I am nobody – what is worse I am a Canadian nobody. On the upside, being nobody meant I have never been required to take firm positions on controversial issues. This allowed me to research important topics late in life, for no better reason than to satisfy my somewhat scattered curiosity.

Returning to university in my forties, after working twenty years, I completed graduate studies in political science and environmental policy.

Afterward, I went back to work for another twenty years but by now I was addicted to writing serious commentary. Tragically, I was to discover few people read such things.

Opioids might have been a kinder, gentler passion.

To escape the accompanying frustration, I occasionally allow my whimsical nature free rein and write totally goofy pieces as therapy – except, few people seem able to tell the difference.

It turns out, by the way, that being nobody is a rather pleasant way to spend your life.