About

Hey, thanks for stopping by, I’m Mark!  If you’ve gotten this far, you’ll see that I have a website, and not just any old website.  We’ll get to that later!

Who is Mark?

I’m a 26 year old from Northern Ireland, engaged to the beautiful Vikki – getting married November 2010.  I work as a research academic for a Russell Group University in the field of aero-acoustics.  Sounds fancy?  It’s not really – it just means I study noise due to air moving.  I recently completed my PhD, and have passed my Viva (pending corrections)!

That’s what I’m up to at the minute (besides blogging – of course).  Before that, I had a pretty normal life for a kid in the UK.  Seven years at primary school, then 7 more years at a secondary school.  I passed out with a handful of GCSE’s and A-Levels.  After that I hit University, eventually earning my Masters of Engineering in 2006.

Since about 2002 I taught myself how to develop websites.  I started out with HTML, then worked through CSS and some Javascript.  PHP was next, and it’s really gone from there.  I run wordpress because I haven’t the time, nor inclination to finish the content management system I had planned.  As such, I generally try and teach myself anything I can, both out of career development and personal interest.  When I have spare time, I enjoy numerous sports.  I’ve even tried playing ice-hockey!  That’s me in the red.

Why is Mark online?

I have a personal website for two reasons.  The initial reason was because I had taught myself all of my web development knowledge from books and research – no official training.  Obviously when applying for jobs, without the paperwork to show I can do it, it’s having to trust my word.  I started my website as a way to show off that I can actually do what I say I can do.  A portfolio, if you wish.

The second reason – which is more to do with why this is more of a blog than website – is because I have found myself being a bit of a go-to guy with friends and family.  People come to me for advice, like studying for their PhD, or wanting websites done or fixing their computers.  I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share my knowledge with others.  Part of my job as well means I have to teach poor unsuspecting undergraduates aerodynamics.  I really enjoy teaching people – especially those who want to learn!

What’s in it for Mark?

This is a simple one to answer.  I aim to share anything I can and be as transparent as I can through this website.  I want to provide you with something of value, something that has helped you.  Whether thats learning how to blog, or reading up on some of my travel stories, or my ramblings about studying, or whatever I write about.  I hope you can take something from this to help you on whatever adventure your life brings.

Want more?

On every page I have a little about me summary on the top right, under which I have links to the famous social apps I am part of.  Or, you can find me…

• Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/markbell10
• Del.icio.us – http://delicious.com/markbell10
• Linked In – http://www.linkedin.com/in/markbell10
• Stumble Upon – http://markbell10.stumbleupon.com/
• Twitter – http://twitter.com/markbell10

Why not check out 10 random facts about Mark Bell!

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