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 !

Integrity

What is Integrity? A dictionary will give you a definition as follows below, but my own personal definition is being able to look yourself in the mirror and really say: " I am doing the right thing". To me (personally) when I see famous sports-persons deny taking performance enhancing drugs (after they are caught) is a good example of lack of integrity. The same applies in the workplace and we have seen Sarbanes Oxley and other compliance issues arise, which point to the growing issue of integrity in our society. All around us we see examples of Integrity (or lack of)......there is a time for reflection, but moreover there must be a time for action. If you choose not to act, then you too are not doing the right thing. in·teg·ri·ty [ in téggrətee ]

noun

Definition:

1. possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards

2. completeness: the state of being complete or undivided ( formal ) the territorial integrity of the nation

3. wholeness: the state of being sound or undamaged ( formal ) public confidence in the integrity of the voting process (Source http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861621684/integrity.html)

Michael

Just got the news Michael Jackson has passed away at age 50 years old. I'm in shock we have all grown up with his music and witnessed his changes, antics and peculiar behavior.

Hard to believe that someone who was such a 'Peter Pan' figure and never seemingly grew up has past. Have to chalk up another legend that I never will witness to hear perform 'live'.

He was despite his personal shortcomings a genuis ! My daughter Amber just recently bought tickets to see him in London, Michael was a person who spanned generations - just amazing

Micheal I trust you are up there making beautiful music and you are understood.

"I wanna rock with you (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
Were gonna rock the night away"

Zoobilation

As we walked through the entrance flanked by an Elephant, Snake, Iguana and other assorted animals. We entered the Zoo and of course realised the real animals were the ones dressed like penguins in dinner suits and evening gowns.

This was a gala evening in the open air with 80+ of Indys finest food and a open bar serving just about everything. For this event, glam was important but just as critical were good shoes as you wondered through the zoo tasting small portions while juggling a glass or two. There were a number of bands strategically placed around the grounds, you couldn't help but wonder what the normal residents thought of all this commotion.

The foot massage one of three options at a SPA and was a welcome stop along this route. As the crowd increased the pace you moved accelerated to a crawl, thus there was little danger of getting too tipsy. It was all for a good cause: the Zoo's largest fund raising event. Thanks for John and Jessie for being our chaperone's.

Snow Patrol needed for COLDPLAY

Sounds and music are a great medium to reset us all and after the end of a work week what better than a outdoor concert.

Last night night we were treated to some life in Technicolour at a COLDPLAY concert. They were fabulous and we noted that compared to the James Taylor, Elton John, Billy Joel audiences we attended there was a minus -20 to -30 years demographic.

COLDPLAY are a great stage band and give a really audience concert. They moved from center stage twice to smaller outlying stages to be closer to their audience. From my limited exposure to this band I seemed to know most of their songs, but I could sense the 'greatness' that this group possesses. The band has a stage sense, energy and a distinctive sound that is easy on the ears.

I've got no doubt that COLDPLAY will be in the legend category when they decide to "hang up" their boots. Hey guys Thanks also for the free recession buster CD (LeftRightLeftRightLeft) that is a nice gesture !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXSovfzyx28

We were pleased to also get a double treat of COLD with Snow Patrol the support group! Snow Patrol is a good band and while not in the same frigid zone is nevertheless worth seeing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vSWGNqI-sI&feature=PlayList&p=D467410A40C46B2F&index=0&playnext=1

7 Wonders of the World

(Updated List - October 2013)

There are so many wonders of the world, indeed there are multiple definitions of what are these magic 7. I wrote this BLOG entry as I was leaving for a holiday to Machu Pinchu and the Amazon.

The much heard saying that: "Not how many breaths you take but how many moments take your breath away". I truly subscribe to this philosophy and while it is no guarantee that you will be left breathless the Wonders of the World are indeed a good place to start.

So I would invite you to join with me in your own analysis of how many of these you have seen:

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (2 \ 7)

1. Great Pyramid of Giza
2. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
3. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
4. Statue of Zeus at Olympia
5. Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
6. Colossus of Rhodes
7. Lighthouse of Alexandria

Wonders of the Medieval World (first 5 \ 7)

1. Great Wall of China
2. Colosseum
3. Hagia Sophia
4. Leaning Tower of Pisa
5. Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
6. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
7. Stonehenge

New 7 Wonders Foundation's seven wonders of the world (first 5 / 8)

1. Great Wall of China
2. Petra
3. Machu Picchu
4. Roman Colosseum
5. Taj Mahal
6. Great Pyramid (Honorary Candidate)
7. Christ the Redeemer
8. Chichen Itza

USA Today's New Seven Wonders (5 \ 8)

1. Potala Palace
2. Old City of Jerusalem
3. Internet
4. Grand Canyon (viewer-chosen eighth wonder)
5. Polar ice caps
6. Maya ruins
7. Great Migration of Serengeti and Masai Mara
8. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Man-made travel wonders (10 \ 10)

1. Giza pyramid complex
2. Great Wall of China
3. Taj Mahal
4. Machu Picchu
5. Bali
6. Angkor Wat
7. Forbidden City
8. Bagan Temples & Pagodas
9. Karnak Temple
10. Teotihuacán

Natural travel wonders (5 \ 9)

1. Galápagos Islands *
2. Grand Canyon
3. Amazon Rainforest
4. Great Barrier Reef
5. Iguazu Falls
6. Ngorongoro Crater
7. Victoria Falls
8. Bora Bora
9. Cappadocia

Remember I noted earlier that as I wrote this story we were on route to Maachu Pinchu to join our friends who had decided to help celebrate Anna's 50th birthday in Peru. So in the spirit of 'wonderful' let me list a personal Wonders of the World for which I am

Wonderful of Wonders (7 \7)

1. Anna
2. Nathan
3. Amber
4. Jeremy
5. Sabrina
6. Sam
7. Virginia

Wonders of Wonders (7 \7)

1. Greg
2. Kathryn
3. Mike Davis
4. Laurie
5. Tom
6. Alfredo
7. Mike Cross

Thank you all for being 'Wonderful' I'm glad that we all met and our path crossed, it is truly amazing that our normal life and travel schedules allowed us to share this moment to be in this place and see this together.

Piano MEN

Last evening we were treated to the duelling piano play of Elton John and Billy Joel. It is ironic to think that these two artists on the same stage were mortal enemies in the early 80's. I recall attending a concert by Billy Joel at the Sydney Opera House in 1976 and a few years hearing Elton John accusing Billy of plagiarising his songs. From memory Sir Elton thought that 'Big Shot' was a copy of 'Bennie & the Jets' . It was amusing to see them both singing Bennie together on stage

Billy with his 18 albums was in my view overshadowed by Elton with his 29 albums. I've seen them both on stage many times - Elton 5 times and Billy at least 4 times, they were not to disappoint. A little more weight on the body and somewhat of a link or a waddle. But their music was magnificent !

Elton clearly was a class above Billy. He always had an amazing voice and what a repertoire! While Billy was more the showman and affable person that talked with the crowd. His work with his band was 'tight' and they were worked well together.

In the end the audience got two great artists for the same price. I particularly enjoyed their joint rendition of Back to the USSR - a Beatles Classic. I'm sure John L would have approved.