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John Arthur Nichol

The Joy of Gmail

I once believed that my name was a rarity, because I'd never encountered another Nichol - let alone a Nichol called John. But in recent years I've learnt that the world is full of us, and that Google, bless its little cotton socks, thinks we all share an inbox.

In Sydney, Australia, I receive regular emails and service advice from a Jaguar dealership in Hull, UK. My X-Type Jag obviously needs a lot of looking after, but I probably should have chosen somewhere closer.

BMW of North America constantly invites me to the ultimate driving experience, and a hair studio in Surrey, British Columbia confirms my worryingly frequent appointments. I have a college readiness report for a massage course in New Westminster, BC, sales contacts from a Ford dealership in West Valley City, Utah (Tire Month is Coming!) and, since two days before Christmas, almost daily news updates of breathless urgency from the Woodworkers Guild of America.

My favourite restaurant in the whole wide world must surely be the place I'm always booking in Exmouth, UK - and they deliver, too! Truly a fishmonger for the 21st century! And here's me, allergic to seafood.

Meanwhile, an Irish recruitment firm wants me for a role as Finance Manager in Dublin, so I've got a tough decision to make now about that brand new air-conditioning setup in Vancouver; and if I do take the job in Dublin I'll have to insist on reserved parking for my  earthmover (it's serviced, fortunately, by an Australian company with global reach in Toowoomba, Queensland).

With my fingers in so many pies around the globe, I'm amazed that I even find time to look at my email. Is it the thrill of the unexpected that calls to me? I think it must be. Just today, for instance, the inbox that keeps on giving has thrown up two exciting new entrants - West Elm (Thank you for joining us! This is your official West Elm welcome) and Pottery Barn (You're officially on the list - See what sets our bestsellers apart.)

So strap in for the ride, because it doesn't get much better than this.