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John O'Connor - Personal Photo

So you leave a job after twenty years and move to another part of the country to start afresh. Is this the cliched mid-life crisis showing its hand? Well probably not as I wasn't in crisis and none of us know when we are at the mid point of our lives anyway. I had worked as Harvest Co-ordinator for the Anthony Nolan Trust , which was a very rewarding and interesting occupation but felt in need of a change. The flat in London was sold and here I am in Brighton, on the south coast of England, writing a novel and exploring life as a freelance writer.

As well as a regard for science cemented by my previous work, I have particular interest in sport, reading, radio, music and current affairs. And a love of good shoes and fine wine...

As a season ticket holder at Fulham Football Club in the EPL, I have the pleasure of visiting one of the most picturesque stadiums in the UK. I am also a member of Middlesex County Cricket Club and played both sports regularly until my right knee took umbrage and chose early retirement.

In an earlier life I was a record buyer for an independent label and have played in bands that unaccountably failed to gain worldwide acclaim. I console myself by strumming my acoustic and following the continually volatile music world. I am proud to have kept a promise to a younger me never to succumb to time warp taste. Well I think I've kept it...

I have travelled widely and spoken at conferences in the UK, US, Morocco, Italy and France in connection with my work at the Anthony Nolan Trust.

I am looking forward to writing for suite101 and hope to maintain the high quality of my fellow contributors.