: About Me

I consider myself more a thinker than a writer. But what is the point of having thoughts if you do not communicate them to others?

We are a gregarious, interdependent species; effective communication is an imperative! Sadly it has been lacking far too often in the past and still today. I try my best through the medium of my writing, although I readily accept that I fail to do so as effectively as I might desire.

I have a comparatively high IQ, but not genius level. I scored 136 on a test I took at school when I was 13, although an online test I took a couple of years ago was kind enough to give me 140. Just low enough to actually retain the ability to have what used to be called common sense, and I tend to refer to as practical intelligence. Why? Because it just doesn't seem common enough anymore. I have the, perhaps arrogant, opinion that my thoughts, opinions and ideas may have some value to others in today's world. I offer them not so much to persuade others, but to encourage people to think for themselves. Take that as you will.

From the age of 17 I worked in the field of Information Technology for 26 years; predominantly in the areas of computer mainframe operations mostly prior to the ascendancy of the PC and LANs, computer networking (both before and after) and system and network security. During that time I worked for two IT multinationals, Reuters, London Transport, a stockbrokers, a finance company, a supermarket chain, a package holiday firm, a mining company, a government department and a freighting company. Picking up some understanding of each along the way.

Since retiring from IT, I spent four years at the School of Natural Sciences of a tertiary institute studying animal health and welfare, ecology and environmental issues. I was particularly pleased receiving A+ grades for my Applied Canine Behavior and Applied Animal Welfare courses. I particularly like caring for dogs in welfare centers that are depressed and/or have suffered a very harsh life. But have also worked with cats and other deprived animals.

I love Helium, because I can offer my thoughts and opinions to a world-wide audience. I readily admit that much of what I write is my opinion rather than definite fact, although most of my science and educational articles under many topics are primarily research based fact. In almost all of those I do include some of my thoughts and opinions about those facts.

I enjoy writing articles for the interested layperson; researching topics in medical and science journals and translating that information from technically complex jargon into a format comprehensive to the general public. Or at least, that is my desire.

If any of my readers have topics they would like me to write on, I am open to suggestions through the contact writer facility. Please realize that I do research my articles, and sadly, I am not particularly fast at writing articles. Nevertheless, If I can I will write to the requested topic or at least respond to the request, if I believe I cannot do it justice.

I hope that my articles engender thought and consideration, that readers will search out other sources and arrive at their own opinions on the subject matter. I will and do express my opinions on subjects, but I sincerely desire my readers to arrive at their own conclusions.

My passion is ...

caring for depressed animals and SF&F.

I know too much about ...

man's inhumanity to man and disregard for our wondrous world.

My favorite memory ...

playing ring-a-ring-a-rosy with my daughter when she was 2.

Why I write ...

to put my thoughts, opinions and ideas out there.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Reading Surface Detail by Iain Banks; given up TV; listening to Enigma.

My first job ...

part-time trolley boy for the local supermarket.

My best moment ...

Bringing joy to a cancer-riddled, severely depressed, Rottweiler bitch on her last afternoon before being euthanased.

My inspiration ...

Helping people help themselves improve their knowledge and understanding.

Pets & Animals > Horse Care & Health How to prevent grass sickness in horses

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Grass sickness is an extremely serious disease in horses and ponies; medically it is called equine dysautonomia (ED). The acute forms, that rapidly develop, are almost always fatal; so much so that euthanasia is nearly always the recommended treatment. Horses suffering from chronic ED have about a 50:50 chance of recovery, but such a recovery takes about a year of dedicated nursing. (For details on clinical signs and treatments please see the articles under Helium's title "Grass sickness in horses: Symptoms and treatment.")   Preventing our horses developing grass sickness in the firs...

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