About Darren

Firstly, thanks for taking an interest in me and my website. To that end I think it only fair that you know a little more of me and what makes me tick; I am a lover of life, albeit a bigger lover of the life I have now and I have had many ups and downs and made mistakes along the way. But here’s the thing, “eventually” I have learnt from them, something that for me, it feels only the University of Life has offered.

Check out my video with a song below and then a Q&A summary:

I describe myself as: A dreamer, a romantic, a worrier and a complex but every day kind of bloke. My brain works like a car crash with bits flying everywhere and I like being in my bubble. A family man who is experienced in everyday life’s trials and tribulations …. and a former binge drinker, who has now turned to sobriety and reaping the benefits!

Marital Status: Married with 2 amazing children (a blue and a pink) who have excellent “driving dad crazy” skills.

Wife describes me as: Complicated & hard work (Huh!) but Charismatic.

I describe my wife as (careful): Beautiful, kind and refined but mostly; My wing (Wo)man whom without my life would likely be a disaster. She is also my best friend and a damn fine model of a human being to stand by me all this time… However, she too is skilled at driving me crazy sometimes …. But this is normal right?

Alcohol in 3 words: Dangerous, problematic, nasty! Damn it 3 words isn’t enough, perhaps I need a blog about it!

Sobriety in 3 words: Contentment, exciting, future.

Best year/s of my life: In 2005 my wife and I were engaged in the Maldives and travelled all over that year. However, I honestly feel that health permitting the best years are ahead of me / us.

Worst years of my life: 2006 with the death of my mum, and it has been up and down since then. In 2014 my marriage nearly ended (my own making) and although I was well trained in alcohol abuse and its consequences already, I really began to spiral deeper and mess up even more over the next few years, where my mental health also suffered. Thankfully this is behind me now although I know that sobriety needs me to remain focused.

Music interests: Very eclectic with influences from Elvis & Johnny Cash to Neil Diamond, the Stones, House & Dance music and even Classical (when in the mood). I also play the guitar, albeit strum and sing a bit.

Favourite food/s: All kinds but a massive foody and I love to cook and bake. I do consider myself a dab hand in the kitchen, although without my wife cleaning up around me, I’d be in a right state.

Sporting interests: Used to love football but don’t play anymore and quite frankly, watching the fairies ponce around earning a Gazillion £/hr annoys me off so I don’t really watch it much either. I do go Swimming, golfing, walking outdoors and do exercise classes to keep me focused on staying fit and healthy, both body and mind.

Career: 4 paper rounds (sacked from 2), a Bettaware round (the annoying booklets you get through the door), supermarket assistant, time served Mechanical Craftsmen (when HSE hadn’t gone OTT and you could actually get away with horseplay at work), HND Mechanical Engineering, earned an Open University degree in Science, been on endless management courses and have been a successful sales professional for many years…… My drinking career has been much more colourful and scarier though, and has until recently, outstayed the lot and almost ended me!

Rounded up: At forty something, I have experienced an eclectic reality of life with many highs and lows, some of my own making, some I am extremely proud of and of course some I am most definitely not. The spectrum of my subject knowledge, either directly or indirectly includes (but is not limited to): Alcohol abuse, births, marriages & deaths, recreational drug use (no I am not a politician), romantic entanglement, Saturday jobs, high flying career jobs, odd nights in police cells, parenting, depression, social anxiety.. etc. etc. etc…. I could go on but think you get it!