Château Frontenac, QC

I was born and raised in Québec city which I consider to be a very beautiful city and place to live. After graduating from high school, I lived in St.Thomas and the Caribbean for a while before heading back, a year later, to Quebec and Sherbrooke University to try and make a smart man out of me. Throughout the following years, I travelled a bit of Australia, the US and Europe. I very much loved England, France and Austria. Also visited briefly many other destinations including Mexico and Thailand. Now, who would’ve thought, I have been in Sydney since August 2004.

The French in me

Shiraz & Pinot,
by far my favs

Not everyone is aware that Quebec is predominantly French-speaking. I was lucky enough to learn a decent English in school and through travelling. I would say I still have a strong European/French influence as I’m concerned about my digestive system and the well-being of my liver (in English: I very much love my food, not to mention my wine!)

I’m also a pretty passionate person. As such feelings and emotions are part of my everyday life. Not sure I can say this is a typically French behaviour, but I sure can say it’s adding colours to my life! This is specially true since I moved to Australia, where the distance to my family and friends somehow emphasises every-bloody-thing! Well, so to speak. I also truly enjoy a good conversation (which needs to go both ways), which usually highly entertain the analytical side of me, also known as I will question everything until I understand! Or is that just me being curious?!

Finally as to whether a Frenchman makes a better lover, I’m yet to meet someone with an objective view on the topic!

In Seb’s head

I believe everything happens for a reason. As such, I’m an eternally positive person who enjoys challenges life brings to me, not to say there aren’t some occasional downspin, obviously. I’m also not very comfortable in my comfort zone. I realise how much one can miss out on by sticking to a routine. A lot! So I try and alter my routine as much as possible, starting with little things.

Christmas 2007

It is not uncommon for me to just stop in the middle of a busy day to breathe for a minute and admire the view! I guess I could say I’m usually unusual! I really don’t mind being tagged as weird and care just a little about what others say of me. I’ve got only one life to live… so I might as well enjoy it! So I dance in the street sometimes. People may think I’m doing drugs. I think they’re missing the point! I try to enjoy every minute I’m given; dancing (randomly in the streets!), walking, running, swimming, cycling, napping, talking, singing, listening… discovering… life! It’s so simple in the end.

In real life

I’ve been know to be a bit of a ‘goofie’, but I say that’s only because I’m just having a good time, enjoying the people around me really! Despite being all grown up now, I often look at life as if I was 10 or 20 again, just because I was perhaps not meant to grow up so fast! Even I still believe I’m just a big kid. Most days anyway! Secretly I can’t wait to have kids and have all of those toys around me again!

I was taught to never be afraid of ridicule. So I’ll admit I made a mistake without too much trouble. I think I sometimes project a pretty strong image, but I’m always fairly easy to approach and talk to. I’m opened, open hearted, open minded!

On a more rational side, I constantly work on a balance which I believe essential.. in everything. Everything in moderation, even moderation! What you eat, what you do, entertainments, relationships, sports, etc. I try and keep in mind that too much of anything is like not enough it. Personality-wise, some days I’m a natural born leader, some days I just leave it to others. I’m clearly very rational person, yet randomly make emotional decisions. I guess one could say that I’m not black or white, I’m black and white! I just think things are far more enjoyable that way!

It’s all about respect

I care a fair bit about the well-being of people surrounding me… sometimes enough to forget about my own, unfortunately (I know… not always ideal – but I’m working on it, so there’s hope!) Thanks to mum, the best thing I was ever given is a great education. I was raised as a simple, respectful and honest kid. Sure I have lied, but never to hurt people. Mostly to get around rules! I despise people who willingly hurt others..

Talk, think, talk, think, rest

When comfortable, I can be quite verbose. I’m opinionated! I value a meaningful discussion like nothing else but also have my moments, when I’d rather let the music take me away. Not a huge TV fan and I find sad the amount of trash TV people absorb nowadays. Not that I don’t enjoy a quick Two and a half men sometimes!

A few photos?

On top of all the photos I was tagged in on facebook, here’s a few shots taken on my various whereabouts! Some photos of a few places I visited.

Man @ Work

I work for an Australian media company called Fairfax Media as the Development Manager for the Financial Review Group. We are currently rolling out a new editorial platform with Phase 1 completed in March 2010. I would like to think I’m known for my willingness, professionalism and thorough attitude, however I do fear my resistance to office politic sheds a little shadow on a otherwise good portrait. I can’t support stupid decisions, no matter what. I can’t smile to someone’s face and stab them in the back. I just can’t help it.

This said, I’m usually a fair person, capable of pushing for decisions to be made while understanding bigger organisations are sometimes not as reactive as I would like them to be. I’m not the kind to give up, however I carefully chose my fights! I’m also known to be ambitious but can appreciate that work is only work really.

I’m also running a business called EmpireOne specialising in IT Strategy and Management for small and medium businesses. I’m also currently pinning down the business model to perhaps turn it into a proper company in the medium-term.

Finally, try Seb’s LinkedIn Profile for more details about my career and education.

Trying to reach me?

Look for Sebster.T on Facebook, or perhaps @Ryders on Twitter. I also have a Also have a LinkedIn Profile and about 2 dozen instant messaging and social media accounts; MySpace IRC, ICQ, GTalk, Skype, MSN,.. but I don’t tend to use any of them much however. You’re best best at getting in touch with me is definitely via email and the following address should get you straight into my inbox.