Week 52 - Saturday 25/11/00& Sunday 26/11/00

A night out with friends!
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Original Publish Date Week 52 - Saturday 25/11/00& Sunday 26/11/00

Week 52 - Friday 24/11/00

Well they are going to convert in Prague and a large number of the reports have been written.
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Original Publish Date Week 52 - Friday 24/11/00

Week 52 - Thursday 23/11/00

Meetings, bloody meetings. The users were promised that we would sort out their reporting requirements by a warehouse/reporting database, this, due o cash, has not happened. Therefore, we are developing some simple multi tasked reports to enable the reporting to take place.  Next weeks schedule was put upside down. We have t convert Slovakia by the end of this year. We had an agreement to postpone this to January. I shall now be going to Amsterdam, Prague, Bratislava and back to Prague again. Oh what fun.
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Original Publish Date Week 52 - Thursday 23/11/00

Week 52 - Wednesday 22/11/00

Prague. I live. We arrived safe last night. I am knackered, and I did not drive, but I have to keep constant vigilance, just in case.  I WILL fly next time.  Here to try and sort the shit out. It looks like there are only a couple of serious problems and a collection of minor ones. The primary problem is time and resources.  We take the local team out tonight, by way of a thank you for the hard work, and let them know it still goes on. But they are appreciated. This is to prevent any possible mutiny later when we are fully operational
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Original Publish Date Week 52 - Wednesday 22/11/00

Week 52 - Tuesday 21/11/00

I don't know why but I feel very tiered this week, and it is only Tuesday.  I will be going to Prague today, picked up for a high speed chase across the country. I hope I live to write it up.
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Original Publish Date Week 52 - Tuesday 21/11/00

Week 52 - Monday 20/11/00

Sitting in the Airport writing this. It is 06:30. Wish I was back in bed. I am off to Vienna then on to Bratislava to check on the status following the conversion.  Flight problems, yet again. Delayed two hours because the pilots seat belt was faulty. Missed my connection, and was rescheduled. Missed the shared taxi we had planned. Arrive at the office just in time for the meeting.
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Original Publish Date Week 52 - Monday 20/11/00

Week 51 - Saturday 18/11/00& Sunday 19/11/00

Not a lot happened over the week-end. Which is just the way I like it.  Spent some time trying to finalize the Christmas Card.
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Original Publish Date Week 51 - Saturday 18/11/00& Sunday 19/11/00

Week 51 - Friday 17/11/00

All is quite on the western front. One task was not run over night, but frantic checking of accounts is going on. There are some problems which will need to have small scripts created to clean up some data in the target system, which was incorrect in the transfer files. Over all pretty good.  Travel home on the late flights.
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Original Publish Date Week 51 - Friday 17/11/00

Week 51 - Thursday 16/11/00

Conversion day 1.  All seems ok, people are getting on with what they have to. The supplier publishes a plan, which is not what we agreed on yesterday, so that will have to be corrected.
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Original Publish Date Week 51 - Thursday 16/11/00

Week 51 - Wednesday 15/11/00

Caught the train to Bratislava this morning. Lovely journey. Tried out a new feature of my new lap top, the DVD player. This is good.  Spent the day working out if they had covered all the bases for the impending conversion tomorrow night. Looks ok once I pointed out the holes.
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Original Publish Date Week 51 - Wednesday 15/11/00

Week 51 - Tuesday 14/11/00

Spent the day in Hungary. Missed a train to Bratislava, so stayed over another night.
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Original Publish Date Week 51 - Tuesday 14/11/00

Week 51 - Monday 13/11/00

Traveled out quite late for a meeting in Amsterdam. The meeting did not take place. Oh well. Then traveled on to Budapest with the rest of the crew.
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Original Publish Date Week 51 - Monday 13/11/00

Week 50 - Saturday 11/11/00& Sunday 12/11/00

Last day for swimming, book him on the next session next year.  Spend more time on the Christmas Card and migrating data from my old lap top to my new one.
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Original Publish Date Week 50 - Saturday 11/11/00& Sunday 12/11/00

Week 50 - Friday 10/11/00

The Who at Sheffield tonight.  My new lap top is delivered today, thankfully taken in by my neighbors. They are not in so I do not get it until 5 PM
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Original Publish Date Week 50 - Friday 10/11/00

Week 50 - Wednesday 8/11/00

Travel home as I have the Who at Birmingham tonight.
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Original Publish Date Week 50 - Wednesday 8/11/00

Week 50 - Monday 6/11/00

In work for 8:30, that caused a few people to check their watch. (normally on a Monday I do not get to the office until noon-ish)I did not sleep very well.  The day is progressing well, there have been some problems with the conversion test started yesterday, but these now look to be resolved.  Ordered a new lap top computer. Should be faster, sleeker than my current machine. It is going to be painful transferring all the crap from one machine to another. That is just the fun part of life.
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Original Publish Date Week 50 - Monday 6/11/00

Week 48 - Friday 27/10/00

Kelly visits her father in hospital. I have the kids and work by mail. They are well behaved.
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Original Publish Date Week 48 - Friday 27/10/00

Week 48 - Thursday 26/10/00

Well the day started out ok.  
What went wrong.

The flight from Prague was delayed by 1 hour. No problem still plenty of time to catch my connection. I have a reserved seat, so that is no problem.

I arrive in Amsterdam, and check in, receive my allocated seat and was informed that there may be a slight delay to my flight. Telling words. I browse the shops, I am thinking of getting a mobile phone charger with a continental plug. I don't.

;Check the time, getting close to boarding so I start the long walk. I check the monitors to see if I am delayed. I am not. I bloody hell Cancelled Back to the transfer desk, The front desk would like to speak to me. Eventually I am placed on a KLM UK flight to Birmingham. A great flight. I have an argument that I win about my suitcase, I do take it on to the plane. They only serve hot or cold drinks, no food.
We arrive into Birmingham and catch a mini-bus back to East Midlands, we arrive 2 hours late. Not too bad.

I get home about 11:30

What a journey!
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Original Publish Date Week 48 - Thursday 26/10/00

Week 48 - Wednesday 25/10/00

An early start to go to Vienna for the day. Mostly a waste of time. Fly off to Prague.  My wife's father takes a turn for the worst. I shall have keep an eye on this.
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Original Publish Date Week 48 - Wednesday 25/10/00

Week 48 - Tuesday 24/10/00

A day in the Budapest office.
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Original Publish Date Week 48 - Tuesday 24/10/00

Week 48 - Monday 23/10/00

Left Butlins, unfortunately I fly out in the afternoon, get to Budapest at 9:30, I am asleap by 10:30.
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Original Publish Date Week 48 - Monday 23/10/00

Week 47 - Saturday 21/10/00& Sunday 22/10/00

Skegy is good at Butlins. Went to the pool, did the evening shows, went on the fair, did not see the sea.
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Original Publish Date Week 47 - Saturday 21/10/00& Sunday 22/10/00

Week 47 - Friday 20/10/00

After school, not for me, although some additional education may not be too bad, travel to Butlins at Skegness.
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Original Publish Date Week 47 - Friday 20/10/00

Week 47 - Thursday 19/10/00

Lenka's wedding day.  Nottingham for CE work
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Original Publish Date Week 47 - Thursday 19/10/00

Week 47 - Wednesday 18/10/00

Amsterdam  The supplier meeting was partially constructive. They went some way towards what we require, but want to rape us up front with a long term saving. We shall see if any good will come of the day.
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Original Publish Date Week 47 - Wednesday 18/10/00

Week 47 - Tuesday 17/10/00

Prague  Shit is still happening in Hungary. We still experience problems in being road warriors, still cannot dial in.
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Original Publish Date Week 47 - Tuesday 17/10/00

Week 47 - Monday 16/10/00

Should be the start of an interesting week.  We present the CE IT Strategy to the two countries who have not heard it yet. In for a shock I should say!  Bratislava The meeting went as well as could be expected. The IT Director, who is loosing part of his empire, naturally felt a little put out. However, it has to be said he has done a good job of building an efficient and well managed team and system. We loose modem connections We leave at16:30 for the drive to Prague. About 300Km, we do the journey in 3 hours. After the fun and games checking in, we go for a swim and sauna, meet up with our local PM for a drink in a great little jazz and blues club. I will visit this place again. Shit is happening in Hungary. The system is being restored following a crash during the billing run. Unfortunately, no one called any one before they started the process. so more shit is about happen.
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Original Publish Date Week 47 - Monday 16/10/00

Week 46 - Saturday 14/10/00& Sunday 15/10/00

Sunday Because of tomorrows meetings, I have to travel today. Shit happens. I was just about to depart and more shit happened, I was still in my trainers. No formal shoes. This will look great with my suit!
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Original Publish Date Week 46 - Saturday 14/10/00& Sunday 15/10/00

Week 46 - Friday 13/10/00

Spend the morning updating e-mail and a few phone calls.  A PM meeting in Amsterdam Schipol Sheraton Hotel. Should get my invoices signed.
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Original Publish Date Week 46 - Friday 13/10/00

Week 46 - Thursday 12/10/00

Prague has some conversion issues, which we sit down and discuss. These turn out to be not too serious and mostly resolved by the time we actually formally sit down.
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Original Publish Date Week 46 - Thursday 12/10/00

Week 46 - Wednesday 11/10/00

Spend the day in the Bratislava office before flying off to Prague.
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Original Publish Date Week 46 - Wednesday 11/10/00

Week 46 - Tuesday 10/10/00

Up early, I am knackered. Plane is delayed 50 minutes, giving me time to update my diary. I will not get to Bratislava on time.  I make the offices, 5 minutes late into a conference call, not to bad really.
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Original Publish Date Week 46 - Tuesday 10/10/00

Week 46 - Monday 9/10/00

Alton Towers! Can't wait!  Its raining. We like it that way, just to keep the crowds down. But this is real rain, very wet and very cold.  The new Hex ride is very interesting. Plays with mind as well as body.  The other major rides do not disappoint and we enjoy them as usual.
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Original Publish Date Week 46 - Monday 9/10/00

Week 45 - Saturday 7/10/00& Sunday 8/10/00

Saturday Its raining and we go to Goose fair.
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Original Publish Date Week 45 - Saturday 7/10/00& Sunday 8/10/00

Week 45 - Friday 6/10/00

Travel home. The early night has done me some good as I do not feel as bad as yesterday
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Original Publish Date Week 45 - Friday 6/10/00

Week 45 - Thursday 5/10/00

Still feel pretty shitty, but the head ache has gone I just cannot swallow. I know some women who don't anyway!
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Original Publish Date Week 45 - Thursday 5/10/00

Week 45 - Wednesday 4/10/00

I start to feel like shit! I have come down with Flu. I leave and go to bed
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Original Publish Date Week 45 - Wednesday 4/10/00

Week 45 - Tuesday 3/10/00

Eli looks like shit. He had 1 beer, but due to the religious aspects of his life, he had fasted all day yesterday, and had not drunk much, so 1 beer did him.
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Original Publish Date Week 45 - Tuesday 3/10/00

Week 45 - Monday 2/10/00

Off to Budapest today. Not been there fro a while. The flight from EMA to AMS is on-time. In fact the whole journey is on-time.  I arrive at work and receive my instructions.  That evening I do down to the gym with Eli. Good sweat!
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Original Publish Date Week 45 - Monday 2/10/00

Week 44 - Wednesday 27/09/00

Well today should be interesting. My client is having a meeting with the primary supplier. May be a few fireworks!  I am travelling from Bratislava to Prague, flying from Bratislava airport. It does have one. You can also fly to Moscow, although I would not recommend it. The Slovak airline does not appear to have up to date, and also includes some aging Russian and Boeing planes. I will fly on a nice ATR42 prop plane!  I have to ensure that the GI interface is working in Prague as well.
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Original Publish Date Week 44 - Wednesday 27/09/00

Week 44 - Tuesday 26/09/00

Nothing much special happened today, we did get the GI interface working, well I was in town. The conference calls went well.  We set some dates for October, may not be going home for one week-end or so!  I went back to the bar I went to last night, I have decide to have a party week. This is an Irish bar called the Dubliner, and serve good beer (Irish) and very good food.
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Original Publish Date Week 44 - Tuesday 26/09/00

Week 44 - Monday 25/09/00

Well the day started well, both alarm clocks did just that, alarm at the set time. I am glad who ever named them did it correctly, because at 4AM, alarm is what they do! Certainly me!  I get my tickets. I have changed my route because of the problems in Amsterdam airport and the limitation placed on the number of flights in and out. So I decided to go via Brussels.  Brussels airport, ranks less badly than Paris Charles de Gaul, but still bad. Anyhow, upon check in there was a 40 minute Air Traffic control delay. Cuts it fine for the next flight, so kindly they check me in for the 1400, just to be on the safe side. The delay comes down to 30 minutes. At 7:20, we are informed that the plane will be delayed until at least 09:08. Well that's fucked the day up. I let them know in region that there is a delay and not to expect me until tomorrow. Oh ye the reason for the delay. The Firemen are on strike. They need 8, but only five are on duty. What makes them think they will get another three so that we can take off, I wonder at 08:15.  Buy the way, I have to get to Vienna, so I can go to Bratislava.
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Original Publish Date Week 44 - Monday 25/09/00

Week 43 - Saturday 23/09/00& Sunday 24/09/00

After taking my son to swimming lessons, he is doing well, 1/3 way over on his back, be fore he sinks and raises himself to the surface.. In bed that night, we practice the kick he should be using. Not his cycling action but to keep his legs straight.  In the afternoon, we go to Rufford park and have a nice stroll around the lake.  We have an impromptu bar-b-que, as the weather is nice.  Sunday A day doing nothing in particular.
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Original Publish Date Week 43 - Saturday 23/09/00& Sunday 24/09/00

Week 43 - Friday 22/09/00

I get back early. What has happened to the weather. It is wonderful.
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Original Publish Date Week 43 - Friday 22/09/00

Week 43 - Wednesday 20/09/00

Off to Prague airport, where I am writing this. Watching the canoeing at the Olympics. very good. I like this sport as I once did it in my youth, and was quite good! I discovered parties, booze and girls, so that did it for me. I did not make a mistake. I enjoy watching it though. The song 'Going for the One' by Yes, from the album of the same name is all about white water canoeing and is from the Munich Olympics, still a powerful song, and still a good album.
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Original Publish Date Week 43 - Wednesday 20/09/00

Week 43 - Tuesday 19/09/00

I spend all day in the office, as I should, and leave about 7pm. It has been a busy day, the afternoon has conference calls, which I blast through in 30 minutes each.
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Original Publish Date Week 43 - Tuesday 19/09/00

Week 43 - Monday 18/09/00

After last week's fun and games, I was determined to keep my luggage with me this trip.  I check in, I am prepared to leave my bag, if there are no delays. "Is the flight on time", no there is a 1hour ATC delay. This will occur for at least the next 7-8 weeks and is because the green party in Holland have managed to get a limit on the number of flights in and out of Schipol. Shit! I will have to find a new way to get to where I have to go.  I relax with a sauna, then into bed early.
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Original Publish Date Week 43 - Monday 18/09/00

Week 42 - Saturday 16/09/00& Sunday 12/09/00

Saturday I finally have the technology to load video into my PC. I am disappointed by the size of image, so I will be going to Firewire in a hope that this will make the image better. A pure digital to digital transfer medium may/should/will be better.  Sunday Kelly's birthday. Where do you take the woman who has everything, seen everything, and done everything (well not really). We visit the Chocolate factory set up by Mr Cadbury.  Wonderful!
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Original Publish Date Week 42 - Saturday 16/09/00& Sunday 12/09/00

Week 42 - Thursday 14/09/00

Drive to Bratislava. Wonderful place.  We finish in time for me to catch, just, the 16:20 from Vienna. I get to the airport at 16:00
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Original Publish Date Week 42 - Thursday 14/09/00

Week 42 - Wednesday 13/09/00

I stay in Budapest for an additional day.  We go out tonight and visit a club where everything is included, thanks to our hosts. We accept some forms of hospitality and decline others.  I drink B-52 that had not extinguish it self properly and land up with a nasty burn on my lip!
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Original Publish Date Week 42 - Wednesday 13/09/00

Week 42 - Tuesday 12/09/00

Off to Budapest for the day
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Original Publish Date Week 42 - Tuesday 12/09/00

Week 42 - Monday 11/09/00

I just knew it. I did, honest. From the moment I woke, I just knew it. What did I know. I knew the day would be a complete and unmitigated disaster. <ol> <li>The flight was delayed from East Midlands to Amsterdam, though Fog at Amsterdam.</li> <li>The original delay was delayed. I now checked into the next flight and asked for my luggage to be checked through to Prague. That was done.</li> <li>Arrive in Amsterdam, 2hours 15 minutes late. Thankfully, my flight out has also been delayed. I have my KLM card loaded, I haven't mentioned this before but I have just gone silver with KLM.</li> <li>I am assisting this poor person who is trying to get to Gothenburg. His flight left on time from Amsterdam, the next is at 14:00. He checks in and we go to the KLM lounge. He makes some calls and I here an announcement about Gothenburg. He checks it out to discover his flight is cancelled. He threatens to go home. I hope it works out for him .</li> <li>I arrive in Prague. You have guessed it, no luggage. It is in Amsterdam, I find out having queued for 30 minutes. Will be here (airport) at 9pm. We will send to your hotel. I bet I do not see it today.</li> <li>I eventually arrive at work several hours late.</li> <li>Finally I check into my hotel. Take a dump and go back to lounge. I am sitting typing this and e-mail, when in come a load ( what is the collective noun - suggestions please) of loud American women and one poor man. Good help us. I decide I am going to take three beers to bed and say good by to today!</li> </ol>  
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Original Publish Date Week 42 - Monday 11/09/00

Week 41 - Saturday 9/09/00& Sunday 10/09/00

Saturday Autumn is here and so the kids Saturday activities start. One for swimming, one for German lessons.  Saturday Evening Out with my good friend Duncan, my Neighbour and my wife for a little dinner. We have planned more! I may provide critical gastronomic comment via these pages.  Sunday Ran over a bicycle today. Was quite calm, so was my son!
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Original Publish Date Week 41 - Saturday 9/09/00& Sunday 10/09/00

Week 41 - Friday 8/09/00

Up early, 3:15 UK time. Fly off to Amsterdam for a meeting to discuss the framework agreement with our supplier.
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Original Publish Date Week 41 - Friday 8/09/00

Week 41 - Thursday 7/09/00

More of the same, which was just as well as a different kind of shit, I could do without.
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Original Publish Date Week 41 - Thursday 7/09/00

Week 41 - Wednesday 6/09/00

Left Prague, three balloons were slowly rising over the city, a wonderful sight.  A pleasant flight to Bratislava.
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Original Publish Date Week 41 - Wednesday 6/09/00

Week 41 - Tuesday 5/09/00

The pool at the hotel is closed for a private party, bummer.  I was out and about, as you do, when all of a sudden, a large set of bangs and explosions started happening. What happened was a magnificent 15 minute firework display. Why, I don't know, but it was very good.
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Original Publish Date Week 41 - Tuesday 5/09/00

Week 41 - Monday 4/09/00

Up early, my neck still hurts.
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Original Publish Date Week 41 - Monday 4/09/00

Week 40 - Saturday 2/09/00& Sunday 3/09/00

Saturday - Eleven Years Wed! Dropped the kids at my mothers and Kel and I enjoyed an nice night at a hotel.  Sunday My neck hurts, I don't know what I got up to last night but, it hurts like ....  Finally got my new network to work at the SOHO. The new workstation can access the network and the internet. There is a small bit of configuration to do, but it looks like we are there.
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Original Publish Date Week 40 - Saturday 2/09/00& Sunday 3/09/00

Week 40 - Friday 1/09/00

Launch Day: In early, there is a problem reported, no support just yet. I doubt it is much as there was nothing too much wrong yesterday.
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Original Publish Date Week 40 - Friday 1/09/00

Week 40 - Thursday 31/08/00

Spend the day looking to make sure DTH will be OK. Several people are nursing hangovers and are suffering from Sleep deprivation.  The person for whom the party was for, clearly had good night as he failed to arrive for his last day. Good one and a way to go!  <font color="#000000">Black 31st - 1st Anniversary</font>
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Original Publish Date Week 40 - Thursday 31/08/00

Week 40 - Wednesday 30/08/00

Bratislava. Check to see if all is OK. It is looking fine, even though they have not gone live with the new SMS yet.  Catch a train to Budapest. Tonight my former boss is having his leaving do. Tomorrow her leaves the company and then the country to start a new life elsewhere. Good luck mate is all I have to say. Hopefully we shall get drunk and be incredibly silly.  The night was a great success, lots of drink and quite a few chicken wings. The evening did end on a bit of sour note, but that usually happens.
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Original Publish Date Week 40 - Wednesday 30/08/00

Week 40 - Tuesday 29/08/00

Prague is looking healthy, have a project meeting with the supplier. Some points of issue.  Catch the train to Bratislava. I am not doing the plane again. The train leaves on time and arrives 10 minutes late.
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Original Publish Date Week 40 - Tuesday 29/08/00

Week 40 - Monday 28/08/00

UK Bank Holiday Up at 5AM, leave the lake district at 5:30 and head for home. Nice empty roads, get my foot down, home for 8:15.  Pack for my return to my theatre of operation.  This week is going to be interesting. The product is launched in three countries and I have to ensure that the IT solution is working at each location. Two of them have yet to run the system live as we are still implementing. Oh well down to the wire.
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Original Publish Date Week 40 - Monday 28/08/00

Week 39 - Saturday 26/08/00& Sunday 27/08/00

Saturday Drove to Ulverston, in Cumbria to visit some old friends.  Sunday We were going to return today, but decided to stay one more night and leave early the following day
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Original Publish Date Week 39 - Saturday 26/08/00& Sunday 27/08/00

Week 39 - Friday 25/08/00

Work from home and vist the dentist. A clean bill (no I am not a duck) of health, so he says!
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Original Publish Date Week 39 - Friday 25/08/00

Week 39 - Thursday 24/08/00

Fly home tonight from Vienna having completed two days in Bratislava. Things are looking up now we have a new team member who will sort out the operational problems with the system.
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Original Publish Date Week 39 - Thursday 24/08/00

Week 39 - Wednesday 23/08/00

Bratislava for two days
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Original Publish Date Week 39 - Wednesday 23/08/00

Week 39 - Tuesday 22/08/00

I feel ill. Solder on.  21:35 fly to Bratislava. Had one too many drinks me thinks.
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Original Publish Date Week 39 - Tuesday 22/08/00

Week 39 - Monday 21/08/00

Into Prague. Checked out a few things and made sure all was on track. Mostly it was. The launch is getting close.  The rest of the crew arrived. e went for a walk around wonderful Prague. It started to rain. God did it rain. We were soaked.
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Original Publish Date Week 39 - Monday 21/08/00

Week 38 - Wednesday 16/08/00

Fly off to Prague, amongst other things, this flight delayed 2 hours. Dinner this evening up a TV mast!  We plan next week as well so I must update "Where's Jon"  The dinner was very good, the location was excellent. I have been up what was the Post Office Tower, now the BT tower in London and that was great, I was about 8 at the time. This was magnificent. 66 metres above the ground to eat in a 216M tower. The tower sits on top a huge hill and the view was spectacular as night falls.  30M above the restaurant is an observation floor, wher you can get from the three rooms a 360 degree uninterrupted view of Prague and the surroundings. It was also a clear night."http://www.tower.cz/english/index.htm
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Original Publish Date Week 38 - Wednesday 16/08/00

Week 38 - Tuesday 15/08/00

Brought Prisoner Series DVD boxed set (well ordered it). An absolutely classic British TV series.  Went out to the WORST restaurant in Budapest. It is on the river, next to the Intercontinental Hotel and is NOT attached to a car garage, but is next door to it. The food and service was atrocious. It ruined the start of what turned out to be an excellent evening. We visited seriously doggy club, but one that is straight and does not covertly rip you off.
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Original Publish Date Week 38 - Tuesday 15/08/00

Week 38 - Monday 14/08/00

Flight out OK but delayed for the Amsterdam to Budapest sector for one hour 10 minutes. I must be lucky, my luggage also arrived.  The new PC arrived at home, it will remain in boxes until I return.
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Original Publish Date Week 38 - Monday 14/08/00

Week 37 - Saturday 12/08/00& Sunday 13/08/00

Install new PC and Network and ISDN this week end. Let see if plans do work!  Sunday BT install my ISDN line, but cannot assign the new analogue numbers as that part does not work on Sundays.
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Original Publish Date Week 37 - Saturday 12/08/00& Sunday 13/08/00

Week 37 - Friday 11/08/00

Up Early to get home. Updating this at Wein (Vienna) Airport at 6:30 local. Ordered Black Crows and Jimmy Page tickets at 4AM UK time, should be good tickets. This on line ordering is great!  My PC did not arrive today and should have done
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Original Publish Date Week 37 - Friday 11/08/00

Week 37 - Thursday 10/08/00

Try and get the circuits tested and find out they have not actually been configured, yet. Will have to try and change the plans again.  PC delivered tomorrow!  I am not sure the some of the local people are on our planet. I am not convinced they are totally disruptive, but it sure looks and feels like it! It's a sort of underground gut feeling, you know, something just does not feel right. This person needs watching! And closely.  Slight problem with DTH, no circuit, even though I was told there was. Apparently a change of plan, the ISDN will be delivered with the leased line, not before as originally told. Shit!
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Original Publish Date Week 37 - Thursday 10/08/00

Week 37 - Wednesday 9/08/00

Take the train to Bratislava. A chance to get my thoughts in gear.  The journey from Budapest to Bratislava is wonderful. You travel through beautiful countryside, see places you would not normally see, all in a peaceful manner.  There is one place with a large castle on the top of a mountain, I think in Slovakia, which looks partially ruined, must write down the town name next time.  Another town has a huge church.  I arrive and get the low down on the local situation. It does help being there, sometimes.  Just local towns off the tourist path.  I do my ET bit, phone home. I discover the family are at the 'American Adventure Park'. Lucky soles.  BT should have installed an ISDN circuit at home, but something coughed in the order process. They are now installing on Sunday.
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Original Publish Date Week 37 - Wednesday 9/08/00

Week 37 - Tuesday 8/08/00

I am getting increasingly frustrated. The local site are not doing what they should be, question of priority, more than dissent. However, I must help them get their priorities right.  The software house is pissing me off as well!  The contract stuff is not going well as more and more issues are being raised. It's not as if the contract is new.  Some good news at the end of the day. The link between Hungary and Maidstone, in the UK looks to be working, someone was playing with the security on a router.
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Original Publish Date Week 37 - Tuesday 8/08/00

Week 37 - Monday 7/08/00

God I am Knackered. Up early to catch flights to Budapest. I stand the chance to recover this evening as I WILL have an early night. The answer to the question posed on Saturday's entry is a disappointing No!
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Original Publish Date Week 37 - Monday 7/08/00

Week 36 - Saturday 5/08/00& Sunday 6/08/00

Saturday I am 40. IS it going to be true! Answer on Monday)  A great day was planned to which I only had a small bit of prior knowledge. Follow "http://www.jonchapman.clara.net/bday/BDAY_toppage1.htm then "Photo Gallery" to photos. A diary page will also be added of the "link" page.  Sunday More partying!
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Original Publish Date Week 36 - Saturday 5/08/00& Sunday 6/08/00

Week 36 - Friday 4/08/00

God it is early. 4:45 CET is 3:45 UK, bloody early. Anyhow I am back off home, so it is worth it. Have the doctors later to ensure I can safely pass from my 30's to my 40's without too much problem. Not really, I picked up a bad cough whilst in Kos, and it is not going anywhere fast, so off to the professionals.
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Original Publish Date Week 36 - Friday 4/08/00

Week 36 - Thursday 3/08/00

Study session for DTH, part 2
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Original Publish Date Week 36 - Thursday 3/08/00

Week 36 - Wednesday 2/08/00

Study session for DTH. Also went out with the team. Went to a little place called 'Leroy's Beach Bar. Situated on the Danube very pleasant, even if they did not have the Malaysian Beef Noodles I wanted.
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Original Publish Date Week 36 - Wednesday 2/08/00

Week 36 - Tuesday 1/08/00

Another day in the Prague office, though I get to visit the new call centre. It is nice and new and has plenty of space. The equipment is located there.  Spend the day sorting out the interim budget. We look to be saving around $400K on the CAPEX, which is nice, but the OPEX is taking a hit due to the cost of supporting this dammed application. It is a real sin. Not quite the original one, but not fare off, as we sure feel raped, and more than a little sore.  Fly off to Budapest today. My second home. Sessions for the DTH configuration. Time is getting close
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Original Publish Date Week 36 - Tuesday 1/08/00

Week 36 - Monday 31/07/00

A none eventful pair of flights out to Prague, if expensive. A slight delay in arriving but not much.  I like Prague.  A conference call is run, we define the agenda, and we schedule for each Tuesday, as Mondays are a problem! Too true.  Fall asleep watching the South Park movie, tres funny!
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Original Publish Date Week 36 - Monday 31/07/00

Week 35 - Saturday 29/07/00& Sunday 30/07/00

Saturday Tonight was supposed to be the night of my party. This has been cancelled due to lack of interest, well everyone was on holiday.
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Original Publish Date Week 35 - Saturday 29/07/00& Sunday 30/07/00

Week 35 - Thursday 27/07/00

Great news an old, she will kill me, friend called to say that she has produced a new Birmingham City fan. They do need all the help they can get! Congratulations to all.
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Original Publish Date Week 35 - Thursday 27/07/00

Week 35 - Wednesday 26/07/00

Things are looking worse for the project. One of the three will be late. I have to investigate all the options and get all my facts ready before I announce the bad news.  I was asked today, to have a demonstration on Monday of DTH, I asked if I could smoke what he was on. The date is still in the air until I know when the circuits can be delivered and then start co-ordinating all the parties! Too little time.
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Original Publish Date Week 35 - Wednesday 26/07/00

Week 35 - Tuesday 25/07/00

The day Concord died.
Tragic events in Paris when Concord crashed killing 109 German tourists and crew on board, and amazingly only 4 on the ground. I suspect the pilot steered the plane away from the hotel. Still it is lucky that only 4 on the ground were killed.</font>  Trying to sort out the DTH project. So much depends upon this and we have only 1 month to launch and little has been done. A major miracle will be required.
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Original Publish Date Week 35 - Tuesday 25/07/00

Week 35 - Tuesday 25/07/00

<u><font color="#000033"><b>The day Concord died.</b></font></u> <font color="#000066">Tragic events in Paris when Concord crashed killing 109 German tourists and crew on board, and amazingly only 4 on the ground. I suspect the pilot steered the plane away from the hotel. Still it is lucky that only 4 on the ground were killed.</font>  Trying to sort out the DTH project. So much depends upon this and we have only 1 month to launch and little has been done. A major miracle will be required.
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Original Publish Date Week 35 - Tuesday 25/07/00

Week 35 - Monday 24/07/00

Big meeting to try and sort out the operational issues in Hungary. In reflection the session was useful.  
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Original Publish Date Week 35 - Monday 24/07/00

Week 34 - Saturday 22/07/00& Sunday 23/07/00

Sunday Arrive at airport (Birmingham) to collect tickets. Oh the Amsterdam flight is delayed, We will send you via Frankfurt (rapid key presses), that will get you in 5 minutes earlier. Oh, a slight problem, that flight is also delayed, and the connection will be too short. At franfurt you can travel miles, and a short transfer is not what you need]. Well we have a Copenhagen flight, but you will not get in until quite late (20:30), that will do I will take it as I have never been to a Scandinavian country!  A nice pleasant flight with BA, drinking champagne all the way and a 10 landing. I seek the transfer desk, I like this airport, all wood flooring, very nice. I check in, there is a 50 minute delay. Never mind, off to the lounge with more chance's to taste Danish beer!    Continues....
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Original Publish Date Week 34 - Saturday 22/07/00& Sunday 23/07/00

Week 34 - Friday 21/07/00

Book a flight Heathrow to Budapest 07:40, stay in the Hilton at Heathrow.  Received a call, Sunday's meeting is cancelled, so I must undo my flight plans, and reschedule to go on Sunday evening.
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Original Publish Date Week 34 - Friday 21/07/00

Week 34 - Thursday 20/07/00

Collected at 02:25 local time for our short trip to the airport. A delay. I am not supprised.  "Back to Life Back to reality"  Log on. e-mail will take 135 minutes to download, I was informed by Lotus Notes. Thankfully, this is inaccurate, it only takes 2 hours!!!!  Start finding out about all the problems that I now have to fix for having two weeks enjoyment in the sun.  Later I will evaluate if they are worth the two weeks off, or will I need more rest! Is is not always the case!  I am knackered! Have a couple of hours. Cut the grass so I can fill my wheelie bin full of very long grass.  Receive a call, can I be in Hungary on Sunday for a meeting in the morning, well I was planning on travelling later but I will investigate the options.
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Original Publish Date Week 34 - Thursday 20/07/00

Week 34 - Wednesday 19/07/00

Last day today. some new friends depart at a social time.
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Original Publish Date Week 34 - Wednesday 19/07/00

Week 33 - Saturday 15/07/00& Sunday 16/07/00

Holiday.  Saturday Visit Kos Town, the island capital. Great!
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Original Publish Date Week 33 - Saturday 15/07/00& Sunday 16/07/00

Week 33 - Friday 14/07/00

Holiday
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Original Publish Date Week 33 - Friday 14/07/00

Week 33 - Thursday 13/07/00

Holiday, The heat wave ends, the temperature drops to around 38, the wind doesn't.
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Original Publish Date Week 33 - Thursday 13/07/00

Week 33 - Wednesday 12/07/00

Holiday
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Original Publish Date Week 33 - Wednesday 12/07/00

Week 33 - Tuesday 11/07/00

Holiday
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Original Publish Date Week 33 - Tuesday 11/07/00

Week 33 - Monday 10/07/00

Holiday
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Original Publish Date Week 33 - Monday 10/07/00

Week 32 - Saturday 8/07/00& Sunday 9/07/00

Holiday
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Original Publish Date Week 32 - Saturday 8/07/00& Sunday 9/07/00

Week 32 - Friday 7/07/00

Holiday
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Original Publish Date Week 32 - Friday 7/07/00

Week 32 - Thursday 6/07/00

First day on Holiday, we are knackered. We arrived at 0530 local time. Time for sleep.  When we awake, it is hot, and windy. Very Hot and very Windy. Temperature about 45C.  We are going to spend the day lazing around the pool, with kids going to the kiddie club each morning and some afternoons.
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Original Publish Date Week 32 - Thursday 6/07/00

Week 32 - Wednesday 5/07/00

Work from home and pack for today I go on Holiday.
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Original Publish Date Week 32 - Wednesday 5/07/00

Week 32 - Tuesday 4/07/00

Amsterdam for a meeting with our supplier. We have a number of things to go through
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Original Publish Date Week 32 - Tuesday 4/07/00

Week 32 - Monday 3/07/00

Work from home and travel out to Amsterdam
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Original Publish Date Week 32 - Monday 3/07/00

Week 31 - Friday 30/06/00

 Kel returns to day. No doubt I would have pulled my hair out with the kids.
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Original Publish Date Week 31 - Friday 30/06/00

Week 31 - Thursday 29/06/00

Wimbledon today for Kel and Jules.  The scheduled conference call was a joke. Only two attended. I feel a stiff e-mail coming on!
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Original Publish Date Week 31 - Thursday 29/06/00

Week 31 - Wednesday 28/06/00

Hair at Nicky Clark's for Kel and Jules.  Here I am sitting in splendid isolation. Ah the pleasure of working from home. Music on, Phone and e-mail. Near bliss. Thee only thing missing is the waitress service for tea.
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Original Publish Date Week 31 - Wednesday 28/06/00

Week 31 - Tuesday 27/06/00

Develop a strategy for the software we will now build a central version and extend its functionality by our own developments. This is a risky option but out time to market is so short we feel we have no choice.
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Original Publish Date Week 31 - Tuesday 27/06/00

Week 31 - Monday 26/06/00

Central Europe meeting, in Budapest. Check the GI installation is going ok, and things look basically on track. There a couple of minor irritations, they have not yet fully tested the software. I threaten to light the blue touch paper. I await results.  We schedule a meeting for next week with our supplier in Amsterdam.
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Original Publish Date Week 31 - Monday 26/06/00

Week 30 - Saturday 24/06/00& Sunday 25/06/00

Sunday Its a short week for me next week actually in Central Europe, so I travel early from Birmingham to Budapest so I can get some work done and speak with our supplier, who being Israel based, works on Sunday.  I at the end of the day do not get what I want to have done. Chill out in the sauna, then watch the football!
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Original Publish Date Week 30 - Saturday 24/06/00& Sunday 25/06/00

Week 30 - Thursday 22/06/00

The day of the great bang! Whilst sitting in a meeting discussing some technical and architectural issues, all of a sudden, a loud bang was heard. Our German translator was shocked as in the top pocket of his shirt, was his cigarettes, within the box was his lighter, a cheap disposable one, this had exploded.  This was the best case of tension diffusion I have ever experienced, normally someone tells a joke!
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Original Publish Date Week 30 - Thursday 22/06/00

Week 30 - Wednesday 21/06/00

We spent the day discussing the Proof of Concept that we initiated last week to hear about the success. We decide to go on and roll the technology out around the region.  Went for an evening stroll around Bratislava. What a wonderful place.
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Original Publish Date Week 30 - Wednesday 21/06/00

Week 30 - Tuesday 20/06/00

England lost! That's all I want to say.
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Original Publish Date Week 30 - Tuesday 20/06/00

Week 30 - Monday 19/06/00

Off to Prague via Frankfurt. Went out in the evening. I know where I am going to watch the football and England's next game. They have set up on the old square a large tv screen. The weather is perfect so I shall come and watch it there
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Original Publish Date Week 30 - Monday 19/06/00

Week 29 - Saturday 17/06/00& Sunday 18/06/00

Had a glorious weekend, weather was great, England won the football against Germany. We had a couple of bar-b-que's and impromptu get together with our neighbours and spent too much time in the sun.  Great!
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Original Publish Date Week 29 - Saturday 17/06/00& Sunday 18/06/00

Week 29 - Friday 16/06/00

Travelled home is all I want to say about today. Won a minor battle with British Midland to the tune of ú50.
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Original Publish Date Week 29 - Friday 16/06/00

Week 29 - Thursday 15/06/00

I have to check out the Intercontinental today, as they have 33 more bookings than rooms. So I am off to the Hilton at the top of the hill.  Fix a problem by rolling up my sleeves and building a cable. RTFM, (Read The F!^%£$ Manual).  This is the responsibility of the supplier, but they are like a brick wall and only listen to what they want to hear. Its is like having two conversations at once where you cannot exactly determine what you said to get the reply that you did!
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Original Publish Date Week 29 - Thursday 15/06/00

Week 29 - Wednesday 14/06/00

Took the 08:25 from Vienna to Budapest. All of my belongings arrived with me this time.  It is bloody hot over here.
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Original Publish Date Week 29 - Wednesday 14/06/00

Week 29 - Tuesday 13/06/00

Vienna. Supplier meeting. Was I in the same meeting, as I am not sure, God this is frustrating (a small pray)
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Original Publish Date Week 29 - Tuesday 13/06/00

Week 29 - Monday 12/06/00

Worked from Home and travelled. Due to the football, problems flying via Amsterdam. So I travel via Brussels. This rates as worst airport number two.
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Original Publish Date Week 29 - Monday 12/06/00

Week 28 - Friday 9/06/00

Present the rollout plan and options to the regional MD.  I leave. The flight is delayed by 1 hour. 1 hour we are sitting on the plane in Budapest, the sun is shinning. We arrive over London, a delay in landing of 15 minutes. We land, a delay of 15 minutes awaiting for the a stand. We get to a stand, we are exiting the plane from the rear. I am sitting at the front. I make the first bus. I miss my intended train, so now I have to go to plan B, change at Leicester.  I am trying to book my flights for next week. Vienna from Amsterdam is booked. Ok try Birmingham, that is fully booked. I will have to work on plan C for getting to Vienna for next Tuesday.
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Original Publish Date Week 28 - Friday 9/06/00

Week 28 - Thursday 8/06/00

More of the same, and interesting conversations about the night before.  I thought they were better than Prague. It was different as this was outside, and was a smaller crowd. I do love Budapest for a concert. We entered the arena, after the support band left and walked, literally, to the front, give or take two or three people.  The sound was better, but still crap.  In the evening, we go out. Three of us leave the 9th floor of the hotel and proceed down stairs to meet the fourth member. We stop at floor five, and the doors do not open more than 5 inches. We then proceed to go up and down. Eventually having pressed the alarm, we have help outside. They manage t get the door open a little bit. Our female companion, who is significantly slimmer than the rest of us, finally escapes. I get pissed off with this put my foot against the door, back to the wall and push. There is aloud bang and the door opens enough to enable the two fatties to escape.  We were greeted by the manager of the hotel, who offered us Champaign, we take up his offer when were return from dining.
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Original Publish Date Week 28 - Thursday 8/06/00

Week 28 - Wednesday 7/06/00

A funny thing happened on the way to the airport, it has never happened to me before. The taxi got a puncture. Well that started the day of well.  Fly to Budapest. I have not been there for a while. The flight went well, even thought the day started kind of funny!  I arrive in my second/adopted home. I am immediately asked if I have received an e-mail inviting me out. No I replied. We we are off to see Iron Maiden. Done that this week already on Monday, but yes, get me a ticket.
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Original Publish Date Week 28 - Wednesday 7/06/00

Week 28 - Tuesday 6/06/00

Continued at work. God this software is limited. We finished the FDD, by closing items and removing duplicates.  Some good news the rounding issue in Slovakia has been decided so that is one item off the list
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Original Publish Date Week 28 - Tuesday 6/06/00

Week 28 - Monday 5/06/00

Prague today. No flights via Amsterdam so I have to travel via Frankfurt. Therefore at the office a bit later than would normally be the case.  Work went well as we got a lot done. I leave to go the concert I thought was in jeopardy.  I am at the Pegasus Arena. It has no air conditioning and is a strange breath of fresh air, pun intended, for a UK concert goer. You can sit in the aisles and do what you want. The audience were great on the floor, up on the side, where I was, they were dead boring. I was told to sit down when I got up to head-bang.  Iron Maiden were very good, the vocals we mixed down a bit too much but other than that a great sweaty night. Came out and it was a thunderstorm, so I arrived back at the hotel like a drowned rat.
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Original Publish Date Week 28 - Monday 5/06/00

Week 27 - Saturday 3/06/00& Sunday 4/06/00

Saturday Am I being rash. I have booked up to go to the Dome!  Well I don't care what anyone says. I liked the Dome, and so did my family. We were there for 8 hours and still did not see everything, and we were not board. My kids, 6.5 and 5 also enjoyed it lots. The only thing they did not like was the hour on the train coming up from Gatwick where we stayed the night before.  The show in the central arena was spectacular and all the exhibits we visited were very good and entertaining, even for the kids.  I am glad that it is failing as the crowds were limited, but I hope it survives the year and comes in at a profit and repays the grants. I think we will return as it was ú57 well spent.  We left at 1800 and went to see the 'EYE', the queue was phenomenal around 2.5 hours just to get a ticket, then 40 minutes from there. We do not go on it. Walk over Westminster bridge to catch the tube back to Victoria, then back to Gatwick.  Sunday My relatives 25th Wedding Anniversary. This was the reason for going to the Dome.
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Original Publish Date Week 27 - Saturday 3/06/00& Sunday 4/06/00

Week 27 - Friday 2/06/00

Back home to resolve some kitchen issues, yet again. Spend the day on e-mail and phone calls. This time contracts and budgets. I hate this bullshit!
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Original Publish Date Week 27 - Friday 2/06/00

Week 27 - Thursday 1/06/00

Continue in Prague, this time with Slovakia. Will we ever see the end to this FDD.  Run a conference call. The first in the region for the regional PM's. Went well and caused some fiery debate. Good
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Original Publish Date Week 27 - Thursday 1/06/00

Week 27 - Wednesday 31/05/00

Prague office has no outgoing lines (they are all repressed - joke).
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Original Publish Date Week 27 - Wednesday 31/05/00

Week 27 - Tuesday 30/05/00

Work from home in the morning, then travel to Prague.
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Original Publish Date Week 27 - Tuesday 30/05/00

Week 27 - Monday 29/05/00

Bank Holiday. Another day off. I am being spoiled!
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Original Publish Date Week 27 - Monday 29/05/00

Week 26 - Saturday 27/05/00& Sunday 28/05/00

Saturday
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Original Publish Date Week 26 - Saturday 27/05/00& Sunday 28/05/00

Week 26 - Friday 26/05/00

Prague. Contract negotiations. These took place, but I was absent. I resolve what I can at home.
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Original Publish Date Week 26 - Friday 26/05/00

Week 26 - Thursday 25/05/00

Bratislava. Contract negotiations. I make a decision I must return home to resolve the issues there. I arrange to fly BA to London. I arrive at the airport and enquire about a flight to Birmingham, yes there is, can I catch that, yes. Some good news I will be home three hours early
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Original Publish Date Week 26 - Thursday 25/05/00

Week 26 - Wednesday 24/05/00

Towards the end of the day, I will be travelling to Vienna, then on to Bratislava.
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Original Publish Date Week 26 - Wednesday 24/05/00

Week 26 - Tuesday 23/05/00

The Warsaw offices today. Implementing a warehouse for Poland. They need one for their reporting requirements.
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Original Publish Date Week 26 - Tuesday 23/05/00

Week 26 - Monday 22/05/00

I am thankful that I now have my credit cards with me. They have been replaced.  Prague Office. Catch up with the local PM, who has just returned from a training course.  The Conversion project also kicks off today  It rained. It rained a lot in Prague.  Flew out in the evening to Warsaw, a none eventful and short flight. You cannot change travellers cheques at the airport, that almost embarrassed me. The only currency I had in quantity was Hungarian Forients. So I changed those.  I am having a kitchen installed, finally, into the new extension. Ensuring that all is ok with this is a problem for me being remote, and my good lady. The problem was almost bad enough to make me return home.
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Original Publish Date Week 26 - Monday 22/05/00

Week 25 - Saturday 20/05/00& Sunday 21/05/00

Sunday Regrettably due to next weeks schedule, I have to fly out today
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Original Publish Date Week 25 - Saturday 20/05/00& Sunday 21/05/00

Week 25 - Friday 19/05/00

Home office. This is nice. Spend time sorting out contracts and next weeks contract discussions with our supplier and the local countries issues with the standard contract! More than e-mail alone required here.
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Original Publish Date Week 25 - Friday 19/05/00

Week 25 - Thursday 18/05/00

Spend the day in the Prague office, and take the opportunity to travel home one day early. I can make calls and e-mail, just as well from there as I can from anywhere.
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Original Publish Date Week 25 - Thursday 18/05/00

Week 25 - Wednesday 17/05/00

Travel by Car, a three and a half hour journey and 320KM. We start at 6AM, we have to be there by 8AM. Work that out!  We arrive at 08:15! Phew!
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Original Publish Date Week 25 - Wednesday 17/05/00

Week 25 - Tuesday 16/05/00

Start planning for next week. This is going to be complex.
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Original Publish Date Week 25 - Tuesday 16/05/00

Week 25 - Monday 15/05/00

Arrive in Bratislava to start briefing the conversion programmers for this site. I meet my expert at my hotel. I think the receptionist had the wrong idea as she offered me two keys. She did this without batting an eye!
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Original Publish Date Week 25 - Monday 15/05/00

Week 24 - Saturday 13/05/00& Sunday 14/05/00

Saturday Disney on Ice. Very good even if all the voices were American. Returned home, spent the night putting up pipe insulation on the new boiler pipes in the garage and pictures and a mirror into the new room.  Sunday Nice bar-b-q across the road. Packed for tomorrows early start.
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Original Publish Date Week 24 - Saturday 13/05/00& Sunday 14/05/00

Week 24 - Friday 12/05/00

Started the day in a Police Station n Budapest. This is in the centre of the red-light area. Very nice!  Get the required incident number for my insurance claim.  Nice pleasant flight to London, Rush between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, so I can get replacement travellers cheques. Travel by Heathrow Express and tube to Kings Cross, and a train home. The final leg in a taxi, back home at 6pm
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Original Publish Date Week 24 - Friday 12/05/00

Week 24 - Thursday 11/05/00

During a telephone conference call, to two beautiful women in Bratislava, Neville suddenly exclaims, that there is a naked man on a balcony across the road. The girls wished technology had advanced enough that we could have a video phone. Well that was a high point.  Spent a lot of the day confirming to my credit cards that I had lost them, and please arrange replacements
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Original Publish Date Week 24 - Thursday 11/05/00

Week 24 - Wednesday 10/05/00

Flew to Vienna on the first flight. We are courting a consultancy firm to implement a data warehouse for us, so this is a bit of a road show for them. The presentations went on OK.  That evening we catch the 1800 from Vienna to Budapest. We camp in our compartment, buy some beer and settle down. We then move to the restaurant car and continue drinking. After 3hours and 50 minutes (it arrived late, even thought it left bang on time).  We head of for a taxi, to take us to our hotel. I pay, I retrieve my bag from the boot of the car, no wallet in the bag. A more though search reveals no wallet. The dam thing has been nicked!
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Original Publish Date Week 24 - Wednesday 10/05/00

Week 24 - Tuesday 9/05/00

A very nice day. With our primary supplier, trying to sort out some commercial issues and project timing issues.
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Original Publish Date Week 24 - Tuesday 9/05/00

Week 24 - Monday 8/05/00

A quite day working from home, in the evening went to stay at my bosses house in Amsterdam in preparation for Tuesdays meeting.
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Original Publish Date Week 24 - Monday 8/05/00

Week 23 - Friday 5/05/00

Return home from Poland. What will next week be like with a full five days at work. Can I cope!
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Original Publish Date Week 23 - Friday 5/05/00

Week 23 - Thursday 4/05/00

Warsaw is on the schedule for today, That may change. We shall see!  Change is the nature of the business, and change is what I have. I stay in Prague.
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Original Publish Date Week 23 - Thursday 4/05/00

Week 23 - Wednesday 3/05/00

Prague, another early start. A first for me, a Russian plane, a TU-154B - 2.
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Original Publish Date Week 23 - Wednesday 3/05/00

Week 23 - Tuesday 2/05/00

Budapest today. An early start. The supplier arrived, I did have a mail but I, like most of Europe, was off yesterday. So I arrived and read my mail, and so did they.  It is an important day, invoice submission day. Almost as great a day as actually receiving the payment day.
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Original Publish Date Week 23 - Tuesday 2/05/00

Week 23 - Monday 1/05/00

Bank Holiday today. Only received one call! Went to Belvior Castle, very nice day!
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Original Publish Date Week 23 - Monday 1/05/00

Week 22 - Saturday 29/04/00& Sunday 30/04/00

Saturday Tonight I meet up with all my old university friends. One is re-emigrating back down under, so this is a farewell as well as a get together.  I plan to take a bottle of Hungarian Unicum, but I forget. A drink not to be taken lightly. It has a very impressive taste. This experience they will have to wait for. The evening was very pleasant and enjoyable  Sunday The first bar-b-q of the summer 2000 season took place across the road today. Finished off playing 9 spot domino's. Tony won, I came third.
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Original Publish Date Week 22 - Saturday 29/04/00& Sunday 30/04/00

Week 22 - Friday 28/04/00

Create an updated view of the project. Implementation is going to be later than people want, but that will be tough  Off home by Plane. A meeting is scheduled at 6PM to discuss some matters.  Before my vacation I planned this week. Somehow I have not had to change a flight or anything. This is a first in recent history.
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Original Publish Date Week 22 - Friday 28/04/00

Week 22 - Thursday 27/04/00

Off to Prague by train. I arrive and Prague is Very Very busy. Roads are blocked by shear volume of traffic.  Start discussing local problems. Things seem pretty much in hand. Mind you we are still in the planning stage.  Have a sphincter tightening taxi ride back to my hotel. Well that cleared up any constipation I may have had!
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Original Publish Date Week 22 - Thursday 27/04/00

Week 22 - Wednesday 26/04/00

Off to Bratislava by train. A very pleasant journey through the countryside. Did some reading, did some work.  Arrived in the offices at around noon. The most important task was to load onto the MD's mobile phone my Mission Impossible tune.  Spent the afternoon reviewing the local project and ensuring all is on track. It is. Added some more to the projects budget to ensure that it will come in reasonably close, if not under! We know the time is short, but!
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Original Publish Date Week 22 - Wednesday 26/04/00

Week 22 - Tuesday 25/04/00

Back to Budapest. It has been so long since I was here.
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Original Publish Date Week 22 - Tuesday 25/04/00

Week 22 - Monday 24/04/00

UK Bank Holiday.  I Travel back to day. But not before I cancel the timeshare. Ha! Ha!
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Original Publish Date Week 22 - Monday 24/04/00

Week 21 - Saturday 22/04/00& Sunday 23/04/00

Saturday Flying again. Returning home. We have to be out by 10AM, which we are. Laze by the pool, then get a taxi at 3 to take us to the airport. Because this was Easter we had been advised to leave this early as the roads would be very busy. Were they heckers like! The roads are empty. Spend extra time at the airport, check-in and fly home a mere half hour late. Sunday The great Easter egg hunt takes place today.  Arrive home at 3AM. Bed at half past, up at 9.  Spend a pleasant day doing not a lot. Have a nice dinner at a neighbours as we have no kitchen at present, not even a sink!!
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Original Publish Date Week 21 - Saturday 22/04/00& Sunday 23/04/00

Week 21 - Friday 21/04/00

Finally get to meet with the local rep. I do not quite believe him. He has managed to get me two weeks back to back in Majorca next year, during the school summer holiday. I have paper to confirm it.  Then down to business. What do I think about timeshare. It's kind of OK I say.  To get him out of my hair I sign, knowing I will cancel and get all my money back. You see the timeshare business has changed in Spain, they are now a professional organisation and do not employ rouges etc. Bullshit! The people I met last year are rouges.  Ate in the on-site restaurant, following the day of sun and pool. Leave early as I had to pack.
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Original Publish Date Week 21 - Friday 21/04/00

Week 21 - Thursday 20/04/00

Guess what, more sun and pool. Went to the Bar-b-que on-site tonight. It was OK. Had front row for the dancers, bums and thongs!!! Very nice!!!
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Original Publish Date Week 21 - Thursday 20/04/00

Week 21 - Wednesday 19/04/00

More sun and pool. Ate at the on-site restaurant, very nice indeed.
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Original Publish Date Week 21 - Wednesday 19/04/00

Week 21 - Tuesday 18/04/00

Spent the day lazing by the pool. Went into Purto de Morgan for our supper, a very large Paella did I enjoy.
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Original Publish Date Week 21 - Tuesday 18/04/00

Week 21 - Monday 17/04/00

Holiday. Visit Porto Rico for our evening meal. We run the gantlet of people trying to get us into their restaurant. Anyhow we find what looks to be a nice one, and it turns out to be so.
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Original Publish Date Week 21 - Monday 17/04/00

Week 20 - Saturday 15/04/00& Sunday 16/04/00

Saturday Flying again. This time for pleasure. Wife and kids with me for a week of Sun, Sea, Sand and S** (if we are lucky).  We are delayed 3 hours. Only. Arrive at resort about 1AM.  Sunday This is not quite what we expected, very nice but missing 1 bedroom. I point this and other matters out to the on-site rep.
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Original Publish Date Week 20 - Saturday 15/04/00& Sunday 16/04/00

Week 20 - Friday 14/04/00

Make calls to tidy up work before my vacation and ensure that everyone is upto speed etc.
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Original Publish Date Week 20 - Friday 14/04/00

Week 20 - Thursday 13/04/00

Amsterdam at 9AM, I was up at a silly hour, and they had no mention of my ticket swap so I had to buy the ticket. Try and reclaim again.  I go home today and work from there tomorrow. I forewarn my wife following last weeks shocks to her system.
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Original Publish Date Week 20 - Thursday 13/04/00

Week 20 - Wednesday 12/04/00

We made good progress. Plan to travel to Bratislava. A message comes through my plans have been changed, Amsterdam tomorrow. Get onto travel agent to change ticket to fly out first thing from Prague, cancel Bratislava hotel and book one for tonight in Prague.  I watch the Matrix, this is a good film too.
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Original Publish Date Week 20 - Wednesday 12/04/00

Week 20 - Tuesday 11/04/00

Study day 1. This is the same as I have already been through only different faces.  Celebrate by watching the Mummy, an excellent film.
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Original Publish Date Week 20 - Tuesday 11/04/00

Week 20 - Monday 10/04/00

Up at 3AM to travel to Prague.  I am knackered. The ticket cost ú54 to change. I arrive in Prague and discover my colleague is un-well, therefore I could have stayed in bed a bit longer.
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Original Publish Date Week 20 - Monday 10/04/00

Week 19 - Thursday 6/04/00

1AM how wrong I was. The first of what turns out to be nearly every half hour am I awoken for passport control. Where the hell am I.  One time it turns out to be customs. Did I have anything to declare. Yes Only that I am standing here in my underwear. Thankfully he sees the funny side of the statement. You see faithful reader I have learnt something. One time it was a woman. Did I care, no!  Eventually I receive the magic stamp. It is Poland at last. No more rude awakenings for me. Back to sleep for 35 minutes.  <a href="images/Budapest_Katowice_Train_Map.gif">Click for the map</a> of the journey  I am met at the station by the local IT manager, and off we go to the office. 5 AM. We have a very productive day with me finally leaving about 1AM  I change my tickets to fly home from Krakow. Unfortunately I have to purchase a new ticket and reclaim the old one back.  I fly to Frankfurt, I leave almost exactly 12 hours after I arrive, from there I am delayed an hour, oh well off to the lounge and get drunk. I succeed.  I arrive home without telling the wife, discharge the babysitter and go to bed. Yes I did it the right way round! Honest!
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Original Publish Date Week 19 - Thursday 6/04/00

Week 19 - Wednesday 5/04/00

Sleeper to Katowice, Poland tonight.  I arrive at the train. I do not have a sleeper ticket. I upgrade as I am not sharing a Couchette (??) with anyone!  The journey north starts. Now this is fun. The train starts and immediately I am accosted by 3 people in different uniforms. Broke a record. In 100 Meters and 32 seconds, I was processed by three border guards of different countries. I thought that is great. I shall sleep all the way through until 4AM when I would be awoken by the guard
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Original Publish Date Week 19 - Wednesday 5/04/00

Week 19 - Tuesday 4/04/00

Up at 5:30 as I went to sleep at 21:00.
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Original Publish Date Week 19 - Tuesday 4/04/00

Week 19 - Monday 3/04/00

Gee this is frustrating! The supplier and the company are working to different clocks. The company want to come in and work during the day. The supplier also wants to do the same. The supplier finishes the work at 18:00 and expects to have it tested. With all the flack going on, that may be reasonable. The problem is trying to predict when the clocks should be synchronized.  Spend day trying to get budgets sorted, in my mind, for the new sites.
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Original Publish Date Week 19 - Monday 3/04/00