My name is Gary and I have been a Finance professional for over 20 years. besides being somewhat of a nerd (without glasses, mind), I am a keen adventurer, looking to try something new, fun and challenging.

My interests lie in vehicles – motorcycles, cars, airplanes, helicopters, gyrocopters, bicycles, boats, as well as food, technology, nature, camping and all the gear that supports that lifestyle.

I am a hands-on person with an entrepreneurial zing. Of things I collect, it would most likely be lights and bags. For lights, Black Diamond features strongly in the collection and Timbuk 2 in bags.  

As a former boy scout, I stringently follow the scout motto of “Be Prepared”. In earthquake prone Tokyo and Japan, I normally carry in my Timbuk2 messenger bag, a LED flashlight with spare batteries, a swiss army knife, a pair of work gloves, chargers, tissues, pens and a notebook.

I recently received accreditation from Wilderness Medical for Wilderness First Aid and will soon add a medical kit to my bag as well.

Before any trip, I do make a list of items that I believe I will need along with extras to ensure I am absolutely comfortable. Note that this would include additional change in my carry on in case flights get cancelled. This has happened quite a few times that I now have an emergency clothes bag that I can throw into my carry on.

I am a gear guy. I love technology and lug around an iPhone, iPad Pro (12.9 inch), memo pad, bluetooth earphones / headphones (I swear by Bose) along with my chargers, pens, fountain pen, sunglasses, tissues, flashlight, swiss army knife and spare batteries. In Tokyo, because of the earthquakes, you never know when you will need something.

Granted, my bag starts getting heavy unfortunately.