For the next 3 days the Dalai Lama will be living within a few hundred metres of my house. There are times in your life when a moment or an event sticks in your memory for some time. This weekend is going to be one of those incidents and an incredible experience to always treasure.
His holiness the Dalai Lama will be conducting a workshop at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, which is a casual 5 minute walk from our apartment.
First, we feel very special to be attending the 3 day workshop and to be in such proximity has a 'warm' glow.
Will be sure to report back in the next blog entry a more wiser person from this life changing experience.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Full Circle
We have just returned from a 2 week trip to Kobe and Shanghai, two cities that I lived. Hence is really a full circle moment to and reflect on what's changed. In addition we visited Beijing where we also had not visited for 4 years. And a new destination Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain)
On this trip it was remarkable that firstly we managed to meet with so many friends who were coincident happen to be in Kobe. That was such a great treat for us to enjoy again their company.....
Staying with Mike and Laurie in Kobe; then Carsten & Michelle in Beijing we were spoilt with fantastic hosts. I even had a number of reunions with old Lilly staff members and that was also a highlight.
Now for my observations -- Kobe has hardly changed, while Osaka has had some noticeable improvements around Umeda. The price of items has not changed and that was quite remarkable....Allow me to compare Japan which seems have hardly changed to that of China.....
The rise of the middle class was so obvious with KFC on most street corners, plus new models of (local model) Mercedes and BMW cars
Beijing
Pollution - dramatically reduced (the sky was blue!)
Spitting - saw one person only
Lines - people line up and also wait to cross the road
Traffic - horrific
Such a cultural change, I'm sure that the olympics had alot to do about these shifts.
Shanghai
Pollution - also radically less
Spitting - zero
Lines - people line up and also wait to cross the road
Traffic - much much improved
However no-one seemed to have adjusted their smoking behaviour, despite the recent legislation....I guess that is the next challenge for China?
Huang Shan is probably the most beautiful mountains we have ever visited. Previously we have been to three other of the famous religiously famous mountain ranges. The walk was treacherous -- up and down, slippery and wet. But amazing breathtaking views.
On this trip it was remarkable that firstly we managed to meet with so many friends who were coincident happen to be in Kobe. That was such a great treat for us to enjoy again their company.....
Staying with Mike and Laurie in Kobe; then Carsten & Michelle in Beijing we were spoilt with fantastic hosts. I even had a number of reunions with old Lilly staff members and that was also a highlight.
Now for my observations -- Kobe has hardly changed, while Osaka has had some noticeable improvements around Umeda. The price of items has not changed and that was quite remarkable....Allow me to compare Japan which seems have hardly changed to that of China.....
The rise of the middle class was so obvious with KFC on most street corners, plus new models of (local model) Mercedes and BMW cars
Beijing
Pollution - dramatically reduced (the sky was blue!)
Spitting - saw one person only
Lines - people line up and also wait to cross the road
Traffic - horrific
Such a cultural change, I'm sure that the olympics had alot to do about these shifts.
Shanghai
Pollution - also radically less
Spitting - zero
Lines - people line up and also wait to cross the road
Traffic - much much improved
However no-one seemed to have adjusted their smoking behaviour, despite the recent legislation....I guess that is the next challenge for China?
Huang Shan is probably the most beautiful mountains we have ever visited. Previously we have been to three other of the famous religiously famous mountain ranges. The walk was treacherous -- up and down, slippery and wet. But amazing breathtaking views.
Friday, February 25, 2011
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Michael Bublé - when I first heard him, the first reaction was oh...another Harry Connick Junior type.
To me his image was this cool, jazzy guy who wore suits and crooned. Earlier last year I had mentally prepared a list of who I would like to see, in terms of shows and concerts. Specifically I said out aloud, "I'm just not into Michael Bublé and would give that a miss".
As it transpires we were invited to his concert at Rod Laver stadium in a 'superbox'. Quickly I realised that Bublé was Cool + Sassy + Funny + Humble. There seemed to be a person that you could immediately relate with; and surprising most of the men shifted from neutral to being a 'fan' within a few songs.
We danced, sang and drank way too much.....the concert itself was just a 'fun' and 'entertaining' event with Michael doing humorous & insightful introductions to each and every song. His band was talented and their musical abilities were just outstanding.
One of Bublé wellknown songs just sum up this rapid transit for me not really wanting to go to see his show and what actually happened:
"And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet"
So Very True to his word!
To me his image was this cool, jazzy guy who wore suits and crooned. Earlier last year I had mentally prepared a list of who I would like to see, in terms of shows and concerts. Specifically I said out aloud, "I'm just not into Michael Bublé and would give that a miss".
As it transpires we were invited to his concert at Rod Laver stadium in a 'superbox'. Quickly I realised that Bublé was Cool + Sassy + Funny + Humble. There seemed to be a person that you could immediately relate with; and surprising most of the men shifted from neutral to being a 'fan' within a few songs.
We danced, sang and drank way too much.....the concert itself was just a 'fun' and 'entertaining' event with Michael doing humorous & insightful introductions to each and every song. His band was talented and their musical abilities were just outstanding.
One of Bublé wellknown songs just sum up this rapid transit for me not really wanting to go to see his show and what actually happened:
"And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet"
So Very True to his word!
Friday, February 18, 2011
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.
Friday, January 28, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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'.
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'.
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