Having to deal with a lot of paperwork and delays this week. Seems the expenses problems from Feb-April from one distributor haven't moved on a single bit and all promises of help seem to have evaporated (The expenses apparently have to go to an address in Leeds, then an address in Barcelona, then onto Hungary or somewhere - honestly, it's that complicated). Hungary has asked me to send the invoices AGAIN. I wait with baited breath and empty wallet.It's Cinema Days in just over a week, but having to decide if the line-up is worth it. A strange absence of any big films despite it being the summer...

So, then: 'tis better to give than receive? Ebay, under some warped logic about the balance in the universe is now banning sellers from responding to any negative feedback left by buyers. It says this will lead to a better marketplace and more confidence from buyers. Which is nice. EXCEPT the last time I checked buyers AND sellers were needed to make a marketplace viable and while I do agree that sellers have responsibilities too, I've seen just as much bad-faith and time-wasting from buyers.If...

So, let me see if I've got this right... as of today or soon, most major airline will now be charging you extra to take your luggage with you. Up until now, we brave international travellers have struggled with one free carry-on and one/two free 'checked-in' luggage. We've stood at home on scales with cases and done mental artithmetic on how much each bag weighs so that we aren't hammered for excess baggage (metaphorical story of my life) when we get to the terminal. We've put sharp objects favoured by terrorists (like nail clippers and tooth-picks) in safe places where we can't reach them during...

Well, a week ago I was in the air. Or perhaps in Hong Kong airport sans credit card. Either way, time flies and I'm getting used to being back in the UK for a while. I'm assured I missed some of the hottest May days on record. I choose to believe that's a dirty rotten lie and everyone's just jealous of my bronzed adonis look. Maybe, not so much.However there is the possibility of another imminent trip. IF budgets and schedules allow I may take a short trip to Iowa at the end of June to catch up...

I seem to have answered those various surveys at various points in the past, so now they seem a good way to evaluate myself @ forty.1) Do you consider yourself a cynic or a optimist?I used to be very optimistic, nowadays I'm a bit jaded. But I still believe in hoping for the best as well as planning for the worst. You give someone or soemthing A chance to live up or down to your expectations. I'm less inclined for second chances nowadays.2) How many real friends do you have?Less than I had a few...

Well, the return trip home has been... not exactly a nightmare but a night of obstacle-course annoyances that made me want to tear my hair out at some points.As mentioned there was a two hour delay in setting off from Sydney - which was actually fine as there was no speedy turnaround needed. However it was far too late for Mike Leeder to meet up as it was after 1:00am when I collected my bags and shuffled into Hong Kong's main terminal. I'd heard lots of good things about the '24-hour airport' from several people, so I was disappointed to find that the only thing which seemed to be '24hrs' was...

Waiting at Sydney for my flight. I was due to take off around 2:00ish but now won't be leaving until at least 5:45. Got some free food to pass the time here. Luckily there's no rush to get to Hong Kong as my onward flight to Heathrow doesn't leave until after 7:00am, so quite a few hours to kill there. I may meet up with Mike Leeder if there's time and Carmel has said I shouldn't wuss out or 'be 40' and shouldn't just cool my heels around the airport as the city is only 40 mins away and I can stow luggage. We'll see how the time works out.I should be back into London around 13:35 Thursday. As...

Well, this could be my last evening in Sydney. I say could because of my 'standby' status on flights leaving the city tomorrow and the availability of seats on those. I will be trying to avoid economy status (nouveau euro-snob!) or very long/short change-overs if at all possible en route. Carmel will be checking during the morning tomorrow to gauge my chances and, luckily I always have the option of rescheduling and flying a few days later if it's particularly full or problematic. My budget won't...

I got back from Cairns on Thursday afternoon and took Friday to do some more wandering in Sydney. The weekend saw us off to Toukley, where Nancye Elliott and her husband have a second house which they've done up (they're working on a third). It was a prime chance to sort out some upcoming Highlander WorldWide stuff, so Aine joined us too for what amounts to an HLWW retreat. (But no surrender!). We got a lot of details sorted about the forthcoming Vancouver DVD releases, the sleeves of which I've...

Just got back into Sydney after three days up in Cairns (pronounced like Cannes is spelt). The weather was pretty off throughout my whole stay, with only a little rain as I arrived back at port on Tuesday evening - and then only a sprinkle, though it was clear that just a few miles inland must have had a mini deluge from the clouds we saw.Tuesday itself was mostly spent on Green Island. I'd decided that if I couldn't have a big international get-together for my 40th then I'd enjoy my own company...

I had a big think about what my fortieth birthday blog would say. I have plans for a thought-provoking and deeper insight when I'm back on my own laptop in Sydney, but as I'm on the clock in a net cafe in Cairns, I'm going to quote Indiana Jones again:"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage....

In Cairns. Failed to get 'Business Class' as I was wearing jeans. Very nice jeans, but blue denim jeans none the less. The man at the counter, hmmmm'd, came around and looked at what I was wearing and said 'Oh, definitely not!'I hate people who judge people by what they wear.And hate sitting abck with the Economy people who, frankly, looked scruffy.Peh.Cairns as nice as I remember it. Wish there was a group of us up here, we'd have a ball. Off on a day cruise tomorrow. May wear jea...

The last few days have been that curious (but not unpleasant) dilemma of working out what to do and when to do it. Kerry - who was here for just a few days a couple of months ago - crammed a lot of things into a short time. On the other hand, my trip will last about two and a half weeks and is largely in and around this area. So part of me feels guilty for taking a few days to not do a lot and the other half of me feels guilty for not taking time to relax when I do go off and cram a lot in. Either...

Another day of not doing too much, yesterday. I decided to get some work across to Impact during the morning and then took the train down to Circular Quay to get a ferry to Manly. It's about a 30minute ride, out into the harbour and along the coast to a community that's a bit like Filey in the UK or Hermosa Beach in the US. It was a nice sunny day and I headed to the edge of the beach to sit down for a while reading Steve's book.Watched the seagulls harrass the food-eaters and the surfers ride...