Melbourne REBELS

Last evening we witnessed the inaugural game from the Melbourne REBELS who were playing the NSW Waratahs.  For a sporting city like Melbourne this was always going to be an event that would be followed by the numerous expats from the rugby states and the many Brits etc that live here.

The REBELS with a collection of older (and past their prime) with some youth were matched against arguably a contender for the Super 15 title.  NSW boasting a team full of Wallabies were never threatened by the new franchise.

However there was a moment in the first 5 minutes where the ball was controlled and they looked to be a disciplined side; however two yellow cards were evidence that Rod McQueen has much ahead of him to make this a champion team.

The REBELS have a logo which uses the 5 stars from the Eureka Flag -- from the Eureka Rebellion at Ballarat.  As history shows this was a struggle for democracy and nationalism which was unsuccessful. Even to this day there is arguments for using the southern cross with the design of a new flag for Australia.

This theme of underdog is certainly a card that the REBELS are using and they also used the

Les Miserables song  (Do you hear the people sing?)  based on the French Revolution in an attempt to stir the crowd.

REBELS REBELS REBELS.....was a chant that started as 41-0 score with 5 minutes to go. There is a spirit and the crowd was willing the team forward -- not bad spirit for an initial foray.

The season is not over yet....we don't have a revolution yet; just the start of a rebellion !


And the REBELS will now have my support at the remaining home games. 

Stung by Sting......

First let me admit I'm not a Sting Fan; never have purchased a CD or record from his Police or solo career. Last night he played at the Music Bowl with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra -- and was stunning.

Yes we were stung with what a classy act he is.  The music quality, his voice and the depth of the stories he told in his songs all were just a treat.

The acoustics were really really good and you could appreciate nearly every instrument that was being played. Of course this included the 'voice' - so clear and had that 'fidelity', or should I say 'authentic', he was the real deal !

This combined with a perfect evening; not a cloud in the sky and with the typical Melbourne evening cool, good food and great company.  Now what was also amazing was the line to get into the bowl and the scouting to find a small turf of grass in the already assembled masses. However the 'crowd' was generous and friendly and we noted that the spirit of goodwill generally prevailed, what otherwise could be a tricky situation.

Now let me comment on how he delivered these songs  - like good wine, the songs have aged well and Sting has creatively revised each of these, adding a new twist and flavour.

All the old police favorites -- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Roxanne, Next To You and Every Breath You Take were tastefully delivered. And the songs from his solo career were also just stunning – Englishman In New York, Fragile, Russians, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Fields Of Gold, and Desert Rose.

Simply put I'm now a fan.

Special Dates

Today is 11/1/11, and I recall consciously thinking today is 1/1/11. Similarly when 7/7/77 and 8/8/88 dates occurred there was an A-Ha moment.

However I don't remember 9/9/99, perhaps that was because I was living in Shanghai at that time and there were other challenges to be concerned about. It is quite possible that this was due to preparation for the year 2000 and all the work that went into that 'special date'.

Last year we also celebrated a 10/10/10,  so why is this such a big deal - well I would guess that in my lifetime the next significant date will be 11/11/11 and 12/12/12 will be the last that I will ever experience(?)

Indeed these special date will the last anyone will ever take note, unless of course we change the basis of our modern calendar.

My understanding is that our lunar calendar of 365-ish days and a large assumption that the world started two thousand years ago. Sorry that was 2010 years since the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Also of interest is that there are chinese, hindu and jewish calendars -- each of these differs in terms of what is believed to be the first day of the year......

Special dates in many cultures will dictate when to get married, when to buy or make an investment, in short there are many superstitions when it comes to a 'date'.

For me a 'special date' is whenever we are able to get our kids together for a reunion or dinner. Time and Space have made this particularly hard, hence whenever this happens it is indeed 'special'.

OK then for 11/11/11 I will offer this as a challenge to drink a 11 years old bottle of Red Wine. Sounds like that will be a 'special date'.

All I want for Christmas.......

The glint in the eyes of children as the magic of Xmas approaches...have they been naughty or nice?

Even at my age.....there is an undeniable feeling about goodwill and peace on earth.  In past years we have enjoyed celebrating christmas in overseas destinations; including once being in Bethlehem.

At this year's Xmas party I have to buy a gift in what is called a Kris Kringle -- this is sometimes called secret santa: where you get a present for someone else based on a lucky draw.  There are clear instructions about: how much to spend and what items could be on this person's wish list.

So let's assume we all have been good and as a human race we deserve three wishes. What would be my Christmas wishes? 

I wish :

1.   Everyone is happy and happiness is not measured by oil, US$, Gold or any other currency
2.   No one is hungry -- all people have basic needs (food, medicine, shelter)
3.   That there is never a war waged due to religion


These are 3 very simple lines -- but all of these are profoundly difficult to achieve.  Frankly I'd settle to see any single one of these in my lifetime become a reality.

Merry Xmas all .......what can you do to help make one of these wishes a reality?

Whole new world.....

Last evening we ventured out to see the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra play 

Disney. There were 4 really talented Disney singers who did covers from the Lion 

King, Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast etc....

It was an evening filled with kids dressed as Pirates of the Penzance, Princesses etc

A really nice event.....with some singalong for the audience.

The evening ended with it's a Small World - the theme from what is a old but really

well constucted Disney ride. But it is interesting to think that would Disney have 

made movies such as Aladdin in this day and age?

I'm not sure if there were meant to be any hidden meanings in this song; hopefully this music is 

just about love between an arabic boy and his girlfriend. However as I read it it 

occurs to me that the world Aladdin refers to could also mean other things:

- Christianity?

- Modern Living?

- The Western World?

- Democracy?

(Aladdin)I can show you the world Shining, shimmering, splendid Tell me, princess, now when did You last let your heart decide?  I can open your eyes Take you wonder by wonder Over, sideways and under On a magic carpet ride  A whole new world A new fantastic point of view No one to tell us no Or where to go Or say we're only dreaming  (Jasmine)A whole new world A dazzling place I never knew But when I'm way up here It's crystal clear that now I'm in a whole new world with you (Aladdin)Now I'm in a whole new world with you

"I've Gotta Get a Message to You"

The songs from the past....this one a past number one hit;  Robin Gibb who looks more geeky than Bill Gates sang without big brother Barry.  He went through their considerable repetoire, so many great songs and once you got over the fact that Barry was not there and Maurice had already left this world -- it was a great concert.

Robin was stunning as he sung the ballards which showcased his voice.  His renditions of songs from 'Saturday Night Fever', while missing Barry were still memorable.  The management of the Palais Theatre insisted that there would be no dancing in the aisles and there were many fat and gray people moving in their seats.  

The Bee Gees or Brothers Gibb were just a phenomenal group and songwriting machine that when they were over-exposed wrote classic songs for others to record. Apparently since the death of Maurice, the remaining brothers have vowed not to perform as the Bee Gees again. So as Robin promised to bring Barry with him next time...we won't be ever buying a ticket for a Bee Gees concert.


For me when we left Australia to go to Shanghai, we had to sell our Gold Reserve tickets to the Bee Gee concert -- that was a loss.  Of course we didn't realise that we would never get another opportunity to see the group as a whole.  

Let me admit I'm a fan of the Bee Gees and had their single records that I bought in the 60's. Their music even more so than the Beatles have defined my childhood, from the early materials through Fever and to 80's.

Heck I even named my daughter after the Bee Gees (only joking)

Oh yeah ...my last message to you - there is a Steven Spielberg movie that is being made of the life of the Bee Gees.......be sure to catch it.

America, Chicago, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Peter Frampton, Ross Wilson, Darryl Braithwaite

This week we are seeing all of these artists in concert- time has been kinder to some of the talents. It is an extraordinary array of talent and a reminder of our own aging. The girls in the front of the concert are no longer chicks and while they still shake that thing; also don't appear like the used to.

America (the band) had a great sound after 30+ years and I recall the Cassette Tape of America Greatest Hits that Albert Lee gave me for a 18th birthday.  That was a special evening as it marked the first real date I had with Anna.

Peter Frampton also is still making great music. He particularly looked to be enjoying himself and was taking happy snaps while on stage and singing with Brian Wilson. It was clear that amongst these stars that Brian held a special status....and the artists were queuing up to take shots while they sang....

The chorus for Good Vibrations and Barbara Ann had the singers from Chicago, America and Peter Frampton all joining in.  A classic oldie and it was clear that they enjoyed this as much as we did.

In Melbourne for the "Sounds of Summer"; except that it was a typical Melb weather  -- damp, wet and quite cool. This friday evening we see Brother Gibb (Robin) who again I've been a big fan, I even had a single record when he went solo in the 60's.  I'm not sure where that vinyl is.....but I'm looking forward to a reunion with the Bee Gees (or at least) what's available for us to see......