Page-tuners.

Taking a break from sport & music to write a little about the books on my reading lists.

Just finished: 
Victoria Williamson - You are the music
Great book about how music reveals our humanity. Dr Vicky Williamson's book highlights the power of music through the lifecourse - beginning in-utero.  Apparently listening to Mozart doesn't make you smarter (sorry). The book talks about music and health, music and memory, our old friend the 'ear-worm' aka the 'song stuck in your head', and much more.  Really enjoyable read - her website is great too.

Nick Cater - The Lucky Culture
A fascinating point of view about Australian History & culture.I did find it worthwhile reading though I didn't agree with everything (his view on the ABC; and the environmental movement being two examples).

Reading:
Tara Moss - The Fictional Woman (most of the way through this now, and will write more of my thoughts in a separate post once I've finished).
Phil Rees - Dining with Terrorists

To Read
Kerry-Anne Walsh - The Stalking of Julia Gillard - another take on the PM'ship of Gilliard.
Mark Isaacs - The Undesirables (Inside Nauru) 
Les Murray - The World Game
Jang Jin-Sung - Dear Leader
Fiona Scott-Norman (ed) - Bully for them. (some famous Australians talk about their experiences in school).
Rob Oakeshott - The Independent Member for Lyne

Talking sport...

Super XV

• Congrats to the Waratahs reaching their first(?) Super Rugby Final - to be played in Sydney next Saturday night. Sadly - they're playing at Homebush. Would be better off to play at SFS, yep smaller crowd but definitely a better atmosphere. Their opponents are the Crusaders who eliminated the Sharks with a 38-6 win.  The Waratahs deserve to start favourites, and have handled that tag reasonably well. 

AFL

• So, the order of the top four is definitely not certain; given Sydney play Port Adelaide (Essendon is another danger game for them); Hawthorn to play Geelong & Fremantle; Geelong tackle Fremantle & Hawthorn, Port Adelaide play Sydney & Fremantle. Fremantle have the toughest run playing Hawthorn, Geelong and Port Adelaide. The game (& margin) between Fremantle & Port Adelaide is most likely going to determine who finishes fourth. 
• My top eight prediction is (in order) Sydney, Geelong, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Fremantle, Essendon, Adelaide, North Melbourne.
• It's just as tough at the bottom with five teams, North Melbourne, Essendon, Adelaide, Collingwood, & Gold Coast battling for the three spots in the eight. I think you can now draw a line through the Gold Coast after their last two losses. 
• After the game between Sydney & Hawthorn, they are now the favourites to win the flag - I lean slightly to Hawthorn, but I'm hoping the Swans learn the lessons from last nights game and reverse the result. If Hawthorn win the flag, it will be one of their best given the events of the season. 

NRL

• Great win by Newcastle against the Roosters - one of their best in recent years. 
• Warriors are out of the eight on percentage - was always going to be hard without Johnson. 
• Sea Eagles are clear favourites for the title now. Top of the table, second best differential (+130). 

The Voice - Finale...

So, the winner of 'The Voice, 2014' was Anja Nissen.  Always felt it would be one of the singers from Team Will or Team Ricky. My pick was Jackson though. That said, the there were some great singers on the show this year - I can't wait to hear more from each of them.  Did they ditch the performance of the winners single?

My favourite moments from the show, were, Clown sung by Thando & Candice, I Know Him So Well sung by Megan & Brittanie; Strong sung by Robbie & Jackson.  Anja's version of His Eye Is On The Sparrow, John Lingaird's I Will Follow You into Dark, Jackson's When the War is Over, Gabriel & Cecilia's I Dreamed a Dream & Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Now changing the channel and jumping to the X-Factor :) 

Talking sport...

AFL (First half of round 18)

• Fascinating round - North's inconsistency hurts them, Geelong and Power survive big scares.  But the upset of the season was the Saints thumping Fremantle. Hard to know what to make of that game. 
• Looking forward to the Swan's game against Hawthorn next Saturday.  Sydney would be favourites for the Minor Premiership if they win this game. I think the two danger games they have left are against Essendon & Port Adelaide. Though perhaps the lesson from this weekend is that every game is a danger game. 
• AFL is an international game - with the International Cup Tournament being played during August. Should be fascinating to keep an eye on. The Men's Final is being played at the MCG prior to the Geelong-Hawthorn game; and the Women's Final is at Punt Road (both on Aug 23).

NRL

• Warriors lost a close & exciting game to Brisbane this weekend - still in the eight & a win from the top four. 
• The Titan's didn't read the script for the weekend. 
• Barring major surprises - only three teams are out of the running for the finals - Newcastle, Cronulla & Canberra. Though a number of teams need to keep winning big to make up their points differential. 
• Looking at the ladder - I think suspect Manly, the Roosters & the Rabbitohs are the front-runners for the competition. With eight rounds to go a lot can happen. 

Super XV

• Gallant performances from the Highlanders & Chiefs this weekend, but ultimately both are eliminated. The finals next weekend are Waratahs v Brumbies & Crusaders v Sharks.

Talking sport

A little late, but I've got there...

AFL

• Not a fan of the split round.  
• Given their big win over the Magpies, Essendon are keeping the pressure up on the Gold Coast.  The Round 22 match between Essendon and Gold Coast will likely determine which of them makes the eight. The pressure is on the Suns to learn how to win without Ablett. Would be a shame if the Suns play their first final without Ablett.
• Collingwood is also in danger of slipping out of the eight if they can't find their form. Maxwell's retirement may just push them on.
• If the Swans beat the Hawks at the MCG (next weekend) it will be a club record 13th win in a row. 
• Fremantle will be happy with the focus & talk centered on the Swans.  At the beginning of the year they were my pick and with their draw, I'm predicting them to finish 1st or 2nd.   

NRL

• Really impressive win by the Warriors - given the tightness of the competition at the moment I am hoping they can put pressure on the teams above them and secure a top 4 finish.
• Penrith are equal first with Manly, and may be top come the end of the season. With the ladder as it stands, the loser in week 1 of the finals, won't really want to play any of the winners from the other games (a lot of the favourites are down the bottom of the eight). 

SuperXV

• The NSW Waratahs topped the table and play the lower ranked winner from this weekend's matches between the Brumbies (4th) & Chiefs (5th) and the Sharks (3rd) & Highlanders (6th). While the Crusaders play the higher ranked winner. Suspect the Waratahs will play the Brumbies next weekend, while the Sharks will travel to Christchurch - but anything can happen :)

Ten from Jars of Clay

It is now over 20 years since Jars of Clay's first self-titled album.  Jars of Clay are one of my favourite bands.. Dan Haseltine has a unique voice, and a gift for songwriting. They are also a band that has been growing and evolving.  Though lots of people loved their first album, they haven't tried to replicate it, they've moved & grown.  Thought I'd write about my favourite 10 Jars of Clay songs. If you haven't heard them, have a listen.

(1) World's Apart (Jars of Clay)
Not only my favourite Jars of Clay song, but close to my favourite song. The words & music work perfectly together. The phrase "All said and done I stand alone,  Amongst remains of a life I should not own, It takes all I am to believe, In the mercy that covers me", resonates to the core of my soul. The way the song builds both lyrically and musically is amazing.

(2) Shelter (Shelter)
This song says everything you need to know about what it means to be in a community -"And the tears aren't ours alone / Let them fall into the hands that hold us".  We live in the Shelter of each other. The Christian is not called to running solo but called into community.

(3) Faith Enough (Who We Are Instead)
Perhaps inspired by the Ernest Hemingway story Farewell to Arms. The quote goes “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.” A reminder, that while our world (and our lives) are broken, we often become stronger through these experiences.

(3) Light Gives Heat (Good Monsters)
Love the children's voices at the beginning, and its another song with a powerful message highlighting that love is linked with action, like light & heat. One of my favourite lines - 'Heroes from the west
We don't know you, we know best'. Reminiscent of the line from Miss Saigon - 'I'm an Westerner, [sic], how could I fail to do good'.  The West often looks at the world and jumps in to solve problems it doesn't understand.

(4) Headphones (The Long Fall Back to Earth)
Perhaps one of the sadder songs Jars of Clay has written, touching on our disconnection with the world (and each other). Features another of my favourite singers - Katie Herzig. Love the line - 'We watch television...but the sound is something else, Just a song played against the drama, so the hurt is never felt'.  We'll just leave the world and disappear into our 'sugar-coated' music.

(5) Boys (Lesson One) (The Long Fall Back to Earth)
Since I have become a father, this song has taken on so much more to me.  The song is advice from a father to his son. Lesson One - being do not hide, face the consequences. The section which hits me is  'And there will be liars, And thieves who take from you, Not to undermine the consequence, But you are not what you do, And when you need it most, I have a hundred reasons why I love you'.

(6) Oh My God (Good Monsters)
Oh My God is one of Haseltine's best lyrics. This song is about how we call out to God, and how God is not afraid of questions, in fact He wants us to call on Him. This is what Job does and what the Psalmist does - crying out to God from where they are.

(7) Needful Hands (Furthermore)
One of my favourites from their album Furthermore, featuring songs recorded live or acoustically in the studio. It is another song which recognises our position before God.

(8) The Edge of Water (The Eleventh Hour)
Love the lyrics to this - its a song about longing. Longing for restoration, longing for everything to make sense, longing to understand God. The song highlights the authenticity of Haseltine's lyrics. He asks his questions and reflects his prayers and doubts.

(9) Frail (Much Afraid)
Authentic is the word to use about Jars of Clay.  Frail is another beautifully authentic song. I love the acoustic version found on Furthermore too. The acoustic recording underlines the lyric.

(10) Love in the Hard Times (Inland)
Love in Hard Times expresses beautifully the tension within relationships. Powerful and human lyric. The album is one of Jar's best lyrically.

The Voice Lives #3

So the five in the final are,  Jackson, Frank, ZK, Johnny and Anja (who was the Home-Coach save).

Mind you listening to all of the performances last night - wow, there wasn't much between any of them. It's been said many times, each of these artists are taking the next step of their journey, there's only going to be winner this year, but each of the artists, have gained exposure during the show.

Last night, I loved the performances from Jackson, Kat & Holly. My favourite duet was Holly with Frank and Jackson with Sabrina.

Finding it hard to pick a winner - but I'm leaning to Jackson. (Take a bow Kylie, who was the only one to turn around for him).  All of these artists left would be great winners. Beyond that, I'm looking forward to seeing their shows & listening to their albums.

And that was that...

Yesterday morning Germany was crowned as the World Champions defeating Argentina in the final.  Now the dust has settled, the best team for the tournament won. While Messi didn't set the final alight, he certainly carried Argentina to the final. Probably a fair choice for the Golden Ball winner. Though the stage at the final is probably not the place to award the Golden Ball & Golden Glove.

Still find the size of Germany's win over Brazil hard to believe. Was also disappointed with Holland. Felt that if they played like they did in the third place play-off they would have won their Semis. Can't believe that Holland with Van Persie, Robben & Schneider could not manage a goal in two hours of football against Costa Rica & Argentina, even allowing for some goalkeeping heroics.

For me, Rodriguez's goal v Uruguay is the Goal of the Tournament, inching out Cahill.

Bring on the Women's World Cup in 2015.

Hooked on some new sounds.

Two new EPs  which I've been hooked on - Andrew Osenga's Soul EP & Lizzie Marvelly's Collisions.

I just received Andrew Osenga's new EP - Soul and I'm hooked. Just beautiful songs, Andrew is a super talented musician, love both is guitar playing & his lyrical expression.  Looking forward to his remaining three EPs (Flesh, Bone & the an EP of covers).

I'd already heard two songs, from Lizzie Marvelly's Collisions - My Own Hero & Generation Young which are songs about empowerment - both videos powerfully bring the message home.  I think my favourite song is 'Glory Days'.  What I love is the authenticity in both her voice and her songwriting. I'm looking forward for the video (for Collisions), and hopefully down the track a visit to Australia.

The Voice 2014 - Lives Wk 2&3

Two weeks to go... 

The final eight are: Sabrina, Jackson (Team Ricky);  Anja / ZK (Team Will), Holly / Frank (Team Joel), and Kat / Johnny (Team Kylie).

Really sad to Gabriel and Cecilia & Robbie Balmer go.  Gabriel & Cecilia 's arrangements of I Dreamed a Dream & Smells Like Teen Spirit were stunning.

But, as I've said, at the moment it's all about taste. I'm predicting the final four to be Sabrina, Frank, Kat & Anja.  I suspect the winner is going to be either Jackson or Sabrina (the surprise could be Kat). We'll see though.

I haven't got into the Kids version yet.  Not sure why, but something about it doesn't sit right with me.

Talking sport ...

NRL

• Who would have thought that Cronulla would come from over 20 points down two weeks in a row.  (This week was 0-24, against the Roosters) 
• Paul McGregor is doing well at the Dragon, and would be good to see him remain as St. George's Head Coach.
• Origin Three - can NSW complete their first clean sweep in 14 years?  To be fair, all I am hoping is that it is a much better game. 

AFL

• Sydney are top of the Ladder (one game clear of Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Fremantle & Geelong), after both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn lost to Essendon and North Melbourne respectively
• The performance of the round was the Sun's win against Collingwood especially considering Ablett was injured and no fresh interchange players. This sort of win, is not only season-defining, but club defining.
• Ablett is out for the season, and may just miss out on the Brownlow.  If he does manage to win it, he will be the first to win (and have missed four or more games). 

Super XV

• The Waratahs are the team to beat, after demolishing the Highlanders in Sydney over the weekend. They've certainly improved a lot from their game against the Hurricanes. 

Wimbledon

• Novak Djokovic won his second title, meaning that 36 of the last 38 Men's Grand Slam Finals have been won by Murray, Nadal, Federer or Djokovic. 

The World Game #3

Here's a recap of the second round

The first quarter final will be between Brazil & Colombia, after Brazil beat Chile 3-2 on penalties (1-1 at full time). Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0. With James Rodriguez (one of the stars of the to(urnament & current leading goal scorer, with 5 goals) scoring both goals. His first quite possibly a new challenger for the best goal of the tournament. Brazil still is looking for its best form,  yet they are doing just enough to win games.

France & Germany play in the 2nd Quarter Final. Both were pushed all the way by Nigeria & Algeria respectively.  The Nigerian Goalkeper made a string of brilliant saves. Germany needed extra-time to score against Algeria, the game finishing 2-1.

The third Quarter final is between Netherlands & Costa Rica.  Costa Rica beating Greece (5-3 on penalties, 1-1 at full time).  Greece had the chances to win, and with a five on two in the last period of extra-time should have settled the game then.  Navas was brilliant with a string of saves keeping the scores level during the match & a stunning save in the penalty shot-out. Mexico pushed the Dutch all the way, with a late penalty settling the match.

The final Quarter-final is between Argentina & Belgium. Both were winners in extra-time. Argentina ending up 1-0 winners over Switzerland, and the Belgium 2-1 winners over the USA. From what I read looks like Howard had an amazing game.

The winners of Quarter Final 1 & 2 play off as do the winners of Quarterfinal 3 & 4. So, I'm tipping Brazil v France & Netherlands v Argentina to be the semis.  However I would not be surprised if Colombia or Belgium got through over their more fancied opponents.

The other notable point from the Round of 16 matches, was the quality of goal-keeping. Enyeama (Nigeria) may have made an error leading to the first goal, but prior (and following) the error he had made some phenomenal saves. Navas (Costa-Rica) made a stunning (and decisive) save in the Penalty Shootout; and is currently the best performing keeper in the tournament. Ochoa (Mexico) was a wall in the game against Brazil. It sounds like Howard kept the USA alive in their match too.