Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
It's the end of the year already and I'm in amazement as I reflect that 2007 has drawn to a close already.
How has it been for you? This last week has been choc-a-block for me ... though mostly with the choc-o-late-based presents that my family and I have received.
My daughter Hannah has truly inherited my love for anything chocolate and my wife Wendy also has a pretty sweet tooth too. So, we're pretty easy to please gift-wise.
The festive season was a lot of work for me (and everyone-else in the entertainment and hospitality industries) and work, work and more work.
On Christmas day morning I, as usual, went to the radio station for the breakfast show. To my great surprise a gift had been left for me from Esther Guloom, one of our gorgeous newsreaders.
I've not been fortunate enough to work with Esther for some months, but whenever I have previously, she's always brought in the most delicious fruit cake you can imagine.
It's actually possible that she's been glad that's she hasn't worked with me much lately because it's also meant that she hasn't had to get up so early in the morning to find me some treats. Hmm, I wonder?
Anyway, back to the surprise. Esther had left a package for me and on opening it I found a large slice of her own special fruitcake, ALSO a slice of Christmas cake, AND three mince pies! Yumm!
The newsreader on that morning was Dr Mo Shaban - and he doesn't like cake - so I didn't have to share with anyone. With few listeners calling me that morning I enjoyed a scrumptious Christmas 'breakfast' at the radio.
I got myself a coffee at 7am and then gorged all the goodies by 7.10am. I subsequently felt very full and slightly queasy as I had eaten way too much far too early.
Regardless, I got myself through the show and high-tailed it home to open presents with Wendy and Hannah (who was starting to get just a little impatient). As I walked in the front door Wendy asked if I fancied a coffee and a mince pie? Groan!
Imagine her surprise when I declined. (I've never said no to a mince pie).
I gratefully accepted just coffee and sat down on the floor to help Hannah open her presents. What a joy! She was so excited and happy and loved her gifts. There were too many and not enough all at once.
Soon after opening all our pressies, we set off to the Diplomat Hotel to enjoy Christmas dinner. It was delicious and a fun day was had by all.
The big man in red was very tired from working so hard all night delivering presents so I happily stood in for him and gave out pressies to all the kids there. I was so worried about how Hannah would take it, but she was just so proud that HER daddy was asked to be Santa's helper and to do something so special.
On Boxing Day we went to visit our Aussie friends Paul & Maree Dosser and their kids for a BBQ lunch. Their hospitality as always was wonderful, and the kids had a great time running around and telling each other all about their presents and what Santa had eaten from the goodies they'd left him and such. Their chat was priceless to listen to and so very serious too.
On Friday morning I recorded the last "Music Mania" for 2007 back at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel.
We had a great time chatting to members of staff asking them what their thoughts and resolutions were for 2008 and also we had a very good interview with Suzy Massetti, the Italian head chef who was featured in GulfWeekly's Eating Out section. For my 60-second challenge interview she had to answer the questions whilst cutting up onions!
Yeah, it was a bit mean, but she was amazing and it was just such good fun.
So anyway, have you made any New Years resolutions? I as always want to lose weight, exercise more, spend more time with my family ... all the usual ones really, but through my weekly column I would just like to ask for everyone to be more tolerant of their fellow man and for peace to reign supreme. I think if we all think positively and pursue this goal together it can happen and we can banish much of the negativity in this ever-changing world that we live in.
May all your dreams come true in 2008.
All my love,
Until next week,
Krazy Kevin
