What's in store for 2014?

What's in store for 2014?

I've read recently an article that referred to 2014 having a "4", therefore it's not going to be a good year. I'm not overly superstitious but I intend for 2014 to be an amazing year - there is so much to look forward to on a career and personal level.

My prayers go to all that aren't doing well and I wish you the best year ever in 2014 !

Interesting that as you listen to music on your playlist or even Spotify that you start to hear songs from the dead.  Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Lou Reed, Luther Van Dross.....the list goes on

But the Rolling Stones -- still appear to be still rolling on and we have tickets to see the 70 year olds next year. (Can't wait to see them)

My kids, our moments when we are together are precious and we do have plans to see them in their element in 2014.  In London, Singapore and Shanghai -- my kids are all expatriates, just like Dad & Mum.  I'm looking forward to sharing a meal and some great experiences with them (Can't wait)

My beloved Wallabies, have gotta be better in 2014 after a mixed 2013. At least we have built depth with so many new players that have debuted for Australia. What they now need is continuity and to built combinations.  The world cup is approaching in 2015 and it will be critical for the Wallabies to make progress in their game during this year. (Can wait....)

My friends, I hope to meet on our travels during 2014 -- St Peterburg, Napa & Sonoma, Hong Kong, Shanghai and in Tokyo.  Can't beat such meetings in exotic places around the world. It's just magic and adds to the great occasion.

My wife, I plan to be a better husband than last year. More considerate and loving, not that I believe I have lacked attention to her but I can always improve.

My career, I have enjoyed so many experiences in different countries and industries.  Just been privileged to work with great teams and leaders.  I'm looking forward to more of the same in 2014.

Myself to work on my fitness and flexibility. Ensure that I give myself 'me' time and allow myself to physically at my prime.  

My mind.  I want to retain this as sharp as I can.  My plan is to ensure that I revitalise my reading of both biographies, fiction and current affairs.  What I have noticed is that during 2013 that my memory and how my brain works has surprised myself. There have been a few moments where I was able to identify person(s) from my past life that I have not seen for 40+ years. But could name the within a few microseconds. In both cases this scared me that I can recall such details. As both persons were not in my thought patterns and I saw both of these person(s) outside of their normal cities. 

My bucket list -- I have a few items that I plan to tick off in 2014.  The Tennis Championship at Wimbledon and eating Beluga Caviar in Red Square.

Bring on 2014.....it is going to be great.

Ah.....Xmas

I can't remember how many years it has been since I've had all my kids together for xmas. If I hazard a guess this may be in 2007 when we were in Japan and all the kids visited.

Yes, alas they are grown up and living all around the world, but it never really feels the same.

Maybe I'm getting nostalgic, however I do remember in fine details the rituals of decorating the Christmas Tree, the shopping for gifts and the family time together.

On Christmas eve we always did the annual custom of leaving out a glass of milk and cookies for "Santa".  He (Santa) always just left a few suspect crumbs on his plate.....

Then the Christmas morning, trying not to over indulge before lunch and having lots of fresh cherries.  The inevitable family lunch with extended family which is always a treat.  Then comes the gifts, the ones that you really like and the other that you say "Oh Thanks".

A trip to the cemetery to visit Granny and Dad,  a poignant moment to reflect on past years and
 a good moment to wish them both well and do some basic grave sweeping.

Finally dinner with extended family, usually some leftovers.  Always enjoyable, less about the food and more about catching up. Before you know it, Christmas is over for another year.

Perhaps next year we can work out a Family Christmas somewhere in the world?

Ashes Cricket - The Barmy Army

Yes it is that time of the year again, summer and cricket is back on TV.

The English cricket team is touring Australia and playing at the Gabba, that arena famous for the Lillie and Thommo fast bowlers terrorising the english players.

In train with the England Cricket team is the Barmy Army and I'm curious what motives a person to fly across the world to drink beer and sit at the cricket all day?  Actually in this case it is a large group of supporters that travel on their own pound and see very little of the country except inbetween the test matches.

Indeed you have to admire the fact that until recently this Barmy Army has had little to cheer about. 
Just like the LION supporters who are the definition of boisterous, this group has a number of songs and chants that they sing and sound out to support their team.

Not the snobby and polite hand clapping that the Lords would appreciate, however this is now part and parcel of the test scene.

Actually in truth, Australia from a sporting prowess has declined.  But is this really an issue?

Would I prefer that Australia wins the Maths or Science Olympiad -- I think the answer is yes.

We need to also be encouraging that our children learn one or more foreign languages and I mean Chinese and not French or Indonesian.  The future of Australia lies north of these shores and while I am starting to see evidence that some people get it, it was saddening to see the Victorian Educators not embracing this clear fact.

Do we want to me the Barmy Army, no offence they are a fun lot and are great for the economy but it is not where Australia needs to focus.

Sports are fun, and I enjoy being an armchair competitor, however it the game of life it only matters somewhat.

A call out to Clive James.....

I watched an interview of Clive James by Kerry O'Brien and it was a such an interesting dialogue with an special person who is truly gifted with an ability to express himself in the written form.

There are words and expressions that he uses that plays with one's mind and Clive is an extraordinary poet, who also just happens to do so many other things well.  Despite being in the middle of a battle with leukemia and emphysema; Clive is incredibly alive and his intellect is as strong as ever.

As I watched I marveled at his gift for using words and making these come to life.  Clive talked about his 'Unreliable Memoirs' and in this his is legendary billy-cart races and his uncomfortable teen age years and sexual experiences.

I'm not sure that I ever read any of his Sydney University Honi Soit articles, as our ages are quite different.  I am convinced though, that his style and influence was still felt in that radical student mag that I would glance through in the library and delay the reading my prescribed texts.

Clive is writing what will be his last memoir and he is reflecting on his upcoming death.  I really hope that he gets to finish this piece of work and it will be truly fitting that he has this chance to write his last chapter.


Some of his most classic quotes are just 'fantastic' to read, here are a few that I found on the internet:

A life without fame can be a good life, but fame without a life is no life at all”

“Fiction is life with the dull bits left out"




“Stop worrying… nobody gets out of this world alive”



 "Experts say men think of sex every 10 seconds... What do they think of in the other nine?"

On the Viking Trail

In Stockholm for the first time, a remarkable place with an archipelago of islands joined together by bridges. The Vikings were the remarkable race that marauded Scotland but also named the icy country as Greenland and the evergreen one as Iceland.  They also made there way to Newfoundland, what we now call America.  

Sweden was the kingdom formed from three warming tribes and the 'Swedes' won, hence the name of the country.  The country ranked 2nd in 2013 as best reputation in the world.   Here is my summary of the place:

- a naturally beautiful country, rugged with either too mostly little sunshine 

- physically beautiful people that match the countryside (striking blondes everywhere) 

- chiselled model metro sexual males on the street that belong on the GQ mag or a runway 

- expensive yes, a byproduct of the high standard of living they enjoy

- high taxes 

- note that the richness can be traced back to their neutrality during WWW2 and they were the supplier to rebuild Europe. 

- Sweden was never invaded by the Romans or Germans (too cold?)

- they have an eye for home furnishings and design (reason - indoors as too cold outside?)

- 25% tax on Alcohol (same reasoning they drink a lot as its too cold to go outside)

- Sweden lives the principle of equality of sexes and don't just talk about the idea. (There are more females than men in parliament)

- A byproduct of equality is that the most attractive blonde (woman) construction worker I've ever seen walked past us with her hard hat in hand. 

This is the country that punches above its weight in terms of Fortune 2000 companies : which includes Volvo, Astra Zeneca, H&M, ABB, Skype, Spotify, Electrolux, Ericsson, IKEA etc With all this the population is only 9 million people !

For such a macho country, forged by Vikings the Swedish are well dressed, well groomed and live in well designed houses.  It has been said that if Apple was a country it would be Sweden - it's all about design. 

Cool, Sleak and White (Blonde)

I guess it all makes sense, if the alcohol is sooo expensive, the weather is usually snowy that you have a long time indoors to think about how best to design and redesign your space.  

Bryan Adams concert

Bryan Adams has this gravel voice that's really quire distinctive. Ideal for rock songs or in a Ballard with an acoustic guitar it just works !

He has a career and 16 albums - you could tell as he worked his way through a 2.5 hour concert. So many raunchy rock songs and then tender Ballards.

To me it is clear that so much of his material has 'cliche' verses that with the wrong artist just would sound corny. For Bryan they all work and he sung his repertoire with all of the audience in close company.

It wasn't Karoke, but you could easily think that what's going on. The audience knew all the words and Bryan knew that they knew. He then allowed for his own timing of passages so that we both could contribute to the song.

Bryan had video cameras going in 'black and white' and showing his own view of the audience. It was the first time that I had seen this and it was effective.

Famous people I've seen in person

I've always been a person who is really naturally good at facial recognition. During my travels I'm been fortunate enough to see a few celebrities that are 'incognito' that I recognise and usually within a few minutes others will also been taking a second look. 

Recently I was in the security line and recognised a volunteer at his holiness the Dalai Lama's teachings.  That person I last saw 40 years earlier in my early teens.  That person walked past me and I immediately remarked that I know that face and her name is Lee Berryman. At that point I walked back to say hello and she had no idea who I was, actually she was staggered that I remembered her. 

From memory here is my list; most of these celebrities is usually at Airports or Business / First Class Lounges. Do doubt, some of these are A- listers and others just on a list.

- Will Smith (Actor)
- Danny Glover (Actor)
- Helen Hunt (Actress)
- Bob Hoskins (Actor)

- Kristie Lu Stout (CNN)
- John Laws (Journalist)

- Babyface (R&B Singer)
- Karen Mock (Canto Pop Singer)

- Tony Abbott (Australian Government Politician)
- Andrew Peacock (Australian Government Politician)
- Rod McGeoch (Sydney Olympics)

- Kobe Bryant (NBA)
- Paul Pierce (NBA)
- Swimming)
- Pat Rafter (Tennis)
- Tony Mundine (Boxing)
- Jeff Fenech (Boxing)
- Andrew Gaze (Basketball)
- Christian Cullen (All Black)
- Sean Fitzpatrick (All Black)
- Peter Fitzpatrick (Wallaby and Journalist)
- Quade Cooper (Wallaby)
- Michael Hooper (Wallaby)
- Kane Douglas (Wallaby)
- John Ribot (Australian RL and past owner Melbourne Storm)

Mao's last dancer

Li Cuixin is the person that Mao's last dancer the movie is centred on. I had the privilege to meet him last evening and we had a opportunity to talk. Indeed a charming man, who is clearly driven and he is one of the people who meet that has bright eyes, in the sense you just know he has much going on behind that mask.

He is the new artistic director for Queensland Ballet and it is clear from his words that he intends to make the company a standout globally. That's quite an undertaking and it is clear that despite his charm and wit, this is a formidable individual.

In the Dialogues session, Li puts his dancers through their paces. He encourages, cajoles and coaches them - sometimes all at the same time. His goal is perfection and he wants his troupe to aim for nothing less. In one session, he is trying to coach a dancer to pirouette but don't let her weight shift with the spin but stay centred so she can avoid spinning outwards. This is seemingly impossible and she can't get it for the first, second and third tries. It starts to feel awkward and then on the fourth attempt she nails it.......Whoa so interesting to see mastery in formation.

For so many reasons the appointment of Li is a master stroke. He is ambitious and candid and you can only envisage that his drive will as he states 'take Queensland Ballet to the next level'.

Pardon the pun, but this wont be his last dance. I foresee that he will use this platform for bigger and better things.

Best Concert I've ever attended

Barry Gibb performed last evening, but he was not alone as he brought his departed brothers on stage in photo frames and video clips.  A Brisbane boy from Redcliffe, his family was in the audience as well as his oldest son and the daughter of Maurice Gibb.

The Mythology Tour was Barry's return to touring since the death of his last surviving younger brother and as he had unveiled a statue of the Bee Gees a few days earlier; it was clear that this was a special concert.  A special moment was having Barry narrate his childhood, while old black and white slides were projected; they were pictures from his childhood and the audience familiar with the scenes murmured and buzzed in agreement.

My best ever?  Well to start with we had incredible seats; directly in front and I mean inline with his microphone and only eight rows from the stage. Barry despite his age, oozes class and sex appeal.
 
And there were a number of ladies in the audience, who called out "Barry" as they were his long lost loves; while I'm sure most were wishful thinking, it is not unreasonable that actually there were some old flames in the crowd.

The Bee Gee's are a group that has survived through the 60's, 70's and 80's. There music, like fine wine has aged well and has a fresh but familiar comfortable feel.  Did I mention that he can sing, I mean really properly sing and his concerts sound like the CD's and records that I've collected over the years.  He is the ultimate professional and it is reflected in the quality of the sound that is lovingly shared with the audience.

The concert playlist was a collection of so many eras of music, going back to his teenage years.  It must be so problematic for Barry to know which songs to reject, as he has penned so many great tunes over his career.  There were a few songs that tugged the heart strings and brought the audience, including myself back through a time warp.  It was indeed a journey through time and my own life, as the Bee Gees and the Beatles have been part of that consciousness as far back as I recall.

What a week of music,  I'm feeling very blessed and have shared this experience with my darling wife!  As the song goes:

I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again

Yes, this is the best concert that I've ever been to. I've seen quite a number and this one is a standout.


Concert Set List -

1. Jive Talkin'
   (Bee Gees song)
2. Lonely Days
   (Bee Gees song)
3. You Should Be Dancing
   (Bee Gees song)
4. First of May
   (Bee Gees song)
5. To Love Somebody
   (Bee Gees song)
6. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?
   (Bee Gees song) (Duet performed with Samantha Gibb)
7. Fever / Stayin' Alive
   (Little Willie John cover + Bee Gees song)
8. How Deep Is Your Love?
   (Bee Gees song)
9. On Time
   (Bee Gees song) (vocals performed by Stephen Gibb)
10. The Long and Winding Road
    (The Beatles cover)
11. I've Gotta Get a Message to You
    (Bee Gees song) (with Stephen Gibb)
12. Kilburn Towers
    (Bee Gees song)
13. Playdown
    (Bee Gees song)
14. Spicks and Specks
    (Bee Gees song)
15. With the Sun in My Eyes
    (Bee Gees song)
16. In the Morning
    (Bee Gees song) (Duet performed with Samantha Gibb)
17. Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You
    (Bee Gees song) (with Stephen Gibb)
18. I Started a Joke
    (Bee Gees song)
19. Islands in the Stream
    (Duet performed with Beth Cohen)
20. Guilty
    (Duet performed with Beth … more)
21. Words
    (Bee Gees song)
22. If I Can't Have You
    (Bee Gees song) (vocals performed by Samantha Gibb)
23. Night Fever/More Than A Woman
    (Bee Gees song)
24. Ordinary Lives
    (Bee Gees song)
25. Immortality
    (written by Bee Gees for Celine Dion)
26. Encore:
26. Stayin' Alive
    (Bee Gees song)

My old record collection (Beatles to the Bee Gees)

When I was young I had this great record collection, remember in Darwin there was no TV and as a result social events gravitated towards music.  I do recall that listening to the Radio was a common pastime and everyone had there favourites.

My record collection from the 60's included the The Beatles, Bee Gees and other now classic acts.  These were what was called LP (Long Play) and there was a 'learnt' art to check the needle and ensure that this was in working order before trying to place this as smoothly as possible onto the moving turntable.

It is now poignant that this week, we go to see Ringo Starr (one of two surviving Beatles members) and later this week Barry Gibb (the only brother still alive).

Ringo is famous for being Thomas the Tank Engine as well as being the drummer for the most famous band in the world.  He had a successful solo career, but also was the lead singer for a number of Beatles songs:

Please Please Me - Boys
With the Beatles - I Wanna Be Your Man
Beatles for Sale - Honey Don't
Help - Act Naturally
Rubber Soul - What Goes On
Revolver - Yellow Submarine
Sgt. Pepper's - With a Little Help from My Friends
The Beatles (white album) - Don't Pass Me By, Good Night
Abbey Road - Octopus's garden

Barry Gibb, where do you start? He was the lead singer for one of my favorite all time groups, a talented song writer who has an incredible track record of collaboration with other stars.

Undoubtedly Barry is the more talented Ringo, there is really no argument there. In terms of pure longevity the Bee Gees as a group spanned from 1960's through the 80's and interestingly their careers came after the Beatles.

One of the interesting facts is that they decided to move from Brisbane, Australia back to the UK and then struggled to get any attention. At that stage the Beatles had disbanded and there was a trend away from bands; despite this they have had an incredible career.

Some words on the Beatles to Bee Gees week later.....

Stranded @ Wilson Island

We struck it lucky when our long weekend break at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef became a free upgrade to Wilson Island.

Where? .......... you probably say.  And that was also my reaction.

Wilson Island is the exclusive smaller island that is that is connected by a small boat from Heron Island. It seems that they had overbooked as had a function at Heron, therefore offered to move us to Wilson for the evening.

Heron Island is a beautiful island paradise; just an hour and a bit from Gladstone by a fast ferry.  It is on the reef and you can snorkel just off the island.  There is bird life, turtles and all the marine species that you expect.  The food is all included and you have the conflict of eating and then you can't go into the water.

When we transfer to Wilson Island you leave behind all your wallets, iPhones and iPads. They supply a 'wet bag' and ask you to repack a smaller bag - a shirt or two, swimming costumes, wetsuit, sun screen and then you are ready to go.

On boarding our boat we soon understand why the 'wet bag' as there is quite the chop from the waves and the 'splash' effect is  evident.  It is a 'wet' landing and now I realise that the water shoes we bought, will come into great use. Also the notion of 'exclusive', becomes apparent as there are 4 guests in total.

As we land onto Wilson there is a beautiful white coral beach, with just amazing formations of coral. We are greeted by our chef (Lindsay) and Liaison Manager (Geri).  Yes there are 2 staff and 4 guests.
Our beachside hut is named 'rapture'; interesting name.....my first thought is Jurassic Park?  Actually rapture means being 'caught up', which is quite the misnomer as at Wilson Island you just drift away.

Each of these beachside huts is facing a private beach and have a great hammock. They are luxurious without being luxury, you soon have a smile on your face that really doesn't go away. There are no phones, TV or power points and the bathroom is centralised. 

Lindsay works his magic at a common (longhouse); the first question that I will always remember asking him is 'what time is lunch?'. To which he answers: whenever you like.  Lindsay recommends a swim and perhaps lunch at 2pm. They explain the safety aspects of swimming in the front (unpatrolled) beach and that there will be cocktails at sunset at 6:30pm.

Exciting, I trudge onto the white beach -- carefully avoiding the large sharp coral. It is a crystal clear day and the water is a surreal aqua blue. There is no-one else on the beach and it is somewhat erie, as I correct my goggles and have my first look underwater.  It is amazing the water is only 1 metre deep and the reef is 2 metres offshore and there are thousands of fish of every colour that you can imagine.

Hint: They don't care that I'm there....it is just intimidating being in such a beautiful world and all alone.  Looking underwater to see the teaming life and then above to see a peaceful desolate dry world.

The marine aspects are the highlight of Wilson Island; but a short word about the food. Lindsay has been professionally trained and he takes high quality ingredients and does amazing food. It would not look out of place a fine dining establishments, except you are wearing shorts and flipflops with premium wines.

What is incredible is that there is no technology and you are removed from cell phone and wireless data.  Funny I didn't miss this at all and time just passed so slowly.

One day at Wilson feels like 3 days -- it's that good !