This exercise came up on Facebook. Thought you might enjoy getting to know me a bit more.

Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.

1. I was born in Mt Gambier Base Hospital, 3 November, 1966.

2. I used to drink instant, white with one, until 1998, when Tom Wolf introduced me to real coffee in Berkley. Since then it’s black nectar or it’s nothing.

3. I played A-grade footy for Westcoast, in the WA Amateur Football League from 1987. Broke my leg before the 1995 premiership. Stopped in 2000 when our first child came along.

4. I commuted for 4 hours a day on Melbourne trains during high school. (A private grammar school.) That’s where I was when Australia II won the America’s cup: listening to transistor radios – on a train!

5. Throughout year 12, I lived in a caravan next to mate’s house, just 15 minutes from school. Luxury! (Went home for weekends.)

6. I love riding a horse with attitude – it totally concentrates my mind with another being that I totally have to work with and trust. Hurts my back, but defrags my brain.

7. My bro and I used to write songs and sing them to old folks. A group of us were even recorded twice, thanks to Beryl Cussworth, my primary school music teacher.

8. When I was a toddler, my sister (only 30 months older) saved my life by pulling me out of a hole at Christies beach. I vaguely remember the sight of the swirls of light.

9. I switched to Apple only last year. And it is better afterall.

10. I love my wife and 4 kids more than anyone. Sorry, family-of-origin, but i think that’s how it’s supposed to be at my age.

11. I am an evangelist. Creepy word, I know: it took me ten years to admit that’s actually what I am, despite my friends telling me the whole time. They never let me live it down.

12. I used to be a Holden boy, and still revere Brocky (RIP). But converted to Ford when I became a family man, and the XR6 sealed the deal.

13. I once visited the village of Westlake, Devon. 2 houses and a post with Westlake chiseled down the post. That’s it – not even a sign. I come from a line of potato farmers & horse-traders, apparently. I’m also a Strauss, and a pinch of the celtic Mattingly blood.

14. I love God, I follow Jesus – it’s a spiritual thing. I have lots of good reasons for it – not all are rational, but not all aren’t either. It goes beyond understanding. But I’d like to show you what I see.

15. I’m licensed to drive trucks, passenger buses, and motorbikes. I used to drive articulated forklifts and cranes in Port Hedland.

16. I met Billy Joel on my 21st birthday, after his concert, at a piano bar (Thanks to my Baptist Terrorist Group friends). Billy said, “Well, you’re in your 22nd year now.” And just like that, I’d finally turned 21, and it was gone already!

17. I used to be a trades assistant for Frank Gerstorffer, a classic old Austrian diesel fitter, who everyone else under-estimated because of his accent. He let me in on his secrets, and I loved seeing how he got exactly what he wanted, every time!

18. I take medication for genetic depression: it kicks in around 30. We wish grandad had the meds in his day…

19. Year 9: I was crazy as a newt, but our eight won the junior head of the river, and our team won a state debating championship. Go figure.

20. I love red wine, friends, & pizza (pepperoni, kalamatas, & anchovies). The combination makes me happy just to think about.

21. I had a guiness, a stoogie, and bag of S&V chips, when I got home from Joondalup hospital on each of the days my children were born.

22. I have 4000m2 of natural banksia bush to look after. Which is easy – except for the Spring weeds.

23. I like to synthesize ideas, and see if synergy can happen between people or groups. I can get energized by a good, thoughtful conversation that makes me think bigger thoughts. I’ve even recovered from sickness from the adrenalin shot it can give me.

24. I have a post-grad degree in theology, a grad dip, am an ordained Baptist minister and registered marriage celebrant. Sometimes I think I should do a PhD on “ecclesia,” but I’d have to give up doing it, to write about it. Nah!

25. I wish everyone who could, would do at least one friend-making thing in the neighborhood (outside their home) to make their neighborhood a better place!