an idiosyncratic web site

In this 21st century, a person seems almost incomplete without some sort of personal Web site, so here is mine …

I’ve promised idiosyncrasy (not to say eccentricity), so this site contains a variety of ephemera: information on the Dyment surname (because a lot of folks come here looking for Dyments), an overview of my professional credentials (including contact information), some personal ramblings, and several miscellaneous pleasures. I am also “the go-light guru” (said Time magazine), author (and "Carry-On Maven", said The Wall Street Journal) of OneBag.com, a celebrated Web site teaching the art of travelling light; wander over there if the topic interests you. And I am the author of a variety of highly acclaimed technical publications for mystery entertainers; The Deceptionary hosts that aspect of my interests.

about the “dyment” surname

The Dyment surname (pronounced dye-ment) is British, one of several alternate spellings of Dayman, itself a corruption of dairyman. In 1833, two brothers, John and Humphrey, came to Canada by small sailing vessel from their homes in the tiny (Saxon, circa 700 AD) village of Bradworthy, Devonshire (the birthplace of Devon Cream Tea!), settling in Dundas (Ontario) and Prince Edward Island, respectively. I’m a descendant of John, and, as is common among first-born sons in this family branch, carry his name (my full name is John Douglas Dyment). True to the heritage suggested by our surname, many of my relatives are still in the dairy farming business in southern Ontario.

No dairying for me, though … I spent a fair bit of time on farms as a boy, but have made my living in various non-agricultural pursuits, mostly in the high-technology area; you’ll find more detail on the “About: Professional” page.

is this the doug dyment you’re looking for?

Perhaps. Cities that I’ve called home over the course of my life include Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Carleton Place, & Waterloo (Ontario, Canada); West Vancouver & Gibsons (British Columbia, Canada); Cambridge (U.K.); New York City (New York, USA); and San Francisco (California, USA). Additionally, I have spent extended periods of time in Toronto (Ontario, Canada), St. Pete Beach (Florida, USA), Concord (Massachusetts, USA), London (U.K.), and Kyoto (Japan).

A dual Canadian/U.S. citizen, I now live in Gibsons, a small, picturesque, coastal town bordered by the forests and mountains of British Columbia, Canada, along with my wife Lynne (a dual Canadian/U.K. citizen). Together, we (happily) host a steady stream of friends visiting Canada’s Sunshine Coast.

All the top-of-page photos on this site are from places that we have — at one time or another — called home.