Hello folks!

Happy Thanksgiving … and Merry Christmas too.

2003 has been an interesting year for me … I’ve been working on a number of different projects, some musical and others not.

I’ve spoken before about the restaurant/lounge bar Blowfish (Sushi To Die For).
The original one, which was set up by a friend of mine and his partner, has been up and running in San Francisco for some time. I love great bars and lounges and I LOVED the food and the vibe of Blowfish right from the start. So much so, that I wanted to get involved in some manner, but not in the same way as other celebrities have got into ‘chain’ restaurants … I’m involved not out of greed but because I love great bars and I love to cook, in fact there’s a good chance you’ll be tasting a recipe or two of mine if all goes well! Anyway the original partners and I discussed what could be the next step for Blowfish and we agreed that it would be to take the concept to other cities in America. We opened a branch in San Jose earlier this year and next year we plan to open a Blowfish in Los Angeles.
The opening, which I am going to be at, is scheduled for early 2004.
We’re talking about opening in other US cities and I’m pushing to take the ‘Lifestyle of Blowfish’ to Europe! One place at a time though … but, you know, it doesn’t hurt to think ahead!

I’m also involved with another place, this time in Spain, where I spend a little time, called Red. This music/lounge bar and restaurant has been open for a year and now I’ve taken on most of the responsibility of its refurbishment and redesign which has to be an ongoing process ‘cos they can’t afford to close while we do it! It’s been pretty tough working around them … I could only work one day a week, on a Monday, when they were closed. None the less the place is looking fantastic and should be finished in the next few months ready for the spring/summer season. We’ve gone for a Colonial/ Moroccan look – browns and sandy colours rather than the obvious reds and it really works … the food is Australasian with the best cocktails in town. Anyway you’ll be able to see for yourself when we get the website up and running.

On another note, My company, Pictures From Another Room, has partially financed a film about the Mirning tribe in Australia with the help of my dear friend Kim Kindersley. It’s called The Gathering and it’s taken some time to put together -several years in fact - but it finally looks like most of the work will have been done on the project by early next year, at which point it will be handed over to me to write the score, which I’m very much looking forward to. With a bit of luck it should see the light of day before the end of next year. You can check out more about this project, the plight of indigenous tribes around the world and other environmental issues by visiting www.heartmagic.net. As you know environmental issues are close to my heart and I continue to work on several projects which are work in progress and which I want to tell you about when they are a little further along.

I still receive lots of film and TV scripts which I read but nothing has caught my heart as yet. I’m not absolutely sure I want to follow that path, anyway …

I get lots of messages from you asking about another album, and I have been speaking with producers and I’ve been writing when I get the chance.
I haven’t yet made a decision about the album but I DO know I don’t want to compromise for the sake of the industry! There are a few songs I’ve put down in demo form that touch me in a special way but I want the whole album to feel that way, so I think I’m going to keep on with the writing until THAT happens!

In my spare time I still love to take photos and of course I’ve been cooking every day. Hopefully, one day you may get the chance to see some of the photos and maybe even some of the recipes.

Anyway, here we are, it’s Thanksgiving and soon to be Christmas. War, death and violence continue to dominate the news headlines but why do we never hear about any of the good stories. News is supposed to be news about all things, not just the bad, but the positive too. Miraculous things happen every day but we don’t hear about these stories. Do we have nothing to look forward to? No hope, no faith, no laughter, no joy?
Though we are told things are getting worse something inside tells me that things are gonna change. I have hope and faith that it’s time for the sun to shine on everyone. I truly believe that things WILL change for the better, not forever, because that will never happen, but for a time and that will give us all hope again. I have a good feeling about next year.
I say, roll on 2004!

Peace, health and happiness to you and yours.

Happy Holidays!

Love always,
Julian
xx

Hi everyone,

Exciting news! The new online shop is now officially up and running.
Check out the new lennon.net t-shirts and baseball cap, all EXCLUSIVE to the site. The original Photograph Smile t-shirts are still available, but there are only a few left. I know that some of you have already visited the shop and made purchases which is great … the new t-shirts seem to be particularly popular.

You’ll notice that we have for sale a unique photograph of me and Dad. It was taken in our house ‘Kenwood’ in early 1967 and I guess I’d be around 4 years old. I found the original picture when looking through some old family albums and had it framed for myself. I had so many comments and compliments on it that I thought you might like it too – so here it is for sale only on the website and only as a limited edition. Hope you like it as much as me!

Let us know what you make of the shop and the site in general – your opinions and views are important to us. One question which has popped up in the Forum is how to pay for items - there are several different methods including credit card, sterling cheque and international money order.

Anyway, check out the new shop, and maybe treat yourself … or your valentine!

All the best

Love

Julian
xx