All about you

It all began during a trip to the theatre seeing an advert for open auditions for a future play, however it didn’t go well, but led to a better option however with only two weeks till opening it was a challenge. We talk about learning lines and how being an actor is sometimes easier than being yourself and his roles in Expecting Carol and 12 Angry men. Taking on roles made famous by well known actors and finding his own voice and bringing his own mannerisms to the role and making it his own and Bill's plum role The Sunshine Boys and we talk about the amazing chemistry between some actors and playing the male lead in Jakes Women with 7 other women and finding his now wife in that play

Dive into the booming gaming industry, where revenue surpasses that of film and music combined. Explore how games like Fortnite rake in massive profits through in-game purchases despite being free. Discover the allure of gaming spectatorship on platforms like Twitch, where streamers can earn millions. Uncover the psychological tactics that drive player spending and the balancing act of parenting in a gaming-dominated world. All this, alongside insights on inclusivity and the promising future of indie game developers!

An interesting story about the building of the Panama canal and it’s rich history and settling into the rhythm of retirement. Climbing the tallest Volcano Baru 3474 metres high and joining the Orchid club to pursue his passion as there are 1200 different species in Panama alone and a story about another friend Harry from back in the Shell Oil days. Cycling to the local airport and hoping on a plane to take advantage of cheap flights to Costa Rica etc as well as organising social events for the Dutch. How Romance blossoms on a virtual date became the reason for a decision to be made on where to live and for Pier Valencia Spain here I come.

Retiring to Aruba was the plan but it did not quite work out as planned….Having maintained a house in Aruba for more than 20 years the plan was to retire there and then a phone call from Shell international changed all that and he went back to Egypt for a while. However back in Aruba boredom soon set in as he missed culture as it was a holiday island so what was Pier going to do?

Living and working in Egypt gave Pier a great opportunity to enjoy history that’s dates back more than 6000 years.Emjoying to the full his passion for scuba diving and enjoying the delights of a cruise on the Nile.  

Being accepted as the poor Dutch boy as he was driving a 2nd hand car in Houston, however he enjoyed the annual rodeo event the Nasa Johnson space centre and the theatre district. We talk about the lifestyle in hurricane season, and visiting San Antonio with its canals and The Alomo. Also New Orleans along the Mississippi river and the famous French quarter with the annual Mardi Gras and drinking champagne in a hot air balloon.

Having to complete a course on Bear management if you want to go hiking and coping with daily earthquake tremors while living in Sakhalin Island Russia. Living in prefabricated houses made in Canada to withstand the extreme winters with entrance doors on two levels so there was always access despite the snow piling up outside in -23C. Also how do you part a Russian worker with his Vodka with a no alcohol during working hours regulation?

Due to strikes in Venezuela Piers possessions took three months to arrive so he stayed in a hotel in the centre of London ideal for visiting theatres and museums before settling in Gerrards Cross and working on a project with Russia Enjoying Windsor castle, Bath, Brighton,Stratford upon Avon and Stonehenge and visiting York during the Viking festival as well as taking the Eurostar to Paris before it was time for his next posting in Sakhalin Island in Russia.

Pier talks about the festival of Loy Krathong an offering to the Goddess of Water and his passion for growing Orchids. He tells the story of the construction of the Death railway and the famous silk industry 

If the tree trunks don’t get you the Hippos might! Pier is now in Gabon but no swimming in the sea due to the huge tree trunks below the surface, because the trees were waiting to be collected by the tug boats to be taken to the main port and if you are swimming in the esturies watch out for the Hippos. Also an amazing story of Nobel peace prize Albert Schweitzer for his hospital work.Dr Eiffel who built the Eiffel tower used left over metal to build a church the Saint Anne Mission and we talk about Pier’s love of Orchids