28 December 2009 - I am sure that as soon as I write this, I
have tempted fate. It has been such a fantastic week of summer
and glorious sunshine. Each evening we are shown via the news,
the horrible weather being experienced in the Northern
Hemisphere. I am very sorry for you all. But good weather or
not, I have to hang round home as I am on-call. So, been sorting
through my collection, and amazed at the duplications I have ...
will put these up on the site early in the New Year. I saw
Avatar and although the storyline was nothing new, the graphics
blew me away. Totally awesome, totally the best movie I have
seen this year.
13 December 2009 - Nearing the end of the year. I have to work
over the Xmas break, and for the first time in a very long time,
I am not celebrating Xmas with anyone - nor with family. So, a
very quiet one indeed. It has been a year of many ups and downs
- mostly downs, but hey, I am still here - still have all my
facilties and limbs, so I have nothing to complain about. This
year I will remember most - the Samoa Tsnami, the loss of MJ,
the goodbye to many work collegues (and EDS), and the music of
Lady Gaga. Top movie for me was "Up" (but still Avatar might top
it - I will see on the 17th), top song - well none stood out.
23 November 2009 -
In mid October my
laptop became almost non-useful, with the power supply packing
up. After much shopping about, I finally brought a new one.
Sorry for the delay in updating. As well as a new laptop
(Windows 7), have had to upgrade and install most of the
software also. It has not been without saying a few cuss words,
and 10 days later I am in a position to begin updating again.
12 October 2009 -
On Friday, where I
worked announced that they were reducing staff by 50%. It was
known for several weeks this was about to happen ... but they
announced "who" - it has been a very worrying few weeks. I
survived, but only to train a Team from India to replace me.
20 September 2009 - What a month ... been hard at work and
catching up with everyone. It has been pretty hard to get back
into a routine, but getting there. I have been sorting through
the ABBA collection, and finding some nice surprises - and also
been getting the parcels ready for those winners of the "old"
competition. I went to the Post Office, and OMG - $500 - to post
them, so doing several at a time, not overall.
Been to Napier on the East Coast of the North Island.
I am a proud kiwi!!!
23 August 2009 - Into hospital and surgery on 18th. Discharged
on 21st. For the first time (except the feeling that I have been
hit by a bus - from surgery) I am feeling excellent, and can
sit, walk, lie, without the pain. Then on return home, a nice
surprise - a parcel from my friend Jörn. Inside was a selection
of ABBA gear he has kindly passed on - and sweets from Germany.
So overall, a very promising week.
09
August 2009 - How time flies! After months of waiting, and over
100 phonecalls in the past fortnight, I finally found someone
who could help me get a surgery date. Booked in for 18 August.
15 July 2009 -
A mix of good and bad. Today I find that for a second time I
have been "forgotten" in NZ's wonderful health system ... it may
be free, but that does not make it efficient. On 24/06 it was
"Oops, we screwed up - will get right onto it" - then did
nothing. But at least now I have progress, with a check-up on
22/07 and probable main surgery following week.
06 July 2009 -
After more than a
decade I receive an email from my dear friend Jörn from Germany
- both had lost contact with each other. It was the best news I
have had for such a long time.
05 July 2009 -
It has been over six
weeks since I have been pretty much immobile - flat on my back.
I am missing the social interaction with friends/workmates. Good
news has been that it allows me to work more on the website and
scanning - and even allows me to catch up on those "wait till a
rainy day" tasks for work - masses of documentation.
24 June 2009 -
Today I was supposed
to be admitted to hospital to have an illeostomy (again) and
more removal of infected area, but when I showed up - they had
forgotten to book me in.
20 June 2009 - a silly joke I heard:
A. Have you seen Stevie Wonders daughter?
B. No
A. Nor has he!
14 June 2009 - A thought to share ... one thing that is obvious
from the site statistics is that fans are absolutely from
everywhere on the globe. So, as we are an ABBA Community, should
we set up a trade area - I can be the rep from NZ, and if anyone
wants anything from here, or I find something in the shops, I
just add it online here and a fellow fan can get it. If each
country had a similar willing fan, we could trade amongst
ourselves and not have to pay some of the ridiculous prices on
the web. Or does such a site exist? let me know your thoughts.
12 June 2009 -
Received
"Köszönet A Zenéért" from Edit, a fellow ABBA fan from Hungary.
Thank you so VERY much Edit
.
She has in the past supplied several of the winamp skins on this
site for download.
12 June 2009 - Out of Hospital.
08 June 2009 - Into
Hospital via Emergency Department. Issues over pain.
08 June 2009 -
Received in
the mail, one of the 'holy grails' as an ABBA Collector. The
German Release of the singles boxset (27 Singles in vinyl)
26 May 2009 - Into
Hospital. Surgery for fissure. In and out hospital same day.
21 April 2009 -
I heard from an old
friend - Liz Hardcastle from the US. Her and a friend toured NZ
(1986 I think - I cannot recall), and I showed them around NZ's
South Island.
16 April 2009 -
Arrived back from Taipei, Taiwan
11 April 2009 - First
day in Taipei - chronic food poisoning that lasted 5 days. In
the first day and last day managed to hunt out some CD/DVD/Vinyl
Stores. ABBA Stuff was very limited, but was happy with the few
items I found.
10 April 2009 - Began
holiday to Taipei, Taiwan
01 April 2009 -
Closed down ABBA
Picture Gallery
13 - 14 March 2009 -
Went to Wellington.
Jazz
Festival and Monet Exhibition. Really great trip.
February 2009 -
Ahhh at last, LOST,
DH, American Idol all back ... how wonderful!
26 January 2009 - Out of Hospital.
21 January 2009 - Into
Hospital. Surgery for illiostomy removal, which I have had since
2006.
03 January 2009 - Note to self - do NOT read the yearly
horoscope in future. 2009's said a year of ill health.
