@ Andrew Kirk

Episode IV - A new hope

2006-10-20T07:45:00.000+10:00

We are celebrating our 4th edition to the Kirk-Clark Clan. Charlie Dane Kirk-Clark was born on Monday 16/10/06. Rather big and vey healthy. Below are some ramblings about how it all happened.

Like most of the truly enjoyable things in life, they just get better and better each time you do it!!! You may scoff and say that’s what got us here in the first place but there is another reason that I am now putting finger to keyboard is to share the last 36 hours with you… some of the best 36 hours of my life! The truth is that witnessing that moment when your flesh and blood is born is the most special, special moment… and it does get better each time.

Sunday night started like any normal Sunday night in the far from normal Kirk-Clark Clan household…

A roast dinner prepared by the iron chef Dad, apple juice all round, a special ice cream pudding and then we all settled in to watch more dreams get shattered in Aussie Idol. Little did we know but Beck was starting to feel that ‘little something’… now I have no idea what the ‘little something’ feeling is but she was having it. The problem was is that she has been having that ‘little something’ feeling for a while now… about 3 weeks.

It had been a long month. With expectations that being the fourth and the fact Beck is an anal retentive control freak we thought it would be early and we (Beck) was trying to organise the birth Friday week ago. It would have been perfect – people could have visited on the weekend, all the weeks chores and tasks were done (the boys hair cut – check, Bronte spoilt – check, yell at Andrew for breathing weird – check, have my hair done (again) – check, clean house - check, carpet laid – check, buy Bronte’s double bed – check, move new baby seat closer to garage door – check, move Andrew’s golf sticks further away from garage door – check).

The whiteboard in the kitchen that dictates our lives was almost empty except for… Bronte’s dance concert, Andrew wash floors, clean car, stop breathing weirdly and phone numbers for Westmead private hospital. It would have been a perfectly executed military operation.

But Friday came and went and we entered the second week of the school holidays. Each night we would go to bed hoping to ring the mother-in-law at some ungodly hour. But it was not to be – our impending money burner was holding off… Beck even put a request into the Obstetrician during her visit last Wednesday asking if she could be induced on Thursday, “with 3 kids and a chore challenged husband it would be good to have the baby tomorrow (Thursday), so I could be home on Sunday to organise the kids back to school, people could visit on the weekend, I don’t miss Aussie Idol and All Saints and to be honest all the chores are now done except the floors and car”. But her rather sound argument fell on deaf ears… the obstetrician replied “I don’t induce for social reasons…” and that was that!

So we waited, and waited, and waited…

On Sunday Bronte performed (brilliantly) in the dance concert, I washed the floors and cleaned the car…

We crawled into bed on Sunday night after burning labour inducing incense and taking a hot bath. Around 11.30pm Rebecca felt more than a little something… She waited… it got stronger, she waited and then it got a little stronger… she waited.

Finally at 2.30am she got up to walk around and begin preparing her bathroom bag, do her hair and make-up, and mentally prepare for the most excruciating pain ever, all the normal stuff.

I woke – she told me “yes, it is all happening but it will be a while, I will get organised, fix the whiteboard and wake you when we need to go.” Little did I know that she just didn’t want me following her around annoying her – as if!!!

I said “that is really great news – here we go” rolled over and promptly went back to sleep.

10 minutes later I got up. It was all too much. I was too excited. I intended to stay out of her way so I grabbed a pen, trusty note book, my best sports watch with timer and proceeded to follow her around the house (at a safe distance) asking important questions such as - you having one now? Is that one? Does it hurt? Is it finished? Wow that was 6 minutes, the last was 5, the one before was 8, so I bet the next is 7 minutes.

In hindsight, I don’t feel my role was appreciated.

At 4am we called the in-laws. Lyn was already sitting by the phone – she had been up for half ‘n hour – she also felt that ‘little something’… all a bit weird really.
Anyway we jumped into the family van, looked at one of the 5 empty seats behind us, smiled, knowing that our new pride and joy was soon to take one of those spaces…

We arrived safe and sound at Westmead Private (3 contractions on the way, one as we hopped in the care @ 4.07, one @ 4.12 ‘a bit quicker than expected’, and the third @ 4.21 ‘mmm a bit long – I hope this is still going to happen’ – all noted for the doctors information). We parked right out the front. They welcomed us like a hotel and walked us to room number “4 – Birthing room” mmm not like any hotel I have stayed in.

To be honest it was very pleasant except for the plastic bed/torture table. The rest was very comfortable with a massive recliner chair. I was excited. I had my new book “Tobruk” and my mp3 players with noise cancelling headphones.

They checked Beck and we were half way – not long now they promised. When asked about pain relief – she replied “I took 2 Panadol at home and that will be fine for now.” You go girl!!! I thought. I asked the nurse if she could turn the gas on just in case but all I got was a raised eyebrow.

For the next couple of hours I looked dreamily at the recliner chair as I stood next to Beck. Every 5 minutes or so I had to give her my hand, she held it to her face and used her new birthing technique. By focusing her pain though my fingers she could get through the contraction. She said my fingers were cold and that helped to focus. I told her that’s what happens when they are starved of blood… not complaining just stating facts.

Our midwives’ were wonderful. Very caring and thoughtful. Because Beck was doing so well they left us alone. When they did check they commented on how wonderful she was doing, how cool she was, how experienced she was and just how nice she is for a woman about to give birth. I tried to warn them that this Beck will change, that nice Beck will go, and exorcist Beck will take her place… they were warned.

From then on things slowed a little – she had a contraction every five minutes.

Finally at 8.30 the doctor arrived and realised she needed to get things moving. She broke Beck’s waters, and the flood gates of pain opened. Looking up at me as my fingers turned a darker shade of blue next to her cheek she said “I don’t think two Panadol was enough” I agreed.

Beck asked for an epidural – the midwife looked at me and said that horse had bolted. “Fire up the gas” was the call.

The contractions were coming on like an all black forward pack… consistent, painful and rather ugly. Suddenly sweet, angelic, butter wouldn’t melt Becky Clark was peeling paint off the walls as she worked her way through the wharfie’s dictionary of friendly banter. The meek and mild was now potty mouth trash and I was loving it. You go girl!!!

It must be said she abused no-one but openly shared her feelings about the labour, the pain, the pillows, my hand and the whole experience.

Finally it was time to push. Delirious on gas and pain, Beck struggled to push with her muscles not her mouth. Guided by the wonderful Dr Gabriel Beck was told that while the “pain will be the worst pain you ever felt, but once it’s over, it’s over” inspiring words really…

Then at 9.50 – time froze…

This is the greatest moment anybody anywhere will experience… the moment you see your child’s face, you gaze at your newborns hair, ears, nose, dimpled chin, and mouth… through blurry vision as tears roll down your face you see… well you see - you…

A quick tug and the rest of your little human emerges… you start counting – two arms, two legs, now where is the – oh there it is – one penis… it’s a boy!

Charlie Dane Kirk-Clark emerged into our world. He had a bit of a cry but quickly settled once he was placed on Beck’s chest. He lay in her arms for about 20 minutes before he whisked away to be weighed and measured.

He was 3.99kg, 54cm long with a 37.5cm head circumference. We are still scratching our heads as to how he fit in?

They delivered him back to Beck for his first feed, and that’s all he has been doing for two days. He eats and feeds, then feeds and eats, doesn’t sleep for more than 15 minutes… Beck hasn’t had more than a couple hours of sleep since Saturday – that is tough for a woman who is used to 10 hours a night sleep. She is a trooper, she isn’t complaining but just getting on with it – an amazing woman.
Who does he look like? We just don’t know. He is a mix of all of us and looks like none of us. One thing is true - he looks older and wiser than us… about 104 years old Beck reckons.

As you can imagine Beck is in no rush to get home to the madness a household four children will bring. The hospital wants to send her home on Thursday but we are doing all we can to make it a Friday morning check out. She has a single room, her own TV, a menu, surrounded by flowers and her beautiful little boy beside her.

The question on everyone’s lips is “is this it?” The obstetrician asked. The paediatrician asked. The midwife asked. The nurse asked.

Beck’s reply? A smile and a shrug of the shoulders…

I am trying to teach her a small little three letter word…

“yes”

2006-09-29T11:03:00.000+10:00

A friend of mine has jumped into the blog world with a great little site http://www.sydney-breakfast.blogspot.com/ about the search for the perfect coffee and breakfast in Sydney. It is "Dedicated to finding the ultimate breakfast spot in Sydney". onya Selina!!!

I'm back...

2006-07-20T22:41:00.000+10:00

Well, after many many months off from blogging I venture back. I have to thank my clients who have reminded how much fun blogs can be. Hello to all those (2) people who keep coming back to see nothing. And p$%s off those who leave rubbish comments about your latest money making scheme, or how I might find your blog interesting -ya right!

So what's be happening? Well the biggest news is that we are having baby number 4 in Oct. The kids are very very excited and bec is over the moon. We have no idea what we are having although everyone but moi wants to know - so we didn't find out. I love the surprise. Austin wants a brother, Bronte wants a sister and Davis wants another xbox game.

Love this photo of the da boys - as you can see Davis hates the camera and Austin hates ties "I'm choking, I'm choking". We have had a year of weddings and births with my sister Rebecca tying the knot a couple of months ago and Matt following her down the aisle a couple of weeks ago. This photo is from Bec's wedding. My other sister Lisa is having her second in a couple of weeks.

Rugby - Check out the briars rugby website http://www.briars.rugby.net.au/. The boys are smashing it this year... running second in the club champs and all grades on target to make the finals. President John "the Godfather" Slender is a legend!!!! Don't forget to check out waddo's http://mrwaddo.spaces.msn.com/PersonalSpace.aspx blog.

Go you wallabies - love smashing those boks

Music - can't stop playing 'snow patrol' http://www.snowpatrol.com/ - great album and great duet with Martha Wainright.

New passion - GOLF! have just discovered what many of mates have known for years - best way to spend 4 hours! Blackish and Damo - love your work. Next post will have my handicap and I will detail my adventures of trying to reduce it...

I am playing Paradise Palms next wednesday http://www.paradisepalms.com.au/ and can't wait.

Movies - just saw Superman Returns with my mate mong and it is a corker!!! I loved it and it made me feel like a little kid again. Well worth the $15 they charge you. If you plan on watching it make sure you see it at the movies - it is a big screen film.

Giddyup...

2005-08-25T08:14:00.000+10:00

part kiwi

2005-08-25T07:48:00.000+10:00

back again after a break... here are my three favourite people on our holiday in NZ. Great trip - plenty of adventures.

well, it has been a while...

2005-08-10T08:46:00.000+10:00

since i put skin to keyboard... lost interest really, made up excuses about lack of time, lack of things to say, lack of... well, just lack of...

But all that has change and I have been inspired by two events...

1. I read my mates blog, Waddo, he tells it like it is, very funny with some great photos - check out the rugby pics... http://spaces.msn.com/members/mrwaddo/

2. My Company Hill & Knowlton http://www.hillandknowlton.com.au/ has just launched its own blog for employees. Collective Conversations is our professional blogging communty. It has our blogging policy which we all had a hand in writing and a quirky little test "are you ready to blog" - bit of fun... http://blogs.hillandknowlton.com/blogs/

So i am back on the wagon. After my inital flurry it will slow down to a decent dribble...

2005-05-19T20:33:00.000+10:00

King of the kids... My brother says it changed his life - working for 3 weeks at an orphanage

2005-05-19T20:31:00.000+10:00

Sunset in kenya - My Brother and angela

2005-05-19T20:28:00.000+10:00

Davis in action...

2005-05-19T20:27:00.000+10:00

again...

2005-05-19T20:26:00.000+10:00

what a great shot!!!!

2005-05-19T20:25:00.000+10:00

Here is the little fella...

Love it i did - Sith Happens

2005-05-19T11:00:00.000+10:00

What can I say - what an amazing movie. George, all is forgiven. I do not need to lie, make up or fabricate my pure, unadulterated love for this movie like the two previous. It is simply amazing in all ways (except acting but that was never SW strong point). From the opening sequence - which is utterly, utterly mind blowing (make sure you remember to breath), to the climatic battle scene between the master and student, I was enthralled. I don't want to spoil it for my fellow lovers who are yet to be cast under its spell. I can't wait to take my son (there is only one scene that is slightly concerning) - and yes it is also an excuse to see at again and again and again...
Love it I did!!!!

only hours away

2005-05-18T18:52:00.000+10:00

tickets are in hand... final preparations made... going to line up now for 5hrs... wish i was there earlier... update tomorrow...

End of the World

2005-05-17T18:45:00.000+10:00

This is awesome... End of the World except these guys get China and japan mixed up but hey WTF.

Critics "warm" to Sith

2005-05-12T07:19:00.000+10:00

Was just listening at ABC radio and the movie reviewer briefly discussed THE movie (lengthier review next week). As he said, a lucky "few" had the opportunity to watch the preview yesterday and he said he really liked it and thought it a fitting end and reminiscent of the first three, or middle three… however you care to name them. He went on to say that "even the room full of harden, cynical film critics warmed to the film, "my bet is it won't be panned like the last two".

Still can't breathe...

2005-05-07T00:15:00.000+10:00

My Brother has just been on an amazing tour to kenya... here he is showing off his local rugby singlet

Rugby World Rankings

2005-05-05T17:52:00.000+10:00

Kiwis are no1 we are no2 world rankings but the best news is England is 6th... gotta love that!!!

Darth's Blog

2005-05-04T13:04:00.000+10:00

This is the "journal of Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith and Servant to His Supreme Excellency the Emperor Palpatine" - it seems everyone is blogging now. The Darth Side: Memoirs of a Monster

i can't breathe...

2005-05-03T11:26:00.000+10:00

I am five again... sitting next to my dad as 20th century logo appears (no fox) and the orchestra strikes up and starwars is emblazoned in gold in front of me... it changed my life!!! Here is one of the first reviews ep iii review. The full review is here but is does contain some spoilers Full review - Kevin Smith Thanks to Rob Irwin

Feel so old...

2005-04-29T18:05:00.000+10:00

My son Davis is turning eight this weekend. I feel so old. He proudly told his (much older) NZ cousins, who are on holidays with us at the mo, that they could email him when they go home "or just read my blog". What's a blog they ask, "you know, it's like a diary." ah how the world has changed! Happy birthday mate - from the proudest dad in the world!

Go you good things...

2005-04-29T18:03:00.000+10:00

California, California - the longest club rugby song in history? can be found on this website.Briars Rugby Club under victory songs. Better still - check out the competition table, we are leading the club championship...
This is my old club RugbyNet - CSU Mitchell Rugby Club

Coldplay's new single

2005-04-19T15:25:00.000+10:00

Ahhhh... the boys are back. Hear their new single Speed of sound here. Great song - very Coldplay, can't wait until the release of X&Y on June 5th. Single is released this Friday

Up there with the worst ever

2005-04-14T07:41:00.000+10:00

I have just blown $3.95 and when you come from Scottish stock you can get pretty peeved at that.

So who is blame for this massive loss on my personal stock market - William H. Macy. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would blame such a great actor for something like this but his latest movie (well the latest I've seen on DVD) Cellular is an absolute dog.
Kim Basinger (sexy science teacher) is down right awful (listen to the opening line on the website - "they're, they're trying to kill me"), the hunk, Chris Evans (vacuous skirt chaser and slightly more animated than K. Reeves) is yet to finish acting 101, Macy (26yr copper who wants to open a beauty salon, oops i mean day spa (you'll get that if you sit through this stinker) with his wife, ain't bad, and Jason Statham (an Englishman LAPD officer - go figure) is regretting that he said yes to the script - if he even read it.

The idea is OK, based on a story by Larry Cohen (Phonebooth) but the execution is amazingly bad. Cliché after cliché is rolled out, even the car chase scene almost put me to bed - reminded me of a 70's cops and robbers TV shows.

I tried turning it off several times but just wanted to see if it could get worse... and it did. You like watching a car crash? Well, you would love this wreck...

The Happiest Hour .com

2005-04-11T11:37:00.000+10:00

Could this be the most useful website on the net? The Happiest Hour .com

Tigers in top four

2005-04-09T22:21:00.000+10:00

I can almost taste premiership victory. '89 will soon no longer be a painful memory but a mere blip in the heroic path of the tigers - okay - it may be a bit over the top but "come on"... check this out... Early wooden spoon favourites the Wests Tigers have burst into the top four with their third straight NRL victory, a 24-6 win over New Zealand Warriors at Christchurch's soaked Jade Stadium. And as every bad journalist has written - the rain didn't dampen the spirits... giddyup

Tis the Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

2005-04-09T22:14:00.000+10:00

Well, not really and I doubt Keats would have been the rugby type, although if he was I am sure he would have been on the wing - not that there is anything wrong with that. Anyway it is the season of local rugby and it's off to a flying start with my club Briars Rugby Club smashing Blue Mountains today in the top three grade and just going down in the fourth grade (to last years premiers and we only lost by seven).

It has been a long hard slog for the Briars club - the year I joined - 2001, I think - they had just come off a season in which the results looked more like cricket scores. Now we are shaping up for a club championship season. Henry Briar would be proud... See if you can get your hands on the Briars newspaper "Briars' Bugle" a ripper of a read.

U2.com | Official News

2005-04-04T08:43:00.000+10:00

Here is the set list from the Band's second night show in San Diego. They changed the set list, adding Gloria after electric.Co and they played with or without... ah pure heaven set list No. 2

feel the Force

2005-03-31T14:10:00.000+10:00

almost there, almost there... need I say more May 19. Buy your tickets here... first screening 12.01am. I plan on being there as I was for ep 1 and 2. I wonder if my wife will let my 8 year old come too... I will have to try a Jedi mind trick.

U2 kick off world tour in style

2005-03-30T13:50:00.000+10:00

Here is the U2 opening night song set for their world tour. I love it. 2 hours, 22 songs. The best news is the fact the U2 are drawing on their very, very early stuff such as "An Cat Dubh" which has to be one of my favourite Edge riffs ever. Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly for those who didn't like the album, there are no songs from POP nor Zooropa. Anyway I can't wait till they hit our shores...

The highlight? It is good to see they closed on the concert favourite 40.... how long did the crowd sing that song?

by the way thanks to Rob Irwin for the alert...

DJ's Diary

2005-03-30T08:10:00.000+10:00

Well it has bee two weeks since my last confession... I have been on the road in Melbourne and Hong Kong for two weeks and am finaly at home. I decided to share my know found love affair with my young son and he now has a blog titled DJ's Diary. He is very excited, has no idea what it all means but in 20 years time he will have a life long diary.

EPIC 2014

2005-03-14T14:01:00.000+11:00

a bit of crystal ball gazing and the future of the media...EPIC 2014

Jack Johnson video - what a cracker

2005-03-14T13:40:00.000+11:00

Every now and then a video clip comes along that stops you in your tracks and you think "how the hell did they do that?" well this video clip does just that. It is Jack Johnson's new one and it is awesome... very similar to Coldplay's Scientist clip.

Hey Rube

2005-03-13T10:40:00.000+11:00

All a bit weird really but the drugs hadn't taken hold...

A wonderful friend of mine, when in NY last year, bought me 'Hey Rube' a collection of articles written by Hunter S. Thompson. I finally got to reading it yesterday and stumbled across the article titled "Urgent Warning to Gamblers: Beware the Idea of March." It starts...

"March is an ugly month for gamblers. It is a time of deep mud, foul treachery and guaranteed personal failures. I have always hated March, for personal reasons, but as a Gambler, I Really hate it."

It continues...

"Nothing good as ever happened to me in March, and it has never failed to bring horrible Fear, Grief, and extremely tangible Loss down on me - and I know in my heart this year will be no different. I get the creeps every time I look at the calendar... Big trouble, soon come."

Now this was all a bit weird, especially with the gift of hindsight... He died at age 67, 8 days before his'"hated" month.

But it was not until I finished the article that it got really weird - well for me anyway. The article was written 12th March 2001 - exactly four years to the day that I was reading and reflecting on it. Oh, there goes that twilight zone music again...

Guitar Heaven

2005-03-13T09:13:00.000+11:00

I am currently in Melbourne for work and was offered a ticket to the Mark Knopfler http://www.mark-knopfler.com gig last. Now, like most people my age we all grew up with a bit of Sultans of Swing and Brothers in Arms etc so I thought it would be a chance to recapture a bit of youth. The crowd ranged from 8 to 68 and Rod Laver Arena was packed. There was no support band and Mark and the boys sauntered on stage at about 8.15. The first couple of songs were pretty ordinary due to the sound system being all over the place and I thought we were going to be in for a very long night. But all of a sudden it came together and the place rocked. There is no doubt he is a genius guitarist, playing a wide variety of styles. The old classics got the place a jumping with walking frames banging against the seats. He performed four encores and left the crowd wanting more - ending on a truly amazing rendition of Wild Theme. Am seriously thinking about trying to see him again...

Daily dose of salt water

2005-03-11T11:45:00.000+11:00

When you're stuck in an office 12 floors up this is the website to gaze longingly at a decent (and sometimes not so decent) break
Aquabumps

If at first you can't see the big picture - squint

2005-03-11T11:36:00.000+11:00

One of my favourite photographs will become a showpiece for Sydney. It will surely spark a wealth of heated arguments... isn't that what art is all about...

Sydney Morning Herald

Thirsty Merc

2005-03-11T10:32:00.000+11:00

These guys rock Thirsty Merc. I have followed them for a while and have seen them live a couple of times. Their album is hot and of course you should support aussie (live) music...

How hard is it to say goodbye...

2005-03-10T23:16:00.000+11:00

I spend my life dealing with words, helping make sense of them, helping people make sense of them, giving those jumbled combination of letters some meaning and perhaps some truth and power. But tonight, as I have done before, I was left empty and unsure if words can live up to the expectation of an experience created in our minds - or maybe I lack the conviction and commitment to deliver those words.

Two of our closest and dearest friends are off to do the London thing and tonight we had a quiet dinner at some Bavarian cafe in the middle of nowhere (the pork knuckle was sensational).
This would be the last time we would laugh at each other, share a silly childhood story face to face, a story told a hundred times before, and talk utter hoo ha for at least 2-3 years. Now it's not like we talk everyday, or even every week but its comforting to know that they are a mere 3 iron away from a round of golf, or a twist of a James Squires from the latest discourse on the Wallabies.

But the fact is they are going far far away... back to the motherland. So when it came to saying goodbye it was a quick shake of the hand, a pat on the shoulder and a "see ya mate - don't freeze ya balls off - email me" type routine. As I walked back to the family wagon I realised that for me it was supposed to be significant, it was supposed to be a little emotional (in that rather blokey aussie male type of way) it was supposed to be at least, well at least something! But it was just an empty feeling, another missed train station in the trip of life - that if you had stopped, stepped off and had a look around you might actually have enjoyed it (just like Fassifern station).

As I climbed into the kids cab my wife looked at me and said "you just act so casual, i bet you are now saying you should have said this or you should have said that - go write that in your blog thingy..." and once again she was right.

Whether or not I learn from it... well, that's another story... he is here for another week and i have a couple of Squires in the fridge, super 12 is on TV and the fairways look forgiving.

U2 deny us again?

2005-03-10T17:05:00.000+11:00

It appears those of us who are U2 fans will have to wait another year to watch these guys in concert. They have cancelled/postponed the end of year tour. Those of us who are u2.com members with that big 'ol credit card key ring would have to be a little peeved!!! The guys said they couldn't wait to play Australia so they could holiday here after... so they may still arrive after their December 20 concert in the states. Here's to hope'n.

Has Jim left the building?

2005-03-10T17:02:00.000+11:00

40yo clip of Doors star found
FLORIDA historians have discovered a 40-year-old film clip of a clean-cut Jim Morrison that will give fans a different view of the Doors singer before his wilder days as a drug-using rock legend who drank hard and died young.

Do we really want to spoil our memories of one of our greatest rock 'n rollers?

Rob's star wars update

2005-03-10T14:21:00.000+11:00

This guy keeps me up-to-date with all the Star wars goings on... he knows stuff even before George does!!!! hyperspace here.

My come to Jesus experience

2005-03-10T13:13:00.000+11:00

sneeze, fog, blog, rss, podcast, moblogging... words that I had never heard of a couple of months ago now feel like an old pair of jeans. Comfy to wear and proud to wear out! I met a few disciples of my new religion this morning at H&K Breakfast Bytes. I was lucky enough to be on a panel with some "leading weblog experts" Mark Jones, Deputy Managing Director, IDG Communications (and thanks to Mark for getting me to start this blog) Frank Arrigo, Group Manager, Microsoft Australia, Mick Stanic, proprietor of Principius, the mind behind Splatt. These guys are the pioneers here in Australia and know all that there is to know. It was the first time this type of event of was held and more than 70 people took part in the discussion. They came from all types of organisations and walks of life all keen to discuss and understand the latest evolution in communication. We could have talked for hours and many a conversation continued over coffee (Mick has a mate who can tell you where to find the best coffee in the world, while Frank can point you to a tailor on Saville row) and the conversations are sure to keep on keeping on.
I work for H&K and two of my colleagues have been pushing for well over six months to do something like we did today and I reckon their foresight has been spot-on with all media coverage in recent times and general murmurings about blogs.

So this is my first confessional, which I expect to do everyday now, if I can. From the church service this morning I loved the hymns, the singing and the sermon and now have been converted.