I am nobody – what is worse I am a Canadian nobody. On the upside, being nobody means I was never required to have 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.

More to the point:

Mr. Urquhart’s academic education includes an undergrad degree in business administration as well as graduate work in political science and environmental studies, with a smattering of literature thrown in. He has been a soldier, laborer, childcare worker, heavy equipment operator, municipal politician, chair of a business development center, and chair of a successful environmental coalition. He is presently too old and beat up to do any of those things, so he sits in front of a computer and tells others how to live their lives – few listen. He is not deterred. His wife fears it might be a sign of dementia.