Ponderings from illness

Most of you already know, but way of background, almost two years ago, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, had a tumour removed and a stoma created for urine. Since June 2016, I have been having Chemotherapy almost every forthnight. In December, 2016, new tumours were discovered in my lungs and pelvis.

I thought I'd write a little reflecting on my time being 'sick' and offer a few thoughts on what has helped me.

I feel very blessed that those I'm walking through life with, have been wonderfully supportive to me, and my family, and their support has often taken the form of some of the things listed below.  

(1)  Most important to me is continuing relationships as they were. I have really valued the conversations I've had with friends and family, and how these conversations have not only been about me, and how I'm travelling, but also feature how the local sports teams are going, the latest news in politics, music and cinema, I love hearing your hopes and fears, what's really going on for you. Yes, I may have an illness, but in many ways it isn't different to the cross you bear. Another way to put this is, while I have cancer, I am not only cancer. I retain all of the interests I've always had, and one of them is you, the person I'm speaking too.

(2) Time is so wonderful and a precious gift to give. I really enjoy spending it with you, doing what we always did. Sure, I do need to be more conscious of whether there are bathrooms, and if there are, are they easy to get to, but I'm otherwise the same. The hard thing here is I might sometimes need to say no, or cancel. Trust me, I hate doing it. My energy is so varied sometimes, each cycle is different. Know that it is not personal.

(3) Among the best gifts I have been given, aside from you and your time, was a box of DVDs, a hard drive with movies and a netflix voucher. At various points I've spent a lot of time sitting on the coach. I'm trying to, hoping to, do that less - but it is always great to have something to watch when I do. For my birthday last year, I was given vouchers or contributions towards nights or meals out. Fiona and I really cherish that.

(4) Another great thing is to bring home cooked meals. It is a wonderful feeling to know you don't need to cook, you can just throw something in the microwave at there's dinner. At the moment, I'm enjoying cooking, so we're okay.

(5) Another great thing you can do, is ask my family how they are - ask Fiona how she's doing and how the kids are going. They are experiencing it all too, in a different way, with different concerns, so it is great for them to know they're not alone. Get to know them for who they are. Please talk to us, before you talk with them.

++

The next few are things I'm learning or trying to learn (it is a slow process, two steps forward, one step back).

(5) The first is some thoughts about prayer. It certainly hasn't been easy to be faithful in prayer. It is a struggle sometimes. How do you prayer to 'The One Who Hears' when it seems He hasn't heard you. How do you pray for the same thing week in, week out. What should you be praying for, total healing, because if you have faith mountains will move, because God will give you the desires of your heart; for His will to be done remembering His will took Christ to Gethsemane, and beyond, for His Glory, and for our salvation.

It's a little of all of those right. I pray for healing, because I believe God's powerful, I pray for God's will to be done because that's salvation and redemption, ultimate healing and restoration.

I think what I'm learning about prayer is its communion with God, our Father. In whom is love and mercy. So I talk to him, and tell him all of that, I'm honest, I tell him I wonder where He is, but I love and trust Him completely.

What I'm learning, is to try and pray whether I feel I want to or not. God knows and loves me intimately, and He knows my longings, and what is ultimately best for me. Death and sickness are not natural, they will be done away with. Until then, we wait.

You won't find an answer to the question of 'Why'. I think it's better to think, how can I make the most of the life I have now been given, in other words 'Why Not Me?'. God, can and will use the experience to bring some good. Good, perhaps meaning changes in me, and others.  If in walking this road, I've helped another traveller find their way , I can take comfort from that.

(6) I have also been thinking on how to help myself in the low times, when I just want to curl up into a ball. One of the ways I've learn to pick myself up is reminding myself of what I have been blessed with, or can be thankful for.

• The top of my list is my family, it is so very grounding looking a photos of my wife and our kids.  The joy they bring is indescribable. It's the little and big things, wrestling the kids, listening to them giggle, sing, seeing the cheeky looks on their faces, building random vehicles  or putting the Sylvanian families to bed, enjoying fish and chips at Balmoral, looking at the animals at the Zoo, reading and praying together. 
• I'm so very thankful for my family, their support and prayerrs. I am so grateful that my brother and sister have come and sat through Chemo with me.
• Throw time with friends in next. One of my big highlights of the past few months was being able to spend quality time with my friends and their kids too.
• It is also great to make a list of things you can do, or remember doing that can build you up.  For me so much of it is about music. Listening to music at home or while I'm out and about. I still love buying a brand new CD, opening to packaging, and reading the booklet while hearing the album for the first time. There's just something amazing about using all of the senses to hear a new album. In the modern age, I just download from itunes and listen through earphones, lying in the dark. I still think that is the best way to hear new music or discover old favourites. I also really enjoy putting CDs together for people too. so if you want some music let me know - and I'll put something together for you.
• I'm really thankful for books - I enjoy getting lost in a good story and I still really enjoying a bunch of non-fiction too. I haven't read too much about cancer, truth be told. 
• I love a good film, with great characters and dialogue. Something to take me into another world, another time, and other lives. 
• I just love looking at the world after a storm or rain shower - everything looks and smells fresh.
• Walks in the sun and just after a rain shower.
• Time spent on the beach, I'm not a big swimmer, but I love looking out onto the ocean, listening to the waves, building sandcastles.
• Seeing the sunrise - there's something special watching the light spread through the sky, and light up everything.
• I love watching people, seeing friends chat, parents interact with their children, kids running around playing together - creating elaborate worlds or stories.
• Coffee shared with friends or family. Conversations about anything and everything.  I know I especially shouldn't drink so much, but life is short and coffee is great.
• Another is looking back on the memories I have. Memories of places I've been, people I have spent time with, and experiences I have had. All of them are positive energy and provide fuel for the fight.

What I've been in to - February 2018

Hard to believe, but we're almost at the end of February, so its time again to write about what I've been reading and listening to. 

Books

Well I've managed to read a few more books this month. The first was from Tanya Marlow 'Those Who Wait'. The book is about seeing God in and through disappointment, doubt and delay. The book uses the stories of Sarah, Isaiah, John the Baptist and Mary to talk about finding God as we deal with disappointment. What I really loved about the book is the stories it wove about how these biblical characters may have felt as they waited for God's promises to be fulfilled. In her book, Marlow includes chapters that talk about why she made certain interpretations as she retold these familiar stories, also highlighting that there were other ways you could read the story.

The other book I've been working through is Samantha Lane's book Roar.  Roar tells the stories of some of the players and coaches from the Women's AFL competition, which launched during 2017.  I really enjoyed reading it - and hearing how much the competition and game mean to these women.  I am totally blown away by the book, and the women who shared their stories.

Music

I've posted about this briefly elsewhere to, but the music on heavy rotation during this month has been Andrew Peterson, Sandra McCracken, Christa Wells. I've only just got Sarah Blasko's new album so am expecting to listen to that a bit more. First impressions, I just love her unique and powerful voice. The songs are so emotional and human. Well worth checking out.

The highlight of Andrew Peterson's EP Resurrection Letters - Prologue is the song Last Words which is a beautifully constructed song featuring Jesus' last words on the Cross. Just a really thought provoking EP.  The album beautifully prepares our hearts for both Lent and Easter.

I've also been listening to another band called 'A TreehouseWait'. Totally recommend listening to them too. Great lyrics and a unique sound.

It's kind of fitting to post here that it has been twenty years since I saw U2's Sydney PopMart concert, my first U2 show. The enduring memories I have from the concert, are the man who climbed up a lighting tower during Where the Streets Have No Name, the fact that the band could not use their lemon due to an electrical storm, the band playing One (in memory of Michael Hutchence) illuminated only by the electrical storm, and the crowd singing INXS' Never Tear Us Apart after the show finished. The album Pop is still one of my all time favourite albums, and the concert one of the best I have ever seen. Hard to believe that's now twenty years ago.

Sporting shorts

I don't know about you, but I've really been enjoying the Winter Olympics. Sadly the coverage this year has been fairly ordinary. There's something I just love about watching an event where either New Zealand or Australia are not very likely to win. My favourite story from the Olympics so far is the Czech snowboarder Ester Ledecka who shocked the field to take the Alpine skiing gold medal.

I've really enjoyed the start of the AFLW competition. From my point of view more people need to see these amazing athletes play the sport they, and I, love.

I was also disappointed by AFL-X. Which really seems like a televised training drill. Disappointing because money was directed away from the Women's Game to AFLX-, disappointing because the women's game deserves its time in the sun.  The real driver behind AFL-X seems to be the desire to play the game on rectangle fields, and maybe win hearts in NSW and Queensland (with a quicker form of the game and make an event like the Rugby. Some have also said that its part of a plan to develop an international game.  It's disappointing an international game would come ahead of a team based in Tasmania. Yep, North Melbourne and Hawthorn play games there; but I feel Tasmania deserves its own team, given their history in the game.                   

Read ABC's take on the AFL-X here. My gut feel is that the game will be back next year with a little bit of tinkering.

Sporting shorts...

So, its time for the annual, how much egg can I get on my face post. Especially seeing as the trails start next weekend. Here's a top eight for the AFL and NRL. 

AFL: (Not in order)

Sydney, GWS, Adelaide, Geelong, West Coast, Richmond, Essendon ad Melbourne.

Hawthorn are a good of making the finals again too. I'm picking Melbourne as my darkhorse; each year seems to be an improvement on the last one.

In terms of the Premiers - I'm leaning towards Adelaide, though Sydney are a chance (more so if they don't lose the first six games like last year),

NRL (Not in order)

North Queensland, Roosters, Melbourne, Brisbane, Parramatta, Penrith, Cronulla, St George.

At the moment, I think that I'm favouring North Queensland, or the Roosters to win the title. Depending on how Melbourne covers its losses, and the representative season, they could well go back to back. 

The most confident prediction I'll make is that the Warriors will have another disappointing year. 

I'd softly lean to Queensland winning the Origin series. Australia will beat New Zealand, if they play this year. 

Other sport:

I really love the Winter Olympics, primarily because I can watch it for the joy of the sport. I'm not really expecting any New Zealanders to place in the top three so its fun to watch the best in the world go at it. 

Next week the UEFA Champions League returns - with a couple of great ties to look forward to as well.

The Women's AFL game between Fremantle and Collingwood attracted a crowd of almost 42,000. The 41,975 is the largest crowd for a women's AFL game in Australia. The only larger crowd for a women's sporting game in Australia was the 58,432 who saw Sweden play Brazil during the Sydney Olympics. 

Sporting short.

Time for a new post on this sporting life.

• The Footy Season has started with the beginning of the 2nd Season of the Women's competition. Looking forward seeing the competition continue to grow. 
• I enjoyed watching the Big Bash Cricket. My hope for next year is that the Men's and Women's Final are played on a weekend without international cricket and as standalone events. The Women deserve to play in a full stadium, with the traditional home ground advantage given to the highest finishing team. 
• In contrast to the above, I would love to see us move to a system where the Grand Final of the Rugby League and Australian Rules Football competitions rotates around the country like the SuperBowl. 
• On the SuperBowl - why was this an upset? The Eagles beat the Patriots earlier in the year, and they both had identical records for the season (13-3). Don't understand the hate for the Patriots, but also glad the Eagles won.
• The highlight of the year so far seeing both Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki win the Australian Open Finals. I've run out of words for Federer - his achievements are staggering but above that I am impressed with the respect He has for the sport he plays, and how he recognises his place within its history. Federer is the fourth tennis player to win 20 Grand Slam Single titles (and the first man). The others, Serena Williams, Steffi Graf and Margaret Court.
• Looking forward to the start of the Winter Olympics on Friday. Along with the Football World Cup, its my most anticipated sporting event for the year. I'm also looking forward to the Champions League restarting - with some mouth-watering ties set up including Real Madrid v Paris St Germain and Chelsea-Barcelona.
• Impressed with F1's decision to remove the Grid Girls and replace them with Grid Kids. 

What I'm in to December/January

Boy those Christmas holidays disappeared. Can hardly believe school's started for the year. We had quite a busy January, catching up with family over Christmas and New Years, before taking a road trip to Victoria for a wedding, and then away with friends for the Australia Day weekend.

The trip to Victoria was great fun. The first time we'd driving long distance with the kids and they both coped with it fairly well. Planned breaks (and exercise) at McDonalds helped, as well as the Wiggles (their Meet the Orchestra CD is quite fun) and various audio-books. On the way down we also stopped at Holbrook, The Submarine and Museum there was a big hit. On the way down we spent the first night at Beechworth. Just a lovely town - with an awesome Bakery, and a rich history.

One of the many highlights of the trip was our day in Melbourne. We caught a bus into the city, and stopped at Brunetti's, Reading Kids, before going to the Museum. Sad to say, but I definitely preferred it to any of the Museums in Sydney. The day we arrived in Melbourne we also went to the Collingwood Children's Farm - which I totally recommend. It was just wonderful for the kids. 

The other highlight of the trip was a visit to Hutch & Co in Lilydale. We visited the cafe because in an earlier life it was a shop owned by Fiona's family, and I can totally recommend the Tonic Expresso on their menu - a shot of coffee, with Tonic water poured over ice served with Lime. Just wonderful

It was really great to be off treatment - it meant that I had so much more energy for these things. I felt so much more myself. The challenge now is trying to retain some of that energy now I'm back on treatment. I'll have a scan later this month so we can see how things are going.  I'm trying not to be too anxious about this, as whatever will be, already is.

How else have I kept myself busy during the past few months.

Reading
I've read a little bit more over the past few months, not a lot mind you.  I finished Jamila Rizvi's book Not Just Lucky. While it is geared to women, I found there was a lot I could personally take from it, as well as being another helpful book to remember as my daughter grows up.  Since then I've started Zoe Daniel's Story Teller. If you don't know, Zoe Daniel is (or perhaps was) ABC's South East Asia Correspondent. The book is as much about the events she covered and her reflections on her working life. I've just started, so more later.

On my list to read next is Samantha Lane's book Roar and Tanya Marlow's Those Who Wait. Roar focuses on stories from the inaugural Women's AFL competition. Those Who Wait is a book about the perspective and purpose we can find through waiting for the fulfillment of our longings.

Music
December is normally filled with Christmas carols and Christmas songs. While I did listen to a few carols, the album on high rotation was U2's Songs of Experience. I've blogged my thoughts on the album here. If its possible I think I like and enjoy the album more now than I did then. I'm still hoping their Experience and Innocence Tour comes here, but I have doubts.

In January, we went and saw the Carole King Musical - Beautiful.  I really enjoyed the musical.  I was familiar with some of the music but none of the story.  The musical told the story beautifully, and was quite fun.  One of the highlights of the musical was You've Got a Friend, it was beautifully placed in the musical and gave me the chills. Seriously, if you can go to Melbourne and see it, you won't be disappointed.

After seeing the musical, I was inspired and listened to a bit more of Carole King. Along with the musical CD, Carole King's album Tapestry, was also on heavy rotation. I also did some exploring and listened to a concert she did with James Taylor in the 1970s. (Live at the Troubadour). It has beautiful versions of 'You Can Close Your Eyes' and 'Fire and Rain'. I knew You Can Close Your Eyes because of the duet performed by Brooke Fraser and William Fitzsimmons.

The other highlight was Glen Hansard's new album Between Two Shores. I'd been hearing songs from the album since 'Time Will be the Healer' was released last year. I love Hansard's voice; and the songs sound great. Think they'll grow a more when they're played live, so hopefully we'll see him out here soon.

I didn't expect it but the new album from Andrew Osenga (The Painted Desert) has also been really great to listen to.

During January the other highlight was going to the Brickman Awesome show in Sydney. Brickman Awesome is an exhibition of some pretty amazing models made completely out of Lego bricks.  I couple of the ones which really jumped out at me were the Killer Whale, Red Back Spider, Rosewell and the Sydney Opera House.

Movies
It's actually been a good month for movies - I had planned to go and see the latest Star Wars film but I never quite got to do that, but I did take the time to watch The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie, I found both to be really fun, a lot of cultural references for the mature viewer. The Lego Batman movie certainly is my favourite Batman movie.

If I can find a way to make it work I hope to see some of the Oscar nominated films. I was delighted to see Lou (a short film released with Cars 3) nominated in the Animated Short Film category. Will let you know how I go next month.                                                                               

Year in review - Music and Reading

Time to recap the year in music and books.  I didn't watch any films though I'm hoping to see the new Star Wars film The Last Jedi.

Books
I didn't read much this year - the standout was Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah.As I mentioned here the book is about the place of lament in the life of the church. The book focuses on the United States, but I feel pretty confident in saying that lament doesn't have much of a role in the Australian church. My goal was to read 43 books, I've currently read seven, so next year's goal will be a little less ambitious.

Music
It has been a different story with music.  I've listened to quite a bit of music and I'd say it's been a good year.

The memorable releases during the year for me:

• U2 - Songs of Experience
• Julien Baker - Turn on the Lights
• December - 33
• Pearl Jam - Let's Play Two
• Amanda Held Opelt - Embers
• Nichole Nordeman - Every Mile Mattered
• The Likes of Us - Roots and Wings
• Taylor Leonhardt - River House
• Lara Landon - The Never Again

As always, I exclude cover albums and live albums from my best of list. Although during the year I've enjoyed listening to Pearl Jam's 'Let's Play Two' which features songs recorded during the two concerts the band played at Wrigley Field (home ground of the Chicago Cubs), and December's album 33, featuring covers of U2 songs.

So onto the rest of the albums, the three that stand out are Nichole Nordeman's Every Mile Mattered; U2's Songs of Experience and Juilen Baker's Turn on the Lights; an honorable mention goes to Amanda Held Opelt's Embers. These albums are tied together by the personal nature and authenticity of the lyrics. The albums resonated with where I am at he moment in my life but particularly Nichole Nordeman and U2. Songs of Experience and Every Mile Mattered are probably my joint album of the year. I've found it really hard to separate them given their emotional impact on me. 

Both albums are really deep lyrically, and with Songs of Experience, I certainly notice different lyrics or notes each time.

In terms of live music, I saw three shows this year - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; Fleet Foxes and Lisa Hannigan.  Of these, I think my favourite was Bruce Springsteen - He's just an amazing performer, with some really powerful and moving songs.  Lisa Hannigan was brilliant too, she has a beautiful voice and it was lovely seeing how delighted she was to be playing in the Sydney Opera House. 

Next year is looking great too.  I'm looking forward to the new albums by Glen Hansard, Katie Herzig, Christa Wells and Sarah Blasko, and we'll see what else comes along. 

On the touring front, on my wish list are tour announcements from U2, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Bon Jovi, but who knows :). 

Year in review - Sport

The year is winding down so its time for a few reflections in the year, beginning with Sport.

Without a doubt the highlights of the year were the BlackFerns winning the Rugby World Cup, seeing the All Blacks play the Lions in Wellington, NZ winning the America's Cup and the men's and women's final of the Australian Open.

The Women's Final was won by Serena Williams against her sister Venus Williams (it was Serena's 22nd Grand Slam title, making her one of the greatest tennis players in history).

The Men's Final was between the 17th and 9th Seeds - Federer and Nadal - it was memorable because I doubted we'd see the two play in a Grand Slam final again. The final was also a really great match with an exceptional standard of tennis.

Other memorable moments:

Cricket: David Warner's 100 in the first session of the Sydney test against Pakistan; Bangladesh winning their first ever test against Australia. Steve O'Keefe's 12/70 in the first test  against India)

The Men of the Series in the Ashes this year has to be the Selectors - who picked Shaun Marsh (who scored a century in the Adelaide test) and Mitchell Marsh (who's century in the Perth test was a vital cog in winning that test).

Though perhaps a little more seriously, its hard not to be blown away by Steve Smith's figures - during 2017 he has scored 1127 test runs at 70.43; currently the second highest number of runs and the second best average (with a qualification of more than 500 runs).

Rugby League: Fiji and Tonga winning Rugby League games against New Zealand. Cameron Smith proved he is one of the greats of the game, leading Melbourne to the Premiership; Queensland to the State of Origin Series win and Australia the World Cup. During the season he broke records that possibly won't be matched.

Rugby Union:  One of my highlights of the year was seeing the Lions play the All Blacks in Wellington.  Sure the All Blacks lost, but it was just amazing being part of it. The atmosphere in the stadium and city was unforgettable. On the whole the All Blacks had  a pretty rusty year, but hopefully its just part of the plan to peak in a World Cup year (2019).

AFL: The Swans making the finals after a 0-6 start. (though their performance against Geelong was disappointing). The inaugural Women's Competition (won by Adelaide).

Football: Sam Kerr and the Matildas were a breath of fresh air.  The Matildas won their first tournament (and beat the US for the first time).  On the back of this (and wins against China and Brazil the Matlidas are now ranked fourth in the World).

I shouldn't forget the New England Patriots winning the SuperBowl after trailing 3-28.

Songs of Experience - a review

Just over a week ago, U2 released their fourteenth album, (and companion album to 2014s Songs of Innocence) Songs of Experience. It's been on fairly regularly since then. I'm not going to tell you where it fits in their cannon. It's too soon for that, and to be honest I am not sure I really want to do that, given the emotional reaction I had to the album.

I wasn't really prepared for the album to hit me as much as it did. Listening to You're the Best Thing about Me; The Blackout, Get Out of Your Own Way and American Soul didn't give me a clue it would have such an impact.

Listening to the album the whole way through changed all of that. From 'Love is All We Have Left' to 'Thirteen (There is a Light)' what struck me is how the album impacted me emotionally.

The album has been billed as a series of letters to Bono, to Ali and his kids, to America and to us as fans. The songs are among the most personal Bono has written. Another theme about the album is living in light of your mortality.

Three songs also deal with the refugee crisis - American Soul, Summer of Love and Red Flag Day.  Each of these highlights it from different angle - American Soul calls the US to be a sanctuary for those fleeing conflict. Summer of Love tells how Bono is thinking about the West Coast (not in California) but the West Coast of Syria. Red Flag Day focuses on deaths at Sea.  That three track section packs so emotional punch.  (Love this post from atU2's Sherry Lawrence about those songs).

Given where I am in life, the album is in many ways exactly what I needed to hear, spoke to my concerns for the refugee as mentioned above, and just how I feel.  Last year, I was diagnosed with cancer, and am more acutely aware of my own mortality, and trying to focus on what really matters, including the legacy I will leave. Love is All We Have Left grabs me because that's certainly how I feel

Musically it touches all the buttons - there is shimmering soundscapes which build and fall, and there is also grungy guitar and powerful basslines.  I also really love how the album has used musical and lyrical elements from Songs of Innocence. The most notable are Lights of Home and Iris (Hold Me Close); American Soul and Volcano; and 13 (There is a Light) and Song for Someone.  I highly recommend listening to both albums back-to-back, each album adds depth to the other. Much like Blake's collection of poems did. 

There's a lot I love about the lyrics of the album, to me they're among the more personal Bono has written.  The real standout is 'The Little Things that Give You Away' - I could post a lot of the lyrics, but this bit as the music builds packs a powerful punch

Sometimes i wake at four in the morning / where all the darkness is swarming / and it covers me in fear /// Sometimes I'm full of anger and grieving / So far away from believing / That any sun will reappear / Sometimes / The end is not coming / It’s not coming / The end is here / Sometimes

They played The Little Things a few times on their tour for the Joshua Tree, but to me, this version is much better than the live version they played then.

Thinking about the album as a whole, that songs that stand out are 'Love is All We Have Left', 'Get Out of Your Own Way'; 'The Little Things that Give You Away', Landlady, Thirteen (There is A Light).

Get Out of Your Own Way, was written as a message to his kids, but in a recent interview Bono also highlighted it as a message he needed to hear. Likewise there is a message in it which I needed to be reminded of.

Landlady is a beautiful love song to Ali (though, I'm not so keen on the title).

Thirteen (There is a light) is a perfect ending to the album. I have the version with the bonus tracks, but I often stop listening here. I doubt they will close their Experience and Innocence shows with this song, but it would be so fitting.  

I love how given all the crap that's going on in the world (and in my life) the note the band want to highlight is Love, Joy, and Light, the album is about fighting and believing, not grieving.

+++

A couple of asides - on the bonus tracks; I love the St Peters String Mix of Lights of Home - I almost prefer it to the version on the album. Book of Your Heart is a great song, but there's nothing on the album I'd sub out for it. The remixes of You're the Best Thing About Me and Ordinary Love are good but not great, I prefer the acoustic version of You're the Best Thing About Me. 

The second aside is that with this album reaching number one in the US, U2 have become the first band to have a number one album in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, an amazing testament to the band.

I'm looking forward to hearing what this collection of songs sounds like live - and what songs they are paired with from the back catalogue.

Christmas music

Inspired by the Folk Carols at Barneys tonight, I thought I'd post on my favourite Christmas music (both Carols and Songs).

First on my list is O Little Town of Bethlehem. I particularly recommend the version by JJ Heller (Unto Us). The love the line: 'The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight'.

Matthew Perryman Jones sings another of my favourite carols O Come O Come Emmanuel. I love the passion and intensity he brings to it. There's also something in his arrangement of the song being slowed down.

Another of my favourites is In The Bleak Midwinter, particularly the last verse, focusing on our response to the coming king.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him... give my heart.

Here's a beautiful version by Christa Wells. (I also recommend the version by Jars of Clay)

Speaking of Jars of Clay, their version of I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (on Christmas Songs) is great. Particularly given the broken and divided in world in which we live.

The last verse highlights the answer from heaven that Peace will come and Christ will prevail:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."

The next one is O Holy Night (Third Day, Christmas Offerings). One of my favourite lines is 'A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices', a subtle reminder of the significance of the coming King.

Now, onto Christmas songs. So, so many chose from.  The three I will chose are Happy Christmas (War is Over); It's Christmas, Baby Please Come Home and I Believe in Father Christmas.

I love Sleeping at Last's cover of Lennon and Ono's Happy X'Mas (War is Over). It's a beautiful arrangement.

U2 have recorded both Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and I Believe in Father Christmas. Christmas Baby Please Come Home is quite a fun song. I Believe in Father Christmas was originally written to protest the commercialisation of Christmas. I can only echo the sentiment here

'I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear.' 

What I'm in to - November

Another month has come and gone, and we're now in December.  So its time to share what captured my attention during November. 

It was a pretty quiet month reading wise.  I didn't start or finish any books, and I'm no where near my goal of 40 books for the year.

A different story so far as music goes - I spent a bit of time listening to the Anniversary Edition of R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People, which came with a recording of a show they did after the albums release. They didn't widely tour the album, so I'm glad they included that. There's also a CD of Demos which I haven't explored.

Other than R.E.M.'s reissue, I listened to Amanda Held Opelt's Embers. Really lovely folk album with really great lyrics. You can read more about the album here.

I also heard new songs from Sarah Blasko and Glen Hansard. Sarah Blasko's album is also due to be released next year.

U2's new album has now been released, I'll write more about that next month.

TV
Been enjoying 800 Words lately, working my way through season 2. Really easy to watch with characters that you grow to know and care about.

What I've Been in to - October

Hard to believe that another year is almost gone. It's November 6 today, so it is time to look back at what I've been into the past month.

Reading:
I finally finished Tim Keller's book on Prayer. It was certainly a book worthwhile reading. A great reminder that prayer is about an encounter with God, and as much about listening as speaking.  I was challenged to pray, even when I didn't feel like it.  I found the section looking at how Augustine, Luther and Calvin approached prayer quite helpful too. I've got lots of books on my 'to read' list, but I didn't start anything else this month.

Music:
Here's the another songs on high rotation this month.

• When I First Met You - Amanda Opelt (Embers)
• Centre of the Universe - Amanda Opelt (Embers)
• Appointments - Julien Baker (Turn Out the Lights)
• Feel Alive - Katie Herzig (Single, album coming out next year)
• You're the Best Thing About Me (Acoustic) - U2 (Single, Songs of Experience due out December 1)
• Time Will Be the Healer - Glen Hansard (Between Two Shores, Album due out January 2018)
• Strangers - Katie Herzig (Single)
• You're the Best Thing About Me - U2 (Single)
• Viva La Vida - Katie Herzig (Single)
• One Day - Christa Wells (Album coming out next year)
• One - Sleeping at Last (Atlas: Ennogramm)

Of these, Julien Baker's and Amanda Opelt's album came out in the past few weeks, U2 will release theirs in December, Glen Hansard, Katie Herzig and Christa Wells are all scheduled for 2018 releases. Of these, I think I'm almost most excited about new music from Glen Hansard.

Thinking back on the year, the albums which are lingering in the memory are Julien Baker's Turn Out the Lights and Nichole Nordeman's Every Mile Mattered. Both are awesome honest and authentic song writers sharing their personal stories with us, whether the stories be positive or negative. In these album Bakers reveals her battle with depression and resolving her faith and sexual orientation. 

The songs which have really been speaking to me are Christa Well's One Day and Katie Herzig's Feel Alive. I thought I'd post the some lyrics from both.  One Day was written when Wells was going through a particular tough time.

Oh, I see you laughing on the other side

Where the walls have tumbled and the flowers grow wild

Oh, I see you laughing on the other side

With your broken heart under open sky.

Herzig wrote Feel Alive for a grieving friend. 

I know that you are healing

I know that you are feeling every fear inside, without a place to run and hide

If I could show you one thing-

It’d be the light that’s on the other side

Holding out for the best of us

TV

Haven't been watching too much on TV, aside from sport. I spent the best part of Monday afternoon and today watching games 5 and 6 from the World Series. Its been really awesome to watch; the two teams are really well matched and the series been quite close with so many momentum swings. One of Houston or LA Dodgers will win in tomorrow's decider. 

The other sport I've been enjoying has been the European Champions League. We're just over half way through the Groups stage so it is about to get more interesting. 

Sporting shorts: October 15

So, I didn't know what to do with this post after the Football (read NRL or AFL) seasons have finished.  But last week was a pretty big week, with the start of the Baseball Playoffs and a big week in World Cup Qualifiers.

The AFL and NRL will stay in the news with the International Rules Series and World Cup coming up.

Baseball:
So it looked like quite an even post season with quite a number of teams with rosters capable of winning the World Series, and it was hard to pick of favourite. The Wild Card games were won by the Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Divisional Series were won by the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. With the league playoffs being between the Yankees and Astros; and the Dodgers and Cubs. I'm picking Houston and Los Angeles to meet in the World Series, but anything can, and usually does happen.

World Cup Qualifiers
In the Asian playoff, Australia survived a tense 2-1 win on Tuesday and 3-2 aggregate win to advance to the Intercontinental Playoff, where they will meet Honduras.

The surprise of Wednesday morning was that Panama would qualify for their first World Cup, and the USA being eliminated by a 1-2 loss to Trinidad and Tobago.

In Europe, Iceland qualified for their first World Cup, and surprisingly the Netherlands missed out. Iceland are Quarter finalists from the last European Championships so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised.

The South American Qualifiers were equally tense with Peru advancing to the playoff against New Zealand. Have to say I'll be surprised if NZ make it, but anything can happen.

So now the qualified teams are:

Africa: Egypt, Nigeria, three more will qualify. Most groups are quite tight, but I favour Tunisia, Cote D'Iviore (Ivory Coast) and Senegal.
Asia: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Europe: Belgium, France, England, Germany, Spain, Iceland, Serbia, Poland, Portugal, Russia (Hosts)
North, Central America and the Caribbean: Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama
South America:  Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay.

Playoffs: 
The below teams have qualified for the playoffs

• Australia who play Honduras (they play on Nov 10 and Nov 15)
• New Zealand who play Peru (they play on Nov 11 and Nov 16)
• In Europe, four will qualify from Denmark, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Northern Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland. The match ups, and dates, are decided on Oct 17.

My final thought is that I love the 32 team World Cup, and am not really a fan of expanding it. If that's the decision that's made so be it, we'll see how it ends up. 

What I've been in to - August / September

It's a little late, but I thought I'd take the t I me to write about what I've been doing recently.

Reading
It's been a quiet month for reading. I have read a little more of Timothy Keller´s book on prayer, but not much else. So far I have found it a really interesting and helpful read. But more on that when I've finished.

Music
I've been listening to quite a bit over the past few months. I'm addicted to Nichole Nordeman´s Every Mile Mattered. Just a beautiful collection of songs about when life heads south or you are not in the season you want to be. The album has a great cover of U2's Beautiful Day.

Speaking of U2, the other album I've been listening to now is December´s 33, which I reviewed earlier. It's a great selection of U2 covers reimagined with love and care.

To top it off I've been listening to U2´s new song You're the Best Thing About Me. I really love it, and can't wait for the album whenever it comes.

The other album which came out is Pearl Jam´s recording from their Wrigley Field shows. Just a great band, and the recording is awesome.

Watching
I haven't been watching much. Well mostly sport, American sport that is.  I found their commentary so superior to what we cope with. I enjoy having women commentate. The biggest thing was it seemed the goal wasn't entertainment, rather describing the game, and talking about the sport.

Sporting shorts - October 1 #Finals four.

So with that the football season is over.

AFL

• While the Crows were the best team all year. Richmond were better on the day and deserved Premiers. Their first since 1980.

NRL

• Congrats to Melbourne, deserved Premiers. I have to say that Bellemy deserves great credit for continuing to find great players. 
• The Rugby League World Cup starts this month, so there's more Rugby League before the seasons over. I expect the Australian teams to dominate the men's and women's tournaments.

Other

• One thing I have appreciated in the coverage of the Baseball I've been watching was the place of women in calling the game. In Australia we have women providing comments or as hosts. I think we could do better. There are women who could be part of the commentary team and call the game. The game would be better for it. 

Hard to know what to do with this series now the football season is over. While I do love cricket, it's just not the same. I will try to get into the A-League this year. I expect Sydney has to be a good chance to go back to back.

The other big story is Australia´s World Cup qualification. Australia are playing Syria. The tie is level at 1-1. I expect Australia to win, but it would be an awesome story if Syria was able to win the tie. 

Sports Shorts - September 24 - Finals #3

AFL

• So we've got a Crows-Tigers final.  For me the two best teams this year have made it. I'm leaning towards Adelaide as they are the more balanced team, but I feel if Richmond get a good start (and Adelaide start slowly), it could be a different story. 
• If the Cotchin incident had happened in the Home&Away season, I feel he would have got at least a fine. That said, I'm glad he's playing in the Grand Final. 
• On the Brownlow. I want the journo's to ask the 'WAGs' more than just what they're wearing. I think Dustin Martin will win, and poll more votes than Dangerfield. 

NRL

• It's the Cowboys and Storm. The Storm are raging favourites, being the best team all year.  But you do have to admire the Cowboys, knocking out the Sharks, Eels and Roosters just to make the Grand Final (and doing it all without Thurston). I think they'll be saying a big thank you to the Bulldogs, who's last round win against the Dragons got them into the eight. 
• I think the Storm will win, but won't mind of the Cowboys win, They'll be the first, first grade premiers who have won a grand final after finishing eight. 

Other

• The Matildas had another win against Brazil.There is just something awesome about how they approach the game, and the joy they play with. They're certainly my favourite Australian sports team at the moment. 

Sporting shorts - 17 September - Finals #2

AFL

• Tough end to the season. I thought Geelong were more of a chance than most people. But I feel the Sydney didn't really offer a shot. I guess after playing over month of elimination finals the players were heading for an off night. 
• GWS were ruthless in dispatching West Coast. Hard to tell whether the result was more about West Coast running out of puff or GWS. 
• Was disappointing to see the number at the GWS-West Coast game - a touch over 14,000 in a 21,000 seat stadium. 
• Was sad both games were over by half time, hoping next weekend's games are closer. 
• Our Preliminary Finals are Adelaide v Geelong and Richmond v GWS.  We'll know the effect of the pre-final bye this weekend.  
• Both games are fairly even, but I'm hoping for a Adelaide v Richmond final. But I'd be equally happy if Geelong wins (just as long as Adelaide or Geelong win the Grand Final). 

NRL

• Well, for this neutral, there's nobody left to support. If I have to pick anyone to cheer for it will be the Cowboys. 
• Brisbane played well, especially seeing they suffered a few injuries, 
• I can't help but feel Parramatta felt the effects of their close loss to Melbourne. 
• Our Preliminary Finals are Melbourne v Brisbane and Sydney v North Queensland. I suspect we'll see a Storm - Roosters Grand Final, but we'll see. 

Rugby

• Convincing win by the All Blacks against the Springboks this weekend. The 57-0 win was a record margin for a test between the two nations. 
• The Wallabies won the first test in this Championship with a 45-20 win against Argentina in Canberra. 
• I'm getting hungrier for a test between England and New Zealand. England are the best placed challenger to New Zealand at the moment. It's a shame we have to wait so long to see them play. 

Other

• The other highlight from the weekend, was the 15,000 strong crowd who watched the Matilda's 2-1 win over Brazil. The crowd was larger than the Giants - West Coast crowd, Very impressive. The two teams play another game in front of a sell-out crowd in Newcastle on Wednesday.

December - 33

One of the albums I've been excited about hearing all year, finally arrived in my email box yesterday.  It's due for release on September 30. I gave it the old school treatment, while I don't yet have a CD book to finger through. I put earphones on, turned off the lights and let the music speak to me.

The album in question is December's '33'.  The album is a collection of U2 songs. They're more than covers,  they've been given a breath of freshnes.  I just love Ails voice, she brings the earnestness and passion you know from Bono. There's a refreshing thing about hearing these songs, sung by a female vocalist and stripped back a little.

The album doesn't contain the band's biggest hits, but rather a collection of deeper cuts from their catalogue, including God Part II (R&H), Surrender (War),  and a couple of my favourites Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (Achtung Baby) and Bad (The Unforgettable Fire).  Along with those there's the beautiful Promenade, the powerful Surrender, and the fan favourite Where the Streets Have No Name. The album also includes A Sort of Homecoming, Invisible, I Fall Down and Ultra Violet (Light My Way).

It's a collection made by a group of people who clearly both know and love the band with songs from throughout the bands history. I'm excited to hear their own new music shortly, and hopefully a volume 2 of U2 covers down the track. The album is out on September 30 and you can order it from here.

Sporting shorts - September 10 (Finals 1)

NRL

• The talk of the weekend for me is the coaches criticism of the referees. I think we have to be harsh on coaches public criticism of the referee.  No, the referee didn't cost you to the game. I certainly think that we need be mindful of the impact criticism from coaches influences players in junior sport.  We need referees, It's a tough gig. Read this piece here from Richard Hinds, makes some great points. I'm glad both coaches have been fined. 
• On an old hobby horse, but a couple of decisions made me think we should just remove technology from the game, a decision gets sent to the bunker, who then rule "Referees Call". A Goal-line review in the AFL is declared Umpire's Call. Let's keep the theatre of sport and let the on field referees make the call. Yep, I'm sure they'll get some wrong, but I can live with that. Just like I have to live with it when my team gives up a 16 point lead.
• On the field wins to Melbourne (in a tough one against Parramatta), Sydney City, Penrith and North Queensland.  Next week sees Brisbane host Penrith, and Parramatta host North Queensland). I'm expecting Brisbane and Parramatta to win those games. Though my heart would love to see Penrith win (sorry Andrew). 

AFL

• The buzz is about the Richmond Tigers, who won the first final in ages, and qualified for the Preliminary Final. It does seem they gained an advantage with the game being at the MCG. I know its an economic decision, but I'd love to see Geelong play their finals in Geelong. Yep even their final against Sydney next week. They earned a home field advantage, but I don't think they got it.
• The Port Adelaide - West Coast final was something else, extra time, then a goal after the siren to steal the game.  Who knows what West Coast can do, now they've won a final.  I'll be cheering for them against GWS. 
• The two games next weekend, Geelong - Sydney and GWS - West Coast.  I'd put the chances of a Sydney - GWS Grand Final at about 20%, but we'll see. 
• Next week, I'm expecting GWS to win and hoping Sydney wins. 
• I was one of the 46,000 people at the Swans-Bombers. A record crowd at the ground (in it's current configuration). Was a great atmosphere, though I did hope for a closer game. About quarter time I noticed everyone standing at taking pictures of the crowd. When I looked closer, it was because our Prime Minister - Malcolm Turnbull was there.

Football

• New Zealand have qualified for the Intercontinental play-off, where they will play the fifth ranked South American team, currently Argentina (eek). 
• Australia also qualified for the playoff in Asia, where they will play Syria. If they win that game they will play the fourth ranked team from the North America and Caribbean, currently USA - but I expect that will change - and either Honduras or Panama will await. 
• The qualified countries now number eight. Hosts Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, Iran, South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia. 
• I'm looking forward for the start of the Champions League this week. Hoping the tournament throws up a few surprises and we have a new winner. 

Cricket

• Australia won the second test, and drew the series with Bangladesh. Lyon was super impressive with the ball, and Warner with the bat.
• The other notable fact is James Anderson taking his 500th Test Wicket. He had a shaky start to his career, but has improved out of sight. Read this piece here. 

Sporting shorts - September 3

AFL

• This week is the bye, so on field action was limited to Women's State of Origin football, with the Allies and Victoria battling it out. The game itself wasn't really a contest - Victoria winning the game by 97 points - and Daisy Pearce best on ground. 
• In the Men's competition, the biggest news was Dustin Martin re-signing with Richmond. Have to say I'm pleased by that.  
• Looking forward to next week, not with any degree of confidence I'm picking: Adelaide, Richmond, Sydney and Port Adelaide to win.

NRL

• North Queensland survive, and claim eight spot, mainly due to St George's loss to the Bulldogs. 
• The first round of the finals sees: Melbourne play Parramatta, the Roosters tackle Brisbane.  Manly and Penrith resume hostilities after playing this week, and Cronulla play North Queensland. If there's any upsets among those, I suspect it will be Parramatta beating Melbourne. Parramatta at the moment are seeming to play better against the teams above them.
• So, I'm picking Melbourne, Sydney City, Penrith and Cronulla to win next weekend. 
• The Warriors abysmal season finished with their ninth straight loss - 16-28 against the Tigers. Honestly, the less said about their season the better. 

Cricket

• The main news this week was the West Indies beating England; and Australia losing to Bangladesh. 
• I'm not seeing Australia's loss as an upset, the Tigers are on the way up, beating both England and Sri Lanka in the past twelve months. Australia didn't really do the preparation and paid the penalty. These results are both great for Test Cricket. 

Football

• World Cup qualifiers have recommenced, with four nations in addition to the hosts Russia now qualified (Iran, Japan, Mexico and Brazil)
• The All Whites beat the Solomon Islands 6-1 in the first leg of their final.  The winner has the task of playing the fifth ranked South American team, currently Argentina, but it could also be Chile, Peru or Ecuador. 
• Australia's path is slightly more complicated after their 0-2 loss to Japan. Australia needs to beat Thailand and hope that either Japan beats Saudi Arabia or they beat Thailand by a greater margin than Saudi Arabia beat Japan. Australia will otherwise finish third and then need to qualify by beating the other third ranked Asian team (currently Syria, but it could be Uzbekistan) then beating the fourth ranked team from the North America and Caribbean confederation (currently Honduras, but there's an outside chance it could be the USA). 
• In terms of Europe and Africa, it is still to early in the qualifiers to determine the group winners. 

US Open

• At the middle weekend of the tournament, the Mens draws looks a little top heavy with Federer and Nadal in the top half of the draw, and its really anyone's guess who the other two semi-finalists are.  The Women's Draw is quite open. I don't know enough to pick a winner, though I'd love to see Venus Williams win the tournament.
• I'm not really sure how I feel about Sharapova being in the tournament.  Yes she has had a positive doping violation, and was granted a wild-card, but do we, if we do, move on? 

Other

• Have to admit, I'm looking forward to the start of the NFL Season, which begins Friday morning with the reigning champions (New England Patriots) taking on the Kansas City Chiefs.