People call me Bear. It's not my birth certificate name, but I've kind of settled into it over the years, and it's better than some of the other things I've been called. This of course makes me particularly well suited to running my blog on Bear
I'm in Cornwall, UK. I joke that it's 'near England' because there's a Cornish nationalist argument that Cornwall has always been a separate country, with a distinct language and culture, and has never formally signed up to be a part of England. A lot of ships have sailed since then, and a lot of English assimilation has taken place, so I use it as more in fun than anything now.
I did about 30 years in the photographic retail industry. Started as a junior/tea boy in a specialist shop (in which I'd later manage the whole chain), then later sales manager for one of the top photographic equipment brands, that is sadly no longer with us.
While working for the camera company I was diagnosed with MS. They promised support, but a year after I suddenly found myself being made redundant. Then after a few more sales jobs over the next few years I had a stroke. During my convalescence my wife and I decided that I'd not return to work, so I could concentrate on getting myself sorted and recovered as best I could.
Since then I've been a house husband and dog walker, and I am doing some freelance holiday property management - organising the listings and bookings calendars, communicating with guests etc., mainly from home.
I could never concentrate on anything long enough to be very deeply into any particular hobby. I like being out in the landscape or the garden and watching wildlife, and I enjoy some cycling. I've been professionally involved in the camera industry and enjoyed some photography for many years. I love music but I rarely get lyrics or remember track names and artists now. I get occasional intense interests, but quite quickly forget a lot of them. Since the stroke, I do find it hard to retain stuff in memory at all. I do love reading, and I'm particularly partial to Pratchett's Discworld and Douglas Adams, but again I find it hard to discuss their books because the details just do not stick.
Only recently have I realised that I probably have, and always have had, ADHD. That has lead me to investigate possible Autism traits too, but I am undecided. I've done a couple of online tests which gave me some results showing it as a high probability, but not seen anyone professional about either thing. To be honest, I don't care much. It explains some things, but I made it this far as I am, and that's fine.
If I refer to J in my writing any time, that's my wife. She's a potter now, having retired from her 30 years plus in the Police service.