HI all, sorry for 2 long winded posts from me in the one day. This is the what happened post as opposed to the previous emotional journey one.

I arrived at about 10.30am, the first one yeah, in order to assist if necessary. I floated around and achieved not too much, whilst Graeme manically whizzed around and John, Ian and Ian put the finishing touches to the room. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to put plastic sheets on top of a table laid out with photos and labels of photos without them all moving.

People started to arrive and, as I was helping with the merchandise side of things, I waddled down to help. A tip for those who decide to be helpful and sell things for someone else...getting prior product knowledge and knowing the prices of items is very helpful. My apologises to everyone I kept waiting whilst frantically searching my merchandise list for prices, or having to wait whilst I bellowed for Graeme.

Anyway, that all went swimmingly and everyone seemed to be mingling and chatting. We were all assigned tables so that some of us would be separated from each other (so we wouldn't cause too much trouble). Or am I imagining that? ;-)  Though how was it that the Agnetha Armada all seemed to get very close together? I'm not sure. The poodles move in mysterious ways.

So we were all madly chatting to our new friends when Graeme came on to start the show. The intro went fine till it came time to turn on the projector. It temporarily became temperamental and wouldn't work.

We went into the team bonding - yes bonding not bondage! Though after some of the questions.....!!!! We found out a little more about each other than we necessarily wanted to know. The highlight being the multi-coloured ABBA tattoo. The low part, according to some, being that it was located on an upper arm.

Either lunch or the amazing reincarnation of the projector occurred next. So we got to see the A*Teens. Some great footage and such great quality. Then the 1999 video compilation and the discussion of all the events that have happened overseas this year. Made me jealous of those that were there all over again. And just when I'd got over it too . Ah well back to therapy. I'll see you there Steve!

We then got some footage from 1977 - ahh the memories  - as well as our guest speaker Shelley Benson. Wow -  what a fantastic lady. She had such brilliant stories. What a memory! Graeme asked some wonderful questions that lead her through the experience of that time so well. Everything you wanted to know about ABBA - The Movie but had never been able to ask. She was so funny and wanted to share all her memories with us, even to the point of bringing her photos over to our table whilst everyone gathered around to hear her explain them. Though I must confess the visual picture of 13 people in her bed at one point is the thing I remember most......

The scheduled Frida video was postponed due to the projector incident earlier. Actually I suspect sabotage my those poodles.......

We then had dinner and watched the A*Teens in Poland. Then it was time for club-abba (and friends). The usual range of great songs. Wrap Your Arms Around Me, Slipping Through My Fingers, I Have A Dream...were not played. Whilst I usually dance with 3 left feet and very little co-ordination, club-abba is always the one place I forget my self consciousness and just have the best time. Thank you to all my various dancing partners, particularly the spectacular Trent Nickson for our very sensual and spirited rendition of Put On Your White Sombrero. It will always be our song.......

This was the evening of the birth of the 'Fridori- - the greatest drink on earth. And the emergence of three specularly beautiful young Swedish girls, complete with blonde plaited wigs and blue eye shadow. These young ladies of course also answer to the names of Steve, Joel and Damien. Joel, I must say, was particularly pretty. The 'Fridori' was, I must admit, a direct result of the Frida fans being completely outshone by the Agnetha Armada. I congratulate the Armada on their presence along with the ransom note demands for Agnetha songs. Even down to Agnetha - The Swine, oh sorry, The Shrine. To all Frida fans:- we were beaten but we will unite and come back! We let the kids have their fun (been a long time since someone call you a kid, eh Steve?), and sat back maturely and sculled our Fridoris.

There was also a very tiring, spirited and dance floor demolishing version of Frida's Syrtaki. Which was also quite scary and rather alot of fun. Don't know how it was for those watching, but the participating was hilarious.

Then we came to the end of the evening and all joined arms for We Move As One (damn poodles again). I believe various parties went on for many hours to come but I needed some sleep and trotted off home.

I now need sleep again so I will send Part 2 tomorrow

Night all

Fiona - Sydney, Australia