| Well, another wonderful year has been delivered and I appreciate it and am grateful to all who have contributed and made it what it was.
There has been some fine music including such acts as Al Green, Archie Roach, C W Stoneking, Carole King, Dan sultan, Eddi Reader (3 times), George Michael, Gotan Project, Harlem Gospel Choir, James Taylor, Jools Holland (twice), Kim Richey, Kutcha Edwards, Leonard Cohen, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Newton Faulkner, Pigram Brothers, Pink Martini (twice), Rickie Lee Jones, Sinead O'Connor, Soweto Gospel Choir, Status Quo, Tom Jones, Vika and Linda and Yusuf Islam. What a rich vein of inspiration that is. And there were other acts that made it a full year of musical pleasure. My favourite 5 gigs would be Eddi Reader, Jools Holland, Leonard Cohen, Pink Martini and Yusuf Islam.
There has been some travel with the main event being a scheduled 4.5 week trip to the UK and France. Unfortunately, 2 days in, Carolyn's father died and she had to return to Australia. I stayed to see family and friends, but cut 10 days off the trip. But I still got to spend time in London (seeing my sister Louise, brother-in-law Jon and cousin Vicky), Crowthorne (Jodi and Stuart), Bournemouth (Mum and Louise again), North Devon (Rocky and his family), and Bristol (Alison) - details. I also had a couple of trips to Sydney - one of them to see my cousin Vicky and her family who were in town briefly. Carolyn and I also had a week on the Gold Coast for Christmas and New Year - though the weather wasn't brilliant, it was still nice to be away for a while.
Work has been work - it's hard to be too enthused but it is a means to an end and it's nice to have a job that I can do and that I can do well.
It was a year which involved Carolyn start to finish and that makes it particularly good as we enjoy doing stuff together and some things are best shared. Luckily she tolerates the things that I want to do and I'm happy to do what she wants to do, so that is all easy and good. Life is good having her in my world.
Literary: I saw a couple of authors in the form of David Sedaris and Alexander McCall Smith. It is always interesting to hear about the world of literary folk. On that theme, there were two occasions that I went to the Women of Letters event - where 5 'celebrity' women are given a theme for a letter (in advance) and they read out the letters at the show and then there is a question and answer session with them afterwards. There was also a Men of Letters event where 10 chaps read out letters to women who had inspired them - that was a very interesting and touching event.
Bob Randall talk and gig: I've seen one of his docos and read his autobiography (that he signed for me) and he is an incredible man and a pleasure and honour to meet him at last and to be educated by his words (details).
Music rally: Joined thousands of others as we walked (marched?) through the city. The rally was asking the local government to support live music as some of their legislation for bars was affecting the music scene.
Comedy Festival gala opening night: As I have no idea who most of the performers are at the Festival or whether they are any good or not, I tend to go to the opening gala night where a lot of the performers do a short set and I can decide who I want to go and see.
Volunteer activity: My employers (NAB) pay for each employee to do two days of volunteer work each year. One of the ones I did was representing the The Alannah and Madeline Foundation at the Melbourne Flower Show. This involved wandering around selling raffle tickets and merchandise and also helping at the information desks. It was a fun day and great to help a good cause. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation is a national charity protecting children from violence and its devastating effects. They care for children who have experience or witnessed violence and run programs which prevent violence in the lives of children. They play an advocacy role and are a voice against childhood violence.
The Grand Prix. As I now live next to Albert Park, it was more exciting when the Grand Prix hit town as the energy was fantastic. I could see the cars from my balcony and the view from the roof of the building was fantastic. (details)
Blues Train in Queenscliffe - a ride on an old steam train with blues acts entertaining us with great music along the way.
A stage show called Man in Black with Tex Perkins playing Johnny Cash - great music and interesting too.
Ron Mueck: A rather wonderful art exhibition showing some of the works of Ron Mueck (details).
Footy: Went to one game - Hawthorn (my team) v Carlton. A fine victory for my boys.
RockWiz. The TV show went on the road and put on a very enjoyable show full of comedy and music - excellent stuff.
The annual Heart of St Kilda show where musicians and comedians put on a show to raise money for the Sacred Heart Mission.
Stephen Fry: I flew to Sydney to see Stephen perform/talk at the Opera House. A pleasure to go and listen to the man who has provided me so much enjoyment over the years.
Paul Merton at the Comedy Store in London along with the Comedy Store Players - the second time I've seen him over the years - he's a clever and funny comic.
Seven Songs at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl: A number of acts performed 7 songs each; 1) their first song – the song that switched them on to being a musician 2) one from master poet and songwriter Leonard Cohen 3) a song to share with another 4) a song that they covet – the one above all others that they wished they had written 5&6) two songs of their own and 7) one for the end of days – a song to leave behind. A great concept, but a disappointing gig - shame.
Been involved with Dutch Tilders, Vika and Linda, Charlotte Francis, 400 degrees, Karin Robin, Sally Dastey and Belmore Records. I'm currently working on one for the building I live in as well as assisting Steph with her site that shows her lovely art. I also still maintain my own website, my blog and I have started a new project that I am enjoying: coffee.
So to summarise, it's been a damn fine year and one I look forward in building from as I enter my 50th year. I look forward to spending more time with my wonderful friends (maybe also the non-wonderful ones) and lots of good music. I will celebrate my 50th birthday with my first ever trip to New York.
Happy days
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