In this regular lighthearted Q and A, we find out how members of ISSHP spend their off duty hours, starting with our President, Mark Brown
- If you didn’t become a doctor, is there any other career that you might have chosen instead?
Probably a professional golfer or Olympic athlete – apparently it only takes 10,000 hours to be expert at anything! I would not have chosen a career that includes being a handyman as I would have gone broke with that (ask my family). So just as well I ended up as a doctor. - What’s your favourite food?
Italian; or anything seafood - Favourite place?
So many great places I’ve been lucky enough to visit. Can’t choose between New York City, Vancouver, Nice (France, not the guidelines!) or Sydney (very lucky to live where I do). - Do you have a pet?
2 dogs, one a beautiful English Staffie who looks mean but would lick you to death after he made you play with him; the other a little white neurotic shitzu-maltese cross – not quite as friendly but we still like her. - Favourite movie?
No one favourite but have particularly enjoyed Sideways, Motor Cycle diaries, Vicky Christina Barcelona, the English patient and probably several others I can’t think of right now. - Ideal Sunday morning?
Varies a lot – sometimes my wife and I will head to the beach with the dogs or in winter a walk on the bush trail near our house; sometimes head to church; sometimes preparing to have friends or family for a casual lunch. - If you didn’t live in Sydney, where else would you like to live?
Probably South of France but that would require my family and grandchildren to have all decided to move there first. I plan to stay living close to family if possible (hope they are happy with this decision!). We are fortunate to all get on with each other and enjoy catching up. - Cooking for friends – what do you cook?
BBQ anything – we do lots of this in summer; great fun catching up over a weekend lunch or outdoor dinner at home in Sydney spring or summer. - Stuck in a lift– alone or with others? Who?
Preferably someone with a phone to call for help; after that Barack Obama – would love the chance to chat with someone as fascinating and intelligent as him. - Favourite book?
Dead heat between Elliot Perlman’s ‘The Street Sweeper’ and Richard North Patterson’s ‘Exile’ - Favourite song?
Too many – anything on my iPod that takes my mind off the actual task of jogging - Crunchie or Twix?
Crunchie - Sun or snow?
Definitely sun; I went ‘skiing’ once in Australia (yes, we do have snow and apparently it can be very good). My first problem was after hiring the skis – I put these on outside the shop and went backwards into the car park. Then I tried to ski – my wife waited for me at the bottom of the hill and when I told her I didn’t like this feeling of being out of control she told me no-one could ski that slowly and be out of control – end of a not so promising skiing career. - Favourite gadget?
None – they usually require fixing - Favourite holiday?
Split between France (Paris then south of France & Provence) and Italy (Rome then Perugia and north) many years ago. I suspect my new favourite holiday will be a short time away with all the family including grandkids. - Beatles or Rolling Stones?
Beatles - Favourite sport or hobby?
Golf ( to play); Rugby or football (soccer to some) to watch - Favourite movie actress?
Cate Blanchett, one of Australia’s greatest attributes - Apple or android (this relates to mobile devices not body shape …)
Glad you explained that question – as I get older it’s a worry. Apple. - What would you like to invent?
Something that either generated more time or slows down the pace of each day for all of us. - Pet hate
Don’t have one really - Moment of the day?
Morning – a run as the sun comes up then a quick coffee and toast in the local café before work - The memory
Starting to fail…….. - The advice
Advice to myself and therefore others is to try to appreciate each day whatever it brings; I don’t always heed my own advice but it sometimes works. - The virtue
Still looking for that - The vice
Red wine and chips (crisps, not the fried ones)
