I’m trying to navigate life with a sense of humor and a dose of late 1980s-inspired perspective. From the geopolitical nervousness of my childhood to the "meds-at-the-pub" reality of living with Parkinson’s, I hope these posts capture my new normal with honesty and a sprinkling of dry wit. If you’re wondering what’s driving me to start this saga now, discarding the safety of my targeting system, the answer starts here.
An Imposter Syndrome, Parkinson’s and Me
After five years of living and working with Parkinson’s, I’ve decided to take the advice of the Why Don’t You team of my youth and “turn off the television set and go and do something less boring instead”—finally calling time on what turned out to be a surprisingly interesting career in I.T. If you would like to hear what I consider my greatest achievement, read on.
Keyser Söze Shuffle to Billy Elliot Barnstormer
A family trip to Disney World: 100,000 strangers, 90-degree heat, and one uninvited travel companion. Watch as a 'Keyser Söze' morning shuffle transforms into a 'Billy Elliot' barnstormer in the middle of the Magic Kingdom. It turns out that when nobody knows your name, you’re free to find your own rhythm.
Murder on The Dance Floor: The Parkinson’s Excuse Me
The first time it occurred to me that something was wrong was when I went dancing with my wife. A year later I had my Parkinson’s diagnosis. What happened next?
Dopamine Fuelling the Parkinson’s Blues
They say Parkinson’s can unlock a sudden surge of creativity—or maybe it's just the dopamine meds talking. I found myself dusting off my guitar to pen the 'Parkinson’s Blues,' but was my debut performance a standing ovation or a technical hitch? The soundtrack of the 'new normal' starts here.
The “Parky” Paradox: It’s My Diagnosis and I’ll Cry if I Want To
Is 'Parky' a friendly shorthand or a trivializing trap? I found myself caught in a cordial social media crossfire over how we label this disease. As a bit of an 'Indecisive Dave,' I’m weighing up the gravity of the condition against the power of a nickname. Join the debate on what’s in a name.
Despots, Dopamine, and the New Normal
What spurred me on to rejoin the world of social media after years of silence? It wasn't Brexit or Liverpool winning the title—it was the realization that my 'new normal' wasn't going anywhere. From 3 a.m. thoughts on global despots to the reality of a life-changing diagnosis, here is why I’m finally getting on with it.
Swiping Right: How I Found a Pal with Parkinson’s
I spent quite a while post-diagnosis with my head in the sand, terrified that meeting another 'Parky' would be a glimpse of a future I wasn't yet prepared for. But after three years of lonely cycling, I decided it was time to find a teammate, so I ‘swiped right’. From neutral-ground coffee summits to gallows humor, here is how I finally found the tribe I never wanted to join.
Balls to Parkinson’s 