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......

Friendship

When you think about Friendship the words that come to mind include: Trust, Honesty, Reciprocity and Mutual Understanding.

Your best friend's tend to have these qualities; and I add they never take you for granted.  I grew up with some great friends that had these essential elements and over my travels, have made many fantastic friends.

Let me tell you about a friend who shall remain 'anonymous' and knowing him quite well he would prefer it that way.  He is a very private person, infact quite the opposite of me in many aspects.

Unlike many others who I call a "friend", this person doesn't play golf -- infact does not like any sports ! And I would submit is a person who would not give trust easily,

It is curious then how we ever got to become friends?  That's hard to answer and I'm sure I won't ever really understand.   The Sitcom TV series Friends, which actually I never really liked had  an official farewell commemorative book named: Friends 'Til The End.  The cast members acknowledged in interviews that the cast had become their family.


Perhaps if this is true - our really good friends become part of your family.  Your broader family......

Despite Ethnic Background,  Golf, DNA etc

GPS Gold Challenge

Last weekend I participated in a old school reunion with a twist -- the class of 1977 competed at various sports - Rowing, Tennis, Athletics, Swimming etc.  We all tested our 'muscle memory' to contort our bodies in positions that we used and were masterful some years ago.

After three days my legs are still aching and from the numerous emails on this subject; I'm not alone!   We all woke up feeling 17 years old again and engaged in sports that we for the most part have not played for many many years. In my case as Captain of Basketball we played and won 1 out of 2 games, alas the jump shot was not working as I wanted and if my legs were working.....

The basketball was particularly rough and nearly anything was allowed - this served as a great warm-up for the 'touch' rugby which followed a few hours later.  In the end with all ended with aching bodies from bumps, scrapes and using muscles that frankly I haven't used for many years.

To me the highlight was not only beating our nemesis St Joey's at Rugby (touch) and reversing our last game of 30 years ago, but to be playing with old friends. For many of us, things didn't needed to be said, we understood each other well and it was a pleasure to be in company of old friends and united against old foe. And indeed they were also 'old'.

I was particularly glad to see faces that I have not seen for 30 year + years.   The interesting demographic is that I noticed that while the waistlines were all thicker and the hairline less and more gray, and there were very few Tattoos.  However the competitive spirit had not dampened with age, in many cases the mind was more willing than the body.

A great day for the old boys and a worthy charity also benefited from this challenge. Nice job Tony and the organisers !

One wonders who will be up for a game in 10 years time?

The Saints...go marching in

Yes...the Saints won today (not St Kilda) I mean the St George Rugby League team.  This is the first time since 1979; so represents a very long time since their last success. Congrats to the Dragons !!

Today in beating Eastern Suburbs Roosters they go somewhat forward in eliminating the ghosts of that 1975 Grand Final v Easts where they whitewashed the Dragons by 38 to Nil !

 It is hard not to relate that match to the great Graeme Langlands and his white boots.   I did not see any boots that looked 'white' or even 'cream', however did see one player with "red" footie boots.

However living in Melbourne this win commands little if any attention and the win by Collingwood after 30 years is all the talk on the street.