Australian Open and Kooyong

It was my pleasure this week to be in attendance at the Australian Open Tennis and witness Roger Federer in action.  There were other players such as Serena Williams, but Roger was clearly in a class of his own. 

The remarkable aspect of Roger's finesse game is his appearance of being "in balance", it was indeed majestic as he moved like a ballerina -- with grace and understated power. While his opponent was straining, grunting and sweating......and when Roger decided that he wanted to lift his game, he did this with ridiculous ease.

Later this week we were invited to the historic Kooyong Tennis Club by Pam & Craig Fuller. It is a gorgeous club in all aspects and has the history of being the past location of the Australian Open.  When you walk through these halls and see photos of past champions: Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, Navaratalova, Newcombe, Rosewall, Laver etc it is incredible to consider who has graced this stage. 

Also at the Kooyong Tennis Club they have a cabinet with the tennis racquets on display from wood to aluminium to graphite.  I find it incredible that these changes all happened during my lifetime and technology has seen a transformation from grass courts and wooden tennis racquets to hardcourts and racquets made with material that I frankly don't really comprehend.  As the world re-considers the importance of being "Green" will we see a Hybrid model emerging -- Grass Courts with Renewal (non-wood) Racquets?

2010 here we come !

I recall at the turn of the millenium being on standby in Shanghai for the Year 2000 and the expected IT issues that would ensue.

It is hard to believe that it is now on the cusp of a new decade.....with the advent of 2010 beckoning.

At the year 2000 celebration we scored an amazing evening in Shanghai at the Yangtse Renaissance 4 Star Hotel where the owner had basically decided to throw a personal party.  During the evening Moet was on tap and the ticket included a hotel room, personal fireworks, Pre-cocktails, 8 course dinner, Midnight supper and next day brunch with a checkout whenever you woke up.  Of course there was a bottle of Moet in your room as well...just in case you did not drink enough. By the way there were bands, singers, opera performances and luxury watches given away.

Needless to say that I drank at least 3.5 bottles of Moet plus the French and Californian wines with unlimited Belugia Caviar.  All for the price of $200 per head !

Tonight we are on route to watch fireworks in Sydney Harbour and we drank a bottle of great 2000 Shiraz washing down the Aussie steak.  There will be no standby mode of IT systems failure and cellphones at the ready.  There is less drama and extravagance !   But we are home and that is a blessing and memorable enough !!  Wishing you all a great 2010 and the next decade.

Going Home !

Friends,

After leaving Australia in January 1999, Anna and I would like to announce that we are going home !

We simply had no clue that this journey would take us to live and visit so many places. The privilege this has afforded us, is to meet so many great people that have become dear friends and our extended family. From a personal standpoint we have gained much by being away but have also deeply missed Australia and our family.

Along the way we have made some profound life learnings (perhaps these are not so special for you) :

First we have learnt that indeed all our lives are a journey, there are many paths and we alone can determine the route and eventually how happy we are when we arrive.

Second that this happiness is a journey in itself. To this end I read a quote from Crystal Boyd that captures this perfectly:

"There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a not a destination.
So work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching...”

Thirdly and finally the journey is just beginning. There is still much more to be seen that can ever be seen and more to do that can ever be done - paraphrased from lyrics from Tim Rice and Elton John.

Will you join me on our next adventure?

What is so special about the Galapagos?

You can imagine that the world was once like the Galapagos Islands -- everywhere. You feel that you are indeed in the 'Garden of Eden' where all life is unafraid of man. However there are two feelings that have to be overcome:

First that you, yourself have fears of these animals, birds. This is a natural sensation, as you cannot be used to being is such close and I mean really close proximity to nature. Perhaps this was the way it was intended to be, but regardless of that it is unnatural.

Second if there is any rejection of the idea of 'evolution', then certainly the Galapagos Islands will be testing your beliefs with data simply in front of you. The islands are amazingly diverse and the inhabitants are 'unique' and their adaptations to live in this harsh environment is quite incredible.

After being in many exotic places around the world - Petra, Peru, Tibet, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, South Africa, Laos, India, Burma etc this is the most amazing place I've been to (fullstop)

My BLOG is named Darwin Boy where I was born, so travelling in the footsteps of Sir Charles Darwin had special meaning to me. Also the Galapagos are blessed with a species of birds that are incredible: Boobies. These come in Blue Footed, Red Footed and Nazcar Boobies -- as it happens my childhood nickname was Boobie. I'm sure my parents never read any Charles Darwin books -- hence this one of life's coincidences.

As the trip neared the end it was interesting to hear my fellow passengers talk about going back to the "real world". David Attenborough was quoted in saying: "a disconnection from the natural world means urban dwellers are losing sight of life's realities" It is easy to argue that this is the "real world!". We saw life and death played out everyday....there were new born sea lions with the placenta being eaten by birds, Albatross were doing mating dances, Sea Turtles were mating in the water, Male Seal Lions were fighting over their harem, Marine Iguanas were headbutting and fighting for territory......it was an unscripted joy to witness and see these amazing sights.

Indeed words are inadequate to describe this place.....you simply have to do go before you die and do promise not to leave any footprints, so that others can have this priviledge.

(enjoy)

http://cid-82f42d956301f0d2.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Galapagos%20Island%20-%20Ecuador?ref=1

Not Drowning ---Waving

Recently I've been playing with Google Wave. Essentially this is a dynamic email -- best described as the email designed for today.

Everything is in real-time the message, chat, video, collaboration and sharing of documents etc.

The only problem is I don't know that many have an account on the sandbox (test environment)

If you are out there and see me Waving ...I'm not Drowning !!

Please Wave to me

davidgee@googlewave.com


https://wave.google.com/a/wavesandbox.com/#restored:wave:wavesandbox.com!w%252BvAgMN4FM%2525A

Gandhi's Birthday

Today, October 2nd is the day celebrated to mark the life of Mahatma Gandhi, he is an inspiring person who I admire greatly. He said: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever"
(Gandhi)

There is a significant amount written about Gandhi and Buddha, it is said that Gandhi continued what the Buddha began.

One profound Buddha teaching is: "The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed"
(Buddah)

When comparing these two great Indians, the Rev. Dr. Holmes. — Minister of the Community Church, New York City said: "If we would classify him (Gandhi) with any of the supreme figures of human history, it must be with such august religious prophets as Confucius and Lao-tse, Buddha, Zoroaster and Mohammed, and, most truly of all, the Nazarene ! Out of Asia, at long intervals of time, have arisen these inspired witnesses of God. One "by one they have appeared to teach men by precept and example the law of life, and thereivith to save the race. To-day, in this our time, there comes another of this sacred line, the Mahatma of India. In all reverence and with due regard for historic fact, I match this man with Jesus Christ"

The Journey

Do you remember when you were just 5 years old, or when you reached 10 years of age?

Your age is such a intangible element, but when you are young you just simply 'ached' to be older. To be that much taller, to make the basketball team, to outgrow the braces in mouth, and to achieve some goal that you have sought to attain.

But it seems as you grow older you want to be 'younger', the face-creams and eye products arrive. The massages and treatments become no longer a treat, but an aid to longevity.

We all seem to be on journey that you never actually arrive.

It seems simple that my learning is that the journey is indeed to be enjoyed as much as the destination.

Only drink good wine.
Live to eat, not eat to Live.
Enjoy (Love) what you do
Make everyday a great one !