So the modern day "spin doctor" might have a helpful place in the scheme of things after all!!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Aussie Flags BIG DAY OUT
So the modern day "spin doctor" might have a helpful place in the scheme of things after all!!
ArtExpress
Last years HSC artworks selected for ArtExpress displays are currently in use by David Jones city store as window displays in Sydney... there are a number of remarkable works and my favourite is posted here...At DJs each is added to by a fashion or product display that 'fits' but you can still see the works fairly uninterrupted!!
For National Youth Workers Conference we didn't have enough lead time a few years ago to get the display for our opening night BUT would like to host a showing in the future!!
More on Tim Flannery
Tim is a controversial figure in some scientific circles and certainly others thought the previous Director of the Australian Museum was doing a good job... BUT
What about one of his first press conferences....
Suggesting, wouldn't it be great if our government announced a carbon tax or trading scheme [a scheme to reflect the cost to the environment of industry and consumers continuing to use coal fired technology] and a long term say 20 to 50 year plan for the development of fair dunkum renewable energy sources...
In this age we have governments fixated on the three year term, the economic indicators and flip flopping with public focus year by year... like how annoying must it be for the Greens that the major parties are 'talking' water and climate change... stealing their entire appeal out from under them...
Given the air these issues are getting, imagine if a government or opposition actually outlined a 20 year plan for solar, wind and water powered energy the size of the Snowy scheme and simply said... we're doing it!! How inspiring would that be... likehood... zero!! Unless Peter Garrett and Malcolm Turnbull continue to get the space they currently have...
Bring it on.... we could all keep the momentum up by making the switch to Green Power like that excellent example brought to our state level Uniting Church Synod meeting by the mob at Maroubra Junction Uniting!!
http://www.greenpower.nsw.gov.au/homepage.html
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Tim Flannery named 2007 Aussie of the Year
Scientist, author and Director of the Australian Museum Tim Flannery has just been named Aussie of the Year. After this years journey down the Murray for 'Two Men and a Tinnie" with John Doyle and a couple of celebrated books, lectures etc perhaps the current election issue of WATER swept [pardon that] Flannery to the award!!It will certainly help maintain the rhetoric beyond just that and will keep the issue out there while we seek genuine solutions to our substantial problems!!
Maybe we could get the Big Day Out organisers to tell people to drink lots of water and we'd instantly solve the problem!!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Five Things the World Doesn't Know About Me
Like Viral Videos and Chain Letters, the latest "tagging" is to choose a few others in the blogosphere and ask them to share answers to these questions and to similarly tag others!!
Anyhow...
known for suggesting in late night Camping D&M fireside chats that people can ask me any question they like and get an honest answer, as a way of encouraging a small group of people to do likewise, I'm up for the challenge...
1. I have seriously considered gastric banding as a weight loss option:
Twice before in my life I have returned from overweight to a healthy 100 kgs with totally consuming lifestyle changes and exercise that have later slowly dissipated... other events and issues have generally caused the gains to be greater and recent injuries and allergies have caused me to be in terrible shape!! Earlier I was able to focus on rugby union and walking and at one time was so angry and on edge in a relationship that weight just fell off.
Both times the trick was a sweet low sugar drink, copious quantities of fruit, no snacks and eating whatever meals I wanted to for dinner... with chocolate and a supper once a week!! Oh and the killer was not telling anyone and never mentioning the word "diet"....
More recently as above I've had food allergies preventing healthy eating e.g no fruit except pears [which can get a little monotonous!! Then I've ruptured and had surgery on both kneecap tendons!! No rugby, no running and more recently no walking...
BUT I'm now a swimmer and my allergies as mentioned elsewhere seem to have miraculously resolved [misdiagnosis must be considered, but the reactions have stopped]....
Anyhow.... maybe one day...
2. Elton John:
Some may also be aware I was a huge Elton John fan and have seen Elton live at least four times in Sydney... particularly Elton's early stuff and the heavy rock numbers... anthemic, great lyrics, storytelling...
3. I was a Booth Organiser for distributing Liberal Party pamphlets for a State Election:
AND scrutineered in East Maitland while still at High School. I almost signed up as a Young Liberal. My personal politics could hardly be further from those early roots and influences these days after deconstructing and reconstructing my view of the world and the values of God around Year 12 and early years at University.
I never thought once I went into Youth Work that I would ever use my eventual Economics Degree BUT I realise that "economic rationalism", privatisation and their effects on the poor are very much issues of faith, lifestyle, ethics and values... as lived out in community!!
I still harbour a little ambition for political office and if I return at some point to a local faith community I would happily join a group working to make the world a better place and see how I went!!
4. I hate making mistakes:
I know this because I make my share and kick myself everytime... but as an IDEALIST I carry the mixture of knowing better but operating out of a mindset that leaves room for stuff to go wrong and just adjust and move on. Tiredness and haste are my worst enemies... I can get so tired whole hours or half days are a blur. I recently lost a bag which I assume I put down next to my car after swapping gear between two bags and driving away BUT I cannot visualise it happening... its just the only remaining explanation!!
If I operate or am pushed outside my gift of 'listening' and 'summing up' then I am liable to miss the best solution and go for a lesser option!! I really like to hear other peoples ideas and would prefer to push them forward in leadership than myself.... BUT if I do that without proper time or resources so they have the job but not all the tools or time then I am negligent!! Other veneer thin self important gurus and pretenders can step in and take over those spaces but I still rsik that to give others a chance... if they can thrive I am happy!!
5. 2007 is a critical year to my future:
Will I get the balance right and be content and focused or will it be hectic and frustrating and stressful causing me to burnout? Some of that is frighteningly in the hands of others... colleagues I trust, people who need to step up and be encouraged to lead and take up the space as I encourage them... well, we'll see?
OK.... too much information...
Anyhow...
known for suggesting in late night Camping D&M fireside chats that people can ask me any question they like and get an honest answer, as a way of encouraging a small group of people to do likewise, I'm up for the challenge...
1. I have seriously considered gastric banding as a weight loss option:
Twice before in my life I have returned from overweight to a healthy 100 kgs with totally consuming lifestyle changes and exercise that have later slowly dissipated... other events and issues have generally caused the gains to be greater and recent injuries and allergies have caused me to be in terrible shape!! Earlier I was able to focus on rugby union and walking and at one time was so angry and on edge in a relationship that weight just fell off.
Both times the trick was a sweet low sugar drink, copious quantities of fruit, no snacks and eating whatever meals I wanted to for dinner... with chocolate and a supper once a week!! Oh and the killer was not telling anyone and never mentioning the word "diet"....
More recently as above I've had food allergies preventing healthy eating e.g no fruit except pears [which can get a little monotonous!! Then I've ruptured and had surgery on both kneecap tendons!! No rugby, no running and more recently no walking...
BUT I'm now a swimmer and my allergies as mentioned elsewhere seem to have miraculously resolved [misdiagnosis must be considered, but the reactions have stopped]....
Anyhow.... maybe one day...
2. Elton John:
Some may also be aware I was a huge Elton John fan and have seen Elton live at least four times in Sydney... particularly Elton's early stuff and the heavy rock numbers... anthemic, great lyrics, storytelling...
3. I was a Booth Organiser for distributing Liberal Party pamphlets for a State Election:
AND scrutineered in East Maitland while still at High School. I almost signed up as a Young Liberal. My personal politics could hardly be further from those early roots and influences these days after deconstructing and reconstructing my view of the world and the values of God around Year 12 and early years at University.
I never thought once I went into Youth Work that I would ever use my eventual Economics Degree BUT I realise that "economic rationalism", privatisation and their effects on the poor are very much issues of faith, lifestyle, ethics and values... as lived out in community!!
I still harbour a little ambition for political office and if I return at some point to a local faith community I would happily join a group working to make the world a better place and see how I went!!
4. I hate making mistakes:
I know this because I make my share and kick myself everytime... but as an IDEALIST I carry the mixture of knowing better but operating out of a mindset that leaves room for stuff to go wrong and just adjust and move on. Tiredness and haste are my worst enemies... I can get so tired whole hours or half days are a blur. I recently lost a bag which I assume I put down next to my car after swapping gear between two bags and driving away BUT I cannot visualise it happening... its just the only remaining explanation!!
If I operate or am pushed outside my gift of 'listening' and 'summing up' then I am liable to miss the best solution and go for a lesser option!! I really like to hear other peoples ideas and would prefer to push them forward in leadership than myself.... BUT if I do that without proper time or resources so they have the job but not all the tools or time then I am negligent!! Other veneer thin self important gurus and pretenders can step in and take over those spaces but I still rsik that to give others a chance... if they can thrive I am happy!!
5. 2007 is a critical year to my future:
Will I get the balance right and be content and focused or will it be hectic and frustrating and stressful causing me to burnout? Some of that is frighteningly in the hands of others... colleagues I trust, people who need to step up and be encouraged to lead and take up the space as I encourage them... well, we'll see?
OK.... too much information...
Five Crap Movies I Love to Watch
Five Crap Movies I Love to Watch
I was literally spoiled for choice at this task, inspired by Ray via Jono's Urban Stone Blog!!
I see Rocky Balboa and Diehard have new instalment due... some would include the 'Blues Brothers' in this kind of list because they have no taste for films....
Dumb and Dumber has its moments and we always used to include a Chuck Norris film in our mid 80's allnighters... I especially remember one where running through an open plan office, Norris falls over a waste paper bin and with one leg still atop it he takes a gun from the bottom desk drawer, points at his pursuer and fires.... the next camera shot neatly shows his own toe and that of his right shoe missing!! Great shot!
Anyhow.... at the risk of ridicule and judgement...
1. “Rambo: First Blood” starring Sylvester Stallone
“Boogetta, boogetta, boogetta” From the first dulcet tones uttered by Sly Stallone to the incredible plot that has him cutting down one State Trooper after the next… leaves me wanting more. Perhaps this films endearing qualities are lost on the average punter but any Richard Crenna cameo is worth a look. This film is perhaps only outdone by John Rambo singlehandedly liberating Afghanistan from the Russians. “Who are you?” “I’m your worst nightmare!!”
2. “Pink Panther” starring Peter Sellers
Choose any of the first three, after that Blake Edward lost the plot [literally].
At High School my mate Graham and I would catch the train for the 30min journey from Maitland to Newcastle to see the new release Pink Panther from the masterly Peter Sellers. Without exception we would leave the cinema with sides aching from laughing so much… particularly at the interplay between Kato and Clouseau.
3. “Last Action Hero” starring Arnold Swarzenegger
So nobody got the joke!! Arnold is so wooden and unrealistsic that when he decided to do a film poking fun at the genre and cleverly trying to do a “Purple Rose of Cairo” with action figures jumping between the world and the film. Some clever scenes as the young boy tries to convince Arnold’s character that not everyone’s phone number begins 555 and in the video shop where Sylvester Stallone apparently stars in some classic Arnie roles!!
4. “Diehard 3” starring Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson
John McLane and an African American store owner play the robbers game as they zig zag across New York to prevent a bomb blast in a local School. Its all a distraction while the real plot unfolds. How the whole plot swings on a bottle of headache medication from Van Nuys is just a remarkable thing!! Yipeeoo Kiyee….
5. “Striptease” starring Demi Moore
I know, I know…. A film that promised so much and then destroyed the book the story was drawn from by offering us nothing more than Demi’s naked and surgically enhanced body and a dumb sleazy cameo from Burt Reynolds!! Need I say more!! In the end Ving Rhames minor role shines amongst some other ordinary performances!! This is an intellectual film compared to GI Jane!!
I was literally spoiled for choice at this task, inspired by Ray via Jono's Urban Stone Blog!!
I see Rocky Balboa and Diehard have new instalment due... some would include the 'Blues Brothers' in this kind of list because they have no taste for films....
Dumb and Dumber has its moments and we always used to include a Chuck Norris film in our mid 80's allnighters... I especially remember one where running through an open plan office, Norris falls over a waste paper bin and with one leg still atop it he takes a gun from the bottom desk drawer, points at his pursuer and fires.... the next camera shot neatly shows his own toe and that of his right shoe missing!! Great shot!
Anyhow.... at the risk of ridicule and judgement...
1. “Rambo: First Blood” starring Sylvester Stallone
“Boogetta, boogetta, boogetta” From the first dulcet tones uttered by Sly Stallone to the incredible plot that has him cutting down one State Trooper after the next… leaves me wanting more. Perhaps this films endearing qualities are lost on the average punter but any Richard Crenna cameo is worth a look. This film is perhaps only outdone by John Rambo singlehandedly liberating Afghanistan from the Russians. “Who are you?” “I’m your worst nightmare!!”
2. “Pink Panther” starring Peter Sellers
Choose any of the first three, after that Blake Edward lost the plot [literally].
At High School my mate Graham and I would catch the train for the 30min journey from Maitland to Newcastle to see the new release Pink Panther from the masterly Peter Sellers. Without exception we would leave the cinema with sides aching from laughing so much… particularly at the interplay between Kato and Clouseau.
3. “Last Action Hero” starring Arnold Swarzenegger
So nobody got the joke!! Arnold is so wooden and unrealistsic that when he decided to do a film poking fun at the genre and cleverly trying to do a “Purple Rose of Cairo” with action figures jumping between the world and the film. Some clever scenes as the young boy tries to convince Arnold’s character that not everyone’s phone number begins 555 and in the video shop where Sylvester Stallone apparently stars in some classic Arnie roles!!
4. “Diehard 3” starring Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson
John McLane and an African American store owner play the robbers game as they zig zag across New York to prevent a bomb blast in a local School. Its all a distraction while the real plot unfolds. How the whole plot swings on a bottle of headache medication from Van Nuys is just a remarkable thing!! Yipeeoo Kiyee….
5. “Striptease” starring Demi Moore
I know, I know…. A film that promised so much and then destroyed the book the story was drawn from by offering us nothing more than Demi’s naked and surgically enhanced body and a dumb sleazy cameo from Burt Reynolds!! Need I say more!! In the end Ving Rhames minor role shines amongst some other ordinary performances!! This is an intellectual film compared to GI Jane!!
The Annual Rasberry Awards
And likewise the pop culture cousin of the Oscars gives awards for the worst films, actors, etc!!
http://www.razzies.com/history/27thNoms.asp
79th Academy Award Nominations Announced!!
Check em' out with various other information here...
http://www.oscars.org/79academyawards/noms.html
MY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Peter O’Toole in “Venus” (Miramax, Filmfour and UK Council)
Will Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Forest Whitaker in “The Last King of Scotland” (Fox Searchlight)
and others...
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin in “Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
Eddie Murphy in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed” (Warner Bros.)
and others...
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Penélope Cruz in “Volver” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Helen Mirren in “The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)
Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada” (20th Century Fox)
and others...
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
and others...
Best animated feature film of the year
“Cars” (Buena Vista) John Lasseter
“Happy Feet” (Warner Bros.) George Miller
“Monster House” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Gil Kenan
Achievement in directing
“Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage) Alejandro González Iñárritu
“The Departed” (Warner Bros.) Martin Scorsese
“Letters from Iwo Jima” (Warner Bros.) Clint Eastwood
“The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada) Stephen Frears
“United 93” (Universal and StudioCanal) Paul Greengrass
Best documentary feature
“Deliver Us from Evil” (Lionsgate)
“An Inconvenient Truth”
“Iraq in Fragments”
Best motion picture of the year
“Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)
“Letters from Iwo Jima” (Warner Bros.)
“Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)
The telecast should be the evening of Monday 26th February from the Kodak Theatre
COMING SOON Nominations for the Rassy's... including Sharon Stone 'Basic Instinct 2'
Sunday, January 21, 2007
The Audreys
So Steve Schubert reminds me of this band we heard and saw at the ARIAs and next thing you know I'm chilling to their blues and roots sound from their debut CD "between last night and us"....
The whole album has a cafe ambience or potential for reflective time BUT I am particularly fond of "Long Ride" as a tune asking that 'there must be something else we've missed or not found?' and the brilliant cover of INXS "Don't Change" that closes the album!! Check out this ARIA winning mob at http://www.theaudreys.com.au/index.htm
Saturday, January 20, 2007
U2 'Window in the Skies' Melbourne and Various Artists Clip
Colleagues are probably still tossing ideas around on the multimedia egroup I belong to about the 100 or so artists featured cleverly in this latest U2 track...
Back and Posting
Hi all, if this post works I'll be back to posting a whole range of pop culture, ideas and resources in coming days and weeks!! I have stuff about the Oscars, U2, worship ideas and some catch up on '5 Things the World Doesn't Know About Me', DEAD Pool, and 5 Crap Films I like to watch anyway!!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Hallelujah!!! A Chance to Post
While the brainiacs at Google and Blogger have been frigging around with the site, tools and format of our blogs I have missed the opportunity to join colleagues in the blogasphere in:
Naming my Top Five Crap Movies I Still Love to Watch
Passing on a Tag about Five Things the World Doesn't Know About Me
Inviting my readers to contribute to naming the 100 artists featured in the new clip for U2's single "Window in the Skies"
If I ever get back on I'll include details of the above....
If you don't see anthing new until about January 20th you'll know I'm in Perth for the Uniting Church's national youth event NCYC "Agents of Change" www.agentsofchange.org.au
and then The Youth Unit's Summer camp here in NSW/ACT... www.nsw.uca.org.au/boe/youthunit and follow the links to register etc
See ya soon.... maybe later maybe sooner!!
Naming my Top Five Crap Movies I Still Love to Watch
Passing on a Tag about Five Things the World Doesn't Know About Me
Inviting my readers to contribute to naming the 100 artists featured in the new clip for U2's single "Window in the Skies"
If I ever get back on I'll include details of the above....
If you don't see anthing new until about January 20th you'll know I'm in Perth for the Uniting Church's national youth event NCYC "Agents of Change" www.agentsofchange.org.au
and then The Youth Unit's Summer camp here in NSW/ACT... www.nsw.uca.org.au/boe/youthunit and follow the links to register etc
See ya soon.... maybe later maybe sooner!!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Rob Hirst' ARIA Hall of Fame Speech
By popular demand, here it is...
"Not so long ago we were the latest models on the showroom floor. Shiny and new, no rust, ready for the road, good for 500 gigs before needing a service. Of course, we needed a bit of polish.
By the mid-80's the car was left in the garage, while we toured Europe and North America in buses and flying machines. We played in some unlikely places: a bullring in France, an old U-Boat factory in Germany, a major traffic intersection in NYC. And we recorded albums on a farm in England and an office block in Tokyo.
But all the travel simply made us cherish our own country more.
We made friends in the desert, and wrote songs about the beauty and tragedy of the Aboriginal Nation. We joined forces with the millions who see the potential, and the perils, of the Australian destiny.
2000 came around, a rare moment of peace and goodwill. Yet even before the thrill and the smoke of the Sydney Olympics began to fade, great changes were being made.
Last week GW Bush finally admitted that Iraq may prove to be his Vietnam, but Vietnam inspired some of the greatest protest songs ever written. Not so now, surprisingly, even when hundreds of thousands of Australians crowded our streets to demonstrate their opposition to another senseless war. Maybe complaint rock is still being written, but is ignored by an industry hypnotised by get-famous-fast TV shows. Bless you, John Butler, but you shouldn't have to do it all by yourself.
Of course, everything eventually turns around, as Bush's predecessor of two centuries past, Thomas Jefferson, observed: 'A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles'.
There are so many to thank on this amazing journey, this strange fantastic dream. Thank you Denis Handlin and everyone now and then at CBS, Sony, and Sony/BMG. Our history is tied to yours - in fact, Denis was still packing shelves at Artarmon when we were packing shit at the Antler.
Thanks to our own cheer squad, past and present: our manager, Gary Morris, our office bearers, particularly Arlene and Craig; our crew, especially Michael and Nick; our tour managers, from Constance to Willie; our producers, chiefly Nick and Warne; and our first two bassplayers, Bear and Giffo. And thanks most of all to our families, who put up with long-absent husbands and fathers, and who graciously accepted our middle-distance stares and our long-distance phonecalls. They've seen us at our worst, trying to dial room service at home, or complaining that there's no TV in the bathroom. But they might also have to admit - like us - that when it's all been said and done, it's been lots of fun."
Rob, Oct 06
"Not so long ago we were the latest models on the showroom floor. Shiny and new, no rust, ready for the road, good for 500 gigs before needing a service. Of course, we needed a bit of polish.
By the mid-80's the car was left in the garage, while we toured Europe and North America in buses and flying machines. We played in some unlikely places: a bullring in France, an old U-Boat factory in Germany, a major traffic intersection in NYC. And we recorded albums on a farm in England and an office block in Tokyo.
But all the travel simply made us cherish our own country more.
We made friends in the desert, and wrote songs about the beauty and tragedy of the Aboriginal Nation. We joined forces with the millions who see the potential, and the perils, of the Australian destiny.
2000 came around, a rare moment of peace and goodwill. Yet even before the thrill and the smoke of the Sydney Olympics began to fade, great changes were being made.
Last week GW Bush finally admitted that Iraq may prove to be his Vietnam, but Vietnam inspired some of the greatest protest songs ever written. Not so now, surprisingly, even when hundreds of thousands of Australians crowded our streets to demonstrate their opposition to another senseless war. Maybe complaint rock is still being written, but is ignored by an industry hypnotised by get-famous-fast TV shows. Bless you, John Butler, but you shouldn't have to do it all by yourself.
Of course, everything eventually turns around, as Bush's predecessor of two centuries past, Thomas Jefferson, observed: 'A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles'.
There are so many to thank on this amazing journey, this strange fantastic dream. Thank you Denis Handlin and everyone now and then at CBS, Sony, and Sony/BMG. Our history is tied to yours - in fact, Denis was still packing shelves at Artarmon when we were packing shit at the Antler.
Thanks to our own cheer squad, past and present: our manager, Gary Morris, our office bearers, particularly Arlene and Craig; our crew, especially Michael and Nick; our tour managers, from Constance to Willie; our producers, chiefly Nick and Warne; and our first two bassplayers, Bear and Giffo. And thanks most of all to our families, who put up with long-absent husbands and fathers, and who graciously accepted our middle-distance stares and our long-distance phonecalls. They've seen us at our worst, trying to dial room service at home, or complaining that there's no TV in the bathroom. But they might also have to admit - like us - that when it's all been said and done, it's been lots of fun."
Rob, Oct 06
Sunday, December 10, 2006
U2 "Window in the Skies"
"Window in the Skies"
The shackles are undone
The bullets quit the gun
The heat thats in the sun
Will keep us when there's none
The rule has been disproved
The stone has been moved
The grain is now a groove
All debts are removed, ooh
Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
What it's doing to me
Love makes strange enemies
Makes love when love may please
Soul in a strip tease
Hate brought to its knees
Sky over our head
Can reach it from our bed
If you let me in your heart
And out of my head
Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
What it's doing to me
Oh oh oh hhhhhhhhhhh
Oh oh oh hhhhhhhhhhh
Please don't ever let me out of here
I've got no shame oh no oh no
Oh can't you see what love has done
Oh can't you see
Oh can't you see what love has done
What it's doing to me
Oh I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Did everything but murder but you and I
But love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize
Oh can't you see what love has done to every broken heart
Oh can't you see what love has done for every heart that cries
Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize
Oh can't you see
Greetings all from sunny and warm Perth, Western Australia
Over here to help with Small Group Leadership Training for NCYC 2007 Perth.
The place is overrun with distraught POMS from the Barmy Army!!
Note above, the provisional lyrics for the fascinating new U2 single to be released in various formats on January 1... see u2.com for details...
The YouTube video previous post is atop a Japanese sky scraper and Bono's voice sounds just about shot.... ggod luck all those in Hawaii at the combined gig with Pearl Jam...
LUCKY STIFFS!!
I feel an Easter song coming on!!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Festive Stocking Stuffers
I'm on the path of an Aussie distributor for some of these great products for an inspired Christmas gift here and there!! Same US distributor also sells Jesus Nodder and Jesus Pencil Tops..... table friends had these with orange and blue cards as "Consensus Jesus" at Assembly last July!!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Homebake 2006
Music fans rock at Homebake festival
Saturday Dec 2 19:22 AEDT
Thousands of eager Australian music fans have converged on Sydney's Domain for the annual Homebake Festival.
Around 20,000 fans have rocked through patchy rain [patchy rain... it bucketed down!!]
to a line-up of Australia's best home-grown talent. Perth Indy rock band Little Birdy, which is playing at the event's main stage for the first time, said it is "pretty cool" to be involved in an Australian music festival.
"There's so many others that the majority of drawcards are international bands," said Little Birdy drummer Matt Chequer. "And to be able to have a festival of 20,000 people that is just all Australian bands is great."
This year's festival will be headed by Newcastle band Silverchair, which played at the very first Homebake in 1996.
Other acts include Eskimo Joe, You Am I, The Vines, Toni Collette and The Finish, Something for Kate and the Hilltop Hoods.
A St Johns Ambulance spokesperson said there had been no major injuries so far at this year's event and expects the day to remain incident free. "We've got it down pat," he said. "We don't expect anything out of the ordinary." Police said while there were no serious incidents, praising the general behaviour of revellers, they had seized drugs with a street value of about $5,500.
Police dogs sniffed out drugs 72 times, leading to 48 people being arrested and charged, police said. Among those arrests were 17 people charged with supplying a drug and two with having goods in custody.
Police seized 79 ecstasy pills, more than 80g of cannabis and a quantity of cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine. Mmmmm that's HOMEBAKE alright!!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Belinda Emmett's song
I'd normally just want to say how sad it is that Belinda Emmett [aged 32] has died from the cancer she bettled for eight years and then I'd want to spare a thought for all the Rove's and Belinda's out there who aren't famous and who this happens to every day... reminding us that we don't actually know celebrities but that their lives and examples can reflect what's happening for so many other people we do know. In this way if they teach us anything its that the world is sometimes a tough place, we don't have control of everything and the need for community, meaning and belonging have never been greater.
BUT let me go on to add that you will discover, see and hear Belinda Emmett's song relased by her family and downloadable froma number of sources... the words for which leave me catching my breathe... like a good REM lyric she captures her own story in simple yet deep language and imagery, shouldering the burden of the life she's been given and pondering its nature to the very end... Vale Belinda Emmett!!
Less Than Perfect
Looked into the cards
My fate amongst the spread
Following my stars
And analysing what's been said
Been writing down my dreams
Which later I'd dissect
Just trying to find some meaning in this life
Less than perfect
This life less than perfect
Looking for a signal
A sign amongst the throng A
glance into my past
To see where I went wrong
Been writing down my feelings
Which I fiercely protect
Just trying to find some meaning in this life
Less than perfect
This life less than perfect
Have you ever wondered
What it would be like
To be somebody else
With their perfect, perfect life?
But it's mine to carry
Mine to own
And it's not so scary
To carry it alone
And the wonder of it all
Sometimes it's hard to see
Sometimes I wanna crawl away
And go to sleep
In this life less than perfect
Have you ever wondered
What it would be like
To be somebody else
With their perfect, perfect life?
But it's mine to carry
Mine to own
And it's not so scary
To carry it alone
So here I am with my
Less than perfect life
Here I stand with my
Less than perfect life
Less than perfect life
Less than perfect life.
Hear and download at http://rovelive.com/
and the Sydney Morning Herald site www.smh.com.au
BUT let me go on to add that you will discover, see and hear Belinda Emmett's song relased by her family and downloadable froma number of sources... the words for which leave me catching my breathe... like a good REM lyric she captures her own story in simple yet deep language and imagery, shouldering the burden of the life she's been given and pondering its nature to the very end... Vale Belinda Emmett!!
Less Than Perfect
Looked into the cards
My fate amongst the spread
Following my stars
And analysing what's been said
Been writing down my dreams
Which later I'd dissect
Just trying to find some meaning in this life
Less than perfect
This life less than perfect
Looking for a signal
A sign amongst the throng A
glance into my past
To see where I went wrong
Been writing down my feelings
Which I fiercely protect
Just trying to find some meaning in this life
Less than perfect
This life less than perfect
Have you ever wondered
What it would be like
To be somebody else
With their perfect, perfect life?
But it's mine to carry
Mine to own
And it's not so scary
To carry it alone
And the wonder of it all
Sometimes it's hard to see
Sometimes I wanna crawl away
And go to sleep
In this life less than perfect
Have you ever wondered
What it would be like
To be somebody else
With their perfect, perfect life?
But it's mine to carry
Mine to own
And it's not so scary
To carry it alone
So here I am with my
Less than perfect life
Here I stand with my
Less than perfect life
Less than perfect life
Less than perfect life.
Hear and download at http://rovelive.com/
and the Sydney Morning Herald site www.smh.com.au
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
U2's Third Show in Sydney
Well, I could have joined mate Foxy and friends inside the elipse tonight BUT was happy with getting a few things done during the day and getting a position infront of the wheelchair ramp and near the VIPs enclosure with reasonable undrunk punters around me!!
You know I've figured out some of my experience but I can say that the stage was too low... I am 6' 2" [in the old money] and could only just see half of each character over the crowd. The screen on the other hand was the full experience and the sound was way less echo-ing!!
What a remarkable band...
BUT I know its seems ridiculous given my still sore ears BUT it wasn't loud enough... I felt the whoosh of the bass in my ribs a couple of times and certainly couldn't fault the quality BUT songs like "Where the Streets Have No Name" [my fav.] should blow you away... it was great but it didn't knock me over... maybe I'm old and tired?
What I am glad of is that I went with no expectations... I did not pine for the experiences of previous times, I was open to what this show would be... still felt like a spectator at points... but across the two shows saw a band having fun, not sounding just like the CD by any means and even Bono completely losing the words to "Party Girl" was very funny... as ever the crowd could sing the refrain and get him back on track!!
What was great:
'Pride' and 'Streets' [what a great blend]
'One'
'Sometimes'
'Love and Peace'
...... and a few more...
the screens
the brilliant focus shifting U2's concerns and invitation to us from the troubles in Ireland beyond consumerism and into globalisaton... reminding us all that Jew, Muslim and Christian are all connected via the sons of Abraham!!
Moreso,
The invitation was given to add our voices and names to the global campaign against extreme poverty! We were exhorted to see selfishness as a poor alternative to grace and got a glimpse of the honest connection between these lads and Sydney!! I've never heard Bono's voice better courtesy of the return trip and delay!!
They even teased us by adding 'Mysterious Ways' so people were betting on a reciprocal visit from Kylie [I had wondered about a duet to 'One' filling the May J Blighe part...
but it was not to be!!
The photo above gives you a perspective [courtesy of 'Foxy' Andrew Fox] from inside the elipse shaped stage that allows U2 to wander further out into the crowd!!
A couple of days on I will have better feedback about my insights and what happened!!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Kylie and Bono Doin' It for the Kids!!
SMH 13.11.06
By Viva Goldner
November 13, 2006 12:00
KYLIE Minogue fans were treated to an extra special showbiz moment last night when U2 front man Bono joined her on stage for a duet.The audience leapt to their feet when Bono made a surprise appearance on stage during the second concert in Kylie's extravagant Showgirl Homecoming tour at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. The duo sang Minogue's hit, Kids, which she originally recorded with Robbie Williams. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the company of greatness tonight," Minogue said. "Let me hear it for Bono." Minogue was wearing a leopard-print cat suit while Bono rocked it up in a black suit and sunglasses. "It's such an honour for you to sing with me," Minogue said. Bono then jumped in and said, "You're perfect". The pair danced around the stage and Bono got down on his knees, kissed Minogue's hand and thanked her at the end of the duet.
Check it out on NineMSN
http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm?f=39&g=630b060f-ba35-4b2e-a2cc-8f8196f2320a&p=aunews_aunationalninenews&t=s29&mediaid=27846
Saturday, November 11, 2006
U2 in Sydney after 8 Years!! 10.11.06
OK.... wow!!
What a screen... the whole end of the Telstra Stadium from roof height to stage covered in vertical strings of globes [that I'd read about and seen on DVD over the last 12 months] making up a low pixel projection screen with flash animations, live camera shots, colours and loads more... then four big screens and U2 signature stadium sound!!
BUT none of this could dwarf the four piece rock band who've risen through the 80s and drew a crowd of old and young to Homebush last night!! What an a amazing spectacle having waited since March for these shows!!
I will write a full review in coming days...
lets face it I have to wait until Monday because I'm going again...
this time standing room only!!
In the meantime here are some shots from the imate!!
A brief beginning would be that between 'not the best seats in the house' and a disjointed playlist I didn't find this to be the transcendent experience that was ZOO TV, PopMart and particularly Lovetown!! YET with standout tracks that I simply 'was peaking' from hearing live I came away happy but not ecstatic or speechless the way I was eight years ago!!
Hearing 'Beautiful Day', 'Walk On', 'Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own' and 'Yahweh' live was the closest I came to "top marks" for the lads. "One" was the absolute highlight for me and "Pride:In the Name of Love" slid beautifully into my favourite all time U2 song "Where the Streets Have No Name"
... BUT for me the brackets from different eras broke up the flow of the experience and left me feeling like a spectator at times!!
We sat where the speaking echoed so apart from seeing the DVD and occasional moments I have few clues what Bono said...
I was impressed by the 'Coldplay like' squeeze in of Kylie lyrics and the refrain from 'Never Tear Us Apart' as a brief reflection on mate Michael Hutchence... ask anyone about the tribute song last tour when the heavens paused poring rain down and the sky turned pink just at that moment!!
We were in the new seats for the rectangular configuration of the playing field and they were 2 metres lower than I expected and the sound tent added a barrier to the speaker tower I knew would block a portion of our view... we survived that after the whole bay infront of us took up the offer to move to a balcony [risky move]... there was some frustration in that at $200 a pop!!
The big screen certainly helped.... images of John Howard and Peter Garrett were a winner, along with Kylie and the indigenous art [plus didge player for 'Kite' as an odd but interesting show closer]. Including indigenous focus for Aussies into the 'Make Poverty History' theme was a clever and appropriate part of the show.
Did you see your name on screen by texting the MPH number???
"...I know that this is not goodbye!"
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Swimming
Well, what do you do when two ruptured kneecap tendons [though repaired] stop you from breaking out of a walk, and if you walk your knees give you stick from 22 seasons of rugby union? Looks like my new sport/recreation is swimming... which I've tried and been bored by before BUT I guess there's nothing like necessity to drive you along!!
Its actually quite refreshing and a challenge so it fills that gap missing from competing to win at football!! While I won't be setting records anytime soon I'm just happy to have focus!! If my knees get stronger I may add walking the golf course into the mix later on...
Friday, November 03, 2006
Snaps # 3
1998 and its the Cricket Museum at Lords in London!!
We did the ground tour, sat on the players balcony, spotto'd Jonathon Coleman [who?] walking past the tavern wher we enjoyed bangers and mash surrounded by Fosters logos and lager[eerie].
It's a very small brownish bakelite looking urn which I had also seen at the CBD Westpac Bank HQ in Sydney in 1988 BUT nothing compares to seeing them at Lords!!
Hostilities resume Thursday 23rd November in Brisbane!! [Australia 3-1]
Not everyone knows I played cricket from Year 10 in High School until I turned about 37...
I enjoyed bowling early and long plus batting in the middle to late order scoring either 0 or 50!!
Perhaps my favourite match was one day at Mt Pleasant St in Maitland where we played with 7 players. We batted and didn't go too well making approx 130 off our 35 overs. In an inspired hour we had the opposition pinned down and came close to winning the match!! Until we just couldn't sustain the accuracy we were well in the hunt...
Yours truly had 7-30 when the opposition had scored say approx 70 runs but we couldn't keep taking wickets and they krept up to the required target!!
Second on the list would be playing Newcastle C&S at Greenleaf fertilizer company oval [you can imagine how good the grass was] with a shiny factory floor bright green concrete wicket!! We needed between 10-12 runs per over for 10 overs with only 3 wickets in hand... we were on track right up until the final two overs [taking 18 and 21 off a couple of overs] and dispatching Australian Schoolboy cricketer and future Newcastle senior rep bowler John Alanson for boundaries all over the ground! It was an exhilerating and proud day... the bowler at the opp end was a skilled and tidy operator who had to resort to a legside full line to restrict our scoring in the final run home.... we got within 15 or 17 runs from memory... though the details fade with age...
I also remember 98 not out at Chinamen's Hollow [though the last 12 or so were extras past the opp score!! and being sent in outright and batting for 2 hours for about 3 runs but holding on at Tomago...
Finally choking off the runs for my Science teacher who was a renowned opening bat for our arch rivals and I kept him scoreless for 45 mins before he skied a desperate shot and was caught and bowled!!
Those were the days...
Thursday, November 02, 2006
2006 ARIAs and the Hall of Fame
"Don't Wanna Be the One"
I'm an innocent victim,
I'm just like you
We end up in home units with a brick wall view
I can't believe the perfect families on my colour TV
If I don't make it to the top it'll never bother me
And I don't wanna be the one
And I don't wanna be the one
I'm an innocent bystander caught in the path
Waiting out the back while the corporate attack
Assaults the senses with relentless scenes of passion and delight
I cut up all the options and went running for my life
Midnight Oil
With a brilliant rendition of an Oils live classic from the album 'Place Without a Postcard', Silverchair, Dennis Handlin [Sony BMG] and Bono via video all played a role in inducting the unique, the marvellous, the inspirational and the no longer together 'OILS!!!!'
Rob Hirst was suitably emotional, Peter flighty and Gary Morris [speech cut from the broadcast] was Gary Morris!!
Musical legend Stevie Schubert shared the occasion as we trooped along to a very interesting event that stops during commercial breaks and has a 45 min dinner break in the middle. It runs 5.30pm to 9.30pm with a 7.30pm delayed telecast!!
The screens, sets and band set ups were interesting to watch.. with the 'Human Nature' set the most elaborate!!
We enjoyed Bernard Fanning with Claire Bowditch and Kasey Chambers, Wolfmother, Eskimo Joe [disowning their cardigan past], Pete Murray and John Mayer...
BUT the reason I went was to pay final homage to the band I miss seeing live all the time, who inspire my faith, keep me challenged, produced 25 years of great aussie protest rock music!!...
I sent a brief message to Arlene Brookes at the Oils old email address and blow me down it got there...
To Peter and indeed all the Oils,
I just wanted to use this most obvious of forums [PG's website that didn't go through so I tried their old email address] to congratulate one and all on the Induction into the Hall of Fame at the ARIAs yesterday. It even dragged an old Oils fan and Youth Worker along to the culturally interesting event for a one off attendance!!
I thought everything was brilliant, I was disappointed you guys hadn't found time to rehearse but knew the Chair would do a great job and thought it was an inspired choice of song!!
Congrats on an inspiring, entertaining and sustaining career... I have been reflecting this week on how much I miss the 'down time' of seeing you all live in Newcastle and Sydney and get renewed energy from those special nights of music and power!!
I salute your activism, am made variously motivated and uncomformatble by the lyrics... moved to act and be better!!
I am also inspired to do my part in building a world according to the values it was intended to operate by and only hope to pass on a sceric of your energy to young people I work with in my role as a Youth Worker in the Uniting Church NSW Youth Unit team.
I guess Gary Morris will always be Gary... but I was so impressed by Rob's emotion and words and your kind thoughts for us punters Peter!!
I have my copy of Flat Chat [rather than reading the set list and burning my own compilation!! I have been driving around the F3 in tears of joy at the memories of times I've heard those songs 'live' and tears that this phase of connecting with the Oils in over [tho the DVDs remain!!]
As a veteran of more than 30 or so Oils gigs since before Diesel and Dust!! My story was remarkably similar to Tim Winton in terms of surfie mates I ribbed about their music, telling me to sit down, shut up and not speak again until I had actually listened to 10,9,8... on their crackly cassette walkman...
I have never looked back...
Your number one promoter
in the Uniting Church,
a fan who's been there at Speers Point Park, Newcastle Workers, Selinas, Newtown Theatre, Sydney Ent Cent, Newcastle earthquake Relief, Tsunami Benefit and Manly Leagues...
Cheers one and all,
Rob
Rob Hanks
UCA NSW Synod Youth Unit Coordinator
OK.... normal transmission will now resume!!
I was even motivated to go out and buy 'The Hilltop Hoods' CD but couldn't find their debut one... maybe next week!!
The less said about Axyl Whiteheads display the better...
Yep, you'll be sick of it by three weeks from now...
Daily Telegraph tells us today.....
U2 lands for Vertigo tour
By Kathy McCabe, Music Writer
IRISH supergroup U2 arrived in Australia yesterday for the postponed leg of their Vertigo tour...
Bono, Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr flew into Sydney from their Dublin base before heading to the Gold Coast in a private jet to prepare for the tour which opens in Brisbane on Monday night.
The Daily Telegraph is giving you a chance to win one of 10 double passes to the band's Sydney gig at Telstra Stadium on November 10.
Just email your name, address and daytime telephone number with "U2 concert" in the subject line to promotions@dailytelegraph.com.au
The band's legion of Australian fans have been holding their Vertigo tour tickets since March, when U2 suddenly postponed the concerts to allow one of the members to be with his family as a relative battled a serious illness.
The eight-month break from the world tour also gave Bono an opportunity to launch his new initiative (RED) in the US, which will raise further funds for women and children suffering HIV/AIDS in Africa.
The band also recorded a cover of punk anthem The Saints Are Coming with Green Day to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Negotiations continue for Bono to make a guest appearance at the inaugural make Poverty History concert in Melbourne on November 17.
Vertigo will hit Sydney on November 10, 11 and 13 at Telstra Stadium.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Row M Seat 30 'God On My Side' Andrew Denton
Andrew takes a right turn and attended an National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Texas last February... this extended doco is the results and its getting good reviews from people worth trusting!!
Sydney Film Festival buffs loved it...
Andrew was motivated to 'check out the other side' in terms of the way we sometimes see or feel we understand how extremism comes out of Islam or other belief systems... this time we see the serious exposition of the beliefs of the religious right... deliberately not parodied or cheekily unpacked by Denton... clever approach to shining a light on a much talked about but perhaps underexplored idea!!
http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/flash.html
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