When I returned home a few days ago, I was greeted not only by a large pile of uninteresting mail, but also by a significant amount of stuff that I had purchased prior to leaving. I must admit, that in the past year or so, I have developed a rather addictive shopping habit via Amazon.com. DVDs and books are always my downfall in shops where I can feel and touch, but it seems even worse via the internet, where I can , in a few clicks, have a happy pile of goodies flying there way to me.

The most exciting purchase that I made prior to my trip, and which has subsequently arrived, is a CD that I have been hunting for for many years. I found it via eBay, listed under some obscure German name, but find it I did. It is a CD released a few years ago full of Australian artists performing Duran Duran songs. As a former Duranie, it seemed a must have purchase. There are lots of the old favourites re-mastered by new artists in different ways. Punk-Ska version? Yes. Electronica version? Uh huh.

But one of my most favourite songs of all, has always been, "The Chauffeur". It was never released as a single, but featured on a Video album the boys did. The video was popular, I think, with many young angst-filled teenage boys, since the video featured two sultry women, in the back of a limousine, mock-acting some soft-porn lesbian acts. That aside, the song always captured my attention. But, now with the addition of the vocals of the divine Bernard Fanning from Powderfinger - boys from my hometown - Duran Duran has been elevated to even greater heights.

So thank God to eBay for helping me find this little musical gem.