaide, Australia.

- I'm investing energy into making my room a sanctuary of peace, goodwill and visual attractiveness. I don't have a car, and hope never to own one. Late trains make me more angry than you could imagine. Fortunately that only happens in Tokyo if somebody throws themself in the path of one.

Anyway, I do so love receiving emails (apart from the ten thousand or so spam messages that seem to arrive every day)... so, having come this far, why not let me know? :)