Who We Are - the review

The fourth album from my favourite band, Lifehouse , is a worthy addition to the collection so far and one that definitely grows on you.
Initially slightly disappointed the album, Who We Are, compares well with the previous, self-titled, album which interestingly ended with the words who we are (from the song The End Has Only Begun).
I have extolled the virtues of Jason Wade as a songwriter many times and he has again floored me with some of his lyrics. But I will get to that shortly.
The CD opens with Dissaray and the first single, First Time , and they are solid soft rock tracks but we come into the third song Whatever It Takes and things changed for me. Essentially a love song about two people trying desperately to salvage what they have in the face of a break-up. This one kind of feels like a follow up to Hanging By A Moment depicting the end rather than the beginning.
The title track is fine and fairly self-explanatory and track six The Joke has quite an interesting sound. Then we get into the A grade.
If you ever liked Lifehouse, particularly tracks like Everything, it comes as no surprise that Wade produces a corker in the track Easier To Be . While Lifehouse don't lay claim to being a Christian band Wade's background has been well exposed and he often writes Christian songs disguised as secular (of sorts) songs and the aforementioned Everything is a prime example.
Easier To Be is the Everything of this album and is simple, beautiful and moving.
`We speak in silence, words can't break, it feels like we are, falling awake, in a place and a time, of our own, yeah yeah, you make it easier to be, easier to be me. It felt like the world fell from my feet, gave up on myself, you didn't give up on me...'
It's almost a shame Easier To Be isn't the last track as it would be a perfect ending. We get a few standard rock tracks before heading back into deeper waters with Storm .
`If I could just see you, everything would be all right, if I'd see you, this darkness would turn to light. And I will walk on water, and you will catch me if I fall, and I will get lost into your eyes, I know everything will be all right..'
We get two bonus tracks in Australia, Keep The Change and I Want You To Know, of which the latter is definitely the better.
A band like Lifehouse could have easily fizzled out after a debut number one single and successful first album but they have continued and there's certainly plenty of life left in this group. At least I hope so. Jason Wade and Lifehouse produce music with soul and heart and that is something sorely missed out there.

The new Delta

I have to admit to a soft spot for Delta Goodrem not because of the cancer battle but more because I found her very appealing both musically and, shall we say, superficially. Actually, not so superficially because that's exactly what I'm about to decry.
I found her appealing because she had the wholesome, girl you'd take home to mum look about her. And I like that very much.
So it was with some concern I heard of the impending return of the `sexier Delta', knowing that when previous girls next door changed their image they both looked worse, in my view, and appeared to sell less if not immediately but eventually. (Recent examples are Britney Spears and Mariah Carey).
Anyway, Delta is back with a new song called In This Life which sounds pretty good I must say. However, I have never had a problem with her songs - even the last album Mistaken Identity was excellent and contained several cracking songs. I was initially concerned by her sexy photo shoot for Cosmo, which was shown in the paper last weekend, as I thought she was far too heavily made up (I don't claim to be an expert but i know what I like) and looked like a poor rip off of Faith Hill who was photographed with a similar look to the above photo but managed to appear much classier.
When I saw Delta on Enough Rope earlier in the week my concerns were lessened slightly but we'll just have to see what image is put out there when the single and album are released.
Suddenly `discovering' your sexy side isn't going to suddenly make people go crazy for her again, if I were her publicist I'd be looking back at Innocent Eyes and rediscovering classic Delta. But that's just me.

The crisis deepens

The news that eight thoroughbreds at Randwick have tested positive to EI today effectively closes the track for about two months.
So the spring carnival in NSW is gone, pretty much, and it remains to be seen if the virus spreads further afield to training centres that have so far escaped. Given that the majority of the infection in Sydney has been centralised around Randwick means there is a good chance of containment to that area.
These are the worst fears of the racing industry - hopefully now things can be contained and the virus can burn itself out.

The equine influenza crisis

I've sat back and read some of the letters to the newspaper regarding the outbreak of equine influenza (EI) in Australia in the last week.
As someone with a vested interest in the racing industry I've got to say I'm pretty appalled at some of the reaction from the public to the plight of the industry, which is the third largest in Australia. And this is a crisis, but one that can be overcome.
EI is not a fatal disease for horses, it's much like the flu we get. It knocks you around for a short time then goes. The trouble with EI is that it is incredibly contagious and can be carried by people, on boots, clothing and even in the air. So this is why it is important to restrict the movement of horses to stop the spread of the disease.
So far, despite the fact that all horse racing in Australia has been stopped (except for Darwin) for almost a week, no racehorses have tested positive to EI and if this trend continues the chances of it spreading further are diminished. EI has been spread through the leisure industry, showjumping and equestrian horses, a sector of the horse industry that isn't as regulated as racing.
That's why racing has tightened the screws quickly and no thoroughbreds have yet been infected. As every day goes by, with an incubation period of 2 to 5 days, those chances are reducing.
Make no mistake, the racing industry is hurting even though everyone understands that this must be done. Politicians, even Peter Costello, have acknowledged the damage to the economy that having no horse racing, and therefore gambling on horse racing, will do. As each week passes the damage is greater. Revenue that racing receives from gambling is important to the running of the industry but more important are the livelihoods of the trainers, jockeys, strappers, trackwork riders etc, very few of whom are well enough off for this period not to make a big detrimental impact on them financially. Then there are the other industries that are connected to racing like catering, security, fashion, it goes on.
And this all at the start of the spring racing carnival. The time of the year when people who care little for racing suddenly hit the track, when the international focus turns to Australia, when the biggest prizemoney is on offer and when the most money is spent by the average punter on racing.
What has disgusted me about the correspondence in the papers has been the fact that people are saying that gambling is evil etc and the racing industry deserves this to happen to it. I guarantee that every single person who has a beef with racing on this point knows of someone who has been affected in some way by the outbreak.
I personally am not interested in the motor industry, or fashion for example, but I don't wish hardship upon them.
What people have to remember about gambling is that racing is only a part of it - poker machines and casinos are far greater evils than racetracks.
As it stands racing is set to recommence in Victoria, SA, WA, Tasmania and the NT on Saturday. Best case scenario for NSW and Queensland is Saturday week but subject to some pretty strict conditions. All this is dependent on the lifting of a no-movement of horses order by the DPI on Friday afternoon. This will happen unless there is an outbreak in the other states but it will remain in NSW and QLD.
I certainly hope things can start to get back into action this weekend, as someone interested in racing another Saturday like the one just past is not desirable, and get the industry back on its feet. But it is going to take a long time to recover and the spring carnival might well not be the same this year.

One small step...

Well I returned today from my holiday and am happy to report I came through the challenge I set myself last week in good shape.
The challenge was this. Instead of catching the train I drove. While it sounds simple driving some five hours is something I haven't done for about three years, for reasons which should be reasonably clear to most.
Anyway it turned out to be no problem and while I am yet to feel significantly different I do feel that it was an achievement. One small step, well two actually considering I drove back as well (naturally).

The great smoothie disgrace

I bought a banana smoothie this afternoon - or so I thought. It turned out to be nothing more than a milkshake and I was them only put half a banana in the mix.
When I challenged them about it I was told that bananas were too expensive at the moment. I pointed out that upstairs at Woolworths they were $2.60 per kilo so I wasn't buying that excuse. Having had some awesome smoothies (for less money as well) while I was away I declared I wasn't buying anything at the particular shop again.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

This is one example of a movie which looks awesomely funny in the trailer but disappoints once you see it.
That's the best way to sum up I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, starring Adam Sandler.
The basic concept, for those who don't know, is that Larry has failed to update his benefits to his children in the event of his death when his wife passed and is faced with his kids having no support should anything happen to him. Long story short he calls on his best mate Chuck (Sandler) whose life he saved during a fire fighting job to help out in an odd way.
He signs over his benefits to Chuck after declaring the two had formed a `domestic partnership'. They get investigated and are forced to pose as a gay couple.
I've got to say they went to some lengths to prove they were a couple and you're left wondering why. The Canadian wedding scene was one example.
Anyway there are laughs here but not as many as first thought. Jessica Biel is nice. I can't go any higher than a 6 out of 10.

Challenge accepted

Without going into detail, on Friday I'm taking up a challenge.
It's not something that in itself is difficult but something that became difficult due to circumstances of a couple of years ago.
But I've decided there is now no reason why I can't try and am going to give it a go. Like I said in theory it will be fine but it is something I really need to do, partially to prove it to myself, to feel a bit more `normal'.
I'm looking forward to Friday, for several reasons, but the challenge is an enjoyable activity (of sorts) and hopefully will help ease the restrictions on my boundaries. Most of you know what I it is but it's fun to be a bit cryptic from time to time.
Wish me luck!

This Delicate Thing We've Made

The long awaited (by me) third solo album from ex-Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes has arrived and, after about one and a half listens I present my verdict.
Some have said this is the album that they have been waiting for from Hayes. I personally thought that his previous album, The Tension And The Spark, was very satisfying though at times a shade depressing.
There's very little of that on This Delicate Thing We've Made, an indulgent 25-song opus which on the whole is excellent.
On first listen there are a couple of songs I immediately dismiss as utter crap, particularly the second last song on disc one called Bombs Up In My Face - aptly named I think because it really does blow. Strangely he follows that song with a cracker in The Great Big Disconnect.
There are some outstanding songs here, most notably Who Would Have Thought?, Sing To Me, The Sun Is Always Blinding Me, The Great Big Disconnect, Lucky Town, I Just Want You To Love Me, Words, The Tuning Of Violins and the single On The Verge Of Something Wonderful.
Looking at that list - if this was a single album and all those songs were there it'd be one of the best albums I've heard.
There are probably a couple more songs that will appeal but haven't on first listen - I found that the case with the previous album. Plus that's harder when they don't include the lyrics.
Overally, musically, this is a real pleasure to listen to. While 25 songs is probably too many at least you're getting value for money. Like `Tension', though I reckon this won't be a commercial success which is a shame, but Australia doesn't seem to have embraced Darren Hayes since Savage Garden split. Shame, but I still like what he's done (aside from the video clip to `On The Verge...', which is really appalling).

Not much to tell

Don't have an awful lot to add at the moment.
I'm listening to some of my music on the computer (Mariah's Fly Like A Bird is playing as a write this). I have a week off work coming up shortly which will be great.
The warmer weather over the last little while has been great, I've enjoyed taking the barefoot walks in the park nearby again (a great summer favourite of mine) and feeling the warmth of the sun has been great after such a cold, wet winter. Of course, like every year, it will get cold again before it gets warmer.

Die Hard 4.0

Check your grip on reality at the door when you see Die Hard 4.0 because over the top doesn't quite cut it as a description in the latest adventure of John McClane (Bruce Willis).

That's not saying it isn't entertaining and spectacular just not realistic - at all. But in the end what do you expect from a Die Hard movie made in the era of high-tec special effects and action movies that have to outdo the previous one.

McLean takes on the seemingly inocuous task of escorting a computer hacker (played by Justin Long) to be questioned and is caught up in a plot to shut down the country by a disgruntled government computer expert Thomas Gabriel (played brilliantly by Timothy Oliphant).

Also have to say that Kevin Smith, creator of such cult films as Clerks etc, has a great role here as a middle-aged computer geek whose cyberspace handle is Warlock.

The generation gap is quite humorously handled between McLean and his reluctant sidekick and the daughter Lucy is the obligatory family member/breautiful woman to be rescued. I don't mean to appear cynical because I really did enjoy the film.

And you will to, if you take it for what it is. Not in the league of Transformers, or I suspect the upcoming Bourne Ultimatum, but a solid 7.5 out of 10 for sheer entertainment value.

Eran James' Touched By Love

Do yourselves a favour and listen to this great song. It's called Touched By Love and it's by an 18-year-old guy called Eran James.
I've been a fan of his for a while thanks to his cracking debut album called Reviewing The Situation, which was released a couple of years ago.

He's got a new one coming out this month called Ten Songs About Love and what I've heard so far I like very much and I can't wait to get my hands on in.

His music is soulful/jazzy at times and certainly easy listening and I haven't heard a classier voice in a long time. Can't believe he's so young.

Human touch

Interesting article here confirming the benefits of human touch to people. Living in a place like Sydney, where people tend to keep at arms length, can be isolating. Now I'm not saying we should be hugging people on the train or bus or whatever. But the power of a simple touch is seemingly good for you.

Mind games

To what extend does the mind rule what's going on in your body?
I've been battling with that question lately as I've experienced a period of discomfort that seems to have no medical (physically) basis.
Through a bunch of tests over several months I have been continually told `there's nothing wrong' yet the symptom still remains. It settles for a while then returns at unpredictable times (one of those being the recent present).
I'm no stranger to a bit of health anxiety but, on the whole, I haven't felt particularly anxious for a while, at least not consciously, so it is all a bit strange. This episode has only served to highten my awareness of such issues.
So I wonder whether there is a part of the mind that is causing this. And assuming it is, how do I get it to settle down?
As I said a while back I tend not to pray for myself too much, at least I try not to, and always leave myself until last. Perhaps this is serving to teach me something. If there is nothing symptomatic of anything remotely serious (that I don't already know about) that should be enough to settle the mind. But perhaps I've been so shaken up by everything that has happened this year I am yet to completely settle down. I hope it is that simple.
I think I am pretty good at perseverence and I know that God doesn't test you beyond what you can handle.

Indecision part III

Nothing much has changed in the last couple of weeks and I'm not really any closer to settling on what I want to do and what I should do.
It's a little surreal actually that something that was a big part of life, and something I devoted a lot of time and effort to, isn't there anymore. More to the point, I'm not there anymore.
I think it had to be that way.
With a couple of notable exceptions I kind of feel excommunicated or at least fall into the out of sight out of mind category. That's okay I suppose. In some cases I have made a concerted effort not to disappear and some people I need to catch up with and offer an explanation. With one or two people I almost feel an apology is in order for not keeping up.
Everyone has their own crises, I know that, and I'm sure everyone struggles with how to weigh up their own issues with those of others.
This is one of those decisions that can't be taken lightly.
Sometimes I just push it to the background for a while and just cruise but it's always there and must be dealt with. Trouble is, I'm not sure I want to. Not just yet anyway.