Dear chums,

I know email from me is a rare and beautiful thing, hence you are all
probably just picking yourself off the floor about now...

I thought I would just drop a line and update you all on things Dobbo...

I left Telsis (hurrah I here half of you say) on April 30th after over 6
years of devoted attention to saving the UK economy .. now that I have
achieved this goal (!!) I have decided to sit back and let everybody
else do the work from now on..... back in the real world .... my
frustration levels  at Telsis basically even exceeded my legendary
tolerance (!) - I was picking fights with the directors at every
opportunity, so when my ex-boss offered me a new job, I decided to take
a deep breath and go for it. Anyway I am now a Product Manager at Racal
Recorders Ltd, which is located near Hythe (about 1 mile from Fawley) -
lots more responsibility, less travel and other perks, including these
wonderful "internet" and "email" things. Unfortunately I have to be at
work by 8:30 in the mornings (which has proved less of a shock than I
thought), the good thing being we finish at 5:30 Mon - Thu and 2:50 (!)
on Fridays - so as usual I am staying behind late again.

I am currently in the process of purchasing a new house - Canton Street
(just off Bedford Place) - a three bedroom, three storey Victorian
terrace. It needs a bit of internal decoration but otherwise is quite
lovely - the garden is very nice, although a little small (no more
orgies after BBQs I'm afraid Feltchy). The survey is just about to
happen, so I hope it doesn't highlight too many problems. I hope to be
in by the end of June, or failing that, end of July, so my annual B-day
bash will be happening therefore hopefully (7th August). Victoria is
moving in too, at least for the time being.

Nothing to report on the female side of things - I am quite enjoying
myself at the moment and I figure changing my job, house and car are
enough for the time being - we'll see what happens. I've basically
committed to Southampton for the next three years, unless something goes
badly wrong with this new job, so I can't hide behind the "I don't know
what I want" excuses any more (not that I ever make excuses).

My annual birthday bash is on the 7th August this year - it just happens
to be my 30th and falls on a Saturday, so I'm planning a huge festival
of Woodstock (or should that be Lardstock) proportions. Please consider
this an invitation - can you all let me know if you can make it - I
believe Royster's stag night is the following weekend, with the event of
the millenium itself, the wedding, taking place the weekend after that
(21st). There should be plenty of space - I'm not sure whether to just
have a huge rocking party or hit a restaurant - let me know what your
preferences are.

I've just spent an excellent 10 days in San Diego with Smithy ( +
Victoria) and Wales - loads of sun (Wales is still a pasty white thing),
lots of chat, banter, philosophy, deep meaningful conversations,
Tequila, white wine and lots of squash. Marvellous.. I even managed to
lose a little weight, but I'll leave Smithy to recount that particular
subject as he seemed to find it so amusing......Many thanks to Nick for
putting us up and keeping us fed.

I'm sure there's lots more but I'm anxious to send this off and see what
happens - knowing my luck the email police will intercept it and
discipline me for wasting company resources....

Best regards,

Dobbo