Take care.

Ian N

As you know we have known each other absolutely yonks and I feel ashamed that I forgot your birthday this year of all years! I have had a lot going on, but that’s no excuse. I hope you can forgive me. My memory is obviously not as powerful as yours. I could do with some brain training to help me recall to the same level of detail that you do. Really enjoyed your brief run down of the first 50 years of your life.

the son of a good friend of ours also has his birthday on 08/08. This year he was 18 and he is Chinese. His parents made quite a thing of it, obviously, and threw a great party.

First time I’ve dipped into your blog for ages and as always am impressed. We must keep more regular contact, miles are no longer a barrier between friendships.

Age gracefully and keep young minded!

All the very best in your 50th year!

Your Pomme mate, Craig.

I always admired you John. You were our fearless student rep and your acting talents in the various uni musicals always blew me away. And not to forget your cricketing and umpiring skill and sharing a cup of tea with you always seemed so civilised and genteel no matter where the brew was consumed.

I was still avoiding the drink at that stage. Dad had consumed my share well and truly and hence I was always putting off that first imbibe. I think I was about 22 or 23 when I had my first drink. Yes, David Bowie figured heavily back then. I obtained some of my first Bowie bootlegs while I was at uni. They were such good days. I wish I had kept some of the examination essays that had excited our lecturer so much ~ Dorothy Jones.

Thanks for the memories John! Cheers, John.

John was noteworthy in my year in that his musical interests ran to a band called Jimmy and The Boys (featuring a man named Ignatius Jones, who went on to much bigger things elsewhere) featuring a transvestite singer named Joylene Hairmouth.

I must record one other memory of John. One Thursday on campus I was due to return home in Sydney that night, and found I was suffering from some ailment of some sort – perhaps prompted by the undergraduate love of drinking. John very unpromptedly drove me back to my college, then picked me up later to drive me to the train. I was struck by this act of kindness from a bloke whom I really did not know well at that time.

The difficulty I have with these memories is that they seem so recent. I forget where I parked my car this morning but I vividly recall John’s many learned dialogues on David Bowie. I can close my eyes and recall these memories as though they happened last week; then I try to run for a train and get reminded that this time was a wee bit longer ago. John figures prominently in these memories, complete with that cheeky grin and a little bit more hair.

So, we all grew up and moved on. John pursued studies in education, too k a minor detour via a bank, and then returned to the fold. He is now respected in his field and well loved by all who know him. (and no Shao Ping is not paying me to write this.)

Well done, John, on reaching your 50th birthday. My wife & I wish you many more such birthdays. Many happy returns, mate!

And by the way, this post is lovely. The pictures and your recollections of family life as a kid are rather moving.