Black Swan...

So last week, I went and saw Black Swan. Its one of those films which stay with you as the credits roll up at the end. The highlight of the film along with the soundtrack and cinematography was the acting of Natalie Portman, Natalie's portrayal of the up-and-coming dancer Nina was very believable. The film reminded me of Enduring Love (the adaption of Ian McEwan's novel). There was also something unsettling in watching Natalie's character unravel as she became wrapped up in the demands of her role. Its also impressive that Natalie Portman actually did the dancing herself. Its one of the films which left you with questions about the characters, and events in the film, yet it was so real, I'm not sure I want to see it again.

Yesterday, we had a look at the First Emperor exhibition at the NSW Art Gallery, which was amazing, they had 10 types of the Terracotta Warriors. I found them to be so impressive, given their size, and their unique and detailed faces. Its well worth the visit.

On Serve

Was a little bit sad to see Rafa go out last night, but this comment is the mark of a champion, he was asked about the injury:

RAFAEL NADAL: I can say nothing about the injury. Seriously, I would prefer don't talk a lot about the injury. Tonight, first of all, I don't know nothing. Second thing, for respect to the winner and to a friend, I prefer to talk about the match. I think he played at a very high level. I just congratulate him and wish him all the best for the semifinal. I think he's doing a fantastic tournament. If he keep playing like this, he going to have a good chances. What David told me at the net is for me and that's it. >> Read more

To often, you hear sports people say, I was injured and that's why I lost. Always encouraging to hear players say, I was outplayed, and give the credit to their opponent. Given the two great semi-finals: Djokovic v Federer and Murray v Ferrer coming up the Final will be great.

Musical notes..

I've been meaning to post this for a while; here's to music lists ...

• Australia's top selling CD's for the past decade:
• The US End of Decade charts 
• NPR's list of the most influecial cd's from the last decade.

No surprise guessing what proportion of CDs are on both lists.....

Australia Day

So its Australia Day again, and there's the usual bits and pieces, tennis in Melbourne, a cricket game in Adelaide, talk about a new flag and moving Australia Day - and perhaps one surprise, the Australian of the Year was not a sportsman or women. (Maybe its partly because 2010 wasn't a great year). Aussie cricket fans will be relieved to hear that they have the Ashes back ... the women regained them in Bankstown yesterday.

Was also nice to see that The King's Speech did well in the Oscar nominations (I quite enjoyed the film). I'm hoping to see Black Swan next.

2011: Obscure events ...

Here's a few interesting things happening during the next 12 months ...

Cricket...

Here's an interesting explanation for Australia's declining fortunes in the Cricket ... Aussie Rules. I am sure there is a bit of truth in it.

Compact Discs ...

I read today that HMV is closing a number of stores in the UK, and the article asked whether people still by CDs. Until recently, I would have probably said that I would prefer to buy the CDs, and for some artists, and releases I probably will still, but when you start thinking about storage, there's only so much space. There is something about coming home with a new CD, and looking through the booklet, while listening to some new music.

While I've moved a little on CD's, I just can't see myself moving from books to a kindle (or similar).

more on the books (and the cricket)

A few other books I left off yesterday, fittingly for summer I read The Last Summer (which as a book about the 2009 Cricket season, also reflection on the changes in the game - mostly around 'hit and giggle', I've also got Michael Chugg (the concert promoter's autobiography, and yesterday I added Richard Glover's Why Men are
Necessary to the list.

Briefly, on the cricket, I have said this before, but I would like to receive the technology out of the game, leave the decisions to those on the field. Yes some days the wrong decision will be made, but we're not seeing many howlers overturned when the players review them.

Also, I think the South Africa-India series is showing how good Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulker, and Dale Steyn really are.

A New Year

I hope you all had a great Christmas, and all the best for 2011. To begin here's an article about new year's resolutions (or aspirations). In terms of my aspirations for 2011, I have being reading a lot more
over the last 12 months, thanks mainly to a great local library, a generous family, and would like to keep this up.

Over Christmas, I read Wayne Bennett's autobiography, Man in the Mirror, Helen Fielding's book Cause Celeb (a great parody of celebrities being involved in social justice campaigns), Alberto Barrera Tyszka's novel The Sickness, on how two men dealt with their illnesses.

I 'm also intending to read the books I was given for my birthday and Christmas last year -- two of Hugh Mackay's books: What Makes Us Tick, and Advance Australia ... Where?, George Negus's book, The
World From Down Under, Andrew Leigh's book Disconnected and Kevin Leman's book Have a new you by Friday (I've have found a few of his other books helpful), and a one more from my last visit to the library, Reading the play: on life and leadership by one of the great AFL players James Hird.

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I enjoyed the The Late Session (the new show hosted by Waleed Aly) last night on SBS. A fascinating discussion around storytelling.  It looks like the series will be fascinating with great topics and
interesting guests. Though to think the five who I'd invite an imaginary dinner party, though I'd also pick Waleed to facilitate the conversation.

Here's another article, about a philosophy book which talks highlights the impact of communal experiences.