Hello all. I have been reading all the introductions and such and forgot to post my own. So here it is.

My name is Kevin Pickard and I am from Canada. I have been vegetarian for over 15 years. I have been vegan for the last 10 years. I started out being a vegetarian because I did not like meat. I continue to be a vegetarian for many reasons including ethics, environment, health (mine and others) and peace.

Since becoming vegetarian I have never looked back and never felt better. I am quite active for the cause and am currently in my 6th year as President of the Toronto Vegetarian Association (hosts for WVC 2000, http://www.veg.ca), 4th year as VUNA Vice-President, and 2nd year as an IVU Councillor. I have a paying job as a computer programmer and that puts the veggies on my plate (and allows me to go to congresses :-). I consider my real job, though, the volunteer work I do for the vegetarian cause.

I have always fought for the future of *all* inhabitants of this planet and since the birth of our daughter in June http://www.interlog.com/~kpickard/sara), I now fight for her future as well. Shortly after she was born I made a promise to her. I told her I would do everything within my power to leave this world in better shape than I found it. I fully intend to keep that promise.

For those interested, I am also a Toastmaster and I use the skills I have developed there to promote the vegetarian cause.

I am really looking forward to the Thai congress.

Take care everyone and see you all soon.