As, I believe, is required etiquette on such occasions as me 1000th post I'm gonna have to issue several Big Ups to all the people who've made the previous 999 posts possible. Starting with me Mum and Dad, naturally.
Moving on to Nic & Seb for providing such an outlet in the first instance. Good work fellas. Long may you continue. 
Then onto those who've proved more than just a name in hyperspace this past year, NOOL'ers I've actually had the pleasure to meet on me travels. Special mentions to Johnny Giles and Paul Mickey Disco Carbury (& Tania), for becoming genuine friends, away from the Order, then, in a rough chronological order of when I believe I met everyone, working back through this past year (like a truly sad case, I have to order this somehow!) - Steve Waller (Who I've probably known here the longest? What can I say, mate? Kiwomya was offside), Dave Hibell, Brian Geaux Hagen, Danny Wergorz, Ian Wandless (he of the ONE post!), Grahame Ferguson, The Livster ("Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"), Hooky Monster, The Briggster, Adamski Reed, Depthcharge, Candy The Bear, Tinman, Kezzie, Sloppy Zidane, The Muffmeister, Hank Wiseass, The Laughing Goldblade, Major Tarantino, Cheek-eh Munk-eh. and last, but obviously nae least, Shugster Zico Voeller (there'll always be an England!).
Then onto the lads whose faces we should all hopefully put to names this summer: SHOUTING PAUL TROWELL, Jim Reilly, Niel Johnstone, Martin Fradley, Mike 'Shorts' Garrity, Moonstomp Mickle and Old Blue Zamora. And Norderphile, who I've not seen since 93 but hope to catch up with again at Fins-bree. And to the Europeans who'll hopefully make themselves known to the travelling Brits this year - to Buster Klumpy, N21, Dutch Jim Jaap and Marco Pleil (Marco, Danny & Bernard said you might be travelling with them round Germania?). And to Grigori Rasputin and all our American Brethren with their plans afoot to take over Fins-bree Park for J******* S****'s birthday celebrations. Y'all have a nice day, you hear? And for live_and_let_live whose gonna do the opposite of what we did just three months back - fly halfway round the world for some half-arsed Northern Beat combo. The flight is a killer, mate. Stock up with pills.
Fond farewells to Karen Peregrine Walsh. Thought we had something 'special', it was like water down the drain (sorry, had to say that). And to the dearly departed Hunstman, God Rest His Soul, and to our earliest casualty of war, The Swan. Rest In Pieces, all of you.
Best Wishes to the band, themselves (FKGNM!), without whom NONE of this would of course be possible, and especially to Super Andy Liddle for always having a warm welcome for the 'ardcore. Sorry for all the abuse, mate. And to the ever-suffering Diane. I'm sure you love us really, albeit begrudgingly.
Special mentions also to those who don't post here, but genuinely have the Order at heart. Some of whose names will be familiar: J******* S****, who I've sought to emulate these past XYZ years after he wrote 'that bloody article' in Paradise '89 which made me think "I wish!" Thanks for blazing a trail. To Alex the Red for being such a focal point (not only for Hooky's abuse but for fans themselves), and to his Manc posse, who ignore us in the main, but seem to have mellowed with age, especially Wayne, Colin, John and Christine. Regards also to Oxford Steve and Southampton Jon for their ludicrous gig haul - ~110 and ~90 respectively, not bad going Gents. To the Slough (Si & Neil) and Mackem (Ian W again, John The Hat and Guv) contingents for making the US and the October gigs so special. To Iain & Bunny for having all things Factory at heart, and to Higgy and Caroline. And to D**** S*****, he of that other site (where I know a few of us moonlight on occasion), for putting in special effort too. We met D**** in LA last summer, so must pass on regards. Not that he'll read this! (Or will he?). And extra-special thanks to the lads I've done the Order with for longer than any of us would care to remember - to Gordie, to Gary and to Darren. Nice one, lads.
And, finally, all the Thanks in the World to my ever suffering partner, Paula, who's put up with me obsession where others would've jacked it any many moons ago. And who even paid for us both to do the States last summer, despite her ending up hating about 75% of the trip. I am eternally in her debt. In more ways than one. A genuine star.
And so, a gift - not sure how many people take an interest in this sort of bumph but since I was knee-high to the veritable grasshopper I've accumulated loads of junk about that band we're all in this for, and so I've dug out some choice bits for your delectation - here's reviews of the Order throughout the years, in chronological order, since their inception many many moons ago. From Joy Division to Revenge and Electronic. Please enjoy.
1980. Joy Division, London Moonlight 1981. New Order, London Forum 1982. New Order, Birmingham Imperial 1983. New Order, Brixton Academy 1984. New Order, Gloucester Leisure Centre 1985. New Order, Hammersmith Palais 1986. New Order, London T&C (Forum) 1987. New Order, Finsbury Park 1988. New Order, Manchester G-Mex 1989. New Order, Birmingham NEC 1990. Revenge, London T&C2 1991. Electronic, Manchester Hacienda
Here's to the next millenium. Corny, I know, but "I'm here to stay." ;)
Thanks to one & all. Al.
PS. If I've forgotten anyone, please Shoot Me.
Always interesting to see what you have to say - and listen to some of yer stories from the past (you old get) Hope to make it to France with all you lucky, lucky people - if not - see you at Finsbury Park mate
feel free to edit it :D
P.S. Already looking forward to seeing thee again in the summer.
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