Hi all. Thanks for your latest contributions. I have read all the new ones, which I found very interesting. And now for me…

Well, I’ve kicked the habit. December 2002 brought to an end my working life, all 51 years of it. And I’m serious this time. Fifty-one years and never out of work. In all that time, my days of absence due to (owing to?) sickness totalled about four weeks. I would claim that I even made up for that by working weekends. Am I bragging or complaining? I don’t know, but I remember people who made good out of being sick, but these were never managers or contractors.

More about work. It was disclosed to me secretly that I came dangerously close to returning to Rome at the beginning of this year. I apparently had strong support from amongst the ranks to do the writing job that became open there, but management had better judgement on the matter. I admit that I would have gone had I been asked.

So what the hell do I have to tell you about? Actually, just one main thing. My second half of 2003 was taken up totally writing a novel of 100 321 words. (This number changes from time to time because I can’t keep from seeing little bits to change.) I spent the first half of this year trying to get the bloody thing published. I do understand that, without good contacts in the business, it’s very difficult to get a first book published, even if it’s good enough. At least, some agents and publishers have shown interest enough in my Query Letter to want to see my synopsis and sample chapters. Wish me luck here; I need the fame. But, when all is said and done, I accept the possibility that my masterwork will remain forever collecting dust on my shelf.

More important than that is my family. I’m pleased to report that all members are doing well. Joely, my only grand child, started school last month and delights in being there. This month she turned five. She’s absolutely super and a credit to Carol and Gary. At the other end of the school business, Luise gained an upper second Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in England. Not bad for a native Austrian. She’s returning to England in September to do an MBA at Southampton University. Something worthy of note. My son David has suffered for years and years with psychiatric problems. Well, thanks to his brother Gary’s unrelenting efforts in getting him treatment with support, David is now very stable and well. I’m afraid mental health in the UK still takes a very back seat in the country’s poor health system. However, I do believe things are improving.

In September, Basia and I celebrate ten years of marriage. Those ten years have been full off great fun and adventure, and I thank Basia heartily for making me so happy. I look forward to speaking with some of you in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, I wish all of you peace, happiness and prosperity.