Late 40's. Scottish ex-pat now married to a wonderful Texan. Honours in Philosophy from Univ. of Stirling, UK 1986. Worked most of life in business insurance industry (fire, accident, lability) including 12 years as a broker/underwriter/correspondent at Lloyd's of London. Nowadays, I do management consultancy as and when able and I'm primary carer for our youngest, who is autistic.

Being from the other side of the pond, my political interests tend to focus on how US foreign policy effects the rest of the planet. Other interests include early and dark-ages British history, literature and cognitive philosophy/science.

I started blogging in 2004 at what is now www.newshoggers.com and I've had the immense pleasure of working with some great writers there and around the web ever since, including at Crooks & Liars and - of course - The Agonist.