Dancing Queen

Recently we attended ABBA hits show at the prairie. First time on a prairie and like highlighted by the author Bill Bryson - american's have created new words where perfectly good ones existed.

So here we were on the plain (prairie) watching a fake ABBA show. Now 'fake' has that undertone of poor quality so let me reflect on that. First Frida (the brunette) was not as tall and somewhat over weight, Agnetha (the blonde) was cute and actually had a good voice, Benny (bearded keyboard player) was a non-entity and Bjorn (seemed to have a blonde beatles wig) but otherwise lively.

What was really civilised about the event was that you could bring anything and have a picnic - wine, cheese, roast chicken etc. As the music started we soon realised that most of our fellow spectators were not moving their feet nor were they waving their hands - we immediately felt just like in Japan (no way)

It took nearly half the concert before there seemed to be permission given to let your hair down - we of course ended up front (where we could make these observations about the fake ABBA). A great night on the prairie !

Washington Post

Just back this week from a few days in Washington. My first time since 1994 when we took the kids for a USA holiday. I took the opportunity to meet with with Professor Frank Vella my old mate from Sydney University who now teaches at Georgetown University. A blast from the past as we had last spoken in 1981 and I 'googled' and found his email address online in about 5 minutes (really incredible search) at 6:30am one sunday morning.

The timing of this visit could not be more perfect as Barrack Obama had been named the Democrats presumptive candidate. Our briefings with numerous congressmen, senators, lobbyists and Ex CNN & current Washington Post journalists revealed their thoughts on Obama, Hillary and McCain. The speculation about the platforms and VP debate were particularly interesting.....it seems the USA is at a turning point does it choose the promise of radical change and reform or experience????

Eric Clapton - Watching fingers move and Lightning strike

Eric Clapton is considered to be a legend.....well not being a guitar enthusiast I quickly understood why he is rated as one of the best (some say 4th best ever) We watched him and the big screen invariably focused on his strumming fingers; the soulful strings and sounds that emanated were amazing. The concert was a complete musical treat and you kept feeling that this guy is on just simply on top of his game !

As we watched in the open (Verizon Theatre) Eric moved from his acoustic guitar back to electric mode and the tempo was intensified. This seemed to somehow mysteriously effect 'nature' and the bolts of Lightning that struck all around us increased to a uncomfortable level. Unknown to us this was the beginning of a really really bad storm - lightning, tornado's and torrential rain meant we had 2 metre visibility driving home (that was fun !)

How to avoid the Indy 500

A few weeks ago I asked my wife: how does going to the Indy 500 sound ? The in the conversation gave me the answer and the Indy 500 parade appeared to be acceptable but to watch cars go around a circuit for 500 miles at 200 miles an hour - not that attractive!

So we watched the Indy 500 parade and mostly wondered who these people were (clearly we are not avid race goers) We did manage to spot our two (future) neighbours and also some celebs. Well does Jim Nabors (Gomer Pye qualify?)

Next day - race day I'd planned to play golf as it happened our course was in direct beeline with 30,000 other race enthusiasts. After a few detours we played golf with the sounds of sirens of police...and the watchful eye of the 30,000 in the traffic jam (with nothing else to better to do)

So let's go to our favorite Vietnamese cafe I say....to which we (again) encounter the race crowd who have decided that the free park and walk strategy is the best one. We struggle to find a car spot and end up triple parking. Once safely inside the cafe of course the TV has the race preludes on 'live'.

Can't beat em' - I think next year I will join the throngs and watch the winner drink the bottle of milk (yes it is Sunday and even Costco won't sell you a bottle of wine)

Day of Service

During this week I participated in Lilly Day of Service. In my case with members of my team we cleaned the parkland area near a river,. This involved weeding, cutting branches and removing items dumped in these areas.

From my recollection this was the first time in nearly ten years (really) since I last did any gardening. It was clearly 'physical' work but in the simplicity was a great day to work as a 'team' as there are no hierarchy or management levels in these exercises. Indeed you can observe the team members with natural leadership skills as well as see the drive & energy of individual's.

But was what the intention of Lilly Day of Service? I'm sure there are multiple reasons....but I found a great quote that sums up my feelings:

“Hands that give also receive”

HP PSG Advisory Board - Boston

Wow - Boston is great city really so beautiful at this time of the year, it able to balance so elegantly being vibrant and historical at the same time. (Oh yeah) why I was in Boston was that I attended HP PSG Advisory Board at MIT - we spent an afternoon with phD students in the MIT Media Lab - way......cool technology. These young students and their projects provided glimpses into the future. I would not even attempt to describe the breadth of their research, it felt like drinking from the fountain.

HP shared some of their latest products in their Labs for feedback. As I'm under NDA I can't reveal specifics.....but was very impressed much more than I expected with some new offerings.

Oracle Siebel Pharma Biotech Conference

Last week I was in New Jersey to attend this Oracle Siebel event. This was a classical networking opportunity with other Pharma companies. The personal highlight for me was presenting a presentation on the Onelilly project. What these kinds of events also provide is a to assess completion of work and part of your recent life history.

The reflection from this week is that the Onelilly project is indeed (currently) unique and it appears that every global competitor is now at the planning or initial implementation stages of similar efforts. Makes it all worthwhile.......