Tod, The Communities Senior Moderator, speaks out!

[Administration]

Our 4th in a series of interviews of Key staff members, and fine contributors and we fly to Sydney Australia to sit down with Tod.  He came to the community shortly after the doors were opened and many facets of this organisation were still under construction.  He has been known to many for a long time and he was offered the helm of the official ambassadorship of the village as well as Head of the Moderation team for many reasons.  First among those reasons, however, was his long standing reputation as a real Naturist, and, his unequaled ability to be an ambassador and issue solver without any hint of aggression.  He is Tod, and he is, quite simply the key to all that goes on behind the scene. He, and his team work hard to ensure this place is a safe and enjoyable one for all. 



1.  You are an Aussie thru and thru and heavily involved in social recreation as being a part of your life. That is to be commended but one of our members asks:



At what point in your life did you think, "Wow, I'm a Naturist"?



Interesting question. Can't say I ever had a defining moment where I thought that. I've always love being nude, and always was when I was home alone when growing up. I remember the first time at a nude beach was very intimidating and took a lot of courage to get out of the car and walk to the beach. Once I was there it was a no-brainer. First time at a resort was the same. First time at a swim night was the same. I sat in the car for ages working up the nerve to go in. How energizing is it once you go through with it? Words can't describe.





2. What has been your best experience, nudity wise, ever?



Best moment nudity wise? Hmmm, another interesting question. I'd have to link it to the first times I went somewhere as in the first question. That moment of 'yeah I'm here and free' is always brilliant.



3. Beer or Cider? or Neither?


Haha, Beer of course. I love the malt ones, the king of all being Guinness draught from Ireland. Other favourites are by Coopers (South Australia) and Boags (Tasmania). I did try Cider when I was living in England. Not a fan.


4. There seems to be a huge difference between what younger people want from naturism and the traditional landed club approach. As an older member of the board, how have you seen naturism change over the years, and how do you see the future of naturism for young people?



I think we see it evolving all the time. Yes the days of the traditional landed club will probably always be there for the older generations, but for the younger ones, it's too boring. It think that events like Burning Man, Confest, and so on are great. I think we prefer to be places where there's something to do or see and the nudity is a part of that, not the whole reason for being there. Of course private parties and hanging out with friends is also another time and place to be nude if you want. Why go to a club with people you only ever see there and not in your normal day to day life, when you can have some mates over and hang out nude playing xbox/ playstation or watching movies?



5. In some countries, naturism seems to be part of the culture, eg Germany or Scandinavian countries, but others, such as the UK or America, it tends to be hidden away and you have to go looking for it. From this point of view, what is the attitude towards naturism in Australia?



In Australia it is similar to the England and America. Pretty well hidden and hard to find, unless you know where to look. I genuinely think people aren't really as offended as they try make out. It's more about appearing to dis-like it to appear 'normal' to their friends. But I ask "what is normal"? Why the attitude? It's a flock mentality I think. Funny thing is I think more people enjoy casual nudity than they let on.


6. What naturist activities are you involved in?



Well apart from the home nudity, I go to beaches (mostly Werrong and Cobbler's for the Sydney folk). I go to a nude resort (River Island) – I'd go to others but most either are prejudiced and don't allow single males, or are too far to go for short stays. I have also attended swim nights in both Sydney and on the north coast. I was actually a member of a Sydney group, Sydney Sun and Social Club, where I found myself being elected as Vice President for a year before work got in the way and I left. I also have a couple of naturist friends over for dinner and movies/ chat/ games and in return visit them on occasion.



7. What do you do at work/school? what are your aims for the future?



I work (not really the correct word as I have too much fun!) as a recording and live sound engineer. So basically I get paid to listen to music all day (and many nights). Tough hey? Can I tell you how good it feels when you're sitting next to a very high profile client (whom you've idolized for many years) listening to mixes you've just finished of him and his band when he looks over to you with a contented smile that simply says "fuck yeah!". Or at the end of another tune he simply says "I didn't want it to end'. Live music is another joy altogether. I love the instant reactions from the artists and crowd as it happens. For the future? I'm always working on improving what I do and doing more of it. Like I say, it's fun!



8. How easy is it for you to practice naturism where you are?



In my unit? Very easy as I live alone and the landlords give me tons of privacy. Unfortunately I can't be nude outside here as I have no balcony or yard, but that is going to change in the future. There are enough beaches within 30 minutes of here, and the resort is less than 2 hours away. So all told it's pretty easy.



9. Do your family know about your naturism?  If so, what is their view?



Haha, no! No-one in my family knows as I haven't told them. My mum could know as mums know everything due to their sixth sense, but I don't think so. It's never raised. If they asked me, sure I'd tell them. Funny thing is that I know my Dad is and has been for many years, but I've never told him I share his comfort with nudity. My mum is most definitely against the idea. The only time she is nude is when she showers and changes. I rarely see them apart which is cute, so I never get to tell Dad without the risk of offending Mum.



Same goes with my non-naturist friends and colleagues. Haven't told them, but if it came up in conversation I wouldn't avoid it. All my naturist friends I met as naturists.



10.  What about relationships personal?  Are you involved with someone, and what about past relationships as far as this interest is concerned?



Ohhh, going deep now hey? Well not currently involved as I work too much to put enough time and energy into a relationship. Past relationships have had nothing to do with naturism. I'm hoping this to change in the not too distant future, but I am comfortable living the Bachelor life ;)



11. What hobbies and interests do you have outside of naturism?



Music, obviously. I love it. All styles and volumes. Can't get enough. I absolutely love Scuba Diving. I got my Divemaster card so I can help others have a great time underwater too. I also love sailing with my folks, every time we go out is a great day.  Sadly due to work I haven't been doing near enough of either in the recent past. I enjoy playing Golf and Tennis although I am worse than bad at both. I love watching sports, all kinds from UFC to golf on the Tele (though I can't stand WWF etc...their acting is worse than my golf and that's saying something). I occasionally get to go to Rugby League games, but my main team are shocking at the moment. I've also been to a day at Wimbledon and a couple of Australian Open Tennis days in Melbourne as well as International One Day Cricket matches.


12.  Tell us about the wonder of Australia, what it means to you, and why there is such a mystic about it.



I really can't say enough about how much I adore the Outback. Every time I get out there, I feel so relaxed and at peace with the world. I'm constantly in awe of everything from the open water, the big open spaces to the valleys and gorges.



I remember thinking after being on holiday in England, Europe and USA, that most things we go to see there (and I am speaking broadly here) are man-made. All the cities, castles, coliseums, forts and cathederals are brilliant. In Australia, really, apart from the Opera House and the Harbour bridge (ha! And the big Banana, big Prawn, big Pineapple etc are just ghastly), the man-made stuff is rubbish. What's worth seeing is the mountains, coastlines, deserts, reefs, national parks and so on. The flora and fauna (plants and animals to the non-naturalist) are amazing.



13.  You have to move from Sydney.  You have to pick one place in Australia to move to. Where would that be?



Depends what I'm moving for. If it's for work, then most probably Melbourne. If I won a billion dollars and work wasn't a consideration, then either Far North Queensland as it's tropical and warmer than Sydney, or Tasmania because it's just a beautiful island.



14.  As the Senior Global Moderator, you have large duties on the site.  Tell us what goes on, behind the scenes and gives us a glimpse into what your team does.



Haha, well I think only senior in years. I'm no more important than the other mods. Some of the other mods aren't that active and as I don't have to keep a significant other amused when I get home, I can spend a bit of time sorting stuff out and seeing that the forum is running smoothly. It's also good that I'm in a different time zone to the others, so I can be online when they are not, which hopefully increases the security and helps keep the bad people from getting in and causing havoc. Seriously, the peeps on this forum are great, so there's practically nothing for me to do but join in and have a laugh.

15.  Favorite Aussie Pie is? A hot Pie. Seriously I love them. If I have a choice I'll go for one with beef, chilli and cheese, a curry one or just the humble beef pie. Actually, come to think of it, I'm not too fond of a vegetable pie, who ever thought they would be a good idea???



16.  Favorite Rugby Team?



Rubgy Union?– well obviously the Wallabies! I love watching the international matches. I took a Canadian colleague to see Australia (Wallabies) vs. the All Blacks (Kiwi's – a.k.a New Zealand) for a Bledisloe Cup match when the crowd was 110,000 strong, and I managed to get our seats - in the middle of the Kiwi supporters - Ha! We still had fun though the Kiwi's won.

Rugby League? – The Cronulla Sharks, despite the fact that they've only won one game since September last year and have never won a premiership since they began in 1967. I'm a life member of the club which is going through some tough times at the moment. My second team is the St.George Dragons, who are currently sitting at the top of the ladder and going great guns. The Sharks were my local team whilst growing up. I now live a couple of blocks from the home ground of the Dragons and have done for about 10 years.



17. There is a legendary iconic film called, Walkabout.  Tell us about it and how the nudity portrayed in that Aussie film was positive and thought provoking.



Interestingly, not known of in Australia. I've heard a lot about his film from our American and German friends, but never had the pleasure of seeing it yet so can't help you there.


18. How could you imagine yourself promoting naturism publicly? Would you join a TV coverage about naturism, or a take part at a promotional event in your home town?



Interesting question, but probably not at the moment, although that could change in the future. Who knows? I'm not really a fan of going on the tele, or crowds.



19. To what extent do you think the naturist lifestyle should be socially acceptable?



I think it would be great if the stigma (falsely) associated with it were not there. I just wish that people who have never bothered to experience it, would stop being so negative about the lifestyle. Should we be able to be nude anywhere? I don't think so. There is nothing else I can think of which we can do anywhere normally. There needs to be boundaries for the less socially adept members of the society.


20. What other resource about naturism can you recommend on the internet?



I think we have a good resource here on IYNO. Sure there's always something we haven't seen yet, but otherwise not really anything I can add. When I find something, I'll be sure to add it in the relevant section.

[Pisco]

Hey Tod!

Thank you so much for that interview, I really learned a lot about you! I didn't know you were a sound engineer, that's so cool!

[genxnaturist]

Hi
I enjoyed reading the interview.  Nice to have his perspective here. 

Michael

[brandon]

Great interview! Thanks!

[kavikanudist]

Thank you Tod!