Ray 101

As most introductory courses (at university) are listed as 101, I shall limit my list to that number. I'll be interested to see how interesting I am by the time I hit the century, so here goes....

1. I grew up in a country town.
2. I thought it was too small when I was younger.
3. Now the size and ease of travelling around (compared to Sydney) are some of the things I like about it when I visit.
4. I dislike country music, despite growing up in the country music capital.
5. One of my favourite CDs at the moment is by an American country band.
6. I have lived in Sydney for almost nine years but I still think of myself as a country boy.
7. I achieved my ultimate career goal seven years ago when I started working in horse racing reporting.
8. Despite that I really enjoy my job.
9. I became a proper Christian in 1999.
10. I'm not perfect.
11. I am far too organised.
12. Spontanaeity is not one of my stronger suits.
13. I can be impulsive at times, though.
14. I am single and most of the time quite like it (but not always).
15. I always thought I would be married by the time I was 26.
16. I am 32.
17. I have one sister and a nephew.
18. My nephew is very cool for a five-year-old and I want him to succeed in life.
19. I am sentimental and a romantic.
20. Sometimes I think I take things too seriously.
21. But I don't know how not to (if that makes sense).
22. I think the beach is something that should be looked at but not touched.
23. I am a self-confessed movie critic.
24. Last year I saw 31 films at the cinema.
25. The last movie I saw was Spider-Man 3.
26. My favourite film and the best film of 2006 was Brokeback Mountain.
27. My top five movies of all time are: Wonder Boys, High Fidelity, The Talented Mr Ripley, Shattered Glass and Good Will Hunting.
28. I am a sucker for romantic comedies.
29. I am a cat person.
30. If I ever own a dog it will be a husky or a german shepherd.
31. I am really good at table tennis.
32. My biggest vice is that I am a collector so I can't just have one CD by an artist I like or one movie or one season of a TV show.
33. My all-time favourite TV show is Friends.
34. I think Homer Simpson is the coolest, strangest, funniest and most offensive character on TV.
35. To me the funniest episodes and segments of the Simpsons are those that contain religious references.
36. My current favourite TV show is One Tree Hill.
37. Because it isn't on TV here the shows I love to watch are Heroes and Brothers & Sisters.
38. People think I watch too much TV.
39. When Friends was on, most people wouldn't ring me because they thought I wouldn't talk to them until it was over.
40. I almost did a business degree instead of journalism.
41. I have a phobia about magpies.
42. My `porn name' is Fluffy Woodwood (I'm sure everyone knows how these are derived).
43. I don't drink alcohol.
44. That is not entirely by choice.
45. I can't ski.
46. My favourite singer is Mariah Carey.
47. I have seen her in concert and her rendition of Hero as the final song almost brought me to tears.
48. That song is very special to me.
49. I think 80s music is great.
50. I think music today is fairly ordinary compared to the 80s-90s.
51. My favourite band is Lifehouse.
52. I have four favourite songs: Hero (Mariah), I'll Be There For You (Rembrandts), Crash And Burn (Savage Garden), Everything (Lifehouse).
53. My music taste is far too broad.
54. I own a New Kids On The Block CD and two Spice Girls CDs.
55. When I was a teenager I was grossly overweight.
56. I never liked that fact.
57. Most people think that number 55 is a an untruth, I assure you it is not.
58. I am idealistic.
59. Even though I really don't want to be, most of the time I am a `glass half empty' person.
60. I love going to and watching the horse races.
61. I think it is awesome that I get to get paid for this and that people pay attention to what I think about the races.
62. Until recently I was a tad ashamed of being good at what I do.
63. Since I have gotten over this I fear I come across as arrogant at times at work.
64. I don't know where the middle ground is with that issue.
65. I am not a competitive person unless it is something I know I am good at.
66. If I care about someone I make sure they know it.
67. I think life is too short for people not to know they are loved.
68. It bothers me that this side of me has been mistaken for something else in the past.
69. I care far too much what other people think.
70. Six months ago I had a breakdown at work.
71. It caused a health crisis and a bad bout of depression.
72. During this time I seriously considered quitting my job and doing nothing.
73. I learned the hard way that work doesn't come first.
74. The bad thing about loving my job is that I can't always switch off from it.
75. I am learning how to say no.
76. As a general rule I think church music is ordinary.
77. I love to feel inspired and moved by music in church.
78. This is why I love Hillsong music.
79. My faith in Jesus played a big role in pulling me out of depression earlier this year.
80. I am trying to read the bible more.
81. My friends are very important to me.
82. Lately I think I talk about myself too much.
83. I don't have a desire to travel overseas.
84. I did that a decade ago and had a great time.
85. When I was younger I wanted to live in the USA.
86. I cried at the end of It's A Wonderful Life.
87. And at the end of Pay It Forward.
88. In 2000 I was carry over champion for four nights on Wheel Of Fortune.
89. I won an island holiday, among other things, and went sandboarding.
90. I think we are far too reliant on email and SMS for communication these days and have lost the personal touch.
91. As much as I believe number 90 I still email and text more than phoning or visiting and I am trying to rectify that.
92. I'm very much a contact person.
93. That means I quite often touch someone I am talking to be it hand shake, pat on back, hand on a shoulder.
94. I'd like this to illustrate that I care about them.
95. I used to collect He-Man figures as a teenager.
96. I have never ridden a horse.
97. The Grand Canyon is the most amazing thing I have ever seen.
98. I have never been to Canberra, the nation's capital.
99. My favourite bible verse is Philippians 4:13.
100. It was sent to me by my best mate during a time of crisis to encourage me and I remember that verse every day.
101. If you want to know anything else just ask me.

First Time

Yesterday I had my first listen to the brand new Lifehouse track called `First Time'. They haven't lost it.
A new album is due out soon and now all we need is to get them to tour...

It's all coming back to me

Some people call it a rough patch, others call it wilderness. However you relate to a difficult period in your life, I've got to say that sometimes I think it is something you have to go through and other times I hope you never have to face.
I have found that a lot of things change, not just within yourself, when you are faced with such times. People react differently, and I know a bit about this.
When a major upheaval happens, and it can be anything it doesn't have to relate to illness or trauma, you change as a person. But the thing is other people don't change and some can't see that you are different, or at least altered.
In my life some people have been revelations. People I didn't really expect anything from have stepped up. Conversly people I did expect something from have disappared. That's a fact of life I suppose but it is never pleasant when you find out who your friends really are.
I don't hold anything against them. We are all faced with a choices when it comes to the people who are important in our lives and I'd much rather know where I stand than wonder.
So where am I at the moment? You know, sometimes I feel really good about things. I enjoy my work and while it still consumes more of my personal time that it should I am more wary of that than before.
Everyone has off days, and I have certainly had some. For me the off days are still hard to take because they remind me of the bad times just past.
At the same time it's not healthy to be always looking over my shoulder. I'm aware of the need to move forward but it isn't as easy at it sounds.
A few months back I thought the world was just going to swallow me up and in the really tough times I kind of wanted it to. Not good I know but that's how it felt.
I don't feel that way now, just so you know.
But during the last couple of months I have changed a few things, some temporarily, in an effort to rejuvenate myself.
I've attended a different church a bit. Looking for, I guess, the joy that is missing. While I won't find it in any building I have found a glimpse of the connection I guess I am seeking. Sometimes I still wonder why all this happened. I wonder whether things just happen at random. This of course clashes with my belief and faith in Jesus but it is something I concede I think about.
I've put a priority on relaxation, stress-reduction and enjoying things. Simple things I know but they are things that we don't prioritise in our lives until they are necessary.
This has been a long road back and one that is having its ups and downs. I sincerely hope it doesn't take too much longer. On one hand it has cost me six months or thereabouts, on the other it has the potential for creating a longer period of good health, not only physical but mental and emotional.
So that's where I stand. A little muddled, I realise, but really who has everything all worked out?

Listening to...

My current favourite songs are as follows...
1. How To Save A Life-The Fray
2. What Goes Around...Comes Around-Justin Timberlake
3. Little Wonders-Rob Thomas
4. This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race-Fall Out Boy
5. Steer-Missy Higgins

Not a lot of change apart from numbers 3 and 5 which are relatively new releases. That's more a reflection of the quality of music these days.
I'm still right into the Rascal Flatts CD I mentioned a while back. There are some great tracks there and a couple of amusing ones.

90210, season 2

I've just picked up season 2 of Beverly Hills 90210 and have knocked over a couple of episodes on my lazy Friday night in.
It is still showing its age a bit but isn't nearly as daggy as the first year.
In other news it was great to see the Building God's People show from Christians In The Media debut on the Christian Channel tonight. Still a shade rough around the edges but I am told that the production picks up markedly after a few episodes.
It didn't detract from the message and stands out among some of the more out there services that get a run on the channel.

Spider-Man 3

The dark side of Peter Parker is revealed in Spider-Man 3.
Beginning with a clever opening credits recap of the story so far, the film picks up with Peter (Tobey Maguire) and Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst)where we left off a few years back. Only unbeknownst to them a meteor has crashed nearby unleashing an alien being onto the planet and the back of Peter's scooter.
Elsewhere, Harry (an excellent James Franco) plots his revenge against Peter and we meet Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church) who is transformed into the Sandman.
There's a lot going on in Spider-Man 3. The action really takes off when the alien being attaches itself to the spider suit, turning it black and unleashing the dark side of Peter Parker.
As his college professor points out, the black stuff enhances the personality of its host and there are some very funny scenes of Peter and his new found confidence, particularly with the ladies. What we also see is a need for revenge against Marko, who it turns out was the man who killed Ben Parker in the first movie (though we didn't see him).
We meet two new characters in Eddie Brock (a fantastic Topher Grace), a hotshot photographer who is Peter's competition for a staff job at the bugle and Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard) who is Mary Jane's competition for Peter's affections.
When the alien, known as Venom, attaches itself to someone seeking vengeance we really have an awesome bad guy.
Like I said, there's a lot going on here. It could have been half an hour longer no problems and hopefully there is a director's cut for DVD.
My problem in rating this is that it was better than Spider-Man 2 (which I gave 9/10) but it's not the best movie I've seen this year.
I still have to give it 9 out of 10. It was entertaining, extremely well made and tailor made for fans, like myself. If you like the first two this doesn't disappoint. Let's just see if they leave it at three. One thinks they might not - if they have to go to four, we need the primary cast and crew back or we don't need another.

Jupiter

Some aweome pics of the New Horizons mission to Pluto, due to arrive there in 2015 by the way, of the amazing planet Jupiter of which the photo of this page is one.

The solar system and the universe are fascinating and mysterious and somehow seem not real, that we can be so unique that life can only exist here and nowhere else.

I like the idea that there could be another planet out there like Earth but if it is 440,000 years away then it doesn't seem worth pursuing.

But that's just me.

Heroes quote

While watching one of the best shows on the box I noticed this quote from my favourite character, Peter Petrelli.
`The people I love aren't distractions.'
Awesome.

Lost

I'm not really sure where I am at the moment.
Things have been shaken up so much in the first few months of the year and it still surprises me that it's May 1 already.
On a general level I think I am doing pretty well, then just when I convince myself of that something goes awry. Whether it was getting the cold a few weeks ago or some kind of small reminder of the panic attack days, there seems to be one thing or another to unsettle me.
This has led, among other things, for me to do a lot of questioning about what's going on.
I am well and truly able to function, this is a good thing, but there are times when, well, I can't. These are the really tough times. The hardest thing is that I don't think I truly understand what is going on and why my body and my mind seem to be at war.
Above everything else I just want to be me again. Happily, some days I am and they are the great ones. But give me a bad day and it will take a few to recover.
It's all getting a shade hard to handle. If you haven't seen me for a while rest assured I am okay, just struggling with `this whole thing'. I know it seems like that's been going on for a while.
Like I said, I'm just not sure where I am at the moment.

Vaccination

I had my first flu vaccination ever today.
It's a new thing to me and something I'm going to have to get used to. So far no ill effects. I guess I have come to expect ill effects from medications at the moment so am prone to over-reacting (as subtly pointed out by my housemate today).
Hopefully this means winter will be a shade nicer.

The Number 23

I've said it before, I love it when comedians do serious and Jim Carrey does an amazing turn in The Number 23, the new drama/mystery from director Joel Schumacher.
Carrey plays Walter Sparrow, an everyday husband and father whose life revolves around his family and his work with the animal retrieval service. He's good at his job and he generally likes his life, though he gets bored from time to time.
On his birthday Walter's wife Agatha (Virginia Marsden), while waiting for him to meet her, sees a book called `The Number 23' in a used bookstore and after flipping through it decides Walter would enjoy reading it.
Walter doesn't so much enjoy reading the book rather he becomes obsessed with it and the number 23 which seems to dominate his life once he goes looking for it.
My bias towards Jim Carrey and serious roles (eg. The Truman Show, The Cable Guy, The Magestic, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind) aside this is a very impressive performance from him. There is little if no sign of the rubber faced comic of his more famous roles.
The Number 23 is a very watchable film and as it goes on it draws you in (or it did me) to a point where it had me guessing for a while. There are probably better mystery/thrillers out there but this is a good one, because if you're partial to conspiracies like everything being related to a number then it will interest you.
I'm going to give it an 8.5 out of 10. Carrey is excellent and it is his film, but he is ably supported by a solid cast and some of the camera work is very surreal, adding to the overall feel.
An interesting footnote. At the end of the film Numbers 32:23 is flashed on the screen. It reads: `But if you do not do this, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.' Interesting.

Rascal Flatts

Most people who know me would know why I dislike country music, at least the old style.
But, I just picked up Me & My Gang, the latest CD by US country group Rascal Flatts and I've got to say, on the whole, I like it a lot.
I only heard of them last year when they covered the track Life Is A Highway for the soundtrack to the Pixar film Cars.
While as I write this I am still on the first listen I already want to listen again. There's something about country music that seems more genuine than popular music. Perhaps it is all the heartache they sing about.
It's funny, there's a song on this CD called Backwards. Essentially it is an anti-country song in that you don't lose everything, instead everything comes back. if that makes sense.
Perhaps I am going to have to change my views on country music. Or perhaps this CD is one of the exceptions to the rule.

ANZAC Day

`..at the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.'
Lest We Forget.

One Tree update

Two more episodes of my favourite show last night with the crew.
`Good News For People Who Like Bad News' and `Can't Stop This Thing We Started', episodes three and four from season 4 of One Tree.
The good thing is the show just keeps getting better.
Peyton's (Hilary Burton, pictured) `brother' Derek turns out to be a stalker (I've got to admit I didn't like him from the start of the third episode so I wasn't surprised he turned out to be obsessed with her). Rachel continues to make a play for Nathan while spreading rumours that Brooke is pregnant.
Lucas is missing basketball and Skills turns out to be a hit in his first game for the Ravens. There was a particularly funny bit when he was on the bench and another player saysd he's been sitting the bench for two years and hasn't got onto the court yet.
Deb is becoming interesting again as she flies headfirst off the rails and into addiction and Dan is unconvincing trying to play the good guy.
I'm sure I could go on for ages. Just awaiting news on a season 5, which is apparently going to be set some five years after high school. It's a new idea and it would be great to see what happens as opposed to a `College Years' season which didn't really work for 90210 or Dawsons Creek.

Good memories

I had a call tonight from my cousin David. It's been about 15 years since we saw each other last and that was at his first wedding and he couldn't recall seeing me there. (I suppose that's not a surprise, I imagine a wedding day as being a bit of a blur).
Last week I had called him because I was told of the death of his father, my uncle Steve, of a brain tumour after about six months since diagnosis. So naturally it wasn't in great circumstances. But it's strange how these things always bring long lost family members together.
David said he remembers me as a little kid. I found that somewhat funny, and said he would then be surprised that I am about six foot two or so. I don't remember him as a little kid though as we used to hang out a bit when our families came together. He's about seven years older than me so I guess that's not surprising.
It was awesome to talk to him though. I only have good memories of Steve and of when David and I used to hang out. Steve was a very enthusiastic, fun guy who was always interested in having a joke and good time with you, regardless of whether you were an adult or a child. His life circumstances changed through divorce but I haven't seen any of that other that seeing my aunt a number of times since it happened.
Regardless of that, as I said I only have good memories of Steve and it is sad that he died.
It turns out David comes to Sydney a few times a year so there's a good chance we'll catch up sometime this year. Won't that be weird. But it will be interesting.
As far as blasts from the pasts go, tonight's conversation with my cousin was amazing.

A win of sorts

Those in a position to decide what medication is subsidised by the government made a good move, finally by allowing Infliximab to be included on the PBS yesterday.
While there are conditions on who gets access to it, the subsidy will make the drug accessible to many who can't afford it.
Fortunately, at this point and touch wood, I am not someone who requires this drug and I hope I never will but it is good to know that things are heading in the right direction as far as availablility goes.
Like most decisions involving government on any level, the listing of Infliximab doesn't go far enough in that some people who may benefit won't meet the criteria for receiving it. But it's a start anyway.
This is why subsidy was needed, now it is up to the Government to guarantee funding for the coverage of this drug.

Shooter

The timing of the release of this film in Australia is unfortunate given what happened in the USA this week.
That said, the first thing to know about Shooter is that this is a very good film.
I say that because I went in expecting a bit of mindless action, I guess, even though it stars Mark Walhberg, who is really becoming a decent actor.
Wahlberg plays Bob Lee Swagger, a government trained marksman who was abandoned on a mission and left for dead. His partner is killed and he goes into exile. Three years later he is drawn back into the world when Colonel Isaac Johnson (Danny Glover) seeks him out to foil an attempted assassination on the president.
Or so he is led to believe. Swagger is double crossed by Johnson and framed for the assassination and he goes on the run.
Wahlberg is particularly good as the man determined to get justice and revenge on those who have used him and is unnervingly convincing. Yes there are probably some holes in the plot and such but, let's face it, it is an action film. However, it does have some intelligence and certainly had me hooked and interested.
It's also interesting to see Glover in the bad guy role, particularly in the light of his role in the Lethal Weapon films.
Shooter did surprise me but in hindsight these type of movies hang on how likeable the lead is and Wahlberg is very likeable, as is the support cast. So, while it's not Oscar material, Shooter is a tight, entertaining action film. An 8 out of 10.

Simpsons movie preview

I finally caught the full preview to the highly anticipated Simpsons movie today. If the expectations weren't high enough, the preview was a cracker.
I must admit to being a bit apprehensive about the film because the show has been on for 18 years so far and, on the whole, has been pretty damn good so they are on a hiding to nothing really.
Whether they can sustain it for 90 minutes remains to be seen but from the almost two minute preview, which was heaps better than the teaser trailer, I think the bar has been lifted even higher.
Doesn't come out until July but all I can say is bring it on!

Happenings

I took a lieu day from work and it's been a pretty good one.
My sister and nephew came over this morning for a while before driving back to the country. We went for a walk and Josh marvelled at all the spider webs around (which got me talking about Spider-Man 3 for a while) and we ended up at park where he went on the swing for a while.
After lunch I went and visited a friend for afternoon tea which was also quite pleasant and I've been for my almost daily walk, which is something I am enjoying at the moment.
I'm just about over the cold I picked up about 10 days ago. The odd sniffle here and there now seems to be all that remains. There is another minor (hopefully) issue at the moment that is annoying me and hopefully it will go away real soon.
When the cold was around it reminded me a lot of the times earlier this year when things weren't great and made me fear things going back to that period. Thankfully it hasn't reached that but I guess I'm still on alert.
The good thing about today being Tuesday is that tomorrow is Wednesday and Heroes will be on. I'm pretty well hooked on this show at the moment. It's so interesting and the characters are awesome, I'm very eager to see where it is heading.

Have Silverchair jumped the shark?

The new Silverchair album Young Modern has been met with much adulation and four-to-five star reviews from music critics.

This self-confessed critic has a different point of view on their first album in five years - it isn't very good. And that's a shame for me because I do own all their CDs, from 1995s Frogstomp.

The biggest disappointment for me is that, after a couple of listens, I can't find a song I like more than the single `Straight Lines', which has been number one on the Australian charts for four weeks so far.

It took me a while to warm to Straight Lines and I'd say I'm warm on it but that's about it. The song has a reasonable message in there among some pretty dodgy lyrics. The indulgent Those Thieving Birds/Strange Behaviour double has its moments but I'm really struggling to find highlights.

Musically the album has no guts, like the previous albums Diorama and Neon Ballroom, and Daniel Johns' singing is very strange.

I've tried really hard to like Young Modern, given it time to try and let it grow on me but it hasn't and I don't see where all the praise is coming from. It makes me think of that old TV analogy of when a show passes its best.

I'm beginning to think that Silverchair may have jumped the shark and there may be no going back. I hope I am wrong, really I do.

Resumption

Surprisingly my phone problems have been rectified quickly, within two days in fact, and I am back on line. Yay.

Break in transmission, again

Thanks to Telstra I'm going to be out of action from time to time (mainly when I'm not at work) as my phone line is down.
Hopefully this will only be a short outage of a couple of days.

Joey retires

It is a sad day in rugby league, the great man has retired.

Certainly the best player in the modern game, Andrew Johns is arguably the greatest player of all time and his retirement leaves a huge hole in the Newcastle Knights.

Admittedly, we all saw it coming a couple of seasons ago when he sustained yet another injury to the neck. I recall saying I hoped Newcastle were making plans for the day when he wouldn't be playing any more and I guess we'll find out this season if they have been.

I was fortunate enough to meet Joey a couple of times (both at the races) and I found him to be a pretty good guy and happy to chat to anyone.

Injury is not the way the greats should go out, this weekend was to be Joey's 250th game for the Knights, and it's a shame he can't have a proper, on field, farewell.

Setback

Just when things were going pretty well it appears I've been felled by a virus.
One of the good things about Sydney, though, is that even though it is Easter Sunday I was still able to see a doctor, albeit not my usual one.
After a check-up he concluded everything was fine functionally and that I had a low grade temperature. So he said don't go to work tomorrow and have plenty of fluids and rest. Hopefully within a day or two it will be out of the way.
It's only been about six weeks since I got over what happened before so this comes as a bit of a setback. Mainly because I hated feeling crummy then and this is just a reminder. More importantly, I don't want to go back to where I was a few months ago. It was a truly horrible time.

Another long season

Looks like it could be another tough year for the Knights.
Melbourne wins 22-12 against a Joey-less Newcastle team and there's uncertainty over the future of Johns.
Newcastle had their chance at 18-12 down to level the scores but the Storm were too strong. Now, where's my Melbourne flag?

Hard Candy

After shaking of a hit of post-film trauma I can write about a very disturbing film, one that I'm not recommending.
Hard Candy is a movie that I think crosses the line, for me anyway. Its subject matter is controversial enough as it is and I won't go into it here. If you want to know click the link for the IMDB page on the movie.
I've seen some pretty controversial movies over the years and this ranks right up there. However, with some of the others like Mysterious Skin, Head On etc I left disturbed but feeling like the experience was worth it. I felt I grew from having seen them.
All I feel is that the protagonist Haley (Ellen Page) got away with something (twice, at least, it seems) and comes away looking like a sweet little girl, the heroine of the film.
Maybe it was because Jeff (Patrick Wilson) had to endure believing he had his balls cut off and going through that scene with him, I have some sympathy even if it seems he wasn't such a nuce guy. I'd say to the guys out there, you don't need to see this (it is not graphic in any way, just suggestive).
With a cast of five (and three of them might have about 10 sentences between them) this is a small film but powerful and the performances of the two leads are outstanding. But that's as far as I want to take the praise.
Why did I see it? The film had decent reviews, despite the subject area, and I thought I was likely to take something from watching it. I only got trauma.
Should you see it? If it interests you I won't say it's not interesting as far as the performances and such goes but do you really want to put yourself through it?

The O.C. & me, part III

After what can only be descibed as a much needed break from watching The O.C., I finally finished off season 3 today.
It was good to have a break from it but it was pretty easy to get sucked back into the trials of Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer.
I'll cut right to the chase. The cliffhanger in which Ryan and Marissa are involved in a car accident was such a cliche I can't believe it.
Even though midway through season 1 I really didn't like Marissa I have to admit in season 3 she was much more interesting. In fact, I am finding Ryan much more annoying now.
Seth is still Seth, he's the best thing about the show and his relationship with Summer, and to a lesser extent his dad, is very interesting.
There's a great scene in the last episode where Sandy is telling Seth how proud he is of him then hugs him, saying `I love you'. Seth's reply is classic, `I can't say I love you to another guy, but I have much affection for you'.
Anyway, when season 4 is released on DVD I'm sure I will finish off the series. I didn't watch the finale when it was on here so I don't know what happened. I just hope it wasn't as cliched as the end of the third year.

CD's revisited: 1927's ...ish

I haven't done this for a while but, anyway, this CD would be one of the first albums I ever bought.
Released in late 1988, ...ish began for me a passion for music - not that I can play anything other than a CD player for myself - and happily for Australian music.
1927 kind of burst onto the scene in the late 80s with two big hits, `That's When I Think Of You' and `If I Could' from this debut album. And I pretty much got hooked. I still like to listen to this and the other two 1927 CDs, The Other Side and 1927.
...ish is quintessential Australian soft rock with easy to listen to songs and some tender ballads, particularly If I Could and a bittersweet war song `Compulsory Hero'.
I actually saw 1927 in concert a couple of times but they were well past when their popularity was at a peak and certainly not with the original line-up, which changed a couple of times.
This goes down as one of my all-time favourite CDs. They certainly don't make music like this anymore.

Weird week

I don't know about anyone else but this week seems a bit strange.
A few people I spoke to today had the same view. Must be the short week thing.
Today really didn't feel like Wednesday (apart from Heroes being on) and tomorrow is definitely going to feel like Friday at work.
The good news is, for the first time in a while, I get a long weekend - three days off in a row. Not sure exactly what I'm doing yet. The weather will decide a bit for Saturday and Derby Day at Randwick.

Sunday wedding

It has been a huge weekend.
For some reason my friends David and Marlene decided to get married at 9.30am today. It does sound somewhat like an April Fool's Day thing (and at one point I thought they told us the wrong time for a joke) but it was an awesome day.
The setting couldn't have been any more perfect. An outdoor seated (some standing) wedding overlooking Sydney Harbour from Gunners' Barracks at Mosman. The weather was a shade cool this morning but as the day progressed it was quite spectacular.
So despite hanging out in the beauty of nature with good friends, a few drinks, a meal and conversation I'm pretty stuffed. But a good kind of stuffed, there is a reason for it. I've got to say I'm a bit sick of the sight of my suit.
That takes me to yesterday and the Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill. My tipping was pretty ordinary (everyone has an off day now and then) but the day was excellent. Some great people, a few of whom I work with, to spend the day discussing the races and the other `distractions' of a glamourous day like Slipper Day.
Next Saturday is Derby Day over at Randwick. At this stage I plan to go, we'll just see how this week pans out. Like Slipper Day, Derby Day is usually an A-grade event and one of those events you (i.e. me) don't want to miss.

Golden Slipper

Tomorrow is one of the great days on the Australian racing calendar. It's Golden Slipper Day, the world's richest race for two-year-olds at Rosehill.
For the record I have tipped Murtajill, Sleek Chassis and Forensics.
The other feature is the BMW and I have tipped Desert War even though there is some doubt about him running a strong 2400m.
I'm looking forward to a good day out at the track, it will be a big one but it's one of those days you don't want to miss.

Two years.....

On this day in 2005 my life as I knew it changed forever.

Reign Over Me

We meet Charlie (Adam Sandler) as he glides through the streets of New York on a motorised scooter, seemingly without a care in the world.
Alan (Don Cheadle) has the perfect life. He's a successful dentist, has a wife and two daughters. Nothing, however, is how it seems.
Charlie and Alan were college room-mates but when they run into each other Charlie can't remember the guy he lived with for two years. He's always distracted and Alan makes it his job to discover why Charlie is not the man he remembers.
At the same time Alan is feeling smothered by his family, he feels he has lost his itentity and craves some air. He even hates the job that has given him security.
Charlie, as we learn, is living in heavy denial. He lost his family, and in some way his life, on 9/11.
I've already mentioned how much I like comedians who do drama. Sandler is amazing as the tortured Charlie. At times he's almost child-like in his approach to the world having tried so hard to suppress what he has been through.
In one particularly moving scene he says: `I don't like to remember'.
Reign Over Me is a story about grief, about loss, about friendship, and about healing. Both men are in need of healing, in different ways, and watching them use each other to claw their way back into life was profound.
This is truly a brilliant film. It's raw at times but also tender and you really feel for Charlie and what he is going through. Sandler is a revelation here. He pulls off the heavy scenes like a seasoned pro and Cheadle ably backs him up.
I had high expectations going in and Reign Over Me more than lived up to them. A very strong 9 out of 10.

Brothers & Sisters

Fast becoming one of my favourite TV shows, Brothers & Sisters

has become compulsory viewing on a Monday night.
I love a good drama and this one has all the elements of the type of show I can't resist. Kind of funny in parts but moreover it is believable drama. And very well cast.
Sally Field is always excellent and her matriarch Nora is a good role for her. Calista Flockhart, though still Ally McBeal is also very good as Kitty. The guys are all well cast and I quite like Matthew Rhys' character of Kevin.
So far this show has kept me hooked and I can't wait to get to the next one. I hope they keep up the quality because it's close to faultless at the moment.

Getting to know me: 2007 edition

My friend Tim sent me this on email, instead of emailing it out to heaps of people I post it here for those interested. You know the deal, I have omitted irrelevant questions.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6.30am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Hot Fuzz
4.What is your favourite TV show? One Tree Hill (current); Friends (all-time)
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Usually two pieces of toast and either juice or water.
6. Favourite cuisine? Can't go past a good roast.
7. What is your middle name? Denis.
8. What food do you dislike? Really hot curries.
9. What is your favourite CD at the moment? How To Save A Life by The Fray
10. What kind of car do you drive? Nissan Pulsar
11. Favourite sandwich? Lettuce, tomato, beetroot, mushroom and cheese.
12. What characteristic do you despise? Inconsistency.
13. Favourite item of clothing? My jeans.
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation? California, already done it.
15. What colour is your bathroom? A caveman-like brownish tile.
16. Favourite brand of clothing? Don't have one.
17. Where would you retire to? Anywhere but Sydney.
18. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My 30th, the surprise party.
19. Favourite sport to watch? Come on, horse racing.
20. Furthest place you are sending this? Cyberspace.
23. Favourite saying? `How you doin'?' (not that I use it though)
24. When is your birthday? March 22
25. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning, just.
26. What is your shoe size? 11
27. Pets? No
29. What did you want to be when you were little? Bigger, now I want to be smaller.
31. What is your favourite candy? I don't eat candy but it used to be Turkish Delight.
32. What is your favourite flower? Has to be a rose.
33. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? May 3, when Spiderman 3 is released.
34. What are you listening to now? What Goes Around..Comes Around by Justin Timberlake.
35. What was the last thing you ate? Some cruskits with vegemite.
36. Do you wish on stars? No
37. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Green or blue.
38. How is the weather right now? Overcast and a little cool.
39. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? A lady called Maryanne from Adelaide.
40. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yeah he's a good guy.
41. Favourite drink? Cranberry juice.
42. Favourite restaurant? Don't really have one.
43. Hair colour? Brown
44. Siblings? One sister.
45. Favourite day of the year? Can't pick just one.
46. What was your favourite toy as a child? My He-Man collection.
47. Summer or winter? Summer out of those two.
48. Hugs or kisses? I like hugs but kisses are good too.
49. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.
51. When was the last time you cried? When I watched It's A Wonderful Life.
52. What is under your bed? Boxes.
53. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Steve, who I've known for about 16 years.
54. What did you do last night? Went to church
55. Favourite smell? After rain.
56. What are you afraid of? God
57. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn? Don't eat popcorn.
58. How many keys on your key ring? Eight.
59. How many years at your current job? Six and a bit.
60. Favourite day of the week? Saturday
61. How many towns have you lived in? Four - Tamworth, Narromine, Dubbo, Sydney.

What's the rush?

It seems we are always in a hurry. Whether it's to get to work, to get something done or for something to happen. I know this because I am one of these people.
What I learned tonight was nothing new but it comes as a timely reminder having just recently thrown myself back into work at the same speed I was travelling before I came to a screeching halt late last year. Have I learned anything?
Tonight I visited a church* not too far from home. I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, nor was I `church shopping', just a different take on church to what I am used to.
And it was different. Vibrant, emotive, somewhat unstructured, accessible and very much street level church.
The music was uplifting, a little Hillsong-esque but that's not a bad thing in my books as I really get into that style. I like to be moved by music and I was.
If I have a criticism it is that the sermon was a bit patchy. However, what it lacked in style it made up for in message. God brings you to certain places, puts you in certain situations for a reason, and I'm sure I went to this church tonight for a purpose.
A large part of the talk was devoted to prayer and the need to commit to praying daily. If you start small that's fine but build up gradually. You don't go from five minutes a day to an hour in one hit.
The secondary message, and the one that spoke to me, was that we need to slow down. Why do we rush everywhere. God is in control so let him be, don't be in a hurry to have something done yesterday. This is where I have erred.
Tonight was a good night. I enjoyed the new experience and the opportunity to share church with some friends I either haven't done this with in a while or before. Importantly, I left the church smiling.
(* This post should not be taken as a slight against my current church, I am merely recording my experience.)

Since when is prayer an intrusion?

I mentioned a few days ago about a guy who I had not been in contact with for a couple of years.
Well i decided to check in and see how he had been in the past week, to let him know I had been praying for him in his situation.
Basically I wanted him to know that he needn't be alone in the problem he was having, even if I guess I was in part a contributor to his issue.
Anyway, the reply I got took me by surprise.
It was: `I never asked you to pray for me. You are intruding my boundaries by doing that. Please don't pray for me again'.
So my question is, since when is prayer an intrusion? Was it wrong for me to pray for him? I didn't think so. Anyway he's decided to cut off all communication again, seemingly. I guess I'll get another text message out of the blue in a couple more years time.
I just hope he wants to help himself, because from where I stand he doesn't want others (me particularly) to help.

OTH season 4 kickoff

Well with the planned movie being canned for the night, Plan B turned out to be quite nice with the One Tree crew gathering for the first two episodes of season 4.

`The Same Deep Water As You' and `Things I Forgot At Birth' kicked off the fourth season of the best drama on the box (or in our case on DVD).

Cooper and Rachel have plunged into the river in the limo and Nathan has dived in to save them but becomes trapped in the car, so it seems.

Lucas and Haley (pictured) are powerless to help.

It was a powerful start to the new season with lives hanging in the balance, the possibility of up to four characters being pregnant (one is confirmed) and Dan faced with someone knowing he killed his brother.

It was great to get into some fresh episodes of One Tree Hill, despite the fact I wasn't feeling awesome, I couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday. It really was a great night, hopefully I can reschedule the movie with everyone else because I am really keen to see Reign Over Me.

Anyway, season 4 has certainly picked up where the third left off. If it continues to get better we are in for an awesome 21 episodes.

Brant's life story...so far

Congratulations to Brant on reaching 30. I've been reading his blog for a while and he seems like a top class man, it's just a shame he's on the other side of the world.
Otherwise I'm sure we'd be friends.
Hope it was a good one mate.
Here is Brant's story so far.

32

Today's the day, but I wish I had better news to report.
Had a bit of a setback and am not feeling brilliant. Not too bad, and certainly not anywhere near a few months ago, but the timing is disappointing.
I actually made it to work but went home after about an hour. The doctor is saying a cold or a virus is most likely and to rest, fluids, panadol etc.
The shame is I had a bit planned for tonight but I have had to can those plans.
My thinking is that I have pushed too much too soon and have not paid enough attention to caring for myself. I have tomorrow off and the weekend so hopefully I can bounce back.
Last night the bible study group played putt putt golf. Good fun. It was going to be bowling but there were no lanes available.
Hopefully day two of being 32 is better...

Hot Fuzz

From the team who made Shaun Of The Dead (which I haven't yet seen) is an action film spoof Hot Fuzz.
Promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the sleep town of Sanford for being too good a police officer, Nicholas Angel is baffled at the attitude of the townsfolk toward law and order.
He's partnered up with Danny Futterman, the son of the local inspector and, somewhat of a dimwit offsider. He's obsessed with action movies and longs for some `real' police work. It's doubtful, however, that he could handle it.
When a series of townsfolk die in mysterious circumstances, Angel makes it his mission to track down who did it even though the rest of the police just write the deaths off as accidents.
It seems a lot of accidents happen in Sanford.
This film is a spoof and it's worth keeping that in mind. I won't give away any more but to say it has a surprising last third or so.
As entertainment it rates fairly well and because of that I'm giving it a 7.5 out of 10.

How to save a life...

It's time I reflected on what has happened in the last few months. It has been quite a ride.
Towards the end of November I started to feel unwell and quite tired. As it turned out I was very run down and literally couldn't go on another day.
I took three weeks off work and when I returned I wasn't any better, in fact if anything I was worse. The meltdown, as I refer to it, caused a relapse of my illness.
For a couple of weeks I struggled a lot to go work and do anything else, I was lost my appetite and consequently lost weight. By Christmas Eve I ended up in hospital, fortunately only for the day. Christmas, as you can imagine wasn't overly fun - I didn't leave the house, didn't eat much and wasn't enjoying it.
I had another two weeks off work. By the time I went back I still wasn't feeling that great but battled on for three weeks before taking more time off. This time it was five weeks in total. Just before that I was suffering panic attacks and massive anxiety, brought on by both the meltdown and the relapse.
Life wasn't overly fun. In some way I was losing a bit of hope, and wasn't handling the pressure than my body was under. And that was just the body, the mind is another matter.
By this time the body had well and truly begun to heal. I wasn't losing weight and I could eat again so that battle was becoming easier. It took a massive toll though, I lost interest in my work and, to this time have only seen three films at the cinema for the year.
I needed to learn how to relax. I was far too wound up and I felt like I had dug myself into a hole I couldn't get out of. I wanted to quit my job and it didn't bother me that I would have nothing to move on to. (I didn't quit my job though, I was advised not to make any drastic changes while in such a predicament and it was good advice.)
Then there was the medication, which I won't go into in detail. Some things were tried and they didn't work. But eventually I started to feel better. After about three weeks off work I began to have energy again, I was interested in things again and I felt like myself, but perhaps a bit better.
I've now been back at work for two weeks and I generally feel pretty good. I've even been getting to work at my regular start time of 7.30am and that is something I thought impossible a few months ago.
It's great to be in this position now and the timing is good, being so close to birthday number 32. I have learned a lot in the last few months and hopefully some of you who know me have noticed, but I still have a way to go.
What I do have to acknowledge is the help of one person particularly, who I don't need to name, who never let me lose hope, who showed amazing patience and who always stuck by me. I am very fortunate.
There were times I thought `is this what it feels like to be dying?'. It is unfortunately possible that all this could happen again but it is now up to me, with the help of those around me hopefully, to ensure that I am better prepared for it, to not be freaked out and to manage difficult times.
In some ways I feel like my life has been saved, that I have been given another chance.
I'd be silly to pass up that opportunity.

Knights win!

When Andrew Johns is taken from the field on a stretcher after just four minutes in the first game of the season it's enough to make you look for another team to support for the year.
But as I was reaching for my Melbourne Storm flag I discover Newcastle has made a miraculous comeback from 24-8 down at half time to win 25-24, without Joey.
So there's still some hope but gee we still need Johns back on the field.
Hope it isn't too serious or the game's best player might have just played his last. Late note: it seems Joey may only miss next week's game so that it is a huge relief!

What goes around...

For some reason, one that I can't at this point work out, I really like the new Justin Timberlake song `What Goes Around...Comes Around'.
I thoroughly hated his last two singles and despite loving Rock Your Body from a couple of years ago it still surprises me that I like this one.
It does feature Scarlett Johansson in the film clip, which goes some eight minutes or so.
Still, the song is remarkably catchy.
Perhaps that's why I like it.

The O.C. & me part II

I ripped through the second season of The O.C., disturbingly fast, a short while back and my view of it hasn't changed much from the first year.
It didn't get better but it was about the same and addictive enough to keep someone with nothing better to do hooked.
The best thing about season 2 was again Seth (Adam Brody) and his strange relationship with Summer (Rachel Bilson). At the end of the first season he took off on a boat when Ryan (Ben McKenzie) returned home, figuring that he'd go back to being a nobody.
His wisecracking, insecure, sarcastic nature is what makes the show watchable and it would be very dull without him. The Spiderman rip-off (which is in the picture) was pretty great and it was clever how they set it up.
The odd thing about season 2 was the lesbian relationship Marissa got into. I don't know where they were coming from, perhaps it was supposed to show another side to her rebellion.
I have watched quite a bit of season 3 and will review it when finished.

Forgiven not forgotten

Yesterday I received a surprise text message from a guy I hadn't heard from in over two years.
Let's just say there was some unpleasantness, I didn't exactly handle a situation well and we had a falling out. That's putting it lightly.
I won't go into what happened but basically he didn't want to have anything to do with me. In a way I kind of understand. I was disappointed, both in myself for behaving badly and in him for not wanting to address the problem.
Anyway his correspondance on Friday came quite unexpected but welcome. He'd been wrestling with the issue for a while, much more than I had I admit though I have had distractions in the last couple of years, and decided God told him he needed to forgive me.
It's an amazing feeling when someone says (even if it is in a text message) that they forgive you. However it wasn't so amazing to read that he had `hatred in his heart' toward me. I really didn't think I could have that effect on anyone, nor have I tried to.
I was pleased that he had forgiven me and, perhaps hastily, suggested we should resume hanging out. He's not yet ready for that.
The shame is that we did get on pretty well and had several similar interests so I was/am keen to go back there.
I'm working on it but I have the feeling that it will be a slow process.

30 Seconds To Mars

I kind of stumbled upon this band a while back courtesy of the song The Kill (Bury Me) - I didn't know why I liked it but I liked it.
The band is 30 Seconds To Mars and is actually led by actor Jared Leto, who has been in some films I have seen but to be honest wasn't that great an actor. Or at least hadn't found `the part' yet.
However, his band is a different story. Having listened to the album `A Beautiful Lie' a couple of times on the train I've got to say it's really, really, good.
Not really my cup of tea normally as it is a bit on the heavy side at times but it's interesting and the music has drawn me into it. I was a little skeptical when I first listened but that faded fairly fast. After a couple of listens, the best songs are The Kill, From Yesterday, A Beautiful Lie and Was It A Dream? but overall it's a decent listen.
Not for everyone but it certainly surprised me.

Back online

I picked up my computer this afternoon and all works as it should.
It's been a long two weeks.
Welcome back....

I miss my computer

It's amazing how you get so used to convenience.
For over a week now I have been without my computer at home and man I miss it.
Just last weekend we had a blackout for about 40 minutes and had to sit in the dark, no TV, didn't even have a candle, until the power came back on.
I never use my computer for much other than blogging, a bit of net surfing and email, and the occasional piece of writing either for work or myself. But it's presence has certainly been taken for granted. I also miss the large number of songs on my iTunes, some of which I had downloaded as I didn't own the CD.
(eg. songs like Evermore's Running, Fall Out Boy's This Ain't A Scene..., etc)
Hopefully it will be repaired next week some time...

OTH season 3 wrap

Some television shows just keep getting better.
Last night the One Tree Hill crew finished off season 3 and we have been left wondering how can it possibly lift the bar again in season 4 after a year that can only be described as groundbreaking.
Featuring and highlighted by the episode With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept which saw a student bring a gun to school eventually causing two lives to be lost was both brave and moving as already mentioned a while ago.
The cliffhanger from season 3 sees a newly remarried Haley screaming for help as her husband Nathan dives into a creek to save his uncle Cooper and, probably unknowingly, bad girl Rachel after their car plunges into the water.
We see Nathan gasping for air inside the submerged car. Who survives and what will be the aftermath? And exactly who is pregnant?
It's been a cracking season. Bring on season 4!

Rocky Balboa

The sixth film in the Rocky series picks up many years after Rocky 5 and, it must be said, thank goodness for that.
Why would Sylvester Stallone revive a series that suffered a long and painful death in the 90s after winning an Oscar for Best Picture for the original 30 years ago?
I'd say the answer, apart from perhaps a lack of suitable roles for him, is because he realised how much the fifth film sucked and he wanted Rocky to have a fitting ending. On that score I'm glad he did revisit it.
The film picks up at least a decade after the last and Rocky is living a semi-meaningless existence following the death of his wife Adrian. He owns a restaurant and is somewhat of a celebrity in the neighbourhood, much to the dislike of his son.
After a computer simulation predicts Rocky would have beaten the present day champion in a fight the champ's manager coaxes Rocky out of retirement for an exhibition dream match, realising that their fighter is hugely unpopular despite being undefeated.
The film is a little slow to begin, there is a lot of context and filling in the holes from the long period of time between films. The best part of this film, for me, was the relationship between Rocky and his son. There was a great monologue by Rocky where he tells his son that he needn't live in his father's shadow and has the ability to forge his own life.
The ending, while I won't give it away, was very fitting. And you've got to love the Rocky theme. Not the greatest film of all time but if you're a fan of the early films this is a must-see.
A 7.5 out of 10.

Break in transmission

I've been out of action, computer wise, for a few days as my machine needed a repair.
So, as a result, my posting has been non-existant for a while and will be sporadic for the next week or so I'd say. Though, since I go back to work next week perhaps it won't be as irregular.
The thing about technology is that we take it for granted and you don't realise how convenient it is until something goes wrong.

Listening to...

My top songs at the moment are as follows:

1. How To Save A Life - The Fray
2. Don't Give Up - Shannon Noll & Natalie Bassingthwaighte
3. Say It Right - Nelly Furtado
4. This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race - Fall Out Boy
5. Over My Head - Brian Littrell

I'm also loving a song called We Belong Together by Gavin Degraw but I can't seem to get my hands on it yet. It featured on an episode of One Tree Hill that I saw this week.

The O.C. & me

There has always been a kind of hate-hate relationship between myself and The O.C., that is until this week.

After running out of excuses not to try it, and despite being convinced I would really not like it, I've spent much of my spare time this week ripping through season 1 on DVD. OK, so I'm not particularly proud of it but I got hooked.

It could have come from having nothing better to do. I am certainly not going to rush out and add it to the collection though I am curious as to what happens in season 2. The O.C. has at least had an airing on TV here, unlike the far superior One Tree Hill, and wraps up this week.

The main reason for my liking the show is clearly the character of Seth, played by Adam Brody (pictured above). Insecure, witty, sarcastic Seth is what makes the show watchable. He's kind of like the teenage Chandler. I find Marissa intensely annoying and I liked Ryan but only when he wasn't tangled up with Marissa. And why the heck do they have to say `hey' all the time.

Anyway, to sum up my O.C. experience. Pleasantly surprised, a tad curious about what happens next but happy to be obsessed with a better all-round show.

Guess who's coming to dinner?

OK, thanks to Jono I have to name four people (past or present) I would invite to dinner should I ever feel the urge. As he remarked, this is clearly a way to weasel out some part of one's personality that isn't already on display.
If I did this again another day I may come up with four completely different people, but here goes.

Michael J. Fox - I find the recent turn in his life fascinating, encouraging and important. Notwithstanding my love of the Back To The Future series, which I'm certain would be hot dinner conversation, his experience and outlook would be worth paying to hear about.

Michael Petersen - He's not famous for anything (as far as I know) but he was my best mate at university for about 18 months and then he vanished. I'd love to know what has happened in his life. He was an awesome guy when I knew him and given I can choose anyone I couldn't imagine not inviting him.

Princess Diana - I guess I was one of those people who has been captivated by her. She truly seemed to be the perfect princess and a wonderful person. She appeared charming, gracious and very much a lady. I still choke up when I hear her version of Candle In The Wind.

Drew Barrymore - I don't know what to say, I find her intriguing. I love her romantic comedies of recent years, and Charlie's Angels, and she's done so many interesting things in her life to date. Plus she seems like fun.

Elephant

I can't believe I'm saying this but Elephant, the Gus Van Sant film of 2003 that the recent Australian movie 2:37 had been compared to, wasn't particularly brilliant.
After being disturbed, moved and captivated by 2:37 I fully expected similar from its older brother (sort of) and it wasn't nearly as interesting.
The styles were similar. They both concentrate on a group of high school students through a seemingly typical day by using the camera as something of a shadow, following their every move.
In Elephant the performances were unremarkable on the whole, with the probable exception of the main `bad guy' though he isn't really revealed until three-quarters of the way through. (For those who haven't seen it I won't give anything away).
Also I found little motivation being explained for why some of the characters were as they were. For example, the character of Michelle was berated by her PE teacher for not wearing shorts and the impression was given that there was some major reason for this but it was never explored.
In 2:37 the characters were interviewed as the movie progressed so you were always aware of who they were and what was going on in their lives. That made it easier to get into and care about them. I just didn't have any investment in Elephant and as a result it wasn't nearly as shocking as 2:37.
Look, it wasn't bad. But I was disappointed. Maybe seeing 2:37 first raised my expectations because it was widely reviewed as something of a rip-off but it was heaps better.

Fall Out Boy

Most people would be aware of the song This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race by American band Fall Out Boy .
I must admit I really like the song, though it took a bit of time to grow on me. But I have been enjoying some of the band's songs for a while through watching One Tree Hill, the group has featured and performed on the show at least three times (so far as I have seen).
Fall Out Boy's bassist Pete Wentz (red shirt in the picture) guest stars on his own on one episode, When It Isn't Like It Should Be, where he dates Peyton and I thought was quite impressive. He's referred to as `Pete from Fall Out Boy' all the time in the show.
As is their custom, the show's producers have also used some of their song titles as episode titles including `Champagne For My Real Friends, Real Pain For My Sham Friends' and `I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written about Me'.
Admittedly I am yet to hear these songs as I am still discovering the band but I'm very interested.

`Born again' sportsmen

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, particularly when you write a weekly opinion column in a major paper.
I was taken aback by Rebecca Wilson's column in the Telegraph today, where she launched into golfer Aaron Baddeley for praising God when he wins, etc.
``I do have a big problem with born-again sportsmen who make it their life's work to spruik Christian beliefs like we are heathens in dire need of conversion,'' she writes.
As I said, everyone can have their opinion but it seems that Christians are safe game when it comes to this kind of thing.
It's a shame. And good on Baddeley for taking the opportunity when a microphone is shoved in front of him to give thanks to God - many wouldn't given the same opportunity.

Stranger Than Fiction

Like Jim Carrey (The Truman Show) and Adam Sandler (Punch Drunk Love) before him, comedian Will Ferrell steps into unchartered territory in Stranger Than Fiction, attempting a serious role. And like his predecessors, manages to pull it off quite well.

Ferrell plays Harold Crick, one of the more boring people going around. Harold is an IRS agent and his life revolves around mathematics and predictability. One day he hears a voice narrating his actions.

The narrator (Emma Thompson) interrupts Harold's life on several occasions but when she announces his `imminent death' he gets some motivation to find out what the heck is going on. I don't find Ferrell all that funny in his other movies, mostly, but it was still intriguing to watch him play it pretty straight.

A good support cast including Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Maggie Gyllenhaal add weight to the film which really is well done and extremely interesting. There are some flaws but given the type of movie it is they can be easily overlooked.

There are several funny moments, most notably the aforementioned scene announcing Harold's death. It is really a laugh-out-loud moment and one that stayed with me. Stranger Than Fiction is probably not going to appeal to everyone but it is high in quality and does carry a message, if you want to see it.

I'd say give it a go. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10.

Silent Witness

One of my favourite race horses, the Hong Kong champion Silent Witness is being retired after he races tomorrow.
Australian-bred, Silent Witness never raced in his home country but certainly captured our imagination winning 17 races in a row.
I found this video on Youtube paying homage to Silent Witness. He's going to be retired alongside the likes of Saintly at the Living Legends farm in Victoria. I just hope he can win his last race.

In Search

This is a long shot, but for a while I've been after the CD single to Lifehouse's song Hanging By A Moment. I used to own it but it was acquired by someone else without my permission.
The reason I'm after it is there's a song on the single called Fool which I've always liked and would really love to have it again.
So if you know someone who has it or don't want it anymore, let me know.
Cheers

Josh's big day

It's hard to believe, but my five-year-old nephew Joshua is having his firts day of Kindergarten tomorrow.
The little guy appears to be looking forward to going to `big school' which is good because little does he know there are another 13 years left. I hope he does well at school, life's a lot easier if you've got a decent education.

With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept

A very moving and brave episode of One Tree Hill - With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept.
This one from season 3, which would have aired in the USA about a year ago now, revolved around a disgruntled student taking a gun to school. Very controversial in one way but the episode was so well done.
Of the three episodes we watched last night, taking us close to the end of season three, the first two were very dark in tone and the third a much needed light-hearted and quite funny in parts episode.
I might sound like a broken record but this is the best show of its kind on TV, only it's not actually on TV here.
What was exceptional about the episode, aside from the overall gutsiness of handling the topic, were the performances from some of the cast. For a high school soap the bar isn't set all that high and some of them reall stepped up. Most notably Colin Fickes as Jimmy (the kid with the gun) who wasn't given an easy task.

Entourage

I rented season one of the pay-TV show Entourage on the weekend and watched the eight episodes, and it quite grew on me.
The show focuses on a film star Vincent Chase, played by Adrian Greiner (centre in the pic) and his three best mates.
It's a bit rough around the edges but it has some wild cameos and is produced by Mark Wahlberg, who just seems to get better and better with what he does.
Worth a look, I might seek out season 2 and see what happens.
I also watched a film called The Ice Harvest which stars John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton. Given that I didn't notice it at the movies I didn't have high expectations. But as a John Cusack fan I guess there were some. It wasn't a great film but did have its moments.

Conclusion

I knocked over the final part of Lucky Man fairly quickly.
Again I would say it's a very interesting read and offers great insight into the struggles Michael faced when trying to hide his condition, from others and in some way from himself.

`The other shoe had already dropped, and I had survived. There was nothing left to fear. You're only as sick as your secrets.' (page 278).

Here's another segment and one I find quite profound.
`Illness is a scary business, and somewhere deep inside, or maybe not so deep inside, we're all wondering if it could happen to us, and how we would cope if it did....At one time or another, during times of personal struggle or loss, we've all heard people tell us they would `pray for us'...I no longer underestimate the power of prayer'. (page 297)

I hope I can take a lot from having read this, about how to accommodate life's struggles rather than let them dominate.
Footnote: I watched a bit of Spin City, made before he announced his condition, and it was interesting to note that a lot of the time his left hand (the one worst affected at the time) spent a lot of time in his pocket. Never noticed that before.

Lucky Man

It's been a while since I read a book and I am fairly flying through this one, Lucky Man. It's Michael J Fox's story about his battle with Parkinson's Disease. This is what the back cover says:
When Michael J Fox stunned the world by announcing that he had Parkinson's Disease, a degenerative neurological condition, he had been secretly fighting it for seven years. By the time the public started grieving for him, he had stopped grieving for himself...
As a huge fan of the Back To The Future trilogy and of Spin City (though to a lesser extent) I felt this memoir was a must-read and I'm about 90 pages away from finishing it. I'll pass on some final thoughts once that is done.
But I feel that this could be the most important book I have read in some time. The way he has dealt with, or not dealt with as the case was for some time, the diagnosis has been scary. I think there is a lot for me personally to learn from reading this account of his experience.

Following are three short passages from the book:
`While I was doing something indisputably positive by quitting drinking, in the rest of my life, I was still pursuing the same fear-based agenda that had gotten locked into place in the days following my diagnosis.' (page 204).
`..Reading it today, what's perhaps most astonishing about my manifesto is the one thing it failed to mention. That I had Parkinson's Disease, and it wasn't ever going to go away.' (page 216)
`With everything that Woody Allen was going through that spring, there was nothing more terrifying to him that the prospect of incurable disease. And then suddenly it hit me. Hey, I have an incurable disease - and I'm laughing anyway. I must be doing okay.' (page 232)

Though it doesn't cut straight to the chase about the Parkinson's, as the book takes you through his journey from obscurity in Canada to Hollywood star, there is important context. I'd encourage anyone and everyone to have a read of Lucky Man, even if you don't suffer from degenerative or chronic conditions. There is a good lesson to be learned, believe me. And I'm not even finished reading it yet.
Michael's push to find a cure for Parkinson's is bold and courageous and he should be applauded, even in the light of his controversial push for stem cell research. (I don't have a clear position on this issue and those who know me would know why).

Australia Day

January 26, a public holiday to celebrate Australia.
It's a day when people hit the beach, have a barbeque, watch Australia beat England again (you never get sick of that) in the cricket and, in my case, have a punt on the horse races.
With all the flag controversy this week you can guarantee that there'll be millions of Aussie flags flying proudly in the face of some ridiculous attempt at political correctness. Since when has your national flag been seen as offensive?

24 Days

Today marks the first of 24 days off work, thanks to weekends and public holidays like today, and it is shaping as an important period.
I'm not sure whether 24 is enough (in the bible major periods of change or enlightenment took 40 days) but it is very well received. Work has been fairly good this last few weeks, on the whole, but is has also been trying.
My mum's theory seems to be that I haven't yet fully recovered from the burn out that occurred at the end of November. Add to that the fact that I am highly impatient and just want to be a fully functional person again.
I am taking steps to get there with the first of those hopefully happening tomorrow, pending confirmation of an appointment. I'm motivated, even if I don't always seem to be, to get rid of the monster that has been hanging around for a while.
There was some good news, medically, during the week with an appointment with my specialist going well. I was fearing a change in medication but he saw no need at this point and I was quite relieved.

Wise words

I came across an article in the Daily Telegraph this afternoon, which you can read here, about the 10th anniversary this year of Stuart Diver's escape from the Thredbo disaster of 1997.

Here are a few quotes from the story:
`You either go one of two ways with it. You either say, 'I'm going to do something positive with my life' or paint the windows of my house black and stay inside forever.
`I try to forget as much as I can. Time makes it fade. If you try to relive a tragedy every day, that can be hugely detrimental.'
`The positive way is to move on with life and try to help other people.'

Stuart Diver's story will always be an amazing one but I found his comments (advice) on putting behind him such a major traumatic experience to be inspirational. It can't be an easy thing to move past but he seems to have won that battle, or is at least winning.

Big week X 2

The past five days or so have been a bit of a blur, having thrown myself into a huge week at work. It was a good week but I think it was all a bit too much. By Friday I was exhausted and a bit run down and was feeling it.
I also did one or two things this past week that weren't overly smart and definitely won't be featuring on my highlights reel.
A reasonable night's sleep last night helped in some way, but it's funny how when you play catch-up on sleep you always feel more tired the next day!
I am taking some more time off work from next weekend, most likely three weeks, and I see it as an important time. Anyone with ideas or tips on managing stress/anxiety in your life I'm all ears because I need to learn.
But before the break I have another interesting week ahead with an appointment with my specialist to review everything that has happened in the last couple of months and pinpoint a way forward. I already know what he's going to say, at least I think I do, and I'm not particularly in favour of it but that's something I'll have to wait and see.

Senseless

While doing some channel flicking this afternoon I came across a curious dating show on MTV called Senseless and it was disturbingly interesting.
Basically a guy (or a girl) seeking a date is led into a dark room and has to work out who he wants to date by a process of elimination. The first catch is that he can't see them so he has to use his other senses to narrow the six down to one over a few rounds.
The next catch is that two of the six are `hotties' keen to date him, two are `notties' who are in it for the monetary prize if they get picked (and generally seem to be exes as well), and two `grotties' who are rather undesirable.
Funnily enough each contestant that I saw (there was a marathon on and I just got hooked) seemed to pick their ex, or one of the people in it for the money.
It was all very weird.

Two steps forward, one step back

It's been an interesting week.
Managed to make it back to work in reasonable shape and despite the odd moment of uncertainty, on the whole, handled it okay. But just okay.
It's a long story, and one that I will not go into here, but there is a chance that I will take another break, of at least two weeks I'd say, coming up shortly. A break designed more to clear my head, settle and work out where everything fits.
At least that will be the intention if I decide to go that way.
There have been a few interesting suggestions from others about what to do in the current situation recently, including one from a friend who suggested it was time to quit my job and ``enjoy life''. While that is appealing I am not the type of person to not have something organised. (Now if I happened to win Lotto that might be an option).
I've committed to working next week before making an assessment of what I will do after that.
It has been good going into the office and, when I'm not too stuck in my own world, getting involved in the always animated conversations that go on.
Also it appears the guys I used to work with have accepted my change of role. At least that is the way it looks so that is pretty good.

Don't Give Up

As a rule I am not a fan of cover versions. However, there are always exceptions.
The new version of `Don't Give Up' by Shannon Noll and Natalie Bassingthwaigte is exceptional. It's been released as the lead single from an album called Songs Of Hope And Journey which aims to raise money for Beyond Blue, an organisation which raises awareness for depression.
I've got to say that listening to this song really does give you a lift, no pun intended (re Shannon's album title). It's important that anyone going through a tough time, and we all do, not to lose hope and not to surrender. I don't always practice what I'm preaching here but I'm trying.

Mixed bag

Last night I decided to watch a couple of films on DVD and the two I chose couldn't have been any different, one I had seen and was keen to see again and another that had been recommended.
After watching 2:37 again (you will note it was my number four movie of 2006) I have decided that I won't be buying it, even though I still think it is an amazing, shocking, gripping and important movie. In the end, it's just too much of an emotional ride and I have to draw a line somewhere. I don't for a second regret seeing it but after a second watch I don't see how watching such a film multiple times is good for me.
The second film was 16 Blocks, starring Bruce Willis. This film made my movie buff friend Rod's top five of the past year and, I gotta say: `what were you thinking!?!'
Featuring a disinterested and dishevelled Willis and easily the most annoying character I've seen since Urkel, played by Mos Def. You could see where it was going and it was simply an ordinary film.

The corner

In some ways I am starting to feel like me again.
While I think there is still some ground to be made up, I think there are far fewer trees in the forest.
I thought I'd be very prepared for the fall when it came but it turns out I was massively under-prepared. And it showed and took its toll.
The past month or two has been very testing and there has been some emotional violence and some collateral damage. It has been trying but hopefully I have turned a corner.
Now I am not going to start leaping tall buildings, I'll leave that to Superman, but for the most part I feel like I can resume living. It's not going to be easy, there are still a few niggling issues at hand.
Mostly they are beyond my control.
How I react to all this will be revealed in the coming days I am sure.
Clearly, some things must change.

The Holiday

Continuing the tradition of the New Year's Day `light and fluffy' film tradition in 2007 was The Holiday.
I guess I wasn't expecting it to be anything more than your standard romantic comedy so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be well above average.
A great cast helps in films like this and The Holiday has one. With Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black the charm and presence on screen makes up for just about any flaw in the well tried concept.
Winslet, as British reporter Iris, and Diaz as Hollywood film trailer producer Amanda, swap houses for Christmas when their love lives take a turn for the worse.
You can work out what is likely to happen from just seeing the poster. It's all been done before, most notably in Love Actually a few years back, but The Holiday stands up pretty well against it. As I said the charm of the main actors (and a couple of support actors) take the film a long way, it's quite funny and very accessible. There's also a funny cameo from Dustin Hoffman to look out for.
In all, a great start to 2007 movie-wise. Above average for the genre and worthy of an 8 out of 10.