Who is Andy Brown?


Well, according to my dad, I'm a lazy, long-haired layabout.

This is partly true, having recently spent 2 years learning how to be a sound engineer, I do have long hair, and have spent a lot of time laying around. The background images on these pages come from some stuff I did for the course.

Picture of me


Why jester?

It all comes from some background I wrote for a SF LRP a few years back.
When you've got a name as common as mine, you need something else to make you recognisable.


Work

Well, I guess I'm going to have to at some point!
I spent 6 years writing computer software, then decided I needed a change of direction. So I went back to college to learn about the music business.
Then I was teaching part of the course to the next group of students.
Now I'm working as a computer programmer again. Why? Well I need the money


Hobbies

These change every few years, but at the moment the main ones are:

S.P.I.C.E.
Nothing to do with a certain over-hyped group, this is the Special Programme of Initiative Challenge and Excitement. Basically an opportunity to do all those things you wouldn't get a chance to do other wise. In my case this ranges from driving a tank to archery to inflatable Sumo wrestling (which is at least as silly as it sounds).
Have a look at the pictures from some of these events.
Science Fiction Live Roleplaying
Combine a Murder Mystery weekend with a skirmish game using TV remote controls, and that's something like an SFLRP. Live Roleplaying has also been described as free-form theatre without an audience, but basically it gives me a chance to run around and let off steam, while also working my brain. I'm helping out with some of these games at the moment, so I'm starting to look into the FX makeup, which is fun in itself.
alt.fan.pratchett
I don't know if reading a usenet group should count as a hobby, but I seem to spend a heck of a lot of time doing it. A great bunch of people, talking about all sort of stuff, sometimes even including books by a certain author.
Just to prove there is life away from the computer, we sometimes meet up, and pictures tend to get taken.
Music
I also try writing a bit of music, but I need some better equipment before I can produce the stuff I really want to do. Influences (and favourite bands) include UFO, Thin Lizzy and Jim Steinman.
Amatuer Dramatics
Thanks to a.f.p I've become involved with West Bridgford Drama Society, doing the sound for their production of Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters. I can see myself being involved on the tech side of future productions, and who knows, maybe even acting.
Have a look at the pictures from the plays I've been involved with.

Well, that takes care of more spare time than I've got, to the point of some of the above clashing with each other. Oh well . . .



Back to my home page.

On to my link page.

On to the photo page.