To begin my life with the beginning of my life, I record that I was born (as I have been informed and believe) on a Friday, at twelve o'clock at night. From that auspicious beginning I've been a rather unconventional individual (as everyone who has known me has told me...). For one thing, I was born in Hawaii which is a melting pot of every ethnic group found in Wikipedia. For example, I am 27.5% native Hawaiian (very few "pure-breeds" left anymore. Sorry for using that term - as a teen I used to raise golden retrievers for show), 9% Portuguese (my uncle has a sweet bread bakery and I love Port and Madeira wines), 7.25% Dutch (relatives in Holland & I like flying KLM), 39% Japanese (love sushi and I like flying JAL), 8.25% Greek (Athens and the "Isles of Greece" as Byron called them are my 2nd home...not surprising since I'm island born and bred) 7.25% Scottish (raised a Presbyterian and frugal as a lad) and 1.5% unidentifiable (I assume human genetic material). I know my impressive ethnic mixture (and growing up in a "melting pot" environment) explains my personality, my beliefs, my philosophy of life, the type of work I do, and what I do for fun, relaxation and play. In other words, it has shaped everything about me. Until recently, my profession was medicine, specifically I was an epidemiologist, what is popularly called a disease detective or virus hunter. As a doctor living in jungles, deserts and some absolutely God-forsaken places, my profession was a bit hazardous to life and limb (I assure you, this is no longer the case!). After 18 years in this difficult but wonderful life, I switched gears 180 degrees and became a writer, and occasional movie and documentary consultant. I must admit to being addicted to the pleasures of life – travel to exotic, off-the-beaten track locales, good food, the best wine (and spirits), stimulating conversation, beautiful art, creative ideas, architecture, English gardens, athletes, great ships and most importantly my three dogs and parrot whose love and loyalty have sustained me through good times and bad.
Perhaps the most fulfilling aspect of being a "citizen of the world" have been the close friendships I’ve made with both men and women in every hemisphere. They have taught me to value what is important in life.

My idea of heaven is dining outside, eating my favorite food (pasta, risotto, fish, antipasti, and steak Florentina simply seasoned with olive oil, fresh sage, thyme & rosemary) and drinking an unbelievable Brunello di Montalcino