Who is this guy?
You may learn all you need to know about the author--me, Eric--by reading about those who have influenced me most and to whom I am grateful, in the page Now Let Us Praise Excellent People.
How did this site come to be?
It came about because my new US job actually started in the Netherlands, and I knew I would have few acquaintances there, and I thought myself relatively handy with the English language and with a camera. The convergence of these interests with my upcoming Dutch adventure and with the (in 2002-3) brand-new blogging technology was irresistable.
Back up a second--why the new job?
(Your author takes a long breath.) My previous employer, who shall remain nameless except that it is based in Atlanta, is the world's best-known brand, and provides 2% of the drinking fluids of the human race, thought it would be a good idea to try the following: (1) have me and my group report to someone clearly less qualified (and since demoted), (2) strengthen the group by cutting it in half, (3) have me interview four times (out of state) over four years for a group manager's position in Atlanta, then close the group, (4) grant me a position in Brussels so that I have my house sold, get an apartment and office in Brussels, get the Belgian work visa, meet with the moving company, help interview replacements for my Florida position, and then--then--they decide to move all the Americans back to Atlanta, forcing me to (5) ask for my house and my old job back (did they think of that?--no) and (6) cause me to interview for a new job over 2 years. This last led to my present wonderful position. C- (oops!) "My previous employer" can brag that they laid me off, if that sort of corporate carnivory makes them feel all bloody and warm and giggly inside, but...the papers say I sold my house two days earlier. The severance was nice.
Nyaaaaaa nyanya nyaaaaa nyaaaaa.
Stop stalling--who are you?
Let's start with my defining characteristics (option-limiting traits): 50, Cauc, male, hetero- if memory serves, chromatographer by trade (a long story, try Google), but started college life in architecture and photography. Smarter than you, better-looking than you...oh, and obviously kinder/gentler, too. I think that's all you need to know for now.
Sheeesh, if you're still nosy, you can probably divine anything else of importance by reading through this blog, Downwind of Amsterdam.