2020 is a year that will live long in our memories. Not least for us here at KB. If I go into too much detail I will just be adding to the cacophony of noise in the world. I have come to the conclusion that nobody cares what I think, only me. It’s a frustrating world to live in for those with common sense and a vision that allows them to see through the bullshit. Maybe that just makes me another opinionated asshole, you decide.
Sadly because I have a need to put food on the table and support my family I am forced to have to get involved. However it’s good for everyone if I just mind my own business. I figure the only real difference we can make in the world is to do our very best to be good at what WE do and leave the rest to others. For those wonderful folk that have spent a portion of their lives reading my particular brand of bullshit this year I salute you. I hope the reading was as cathartic as the writing. Beats the shit out of ‘wild swimming’ or keeping fit lumpin’ bags of produce around the television.
All I have to say is a great big thank you to everyone who participated in making 2020 our biggest year ever. Few businesses ever get to see growth close to three percentage figures but you all did it for us or near as dammit. Catherine, Sarah, Richard and I offer you a most humble bow of reverence. THANK YOU is really insufficient but it’s largely all I have in this format.
My salutations go out to Richard and Sarah who became parents at the very peak of our first ‘lock down’. I know Sarah was heartbroken over the way things went but as Eminem wrote “all’s well that ends ok”. Trust me it could have been worse, I know from personal experience.
As for 2021 all bets are off. Between the virus, Brexit and our own government I doubt many of us will be left standing by this time next year. Take a leaf out of the book of the late Mr Richard Overton…
But, before then I need to point out that Kaizen Bonsai will be CLOSED until 11 JANUARY. To put no finer point on the matter we are all totally fXXXed and need a break. 14 hours seven days a week has taken it’s toll and besides Richard needs to see his family. This is the most consecutive days I have had off work since I started at thirteen. We ask you to respect our personal need that has to come first for once. Last time I ignored the call I ended up in hospital with only a couple of days to live. You are all welcome to place orders in the meantime but please don’t expect delivery until well into January. I know it sucks but we all have to be thankful for what we can get at the moment.
Again I offer our sincerest and heartfelt thanks for your support in this difficult year and I leave the last word to a man I consider Britain’s premier literary master (forget that clown from Stratford….)
Graham, Catherine, Richard and Sarah.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Merry Christmas to you all
Graham, I would like to say a sincere thank you to all at Kaizen, It’s been a horrible year in most respects but bonsai has without a doubt helped with the mental health aspect of this situation. Bonsai is a little daily escape from the madness and it has kept me sane during this awful year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and enjoy a well deserved rest.
I am very happy that you’ve pulled through okay this year, Graham. It’s been tough on everyone. I don’t think anyone’s escaped. Of course, bonsai never made many much money. Apart from Peter Chan perhaps. Anyway, Merry Christmas and here’s to looking forward to a better 2021.
“And it ‘s the Overton diet. It’s anybody’s diet that wanna eat it”
Respect Bro.
Graham. Thanks for your great blogs and superb trees. Enjoy your break . 2021 will be better. It just has to be? I love the way you say it as it is. Its not bullshite its honesty!
To all of you at Kaizen Bonsai,
Just to let you know you are respected and thanked for all you do for the bonsai community.
I am sure there would be less happy participants without you…..
….. And for the unknown of 2021 all the best and take care.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Thank you all at Kaizen Bonsai. Even though I cannot access many items I have thoroughly enjoyed the blogs. Best Wishes for 202. Chris.
Graham, I can only echo the previous comments and add my own “thank you”. I find your blog posts both informative and cathartic – whenever I see a notification that one has been posted I invariably reach for a large glass of red and make sure I have plenty of time to settle down to read it at a leisurely pace. Often I have to read them a couple of times to get it to sink in but that’s more down to my mental capacity (or the wine) rather than your writing style!!
Let’s keep positive for 2021 and hope that a large dose of common sense prevails……
Enjoy your well deserved break and wishing you all at KB a merry Christmas.
Graham,
From “across the pond” a very joy filled holiday season to all of you. Enjoy your rest. You deserve it.
On another subject, I can tell some of you are disappointed in the leadership of your government. My sympathies. Please do keep in mind while you may have leaders that behave irrationally at times, we have at least one (if not more) who is certifiably insane.
Graham, thanks for your and the team’s hard work over the last year. Have a well deserved break and a safe and happy Christmas!
Merry Christmas and the Happiest of new years. You are the best bonsai business in the UK, Europe and probably the world! Have a well deserved break and I look forward to placing orders with you next year
best wishes Hugh
Graham Katherine and the team
We all thank you for your service guidance and heartfelt posts during the traumatic past year. Bonsai may never make you rich but it provides you with an interesting and absorbing living with the added knowledge that you are greatly helping so many others with an interesting and absorbing hobby, and helping them through these difficult times.
Hopefully next year will improve for all of us.
I wish everyone at Kaizen Bonsai a Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Tony. (Bristol).