About Andy
Biography
Born in Loughborough, England, in the late Paleolithic period, my life truly began in 1979 after meeting a certain Diane Smith. We emigrated to Australia in 1981.
After decades of crappy jobs, I finally found my calling teaching photography to small groups in Sydney. Aided by my infinitely better half, I taught over 5,000 people how to use their digital cameras and strove to pass on a passion for photography. Unfortunately, smartphones and Instagram filters put an end to our business.
We now live in Irun, Spain, with a short walk to the French border.
Education and Qualifications
I had my lunch money stolen on the way to the School of Hard Knocks, coincidentally the same day the dog ate my homework.
Years later, I dropped out of the University of Life before finally receiving a mail-order, third-class diploma from the Technical College of Barely Getting By.
My proudest actual autodidactic academic achievement was passing both French and Spanish language exams at Level C1—two languages in which you can use the word “autodidact” without sounding like a total wanker.
While I passionately believe many things, that obviously does not make them true, blind-spots and superficial understanding abound. I know that there must be many things that I believe that are objectively wrong. Unfortunately, I don’t know which ones they are. Feel free to let me know.
George Orwell
Orwell’s dystopian classic took us to Room 101, while his allegorical masterpiece dashed all hopes of a happy proletariat down on the farm.
His memoirs revealed inspiration followed by disillusionment in Catalonia, explored the underbelly of both Paris and London, and took us on side trips to Burma and Wigan Pier.
In addition to his long-form work, he wrote essays ranging in light and shade from “Antisemitism in Britain,” “Notes on Nationalism,” and “How the Poor Die” to “Some Thoughts on the Common Toad” and “A Nice Cup of Tea.” in which he outlined his definitive method for making the perfect cup of tea, detailing the order of milk and tea, the type of teapot, and the use of sugar (which he opposed). In another essay, he waxed lyrical on the joyous lottery of buying rosebushes from Woolworths.
Taking inspiration from these essays, my ambition is to be a bargain-basement Blair, Eric Arthur—minus the intellect and the insight.
With the gravitas of Blair, Lionel, but with two Left Feet.
To the Left of Blair, Tony, to the Right of Foot, Michael.