Uncharacteristic for me (not being a petrol head) nor for Anna (definately) we wondered out to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.
First being new to this, we forgot our ear plugs. That was soon fixed with the purchase of a Survival Kit - earplugs, sunscreen and tablets for headache. Well the day was overcast - so the sunscreen was redundant but yes the plugs were mandatory.
We settled on Turn 2 on the bank and were impressed with the power of these machines. As we walked around the track area we saw different cars being tuned and prepared. This is going to sound silly, but not being petrol-heads: what impressed us were that these were not made for any degree of comfort or safety -- it was all about speed !
With our man Mark Webber gunning for 'pole' the crowd revelled in his fast laps. Lewis Hamilton who had been arrested the prior night for 'hooning' in St Kilda was not impressive on the track and struggled. Despite this the crowd seemed to not give him a hard time; which of course made alot of sense when I realised that that would be for them make him more worthy of hero worship.
To cap off the day I even took a photograph with a Driver from the Mercedes Grand Prix team who I spotted in the public area. Not exactly sure who he was but he was wearing the Petrobras uniform that Schumacher Mercedes team wears - perhaps he is a backup driver?
(Footnote: we will be back for the Sunday session - not in our original plan, but hey this is great)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Two Trobradours.....Two Friends.......Two Singer - Song Writers
After a period of 40 years Carole King and James Taylor were re-united on stage for a Trobadour Tour. This celebrates a gig they did together earlier in their careers, when you were just starting out.
It was clear early on that they were enjoying the concert as much as we were, we did not realise that this was their first concert of the global tour and the dialogue and jokes were also new to them. James Taylor's dry humour was evident and at times Carole King's reaction made it clear that this was unrehearsed.
Boy what a repetoire ! But the best moments came from the duets they sang together, often with James playing his with the distinctive sounds of his acoustic guitar. James as an artist has recorded many many songs from Carol and he is clearly a better singer, she is no slouch and can belt out a tune - at CD perfect level. She has an incredible song writing career and it is hard to believe that she is nearing 70 years old.
Effortlessly they sang songs that tugged at your heartstrings and the crowd, although older was the largest Karoke group in town. We had seen James in concert, just last year and for that event he was doing his Covers Album, but this concert was just so different. They were playing for each other and there was a deep friendship and respect for each other.
It seems cliched that "You're got a friend" is a signature song that they both recorded - they sang this together and you felt the love! So my 'hats off' to the Two Trobradours each of their songs sounded ageless and they took us on a journey as their friends !
It was clear early on that they were enjoying the concert as much as we were, we did not realise that this was their first concert of the global tour and the dialogue and jokes were also new to them. James Taylor's dry humour was evident and at times Carole King's reaction made it clear that this was unrehearsed.
Boy what a repetoire ! But the best moments came from the duets they sang together, often with James playing his with the distinctive sounds of his acoustic guitar. James as an artist has recorded many many songs from Carol and he is clearly a better singer, she is no slouch and can belt out a tune - at CD perfect level. She has an incredible song writing career and it is hard to believe that she is nearing 70 years old.
Effortlessly they sang songs that tugged at your heartstrings and the crowd, although older was the largest Karoke group in town. We had seen James in concert, just last year and for that event he was doing his Covers Album, but this concert was just so different. They were playing for each other and there was a deep friendship and respect for each other.
It seems cliched that "You're got a friend" is a signature song that they both recorded - they sang this together and you felt the love! So my 'hats off' to the Two Trobradours each of their songs sounded ageless and they took us on a journey as their friends !
Friday, March 19, 2010
Dr Craig Venter
It was my privilege to hear Dr Craig Venter speak this week. He is best known as the man you cracked the sequencing of the Genome. On reading more about him in wikipedia, Craig was a average guy who scored C and D's at school. His contribution to society is incredible: as he told his story about how they approached this task - he told his life's work in an hour. But below the blood, sweat and tears was both brillance and luck!
His work is a tricky combination of science and IT - his team does 1 million experiments each day using a
(in silica) approach which in layman's terms translates into: "on the computer".
Dr Venter also sequenced animals and moved onto sampling water from the core of the earth and has circumnavigated the world to sample water. He discovered millions of viruses and other bacteria - we have been accustomed to regard these as 'evil'. Indeed they perhaps provide the secret to our survival as a species.
The most staggering piece for me was when he discussed the engineered cell that takes carbon dioxide and converts this into methane. That discovery has incredible ramifications for all of us, if this can be commercialised and create a truly renewal energy source.
What an inspiring man........hearing him talk reminded me that we never really know what is possible!
Thanks Craig for restoring my belief in humanity.
His work is a tricky combination of science and IT - his team does 1 million experiments each day using a
(in silica) approach which in layman's terms translates into: "on the computer".
Dr Venter also sequenced animals and moved onto sampling water from the core of the earth and has circumnavigated the world to sample water. He discovered millions of viruses and other bacteria - we have been accustomed to regard these as 'evil'. Indeed they perhaps provide the secret to our survival as a species.
The most staggering piece for me was when he discussed the engineered cell that takes carbon dioxide and converts this into methane. That discovery has incredible ramifications for all of us, if this can be commercialised and create a truly renewal energy source.
What an inspiring man........hearing him talk reminded me that we never really know what is possible!
Thanks Craig for restoring my belief in humanity.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
George Michael
George was playing his last concert of a three year tour. As it would be Melbourne was the location of this event and we with VIP tickets were fortunate to be within a stone throw from George.
There was indeed little need for a seat as we and the entire ground danced and bopped during the duration of the show. George had last been in Australia 25 years ago .....so this was a rare performance. He sang his repetoire from Wham through to his contemporary pieces. Oh yes ...George can still move !!!
When George started this series of concerts his own career was not in good shape, and indeed George's life had been bathed in controversy of drugs and sex scandals. In the meantime the world has shifted and economies are generally in a unhealthy state. As George would sing: "These are the days of the open hands" (from Praying for Time), there is much that is wrong with the world and needs attention.
As George closed the evening with Careless Whispers.......the fact that he started an hour late, or that his voice is not as good as it once was - mattered.
There was indeed little need for a seat as we and the entire ground danced and bopped during the duration of the show. George had last been in Australia 25 years ago .....so this was a rare performance. He sang his repetoire from Wham through to his contemporary pieces. Oh yes ...George can still move !!!
When George started this series of concerts his own career was not in good shape, and indeed George's life had been bathed in controversy of drugs and sex scandals. In the meantime the world has shifted and economies are generally in a unhealthy state. As George would sing: "These are the days of the open hands" (from Praying for Time), there is much that is wrong with the world and needs attention.
As George closed the evening with Careless Whispers.......the fact that he started an hour late, or that his voice is not as good as it once was - mattered.
Friday, January 22, 2010
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?
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?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, November 27, 2009
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?
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?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)