And so we are in the final stretch of 2009. It is indeed difficult to believe that this year is almost over, and also to take stock of what has happened. Many good things have happened in the last three months, but I have been through a series of misfortunes as well.

One of the best things that happened in the last three months is that I got my Jaguar. Yes, I drive a Jaguar S-Type, 3l V6 with every creature comfort one can want. It is an awesome car. Admittedly it is a very big car for a single guy. But hey, I work damn hard for my cash, and will enjoy the little things...well...not so little as it turns out.

Then one of the misfortunes struck. I was standing at a red light, waiting for it to go green when a Peugeot panel van slammed into me and three other cars. The damage to my car was mostly cosmetic but still came to a grand total of R80 000.00 ($10 5300.00 | EUR7 202.00) but his insurance will cover it. It has now been three weeks since my car went in for the repairs to be done, and I still do not have it back. It is a very frustrating situation, and I now have to drive my mother's 2006 Nissan X-trail. Sigh...

Work is great as I have been promoted to Brand Manager. I love coming to work in the mornings for the first time in a long time.

For the three months of the year that remain I am going to endeavor to repair relationships and friendships that have been strained or neglected. I want to go into 2010 with a clean, fresh slate.

I hope that you are all well, and thank you for reading my journal.

Warmest regards from rainy South Africa
Hugo