Struth! Its 2010, a New Decade.

Here’s a potted summary of the Naughties:

It also finished with a blue moon (which I am informed occurs roughly every 2.5 years) and a partial eclipse. Thanks NASA

I’m in the mood to wonder about the New Year. What will it bring do you think?

Well I’m tipping more carry on with religious fanatics. All three major brands are likely to continue on with their selfish patterns of [exterminating] lives. For them it’s all about taking and killing, whether it is under the banner of self defence, praising their artificial deity or imposing greed on the rest of the world. They’ll hide their actions behind some oblique text which in reality probably says that they should give, share and care. So prepare for more direct or indirect consequences.

I’m also tipping that there will be an awakening among more Australians that the English monarchy is for the English. I’m tipping the Scots might even lead us to this and the Welsh will lag behind. The Northern Irish will be like the Falklanders and stay English. Why this will happen I’m not sure; can’t say, just intuitive.

Then there’ll be more moves to reduce planetary pollution, I’ve alluded to this before so I won’t go further into that now. I predict that although it’ll be a slow awakening it will gather more momentum, with or with out the word “greenhouse” attached.

Another positive move will be a revival (in some cases a discovery) of the music of Quincy Jones and maybe Luther Vandross. I was prowling through “stuff” on YouTube and stopping to listen to creations from both musicians’ in the 70s, 80s, 90s and now. There’s a beat, mandatory these days, there’s soul and passion in everything Jones touches. Perhaps the rest of the world won’t pick it up in 2010, maybe just me. But if not now then in a few short years when Gen Y and maybe Gen Alpha (I think that’s what we’re calling the next lot) will say, “Shit, why didn’t you tell us about this music Dad? You knew.” Gen Y now has taken to the Beatles and to brilliant, multilayered musical construction and development already. It’s given them a link to their grand-parents generation, Baby Boomers, and that’s precious. They already apply their technology with healthy respect to our music and art. Grandpa or Grandma has to explain what it was like for us and Gen Y says there is so much here to learn. It’s the same way Baby Boomers asked our Grandparents about the 1920s – the Art Deco period and last great musical revolution.

And know for something completely different. Here’s picture of 2 international soccer greats.

I’m not sure who to credit for it.

I’m very excited to be going to the Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone next month. This production stars the wonderful Geoffrey Rush. I’m not prone to claiming people for cities. Countries yep, sure and Australia has plenty to be proud of. However Mr Rush is a Melbourne boy – just ask him. And I’ve seen him out and about, whether it be going wild in the audience at the performance of international superstars Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone during 2009, or defending a culturally significant and beautiful suburban railway station or just strolling down the street, an ordinary part of the community he lives in. He’s genius performer and down to earth man. The show should be too good. I wish I could get to the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Spring Awakening but that’s next month too and the drachmas probably won’t stretch that far.
Do you think there's enough hyperlinks in that paragraph?

While on the subject of theatre I want to praise a new trance cd from Paul Van Dyk called VONYC Sessions 2009. It’s a huge production of beautifully remixed tunes that together form a classical masterpiece. It’s a theatrical journey on cd; takes you on a trip, rather in the style Pete Tong did on his Ministry of Sound Dance Nation 4 release from the 1997. We used to call them concept albums. Check it out, but make time to listen not just sample the trance joy.

To close this entry I want to point you to two Youtube clips. Both these are actually serious subjects and pack a meaningful message but they do it in opposite ways while still making you laugh. See what you think and, as always, the invitation remains to comment; to let me know what you think.

The first is a UNICEF ad, and given that it is promoting children it’s the campest thing.
Ultra camp UNICEF video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=825gGELjB98
Can't remember where I got this link.

The other is from the London Gay Men’s chorus and while cloaked in humour deals with Coming Out at xmas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWPMkDDAb7w Thanks to the Full Catastrophe blog for this one.


And remember always benefit from asking “WhaTFIT?”