[Jeff and Jane Scott]

g'day all

I guess it's my turn...

I can't describe my reaction to hearing the news yesterday.  I'm still 
numb.  I knew it had to happen one day, and yet I thought they'd "surf 
forever" (as someone so beautifully put it).  When you think about it, it 
should have been obvious that it was going to happen.  Peter wants to 
change the world, and he's probably capable of doing it.  There isn't 
enough time to do that and be in the Oils, so the less important had to go...

Had to go back to work yesterday afternoon, after four weeks off.  In fact, 
last time I was at work turned out to be the day on which I was to see the 
Oils play live for the last time.  It was the best show I ever saw.

So I'm going back to work, and obviously I need an Oils CD for the 
car.  The choice is easy - go back to where it all began (for me) - Red 
Sails In The Sunset, 1984.  At first I thought it was going to be too much, 
but by the halfway point of "Generals" I had a grin from ear to ear as I 
remembered all the great times the band have brought me over the past 18 
years.  Riding home from the record store with Diesel and Dust in the 
headphones two days before the official release date...   Impressing my 
mates on a surfing trip by knowing all the words to the Lucky Country 
rant...  My first live show...  My first live show in the front 
row...  Catching the midnight flight from Perth to Sydney, having breakfast 
at the airport half asleep, then suddenly realising who was sitting at the 
table next to me...  Finding out about this "Warumpi Band" mob and their 
incredible songwriter Neil Murray...  Driving from Wittenoom to Mt Magnet 
to Geraldton to Perth to Bunbury over two days to get to a show...  Driving 
from Bunbury back to Perth after the show, looking across to the car next 
to me and seeing a big bald guy in a red suit sitting in the front seat... 
Getting a drumstick at last after 18 years...  And finally, getting a 
couple of "Save Ningaloo Reef" bumper stickers from the hand of the man 
himself at the last show - the "Thanks" I said (which he would never have 
heard) turns out to mean so much more than I thought at the time.

It's been two days now and I'm still stunned.

Where to now?  I don't know if one man can change the world, but if one man 
can then this might the man to bet on.  He's certainly changed mine.

The rest of the guys - I hope they continue to work together "in another 
guise".  I don't guarantee to like what they do, but I certainly look 
forward to hearing it.

My friends in Powderworks - I hope we stay around, for a while at least.  I 
know now that nothing is forever.  You're all welcome at my house any time.

I think I like the sound we're chasing.


jeff...