Eyup, Chuck. Well so far it's been get up at 5 a.m., take a brisk walk around the centre of Glasgow, shower, shave and change, then walk from Hotel to work, get breakfast at work (£4.85 instead of £13.50, saving my employer money!), then spent all day job shadowing the most incommunicative person I've ever met. Bless him, I think he fears that I'll want to make too many changes to the way he does his job. Yet every suggestion I've made has been greeted with 'that's a good idea', plus I've learned quite a bit from him that I can apply to my job (and I told him)

Logged on and done a couple hours work on my day job, going back to Hotel now to meet my boss who's taking me to dinner. Hope it's not a posh place 'cos I've only got my travelling clothes with me.

Had a twinge of sorrow at putting my 2 (that's two, count 'em) birthday cards up in my hotel room, butthen realised that at least 2 people care enough to send me cards. Then there's been texts and e mails and calls and facebookers and of course, MIPs.

How lucky am I?

Dito on the card Bill, Hope a heartfelt wish for a very, very, very sober happy birthday will do :)

I am now :) Wasn't sure who he was so I googled him. Listening to September Blue as I type. Can't believe I've never heard of him. Thanks for the birthday present!

Happy birthday, Bill.
God bless you on this special day.
Gonee.

Hey, many, many thanks for all your messages, they're really lifting me up.

Had a good evening with my boss, his colleagues and his boss. A chinese meal, a bit of work related chat and a bit of socialising. I upset my bosses boss a few months ago due to letting my ego write cheques that my big gob tried to cash.I had to step 10 it and was rewarded with some difficult tasks which I completed on time and under budget. My bosses boss, when introduced to me pointedly said no, I don't really know Bill, not even by reputation, which I took rightly to be amends accepted, now we start over.

We then had a good chat about motorbikes, blues and fishing.

Only two people asked about my not drinking, my bosses boss who said as it's your birthday, do you want the champagne or do you really not drink - so I said no I don't drink, to which he said you'll be in good company with this team then, half of them are health freaks too.

The other person eventually asked me why I don't drink (neither did she) and so I told her it was for health reasons. About an hour later she asked if I was allergic - yes, did I stop cold turkey - yes, how long has it been - a good bit. Knowing smile - maybe she's one of us?

Jazzyblue - I asked about Chris Rea as that the name of his production company. Suggest you check out Dancing down the stony road and easy rider, both written after recovering from pancreatitis, the blue guitars box set and his greatest hits collection.

Happy Birthday Bill