Character Profile
Jo
Name:
Jo
Age:
34
Occupation:
civil engineer
Where do they live (geographic coordinates or location)?
New Farm, Brisbane, Australia. (Originally from the UK, and working in Australia for 2 years)
Why did they choose to live where they live?
Interesting work opportunity and nice small liveable city with beautiful countryside (rainforest, bush and coastlines) all around. Chose to live in a suburb close to work because it is the first time in life I can afford to do so, and it is great - I can walk to work in 25 minutes, which is a massive increase in quality of life from the 1.5 hour journey I used to have into London each way, every day.
What kind of dwelling do they occupy?
2 bedroom appartment in low rise block
With whom do they live?
Boyfriend
How do they get to work?
Walk. 27 minutes and 204 calories each way.
How do they get around their community in general?
Walk and sometimes bus or taxi. Car for trips out of the city at the weekend.
How do they relate to the people in their community?
Haven\'t been here long, so don\'t know many people. Have made efforts to get to know a few neighbours. Everyone is really friendly - there is a nice community feel here. Have been actively involved in community issues in places I have lived previously.
Who do they interact with most?
Boyfriend Work colleagues and friends at work Parents (via Skype) Friends and family back home, by email and phone
Do they travel?
Yes - drive to the countryside at weekends (approx 1.5 hours each way). Occasionally fly interstate for work or on holiday. Worked internationally during career
Where have they commonly traveled?
Locally to countryside around city. Europe, Australia, USA, mainly for work.
What is the furthest distance they have travelled? Where?
From London to Australia (to move house!)
What is the one place they would like to visit and why?
The Great Barrier Reef, because I\'d like to learn more about it and it looks stunningly beautiful. It is the one thing I would like to see before I leave Australia.
What is their attitude toward food?
Eat pretty healthily and regularly cook at home (rarely eat ready meals, sometimes eat out). Would like to make ethical choices, but don\'t really know how to. Feel awful about the packaging, food miles and waste resulting from supermarket shopping. Was upset by reading an article recently about the damage trawling does to our oceans. Ready to make ethical choices, but don\'t feel I know how to/have the option to. Not vegetarian, but limit meat eating to a couple of times a week. If I had a garden, I would like to grow food. I am interested in small scale hyroponics, but only just starting to read about it.
What is their favourite meal? What is something they have never eaten but would like to try?
Liver and onions Should try kangaroo (since it is local and very lean meat) but somehow can\'t bring myself to do it.
What is the highest level of education they pursued/completed?
Masters degree and professional qualifications
How much do they earn monthly?
7,000 Australian dollars after tax
What was their most expensive purchase?
A house on the outskirts of London
How do they relate to material wealth?
I spend fairly frugally for my income. I am originally from the UK and would like to go back to live in London. At the moment, I can only afford to live a long way out of the city, so I am saving money to try to buy a house closer to the centre of London, but it is very very expensive.
What is their global footprint? To what do you attribute the largest part of their footprint? (ie travel, purchases, food)
12.92 tonnes of carbon, 2.91 planets :-( 16% food 25% travel 17% house 42% stuff (unusually high - resulting from setting up home from scratch in Australia this year)
What are their hobbies and interests?
Bushwalking/hiking/camping Photography and drawing Jewellery making Exercise and getting fit
What is their favourite colour?
Red
Who is their favourite music band?
Classical music of any kind
What was the last book they read?
\'For the term of his natural life\' by Marcus Clarke
What is their attitude toward technology and why?
Can\'t live without the internet. Don\'t upgrade technology very often, partly because it seems a waste and partly because I\'m not into the things that require regular upgrades. Not fond of mobile phones and rarely switch mine on, which really annoys my friends.
What technology could they not live without?
The internet
What are their key values?
The importance of friendship and making others happy. The importance of community and looking out for others. The importance of family.
How would you describe their upbringing? How have things changed?
Quiet country village a long where from anywhere - very sheltered upbringing. Now live a very urban city life.
What are their personal strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths - friendliness and approachability Weaknesses - disorganised
What is their next big life event?
Moving home to London in a few months time
What do they care about?
Friends, family Preserving the countryside and wild places. Living in Australia for a while (where wild places still exist) has made me so much more aware of the impact we have on the environment. Life long Learning
What six words would describe their personality or character traits?
Friendly Responsible A worrier Ambitious and determined Contemplative Creative
What do they believe in and why?
I don\'t believe in God, despite a religious upbringing. I believe that our actions are largely controlled by instincts and we should seek to understand these drivers on our actions. While I live by many of the religious values ingrained in me as a child, I think that religious teachings give too narrow a view of ethics.