I haven't posted in a while, I know, and though I'd like to say it is because I am completely overwhelmed with work or fun or sex or whatever, I'm not. I've just been "not in the mood." But maybe this will make up for a few things.



First, let's talk about Provence. I was planning to go to Provence with two friends in the end of September, but that fell through. I don't really know why and I can't really get an answer out of the two of them, so I am still a little miffed about that. I could go by myself, but I wanted to rent a car and explore the small, difficult-to-access hilltowns in the region. If I go by myself I will have to either rent a car with no one to share expenses with or use the trains and buses, which is not as flexible nor as prone to exploration. I believe instead now I will go to Rome for a week or so, research my next book and see my friends.



Further complicating this scheme is that the band has a Big Gig in mid-October. We have been asked to play at the company's User Conference, an annual "Get the Customers Together and Teach Them Stuff About What They Bought" thing. It's two days long and the evening of the first day is devoted to a harbor cruise with "entertainment." We're the "entertainment" this year. We've been working on new songs and have modified lyrics to some of them to be in tune with the gathering. We think it's funny; I guess the audience will be the final judge. We'll be a 5 piece; Myself, Vinh, Mark, Bob and Ed. We hav already had requests for audience members to jam with us, so it could get extremely out of control.



As I was driving in to work the other day, the radio DJ announced he had a pair of tickets for Amy Mann available. I called in immediately and won! So, I went to the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach a week ago Tuesday to see her. It was a good show. Amy is not the most dynamic performer (and she looks quite uncomfortable up there, really), but the band was good and the crowd was into it so she played well and put on a good show.



Some friends of mine have come together for a "Beatles Singalong" night in Lake Arrowhead next weekend. I am looking forward to attending this; it should be really really great.



I guess the big news is that the Ancient Rome book is now ready to go. I finally finished it, and even though there were some niggling little technical problems, including a frontispiece photo that ended up being way more jaggy than it should be, I authorized it anyway. Enough is enough. It's editorially correct and so we're gonna run with it! I will do a second edition of it along with the first edition of the Early Christian Rome book early next year. I'll try to get up to speed on Quark Xpress too, so I don't need to hassle with Word anymore. I spammed all of my friends and few mere aquaintances with the news last night, so we'll see what happens. I updated the World Weary Traveler website to include the now-active web store link.



As far as NZ emigration is concerned, I received my evaluation report from the immigration liason service I had contacted. I provided them with some information about myself and my situation and they evaluated my qualifications. It turns out I scored 27 points out of a currently necessary 28. This is enough to allow me to immigrate on an "I'll find work when I get there" visa. I gained 2 points by virtue of claiming I'd bring $US100 000 with me. Were I to have a job offer in my field I'd gain 8 points. Were I to have a job offer of any kind, I'd gain 2 points. So, basically, if I wanted to immigrate tomorrow I could. Interesting... I need to visit the country before I make any more decisions, and I can't really do that until early next year because of the America's Cup competition being held there November-January. And, I'd like a particular friend to come along with me, which can't happen right now, either, so, Febuary or March of next year, then.

Haven't posted in a while.



I've been thinking about emigrating to New Zealand. I've even begun the process by filling out an unofficial evaluation form. It's an interesting idea, but man, NZ is a long way away from everywhere else.



I took the motorbike in for a long-delayed and much-needed service two weekends ago and it came back a totally different and great-running machine. It's a lot of fun to ride around on it. Maybe I don't need a new bike after all. Along those lines, I've been pondering a new car. I initially was considering a restored mid-60's Jaguar XKE, but I think those are out of my range. So, maybe a relateively recent used European sedan, now. Maybe even a Jaguar, but probably an Audi or maybe an MB or a BMW.



I've been playing a lot lately, too, which is fun and gratifying. We now have a gig on the harbor cruise boat the company rents out for the annual Users Conference. So, we'll see how that goes.



Finally, vacation is up in the air. I am not sure what I will be doing. I was planning on Provence but I suspect the people I was to go with will back out. In that case I might vacation in New Zealand. I'll know more in about a week.