Luke the Vegan's Page

I have found that a little exercise before a blender full of bananas to be the best way for me to start the day. Time spent walking, conversing, gardening or reading also do me good. Few things are as nourishing as being useful to others.

Parties hold little interest for me, as I much prefer conversations one-on-one or in small groups. I am not looking for lots of friends, just a few good ones. Sharing a laugh is as important as a fabulously deep discussions. I am particularly partial to British humour. The silly, the absurd and satirical amuse me endlessly.

Quiet solitude is slso something I need. One of my favourite things to do is sit on my verandah overlooking the garden with a book in one hand, a coffee in the other, with some fine Japanese jazz playing on the stereo.

I'm passionate about sustainable cities and design. I have a keen interest in permaculture, organic food and urban agriculture. I love hiking in the wilderness, but I am an urbanite at heart. I want to be able to walk or cycle everywhere - to work, to the markets, to the cafe or to the beach. I'm appalled by much of suburbia and yearn for the tight cobbled streets of medieval European cities like Venice and Amsterdam.

Besides spending much of my life studying, I have valued my time making documentaries and volunteering with environmental groups. I studied politics, philosophy and sociology along with media before going onto to do an MA in sustainability. I studied that which interested me. I'm now reaping the seeds I sowed - doh! I would love to get some more work in sustainable assessment. I've been having a bit of a break, but looking to re-emerge from my comfy cottage and engage with the world again.

When I become overwhelmed by the problems of the world, I try to remember that everything we do changes the world - at least in some way. As Gandhi said, 'be the change you want to see in the world.' So I try to take some heart in the small choices I make every day. The good work of good people is a constant inspiration.

Meida Tastes
Comedies - Monty Python, Little Britain, Flying High, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jon Stewart…
MUSIC - Radiohead, Massive Attack, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Beck, Nina Simone, Air...
FILM - Dr. Strangelove, Life of Brian, Fargo, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, American Beauty….
BOOKS - Peter Singer's 'Ethics Into Action' (but I'm not a huge fan of his utilitarianism), E.F. Schumacher's 'Small is Beautiful', Charles Landry's The Art of City Making. Jane Jacobs' 'The Death and Life of Great American Cities', other authors include Hunter S. Thompson, Tolkein, Dosteovsky, Chuck Palahniuk...

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What I'm looking for really depends on who I meet. I'm up for good conversation over coffee, going to see live music, catching a quirky flick or having a hit of tennis (I'm keen to find a local tennis partner).

I'm keen to meet anyone sharing similar interests and ideals. I am particularly keen to meet fellow vegans or vegetarians in town.

Relationship-wise, I'm looking for a symbiotic partnership; where we compliment and support one another's passions and bring out the best in each other.