Hi everyone,

Well... it has been a bit of a delay again getting the website update to you, but this time it was due to all sorts of technical / computer / photo dramas. As a reward for your patience, though, I have managed to get some great photos of both Darren and Daniel for this weeks update.

So... I guess last time you heard from me Darren and I were still in New York for the international press that he was doing for the release of AFFIRMATION.

Since departing New York, Darren and I have been back in San Francisco staying at Walters guesthouse.... it has almost become like home there and it will be very strange to leave it. Actually, I've decided to put some photos up for you so that you can see what it is like.. you know... see the beds Darren and Daniel slept in, the lounge they sat on, the bathroom they showered in... you know, all of the stuff that you wouldn't usually get the opportunity to see (but that I KNOW you are going to love!).

We are only there for another couple of days before we head off to Australia for a week. Darren and I will be arriving in Sydney from LA on Saturday, 28th so that he can attend a media listening party for the album. Daniel will be flying down to Sydney to meet us on the same day... so it will be like we are all coming home together. It will be the first opportunity that the Australian media have had to listen to the album, and they are flying in from all over the country for the party. The guys are very excited about this, as although they enjoy the success they have all over the world, there really is nothing like being accepted in your own country.

Actually, while we are on the subject of AFFIRMATION (is there any other topic at the moment??).. I thought I would give you the complete tracklisting for the album. You already know of a few of the tracks from the interviews Darren has conducted, but here they are in full:

1. AFFIRMATION
2. HOLD ME
3. I KNEW I LOVED YOU
4. THE BEST THING
5. CRASH AND BURN
6. CHAINED TO YOU
7. THE ANIMAL SONG
8. THE LOVER AFTER ME
9. TWO BEDS AND A COFFEE MACHINE
10.YOU CAN STILL BE FREE
11.GUNNING DOWN ROMANCE
12.I DON'T KNOW YOU ANYMORE

So.. there you are! Darren and Daniel have told the fanzine what each song is about and what it means to them and this will be published in the next issue. Actually, the picture I have included for you this week is the whiteboard that was used during the recording process, with all the song titles listed. Darren has snuck the actual board out of Wallyworld to keep as a memento.

Things are starting to get really hectic in the Savage Garden camp and Darren and Daniel have been spending a lot of time overseeing every little detail from the packaging, to finalising the credits to choosing a director for the video to I KNEW I LOVED YOU (which I will tell you more about in a moment), plus while we are at Wallyworld Darren has rerecorded his vocal for the dance remix Daniel did of I KNEW I LOVED YOU.

Now.. let me tell you about our first earthquake experience. Being Australians, we have NEVER been in an earth moving situation. I was sitting in the backyard at Walters when suddenly the pool and the surrounding garden MOVED 6 FEET TO MY LEFT!! .. then it moved BACK AGAIN!!! It was so freaky! As I ran inside, Darren ran out looking for me. But.. rather than staying outside, he CONVINCED me that we HAD to get back inside for our own safety. I mean.. what would I know.. I've only been in America for a little while.. I looked at him as 'Mr; Just Follow Me Little Lady I'm An Earthquake Expert And I Know Exactly What To Do In This Sort Of Situation'

So we ran into the deepest corner of the house and stood under the door jamb of the bathroom. Because.. let's face it.. if you stand outside, the earth opens up and swallows you! (or at least that is what we have been told by all of the disaster movies). It didn't occur to us that it isn't really safe being indoors... we just thought that that tiny little door jamb would be the only thing left standing should the big quake hit (that's right.. just the door.. and the two of us.. completely unscathed). You'll be happy to know that even though I was completely terror stricken, I still had the presence of mind to get this photo of Darren's reaction to the quake.

All of the native Californians thought our dramatic reaction to the quake was hilarious.. it was merely a blip in their day.. but to us, it was HUGE!! By the time Darren had finished telling the story, the pool had moved 'at least 6 METRES'...

It was so sad to learn about the tragedy of the earthquake that took place in Turkey the next day.. it certainly put our experience into perspective. We were extremely saddened by it, and we counted ourselves very lucky.

At the moment I am sitting in a sound studio in North Hollywood on the second day of... you guessed it.. THE VIDEO SHOOT for I KNEW I LOVED YOU!!!! The shoot is taking place on the New York subway set that was used for SEINFELD. The director is Kevin Bray, who has worked with artists such as Brandy & Monica (The Boy Is Mine) and Whitney Houston ( Heartbreak Hotel.. & It's Not Right,but it's ok). He is known for the beauty of his videos and this one will be no different. Both of the guys look absolutely gorgeous.. and I'm sure this will be their best clip yet.

Darren and Daniel both wanted an up and coming actress to play the lead in the clip, and they agreed that Kirsten Dunst (Dick, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Interview With The Vampire) would be perfect for the part. She was in San Diego shooting a new film and jumped at the chance to come to LA to be in the video. She told the guys that she is a fan of their music, and that she has always wanted to do a music video... so this was a great opportunity. She is such a sweet, unaffected.. and TALENTED person... it has been a real thrill to have her here.

While we are in LA, Darren and Daniel will also be holding auditions for their second back up singer (as you know, Anna will be returning as well). Whoever is successful will become the final ingredient to the live mix.. which is very exciting. When we are in Australia, Darren will be spending time rehearsing with Daniel and the rest of the band in Brisbane. This will be the first time that the new songs will be performed fully live.. I can't wait to hear how they sound! I promise you I will get some digital pictures of the full band while we are there.

That's it from me for this week. I'll be speaking to you next time from Down Under!

Bye Leonie