ONE YEAR AGO… I had put my back out on the weekend so I wasn't at work. I actually got bored lying around doing nothing, so I decided to go into work for a couple of hours and just work from the La-Z-Boy by my desk.

On my way in I heard the news that there had been another massive earthquake in Christchurch, and when I got to the office I saw Deon outside who told me about hearing the roar of the quake over the phone while he was speaking to a lady in Christchurch.

Later in the afternoon I had my very first plasma donation booked, it seemed strange lying on the beds at NZ Blood Service with a needle in my arm and watching the destruction on TV… the images looked like something you'd see in a movie, but the reporters and bystanders spoke like us.

So today I got home after a crazy week of work and find I have a parcel waiting for me... my brand new Kindle 2 :)

Seriously, a few months ago I laughed at anyone who thought about buying an e-reader... but then I saw how cool Kindle was and I knew I had to have one. I spend a lot of money on books (and if I'm honest I spend a fair bit on overdue library fees too) so I think the purchase of a kindle will pay off in the long run.