So here I am writing my first ever blog post. 

Where do I start? What insightful and visionary thoughts will I choose to share on this first endeavour into the blogosphere? ... Well after an interesting half hour wasted on googling 'first blog post' in the hope of inspiration it seems the prior art in this area is pretty uninspring, but good nettiquete would seem to suggest that I should at least include the following:

Just who do I think I am?
This one is easy. A 34 yr old male by the name of Mark Scott Johnson (the blog title kind of gives it away); one who has been residing in Sydney, Australia for the last 5+ years (after growing up in the UK and making my way here after aborted attempts at living in Japan and Canada). If that is not enough, you can find out more about me socially (facebook) here or professionally (linkedin) here.

Why am I bothering with this blogging thing?
The jury is still out on this one... At this early stage I have to admit I am still not 100% convinced this will be a successful endeavour. As anyone who knows me personally will certify, I don't have the slightest issue with either self-indulgence or self-promotion (which, IMHO are the primary driving forces behind 90% of the blogosphere); it's just that there is something (paranoia, British hang-ups?) about permanently sharing my personal thoughts with all and sundry that, quite frankly, doesn't fully agree with me (yet)...

What can you look forward to finding here?
Well, as of September, the (semi-)daily highlights of my annual birthday vacation trip (to China and DPRK (North Korea)). Outside of that, probably some irregular observations from my professional life as Consultant in the IT industry and, as my girlfriend likes to say, the odd lambastering (sic) episode. In general probably nothing of value to anyone I am not related to or haven't already met in the flesh.