Rock Paper Scissors – Rochambeau (roshambo)

Theree are many names for this age-old game…see the Wikipedia Entry for Rock Paper Scissors…but I couldn’t get past this snippet of argument emailed around some time ago. I must say that there is some familiarity with the argument and style of writing…whoever wrote this is a person of my own heart.

Eurofighter Drag Race

Top Gear Fans will love this….. 

Check out Richard Hammond driving a Bugatti Veyron in a one mile race against a Eurofighter Typhoon jet.

Awesome huh?!

I’m not a dancer….I’m just drunk

There are so many times that I could use this phrase, and anyone who knows me can confirm that.

I know this drunk driver clip has been round the traps a few times but it’s great.  Check out this dude’s dexterity…amazing for someone so intoxicated.

I don’t know if I can dance this well after a few drinks, but I would hope to god that my choreography is a lot better.

Frozen in Grand Central Station

Check out this clip from maniacworld.com

Frozen in Grand Central Station, New York.  More than 200 people prank the public by freezing at the same moment.  Everyone around them was completely stumped and in awe at was happening.

I’m F***ing Matt Damon

For anyone that hasn’t seen the Sarah Silverman’s “I’m f***ing Matt Damon” clip, here it is…..well worth your time.

I’m F***ing Matt Damon

And Jimmy Kimmel’s response….

I’m F***ing Ben Affleck

Customer Service

Anyone who has worked in a customer service position would possibly have received a letter of this nature at some point in time, but this is a cracker.  This person was unhappy with their webhosting provider (Melbourne IT)…..a typical story of a large organisation not looking after the little guy (anyone who’s had to deal with Telstra will know how this feels). 

The thing I like about this letter is the fact that it was written (and sent) in the first place, because too many people will cancel services and/or boycott an establishment or organisation, then spread the word about how terrible the company is….and we all know that “word of mouth” is the best (or worst as it may be) form of advertising.  However, this doesn’t give the company an opportunity to improve their processes….so my recommendation is, if you’re really unhappy with a service you receive from anywhere, then let them know in writing.  Sure one letter probably won’t make a difference but if everyone started doing this when they’re not getting the service required, then companies would be forced to start looking at their failings…and for those of you who aren’t aware, most companies keep a file of all written customer complaints…. Continue reading »

Shut Up & Sing – Dixie Chicks

OK, so I finally watched the Dixie Chicks’ documentary called Shut Up & Sing.  My verdict…..it was an eye opener.  I enjoyed the documentary even though I’m not that keen on their music.  To be honest, I could empathise with the girls and their families after seeing it, and it almost (note I said almost) made me want to go out and buy all their albums just to support them.

 I think half the problem lies in the ignorance of Americans and their believing that the USA is the centre of the universe.  When Natalie said “we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas”, I believe it was a simple but naive statement made to express their stance on the war in Iraq.  The American Constitution, 1st Amendment states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

And yet, here is a bunch of redneck yanks boycotting the Dixie Chicks because of one comment.  Now don’t get me wrong, I think that the 9-11 terror attacks were a great tragedy, however, they were not the first nor will they be the last, so I am with the ‘Chicks’ on this one…..President George W Bush is an ignorant clown.  While I support the troops that are fighting in the war, I do not agree with the fact that they are there in the first place.  OK, just let me get down off my high horse and stop crowing about my stance on the war, and I shall get back to the purpose of this blog post.

Shut Up & Sing was an interesting snapshot of the Dixie Chicks and their career thus far.  Whilst I still probably won’t buy and listen to their music, I wish them all the best in what they do and hope that they don’t lose the will to speak freely.

Australian Idol

Is it just me or does everyone believe that the judges on Australian Idol are going crazy?  Now to start off on the wrong foot, I really like Kyle! Oh yeah, you heard me right….I like Kyle.  OK, I’m aware that sometimes he’s a little obnoxious, and probably a bit ruder than is necessary.  However, it is in my opinion that Kyle simply says it how it is….eg.  he may not have the musical talent of Mark Holden & Marcia Hines and he may not have the business knowledge in the music industry like Dicko, but he certainly knows what he likes (albeit the pretence that he believes in the talents of his wife Tamara Jaber…she’s hot and that’s what he really believes in), and what a radio station will play.  Not to say that he likes everything that’s on the radio, but it is my belief that Kyle says what he believes the rest of the public are thinking. 

And in any case, the show tonight was not about Kyle but about all the judges.  It was an hour and a half of contradictions.  At the beginning of the show, the judges told us that they expected the contestants to show us what type of artist they want to be.  The first person who comes to mind from tonight’s show is Marty.  Now it has been clear through the competition that his preferred style is more reggae-easy listening Jack Johnson-style.  He brought this to the forefront with tonight’s version of Cowded House’s Now We’re Getting Somehwere…his arrangement was perfect for his style and he is so comfortable doing what he does.  I think Marty has kept his own style through the whole of the competition…as I recall he reggaed up “You Sexy Thing” on disco night. But the judges clearly indicated that he’s not showing us what type of artist he wants to be……JUDGES, ARE YOU DEAF??????  But seriously if Marty released an album tomorrow I would buy it….so my recommendation is with Dicko – don’t vote for him, he’s too good for this competition and Oz Idol will only package and market him wrong….let him get out in the real world and do his own thing….Marty will make it if someone will sign him.

Next in the firing line was Natalie….now I have to admit that I was chatting through the first half of her performance, so perhaps I missed the ever-so-important part of the performance that the judges were crapping on about….the second half of her rendition of “My Endless Love” was awesome, and yet the judges absolutely hammered her.

Matt Corby…what a great arrangement of “Another Day in Paradise”.  I must say that, although Phil Collins may be a great musician, he bores me a little….but Matt brought something new to this song, and I enjoyed it immensely.  Matt has to be the most mature 16-yr-old I’ve ever seen (I would say met but of course I haven’t actually met him).  Another one who is too good for this comeptition and needs to get out and get someone else to sign him because Oz Idol will ruin him.

Carl is the King of Swing.  Mark’s comments about Carl being a one-trick-wonder is ever so wrong….he said something along the lines of Carl not showing us what type of artist he wants to be, and he should have tried to arrange the song to suit himself…..as I recall Carl has consistently shown (and told) us that he wants to be the next Harry Connick Jr or Michael Buble….and I have no problem with that.  What Mark Holden obviously fails to recall is Carl’s fantastic arrangement of Waltzing Matilda, turning an age-old boring Aussie folk song into a hip swing version that I would actually listen to.  And given that Carl doesn’t have the same musical experience (and by this I mean singing-songwriting) as some of the other contestants, I think he’s done a bang-up job, and Idol is the right competition for Carl.

Tarisai….poor old Tarisai.  She has a fantastic voice but absolutely no personality….the judges continously comment on the Tarisai they know behind the scenes, but we never get to see this person. Is it a case of split personality?  Who knows, but unless she starts bringing some of that character to the stage, she’ll never make it in the music industry.  Perhaps she should save her wonderful voice for church.

Daniel, Daniel, Daniel.  What the hell is he still doing in the competition?!  I remember watching right through the audition process and when he got into the semi-finals I was pleased…I thought he had a bit of character and sang well.  Until the fateful day when he sang Diesel’s “Right on the Tip of my Tongue” and claimed it was one of his favourite songs of all time.  Then when Holden said something about the poor job he did of it, Daniel bites back with “I’ve really only heard the song a few times”…come on Mr People-Pleaser, who in their right mind would believe that bullshit?  If I claim I have a favourite song, I can guarantee I’ve listened to it 100 times or more…especially one as old as that.  It was at this time that I started to see straight through Daniel and his chameleon ways….

Ben….ok this one will be brief as I was in the next room listening but not watching Ben’s performance.  I thought it was average. Ben has had some good nights and some great nights, but this week just didn’t quite cut it….probably not good enough for the show to be honest, but I quite like him and believe that he has a beautiful voice.  I just hope he gets another chance to prove himself.

What engineers do on their days off

This clip is a bit lengthy, but worth a watch….I can’t believe how much time and effort would have been put into this and cannot even begin to fathom living in the house during the period of erection, given that this is no one day job.

http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/player.swf?b=10&l=197&u=ILLUMllSOOAvIF//P_LxP92A42lCHCeeWCejXnHAS/c

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October

 It would be prudent of me to mention that October is the month of National Breast Cancer Awareness – and I’m sure many other causes as well – however, being female and having had several friends and family members who have been diagnosed with this god-awful disease, I suppose Breast Cancer is a little closer to my heart…literally

So anyway, I would like to share one friends’ lucky escape story with you, and to do my part for Breast Cancer Awareness.  If you would like to know more, you can visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Please show your support for this worthy cause by making a donation or by buying any Pink Ribbon merchandise online, or from a newsagent or supermarket near you.  Other products that support the foundation are listed on NBCF’s website, so consider changing your brand or stocking up on items next time you do a grocery shop.

I will be hosting a Pink Ribbon Morning Tea at my workplace to help raise funds.