The Growlersworld Interviews

INDEX

The Growlersworld Interviews is an ongoing quest, bringing you closer to successful and creative people in all walks of life.

Christopher Whytock presents...

A conversation with Rawle Austin – Growler, taking a break from interviewing others, bites back!

Rawle Austin, previously by day a mild mannered civil servant. By night, a man who immerses himself in all things cultural, from films and comic books to sport and computers. In a dramatic move, the man who Rawle christened the “Future Voice of Football” cornered Growler to put the boot on the other foot… To grill Growler on his opinions, on his passions so the people who view his site can get a true understanding of the views and thoughts of the great one himself… the one and only Growler.

Christopher Whytock: Firstly, what inspired you to create this wonderfully designed website?

Rawle Austin: It was meant to be an online portfolio of my writing (a kind of hybrid between a 'super-blog' and an information provider) and it basically expanded from there.

This is how it used to look in the beginning.

I’ve always harboured a creative urge or two and this was a way to do so and share it with the world at large. That’s the whole beauty of the internet. Being able to reach people worldwide.

I also use it to channel my pent up creativity.

It’s a kind of fantastic mix of words and pictures, brought together to tell a story, something that graphic novels do very well.

So in a way, my inspiration was nurtured by my love of reading superhero fiction in comic book and graphic novel format. I am very inspired by creative people and some of the most creative souls I’ve encountered are comic book creators, both writers and artists. Some of the sites I come across seem like these massive faceless entities and commodities so I wanted to try to ‘humanise’ or maybe that should be 'personalise' a site in my own way. Hence the pictures (mug shots) on every page. I’ve had no formal web design training, evidenced by the simple layout. In the early days, I just bought a book on Dreamweaver MX (a web design program) and muddled through from there.

It’s a very organic process, meaning I try something, make a mistake, change it and keep doing that until it works. Then I rinse and repeat.

Basically, I develop it naturally, currently broadcasting live from Streatham, London, UK.

I have to mention that inspiration and moral support was and continues to be provided by my family and friends.

CW: You have a great affinity for China; tell us how that was sparked?

RA: I’ve always liked Chinese culture. I guess the passion started in my younger days from watching and enjoying Hong Kong Chinese films, particularly Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan films. Another reason for the strong affinity is probably because the culture seemed so different to our own in the West. It had a sense of mystery and an unknown quality about it.

I also love Chinese food but the spark truly ignited during my first visit to China in 1999. I went to the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an. I was truly captivated by their individual beauty and ancient history.

Seeing the popular tourist sites such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and other temples and ancient architecture was breathtaking. Also, the warm, almost innocent fascination of the Chinese people with foreigners was an incredible experience. I vowed to start to learn the language when I returned. To gain a greater understanding of the culture, I did a part-time course for two years, one evening day a week. This was in the Language Centre at London’s South Bank University. My teacher at the time, Jane Zhao, was a fantastic tutor and her enthusiasm and teaching methods were much welcomed by the class and served to further cement my passion for China. I now have a basic fluency in spoken Mandarin but aim to increase my proficiency step by step.

During this time I rediscovered Chinese cinema and especially the films of directors Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Curse of the Golden Flower) and Chen Kaige (The Emperor and the Assassin) which I highly recommend.

Then in 2004 I went back to China for three months to teach English. It was a fantastic experience and I made many friends there who I’m still in contact with.

I had the incredible opportunity to visit the area around the Three Gorges Dam (Sanxia) in Yichang, Hubei province by boat. Words cannot describe the natural beauty I witnessed on that cruise on the Yangtze river (Chang Jiang).

I’m still learning the language informally in my own time with a view to be totally fluent at some stage. CW: What is it about that particular country that appeals to you? RA: Aside from its long, proud history and its language (Mandarin Chinese) it has to be the people I’ve met there during my stays. I’ve made some great friends there, including Irene Cai, Leanne Liang, Wendy Wu and Michel Yin and I keep in contact with them often.

It’s just that warmth and hospitality that I found so ingrained in the culture that hit me the most.

It's very similar to that of Guyana in South America that I've also had the pleasure to visit.

For example, a common greeting in China translates as “Have you eaten yet?” I found that quite heart warming and sincere.

I also think the general contrast of the surroundings, it's a rapidly developing country, compared with home in London, a developed city, is a great refresher of the senses.

That’s why I feel travelling is so important. Home or abroad. It’s easy to get bogged down with the everyday stuff so a break does so much good. I find the longer the break, the better, as you get to immerse yourself in different surroundings and your survival instinct is fully awake.

The fact that the language couldn’t be more different to English is another challenge. The first time I was in China, just seeing all the billboards and shop signs in Chinese threw me as I didn’t have a clue what was going on.

It was in part scary but also exciting at the same time. That’s when I decided I wanted to learn the language, to get a greater insight. I found learning Chinese very exciting due to the tonal nature of the language and artistic quality of the Chinese characters (words). Mandarin Chinese has four tones so one word can have four different meanings depending on how you pronounce it! Also, Chinese characters are made up of individual components (strokes) and these must be written in a particular order!

It does actually flow when you write it in the correct order.

They say the best way to understand another culture is by learning the language and also by trying the food. I did plenty of the latter, the food was fantastic!

I have to say the taste and flavours were so natural and delicious that it easily surpassed the Chinese food that I had tried in London to date.

CW: Your connection to China is enhanced by the fact that you are the film correspondent for Chinatown magazine. How did you land such an interesting job?

RA: I wrote an article in 2004 for Growlersworld.com about my first 1999 trip to China. During a visit to the Chinese New Year celebrations in Leicester Square in February 2004 I encountered someone giving out free promotional copies of the magazine to passers by. I took a copy and emailed the editor, Davidine Sim to see if they were interested in publishing the article. They said yes and the rest is history. I’m now the Film Correspondent for the magazine and also a Trustee of the Pearl Foundation.

As I’m based in London and the magazine is based in Manchester, I cover various events happening in London which involve the UK Chinese community.

These assignments have been great as they have taken me to places I’ve never been to and met interesting people I never would have met otherwise. It's great to part of such a vibrant, dynamic and innovative team.

Some of the functions I’ve attended have been held at City Hall, the London 2012 Olympic site in Stratford and the London 2012 Olympic office in Canary Wharf, the London Eye, The House of Commons, the Dorchester Hotel and various film screening venues around London's West End.

I’ve interviewed legendary film director Seijun Suzuki, director Byam Byamsuren and actresses Karen Mok and Bai Ling. I've written quite a few film reviews but wouldn’t call myself an expert by any means. I’m still learning. The Pearl Foundation and Chinatown Magazine aim to raise the profile and highlight the positive achievements of Chinese people, living in the UK, to society and aims to share Chinese culture to the world at large. It was founded by entrepreneur William Ong. CW: As the film correspondent for Chinatown magazine you have met many fine actors/directors etc and watched many a creation. Film in general is one of your great passions. Can you tell us what your favourite film is of all time and why? RA: There have been so many gems that it would be impossible to name just one.

I’m a huge science-fiction and fantasy fan so it stands to reason I love the recent Lord of the Rings trilogy by director Peter Jackson, the Star Wars Trilogy, The Blade Trilogy, The Matrix, Serenity, I-Robot and Spider-Man to name a few.

However, I would have to narrow it down to Superman the Movie/Superman 2 (starring Christopher Reeve) and Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

Between the two of them they have a lot of heart and I can still watch them and feel like it’s the first time. The big test is do they stand the test of time. A good film will always do so. It will have a heartfelt sincerity and a solid story filled with real emotion.

This is seen in Terminator 2 by the reactions of people when they realise what Arnold Schwarznegger’s T-100 character actually is and the horror that is the T-1000.

The T-1000 was basically an advanced, updated version of a robot machine, hellbent on stopping the mission of Schwarznegger's character.

The realisation that his character was sent from the future to prevent a catastrophe is shocking for the supporting cast to comprehend and is fantastically portrayed. The fear and wonder is displayed wonderfully throughout and the themes of family and protection of human life just strikes a chord. Of course, this is topped off with some absolutely sublime special effects which fit seamlessly into the movie and take it to another level. I always get a buzz when watching this movie and if you haven’t seen it yet I urge you to do so. Director James Cameron and the rest of the cast and crew created magic with this sci-fi action movie, rated 18. Superman the Movie is a warm, comforting piece of film that just makes you feel good. From the opening score, the music really pulls you into the film but it’s the fantastic cast that take your hand through this story and run with it.

Every single major character is memorable, sincere, believeable and entertaining in their own way.

The film is built around a trio of tremendous talents and giants of the screen, the late legendary Marlon Brando, the always excellent Gene Hackman, and the late Christopher Reeve. Brando plays Superman’s father with such gravitas and presence that plunges you deep into his world.

Hackman, playing Superman’s arch nemesis Lex Luthor brings a touch of cunning charm that makes him the perfect opponent for the Man of Steel.

But it is Reeve who brings Superman (and his secret identity, Clark Kent) to life like no other man could. Every mannerism, every action is picture perfect. Make no mistake about it. Reeve is Superman. And you believe it every second of the film.

And I can’t forget Margot Kidder who plays Superman’s love interest Lois Lane and is totally brilliant. She really ‘got’ the character. Together with the first sequel Superman 2, I could watch these time and time again and revel in the quality. The story was written by Mario Puzo who wrote The Godfather and the themes of family and father and son really bind the film together.

Even to this day, on hearing the opening theme tune, it sends a tingle down my spine and makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck in excitement.

Pure class!

Breaking news! Just saw Spider-Man 3 and this is definitely up there as one of my all time favourites. I won’t spoil the film for you but, for many of the reasons listed above, this ranks highly for me.

CW: Can you name us your favourite actor, actress and director and tell us what they have that makes them number one in your eyes?

RA: Again there have been so many of each that’s it’s impossible to choose. I think Tom Cruise is a terrific actor and has played a vast range of roles. He just seems to get inside the skin of whatever character he plays. One of his finest performances was as a sports agent in the film Jerry Maguire.

The range of emotions he displayed was phenomenal from desperate despondency to ultimate elation. You really feel for the characters he portrays whether it be in the Mission Impossible series, Minority Report, The Last Samurai or War of the Worlds. Zhang Ziyi is my favourite actress and I will happily see any film she does. She's such an all rounder.

Able to do deep and meaningful character pieces such as those that she played in the film 2046, to complex and emotionally tortured warrior maidens in Chinese wuxia (sword and action) movies.

She is incredibly athletic and can dance and perform incredible fight scenes with complicated choreography. These are seen in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which was her break out movie and House of Flying Daggers.

Favourite director is slightly harder to choose from so I'm limited to household names in this respect. I don't really follow directors rather than films and concepts. I like what Peter Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong.

These were action and emotional powerhouses that were crafted with much love. I loved watching the behind the scenes footage showing how the films were made and I respect what he did to bring those films to life. He also directed an earlier film called The Frighteners which was very enjoyable. I don't think there's a director who I would definitely watch all their films. I have to like the concept and the genre.

I'm not the biggest fan of horror films, after an over indulgence of watching them in the early nineties, but I can see their appeal.

CW: Can you also tell us who provided you with your best interview while working for Chinatown magazine?

RA: Definitely actress Bai Ling. I didn’t know what to expect when I met her and was bowled over by her down to earth personality. She was very relaxed and really went into depth in her answers. Her character really came through in the interview.

Most of the answers I received were totally unexpected and beautifully natural. She’s someone who’s very comfortable with herself and oozes self confidence. Very charming, very kind and very wise. Interviewing her was an experience I will never forget.

I'd like to share it with you here. CW: What ingredients do you believe are essential for a film to possess for it to receive a good review from you? RA: It must grab you, take you to its world and keep you there until the end, leaving you wanting and begging for more. Characterization and emotion, momentum and action, clear plot and story. A great and satisfying ending is essential too. Examples of films that I rate highly are the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. These had everything. Solid characters that you cared about and felt for. They all went on personal journeys and, through which, saw the extremes of great sorrow and heart-warming joy. The action scenes, whether it was hands on gritty battles or sweeping, CGI special effects laden, armies attacking armies were poetic and poignant.

As you cared more about the characters, you were on the edge of your seat wondering what the eventual outcome would be.

The ending was just magic. The title alone, the Return of the King, said it all. All the drama had led to that point and seeing it was the icing on the cake.

From the reluctance of Aragon to take up the mantle as the sole inheritor of his family's legacy to his gradual growth and maturity into the king he was born to be was just beautiful to see unfold.

Actor Viggo Mortenson really made the character his own and breathed life into Aragorn. He literally stole every scene and made you care. CW: As well as film, another medium you love is comics. Working in a comic book store you must have encountered many varieties. Why do you have such a love for comics? RA: Comics, in particular superhero comics, are the greatest form of escapism ever devised, in my opinion.

They are superior to movies, novels and TV series that feature sci-fi and fantasy.

Comics are a medium in which a creator can tell any story without being restricted by a budget. They are limited only by their imagination. You can be literally transported to any place and any time.

The finest writers can immerse you in a world and hold you there until the story ends. A few can even create a body of work that you just cannot put down until the last page has been read.

Writers such as Stan Lee, Alan Moore, Roger Stern, Dwayne McDuffie, Chris Claremont, Priest, Grant Morrison and Warren Ellis. Find work written by any of these authors and prepare for an enjoyable ride.

I’ve also encountered some of the world’s greatest artists in the pages of comic books. These illustrations just have to be seen to be beheld. Artists such as Jack Kirby, John Buscema, John Byrne, Jim Lee and Jim Cheung have produced stunning drawings to compliment the story being told. I worked at Forbidden Planet in West Croydon for one and a half years and it was just heaven.

It had been an ambition of mine to work in a comic shop before that point so the realisation of that dream was fantastic.

I met some great friends there and, of course, got to see many types of comic book. My favourite variety is the superhero comic as it contains the most cutting edge science-fiction and fantasy around.

I just love the fact that you can be transported to another world, practically breathe the atmosphere and interact with the characters. It's an interesting counter-balance to everyday life and world current affairs, just like all entertainment should be.

That's why I have such a love for comics.

CW: Do you have a favourite comic book series? RA: Oh yes. The Avengers from Marvel Comics. Most people know of the X-Men but Marvel also created one of the best superhero groups of all time with this group. The main reason The Avengers is my favourite series is because it was the first title I ever bought way back in 1985.

The writer at the time was a guy called Roger Stern and the book was illustrated by the late, great John Buscema.

Between these two creators I was captivated and catapulted into worlds as stunning as they were different. This was due to the quality of the writing.

The level of sophistication in both the writing and the artwork is breathtaking and plotlines regularly tackle such topics as social and political issues.

The recent Civil War event asked what if the government passed a law commanding all superheroes to become, effectively, civil servants.

It dealt with people's views both for and against this policy and made for a fascinating storyline.

The characters lives and decisions made within were absolutely engrossing and full of emotion and the only comparisons I can think of now would be the TV shows Heroes and LOST.

Both these TV series and others have been heavily influenced by concepts from writers of superhero comic books and, indeed, several current comic book writers provide stories for the small screen.

Another comparison would be the big budget blockbuster summer movies. The quality ones. The ones that knock you senseless because they're so good. Except with a comic book you have an unlimited budget so special effects and locations are not a problem. The team roster steadily increased to include the great and the good of the Marvel Universe. It featured Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Wasp and Giant Man as the founding members. Each of these characters had their own distinct personality and therefore, conflicts often arose. These conflicts were what made the Marvel Universe so interesting and appealing. The stories were grounded in reality. Today there are two main Avengers titles that feature different line ups.

Namely, the New Avengers and the Mighty Avengers.

Both are written by writer extraordinaire Brian Bendis and illustrated by artists Leinil Francis Yu and Frank Cho respectively.

They continue to build on the great legacy of the series by providing engaging and exciting stories and concepts.

The title has grown into something of a franchise and is now getting some mainstream love with the recent Ultimate Avengers animated movies and the comic book remake titled 'The Ultimates' by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch.

If you've never tried a Marvel comic book or graphic novel I whole heartedly recommend you dive into some Avengers for a great read.

CW: There have been a number of films recently that have been based on comic books. For example, X-Men, Spider-Man and the Hulk. Are you a fan of these adaptations on the big screen or do you think the films fail to capture the essence of the comic books? RA: I’m a fan of these adaptions when they are done right. Del Toro on Blade 2, Sam Raimi on Spiderman 1, 2 & 3, Bryan Singer on X-Men and Chris Nolan on Batman Begins are just a few of the examples of directors who got it right. They gave you the core of the characters while mixing in the incredible action scenes that are the hallmark of the genre. Comic books are notoriously difficult to translate directly to the big screen. Part of the reason is that special effects, though advanced, are still not at the stage where they can recreate every single concept that has been imagined in a realistic manner. Good acting can only get you so far.

Take for example The Thing in the Fantastic Four movie. Despite the quality acting by Michael Chilkis the effects still look a little cheesy. The character is supposed to be composed of rock but it doesn’t look quite right and is a little too cuddly for my liking.

The technology will be available in the future to sort that out, of that I have no doubt.

Also, the adaptation must have plenty of original source material, that is concepts and characters which come directly from the comic book which spawned it.

An example where this was not done adequately was Ang Lee's Hulk. The film was quite good but failed to capture the spirit of the comic book and so it didn't feel like a Marvel Character.

Bryan Singer really captured the essence of the X-Men and Sam Raimi bottled lightening in his interpretation of Spider-Man.

Superhero comic books basically contain the most advanced science-fiction and fantasy epics that you can imagine. They contain huge concepts that are easily rendered by artists but would take billions of pounds to bring them to the big screen.

In a comic book, you must have good writing and good artwork for it to be a piece of magic. If any side falters (i.e. the writing or illustration) then the finished article will be pretty ordinary. This equates to films as you have to have a good story and good special effects. The key thing is story and plot. Without those you’ll have something which is not worth your time. And that’s another thing. Many of these characters have been around for decades and so have scores of storylines to choose from.

The problem for the movies is which story to adapt into a film.

Many screenwriters hedge their bets and use several stories in one film. The recent X-Men 3 movies combined the Dark Phoenix saga and also The Cure storyline. Again, if done well, you get a great result, otherwise beware!

CW: On to football, the great English game. You are a self confessed “armchair” Tottenham Hotspur fan. Why Spurs?

RA: No profound reason. When I was in school they were winning things and there was that whole Chas n Dave bandwagon going on. Chas and Dave were popular singers at the time and wrote a massive anthem for the team. Along the lines of "Spurs are on their way to Wembley." There were quality players in the side who were household names at the time. Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardilles and Garth Crooks. Later joined by Gary Liniker, Paul Gascoigne, Jurgen Klinsmann and David Ginola.

I must admit I’m no expert and have yet to set foot on the hallowed turf of Whitehart Lane! I used to put a pound on them every season to win the premiership in an act of blind faith. Previous odds of 350 to 1 should have warned me though!

Since I stopped doing that they’ve gone from strength to strength! Typical!

I think today’s squad 2006 – 2007 is one of the best we’ve had in years and it will continue to grow in stature. Jermaine Defoe, Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and all the boys are doing well and the future’s bright.

CW: Who is your favourite Spurs player of all time?

RA: Due to our recent poor run of form for much of the last decade, which ended when Jacques Santini stopped the rot and Martin Jol rebuilt the quality, I will choose from the last two seasons crop of players. Therefore, simply because the old memory isn’t what it used to be, I’m going to pick Dimitar Berbatov because I’m impressed every time I see him play and score. He's absolute quality. CW: A tad on hip-hop, Rawle, I know you are a hip-hop lover much like myself. What type of hip-hop is your favourite and do you have a favourite group/MC?

RA: Yes, I love positive hip hop but I must admit I love RnB more. This is due to the amazing influence of hip hop on that genre starting from New Jack Swing (or Swingbeat) to hip hop soul which are the parents of today's RnB.

I don’t really have a favourite type of hip hop as such and I should point out that I’m no expert by any means.

I love the general themes in the genre which are, in my opinion, the innovation and raw energy of the artists and producers. Original stories and poems often based on real life experiences backed by infectious beats.

Favourite MC’s? There are so many so I’ll just name a few. I like the smooth sound of LL Cool J, still going strong, to the comedy of Ludacris. Also, Run DMC and Public Enemy produced some great tracks.

Kanye West, Eminem and the ever smooth Jay Z continue to dazzle. And of course I have to mention the late Tupac and Biggie Smalls. The UK's Dizzee Rascal impressed me with his first album. CW: Hip – hop has changed a great deal with time. There has been an influx of hip-hop where people brag about their “bling”, exploits with women etc. Hip-hop used to be more of an important medium for communities to express their opinions on socio-economic issues. Public Enemy come to mind as an example. Do you like this “new” generation of hip-hop more than the old school style?

RA: Well, I like change. No, I love change and believe that all things must change to survive. I like the old school style of hip hop and I also like a lot of the new generation stuff for its raw energy.

The reality is that the world has changed since hip-hop first exploded onto the scene over twenty years ago and thus, socio-economic issues have also changed.

Hip-hop has simply changed to reflect this. It has splintered off into various sub groups reflecting the different markets (audiences) that enjoy it.

The bragging aspect has always been there to some extent and I feel it has now become a bit clichéd and somewhat slapstick. More comedy value than anything else. Again, reflecting changing tastes and attitudes.

The “bling” (jewellery) market is huge right now as are the fashion ranges, vehicles and other products shown, all of which provide jobs in those sectors so I can see why the bragging about bling is being done. However, I don’t condone bragging about exploits with women on any level or any negative lyrics and I believe it’s a bad example to set to the youth. Socio-economic issues continue to be addressed to this day and one recent example is Kanye West’s track ‘Diamonds from Sierra Leone’.

This talks about the illegal trade in blood diamonds which is causing devastation to communities in many African countries.

Hip-hop has grown from a small niche to a global industry which provides jobs for many people worldwide. Russell Simmons, Sean 'P Diddy' Coombs and Jay Z have done much in this regard. Both successful entrepreneurs.

Hip hop has a worldwide audience and therefore it has a responsibility to tell the truth on socio-economic matters in a positive, inspiring message.

To offer solutions as well as highlighting problems. To stress the importance of education and business. All music has the power to do this and entertain at the same time.

Artists, record labels, music video producers, street dance instructors and recording studios are but a few of the businesses flourishing at the moment.

Hip-hop is doing its bit for the UK and global economy by contributing to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) through encouraging consumer spending and business investment. It’s an entertainment medium which provides enjoyment to millions. Film director F Gary Gray got some of his experience directing hip hop videos and recently directed The Italian Job remake. Also, early in his career, Antione Fuqua directed Coolio’s Dangerous Minds video and recently directed the blockbuster King Arthur movie.

So hip-hop is one avenue for people to learn and hone their skills in various fields. It promotes positive achievement.

Hip-hop, at its heart, remains true to its core values of helping people, enjoying life and rebelling against the status quo where necessary.

Change is good!

CW: Finally, what is next for GrowlersWorld? Will it continue to thrive and grow? Are you still full of new ideas for the site?

RA: Yes, GrowlersWorld will continue to thrive and grow long into the future, all the while sticking to its core purpose of helping people and enjoying life. I'm trying to create what I call 'the world's greatest online experience' with the aim of wowing each visitor on arrival to such an extent that they want to spend time exploring the site and coming back for more. It boils down to providing the 'greatest combination of words and pictures' that the world has ever seen. Yahoo is currently the most popular site online worldwide (according to Alexa.com) so I've quite the way to go before this site reaches that level.

What exact form this growth will take and what's next is unknown at this present time and that’s good, as its free to seek new opportunities.

One measure of growth is the number of hits recieved each day and month. These have been steadily increasing so that gives encouragement.

As I've mentioned earlier GrowlersWorld evolves organically and all new ideas spring from that. The content will continue to be designed to contribute positively to society.

The learning curve continues and as I come across new approaches and collaborate with more people then you'll see a steady growth of new ideas and content.

GrowlersWorld is essentially a name and a set of core values (helping people, enjoying life). It can be attached to any business model which holds the above mentioned core values.

I want to kickstart The GrowlerVerse which is basically my entry into the world of fictional writing and a long held ambition.

I'd like to thank Danny Herbert and Liang Yan for their support and for providing quality content in the early days, and all the Growlersworld Interviewees, past and future for their fantastic responses. Also, more long term, I would like to make the site self-sufficient financially by creating revenue streams that will include advertising. I coined the term GROWLERVISION to encompass, describe and define the whole creative process that I use.

One advantage of the site is that it is able to change and adapt quickly to a changing environment, thus helping to cement its ability to last well into the future. Always welcoming new ideas and suggestions.

After all, the internet is a vast and amazing place with something for everyone. It's a wonderful learning tool and a great teacher.

I love working on GrowlersWorld and look forward to building it step by step everyday. I'll continue to invest in it financially and I don't intend to retire from it. It's a long term project.

I also see GrowlersWorld as a kind of personal mechanism to stimulate progress. An opportunity to learn new skills and meet new, successful people.

So, basically, I plan to continue to build the site until I drop, which means there's more GrowlersWorld goodness to come!

Hassan Noshib: Porridge Power!>

<Lee Travers - Sailing his way to Musical Endeavours

[Back to Top]

[GrowlersWorld Business]

[Top 20 Charts: Site Statistics]

[Disclaimers, Small Print and Legal Stuff]

[Contact]

[Home Page]