He is the most interesting speechwriter in the world

One year from today—and this is how I avoid killing myself on another Monday morning in February—I will be in Sydney, Australia, presiding over the first-ever Asia-Pacific Speechwriters Conference.

Seeking speakers and participants for that sun-kissed speechwriting symposium, I’ve run across some people from cool places, with exotic names—for instance, I’m looking forward to meeting the Brisbane rhetoric grad student Emerald Moon. 

But no one has captured my imagination like a New Zealander named Paul Savage, who lists his occupation on LinkedIn as … 

Speech Writer. Heavy Diesel Equipment Operator.

… and then elaborates: "I'm a communications and public relations professional who specialises in speech writing. I'm also a heavy diesel equipment operator with proven experience on combine harvesters, tractors (500+ horsepower, with AutoSteer), loaders and numerous farm implements in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand."

Savage also has his “Unrestricted Heavy Rigid” license, and is checked out on a Roadranger gearbox.

But how is he with gerunds and linking verbs?

I look forward to finding out Down Under, next February 11-13.

(Maybe you can scrape together a few bucks for the vacation of your life, and call it a business trip? Think of it. I'll let you know when registration opens.)