The second day of the best year of my life was, truth to tell, not all that great.

Vale Phil.

I can’t and don’t want to go into too many details, but the sad truth is Phil is leaving the employ of the company. It’s significantly earlier than expected. He’s become one my closest friends, and is one of the finest saxophonists and one of the finest men I’ve ever met. My plans to include him on Standard Shift are now in tatters. Bugger bugger bugger! Though his plans are even more in tatters.

Ironically, we had one of the best days of the contract yesterday. We went out in Cartegena, Columbia, found someone to take us around. It’s a gorgeous town.



Really has that Central American beauty about it. It seemed to me to be like a less commercial Saint Thomas (the island... not the saint). It was just Phil and I. Because 2008 is (was?) looking to be such a good year for both of us, we were very happy to be out and having a good time. We wandered around the city centre, had a great (if expensive) meal, toasted 2008 as the best year of our lives.

Still, looking at the positive side of things, I still believe 2008 is going to be a good year for Phil. He’s moving to Brazil to be with Julia, and starting a new life there. He’ll be ok. I’m just upset that I have to say goodbye weeks earlier than I thought I would have to.