Addictions...

There is always a method to my madness. Sometimes it pays to be a little cryptic as the best move is not always laying all your cards on the table at once. A story for another time, maybe.

I have been a fan of Chris Rene for a while. There is something about his song "Young Homie" that really appeals to me. I am not sure that it would have appealed to me in the past but age wisens even the hardest of souls.

There is something to be said for the idea that "life is short, you gotta live it long" and "if you wanna build your love up, put your hate down". The idea of seeing peace signs as I turn around translates for me into wickedly coordinated handshakes with youngsters looking to belong and to be part of something bigger than themselves, "it takes education to change your reputation". 'Can you feel me?'

I overheard something recently that I find to be one of the funniest things. Whenever I listen to people saying that 'youth is wasted on the young', I can't help but have a little chuckle to myself about the cynicism embedded in that very idea. The very simple reality that we most often neglect is that it is these very experiences that we get, or have, when we are young that creates the individuals that we grow and become. Youth is what makes the young wise as they age.

Sadly, some of us lose our battles with our addictions. Then, others of us grown because of those addictions and grow out of them. We then have a responsibility to share those experiences and make the lives of those that follow us easier, choices wiser, and lives longer.

There is a reason I returned to my roots and to teaching; to make a difference, to facilitate change, and to share experience. The rewards far outweigh the sacrifices as there is nothing quite like seeing the door open and a young person stride through that door into the brave new world of education, renewed reputation, and opportunity.

Addictions are easy; life is hard. Despite my addictions, I love life!

The Colly Crew on ABC TV's 7.30 Program...

The Colly Crew are moving onwards and upwards. The things that we do are being recognised as making a difference. They are being recognised as allowing for change. They are being recognised for creating opportunities. And, they are being recognised for opening doors.

The Colly Crew grew out of a program called "Step-By-Step". It is a hip hop based program designed to engage kids with school and their education. It is worth noting that Collarenebri is a small, very rural and remote community. The school is a central school and there is a significant local Indigenous community with a very rich history. Consequently, the program is often referred to as being an Indigenous hip hop program. For me, perhaps a community hip hop program is a more accurate reflection of what we are actually doing.

About the program. There are elements of literacy and numeracy, but it is more than just about literacy and numeracy it is about understanding how the choices we make impact upon our lives. It is about how we can take control of our lives and make smarter decisions and achieve those things that perhaps others in our families have never had the opportunity to do. Any teachers out there looking for a spoken word, performance poetry, rap unit of work that incorporates what we have done so successfully in this program let me know, we are always happy to share.

I am not sure how to embed just the video. Nevertheless, the link to the 7.30 Program and their report can be found here.

I encourage you to watch it.

All feedback is accepted. I am sure that there are those out there who love what we are doing and are amazed by it. I am also not naive enough to believe that absolutely every single person out there is in favour of it. Keep it civil though.

Justin Bieber -- Baby (Versi Terbaik Dari Ladang)

I have gotta say, I find these YouTube lip-syncing karaoke clips a lot of fun to watch. Here is a version of Justin Bieber's "Baby". It looks like a young Indonesian kid. What is really impressive is that the lip syncing that he does is pretty much spot on all the way through, including the part that Ludacris does. He would give Milli Vanilli a run for their money, no doubt.

Save Ferris...

I recall that I enjoyed Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I also enjoy this version of "Come on Eileen" by Save Ferris. Is it as good as the original by Dexy's Midnight Runners? You can be the judge of that.

I am not really sure that I have ever been into Ska Bands, or even ska bands out of Orange County in California, but Monique Powell is a fabulous singer (in my opinion). Let's face it, I have only just learned that one can be ska-punk or ska-pop...

Is Musical Talent Genetic...

This is Ben Taylor. Ben is the son of Carly Simon and James Taylor.

And, if your not sure, then take a look at Sally Taylor, Ben's sister, as she performs with dad.



I really like all their music offerings. I have a whole stack of James Taylor records, a few Carly Simon records, but none from either Ben or Sally. This is going to change in the very near future.

The James Taylor Experience...

James Taylor's story is an inspiring story of one overcoming his struggles, and ultimately finding peace with himself.

Carolina In My Mind -- James Taylor...

I went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

It is amazing how passionate and loyal one becomes to one's school. But, there is nothing quite like watching James Taylor sing "Carolina In My Mind" live at the Dean Dome (nor is there anything quite lining up for days for tickets).

Every time I hear this song it takes me back to Carolina and leaves me with a smile. They were great times. This song is a real "pick me upper" for me, and I am sure for many others. Everything that I own that is programmable has this song pre-loaded into it.

This version is one James Taylor did live with Sirius|XM Satellite Radio as part of their Artist Confidential series. I have, sadly, lost contact with many of my friends from that period. Others, I am still in contact with. Most I am sure do not read my blog. Suffice to say I remember them all fondly. So, to all those UNC alumni out there, thanks!



Funnily enough, having watched UNC drop a 16-point lead over Duke I do not feel so bad having listened to Carolina In My Mind a "few" times.

And for the real fans, here is a 1972 live version of ""Carolina In My Mind".

Enjoy.

Dire Straits, "Money for Nothing", and 'Faggot'...

Hot on the heels of NewSouth Books and the censoring of a Mark Twain classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, there is this story out of Canada that seemingly takes 2011 standards of vilification and applies them retroactively to 1985.

The word in question is 'faggot'. There is little doubting that the term is one that is derogatory. It is designed to offend, it is designed to hurt the individual that it is aimed at, and in many places it is now included as language that vilifies a certain group of individuals in the community. In 1985, the word was derogatory but it was used much more freely and perhaps to some degree was considered acceptable.

Interestingly, the song is a Dire Straits classic. In fact, it is a song that has received numerous awards, including a Grammy. Should the fact that the song was released more than 25 years ago  mean that it must be subject to a different standard in terms of the language used? Furthermore, does the fact that the song has been played hundreds of thousands of times throughout the world on radio and television in the most far-flung of locales mean that it is exempt from current applicable standards of the Canadian human rights laws and regulations?

I am not advocating a return to a time when vilifying people was tolerated much more than it is now. I do not use the word and I follow certain protocols when children use it in my classroom in unacceptable ways. However, I am wondering out loud as to whether this kind of revisionism and retroactive application is misplaced.  Nevertheless, this is a case of "sooner or later" as it was only a matter of time before someone lodged a complaint. The word 'faggot' violates the human rights standards that apply in Canada. So, the Broadcast Standards Council, who has authority over these matters, has decided that the word must be censored out of the song.

The line that will have to be edited is ''That little faggot with the earring and the make-up''. Money for Nothing is a song off the 1985 Brothers in Arms album. Mark Knopfler, the lead singer of Dire Straits has commented sparingly on the song. He has said that he wrote it after visiting a hardware store in New York.



I wonder what is next for the censors?

Luna Maya Is Sad...

I abominate all honourable respectable toils, trials, and tribulations of every kind whatsoever. It is quite as much as I can do to take care of myself ...

- Ishmael (From Moby Dick)

It is the essence of gossip that there are so many personal struggles that would be time better spent that gloating over the trials and tribulations of others as we watch their lives unravel on national TV and in the tabloids. Ho hum...

The saga that is Peterporn and the trial of Nazriel 'Ariel' Irham is destined to take its toll on many more than just the man in the middle of all this. There are those novice female porn stars who took part in the sex tapes, the extended families of all, the lawyers and prosecutors, and the fans and other supporters. Perhaps it is worth having a sneak peak at Luna Maya and her struggles with this particular 15-minutes of fame that she did not expect or seek.

Luna Maya was famous before this sex tape, and she will continue to be famous after it. The sex tape will be something that is always there, but ultimately it is not going to be the sole event that defines her or her career. There is no doubt that the public's fascination with the intimate details of the sex lives of the rich and famous will ensure that the sex tape always remains an interview question, the reality is that there will be other celebrities with more juicy scandals to follow in the future. Once this trial is done and dusted, then interest will subside and life will get back to some degree of normalcy for all involved, including me.

Luna Maya is the girlfriend in this sex tape saga. The video that she is in is a grainy, poor quality mobile phone job. What is sad about this is that people film themselves all the time. What is sad about this is that sometimes these "home movies" include footage that is better left in private circles. What is sad about this is that despite your best intentions, there are always those that will exploit your fame for 15-minutes of fame for themselves. What is sad is that the ignorant here are winning the war.

This is just a sex tape, nothing more and nothing less. It is not earth-shattering footage. It is not the end of the world. God is not going to cast thunderbolts down to earth and destroy it and us because Ariel and Luna Maya got down and dirty. More to the point, and God aside, there has been no crime committed here. This is a tape that was created for personal purposes. I am pretty sure it was not created for the purposes of playing on the big screen in the background to future marriage nuptials. I am not going to judge them for making the tape. To each their own.

The legal issues are just as interesting to me as the fascination we have as human beings with the misfortune of others. For example, if Ariel is guilty of helping distribute the sex tape, then where is the actual perpetrator who did the distributing? And, why is this person not on trial somewhere? Even more critical is the chain of possession of the offending sex tapes.

The prosecution case looks weak, very weak. One has to wonder why this case ever went forward, particularly as it seems to be a "test case" with respect to the provisions of the law indicted here.


If the tapes were stolen, then Ariel and Luna Maya are victims. So, if Luna Maya is sad, she has a right to be.

What Do The Indonesian Cables on Wikileaks Reveal?

Tongue in cheek...

Someone asked me whether I thought the 3000+ diplomatic cables that Wikileaks are leaking on Indonesia will be interesting and worth a read. My answer, Yes!

No matter what is in these cables, they are going to make for interesting reading. This is particularly so for those who consider themselves knowledgeable on all things diplomatic and Indonesia / USA relationship wise. For those that are truly in the know, or those that are on the coal-face of this relationship, or those who are passionate about the study of the Indonesian / US bilateral relationship are likely to be more disappointed than anything else. These are secret and confidential cables. They will include some nice tidbits and probably some comments that will cause offense both at home and abroad, but they are unlikely to be earth shattering.

Yet, it is worth putting a modifier on that. For example, if one of the cables included a statement to the effect that there was evidence that SBY was on the Bakrie payroll, now that would be a pearler. It might not be earth-shattering, let's face it, it would be an easy assumption to make considering the ease with which Bakrie gets "passes" on everything that should tarnish and sink him for ever as a political player. Nevertheless, it would be fun to watch the fallout and the subsequent spin.

So, in light of the question, here are a couple of choice cable exchanges that I would be intrigued to read:

"SBY prefers to sing than to lead!"

Or, "the 2009 election was clearly not fair despite what the Carter Center may have said in its report. Evidence suggests that on the orders of SBY, Partai Demokrat spent huge sums of money to manipulate voting in areas outside of Jakarta!"


Or, "SBY: can't sing, can't dance, can't lead, all round waste of time, effort, and space. Indonesians are holding out to 2014 believing something is better just around the corner!"

Or, "despite public protestations to the contrary, SBY has performed poorly on key election promises relating to corruption and terror."

Or "the recent good results on the elimination of terrorists is really nothing more than elements of the national police and military cleaning house and tidying up some 'loose' ends!"

Or, "The Minister for Communication and Information is publicly an avid anti-porn advocate however he is known to frequent massage parlours that offer a plus plus service. Obviously, the man has an insatiable appetite for the bump and grind considering he has four wives and seven known mistresses!"

Or, more on TitS..."the Minister for Communication and Information's staff have been secretly trying to set up a session with Vicky Vette to determine whether she was serious about her offer to 'pleasure' the Minister. It is widely known that the Minister has a 'thing' for blondes with big breasts. One of his staff members noted that the Minister was a 'TitS man'. Maybe he meant that TitS is the man?"

Or cables along those lines. I could go on and on and on with the possibilities. I am sure that you, if anyone reads this, will have some of your own. So, feel free to share.

Once again, this is tongue in cheek. No 'real' offense is intended.

Susan Boyle on "The View"...

You know you have made it when people start referring to you by the first couple of letters of your first and second names, and so it is with Susan Boyle or SuBo.

Unfortunately, for SuBo at least, someone forgot to tell her that The View is a live show and not pre-recorded. Therefore, if you do not hit your notes, then you do not hit your notes. There is simply none of this waving of the hands stuff and seeking to start again from scratch. SuBo that is not how live television works.

This little hiccup does not detract from her appeal. It was always a little quirky and out there anyways. What it does show people is that she is ever so human in the way she works and lives. And, that her voice is an exceptional gift no matter what the stage.

Lady Gaga Going Off-Line For Charity...

Lady Gaga will not be the only celebrity going offline for charity on Wednesday, 1 December 2010. 1 December is World AIDS Day. Gaga will be joined by Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Hudson, Ryan Seacrest, Justin Timberlake and a whole host of others. The celebrities will be supporting Alicia Keys and the "Keep A Child Alive" foundation.

The idea is that the celebrities go offline from all their social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter, until the campaign reaches a certain agreed target. This year the target is USD 1 million. All the money raised is earmarked to go to needy families affected by HIV / AIDS in Africa and India.

This could be a pretty easy money spinner considering that Gaga has some seven million Twitter followers and  twenty four million Facebook friends. In comparison, I have 70 and 520 respectively. Maybe all I need to do is dress a little more provocatively?

I do not follow Lady Gaga or any of the other stars that are mentioned here. However, I am supportive of any campaign that is endeavouring to help those afflicted by the scourge of our time, HIV / AIDS.

If you can support World AIDS Day causes on 1 December. And, if you are a Lady Gaga fan, then support her.

Beatles Mania on iTunes...

The Beatles decided to make their entire catalogue of songs available on iTunes last week. In the relatively short span of seven days, the Beatles have managed to move some 450,000 albums and more than 2 million individual songs.

I am guessing that there is no real surprise in the Beatles doing as well as they did in the first week. The question is do they maintain this breakneck speed into week two and beyond?

More to the point who cares about what albums or songs are doing well ("Abbey Road" as the album and "Here Comes the Sun" as the song), all we really want to know is how much money is this putting into the coffers of the accounts of the living Beatles and the estates of the dead ones?

Keenan Cahill and 50 Cent -- A Duet...

YouTube is an awesome tool in terms of taking regular people from obscurity into the halls of world-wide fame.

Keenan Cahill is an example of this phenomenon. Keenan has developed a cult following by posting videos of himself lip-syncing. What is really cool is that he has developed his own fame with a webcam and an iPod. The technology is really simple. What is not so simple is having the drive to continue to do it and put yourself out there into cyberspace.

All Cahill's hard work, or is it a hobby, has paid off. His latest effort is a duet with 50 Cent. The song is 50 Cent's "Down On Me".

Enjoy.



I reckon Cahill's effort with Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" is a little better on the lip-syncing front, but hey, 30 million hits on your YouTube account later, who cares?

Metallica Tribute to Rhoma Irama...

Nuf said!

Maurice Gibb Watching TV From Beyond The Grave...The Bee Gees Live!

It pays to do your research, particularly if you do not want to look really foolish (in this case some might argue, stoopid). So, let's face it, there is not a whole lot one can do to cover up asking a twin about his dead brother, particularly when the dead twin has been dead for 7 years or so.

The interview by Stephen Dixon with Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees fame was covering some ground about an [alleged] affair that Maurice Gibb had with British actress Barbara Windsor of EastEnders fame.

The news of the alleged affair has only recently broken as a result of an interview given by Windsor recently. So, Dixon thinking he might get a scoop on the competition decided that it was worth quizzing Robin about whether his brother would be watching the story unfold on the TV.

Robin was a particularly good sport and, without breaking step, informed the poorly informed host that Maurice had in fact passed in 2003. Dixon in full cover up mode tried to pass this off as an honest mistake created by confusion as to just how many Gibb brothers there were. Ah, not that hard, there were four Gibb brothers and three of them were in the Bee Gees.

The beauty or treachery of live TV.

Britney Spears and Those Neck Tattoos...

The big questions of the world today include whether the neck tattoos seen on Britney Spears are real or fake. My guess is they are fake. The tattoos actually look like birds to me, but apparently they are two flowers and a fox.

Spears is enjoying a bit of a career resurgence after a guest spot on Glee.

Real or not, the tattoos ensure that she stays in the headlines for a little longer still. Her career has been a spectacular ride of ups and downs. Hopefully, the up swing that she seems to be on at the moment is one that lasts a while.

The Boomtown Rats -- I Don't Like Mondays (Part 2)...

I told ya!

This is a song that just sticks in my head...here is a version done by Bon Jovi. Interestingly, this cover version features Bob Geldof.

The Boomtown Rats -- I Don't Like Mondays...

I thought I had posted this version somewhere on my blog previously, but a word search did not turn it up. I am also not going to search through each single post.

I recently heard this song again. It is one of those songs that just sticks in your head. These are just a couple of versions that I found on YouTube.

This is the Live Aid version.



This second version has the history of the song overlaid on images of that history. An interesting watch for anyone not familiar with the song.

Keong Racun -- The Bule Version...

This is very funny!

Who would have thought a couple of unknown Indonesian girls lip-synching a dangdut song on YouTube would spark a copycat following who would then release their own version of the dangdut classic, Keong Racun (Poisonous Snail).

Enjoy!

Postscript:
Apparently, the older of the two girls is Ami Sakamoto and she is 15-years-old (at least according to KasKus).


Just as a matter of interest, anyone translate keong racun as snail poison?