It’s been quite some time since I posted something here and there is a very simple explanation.

I died!

Okay, obviously I haven’t because I’m still here.

As Mark Twain said, “Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated“.

So let me offer you an explanation.

The last time I put up a post I mentioned the fact that we were moving house, in my case for the 21st time.

By the way, thanks to those of you who commented congratulating me on my 21st – however, it wasn’t my birthday. You really should read each post before leaving a comment! (Useful tip there for some people.)

We are now settled and enjoying the village life away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona.

At around the same time of the move and for reasons that I’m not going into now (as I’m rather tired of doctors, hospitals and everything medical) I was told that I would not be able to work for a period of time. Complete rest was required.

As a lot of my business runs automatically, I wasn’t too concerned. However, I did have commitments to some clients to whom I was providing a customer support service. These people had to be informed so they could make alternative arrangements.

With very little time I had available, I called upon someone I considered a good friend. I dictated an email outlining what was happening and that I would be incommunicado for some time, and asked him to send it on my behalf to my clients. I then gave myself up to the medical profession.

The middle of last month I slowly started to address myself to my business. I was pleased to note that my list of subscribers had continued to grow although I do apologise to them all for not being in touch recently.

And then I came across a response from one of my previous clients that completley knocked the wind out of me.

He was responding to an email, supposedly coming from my wife, in which it stated I had died!

The original mail had come from one of my email accounts which gave it some authenticity.

However, the style of writing rather perplexed me.

As some of you know, my wife is French. As well as reading, writing and speaking perfect French, she also reads, writes and speaks English and Spanish very well.

This particular email didn’t support that fact.

I’m not going to share the full content, but here’s a couple of sentences:

“I see you write John but he not answer.”

“I not able help you I not understand.”

“I sorry tell you John he die Friday.”

As you can see, apart from the blatant, downright, ugly lie, the syntax is all wrong.

I know, how can I go on about syntax when I’m supposedly dead. Well, I’ve had time to get over it….

But one of the saddest things about this event is that I don’t know why my supposed friend did this. For I have no doubt that it was him writing this mail to my clients and not the one I had dictated to him.

Suffice to say I haven’t seen him since.

I have obviously contacted my previous clients informing them of my continued existence. I’m certain they have been surprised to hear from me.

It’s a strange world we live in and people can be the strangest of creatures.

So, I’ve picked myself up, taken time to assess the state of my business and will be moving on.

I’m not sure if I will be leaving this post up forever but it was the quickest way to offer an explanation of my absence to many people.

Look out for some interesting business stuff very soon.

Live life to the full. It’s good to be alive!