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history A bit about myself - I'm not just another cappuccino-chugging laptop-toting net addict. So to prove I'm human, here's some detail on the guy at the other end of your modem: With the old man as a geologist, I was introduced to air miles at an early age and I now have more than 35 country stamps in my passport. The air miles collection started in South Africa in 1975 during the country's darkest period of 'Apartheid'. At the time, being only interested in eating and sleeping you don't really notice in great detail the state of your socially segregated environment. It was only 10 or so years later when I was living in Botswana that I realised what this 'Apartheid' thing was. From park benches to hotel lifts the country was cluttered with signs saying "Whites only". Fortunately the 'rainbow nation' has managed to progress but despite being a post-Mandela era, a division remains along socio-economic lines. It will be many years before the country recovers. Fortunately enough for my family we had the 'right' skin colour and therefore were not subjected to the violence and economic hardship which was a common occurrence in the 'old days'.
One brother later, a new contract for my father saw him getting a post in Bogota whilst we followed mother to Holland where we spent the following 9 months. This is where I started my schooling - and hated it. My teacher had to lock the door as soon as I arrived to stop me running back home, which I often did!!!
drugs, AK-47's and English tutors..... Fortunately, my next school was on the outskirts of Bogota and therefore too far for me to run home to!!! Although it was the "English School of Bogota", hardly a word of English was spoken which meant that Monday evenings were spent with an English tutor - something I didn't relish!! At least I enjoyed the weekend trips into the mountains and remember visiting a dormant volcano which would blow a decade or so later. Bogota, not one of the safer of cities meant that an AK-47 gun clenching gang burgled our house. Luckily we'd gone out for the evening but I remember half the Columbian Army on the doorstep on our return.
In 1982 we moved back to Africa - Botswana, where for the first few months we lived in the Gaborone Holiday Inn waiting for our house to be completed. My new school, Broadhurst Primary school was English speaking this time, so not too many difficulties this time. School was 7-12, so most afternoons were spent in the pool back at home. The rest of the time I spent with friends and when my dad wasn't working in the 'bush' we used to do the hash (Kalahari Hash House Harriers). Vacations were spent either in Holland or visiting local attractions such as the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls etc.
BSc, MSc......goodbye Canterbury..... Another brother and 4 years later, we ended up in the UK where I have lived ever since. This was all a bit of a shock, with things vastly different than they had been in Africa. The awful weather was I guess the biggest shock!!! With schooling and University out of the way, I am now planning the next episode of my life in Australia. Fortunate in succeeding with our application some years back, we never had the guts to make the move until now. So here we are - in Australia!!
The year has flown by and I am now very fortunate (apparently!) to be working again, for some unmentional drug company that makes a bit of money producing some nice little blue pills amongst other things. And I love my job as a data manager. Truly. I do. Honest! There's also a 'poo machine' on the way (AKA: baby). ETA: 03 September 2005. More news here soon! With my worldly travels I have met a few (decent) people who forgot to leave me there contact details (probably on purpose…). Anyway, I have drawn up my own 'most wanted' list and although it may have some similarities to the one the FBI have up on their walls, the names on mine are not in any particular order. Nor will I be rewarding you with large sums of money, a big thank-you will have to suffice. CLAIRE
JEFTHA (Africa?) Should you know or even be one of the above, then put me down on your Christmas list and drop me a line!! Ossama - long time no speak man! Let me know what you have been up to, where you are now etc etc! #:-)
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OSSAMA
BIN LADEN (Afghanistan/Iraq/Syria/Lebanon?)- Not a 'mate'
as such obviously, but I wouldn't mind adding his name to the
FBI address book. A small gesture of appreciation would be nice...$$$$$
etc. I reckon Bush has the man detained already and the world
will suddenly hear that he's been caught on the eve of the next
US presidential elections. Not being cynical or anything....
meijboom.co.uk