Hi Hi,
Island life is Idyllic.
Dictionary
idyllic |īˈdilik| |aɪˌdɪlɪk| |ɪˌdɪlɪk|
adjective
(esp. of a time or place) like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque : an attractive hotel in an idyllic setting.
DERIVATIVES
idyllically |-ik(ə)lē| |aɪˌdɪlək(ə)li| adverb
Thesaurus
idyllic
adjective
the once idyllic islands are now subjected to martial law perfect, wonderful, blissful, halcyon, happy; ideal, idealized; heavenly, paradisal, Utopian, Elysian; peaceful, picturesque, bucolic, unspoiled; literary Arcadian.
I would not say that the island is perfect! The roads are far from it.
My life thou is blissful, happy, peaceful and picturesque.
I dont know if i am pleased with my new lifestyle, I certainly love it. I do miss busy times, certain work pressures, the environment and ability to succeed. You dont get much of any of that here! Near, just close or i missed is acceptable!
I do miss some parts of Bangkok, Sydney and New York, thou it is totally different. Here you can not ( really ) turn things on and off when you want - like New York or Bangkok. You do not get the beautiful and clean Sydney.
Yet for every positive there are negatives. I dont have to suffer fools, rude people, I get smiles every where.
I went to Bangkok last Saturday to collect "Patrick" "Rexxy" "Ginger" and "Spike"
It was a huge effort. I do not think i have filled out so much paper work or had to go through so much crap and bureaucracy in my life!
One sheet and a passport for a human to enter. I have almost 136 A4 pages of "stuff" that i had to file to get them.
My "Mates" arrived on a flight from Sydney via Melbourne at 6:30am. I arrived at 7am.
They were installed and delivered in a Thai Air Cargo area of the Airport.
I did not get to see, water, and clean their little airport flight creates till 10am.
My little "reunion" was well very exciting, Meows and Tears flowed.
We then all jumped on a flight to Samui at 2pm.
They are all happy as little monkeys up a coconut tree!
The staff of the owner of the houses absolutely adores them all.
Sleeping arrangements have been messy, yet Patrick (13 years old) has sorted out the pecking order and where we are all to sleep on the King size bed ( im in the middle!!!)
Nush my maid did not come over to Samui, and boy do I miss her! It was very big change for her and I. As you know she has a little girl 18 months old. It would have been difficult for her. I did not have the room for her to live with me, let alone wanted to have a young child around at this point in my life. Saying good-bye was very difficult, many tears from her. I think once I am settled I will ask her to come and look after me again. I Just need to sew some seeds here first.
I have started to prepare my Vegetable garden next to my house, "Moo" (female) who is in charge of all entire land that the owner lives on and we live on has been helping me. She speaks almost no English, yet i today discovered that she is a lesbian, and has girl friend in Bangkok. She loves the cats! And loves that i am "very different" to all the other people that she "supports and helps" Good to see that my landlord is an "Open" person - not that i have any one to "display"!
I think it is now time, that i have a routine in place to apply myself and write a book about life! My life I guess! I am not sure how it will go, or how good it will be to read.
It is Thursday night here. I am sitting doing my Emails, Listening to Elton John songs (very loudly) on shuffle with "Rexxy" at my back on the lounge, "Patrick" at my feet (purring very loudly) "Ginger" on my left Knee, and "Spike" fast fast asleep in his allocated position on my bed.
Life is Idyllic.
This Blog is all about (me) Timothy Schwan and my adventures, trials, tribulations, challenges & my life long stories laced with LEO Beer as Sondheim plays (loud) via some great speakers, as i have retired at 40 Years Old!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
"like a pea in a pod"
HEY HEY HEY!
I have slotted into my new Bangkok company "like a pea in a pod"
They all think im hilarious!
I make every one laugh!
One thing that has come back with the removal of all the other crap in the past 24 months is my humour, wit and spontaneity!
I now sing LOUDLY & OPERATICALLY Happy Birthday to staff members who have a birthday, ( i of course know the dates , as i control the staff data base)
The PA to the owner had her last day, and we were all invited to a (huge 300 people) restaurant for dinner. I very very LOUDLY sang Happy Farwell.
I dont think i have had applause like it for almost 14 years, when i used sing as a waiter at Jordan's seafood for peoples birthday!
MY GOD - I HAVE TO SAY I WAS LOUD!
yet it was hilarious - very very funny.
That never happened in the past 10 years.
I did not make people laugh at work as much as now
I made people laugh on the phone (yet it was hard work to think on my feet - or ear!)
I now come out with lines and wit that even surprises me!
I am actually very funny!
and I make myself laugh as well!
a good thing.
-
I have learnt also in the past 4 months in Thailand that i am a good person.
a very good person
I care about people
I enjoy people
and I wish all people which I come in contact with to be happy and content.
The majority of the company staff gravitate to me to solve any issues they have with the owner and so forth.
The owner gravitates to me to ask about the staff and how to make the staff happy.
its an interesting dynamic.
Yet I have learnt that I like and are good at being a subordinate manager
-
I have always wanted to right (should be write but i cant change it as its is funny) a book about my experiences
I have always wanted to write about companies and management
Tonight at the restaurant it dawned on me what the title and or subject would be.
I have to work on the title thou
"Selective Subordinate Management"
Who knows
but i have to say I love answering at a mid, upper level, and not being the Boss.
so i think ill work on that subject, having been subordinate at McGrath and then the Boss at Di Jones and then subordinate at Destination Properties.
lots of subject matter.
-
Yes as you have read i am having lots of fun at work!
And a rarely have McDonalds delivered for dinner.
I prefer to get KFC delivered as I love the coating (being honest and it is so cheap and easy)
and oh my god yes - i am still very very Fat!
I have not put on any weight at all thou - I have lost weight!
I have lost some due to the company supplying lunch each day as well as walking to and from work
My favourite day is Tuesday - not for the food, but I get lunch and then sit at my Apple Mac and watch Media Watch replayed on ABC broad band!
-
I went to the dentist twice this week
Any one who can remember knows I have good teeth, thou i have 4 old silver YUK dark fillings. (2 top and 2 bottom)
so i went and had my teeth cleaned, and the YUK fillings replaced with white fillings.
I also had my teeth cleaned and Bleached. ( Not that I need to ) thou it is economical here so I did!
I now have a mouth like a light house - it just shines back and forth.
Oh and yeah - next project is the waistline. thanks for the reminder!
-
My maid now comes 5 days a week (part time), as she needs the money as her husband left her and she has a 10 month year old kid.)
she looks after me well, and is very honest.
so who cares about the extra money = she needs it!
-
its a public holiday here on Friday - QUEEN OF THAILAND'S B'DAY
so a huge sleep in for me!
-
nite
tim
I have slotted into my new Bangkok company "like a pea in a pod"
They all think im hilarious!
I make every one laugh!
One thing that has come back with the removal of all the other crap in the past 24 months is my humour, wit and spontaneity!
I now sing LOUDLY & OPERATICALLY Happy Birthday to staff members who have a birthday, ( i of course know the dates , as i control the staff data base)
The PA to the owner had her last day, and we were all invited to a (huge 300 people) restaurant for dinner. I very very LOUDLY sang Happy Farwell.
I dont think i have had applause like it for almost 14 years, when i used sing as a waiter at Jordan's seafood for peoples birthday!
MY GOD - I HAVE TO SAY I WAS LOUD!
yet it was hilarious - very very funny.
That never happened in the past 10 years.
I did not make people laugh at work as much as now
I made people laugh on the phone (yet it was hard work to think on my feet - or ear!)
I now come out with lines and wit that even surprises me!
I am actually very funny!
and I make myself laugh as well!
a good thing.
-
I have learnt also in the past 4 months in Thailand that i am a good person.
a very good person
I care about people
I enjoy people
and I wish all people which I come in contact with to be happy and content.
The majority of the company staff gravitate to me to solve any issues they have with the owner and so forth.
The owner gravitates to me to ask about the staff and how to make the staff happy.
its an interesting dynamic.
Yet I have learnt that I like and are good at being a subordinate manager
-
I have always wanted to right (should be write but i cant change it as its is funny) a book about my experiences
I have always wanted to write about companies and management
Tonight at the restaurant it dawned on me what the title and or subject would be.
I have to work on the title thou
"Selective Subordinate Management"
Who knows
but i have to say I love answering at a mid, upper level, and not being the Boss.
so i think ill work on that subject, having been subordinate at McGrath and then the Boss at Di Jones and then subordinate at Destination Properties.
lots of subject matter.
-
Yes as you have read i am having lots of fun at work!
And a rarely have McDonalds delivered for dinner.
I prefer to get KFC delivered as I love the coating (being honest and it is so cheap and easy)
and oh my god yes - i am still very very Fat!
I have not put on any weight at all thou - I have lost weight!
I have lost some due to the company supplying lunch each day as well as walking to and from work
My favourite day is Tuesday - not for the food, but I get lunch and then sit at my Apple Mac and watch Media Watch replayed on ABC broad band!
-
I went to the dentist twice this week
Any one who can remember knows I have good teeth, thou i have 4 old silver YUK dark fillings. (2 top and 2 bottom)
so i went and had my teeth cleaned, and the YUK fillings replaced with white fillings.
I also had my teeth cleaned and Bleached. ( Not that I need to ) thou it is economical here so I did!
I now have a mouth like a light house - it just shines back and forth.
Oh and yeah - next project is the waistline. thanks for the reminder!
-
My maid now comes 5 days a week (part time), as she needs the money as her husband left her and she has a 10 month year old kid.)
she looks after me well, and is very honest.
so who cares about the extra money = she needs it!
-
its a public holiday here on Friday - QUEEN OF THAILAND'S B'DAY
so a huge sleep in for me!
-
nite
tim
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Blizzard
Snow snow snow today!
Blizzard
They say could be a record for New York too!
So I said fuck that!
I wanted to go and see Avenue Q “the best musical last year”
But its always booked out 4 months ahead no matter what price!!
A mate told me that if snow hits get in there as people wont go out in it
and cancel.
So I got up out and about in this bloody blizzard and got a great seat from
a cancellation!
Was very very funny - very good!
Its minus 17
And they say will be a record snow storm!
Was fun schlepping around Broadway in 6 inches of shlush!!
Tim
Xo
Blizzard
They say could be a record for New York too!
So I said fuck that!
I wanted to go and see Avenue Q “the best musical last year”
But its always booked out 4 months ahead no matter what price!!
A mate told me that if snow hits get in there as people wont go out in it
and cancel.
So I got up out and about in this bloody blizzard and got a great seat from
a cancellation!
Was very very funny - very good!
Its minus 17
And they say will be a record snow storm!
Was fun schlepping around Broadway in 6 inches of shlush!!
Tim
Xo
Sunday, January 06, 2002
Memories!
Wow - can you believe it! 2 months & 1.5 weeks = almost 10 weeks on holiday! wow! and all on a budget! and I came in under it!!!! YIPPEE!! "2001/2002 Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, New York, London, Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Cologne, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Stuttgart, Venice & Rome."
LOL MMMMMM its Monday the 6th Jan 2002. I arrived at work @ 4.15am - Very excited to be back! have my apple mac pumping out German Musicals!!!!!!! mmmmmmmmm Memories! Love them! I am fortunate to have them.
I treasure my job. Im glad im back.
You have a great new year for 2002 I know I will! I hope life brings you all the happiness you desire.
Love Tim xoxo
LOL MMMMMM its Monday the 6th Jan 2002. I arrived at work @ 4.15am - Very excited to be back! have my apple mac pumping out German Musicals!!!!!!! mmmmmmmmm Memories! Love them! I am fortunate to have them.
I treasure my job. Im glad im back.
You have a great new year for 2002 I know I will! I hope life brings you all the happiness you desire.
Love Tim xoxo
Saturday, January 05, 2002
Taxi Taxi - Rip me off to the terminal please
Well its been 10 weeks! 10 weeks off on the longest break I have ever had in
my life. I arrived in Rome to the worst hotel I have ever seen! And to think
that they wanted 125.00 a nite for the room! I arrived and looked around and
thought the reception looked suss! then got to the room! Well I wont go on!
it was well. I last 5 mins and said cya! and hoped in to a cab and went to
another - someone suggested! 500% better! I was happier now - and not a
great deal more either! I checked in and the met up with my mate Marylyn
from New York, we went for a long walk past the Pantheon, and other sites,
there is soooooo much to see in Rome! Its amazing and very old history. We
had a great dinner together in a nice little Italian restaurant, swapping
travel stories, I don't really don't think she had a chance as all I did was
babble and babble and babble! But was a treat to catch up and share what
happened for my time of travel. The next morning we met up very early and go
lost walking to the Colosseum. But we did make it! and was worth all the
history, it was freezing mind you, I thought I lost a toe or 2 as it was
soooooooooo cold! But I checked and they were all there when I hoped into
the bath that evening. We had a late lunch/dinner at the hard rock café and
then off to our respected hotels. But I was well not a good terminology but
"I was over it" as in the holiday! I wanted to come home , I wanted to work,
I wanted my home back, I wanted my cats, I wanted my friends, - so knowing
me - I did what was right and hopped on a Qantas Jet and am back in Sydney!
I'm back at work on Monday the 7th with millions of ideas and things to do.
Thanks for all the emails and fun while I have been away! speak soon Tim
xxox
my life. I arrived in Rome to the worst hotel I have ever seen! And to think
that they wanted 125.00 a nite for the room! I arrived and looked around and
thought the reception looked suss! then got to the room! Well I wont go on!
it was well. I last 5 mins and said cya! and hoped in to a cab and went to
another - someone suggested! 500% better! I was happier now - and not a
great deal more either! I checked in and the met up with my mate Marylyn
from New York, we went for a long walk past the Pantheon, and other sites,
there is soooooo much to see in Rome! Its amazing and very old history. We
had a great dinner together in a nice little Italian restaurant, swapping
travel stories, I don't really don't think she had a chance as all I did was
babble and babble and babble! But was a treat to catch up and share what
happened for my time of travel. The next morning we met up very early and go
lost walking to the Colosseum. But we did make it! and was worth all the
history, it was freezing mind you, I thought I lost a toe or 2 as it was
soooooooooo cold! But I checked and they were all there when I hoped into
the bath that evening. We had a late lunch/dinner at the hard rock café and
then off to our respected hotels. But I was well not a good terminology but
"I was over it" as in the holiday! I wanted to come home , I wanted to work,
I wanted my home back, I wanted my cats, I wanted my friends, - so knowing
me - I did what was right and hopped on a Qantas Jet and am back in Sydney!
I'm back at work on Monday the 7th with millions of ideas and things to do.
Thanks for all the emails and fun while I have been away! speak soon Tim
xxox
Tuesday, January 01, 2002
Happy New Year!
29, 30 & 31 January 2001 Venice, Italy
Well its January 1! Euro day! so 14 countries today have introduced the
Euro, I tell ya! Thank god! I was growing crazy, 80,000 for this 150,000 for
that in Italy was so confusing. IT was interesting to get a cup of coffee
this morning, the girl at the cash register battling, it must be so hard for
old people that have had the same style of currency for all their life. It
will be so much easier thou, and interesting to see what happens across the
board. I had a wonderful time in Venice, what a amazing place, you see it on
the TV, books, but to actually be there, water all around, canals, truly
breathe taking, I had the longest train trip from Stuttgart, Germany to
Venice, I coped quite well, considering me! Took the day, but was worth it!
I took the number 51 boat (like a little ferry) over to Lido, another island
canal place part of Venice but not on Venice, I could not get any
accommodation in Venice that was reasonable, (very very expensive) so I
decided to stay over on Lido, I was actually very happy I did, I know
staying on Venice (I was not far away like 5mins on the Ferry) would have
been better, but I got to see things on the Ferry like all the stops, I
stayed on one Ferry for the entire circumference of the island, I suppose
you could call it a island, - it truly is amazing, not only the history,
buildings, cathedrals, palazzos, but for us Australians - like the Concept,
of interconnecting canals, and all buildings on the water, and when I say
canals, not one! like thousands, little, large, small, medium. The only main
mode of transport on the main island is water ferry, or a water taxi, the
taxis are very very expensive, ferries cheap and fun, but very slow, I tell
you, you would not want to be in a hurry in Venice! Takes ages by the ferry
to get any where. I did not take a gondola ride around the canals, although
with a partner it would be incredibly romantic in summer/spring - it was
still a little cold, now where as Cold as Prague or Berlin, but cold. Every
thing is geared to the tourist, nice knack and touristy shops every where,
and I mean every where! I walked the entire place - top to toe, was fun, had
no idea where I was going, but you really cant get lost as all the little
paths lead to another main on and so on, walking, browsing, up over little
bridges over little canals......... Gondola passes by, it is very
picturesque, romantic, fun and exciting. I will never forget it, and one day
will have a great time again. Most my trip this year has been like a nice
long Table de Hotel Menu, I have had a long time off, but the destinations I
am going to have been quick and I have not stayed in one place (other than
New York) for any long time. I use a Table de Hotel Menu as this is the
style of menu where there would be like 6 or 7 meals but they are all
different and of a small portion, mainly used to taste the best of the
entire menu in a restaurant. I decided that I would have a little bit of the
areas that I would like see, and then the next trip in the future ill stay
longer and make a month holiday in one place. I would never have thought the
Brussels, and especially Burge would be what its was, so that entrée will be
requested in a main course size next time. I am absolutely itching to get
back to work and Sydney, I have had a good time off, recharged, learnt a
huge amount about others lives, countries, travel, and me. And am ready to
return to work in a week, so I spin around like a Tassie devil and get on
with a million things I want and have to do for 2002 at work and home. I had
my first encounter (first time ever during any of my trips ever) in Venice
of communication difficulties, and someone not understanding me - or not
willing to understand me in what I was after. It was an incredible
experience, the cashier was soooo RUDE, here I was a timid (not in control
at all) subservient, passive boy asking for a cappuccino, and a sandwich
(which I could not pronounce) as the sign was on the other side of the café,
The casher's expression on her face, her amazing over articulation with
PASSION AND VENOM of "I don't know what you Want, Sir! Italian Please!" is
still imprinted - (just like a foot print in the snow) on my brain, I can
still see her as I type, angry, passion, venom - was like as it was
happening was just in slow motion, I have never in my life had any one not
even have any idea about what I was expressing - ever with such anger. In
Tokyo I found that the Japanese were so polite and would stand there and
listen to every thing that you were asking (you could ask the same thing
"where is the cash machine, AutoBank" - 25 times over and over) and in Tokyo
they would just politely stand and nod, not having a fucking clue what you
were saying, I can remember standing in the subway saying the same thing and
this lovely lady nodding - to start I thought she knew what I was saying -
NOPE - was not till like the 5th time that I was saying in my brain "YOU
DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT IN SAYING DO YOU" and you would nod and off she would
go and you would ask another till you could find a solution. Japanese for me
when I was there were so polite, went out of there way. But this experience
was amazing. Its interesting that people get angry with others as they can
not speak the same language - when there are so many other ways - signing,
pointing, paper to help get the message, pointing and signing is my best
ability, have a knack from acting and stuff improvisation to just instantly
get my request across. But nothing work with this chick! ( she was not
willing to try ) its a bit more complex, and funny when I tell you over
lunch, you will laugh. But I find it that a foot print can be left on the
mind just like an museum and musical, I know they are all experiences and
events, just this came out from left field. - I did get my sandwich of
choice by the way, and by her! WAS NOT GOING TO LET HERE WIN!!! NO WAY!!! I
just left the line - went and recruited another staff member that was
willing to understand what I wanted and asked her to explain to the cashier
in Italian, that was funny as the 2 women were yelling at each other about
me in Italian! im standing there - LOL - all the peoples head in the line
all at the same time turn and look at me! so I was mentioned some where in
the monolog of the screaming! was funny! ohh and the best bloody cappuccino
I have had for ages! The Venice square is astounding! You should have seen
my mouth when I turned the corner and bang there it was! I have to be very
careful because the more I am looking around at places and am in ore my
mouth seems to open and like stay open, "ohh" such a tourist. Looking here
there every where. Ill catch one of the pigeons in my mouth in The Square if
im not careful. They were a blast those pigeons, im standing watching a
Japanese young couple with a child, say 4 years they bought some seed (you
can buy it from sales stalls) and gave to the little girl, then put it in
her coat pocket, these pigeons were all over her, she was like laughing and
like was in bliss running and a million pigeons wanting the seed in her
pocket and had, sitting on her head arm any where, parents with the video
camera, so funny was laughing away. Food has been good, the hotel I stayed
in was the first time my internet booking site really have been misinformed!
This place was like faulty towers! It really was, trying to be every thing
and achieving nothing. But clean, warm and comfy! On the train to Rome, see
you sooner than you think! Tim xoxo
Well its January 1! Euro day! so 14 countries today have introduced the
Euro, I tell ya! Thank god! I was growing crazy, 80,000 for this 150,000 for
that in Italy was so confusing. IT was interesting to get a cup of coffee
this morning, the girl at the cash register battling, it must be so hard for
old people that have had the same style of currency for all their life. It
will be so much easier thou, and interesting to see what happens across the
board. I had a wonderful time in Venice, what a amazing place, you see it on
the TV, books, but to actually be there, water all around, canals, truly
breathe taking, I had the longest train trip from Stuttgart, Germany to
Venice, I coped quite well, considering me! Took the day, but was worth it!
I took the number 51 boat (like a little ferry) over to Lido, another island
canal place part of Venice but not on Venice, I could not get any
accommodation in Venice that was reasonable, (very very expensive) so I
decided to stay over on Lido, I was actually very happy I did, I know
staying on Venice (I was not far away like 5mins on the Ferry) would have
been better, but I got to see things on the Ferry like all the stops, I
stayed on one Ferry for the entire circumference of the island, I suppose
you could call it a island, - it truly is amazing, not only the history,
buildings, cathedrals, palazzos, but for us Australians - like the Concept,
of interconnecting canals, and all buildings on the water, and when I say
canals, not one! like thousands, little, large, small, medium. The only main
mode of transport on the main island is water ferry, or a water taxi, the
taxis are very very expensive, ferries cheap and fun, but very slow, I tell
you, you would not want to be in a hurry in Venice! Takes ages by the ferry
to get any where. I did not take a gondola ride around the canals, although
with a partner it would be incredibly romantic in summer/spring - it was
still a little cold, now where as Cold as Prague or Berlin, but cold. Every
thing is geared to the tourist, nice knack and touristy shops every where,
and I mean every where! I walked the entire place - top to toe, was fun, had
no idea where I was going, but you really cant get lost as all the little
paths lead to another main on and so on, walking, browsing, up over little
bridges over little canals......... Gondola passes by, it is very
picturesque, romantic, fun and exciting. I will never forget it, and one day
will have a great time again. Most my trip this year has been like a nice
long Table de Hotel Menu, I have had a long time off, but the destinations I
am going to have been quick and I have not stayed in one place (other than
New York) for any long time. I use a Table de Hotel Menu as this is the
style of menu where there would be like 6 or 7 meals but they are all
different and of a small portion, mainly used to taste the best of the
entire menu in a restaurant. I decided that I would have a little bit of the
areas that I would like see, and then the next trip in the future ill stay
longer and make a month holiday in one place. I would never have thought the
Brussels, and especially Burge would be what its was, so that entrée will be
requested in a main course size next time. I am absolutely itching to get
back to work and Sydney, I have had a good time off, recharged, learnt a
huge amount about others lives, countries, travel, and me. And am ready to
return to work in a week, so I spin around like a Tassie devil and get on
with a million things I want and have to do for 2002 at work and home. I had
my first encounter (first time ever during any of my trips ever) in Venice
of communication difficulties, and someone not understanding me - or not
willing to understand me in what I was after. It was an incredible
experience, the cashier was soooo RUDE, here I was a timid (not in control
at all) subservient, passive boy asking for a cappuccino, and a sandwich
(which I could not pronounce) as the sign was on the other side of the café,
The casher's expression on her face, her amazing over articulation with
PASSION AND VENOM of "I don't know what you Want, Sir! Italian Please!" is
still imprinted - (just like a foot print in the snow) on my brain, I can
still see her as I type, angry, passion, venom - was like as it was
happening was just in slow motion, I have never in my life had any one not
even have any idea about what I was expressing - ever with such anger. In
Tokyo I found that the Japanese were so polite and would stand there and
listen to every thing that you were asking (you could ask the same thing
"where is the cash machine, AutoBank" - 25 times over and over) and in Tokyo
they would just politely stand and nod, not having a fucking clue what you
were saying, I can remember standing in the subway saying the same thing and
this lovely lady nodding - to start I thought she knew what I was saying -
NOPE - was not till like the 5th time that I was saying in my brain "YOU
DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT IN SAYING DO YOU" and you would nod and off she would
go and you would ask another till you could find a solution. Japanese for me
when I was there were so polite, went out of there way. But this experience
was amazing. Its interesting that people get angry with others as they can
not speak the same language - when there are so many other ways - signing,
pointing, paper to help get the message, pointing and signing is my best
ability, have a knack from acting and stuff improvisation to just instantly
get my request across. But nothing work with this chick! ( she was not
willing to try ) its a bit more complex, and funny when I tell you over
lunch, you will laugh. But I find it that a foot print can be left on the
mind just like an museum and musical, I know they are all experiences and
events, just this came out from left field. - I did get my sandwich of
choice by the way, and by her! WAS NOT GOING TO LET HERE WIN!!! NO WAY!!! I
just left the line - went and recruited another staff member that was
willing to understand what I wanted and asked her to explain to the cashier
in Italian, that was funny as the 2 women were yelling at each other about
me in Italian! im standing there - LOL - all the peoples head in the line
all at the same time turn and look at me! so I was mentioned some where in
the monolog of the screaming! was funny! ohh and the best bloody cappuccino
I have had for ages! The Venice square is astounding! You should have seen
my mouth when I turned the corner and bang there it was! I have to be very
careful because the more I am looking around at places and am in ore my
mouth seems to open and like stay open, "ohh" such a tourist. Looking here
there every where. Ill catch one of the pigeons in my mouth in The Square if
im not careful. They were a blast those pigeons, im standing watching a
Japanese young couple with a child, say 4 years they bought some seed (you
can buy it from sales stalls) and gave to the little girl, then put it in
her coat pocket, these pigeons were all over her, she was like laughing and
like was in bliss running and a million pigeons wanting the seed in her
pocket and had, sitting on her head arm any where, parents with the video
camera, so funny was laughing away. Food has been good, the hotel I stayed
in was the first time my internet booking site really have been misinformed!
This place was like faulty towers! It really was, trying to be every thing
and achieving nothing. But clean, warm and comfy! On the train to Rome, see
you sooner than you think! Tim xoxo
Monday, December 31, 2001
6 Curtain Calls!
Well my whirl wind trip (8 hours on da train) to Stuttgart (Stuttgart for 10 hours) See the musical "Tanz der Vampire Gesamtaufnahme" - Dracula (then da train 11 hours to Venice) WOW what a show! I knew I would love it! would have loved it even more if I understood the words!!! LOL could not understand a fucken thing! LOL but I got the just of the plot. I played the 2 cd set on the train to Stuttgart so I would have a idea of the music and feel for what is happening! Gee what a huge Theatre like some 2500 seats! AND FULL HOUSE!!! boy this thing is popular in Germany! Won Most outstanding New Musical Europe or something! The sets were surreal very clever, very smart *VARI-LITES all over the light rig! (yeah I know you have not a clue what they are!!! *VARI-LITES the most complex, smart auto mated light in the world! can do any colour of the spectrum, any brightness, any projection i.e.: patterns, does spots and can do a entire 360 degrees turn - all light comes from complex sets of lasers & mirrors in side - They are the ones used mostly by huge Rock stars on the side or foot of the stage that can move and stuff - they are like SOOOOO expensive to hire! you can not buy them - always have to hire from *VARI-LITE and complete computer controlled! Very complex ok! Get it! ) not many shows use them as they are expensive, but they are creeping in here and there! there were like 50 of the little buggers!! spinning around like mad men! so you know I get excited looking at every thing! was in my element. the lead guy playing the Vampire - Dracula guy, was ok - I have a feeling he was the understudy! but it was very very good! normal plot, Cute str8t boy meets and falls in love at first sight with a cute str8t girl, then Vampire - Dracula wants the cute str8t girl, Vampire's GAY assistant wants the Cute Str8t boy (and doesn't get him - story of every poofs life!!! LOL) then they all turn into Vampire's!!! very surreal, funny in parts, (yes got some things - amazing what body language and acting can do) I was so lucky - (mmm maybe not just contacts) I had a house seat 6 rows from front smack bang in the middle! I would have died if I had to sit in that hall at the back - it was soooo huge! So I was a very very happy and excited little boy! and I had a ball! and so did the audience! 6 Curtain calls! - back to my hotel! was again cheap as! (5 star) xmas combined with lower travel = lower room rates!!! and I'm lapping it up!! 3 quarters of the way to my venue destination Venice. Well I tell you I was lucky in getting a seat in this train. Its BLOODY CHOCKERS! people pouring out off all the windows and halls!!!!! LOL thank goodness I get off on the next stop!!!! then swap over to another tran that takes me to my final stop. I quite like these trains! Good for reflection on things going in the world and life in general. cya in da new year! bye! Tim xoxo
Friday, December 28, 2001
"THIS IS C N N"
I have been watching all the Fires and turmoil in Sydney, on CNN, amazing what it is like when you are on the other side of the world! CNN news sounds like they are reading from the first couple of paragraphs of the SMH online!!! I had a very nice time in Prague. I was lucky as on the 24th it is Christmas there and many things were closed. I arrived on xmas eve. SO COLD - MINUS -14 - I got up nice and early and had a one on one tour guide (I organised it the night before) many things are very cheap in Prague. So a one on one tour was very economical, most of the group ones are in German then English, and I don't like that! I was a little surprised at what the old city is like - well not a car or bus sort of place - tiny streets, so all tours are walking. My guides name was Hanna - she spoke perfect English, Czech, German, French, Dutch and Russian. She used to work for the Military - in secret - translation stuff. She was absolutely great. She knew all the ins and outs - tricks, what to do where to go - was just fab! and she is the biggest Cat fan as well! She rescues them from the streets - (bit worried she may be like - you know "the old cat woman" - like she said she had 40 cats or something!!! god!) - She Verbally abused a lady in Prague castle in Russian who was wearing a very rare almost extinct snow CAT FUR COAT - was a little embarrassing - but funny - had no idea what she was saying - well YELLING - all in Russian - I was waiting for the red paint can & brush to jump into her hand and "slash a red X across the coat" she was a hoot! excentric so we got on great! as you can imagine! she is the biggest history and architectual buff! took me through all the sections of Prague 1 (there are 15 areas divided up of Prague) 1.8 million people. We went every where, and it was great as she had all the history of the country from BC to before Nazi, after Nazi, then Russian, Communised, after to present. I was in bliss. Was like a live walking 6 hours of the history channel on Foxtel. Prague Castle, Jewish ghetto history and after (most beautiful now) the bridges, synagogs, Palaces, Chapels, Cathedrals, too much to go into. Was great! but I figured out why there are these machines called a "Solarium" I think it means "thoring machine!" I tell you after Christmas day walking for almost 6 or 7 hours @ minus -12 and then it got warm at minus - 4 then back to minus -7 I got to the hotel and like was Frozen!!! 20 mins in the "Solarium" mmmmm warm! and I got a little darker too! I had a nice dinner - yummy Salmon! then as we covered sooooooooooooooooooo much the day before I had a huge sleep in. Up and about and had a look around again! Had a great 2 hour massage after (cheap as - like 2 hours for $50 au) then nice dinner again! Went to the opera "Carmen" the Prague musical scene is incredible - shows (mostly - classical) all over the place - like 10 or 15 a day! at different times, most go for 50 min that's it! Vivaldi, Mozart u name it! and Prague is huge on Marionettes - Little puppet theatres all over the place! - was up early and off to Vienna, Austria Yesterday and EVERY THING CLOSED! so just walked around and stuff, then bam last night I decided to go to Stuttgart. I was never going to Stuttgart, Germany - at all till I found out there was the award winning musical "Tanz der Vampire Gesamtaufnahme" = "Dracula" I have the CD! sounds great! all in German cant understand a word!!! but I liked "Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame" = "HUNCH BACK OF NOTE DAME" so fuck it im off to see it! The Germans have a weird, cleaver, very creative way of presentation that I like very much! and all the direction of Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame was great! So ill give the "Tanz der Vampire Gesamtaufnahme" a go! I know ill be pissed off if I don't! so I am on a train from Vienna to Stuttgart to see it tonight! then on a early train to Venice for 3 days! for New Years!!! love Schwan
Tuesday, December 25, 2001
There is a Bear in there & There AND THERE!!!!
Berlin - Germany 22, 23, 24 December 2001
Prague - Czech Republic 24, 25, 26, 27 December 2001
There is a Bear in there & There AND THERE and they are every where! As the bear is the symbol or mascot or something of Berlin every where you go there are bears! Not live Bears! like that would bite your arm off - (well at least mine - as I would just have to go over and pat one - if he was alive) But made out of any thing and every thing you can imagine, Paster, brass, copper, plastic - they all sit out - "walking like" in front of all the offices - hotels shops, pedestrian crossings - any where - it is a form of like art? Or good luck - I got conflicting reasons! The one that is in the Swissotel Lobby is made of CHOCOLATE! and we are talking like - solid Chocolate! and he is as big as a live Bear!! I tell ya this morning while I was sitting next to him (the bear - Not a Date) (having a chat ;) LOL - remember LOL means Laugh Out Loud) waiting for a taxi to the train station I like was almost forced to bite his EAR OFF!!! -- mmmm chocolate Bear!!!! LOL - I am in good sprits - sitting here on my train - have my mac playing a musical I saw l last night (IN GERMAN) ..... More on that later ..... So im happy, sitting, with a big grin and smile on my face ........ Just like the Cheshire Cat from the cartoon "Alice in Wonderland" HUGE SMILE :) a tear almost keeping into the corner of my year ( the song - playing - sad :( and I really am in "wonderland" what a great 3 days in Berlin! Truly Ruly Was Great. The Park Hyatt In Melbourne was nocked off as My Number #1 hotel in the world! The Swissotel in Berlin - was - words can not do it Justice. It opened on September 1 2001. So is brand New - the rooms are amazing - designed like nothing I have ever seen before, simple, modern, warm, practical - each had a espresso cappuccino machine, free internet on the TV, free movies, The Bathroom design would make any one of us in Property look (even thou we have seen a zillion bathrooms) and say "WOW" - I again got a million ideas! But the service in this place was - honestly - (remember ME speaking!) OUT OF THIS WORLD! Was booked on the internet - like every hotel I have stayed in is booked - sight un scene. & cheap! As they opened on Sept 1 and then Sept 11 happened (Belgium airline Sabina bankrupt - Swiss airline Swissair bankrupt) they want business and are trying to start something - I paid $92 US a nite! - and THEY FUCKEN WON ME! Every time one of the staff saw me, (rememeber my body language is like "Go Away" - LOL ) it was always "Hello Mr Schwan", "Mr Schwan, Good Morning", "How are you today Mr Schwan" "Can I help you with any thing Mr Schwan" - I cant explain - in my short 31 years on this planet I have never had service like it, not arse licking, genuine, careing, happy, loving care for another - and they (the staff) all of them were Smart Very Very Smart. I want to know who trained, hired them! Like get this, I call from a house phone in the foyer to Housekeeping - They answer in German! But when I am in my room - I call house keeping they answer in English! Wake up call - all in english, now you all may think that should be normal - not from my other european experiences, Boy they knew what they were doing, as on the second day during turn down, (im not there im at a show) they (house keeping) notice that I have turned the heater up! (I was a little cold after my trip out and about) and when they noticed that I had turned the heat up a little - they used their initative - went and got another feather doona fold in to a nice square - leave on bottom corner of bed, typed note (english) "Mr Schwan we noticed you may be a little colder - we have placed a extra doona for you should you require - good night, house keeping" - HONEST - my smiles cant express the feeling I have from my time in Berlin! And I tell you - no one - well to me - speaks english! not like Amsterdam, or Brussels. The conciege of the Swissotel - My God! My God! My God! - amazing!!!!!! A cappachino machine in every room? Have you heard of a thing? And Free! lavatza coffee! - free! Intenet Access free! They had a good old shoe shine service - like the great days before it all left - leave your shoes out by 3am! Polished and returned by 6am! I had the most amazing Dinner last nite - Room service! Rosmary Crustred Lamb Loin! - Oh Yum! I can still taste it! Can you believe they (reception) escorted me to the room on check in! I thought that went out in the year 1831. Showed me the room and amenities - (nice and quick) not over bearing! And yes I could Dial My Free call number - and was that! Free - no service charge at all! So I wont go on, but if you have not under stood yet ill make its easy "The Swissotel, Berlin was astonishing, astounding, inconceivable, beyond belief, surprising, remarkable, incredible, miraculous, mind-blowing!!!!!" And Now for
Schwan's Top 5 Hotels of The World ( sponsored by the Chocolate Bear )
1. Swissotel Berlin, Germany (100/100)
2. Park Hyatt Melbourne, Australia (96/100)
3. Bellagio, Las Vegas, United States (91/100)
4. Park Hyatt, Sydney, Australia (89/100)
5. Shangri La Island Hotel, Hong Kong (81/100)
The concierge got me A1 Prime seats to 2 Musicals, 1 "Falco meets Amaudas" (sung in German & English) and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (Sung in German) I was not sure if I would enjoy or cope at all - as they were in German! The first one Falco is interesting - did not cope too much - it is about a Pop star meeting Mozart Amaudas - his pop songs and Mzart blended together! They say Falco was like huge in the 80's! Never heard of him! some songs reminded me a little! Singing was good - set average! But the World Wide Premier of Disney's "Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame" or "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was Unreal! It was so nice to see on this trip another great Show! It was all sung in German! I am glad that I knew that story. And the launguage made it all so more sad and romantic from my perspective. Great Cast - Unreal Singing, and music was by 3 of my fav composers/lyrst, Stephen Schwartz, James lapine, and Alian Milkein - The set was incredable - very very clever, simple, and complex, the stage was divided into 12 squares that were the top of large Boxed Rectangles, and all 12 boxed Rectangles going up and down (some times all the way to the top) in order to change the set and scene - they then used projections - from the front onto the front of the boxes and sides! they had fly tower textured screens fly in and out for projections as well! I have not seen as complex a set since Jane Eyre last year. The projections were great! Some of the songs are so beautiful and more so as they are in another language - Disney's new theatre company really does do great stuff I have now seen them all - "The Lion King", "Aida", "Beauty & The Beast", and now "Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame", I can not stop playing the cd - OVER & OVER & OVER - ( I get repetative - Ask mum and dad - saw Evita in Sydney at age 6 or 7 (I think) and did not stop playing the tape for years! - I know every word, inflection, pronunciation on every song) I love Music! I get soooo very excited and happy when I have seen something good! I could honestly now quit my work - go on the dole - and tour every city in search of good theatre and music! (there are 2 more in Germany I am craving to see) - but I wont Quit! The last up date I said I my not come back! Joke! LOL I could Hear Di & Bill Jones "shudder" all the way from Qld when I typed! I was right! LOL she emailed me back and said NO WAY!! God love Her! As long as I get a good theatre fix each year (as I love it) ill be fine! I do love my work, I love my City Sydney, I love my home, I love the Company Di Jones R/E (best company I have ever worked at) I love the people I work with, I love my mates, I love my Girl Friends (you know who u are) I love my Mum and Dad, I love my family, I love my mac, and we all know I love my Katz (german) (Love ya "Spritzzy" (passed away Kat)) This trip alone was very important to me. I have never done a "alone" trip before - although I had arranged to be with someone for Europe, I am doing it myself, and I am so glad I did! There is snow every where I am on my way to Prague for Christmas day! I woke this morning to SNOW SNOW AND MORE SNOW! It is interesting to walk around the streets, your not trudging - but you are certainly being careful to watch you step, the snow when fresh seems fine, but then sort of melts into the shoe print then snow falls on top melts again into each other and freezes over and the whole side walk is a colleague of foots, foots and foots! - some paths have been cleared and they put sand stuff down to help both walking and navigation! You have to be careful not to slip over! I haven't yet! Touch wood - or chocolate bear! Berlin was so interesting and enjoyable! I did do the day tour yesterday, some of the buildings were very very pretty, and the history was very interesting. Berlin is going through and has since the Unification in 1990 a building spree, it is the busiest building site in the world at the moment, They are trying to get back to what it was or some sort - I can not even start to imagine what it would be like to have a wall down the centre of the city - its still there for a block near "check point Charlie" It really is a extraordinary city - many many things to do - even 3 full days I could not get to it all! - I did not find that I did not speak German hard. Tokyo was harder! But it is an interesting thing to sit in a taxi going some where and the driver speaks ZIP its like a blind date going bad when no one talks! I cant cope with it! Lol but I cant say any thing - as he wont say any thing as he knows I cant understand and visa versa! Very funny! All shops are closed on Sundays! Weird and I mean Every Thing Closed! I did find it hard to like look around and browse in between the city tour! Like I was so frozen by 9pm Saturday I walked past a Solarium Salon! Right in I Go! 18 mins of mmmmmmm SUN well fake sun! That thored me out! and I hope I get a little colour! I AM SOO WHITE! Like you rug up, gloves, scarfm leather jacket, jumper, and there's no sun any way! - Not that I have never really been a good person for the beach or sun! Maybe I'm getting better? But I do miss it. During my travels I was browsing and found a spectacles shop, and hey they had "Harry Potter" eye glasses! That's so funny, like Warner Brothers have marketed and branded "Harry Potter" eye where! lol - next will be the Eau de Cologne "Potter Pong" hehehehe - I literally stumbled onto the Sunday Flea Market yesterday - like the Paddington market - but honestly we have no idea what a true flea market is! To start it was like 1.5 Kilometres long! 2 rows! and was just incredible. Like any thing you could think, buttons, 2nd hand furniture, plates, silver, billions of like good old bric a brac, watches, keys, coats, furs, shoes, all 2nd hand, there was one stall that both Di Jones and I would go crazy! all old like antique gold fittings and fixtures like, door handles, letter box flaps, gates, candle holders for the front door, door nobs, large ornate stuff similar to the French era but would say from the old Germany or country houses - and cheap. For what you would pay to get it in Sydney and or if you could get it you could fly to Berlin for the weekend and an empty suit case and snap up some priceless stuff for a house reno. U would have to take some one that spoke German to help barter for you - and you Shut up!!! I was looking at watches and in one of the cases was a Rolex watch in the original case - seemed Real - the German couple next to me asked in German "how much - Rolex" and he said $3200.00 marcs, They said no and then I said in english "how much - Rolex" and he said $4800.00 ......... Yeah mate im stupid! The dollar Aussie to Berlin is good, Like we do well! $1.10Aus to $1.00Ger so things have been resonable. There were lots of things I did not get to do, as there are soooooo many museums and they were very crowded on Sunday - did not get to see the Andy Warhol retrospective - was going to do first thing Monday - but all musems are closed Monday! so did not get to to that!! Pity! Just got to the Czech border - and 4 Politze want all my ID - and visa and stuff! 3 people taken off the train - no visa! mmmmm but in kewl!! so far the Czech Rep looks very pretty, I know I will like it. MERRY CHRISTMAS, love tim xox
Prague - Czech Republic 24, 25, 26, 27 December 2001
There is a Bear in there & There AND THERE and they are every where! As the bear is the symbol or mascot or something of Berlin every where you go there are bears! Not live Bears! like that would bite your arm off - (well at least mine - as I would just have to go over and pat one - if he was alive) But made out of any thing and every thing you can imagine, Paster, brass, copper, plastic - they all sit out - "walking like" in front of all the offices - hotels shops, pedestrian crossings - any where - it is a form of like art? Or good luck - I got conflicting reasons! The one that is in the Swissotel Lobby is made of CHOCOLATE! and we are talking like - solid Chocolate! and he is as big as a live Bear!! I tell ya this morning while I was sitting next to him (the bear - Not a Date) (having a chat ;) LOL - remember LOL means Laugh Out Loud) waiting for a taxi to the train station I like was almost forced to bite his EAR OFF!!! -- mmmm chocolate Bear!!!! LOL - I am in good sprits - sitting here on my train - have my mac playing a musical I saw l last night (IN GERMAN) ..... More on that later ..... So im happy, sitting, with a big grin and smile on my face ........ Just like the Cheshire Cat from the cartoon "Alice in Wonderland" HUGE SMILE :) a tear almost keeping into the corner of my year ( the song - playing - sad :( and I really am in "wonderland" what a great 3 days in Berlin! Truly Ruly Was Great. The Park Hyatt In Melbourne was nocked off as My Number #1 hotel in the world! The Swissotel in Berlin - was - words can not do it Justice. It opened on September 1 2001. So is brand New - the rooms are amazing - designed like nothing I have ever seen before, simple, modern, warm, practical - each had a espresso cappuccino machine, free internet on the TV, free movies, The Bathroom design would make any one of us in Property look (even thou we have seen a zillion bathrooms) and say "WOW" - I again got a million ideas! But the service in this place was - honestly - (remember ME speaking!) OUT OF THIS WORLD! Was booked on the internet - like every hotel I have stayed in is booked - sight un scene. & cheap! As they opened on Sept 1 and then Sept 11 happened (Belgium airline Sabina bankrupt - Swiss airline Swissair bankrupt) they want business and are trying to start something - I paid $92 US a nite! - and THEY FUCKEN WON ME! Every time one of the staff saw me, (rememeber my body language is like "Go Away" - LOL ) it was always "Hello Mr Schwan", "Mr Schwan, Good Morning", "How are you today Mr Schwan" "Can I help you with any thing Mr Schwan" - I cant explain - in my short 31 years on this planet I have never had service like it, not arse licking, genuine, careing, happy, loving care for another - and they (the staff) all of them were Smart Very Very Smart. I want to know who trained, hired them! Like get this, I call from a house phone in the foyer to Housekeeping - They answer in German! But when I am in my room - I call house keeping they answer in English! Wake up call - all in english, now you all may think that should be normal - not from my other european experiences, Boy they knew what they were doing, as on the second day during turn down, (im not there im at a show) they (house keeping) notice that I have turned the heater up! (I was a little cold after my trip out and about) and when they noticed that I had turned the heat up a little - they used their initative - went and got another feather doona fold in to a nice square - leave on bottom corner of bed, typed note (english) "Mr Schwan we noticed you may be a little colder - we have placed a extra doona for you should you require - good night, house keeping" - HONEST - my smiles cant express the feeling I have from my time in Berlin! And I tell you - no one - well to me - speaks english! not like Amsterdam, or Brussels. The conciege of the Swissotel - My God! My God! My God! - amazing!!!!!! A cappachino machine in every room? Have you heard of a thing? And Free! lavatza coffee! - free! Intenet Access free! They had a good old shoe shine service - like the great days before it all left - leave your shoes out by 3am! Polished and returned by 6am! I had the most amazing Dinner last nite - Room service! Rosmary Crustred Lamb Loin! - Oh Yum! I can still taste it! Can you believe they (reception) escorted me to the room on check in! I thought that went out in the year 1831. Showed me the room and amenities - (nice and quick) not over bearing! And yes I could Dial My Free call number - and was that! Free - no service charge at all! So I wont go on, but if you have not under stood yet ill make its easy "The Swissotel, Berlin was astonishing, astounding, inconceivable, beyond belief, surprising, remarkable, incredible, miraculous, mind-blowing!!!!!" And Now for
Schwan's Top 5 Hotels of The World ( sponsored by the Chocolate Bear )
1. Swissotel Berlin, Germany (100/100)
2. Park Hyatt Melbourne, Australia (96/100)
3. Bellagio, Las Vegas, United States (91/100)
4. Park Hyatt, Sydney, Australia (89/100)
5. Shangri La Island Hotel, Hong Kong (81/100)
The concierge got me A1 Prime seats to 2 Musicals, 1 "Falco meets Amaudas" (sung in German & English) and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (Sung in German) I was not sure if I would enjoy or cope at all - as they were in German! The first one Falco is interesting - did not cope too much - it is about a Pop star meeting Mozart Amaudas - his pop songs and Mzart blended together! They say Falco was like huge in the 80's! Never heard of him! some songs reminded me a little! Singing was good - set average! But the World Wide Premier of Disney's "Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame" or "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was Unreal! It was so nice to see on this trip another great Show! It was all sung in German! I am glad that I knew that story. And the launguage made it all so more sad and romantic from my perspective. Great Cast - Unreal Singing, and music was by 3 of my fav composers/lyrst, Stephen Schwartz, James lapine, and Alian Milkein - The set was incredable - very very clever, simple, and complex, the stage was divided into 12 squares that were the top of large Boxed Rectangles, and all 12 boxed Rectangles going up and down (some times all the way to the top) in order to change the set and scene - they then used projections - from the front onto the front of the boxes and sides! they had fly tower textured screens fly in and out for projections as well! I have not seen as complex a set since Jane Eyre last year. The projections were great! Some of the songs are so beautiful and more so as they are in another language - Disney's new theatre company really does do great stuff I have now seen them all - "The Lion King", "Aida", "Beauty & The Beast", and now "Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame", I can not stop playing the cd - OVER & OVER & OVER - ( I get repetative - Ask mum and dad - saw Evita in Sydney at age 6 or 7 (I think) and did not stop playing the tape for years! - I know every word, inflection, pronunciation on every song) I love Music! I get soooo very excited and happy when I have seen something good! I could honestly now quit my work - go on the dole - and tour every city in search of good theatre and music! (there are 2 more in Germany I am craving to see) - but I wont Quit! The last up date I said I my not come back! Joke! LOL I could Hear Di & Bill Jones "shudder" all the way from Qld when I typed! I was right! LOL she emailed me back and said NO WAY!! God love Her! As long as I get a good theatre fix each year (as I love it) ill be fine! I do love my work, I love my City Sydney, I love my home, I love the Company Di Jones R/E (best company I have ever worked at) I love the people I work with, I love my mates, I love my Girl Friends (you know who u are) I love my Mum and Dad, I love my family, I love my mac, and we all know I love my Katz (german) (Love ya "Spritzzy" (passed away Kat)) This trip alone was very important to me. I have never done a "alone" trip before - although I had arranged to be with someone for Europe, I am doing it myself, and I am so glad I did! There is snow every where I am on my way to Prague for Christmas day! I woke this morning to SNOW SNOW AND MORE SNOW! It is interesting to walk around the streets, your not trudging - but you are certainly being careful to watch you step, the snow when fresh seems fine, but then sort of melts into the shoe print then snow falls on top melts again into each other and freezes over and the whole side walk is a colleague of foots, foots and foots! - some paths have been cleared and they put sand stuff down to help both walking and navigation! You have to be careful not to slip over! I haven't yet! Touch wood - or chocolate bear! Berlin was so interesting and enjoyable! I did do the day tour yesterday, some of the buildings were very very pretty, and the history was very interesting. Berlin is going through and has since the Unification in 1990 a building spree, it is the busiest building site in the world at the moment, They are trying to get back to what it was or some sort - I can not even start to imagine what it would be like to have a wall down the centre of the city - its still there for a block near "check point Charlie" It really is a extraordinary city - many many things to do - even 3 full days I could not get to it all! - I did not find that I did not speak German hard. Tokyo was harder! But it is an interesting thing to sit in a taxi going some where and the driver speaks ZIP its like a blind date going bad when no one talks! I cant cope with it! Lol but I cant say any thing - as he wont say any thing as he knows I cant understand and visa versa! Very funny! All shops are closed on Sundays! Weird and I mean Every Thing Closed! I did find it hard to like look around and browse in between the city tour! Like I was so frozen by 9pm Saturday I walked past a Solarium Salon! Right in I Go! 18 mins of mmmmmmm SUN well fake sun! That thored me out! and I hope I get a little colour! I AM SOO WHITE! Like you rug up, gloves, scarfm leather jacket, jumper, and there's no sun any way! - Not that I have never really been a good person for the beach or sun! Maybe I'm getting better? But I do miss it. During my travels I was browsing and found a spectacles shop, and hey they had "Harry Potter" eye glasses! That's so funny, like Warner Brothers have marketed and branded "Harry Potter" eye where! lol - next will be the Eau de Cologne "Potter Pong" hehehehe - I literally stumbled onto the Sunday Flea Market yesterday - like the Paddington market - but honestly we have no idea what a true flea market is! To start it was like 1.5 Kilometres long! 2 rows! and was just incredible. Like any thing you could think, buttons, 2nd hand furniture, plates, silver, billions of like good old bric a brac, watches, keys, coats, furs, shoes, all 2nd hand, there was one stall that both Di Jones and I would go crazy! all old like antique gold fittings and fixtures like, door handles, letter box flaps, gates, candle holders for the front door, door nobs, large ornate stuff similar to the French era but would say from the old Germany or country houses - and cheap. For what you would pay to get it in Sydney and or if you could get it you could fly to Berlin for the weekend and an empty suit case and snap up some priceless stuff for a house reno. U would have to take some one that spoke German to help barter for you - and you Shut up!!! I was looking at watches and in one of the cases was a Rolex watch in the original case - seemed Real - the German couple next to me asked in German "how much - Rolex" and he said $3200.00 marcs, They said no and then I said in english "how much - Rolex" and he said $4800.00 ......... Yeah mate im stupid! The dollar Aussie to Berlin is good, Like we do well! $1.10Aus to $1.00Ger so things have been resonable. There were lots of things I did not get to do, as there are soooooo many museums and they were very crowded on Sunday - did not get to see the Andy Warhol retrospective - was going to do first thing Monday - but all musems are closed Monday! so did not get to to that!! Pity! Just got to the Czech border - and 4 Politze want all my ID - and visa and stuff! 3 people taken off the train - no visa! mmmmm but in kewl!! so far the Czech Rep looks very pretty, I know I will like it. MERRY CHRISTMAS, love tim xox
Saturday, December 22, 2001
.....WHITE XMAS
I am on the train travelling to Berlin - we are an hour away - but I have to
tell you I have never seen snow like it! we are in the middle of no where
passing through fields, little towns, farms etc! snow every where, It is
falling atm....... Everything from the powerlines to the trees and fences
are covered in Snow! Something other than Salt Lake City some 4 weeks ago
never en-counted in such mass. Ironic as I type a Barbra Streisand Christmas
Song starts to play. So I will have a nice little white christmas, rugged up
in my nice dark blue jumper from chicago, and my new black Kenneth Cole
Leather jacket I got on sale in New York. Some things occurred to me
yesterday - one was why they have jumpers that have the long role up neck -
always thought they were silly - but well here your neck would freeze!!! and
why my Volvo has seat warmers!!!! LOL your bum would freeze with out them! I
am Spending Christmas in Prague - that people tell me is like Burges in
Brussels - where I loved!!! Can you beleive that I have been away so long!!!
I never thought I would survive! but im doing great! Never know may not
return ;) tim x x x
tell you I have never seen snow like it! we are in the middle of no where
passing through fields, little towns, farms etc! snow every where, It is
falling atm....... Everything from the powerlines to the trees and fences
are covered in Snow! Something other than Salt Lake City some 4 weeks ago
never en-counted in such mass. Ironic as I type a Barbra Streisand Christmas
Song starts to play. So I will have a nice little white christmas, rugged up
in my nice dark blue jumper from chicago, and my new black Kenneth Cole
Leather jacket I got on sale in New York. Some things occurred to me
yesterday - one was why they have jumpers that have the long role up neck -
always thought they were silly - but well here your neck would freeze!!! and
why my Volvo has seat warmers!!!! LOL your bum would freeze with out them! I
am Spending Christmas in Prague - that people tell me is like Burges in
Brussels - where I loved!!! Can you beleive that I have been away so long!!!
I never thought I would survive! but im doing great! Never know may not
return ;) tim x x x
Minus 6 and Snowing!
Well cologne was mmmmmmm a touch boring. Most of the inner city of Cologne
or KOLN - was destroyed during world war II, but the Magnificent Gothic Dom
(cathedral) survived no fewer that 14 bombings and it is really the own main
attraction. It boasts the worlds largest church facade. Mind you I tell you
it needs a bloody good clean! other than that there is House #4711 that has
a fountain out the front that dispenses famous scented water (that is
apparently drinkable) and this house was on Eau de Cologne! that is where
the famous perfume name came from! the scented fountain out the front......
But it is now labelled House #4711 due to a Napoleonic system that abolished
street names!!!! .......... Last night was my first bad hotel experience!!!
I stayed at a very nice Renaissance Hotel 5 star! Great rooms! nice and
cosy! Cheap $85US a nite! But bloody hell, the management decided to bar all
access to free calls or 1800 numbers! and as the internet service around the
world uses a german free call I could not connect! Added to this was the
tour guide brochure people contact number was a 1800 free call, and on top,
the telephone card I use to call home (much cheaper) was a 1800 free call as
well! so bam!!! 3 differing ways I could not use it! well we all know what
that would have done to me!!!!!! I WENT CRAZY!!!! reception then to
supervisor then to front office manager, then to duty hotel manager, then
str8t to the top the GM! I was on a mission! How stupid! Why would you
program your PABX not to dial a free call number!!! They all said that it
was the PABX!!!! gezzzzzzz! idiots! so I marched to meet with the GM!!! (I
was so angry) he said that they had charging difficulties as some free calls
in germany are not free calls and charge and they cant charge on to the
guest....... I sat I listened......... I then told him what I thought and
how rediculous....... And then got to the crunch in explaining that there
was a way around in programming the bloody PABX. (this is a F____K__G 5 star
hotel remember) so he got the IT person!!! I felt like I was at work -
wanted to send them a invoice for my time!!!! but explained to all 4 people
(by this time I was at the bar - at a small table - needed a southern - GM
paid !! thank god) Then it all made sence to the IT guy and GM!!! they
understood? How silly! they have had the Free call barring for 6 mths! GM
told me they had a million complaints! but he could not see a way around it!
- any way LOL they had AT&T in programming from what I could see when I left
at 10am this morning!!! (it all sounds like it took me hours - actually was
only about 1 hour - and I got a drink or 2) and yes! I got net access, and
my calling card - they connected me from the GM fone (only one that can make
these calls) LOL well I did good here!! im off again on a train to Berlin!
Snow every where and minus 6 - I wonder how I will go sight seeing in this
weather! mmmmmmm interesting! I love the trains! Just show up with the
eurorail pass to any train going any where hope on and done!!! its great! I
tell you this is the most amazing train! TVs in the back of the seats and
all! very classy! take care and have a safe xmas.... Tim xox
or KOLN - was destroyed during world war II, but the Magnificent Gothic Dom
(cathedral) survived no fewer that 14 bombings and it is really the own main
attraction. It boasts the worlds largest church facade. Mind you I tell you
it needs a bloody good clean! other than that there is House #4711 that has
a fountain out the front that dispenses famous scented water (that is
apparently drinkable) and this house was on Eau de Cologne! that is where
the famous perfume name came from! the scented fountain out the front......
But it is now labelled House #4711 due to a Napoleonic system that abolished
street names!!!! .......... Last night was my first bad hotel experience!!!
I stayed at a very nice Renaissance Hotel 5 star! Great rooms! nice and
cosy! Cheap $85US a nite! But bloody hell, the management decided to bar all
access to free calls or 1800 numbers! and as the internet service around the
world uses a german free call I could not connect! Added to this was the
tour guide brochure people contact number was a 1800 free call, and on top,
the telephone card I use to call home (much cheaper) was a 1800 free call as
well! so bam!!! 3 differing ways I could not use it! well we all know what
that would have done to me!!!!!! I WENT CRAZY!!!! reception then to
supervisor then to front office manager, then to duty hotel manager, then
str8t to the top the GM! I was on a mission! How stupid! Why would you
program your PABX not to dial a free call number!!! They all said that it
was the PABX!!!! gezzzzzzz! idiots! so I marched to meet with the GM!!! (I
was so angry) he said that they had charging difficulties as some free calls
in germany are not free calls and charge and they cant charge on to the
guest....... I sat I listened......... I then told him what I thought and
how rediculous....... And then got to the crunch in explaining that there
was a way around in programming the bloody PABX. (this is a F____K__G 5 star
hotel remember) so he got the IT person!!! I felt like I was at work -
wanted to send them a invoice for my time!!!! but explained to all 4 people
(by this time I was at the bar - at a small table - needed a southern - GM
paid !! thank god) Then it all made sence to the IT guy and GM!!! they
understood? How silly! they have had the Free call barring for 6 mths! GM
told me they had a million complaints! but he could not see a way around it!
- any way LOL they had AT&T in programming from what I could see when I left
at 10am this morning!!! (it all sounds like it took me hours - actually was
only about 1 hour - and I got a drink or 2) and yes! I got net access, and
my calling card - they connected me from the GM fone (only one that can make
these calls) LOL well I did good here!! im off again on a train to Berlin!
Snow every where and minus 6 - I wonder how I will go sight seeing in this
weather! mmmmmmm interesting! I love the trains! Just show up with the
eurorail pass to any train going any where hope on and done!!! its great! I
tell you this is the most amazing train! TVs in the back of the seats and
all! very classy! take care and have a safe xmas.... Tim xox
English?? Do you Speak?
I really am well and truly not sticking to my plan! Not at all like me! I decided yesterday I would get up at 5.30am and catch the train to Luxemburg - as lux is small you can look around quick! then I would come back and do the Brussels tour for the late afternoon and into evening! Have a nice dinner and jump on the 11.53 overnight train to Berlin! I after a long chat with a mate in Sydney I fell asleep at 12.45pm ....... RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING IT WAS THE WAKE UP CALL AT 5.30AM ..... It was raining! I couldn't do it!!! I was tired so booked another call for 9am!!! was not sure what I would do! BUT SLEEP was definitely on the agenda! RING RING RING up I got - packed like a Tasmanian devil (from the warners bugs bunny cartoons) spinning around like a mad man! Was at the brekkie table with coco pops and coffee by 9.13am! I almost beat my record! of 10 minutes!! I decided I would do Brussels then Lux, then overnight to Berlin. Well that went out the train window like one on my scarfs from here to Amsterdam ......... The train to Berlin was totally booked!!! every thing!!! first time I have had a issue!! but I guess- xmas and all that! so people getting to their destinations for the weekend and holiday fun! So Lux went out the window as its is hard to get a train from there to Berlin (or any where actually- TRUST ME I KNOW THE EURO RAIL TIME TABLE LIKE THE SONG FROM URINETOWN) so - I decided to take the exciting FASTTRAIN to Cologne for the afternoon and nite! Then go to berlin in the morning! Done! Brussels is a very interesting city! I guess not many people over the world would realise it is such a huge influence and head or the European union! has very strong connections to The Netherlands - Languages are Dutch (57%) French, German. I still had a little of a hard time getting people to understand me! But they have usually just asked a collegue who they know speaks English to help. The tour was great! but very rainy and windy! again some amazing buildings! Brussels houses the worlds largest collections of Cartoons!! The Cartoon Museum!! The hotel I stayed at last night was fantastic! The people were so nice, the room warm and comfortable! The show was great! and all for like $107 australian dollars - and that includes breakfast! As all the trees are bear of leaves - was very cute to see all these birdsnests (empty) perfectly made and sitting on the atop of many of the trees! The Begium Franc is good value to the aussie dollar - just like Holland! It is so different when you travel to check in to a hotel, ask for a cup of coffee, sandwich, buss or train ticket and not have a heart attack at the price - like 3 times in London! and New York (usa) double!
A normal Latte coffee in New York was $6.35 AUD (aussie dollars)
A normal Big Mac Meal in New York was $12.45 AUD (aussie dollars)
A normal Latte coffee in London was $9.60 AUD (aussie dollars)
A normal Big Mac Meal in London was $15.10 AUD (aussie dollars)
I have not had much fast food at all (except my binge late at 2am in London when every thing including the subway was closed! But you see the bill posters every where and it is always interesting to do a like for like comparison. Our dollar is seriously fucked! But if you are good at shopping around and like a bargain (like me) you can get good value airfares (at least now) and Hotels! Mistake that I have made has been planing Europe and not just the key dates like xmas and new years! Some of the cancellations have cost me a small fee! but I have made that up pretty quick in a more economical hotel there at a different time! I do not know what the airlines do in the current economy as well as all the anti flying! I think it is going to better but like in Europe, by the time you take in the 2 and 3 hour check in time, the flight, safety issues, taxis to the city, you can get around Europe often quicker and less expensive! One thing that any company and or airline will have to deal with in the future is DEBT! when the market goes south, and people don't spend, and you have debt - then you cant service!! well HELLO ANSETT!! Why on earth would Low and Fox or the lowlyfox buy ansett, even if they got it for a song, even a $1 they have debt up to their eyeballs to service! They will have a long way to go to compete in my eyes! And then again even a BA or Qantas has debt issues, Qantas's lucky break was Ansetts fall from grace and the opportunity to refinance, and get American Airlines planes at a song! well not really but big discount! (American could not longer purchase & and we know why) Germany Just went into recession, USA is there already Bush thinks that he is on holiday - spending on any thing and every thing! UK soon, Japan! well that's a joke their interest rates at Zero! 0 ziltch! zip! no further can they go trying to motivate spending and activity! Thank god I have no debt! I have a mortgage or 2 but not heavily geared and property can be sold for at least if purchased properly what you paid! Try doing that with a Boeing 747, or a Truck, or a printing press! hard to sell when times are tuff! Australia may scrape through by the skin of the GST motivation, but unlikely, I do believe we may of course get some sniffs and a runny nose when the USA and europe catch a cold! It will be interesting to see what the Euro does in 2002 to other countries! Hard to understand actually, but one currency is easyier! much easier! every thing is priced in Euro now! and they are all pumped up for it! Some areas I think will benefit and others will not - just like our GST - one thing is clear in my eyes, in the current economy and environment it is not a good thing to be introducing! It will cost a fortune for most companies and business to comply with, systems, pricing duel currency! A Bloody nightmare. And any one who ignores it may be left behind! if I was travelling id use Euro 100% The winners will be Visa, Mastercard, and Amex as they are like universal - may even become more cashless. Arrived in Cologne Cya! love tim
A normal Latte coffee in New York was $6.35 AUD (aussie dollars)
A normal Big Mac Meal in New York was $12.45 AUD (aussie dollars)
A normal Latte coffee in London was $9.60 AUD (aussie dollars)
A normal Big Mac Meal in London was $15.10 AUD (aussie dollars)
I have not had much fast food at all (except my binge late at 2am in London when every thing including the subway was closed! But you see the bill posters every where and it is always interesting to do a like for like comparison. Our dollar is seriously fucked! But if you are good at shopping around and like a bargain (like me) you can get good value airfares (at least now) and Hotels! Mistake that I have made has been planing Europe and not just the key dates like xmas and new years! Some of the cancellations have cost me a small fee! but I have made that up pretty quick in a more economical hotel there at a different time! I do not know what the airlines do in the current economy as well as all the anti flying! I think it is going to better but like in Europe, by the time you take in the 2 and 3 hour check in time, the flight, safety issues, taxis to the city, you can get around Europe often quicker and less expensive! One thing that any company and or airline will have to deal with in the future is DEBT! when the market goes south, and people don't spend, and you have debt - then you cant service!! well HELLO ANSETT!! Why on earth would Low and Fox or the lowlyfox buy ansett, even if they got it for a song, even a $1 they have debt up to their eyeballs to service! They will have a long way to go to compete in my eyes! And then again even a BA or Qantas has debt issues, Qantas's lucky break was Ansetts fall from grace and the opportunity to refinance, and get American Airlines planes at a song! well not really but big discount! (American could not longer purchase & and we know why) Germany Just went into recession, USA is there already Bush thinks that he is on holiday - spending on any thing and every thing! UK soon, Japan! well that's a joke their interest rates at Zero! 0 ziltch! zip! no further can they go trying to motivate spending and activity! Thank god I have no debt! I have a mortgage or 2 but not heavily geared and property can be sold for at least if purchased properly what you paid! Try doing that with a Boeing 747, or a Truck, or a printing press! hard to sell when times are tuff! Australia may scrape through by the skin of the GST motivation, but unlikely, I do believe we may of course get some sniffs and a runny nose when the USA and europe catch a cold! It will be interesting to see what the Euro does in 2002 to other countries! Hard to understand actually, but one currency is easyier! much easier! every thing is priced in Euro now! and they are all pumped up for it! Some areas I think will benefit and others will not - just like our GST - one thing is clear in my eyes, in the current economy and environment it is not a good thing to be introducing! It will cost a fortune for most companies and business to comply with, systems, pricing duel currency! A Bloody nightmare. And any one who ignores it may be left behind! if I was travelling id use Euro 100% The winners will be Visa, Mastercard, and Amex as they are like universal - may even become more cashless. Arrived in Cologne Cya! love tim
Friday, December 21, 2001
Euro NOW!!!!!
Well my little trip changes every day! Just as I think I have a itinerary set in concrete! bing bad da boom!! (to quote Tony Soprano! (Vicki knows) lol) well what was I saying!! bing bad da boom!! I see something else I want to do! So this morning I was up and out and about and left Amsterdam! I was aiming for the 6.23am train to Brussels, Belgium! I got to the train station nice and early so I could figure what to do! Well that was a mistake! The station like most I would guess attracted all the homeless during the winter! Was not a issue but the Amsterdam Station also does not have a seat in site! So here I am at 5.35am in the Station. Watching these bloody beggars circling like sharks! Wanting money! It was kewl! Body language can do wonders some times! But I would hate to have the grave yard shift for the Politze! (police) all they do is go around & around & around & around & around the station telling the little buggers to piss off somewhere else!! I jumped onto the train and off I went! looking looking looking looking...... Boy it does not get light in Europe during winter!!! some things as aussies we take for granted as we just like are so used to it! As I was on the train (with my Mac and music) I did another itinerary and decided to take straight off to Bruge a small and largish city an hour from Brussels - almost on the border! I got to the Central station! my god! it looked like something out of the Cold War! ---- I battled to find the place to store my suitcase! - and I tell you it was a bloody battle to try and figure out how to use the friggen thing as well!! like 20 mins!! and people tell me im a genius at computers and the like!!! but had it figured and hopped onto the wrong train to the wrong place but in the right direction! thank god! so off again and onto another train! But before I left I had to PEE! now the reality of the Broadway musical that I only saw 2 weeks ago (twice) URINETOWN! hit me! I had to pay! But see I had just arrived and did not have any Belgium Franks! aaaawwwwwwww damn and if I wasn't care full there would be a bing bad da boom!! what to do what to do! I ran around chasing my arse and found a money place! got some coins I seriously now know the words for the show! now I got to Bruge - walked to where they said eating a cheese, ham and tomato baguette! WELL - WELL WHAT CAN I SAY! I wen there as the book said "Bruge - a majestic town with gothic beauty unparalleled elsewhere in Europe" and LIKE FUCK! WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD! surrounded by a circular canal and JESUS - the beauty there are note words for it! I did a hour tour in a group of the whole place! It seriously was like (bad very bad analogy) a giant DISNEY creation! that is the only thing in my vast knowledge that I could compare - all the architecture, the moats, canals, tiny tiny streets, the churches, cottages, restaurants! was truly amazing! I am so glad I went! I think that will be the highlight for me - as it was so small but sooooo big!!! But we will see what happens during my travel logs! at about 3pm I went back and was a little hungry! I stood trying to figure out what sort of waffles the were from the names!!! I ended up going with apple - which I guessed was apple! I got back to Brussels where I have not seen anything of yet - parts! EVERY WHERE I GO I HEAR BLOODY KYLIE MINOGUE! I like the new album but honestly ! they love her! Hope she is investing in property! I got to my hotel which is quite economical only $55us a nite! and the quality is like a 4 star that would be worth $150 - $200usa a nite in the normal times I think! Most hotels I have been into have been very slow and sluggish! I popped out and had a nice pasta dish near my hotel. Then its off to bed as I have a big day 2 morrow - have to be up at 5am - going to Luxembureg for the 6 hours - then back to Brussels for a afternoon tour and walk around then at 11.45pm I jump on those sleeping trains and go to Berlin!!! I arrive at 8.26am! I am starting to like the idea of the sleeping on the train as it does take up a lot of your day! But im alone so its good as I can get up early like im used to. And see this is some things I am learning - my itinary changes! so my hotels are always changing online! I am glad that I booked ones that did not have a cancellation policy........... Lets see what 2morrow brings nite tim xox
Thursday, December 20, 2001
DYKES, DYKES & MORE DYKES!
Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, well what fun I had in deed! I
go here about 2pm! nice train in from the airport! I am starting to like
these trains. Settled into my hotel, after 7 room moves! Shezzzzzeee, I
could not get one that had a analog dataport connection! but I sorted it!
mmmmm had to raise my voice a little, just a touch, but I got what I wanted.
Then off I went! walking walking walking! oh oh oh oh I just love those
buildings! like all different and smack bang built into each other! You can
understand that The Netherlands is on a swamp! "The Dutch say that God
Created the rest of the world and They created The Netherlands!" And those
cute little buildings lop sided falling into the dykes! but wow! How pretty!
Now that evening, first nite I was by myslef I flipped out a little! I was
sitting in my hotel room @ 1.40am! I could not sleep! I am not very good
travelling alone! I didn't know how I would cope! Knowing me I would just
end up going home if I get bored! I think I am doing better now thou! I was
tired I think!!!! I called a mate mate in sydney and had a good chat - so
after that I was ok! Off to sleep I went. I had a pancake the next day!
mmmmmmm was a little different from what I was expecting, but yummy! I took
off to the Van Gogh Museum. This specially built Museum holds the largest
collection of Van Gogh's that any where in the World! I did the audio tour!
It was great! There was also a great photographix exihbition on the history
of the USA! now that was very kewl! to see all the old photos taken over
time! I had a nibble for lunch and then off walking & walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking & walking through the windy streets and by
canals! Bloody Hell you betta watch out for those bloody bikes! Fuck! I
almost lost my entire Nine Lives just walking & walking & walking &
walking - I never was good looking left and right!! Shhhheze!! I decided to
pass on the Amsterdam Roll it, Light it, and smoke it coffee shops - mind
you the Chocolate Creamy Hash Milkshake did look nice! Almost tempted! NOT!
but I do know why they maybe legalised it! They don't drive!!! No one to
kill!! Hard to do damage with a bike!! lol Then went to the Anne Frank
Museum! - Imagine being in a loft for 4 years during the Nazi occupation of
Amsterdam, As a australian I have no comprehension of what people wnet
through, history always amazes me. This little girl who wanted to be a
Journilst, was with 8 others (including here family) for four years in the
loft, She wrote a diary. Was very touching. Off walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking - saw a cute Cyber hairdressing Salon, where you
could get you hair cut and surf the net at the same time! not sure how that
would work? Dad had a hard enough time cutting my hair at the salon with me
fidgeting, God how would you do it typeing and surfing!!! But interesting!
Saw lots of interesting fixtures and fittings and stuff. I loved that they
had all the tulips and bulbs! I would go crazy if it was in sydney! Well im
off again! On a train to Brussels, Belgium, till next train trip and
monolog!! love tim
go here about 2pm! nice train in from the airport! I am starting to like
these trains. Settled into my hotel, after 7 room moves! Shezzzzzeee, I
could not get one that had a analog dataport connection! but I sorted it!
mmmmm had to raise my voice a little, just a touch, but I got what I wanted.
Then off I went! walking walking walking! oh oh oh oh I just love those
buildings! like all different and smack bang built into each other! You can
understand that The Netherlands is on a swamp! "The Dutch say that God
Created the rest of the world and They created The Netherlands!" And those
cute little buildings lop sided falling into the dykes! but wow! How pretty!
Now that evening, first nite I was by myslef I flipped out a little! I was
sitting in my hotel room @ 1.40am! I could not sleep! I am not very good
travelling alone! I didn't know how I would cope! Knowing me I would just
end up going home if I get bored! I think I am doing better now thou! I was
tired I think!!!! I called a mate mate in sydney and had a good chat - so
after that I was ok! Off to sleep I went. I had a pancake the next day!
mmmmmmm was a little different from what I was expecting, but yummy! I took
off to the Van Gogh Museum. This specially built Museum holds the largest
collection of Van Gogh's that any where in the World! I did the audio tour!
It was great! There was also a great photographix exihbition on the history
of the USA! now that was very kewl! to see all the old photos taken over
time! I had a nibble for lunch and then off walking & walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking & walking through the windy streets and by
canals! Bloody Hell you betta watch out for those bloody bikes! Fuck! I
almost lost my entire Nine Lives just walking & walking & walking &
walking - I never was good looking left and right!! Shhhheze!! I decided to
pass on the Amsterdam Roll it, Light it, and smoke it coffee shops - mind
you the Chocolate Creamy Hash Milkshake did look nice! Almost tempted! NOT!
but I do know why they maybe legalised it! They don't drive!!! No one to
kill!! Hard to do damage with a bike!! lol Then went to the Anne Frank
Museum! - Imagine being in a loft for 4 years during the Nazi occupation of
Amsterdam, As a australian I have no comprehension of what people wnet
through, history always amazes me. This little girl who wanted to be a
Journilst, was with 8 others (including here family) for four years in the
loft, She wrote a diary. Was very touching. Off walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking - saw a cute Cyber hairdressing Salon, where you
could get you hair cut and surf the net at the same time! not sure how that
would work? Dad had a hard enough time cutting my hair at the salon with me
fidgeting, God how would you do it typeing and surfing!!! But interesting!
Saw lots of interesting fixtures and fittings and stuff. I loved that they
had all the tulips and bulbs! I would go crazy if it was in sydney! Well im
off again! On a train to Brussels, Belgium, till next train trip and
monolog!! love tim
DYKES, DYKES & MORE DYKES!
Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, well what fun I had in deed! I
go here about 2pm! nice train in from the airport! I am starting to like
these trains. Settled into my hotel, after 7 room moves! Shezzzzzeee, I
could not get one that had a analog dataport connection! but I sorted it!
mmmmm had to raise my voice a little, just a touch, but I got what I wanted.
Then off I went! walking walking walking! oh oh oh oh I just love those
buildings! like all different and smack bang built into each other! You can
understand that The Netherlands is on a swamp! "The Dutch say that God
Created the rest of the world and They created The Netherlands!" And those
cute little buildings lop sided falling into the dykes! but wow! How pretty!
Now that evening, first nite I was by myslef I flipped out a little! I was
sitting in my hotel room @ 1.40am! I could not sleep! I am not very good
travelling alone! I didn't know how I would cope! Knowing me I would just
end up going home if I get bored! I think I am doing better now thou! I was
tired I think!!!! I called a mate mate in sydney and had a good chat - so
after that I was ok! Off to sleep I went. I had a pancake the next day!
mmmmmmm was a little different from what I was expecting, but yummy! I took
off to the Van Gogh Museum. This specially built Museum holds the largest
collection of Van Gogh's that any where in the World! I did the audio tour!
It was great! There was also a great photographix exihbition on the history
of the USA! now that was very kewl! to see all the old photos taken over
time! I had a nibble for lunch and then off walking & walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking & walking through the windy streets and by
canals! Bloody Hell you betta watch out for those bloody bikes! Fuck! I
almost lost my entire Nine Lives just walking & walking & walking &
walking - I never was good looking left and right!! Shhhheze!! I decided to
pass on the Amsterdam Roll it, Light it, and smoke it coffee shops - mind
you the Chocolate Creamy Hash Milkshake did look nice! Almost tempted! NOT!
but I do know why they maybe legalised it! They don't drive!!! No one to
kill!! Hard to do damage with a bike!! lol Then went to the Anne Frank
Museum! - Imagine being in a loft for 4 years during the Nazi occupation of
Amsterdam, As a australian I have no comprehension of what people wnet
through, history always amazes me. This little girl who wanted to be a
Journilst, was with 8 others (including here family) for four years in the
loft, She wrote a diary. Was very touching. Off walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking - saw a cute Cyber hairdressing Salon, where you
could get you hair cut and surf the net at the same time! not sure how that
would work? Dad had a hard enough time cutting my hair at the salon with me
fidgeting, God how would you do it typeing and surfing!!! But interesting!
Saw lots of interesting fixtures and fittings and stuff. I loved that they
had all the tulips and bulbs! I would go crazy if it was in sydney! Well im
off again! On a train to Brussels, Belgium, till next train trip and
monolog!! love tim
go here about 2pm! nice train in from the airport! I am starting to like
these trains. Settled into my hotel, after 7 room moves! Shezzzzzeee, I
could not get one that had a analog dataport connection! but I sorted it!
mmmmm had to raise my voice a little, just a touch, but I got what I wanted.
Then off I went! walking walking walking! oh oh oh oh I just love those
buildings! like all different and smack bang built into each other! You can
understand that The Netherlands is on a swamp! "The Dutch say that God
Created the rest of the world and They created The Netherlands!" And those
cute little buildings lop sided falling into the dykes! but wow! How pretty!
Now that evening, first nite I was by myslef I flipped out a little! I was
sitting in my hotel room @ 1.40am! I could not sleep! I am not very good
travelling alone! I didn't know how I would cope! Knowing me I would just
end up going home if I get bored! I think I am doing better now thou! I was
tired I think!!!! I called a mate mate in sydney and had a good chat - so
after that I was ok! Off to sleep I went. I had a pancake the next day!
mmmmmmm was a little different from what I was expecting, but yummy! I took
off to the Van Gogh Museum. This specially built Museum holds the largest
collection of Van Gogh's that any where in the World! I did the audio tour!
It was great! There was also a great photographix exihbition on the history
of the USA! now that was very kewl! to see all the old photos taken over
time! I had a nibble for lunch and then off walking & walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking & walking through the windy streets and by
canals! Bloody Hell you betta watch out for those bloody bikes! Fuck! I
almost lost my entire Nine Lives just walking & walking & walking &
walking - I never was good looking left and right!! Shhhheze!! I decided to
pass on the Amsterdam Roll it, Light it, and smoke it coffee shops - mind
you the Chocolate Creamy Hash Milkshake did look nice! Almost tempted! NOT!
but I do know why they maybe legalised it! They don't drive!!! No one to
kill!! Hard to do damage with a bike!! lol Then went to the Anne Frank
Museum! - Imagine being in a loft for 4 years during the Nazi occupation of
Amsterdam, As a australian I have no comprehension of what people wnet
through, history always amazes me. This little girl who wanted to be a
Journilst, was with 8 others (including here family) for four years in the
loft, She wrote a diary. Was very touching. Off walking & walking &
walking & walking & walking - saw a cute Cyber hairdressing Salon, where you
could get you hair cut and surf the net at the same time! not sure how that
would work? Dad had a hard enough time cutting my hair at the salon with me
fidgeting, God how would you do it typeing and surfing!!! But interesting!
Saw lots of interesting fixtures and fittings and stuff. I loved that they
had all the tulips and bulbs! I would go crazy if it was in sydney! Well im
off again! On a train to Brussels, Belgium, till next train trip and
monolog!! love tim
Tuesday, December 18, 2001
"Taxi! Taxi! ""TTAAAXXXIIIII!!!!!!!"
Well I had a good flight from New York to London! IT was Virgin Atlantic. I was flying from New York - I was in economy - which was great value the return flight New York to London was $222.00 return US so $444.00 Aus!! Cant beat that for great value! I wont even use the return part! I came with maralyn from New York, a very close friend of mine. As I had a ticket for a Mate and had to use it as he was unable to. We battled with the underground and got to Farringdon Station which is where the little Home of Abi, the person I am doing a house swap with. And a great little place it is! I was very very happy as I was greeted by 2 little Kitty Cats "Zoro" and "Figo" so I was able to have my little cat fix!! I was soooo tired - did not really sleep on the plane! so I had a nap - got up and went for a walk around. The next day I checked out the theatre scene to see if I could see any thing! NOPE. I had dinner in with Maralyn and The cats! watched TV.
On Sat nite well. I of all people ended up going OUT and as in "OUT" OUT" LOL was very funny! I was decided I had had enough (enough of both "OUT' and "Southern") so I found the subway and off I went! I was starving (as one gets in the middle of the morning when they have not had any thing to eat for dinner! ended getting a bite! then I went to get the Sunday papers! so I could have a read after my "SLEEP IN" - Jesus! I am glad I don't do PR in London! I said to the guy " sundiii paper thanks mate" reply "which one - theres 7 mate!" My God! so me being me! I bought all 7!! I tell ya you need a degree just to figure out whos who!!! Good luck to the publist dept in London! Mind you if you did well in London You'd make it any where with that experience! The next battle was to get Home! Oh Dame!!! Even London is a back water! I have not felt like I had felt that evenening since the days of being 19 and battling with the "nightrider" from the quay in Sydney after work at the regent!! All the subways and trains STOP!!! AND I MEAN STOP!! at 1am! bang! that's it! I get confused at the best of times with directions, left, right, up down, black, white !!! What to do!! so "Taxi! Taxi! ""TTAAAXXXIIIII!!!!!!!" - why is it any where in the world you can never get a cab when you want one!!! mmmm any way I flagged a buss down!! Nice driver said jump on and wait till he told me to get off (remember im alone!!!) so I waited and off I got "Thanks mate" and flagged a cab down - Nice bus driver took me almost to my door - was only 2 pounds in a cab to my Place..... And boy after all that - Did I sleep! I am on a easy jet flight now! Very interesting, Easy jet do not do seat allocations at all. So you just scramble to the best seat you can find!!!! The plane seems old as well. But Hey I paid 22.50 English pounds so that's about $60 aus one way flight to Amsterdam! I am there for 4 or 5 days! But with the internet it is so great as I just decide where I want to be when I want and then just book the flight and or hotel online and then take off! I did not stay in London for long. I actually don't like London Very much! I was there for the theatre! But none!! well None for Me! I have seen every show!! and as it gets so dark at 4pm!!! My God! no wonder they drink! its dark so early! even I would have a issue! I had to keep on looking at my watch to see what time it was when it was so dark out side! So that's why I left and off to europe now! I must say I think I am a bit of a airline guru having flown the following, QANTAS, CONTANENTAL, DELTA, AMERICAN WEST, JET BLUE, SPIRIT AIR, NORTH WEST, VIRGIN ATLANTIC, EASY JET, and go knows who else~!! I had a great rain trip into The centre of Amsterdam, nice, clean. I had my money changed at Thomas Cook, brought back memories of the colourful money my father brought back after his europe adventure with "Swartskopf Hair" I have a nice and ecco hotel! all the europe hotels are on special any way! I already love the architecture here! Yum Yum! am going to organise a tour of the historical houses on the canal 2morrow! Only 7 days till christmas - hope you have done all that shopping and stuff! take care and ill email soon! love tim oxox
On Sat nite well. I of all people ended up going OUT and as in "OUT" OUT" LOL was very funny! I was decided I had had enough (enough of both "OUT' and "Southern") so I found the subway and off I went! I was starving (as one gets in the middle of the morning when they have not had any thing to eat for dinner! ended getting a bite! then I went to get the Sunday papers! so I could have a read after my "SLEEP IN" - Jesus! I am glad I don't do PR in London! I said to the guy " sundiii paper thanks mate" reply "which one - theres 7 mate!" My God! so me being me! I bought all 7!! I tell ya you need a degree just to figure out whos who!!! Good luck to the publist dept in London! Mind you if you did well in London You'd make it any where with that experience! The next battle was to get Home! Oh Dame!!! Even London is a back water! I have not felt like I had felt that evenening since the days of being 19 and battling with the "nightrider" from the quay in Sydney after work at the regent!! All the subways and trains STOP!!! AND I MEAN STOP!! at 1am! bang! that's it! I get confused at the best of times with directions, left, right, up down, black, white !!! What to do!! so "Taxi! Taxi! ""TTAAAXXXIIIII!!!!!!!" - why is it any where in the world you can never get a cab when you want one!!! mmmm any way I flagged a buss down!! Nice driver said jump on and wait till he told me to get off (remember im alone!!!) so I waited and off I got "Thanks mate" and flagged a cab down - Nice bus driver took me almost to my door - was only 2 pounds in a cab to my Place..... And boy after all that - Did I sleep! I am on a easy jet flight now! Very interesting, Easy jet do not do seat allocations at all. So you just scramble to the best seat you can find!!!! The plane seems old as well. But Hey I paid 22.50 English pounds so that's about $60 aus one way flight to Amsterdam! I am there for 4 or 5 days! But with the internet it is so great as I just decide where I want to be when I want and then just book the flight and or hotel online and then take off! I did not stay in London for long. I actually don't like London Very much! I was there for the theatre! But none!! well None for Me! I have seen every show!! and as it gets so dark at 4pm!!! My God! no wonder they drink! its dark so early! even I would have a issue! I had to keep on looking at my watch to see what time it was when it was so dark out side! So that's why I left and off to europe now! I must say I think I am a bit of a airline guru having flown the following, QANTAS, CONTANENTAL, DELTA, AMERICAN WEST, JET BLUE, SPIRIT AIR, NORTH WEST, VIRGIN ATLANTIC, EASY JET, and go knows who else~!! I had a great rain trip into The centre of Amsterdam, nice, clean. I had my money changed at Thomas Cook, brought back memories of the colourful money my father brought back after his europe adventure with "Swartskopf Hair" I have a nice and ecco hotel! all the europe hotels are on special any way! I already love the architecture here! Yum Yum! am going to organise a tour of the historical houses on the canal 2morrow! Only 7 days till christmas - hope you have done all that shopping and stuff! take care and ill email soon! love tim oxox
Friday, December 14, 2001
I'm in the air!
Hi, well I wrote this little letter on the Plane on the way over to London!
I got to the airport 4 hours before my plane was to leave. You would not
believe the lines! It took 3 hours to get checked in and then get through
security! The Security was soooo tight it was unreal! I am on a virgin
Atlantic airbus!! Wow they have a speedy little crew! Literally running
through the isles to get things! It seams to be a very well run operation!
You get a huge amount of goodies on you seat when you there. the food was
good and they have in seat TV sets as well, and a 46 stations! so far so
good. The flight is nice and smooth! I love my Apple Mac - I am sitting here
writing you a email while I was watching a dvd on my screen at the same
time! I had a great time in New York. was nice just to chill, sleep in and
re charge, I am looking forward to travelling thought Europe.
Well off to sleep now!
Tim
I got to the airport 4 hours before my plane was to leave. You would not
believe the lines! It took 3 hours to get checked in and then get through
security! The Security was soooo tight it was unreal! I am on a virgin
Atlantic airbus!! Wow they have a speedy little crew! Literally running
through the isles to get things! It seams to be a very well run operation!
You get a huge amount of goodies on you seat when you there. the food was
good and they have in seat TV sets as well, and a 46 stations! so far so
good. The flight is nice and smooth! I love my Apple Mac - I am sitting here
writing you a email while I was watching a dvd on my screen at the same
time! I had a great time in New York. was nice just to chill, sleep in and
re charge, I am looking forward to travelling thought Europe.
Well off to sleep now!
Tim
Sunday, December 02, 2001
Like "SICK MAN"
Well im on the Cheap Plane service - JetBlue that leaves from Salt Lake City
- 5 hour flight - $94 dollars. But I tell ya this airline is prob the best I
have had so far! Better than any of them....... Staff are so kind and happy.
They have leather seats all through out the cabin, little TV's in that back
of every seat with 24 LIVE VIA SATALITE channels. Almost brand new
plane...... I would hate to run a airline so hard with the cost of planes
and all. It will be interesting to see if Ansett gets it together - but I
doubt it. Salt Lake is a interesting place.... The hotel I stayed in was
called the Hotel Monaco - & like - WOW - such a funky little place - cheap
as - and was unreal.... Very similar to a cross of the Park Hyatt Melbourne
and The Sir Stamford Double Bay (originally Peppers) - cute, colourful, and
great........ After all my trekking around I needed a DRINK! And I mean a
REAL one. But you open the mini bar - nothing with any % in it! - Well why?
Mormon Country! Utah Laws - there is only 3 or 4 places in Salt Lake you can
buy it!!!! So I got directions and headed down to the "ALCAHOL DEPARTMENT OF
BEVERAGE CONTROL" local out let!!! oh that's so funny! I tell ya.... All
State Govt run and all. Very Interesting..... During my little walk home to
my hotel ( freezing my nuts off - my toes were ...... Oh yeah I did not have
any - could not feel them) I had a look around ..... Pretty architecture
..... I had a unreal day today..... Fantastic. I was only in Salt Lake City
for 30 hours but I had a ball....... I have never scene so much snow in my
life! Snow on the paths, roads, on the top of cars driving, trees,
powerlines, EVERY WHERE. Was a interesting experience. I went up to Skiing
country - only 30mins to get there, (there are several locations in and
around Salt Lake) I went to Park City - home of the 2002 Winter Olympics....
Gee I had fun, I got all my stuff, clothes, skis and all...... And was on
the slopes - sorry - I was falling down the slopes by 10am...... OH MY GOD -
IT WAS as they would say "IT WAS TOTALLY SICK" The runs were sooooo long. I
did ok actually. Much better than I thought I would........ It was great
fun.... Imagine that just one day! Skiing! was kewl. Went home at 4pm and
had a nice long hot shower.... And jumped on JetBlue bound for NYC. BYE BYE
love tim
- 5 hour flight - $94 dollars. But I tell ya this airline is prob the best I
have had so far! Better than any of them....... Staff are so kind and happy.
They have leather seats all through out the cabin, little TV's in that back
of every seat with 24 LIVE VIA SATALITE channels. Almost brand new
plane...... I would hate to run a airline so hard with the cost of planes
and all. It will be interesting to see if Ansett gets it together - but I
doubt it. Salt Lake is a interesting place.... The hotel I stayed in was
called the Hotel Monaco - & like - WOW - such a funky little place - cheap
as - and was unreal.... Very similar to a cross of the Park Hyatt Melbourne
and The Sir Stamford Double Bay (originally Peppers) - cute, colourful, and
great........ After all my trekking around I needed a DRINK! And I mean a
REAL one. But you open the mini bar - nothing with any % in it! - Well why?
Mormon Country! Utah Laws - there is only 3 or 4 places in Salt Lake you can
buy it!!!! So I got directions and headed down to the "ALCAHOL DEPARTMENT OF
BEVERAGE CONTROL" local out let!!! oh that's so funny! I tell ya.... All
State Govt run and all. Very Interesting..... During my little walk home to
my hotel ( freezing my nuts off - my toes were ...... Oh yeah I did not have
any - could not feel them) I had a look around ..... Pretty architecture
..... I had a unreal day today..... Fantastic. I was only in Salt Lake City
for 30 hours but I had a ball....... I have never scene so much snow in my
life! Snow on the paths, roads, on the top of cars driving, trees,
powerlines, EVERY WHERE. Was a interesting experience. I went up to Skiing
country - only 30mins to get there, (there are several locations in and
around Salt Lake) I went to Park City - home of the 2002 Winter Olympics....
Gee I had fun, I got all my stuff, clothes, skis and all...... And was on
the slopes - sorry - I was falling down the slopes by 10am...... OH MY GOD -
IT WAS as they would say "IT WAS TOTALLY SICK" The runs were sooooo long. I
did ok actually. Much better than I thought I would........ It was great
fun.... Imagine that just one day! Skiing! was kewl. Went home at 4pm and
had a nice long hot shower.... And jumped on JetBlue bound for NYC. BYE BYE
love tim
Saturday, December 01, 2001
I love music! I love my MAC!
Well been a week since I mailed! I'm sitting in the San Francisco Delta
Airlines Airport Terminal, waiting for my cheap flight to Salt Lake City! I
have no idea why I am going there except that is sort of the way home to New
York - well sort of - oh and the ticket via Salt Lake was cheap! even with a
night stay over! - OH NOW I REMEMBER WHY! "it the MORMAN" capital of the
USA!! LOL (oh yeah LOL = Laughing Out Loud - in internet chat speak) I hate
to say this but the City San Fran is DEAD as a DOORNAIL! you would not think
at all that it was 23 YES twenty three days till Christmas day! - There is
no one in this terminal - (and I know cause I left my mobile in the taxi and
then flagged a bus down to chase him!!!! TALK ABOUT A.B.C. (A.B.C. = Always
Be in Control)- I have never been so determined to make some one do
something in my life - well almost) and I got my little Erickson World
phone! - and then had to walk back from terminal 4 to Terminal 1 where I
was.............. And it all the terminals are DEAD! like its not even a
weekend! and it 10.30am in the morning Friday! - The city San Fran was so
beautiful! I had a great time! Had the most Glorious dinner where a close
mate took me to - was - well YUMMO! I could have had and entire platter of
that Potato Gnocchi!!! ("MUM - how do you spell that?") - I took it easy! It
was very very hard to get out of bed this morning at 7am when the wake up
call came ........... Had a shower and was talked into sharing a cab with a
lady to the airport - I was waiting for the airport bus (as the cab fair is
$38US = $80AU) She was interesting "HEARD ALL ABOUT HER" jesus!! she did ask
what I did - but never go to answer as she rattled onto another subject!!! (
I tell ya brought back memories of Hans (ex DUTCH Boyfriend of 4 years)
where he would speak dutch or german to mates on da phone and id wait for my
Name to be mentioned!!!!) Lost Mobile, Hijacked Bus, Chased taxi well you
heard that!! I saw a musical last nite in San Fran called "The Dead" Irish!!
was very good - slow - gut good! - BUT - well let me tell you about Las
Vegas! F___ en H___! I have never seen any thing like it!!! Ever!! So many
Poker Machines - In the Poker Machines in the Bar table tops, Poker
Machines in the reception - Poker Machines in the bathroom! You name it any
corner and they were there! But WOW - what a amazing concept!!! $$$$$$ every
where! (although slow as well) I went there to see the permanent Cirus De
Soueil production called "O" and well OHHHHHHHHHH - was the most amazing
feast my eyes have ever seen! - the entire production and stage is a
girgantic pool! - something like 40 Million Gallons of water - revols -
numerous stages - the height of the stage was at least 6 floors! - was out
of this world........ Diving under water ---- acrobatics --- singing ----
was just well I cant explain! the entire show is permanent at the Bellagio
Hotel (where I stayed) Cost them $40 million US dollars to concive and get
up and running!!!! was JUST AMAZING! The hotels are all themes - "Paris" -
Everything French - "MGM Grand" - All about Hollywood and movies -
"Caesar's Place" Everything Roman and B.C. - "Treasure Island" fighting
Pirates - "Flamingos" - Wildlife - "The Venetian" - Venice Canals and all
Europe! - I stayed in the Bellagio! The newest hotel there! - It had 3000
rooms - yep Three Thousand! The hallways were like Runways! - Everything
electronic - even the Mini Bar! - You touched a coke or scotch you paid for
it! - all the hotels are designed so that you can not get from A to Z with
out walking through all the Gambling - like from you room to reception is
like walking across a football field! - & if you want to get to the gym then
you walk from Balmain to Double Bay! and on the way you are meant to be
tempted by all the tables! I did not spend a dime or a nickel! (sorry Kelly
- not even on Black) not tempted at all - does nothing for me - so I Guess
Vegas is like one gigantic Disney land for adults - each hotel is another
concept......... They say that if you combined just four and only four of
the major hotels the room accom total would exceed all the rooms in San
Francisco!!! The 2nd night I had to see the white lions and tigers - so I
went and saw "Seigfeld and Roy" - 22 big white pussy cats ( well for those
who know - 22 humungous "Spikes" (spike is my white Chinchilla at home) -
Interesting show! - they (Guy Duo) have been performing in Vegas for 30
years! - they show felt it tooooo . .......... ROFL - (oh yeah ROFL =
Rolling On the Floor Laughing - in internet chat speak) ......... It was
ok..... Just! - was really just a giant simple 20 min magic act filled out
with Stuff-------- Smoke ---- More smoke ---- Dancing Girls and BOYS ----
smoke ----- lights ---- bad music ------ oh did I say smoke!!!! ----- they
tried to do some stupid story line but I think it got fucked up in the
translation from German to English to American! ....... Ay least I got 2
Southerns and Coke included in the Ticket price - ( I think they watered
down the Southern -- :-( so then it was OUT OF THERE ---- I have to say
the Bellagio hotel was perhaps the Best Hotel I have ever stayed in! I
reason they had staff hiding out side your room so when you rang for
something they would knock on the door the moment yo hung up the phone. I
waited for Zip, Zero, Nothing.... Was an extraordinary experience
considering that they have 3000 rooms! And I tell ya I am so lucky some one
told me to stay there......... All the other hotels were ............. Well
...... Mmmmm......... FOUL!! ("MUM - how do you spell that?") .......... In
San Fran I tell you If I have Dollar for every Beggar on the Streets my trip
would have come out at a profit! - they are absolutely every where! on every
corner! - I spent my life one day in a HUGE electronics store ......
Mmmmmmmm Bliss! I love electronics!!! found some funky stuff ...... And yeah
well most of it I have or the stuff I wanted would not work in Australia any
ways! But came with some funky ideas for our offices and internet site! -
After that I went a saw "Harry Potter" - what fun - was well ---- mmmm
GREAT! - not sure if it is in Australia yet, but I loved it! I like I always
do have great intentions in Reading, I bought all four of the books - never
got past page 4 of the "Sourcers stone" so I had nothing to compare it to!
Broke all box office records here in the USA previous movie grossed
$165millon in the first weekend and "Harry" raked in $205millon in the first
weekend! - Cost about $120 mill to make - and JK (author) only got
$20million for the movie rights for the first 3 books! - well she signed
with AOL Time Warner a couple of years ago ......... but hey when you went
from unemployed at home to the "Richest" woman in the UK in like 5 years I
guess you don't need much more! - Im on the Plane now! and apparently it is
Snowing in Salt Lake City!!! That will be fun!! Yipee!! Mormans and Snow!! -
Hope my $50 hotel has heating!! as I like don't have much warm clothing may
be Law and Order on TV for me 2 night!! LOL (see above) Congratulations to
the entire Sales Team and all Staff in Sydney! YOU BROKE THE COMPANY
HISTORY! BEST MONTH EVER! WELL DONE! .......... Well this was a wordy mail
so hope you kept up ( I think my attention span would have stoped on the
second line) hope all is well, Cheers Tim
Airlines Airport Terminal, waiting for my cheap flight to Salt Lake City! I
have no idea why I am going there except that is sort of the way home to New
York - well sort of - oh and the ticket via Salt Lake was cheap! even with a
night stay over! - OH NOW I REMEMBER WHY! "it the MORMAN" capital of the
USA!! LOL (oh yeah LOL = Laughing Out Loud - in internet chat speak) I hate
to say this but the City San Fran is DEAD as a DOORNAIL! you would not think
at all that it was 23 YES twenty three days till Christmas day! - There is
no one in this terminal - (and I know cause I left my mobile in the taxi and
then flagged a bus down to chase him!!!! TALK ABOUT A.B.C. (A.B.C. = Always
Be in Control)- I have never been so determined to make some one do
something in my life - well almost) and I got my little Erickson World
phone! - and then had to walk back from terminal 4 to Terminal 1 where I
was.............. And it all the terminals are DEAD! like its not even a
weekend! and it 10.30am in the morning Friday! - The city San Fran was so
beautiful! I had a great time! Had the most Glorious dinner where a close
mate took me to - was - well YUMMO! I could have had and entire platter of
that Potato Gnocchi!!! ("MUM - how do you spell that?") - I took it easy! It
was very very hard to get out of bed this morning at 7am when the wake up
call came ........... Had a shower and was talked into sharing a cab with a
lady to the airport - I was waiting for the airport bus (as the cab fair is
$38US = $80AU) She was interesting "HEARD ALL ABOUT HER" jesus!! she did ask
what I did - but never go to answer as she rattled onto another subject!!! (
I tell ya brought back memories of Hans (ex DUTCH Boyfriend of 4 years)
where he would speak dutch or german to mates on da phone and id wait for my
Name to be mentioned!!!!) Lost Mobile, Hijacked Bus, Chased taxi well you
heard that!! I saw a musical last nite in San Fran called "The Dead" Irish!!
was very good - slow - gut good! - BUT - well let me tell you about Las
Vegas! F___ en H___! I have never seen any thing like it!!! Ever!! So many
Poker Machines - In the Poker Machines in the Bar table tops, Poker
Machines in the reception - Poker Machines in the bathroom! You name it any
corner and they were there! But WOW - what a amazing concept!!! $$$$$$ every
where! (although slow as well) I went there to see the permanent Cirus De
Soueil production called "O" and well OHHHHHHHHHH - was the most amazing
feast my eyes have ever seen! - the entire production and stage is a
girgantic pool! - something like 40 Million Gallons of water - revols -
numerous stages - the height of the stage was at least 6 floors! - was out
of this world........ Diving under water ---- acrobatics --- singing ----
was just well I cant explain! the entire show is permanent at the Bellagio
Hotel (where I stayed) Cost them $40 million US dollars to concive and get
up and running!!!! was JUST AMAZING! The hotels are all themes - "Paris" -
Everything French - "MGM Grand" - All about Hollywood and movies -
"Caesar's Place" Everything Roman and B.C. - "Treasure Island" fighting
Pirates - "Flamingos" - Wildlife - "The Venetian" - Venice Canals and all
Europe! - I stayed in the Bellagio! The newest hotel there! - It had 3000
rooms - yep Three Thousand! The hallways were like Runways! - Everything
electronic - even the Mini Bar! - You touched a coke or scotch you paid for
it! - all the hotels are designed so that you can not get from A to Z with
out walking through all the Gambling - like from you room to reception is
like walking across a football field! - & if you want to get to the gym then
you walk from Balmain to Double Bay! and on the way you are meant to be
tempted by all the tables! I did not spend a dime or a nickel! (sorry Kelly
- not even on Black) not tempted at all - does nothing for me - so I Guess
Vegas is like one gigantic Disney land for adults - each hotel is another
concept......... They say that if you combined just four and only four of
the major hotels the room accom total would exceed all the rooms in San
Francisco!!! The 2nd night I had to see the white lions and tigers - so I
went and saw "Seigfeld and Roy" - 22 big white pussy cats ( well for those
who know - 22 humungous "Spikes" (spike is my white Chinchilla at home) -
Interesting show! - they (Guy Duo) have been performing in Vegas for 30
years! - they show felt it tooooo . .......... ROFL - (oh yeah ROFL =
Rolling On the Floor Laughing - in internet chat speak) ......... It was
ok..... Just! - was really just a giant simple 20 min magic act filled out
with Stuff-------- Smoke ---- More smoke ---- Dancing Girls and BOYS ----
smoke ----- lights ---- bad music ------ oh did I say smoke!!!! ----- they
tried to do some stupid story line but I think it got fucked up in the
translation from German to English to American! ....... Ay least I got 2
Southerns and Coke included in the Ticket price - ( I think they watered
down the Southern -- :-( so then it was OUT OF THERE ---- I have to say
the Bellagio hotel was perhaps the Best Hotel I have ever stayed in! I
reason they had staff hiding out side your room so when you rang for
something they would knock on the door the moment yo hung up the phone. I
waited for Zip, Zero, Nothing.... Was an extraordinary experience
considering that they have 3000 rooms! And I tell ya I am so lucky some one
told me to stay there......... All the other hotels were ............. Well
...... Mmmmm......... FOUL!! ("MUM - how do you spell that?") .......... In
San Fran I tell you If I have Dollar for every Beggar on the Streets my trip
would have come out at a profit! - they are absolutely every where! on every
corner! - I spent my life one day in a HUGE electronics store ......
Mmmmmmmm Bliss! I love electronics!!! found some funky stuff ...... And yeah
well most of it I have or the stuff I wanted would not work in Australia any
ways! But came with some funky ideas for our offices and internet site! -
After that I went a saw "Harry Potter" - what fun - was well ---- mmmm
GREAT! - not sure if it is in Australia yet, but I loved it! I like I always
do have great intentions in Reading, I bought all four of the books - never
got past page 4 of the "Sourcers stone" so I had nothing to compare it to!
Broke all box office records here in the USA previous movie grossed
$165millon in the first weekend and "Harry" raked in $205millon in the first
weekend! - Cost about $120 mill to make - and JK (author) only got
$20million for the movie rights for the first 3 books! - well she signed
with AOL Time Warner a couple of years ago ......... but hey when you went
from unemployed at home to the "Richest" woman in the UK in like 5 years I
guess you don't need much more! - Im on the Plane now! and apparently it is
Snowing in Salt Lake City!!! That will be fun!! Yipee!! Mormans and Snow!! -
Hope my $50 hotel has heating!! as I like don't have much warm clothing may
be Law and Order on TV for me 2 night!! LOL (see above) Congratulations to
the entire Sales Team and all Staff in Sydney! YOU BROKE THE COMPANY
HISTORY! BEST MONTH EVER! WELL DONE! .......... Well this was a wordy mail
so hope you kept up ( I think my attention span would have stoped on the
second line) hope all is well, Cheers Tim
Sunday, November 25, 2001
a polyp or 2
well its been a while since my last up date!!! I must say I have never really been on a holiday this long before! its almost 4 weeks! the longest holiday I think I have ever had in my career. The longest one has been 2 weeks! and after the initial winding down I am SERIOUSLY enjoying my time off! I have a million ideas.......... and the more time off I have the more I see other things that would be great to do in Sydney........ so we will see some of these filtering through in 2002 I think! Today is Thanksgiving....... TURKEY TURKEY TURKEY ......... every thing is closed ..... and I mean EVERY THING..... I decided to do some washing ... like jeans and stuff before NY city closed down.... I went to the Laundromat and sat and watched the front loader go round and round while me, my apple imac and headphones watched the DVD of "THE SOPRANOS" 2nd season.......... well with all the domestics all done I took off to see the musical "URINETOWN" yes that's the title and the New York times said ...... "Urinetown,'' the marvellously self-conscious satire of the musical theatre's social conscience. The show, which remains a zesty and full-bodied original, began life in fact as a participant in the New York Fringe Festival, and given its toilet-centric plot, it was a reasonable level of entry. It became a surprise Off Broadway hit last spring. What is, in fact, most striking here is how well everything fits together in the collaborative creation of something that feels entirely original. And did I mention that ''Urinetown'' is hilarious? A huge ovation that followed shortly thereafter, the audience agreed." and it was very very good! Weird but incredible performances and very good.................. I went for a very very long walk around central park ...... I just love those little squirrels! bouncing around the park looking for dinner! The west side......... that's where I stay - some call it "Hells Kitchen" changes every year I come back....... this year it honestly seems to be getting more "gay" which I think is good. People tell me that the village and so forth is so expensive that people cant afford to live there any more....... so they are moving more further away from downtown ........ and since the world trade centre thing more and more people seem to be moving away from the financial district......... well Tuesday night was the nite of nites...... I got to see "The Producers" ................ here is some back ground on one of the most expensive musical tickets I have ever purchased.......... "Out scalping the Scalpers If theatregoers had to decide whether scalpers or producers should reap the profits for selling hard-to-get theatre tickets at outrageous prices, most would opt for the producers. At least they might use the money to put on another show. So the announcement that the musical ''The Producers'' had jacked up the price on prime tickets to $480US or ($920AUS) stirred more interest than outrage on Broadway. However, when the producers of ''The Producers'' describe their decision as a ''war'' on scalpers, their battle cry has to be taken with a grain of salt." ............. well I paid almost that ..........but the worry i had was that " Nathan Lane "The Star" had canceled last weeks performances in The Producers to treat polyp on vocal cord and severely strained voice" ......... so i tell you I was worried that i would get a polyp or 2 if i did not get to see him in the show ....................... and why all this stuff about this show? welllll.........'Producers' Shatters Tony Award Record With 12 Prizes ....... it is the most awarded musical in Tony Award History! so all this stuff is wanting people to get to see it............"The hit Mel Brooks show about producers who put on a Nazi musical won every prize it possibly could at Radio City Music Hall, breaking the Broadway record with 12 Tony Awards, the most any musical has won since ''Hello, Dolly!'' took 10 in 1964." It won:
Best Musical: ''The Producers''
Book of a Musical: ''The Producers''
Original Score: ''The Producers''
Actor in a Musical: Nathan Lane, ''The Producers''
Featured Actor in a Musical: Gary Beach, ''The Producers''
Featured Actress in a Musical: Cady Huffman, ''The Producers''
Scenery: Robin Wagner, ''The Producers''
Costumes: William Ivey Long, ''The Producers''
Lighting: Peter Kaczorowski, ''The Producers''
Choreography: Susan Stroman, ''The Producers''
Direction of a Musical: Susan Stroman, ''The Producers''
Orchestration: Doug Besterman, ''The Producers''
''I want to thank Hitler,'' Mr. Brooks said, ''for being such a funny guy on stage.''
Accepting the award for best musical on behalf of the multiple producers standing onstage with him, Mr. Brooks said, ''Behind me you see a phalanx -- an avalanche -- of Jews who have come with their talent, their money, but most of all their spirit and their love for the theater.''.................... and yes it was worth it! I was worried all the hipe would be a let down! but it was great! Very very funny! and a great show..................... I have been doing a large amount of work online de bugging our new website that will be launched in january! The team in sydney are doing a great job over all....... I fly to Las Vegas on sunday to see a couple of shows there (as the deal is unreal) ........ travel here is so cheep at the moment......... it has never been like this....... People here just dont want to fly ....... and after the Airbus thing people are even more paronoid.......... here are some of the deals that you can get.
NEW YORK TO LONDON RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $305US return
NEW YORK TO PARIS RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $315US return
NEW YORK TO AMSTERDAM RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $350US return
NEW YORK TO SINGAPORE RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $305US return
so travel is the go! Hotels too are soooo cheap! you can get a 4 star hotel in New York for $120 a nite at the moment!!
Hope all is well .......... Email or call (global roaming) if you need me!
cheers tim xo
Best Musical: ''The Producers''
Book of a Musical: ''The Producers''
Original Score: ''The Producers''
Actor in a Musical: Nathan Lane, ''The Producers''
Featured Actor in a Musical: Gary Beach, ''The Producers''
Featured Actress in a Musical: Cady Huffman, ''The Producers''
Scenery: Robin Wagner, ''The Producers''
Costumes: William Ivey Long, ''The Producers''
Lighting: Peter Kaczorowski, ''The Producers''
Choreography: Susan Stroman, ''The Producers''
Direction of a Musical: Susan Stroman, ''The Producers''
Orchestration: Doug Besterman, ''The Producers''
''I want to thank Hitler,'' Mr. Brooks said, ''for being such a funny guy on stage.''
Accepting the award for best musical on behalf of the multiple producers standing onstage with him, Mr. Brooks said, ''Behind me you see a phalanx -- an avalanche -- of Jews who have come with their talent, their money, but most of all their spirit and their love for the theater.''.................... and yes it was worth it! I was worried all the hipe would be a let down! but it was great! Very very funny! and a great show..................... I have been doing a large amount of work online de bugging our new website that will be launched in january! The team in sydney are doing a great job over all....... I fly to Las Vegas on sunday to see a couple of shows there (as the deal is unreal) ........ travel here is so cheep at the moment......... it has never been like this....... People here just dont want to fly ....... and after the Airbus thing people are even more paronoid.......... here are some of the deals that you can get.
NEW YORK TO LONDON RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $305US return
NEW YORK TO PARIS RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $315US return
NEW YORK TO AMSTERDAM RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $350US return
NEW YORK TO SINGAPORE RETURN ON MOST AIRLINES $305US return
so travel is the go! Hotels too are soooo cheap! you can get a 4 star hotel in New York for $120 a nite at the moment!!
Hope all is well .......... Email or call (global roaming) if you need me!
cheers tim xo
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
Mumma Mia
Well its been a bit of a whirlwind of a trip! I have been to LA, Detroit
(with Ralph) Chicago and now in new York! It is interesting to be here,
there are many areas that were and are affected by September 11, the theatre
and most of all people who lost others as well as units that they life in
downtown! I spoke to one person that saw all the things unfold on top of the
NYU building! Scary stuff - the smell in the air downtown is apparently un
bare able! They say it will take years maybe even 5 years to get the subway
back to they way it was! The local fire station around the corner from where
I live in "Hells Kitchen" has posters and flowers and every thing all around
it. I looked quickly and saw 15 men that were lost! Really hard to think
what it would be like to go off to work and be trapped .......... I have
been doing the normal things here ...... sleeping in and recharging ,
watching a Broadway show each night, there are not many shows on at the
moment. Highlights were the revival of 42nd Street - great orchestrations,
fantastic direction and costumes...... and well the tapping was kewl as
well! I saw Mumma Mia again this evening - ( I can proudly say I have seen
this show where ever it is on earth at the moment - Melbourne, London, New
York) I have got a million ideas that will drive every one crazy! most from
the NAR conference, and some from Chicago , Ralph , and NYC. I went down to
Symms on Madison Avenue and spent a life time searching for nice shirts, I
got so many I was crazy but they were all so god damn cheap I had to! Even
converted a POLO shirt is one third the price in Sydney!! So you will all
get to see some new colours! I bought some new stuff for the web site and
our PC network that was super cheap! I love having my world phone! I was
smack bang in the middle of virgin records on times square and the mobile
rang...... a lady from Balmain ringing about "Patrick Schwan" saying he was
lost and was at 392 Darling Street ..... :-) good to see that I can even
get a call for one of my kitty cats that went wondering!!! - Its kewl Kelly
saved the day and went and got him!!! ( I know you were worried :(
its 1.15am here in the morning! I am a little pissed (drunk - not angry -
LOL ) oh (LOL = Laugh Out Loud) Marilyn and I had a great Dinner, saw Mumma
Mia (Aussie Cast the best so far) and then came home - I been listening to
my music on my PC Hard drive and drinking a Southern!!! YUM YUM! Hey "THEY
CHANGED THE BOTTLE DESIGN" it looks kewl as!! I guess it will take Years to
get to Sydney like most things!! I miss may Cats and Work colleagues a awful
lot - my cats make me smile..... Patrick to greet me when I arrive, Rexxy
wanting a cuddle and Spritz asking "Dad can I have the rat" and Spike
waiting till its all dark and every one has gone and its just me & him and
the TV and then he will come over and want to cuddle ......... funny hey!!
Always love my mates, my cats. I am off to look for a data thing for a idea
I came up with! Ill see a show 2 morrow - buy another million CD's of shows
- maybe have lunch at Ollies on Time Square. I hope you are well, not
working too hard and remember Xmas is around the corner. Love Tim xox (back
before you can wink) ;-)
(with Ralph) Chicago and now in new York! It is interesting to be here,
there are many areas that were and are affected by September 11, the theatre
and most of all people who lost others as well as units that they life in
downtown! I spoke to one person that saw all the things unfold on top of the
NYU building! Scary stuff - the smell in the air downtown is apparently un
bare able! They say it will take years maybe even 5 years to get the subway
back to they way it was! The local fire station around the corner from where
I live in "Hells Kitchen" has posters and flowers and every thing all around
it. I looked quickly and saw 15 men that were lost! Really hard to think
what it would be like to go off to work and be trapped .......... I have
been doing the normal things here ...... sleeping in and recharging ,
watching a Broadway show each night, there are not many shows on at the
moment. Highlights were the revival of 42nd Street - great orchestrations,
fantastic direction and costumes...... and well the tapping was kewl as
well! I saw Mumma Mia again this evening - ( I can proudly say I have seen
this show where ever it is on earth at the moment - Melbourne, London, New
York) I have got a million ideas that will drive every one crazy! most from
the NAR conference, and some from Chicago , Ralph , and NYC. I went down to
Symms on Madison Avenue and spent a life time searching for nice shirts, I
got so many I was crazy but they were all so god damn cheap I had to! Even
converted a POLO shirt is one third the price in Sydney!! So you will all
get to see some new colours! I bought some new stuff for the web site and
our PC network that was super cheap! I love having my world phone! I was
smack bang in the middle of virgin records on times square and the mobile
rang...... a lady from Balmain ringing about "Patrick Schwan" saying he was
lost and was at 392 Darling Street ..... :-) good to see that I can even
get a call for one of my kitty cats that went wondering!!! - Its kewl Kelly
saved the day and went and got him!!! ( I know you were worried :(
its 1.15am here in the morning! I am a little pissed (drunk - not angry -
LOL ) oh (LOL = Laugh Out Loud) Marilyn and I had a great Dinner, saw Mumma
Mia (Aussie Cast the best so far) and then came home - I been listening to
my music on my PC Hard drive and drinking a Southern!!! YUM YUM! Hey "THEY
CHANGED THE BOTTLE DESIGN" it looks kewl as!! I guess it will take Years to
get to Sydney like most things!! I miss may Cats and Work colleagues a awful
lot - my cats make me smile..... Patrick to greet me when I arrive, Rexxy
wanting a cuddle and Spritz asking "Dad can I have the rat" and Spike
waiting till its all dark and every one has gone and its just me & him and
the TV and then he will come over and want to cuddle ......... funny hey!!
Always love my mates, my cats. I am off to look for a data thing for a idea
I came up with! Ill see a show 2 morrow - buy another million CD's of shows
- maybe have lunch at Ollies on Time Square. I hope you are well, not
working too hard and remember Xmas is around the corner. Love Tim xox (back
before you can wink) ;-)
Monday, November 12, 2001
Qantas were unreal!
Well........ mmmmmmm what a trip!!!!! I have never seen so much security and
american flags in my life!! The Security was unreal at the qantas terminal!!
Despite the x-ray machines at all the security all people that were heading
to the USA had to have all their person la bags had searched!! so I waited
for 45 mins 30 mins after my flight QF8 was meant to leave I was still in
the line waiting to be "HAND" searched - most people were stressed as
thinking (and rightly so) that they would miss the flight! But no one did!
Qantas were unreal! they waited and waited and waited - any way had a good
flight! - and then I arrived to LA - and well another 60mins before getting
onto a flight to Ralph Roberts home in Detroit (Ralph is one of the number
one real estate agents in the USA) So i got onto the flight and had a great
3 hour flight to Deroit! Well Jesus! boy do the have a house! 4 levels! 7
bedrooms! Spa, Steam Room, Massage room, Huge TV Audio room, I have my own
room and en suite, Cleaner each day! well WOW! I have not had to pay for any
thing at all!!! I still have issue dollars in my Wallet! so heaven help me
if I have to pay for any thing! - Tonight they organized a massage for me!!!
which was sooooo nice of them!!!!!! and it was great toooooo!!!!!! well
between me typing this message Ralph and Kath have gone to bed!!!! I am
watching NBC "Jay Leno" down stairs where my room is! ......... such fun!!!!
I know you all are working hard soooooo HARD as it is November! I fly to
the conference 2 morrow I think! I have learnt a huge amount from ralph in
what to do and what NOT to do!!! His reporting I shot to balzes!!!! Unlike
ours! we ar so lucky to have our internal system in 4D " spike" that gives
us real time reporting!! Detroit and I have to say the USA has a million US
Flags ever where!!!!!! every where u can think that there should be a flag
positioned their should be!!! I had a great lunch at a Italian rest in
Detroit!!!! I must say lunch ....... mmmmmm well it felt like dinner as the
lights were so dimmed!!!! any way well we don't have the
sun here like we do in Australia! ....... getting online has been so much
better than last year!!! and guess what well some of u may have already
gathered my mobile works!!!!!! well its is now mid night and in well we
truly fucked! off to bed!!! hope all is well and every thing is fine!!!
catchya see ya TIM xoxox
american flags in my life!! The Security was unreal at the qantas terminal!!
Despite the x-ray machines at all the security all people that were heading
to the USA had to have all their person la bags had searched!! so I waited
for 45 mins 30 mins after my flight QF8 was meant to leave I was still in
the line waiting to be "HAND" searched - most people were stressed as
thinking (and rightly so) that they would miss the flight! But no one did!
Qantas were unreal! they waited and waited and waited - any way had a good
flight! - and then I arrived to LA - and well another 60mins before getting
onto a flight to Ralph Roberts home in Detroit (Ralph is one of the number
one real estate agents in the USA) So i got onto the flight and had a great
3 hour flight to Deroit! Well Jesus! boy do the have a house! 4 levels! 7
bedrooms! Spa, Steam Room, Massage room, Huge TV Audio room, I have my own
room and en suite, Cleaner each day! well WOW! I have not had to pay for any
thing at all!!! I still have issue dollars in my Wallet! so heaven help me
if I have to pay for any thing! - Tonight they organized a massage for me!!!
which was sooooo nice of them!!!!!! and it was great toooooo!!!!!! well
between me typing this message Ralph and Kath have gone to bed!!!! I am
watching NBC "Jay Leno" down stairs where my room is! ......... such fun!!!!
I know you all are working hard soooooo HARD as it is November! I fly to
the conference 2 morrow I think! I have learnt a huge amount from ralph in
what to do and what NOT to do!!! His reporting I shot to balzes!!!! Unlike
ours! we ar so lucky to have our internal system in 4D " spike" that gives
us real time reporting!! Detroit and I have to say the USA has a million US
Flags ever where!!!!!! every where u can think that there should be a flag
positioned their should be!!! I had a great lunch at a Italian rest in
Detroit!!!! I must say lunch ....... mmmmmm well it felt like dinner as the
lights were so dimmed!!!! any way well we don't have the
sun here like we do in Australia! ....... getting online has been so much
better than last year!!! and guess what well some of u may have already
gathered my mobile works!!!!!! well its is now mid night and in well we
truly fucked! off to bed!!! hope all is well and every thing is fine!!!
catchya see ya TIM xoxox