As it seems sleep will elude me completely tonight, instead of the 2 and 3 hour chunks it's been visiting me in since the op, I thought I'd take a crack at "Desert Island Discs" as invited by one D.Pelusey.
"Desert Island Discs has been running on BBC radio for 75 years, and works like this...
Each week a guest, called a 'castaway' during the programme, is asked to choose eight recordings (usually, but not always, music), a book and a luxury item that they would take if they were to be cast away on a desert island, whilst discussing their lives and the reasons for their choices. (we don’t need the discussing our lives bit, but the reasons for the musical choices is good.)
So, I thought we could, one by one (whoever’s keen to go first) post the 8 musical tracks you would take to a desert Island (no more than 8!) and why, with a link to the song so everyone can listen to it. Usually the songs people choose mean something to them, for some personal reason, or it can be as simple as it’s a rocking number."
1. Time - Pink Floyd
Not necessarily my favourite Pink Floyd song but probably the cause of one of my very first existential crises. The lyric "No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun" just blew my mind. Of course it leads into one of the great vocal solos in "The Great Gig in the Sky" with no discernible break, so I'd try and sneak them in as one.
2. Ants Invasion - Adam and the Ants
Much like my first choice this one gets a guernsey based on my love for the album. And the riff.
3. Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel
https://open.spotify.com/album/0kDFjyfGFtiIMXlxJ120Ok?highlight=spotify:track:6vZZtivPrtpggT5SSXsYTy
One of my all time favourite songs to play, complete with messed up timing signatures. Impossible to sing while playing but why would you when you have Gabriel pouring his heart out, agonising over sticking with Genesis or following his creative dream and going solo.
4. Beasley Street - John Cooper Clarke
https://open.spotify.com/album/4VVoqHgftTRB0ymXkSsO6x?highlight=spotify:track:4399aYf8zUs5bj23TioBD3
Britain's Punk Poet.
Another lyrical pick "Sleep is a luxury, they don't need a sneak preview of death"
5. Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MMXjunSx80
My first introduction to Buckley I was mesmerised by his voice and, as someone that "plays guitar" this album led me to the realisation I would never be a "guitarist". His connection with the instrument is something to look at, even in this funky open tuning
6. Follow the Sun - Xavier Rudd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E1bNmyPWww
Love this bloke and his music. Changed a flight to Bali in 2017 just to see him perform a gig on the Uluwatu cliffs. Money well pent
7. Bella - Angus and Julia Stone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggvwJ_g1aAI
I love this duo and especially this song
8. Hey You - Dope Lemon
https://open.spotify.com/track/1yYpw3DuEPBO6Cv7ejBwsq
And somehow that leads me here. Angus' side hustle
Not necessarily my favourite 8 songs ever but a mix I'd be happy to be stranded with
Saturday, April 04, 2020
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Freedom From Choice
In ancient Rome
There was a Poem
About a Dog
Who found two Bones
He picked at One
He licked the Other
He went in Circles
He dropped Dead
--Devo, Freedom of Choice
I've never really believed in absolutes. I always thought that some middle road could be found, some mutually beneficial path. To be confronted by a truly binary situation not of my own making, when I thought I had managed to get through some really tough situations, is difficult. While not as cut and dried as the aforementioned canine; the consequence of my decision (not my indecision) leads me to empathize with the pup's choices.
While it is easy to "overthink" many decisions, some cannot be decided on instinct alone and should be researched and considered carefully. Unfortunately, this may lead to conclusions that run counter to the hearts desire. Add to this the healthy dose of arrogance required to make decisions in other peoples "best interests" and you can see the hound's dilemma thickening until he either bolts out into the traffic or takes the passive option and curls up with his back turned.
Freedom of Choice
is What you Got
Freedom from Choice
is What you Want
--Devo, Freedom of Choice
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Movember is here!
Movember is here! A great reason to present a hairy face to the world, all in the name of a good cause. If I can help raise awareness or money, then why not? Plus who doesn't love a mo'?
Check out my progress here
Check out my progress here
Friday, September 05, 2008
More Lyrics
I feel like I’m broken
Like I’ll never be whole
While the life inside of me
Leaks from the void in my soul
I’m broken. So broken
The blue sky mocks me
The sun laughs in my face
The birds take delight
In my falling from grace
I’m broken, so broken
I want the laughter made silent
I want the joy sent away
I want the music made muffled
And the colours made grey
I’m broken, so broken.
For the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day
That passed briefly over,
Have gone on their way
and left me broken
Like I’ll never be whole
While the life inside of me
Leaks from the void in my soul
I’m broken. So broken
The blue sky mocks me
The sun laughs in my face
The birds take delight
In my falling from grace
I’m broken, so broken
I want the laughter made silent
I want the joy sent away
I want the music made muffled
And the colours made grey
I’m broken, so broken.
For the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day
That passed briefly over,
Have gone on their way
and left me broken
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Religious Education
It's been a while since I bothered typing here. A combination of being flat out at work, not being able to prise either of my sons away from a pc at night and reading the book "Blind Faith" by Ben Elton has conspired to keep me silent. However, something has been bugging me recently and I find that trying to articulate things that bug me often help me to resolve them, at least partially, in my mind.
My wife is a Catholic, and went to a Catholic school. It has always been her wish that our boys go to a Catholic school. As it turned out, they now go to the same high school as she did.
To be honest, I have never had a lot of faith in Religion (note the capital), but I I could see no harm in my boys being taught the values from the Bible. To me, the teachings attributed to Jesus in the New Testament are insightful and uplifting. However, the mistake I made was thinking that the religious section of the curriculum would be these teachings, when in fact, from what I have seen, it consists mainly of teaching the workings of the Church and its dogma. To me, this is where organised Religion falls down and has made itself increasingly less relevant. Everything it teaches is underpinned by because God says so. While this probably worked its arse off in the Dark Ages on the back of the Inquisition, it seems to me that we have enough information available to us now that no one is going to take that at face value.
It is better, surely, to educate our young to respect each other because it is the right thing to do, because we would like to be respected, to teach them empathy above blind obedience. I may burn in hell for asking it, but does anyone with a modicum of education believe the Bible is a factual historical account? I am not advocating the dismissal of the Bible, for as I said earlier, there is a plentiful supply of good advice for life. What I do advocate is that the Church make itself more relevant. Go back to its roots. "Jesus died for your sins" means nothing to me. "Judge not, lest you be judged" does. And, yes, I see the irony.
My wife is a Catholic, and went to a Catholic school. It has always been her wish that our boys go to a Catholic school. As it turned out, they now go to the same high school as she did.
To be honest, I have never had a lot of faith in Religion (note the capital), but I I could see no harm in my boys being taught the values from the Bible. To me, the teachings attributed to Jesus in the New Testament are insightful and uplifting. However, the mistake I made was thinking that the religious section of the curriculum would be these teachings, when in fact, from what I have seen, it consists mainly of teaching the workings of the Church and its dogma. To me, this is where organised Religion falls down and has made itself increasingly less relevant. Everything it teaches is underpinned by because God says so. While this probably worked its arse off in the Dark Ages on the back of the Inquisition, it seems to me that we have enough information available to us now that no one is going to take that at face value.
It is better, surely, to educate our young to respect each other because it is the right thing to do, because we would like to be respected, to teach them empathy above blind obedience. I may burn in hell for asking it, but does anyone with a modicum of education believe the Bible is a factual historical account? I am not advocating the dismissal of the Bible, for as I said earlier, there is a plentiful supply of good advice for life. What I do advocate is that the Church make itself more relevant. Go back to its roots. "Jesus died for your sins" means nothing to me. "Judge not, lest you be judged" does. And, yes, I see the irony.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
What the fuck?
In the wake of yesterday's historical apology, the element that drove me to despair in this post are back and haunting me.
What worries me is this question. What does it say about my personality and my friends that I keep receiving these racist 'jokes' via email and text?
Why would anyone think I would find redneck propaganda, like the fake 'apology' that has been doing the rounds, even mildly amusing. Its not 1970 anymore.
You people shit me.
What worries me is this question. What does it say about my personality and my friends that I keep receiving these racist 'jokes' via email and text?
Why would anyone think I would find redneck propaganda, like the fake 'apology' that has been doing the rounds, even mildly amusing. Its not 1970 anymore.
You people shit me.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sorry
"Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
We reflect on their past mistreatment.
We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.
For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.
A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."
We reflect on their past mistreatment.
We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.
For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.
A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Cricket again
This story on baggygreen.com.au really got up my nose this morning.
Before I start ranting, I will point out that I am not one of "those Australians" that "doesn't see what all the fuss is about", as the general cricketing public has often been referred to since the Sydney Test. There is plenty of room for improvement of the behaviour of both cricketers and spectators in the recent past, but the smarmy condescension of Peter English in this article is beyond belief.
Mr English's use of the good behaviour (which I wholeheartedly applaud) of both teams and the crowd as an excuse to not-so-subtly attack their Australian counterparts is both odious and counter-productive. Surely any cricket writer worth his salt should be able to report on the harmonious atmosphere without sly and demeaning digs at an absent party? Anyone reading this article would think that it was Australia's recent history that included games being stopped due to rioting crowds, that Australia's board had threatened to cancel a tour if the ICC did not dance to it's tune or that an Australian captain had threatened to take his team from the field because he didn't agree with the no-balling of one of his bowlers. I'm sure that even the Indians and Sri Lankans would agree that there are incidents in their collective pasts that they would rather not have occurred, that reflect badly on their cricket, but apprently the fact that they are not Australian on this tour absolves them of any wrongdoing.
I am glad that the cricket watching public of Brisbane last night were well behaved during the half a game they got to watch, and I truly hope that it continues. Australian crowds can sometimes get rowdy and uncomfortable to be in, but as anyone who watched "An Aussie Goes Bolly" last week will agree, I know with whom I would rather be watching my cricket.
p.s.
Because I am a sucker for punishment, I also read this article by the aforementioned journalist about the fining of Rohit Sharma for dissent. It could be because I am sensitive but this sentence "The Sri Lankans were convinced Sharma had edged the ball to Kumar Sangakkara, but the replays showed Rudi Koertzen made a serious error." I found to be in stark contrast to the hammering Adam Gilchrist and the Australians copped during the Sydney Test for appealing when Rahul Dravid was "incorrectly" given out. To make matters worse, I found this on the Fox Sports web site.
"Murali initially failed to appeal but went up in support of Sangakkara, who later said he heard a noise."
Is this fair and balanced journalism?
Before I start ranting, I will point out that I am not one of "those Australians" that "doesn't see what all the fuss is about", as the general cricketing public has often been referred to since the Sydney Test. There is plenty of room for improvement of the behaviour of both cricketers and spectators in the recent past, but the smarmy condescension of Peter English in this article is beyond belief.
Mr English's use of the good behaviour (which I wholeheartedly applaud) of both teams and the crowd as an excuse to not-so-subtly attack their Australian counterparts is both odious and counter-productive. Surely any cricket writer worth his salt should be able to report on the harmonious atmosphere without sly and demeaning digs at an absent party? Anyone reading this article would think that it was Australia's recent history that included games being stopped due to rioting crowds, that Australia's board had threatened to cancel a tour if the ICC did not dance to it's tune or that an Australian captain had threatened to take his team from the field because he didn't agree with the no-balling of one of his bowlers. I'm sure that even the Indians and Sri Lankans would agree that there are incidents in their collective pasts that they would rather not have occurred, that reflect badly on their cricket, but apprently the fact that they are not Australian on this tour absolves them of any wrongdoing.
I am glad that the cricket watching public of Brisbane last night were well behaved during the half a game they got to watch, and I truly hope that it continues. Australian crowds can sometimes get rowdy and uncomfortable to be in, but as anyone who watched "An Aussie Goes Bolly" last week will agree, I know with whom I would rather be watching my cricket.
p.s.
Because I am a sucker for punishment, I also read this article by the aforementioned journalist about the fining of Rohit Sharma for dissent. It could be because I am sensitive but this sentence "The Sri Lankans were convinced Sharma had edged the ball to Kumar Sangakkara, but the replays showed Rudi Koertzen made a serious error." I found to be in stark contrast to the hammering Adam Gilchrist and the Australians copped during the Sydney Test for appealing when Rahul Dravid was "incorrectly" given out. To make matters worse, I found this on the Fox Sports web site.
"Murali initially failed to appeal but went up in support of Sangakkara, who later said he heard a noise."
Is this fair and balanced journalism?
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