Other things to know about me

As an introvert, I’m not a fan of small talk. But if you need to engage, here are some things you can talk to me about.

Having a good conversation starter is half the battle, right? Beats talking about the weather.

• I gave up alcohol in 2015 for health reasons.
• I’ve been a vegetarian since 1990.
• I’ve played guitar since 1982. I also play bass and drums.
• I’m a self-taught web developer but I’ve had books published and seen them on the shelves at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.
• I persuaded my GP to write to my landlord to say that a cat would benefit my mental health, so I basically got a cat on prescription.

• Code: github.com/philsherry
• Gigs: setlist.fm/user/philsherry
• Music: last.fm/user/philsherry

Two playlists I keep coming back to, sorted by song title. Play through them, or just read the track listing if you’re one of those weird Spotify people.

My spin on two truths and a lie. Here are 18 statements—which are false?

1. I’ve written, technically reviewed, edited, or planned over ten web development books.
2. I was once two hours late for a job interview because of a swan on the train line.
3. I once went to an FA Cup final with the singer of Echo and the Bunnymen and we consumed entirely too much brandy.
4. I was once stranded on an island off the east coast of Australia.
5. My cat fetches the mail for me.
6. I once had to prep Mike Myers (AKA Austin Powers) before he met a Beatle because he was so nervous about it.
7. I once missed my flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles because I’d lost track of the days.
8. I beta tested Siri for Apple as an exotic accent (Scouse).
9. As a photographer in the photo pit, bands from Brixton Academy to Warped Tour in Vancouver have recognised me.
10. One of my cousins came second in 2018’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
11. I have 20 guitars.
12. I once ran up a mobile phone bill that cost my employer £5,500.
13. I once took part in a half-time cheerleading competition for kids at a basketball game… when I was in my 30s.
14. As a lifelong Led Zeppelin fan, I once helped Jimmy Page’s daughter with a project she was working on.
15. My actions directly led to the permanent closure of a beloved bar in Liverpool where I’d spent thousands of hours (and pounds).
16. I used to be a techno DJ with green hair.
17. My paternal grandfather was once Al Capone’s getaway driver in Chicago.
18. Simon O’Brien (Damon Grant on Brookside) used to be my desk neighbour at work.