I have just updated the blog’s ‘about’ page and was going to include some personal information about me, which is not business related.
Then I realised that if the information just gets added to the about page, almost none of my regular readers will see it! I like to know a little about the people who’s work I read and I know others do too. So, here are 6 things about me that you probably didn’t already know.
Early exit
On the day my son Lewis was born, (a month before he was due), a story appeared in a UK newspaper with the headline; “Jim may have to make an early exit!” The story related to a comment I made to a reporter, about a talk I was giving at The London Stock Exchange building for AWD PLC. I said that it was my last speaking engagement because my wife was 8 months pregnant. The newspaper is a great keepsake for when Lewis grows up.
Dead serious
I ‘died’ briefly, when I was 17 years old; after receiving three scull fractures during a fight, where one of my assailants was armed with an axe. I grew up dirt poor, on a London council housing estate – very much on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’. Although blessed with loving parents, I got in with the wrong crowd and almost paid the ultimate price. I was 21 years old when I turned my life around (that was 23 years ago); thanks to the support of my mother, father and older brother.
Relative strangers
Billy Connolly, the famous comedian / actor is a cousin of mine. I only found out about 15 years ago, when visiting another cousin for the first time, in Galway, Ireland. I noticed pictures of Billy Connolly on the wall and then realised that the pictures of Billy were actually taken in the house. I have never met Billy but those I know who have, tell me he’s a really nice fella!
Radio days
I once coached a BBC Radio presenter live on air! Lara King was hosting her first ever solo radio show and was extremely nervous, so the interview she had planned with me on her launch show, became a live on air coaching session. Lara is a real professional, a genuinely lovely person and it was always a joy to work with her.
Boxing clever
I have been in love with boxing all my life, both inside the ring and outside. Though I never fought professionally, I have sparred with scores of professional fighters and have a dedicated boxing gym at home. This is one of the reasons I don’t drink alcohol or smoke – It made training so much harder! I have just restarted training (last week) and need to lose a STACK of fat, after a serious shoulder injury stopped me from training for almost 5 months.
Jim loves tech
I own (and write for) The Tech News Blog. The blog is just a year old and has already been referenced as a news source by many of the best known people in tech news, including; Leo Laporte’s TWiT network, Dave Winer’s Scripting News, The BBC, C|net and ReadWriteWeb.
So, those were six random things about me, which usually don’t fit into the topics I cover. I hope you found them interesting and that maybe you feel you know me a little better now too.