Dear Channel 10 - today was Day 1 of the World Cycling Championships. Your coverage via the One HD channel was fantastic. Commentary from Phil and Paul amusing and informative as always. Geelong was looking a treat (someone scrubbed it I guess) and the camera work helped show that as well as tons of rider footage. Keep it up!!
DJ Rob
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Big weekend...
Friday, as you can probably guess by Song of the Week, was the end of a busy week. I'm not complaining mind you, but everything seemed to come at once and I was also doing my best not to get a cold!
I was pretty happy when Coach told me to take Saturday morning off. So I missed the morning ride. In the afternoon I chose to forego the AFL Grand Final and hit the pool for a long aerobic session. Well the football was a joke in the end but the pool session was awesome. We finished off with 1100m pool buoy and my body just started ticking over really well.
Sunday saw me out near Queanbeyan (and me without my Passport!) before riding around Sutton Rd. A great couple of hours in the sun with good company meant a pretty fab ride.
But today (Monday) was a tad harder. Ride from Tharwa to the Corin Dam wall and back. You can check out all the details here courtesy of my Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50736806
71km in 3 hours is certainly not fast but make sure you check the hill profile before you get too smart!
Angus is off to Sydney tomorrow at some foul early hour. He's representing the ACT in a carnival for the "future stars" of Australian Football. Personally I hope he goes for it but I know his passion is rugby.
Zoe and I are going clothes shopping (for her) - that should rate a blog entry later on I imagine.
And because I just finished reading his biography here's Steve Earle. It would be great if they could update the book though as a fair bit has happened since it was released. Great read if you're interested, it is called "Hardcore Troubador". www.bookdepository.co.uk has it and that is a great site and they are NOT paying me to say that!!
Steve Earle - Pancho & Lefty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMCJJkIR4pY
DJ Rob
I was pretty happy when Coach told me to take Saturday morning off. So I missed the morning ride. In the afternoon I chose to forego the AFL Grand Final and hit the pool for a long aerobic session. Well the football was a joke in the end but the pool session was awesome. We finished off with 1100m pool buoy and my body just started ticking over really well.
Sunday saw me out near Queanbeyan (and me without my Passport!) before riding around Sutton Rd. A great couple of hours in the sun with good company meant a pretty fab ride.
But today (Monday) was a tad harder. Ride from Tharwa to the Corin Dam wall and back. You can check out all the details here courtesy of my Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50736806
71km in 3 hours is certainly not fast but make sure you check the hill profile before you get too smart!
Angus is off to Sydney tomorrow at some foul early hour. He's representing the ACT in a carnival for the "future stars" of Australian Football. Personally I hope he goes for it but I know his passion is rugby.
Zoe and I are going clothes shopping (for her) - that should rate a blog entry later on I imagine.
And because I just finished reading his biography here's Steve Earle. It would be great if they could update the book though as a fair bit has happened since it was released. Great read if you're interested, it is called "Hardcore Troubador". www.bookdepository.co.uk has it and that is a great site and they are NOT paying me to say that!!
Steve Earle - Pancho & Lefty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMCJJkIR4pY
DJ Rob
Friday, September 24, 2010
Song of the week #109
If you don’t like LOUD music then I’m afraid this is not going to be the week for you. Turn off now and switch on the Disney Channel.
For those of you game enough to hang around, well, let’s get started.
Rollins Band, fronted by Henry Rollins. We’ve played this artist before, and I’ll play him again. Pure aggression with lyrics that bite and bite hard. I’m in the mood for this one. A song about being true to yourself. This is a song I think about a LOT when training for Ironman. As you may or may not know I suffered a small tear in my Achilles Tendon. That has made running impossible but I am riding and swimming like a madman. Listen to the lyrics.
Rollins Band – Shine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec2BcZWn3zk
Loud enough? I don’t think so. This one is from one of the best…Ozzy can’t talk coherently anymore but singing is not an issue.
Black Sabbath – Children of the grave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=236Lquwq22A
You still with me? Here’s the heaviest song of all time. Lyrics, guitars, the works. Turn it up as loud as possible.
Faith No More – War Pigs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhIMf61NeB8
Loud music, heavy music, hard rock – sometimes it is just great to get in the car, crank the stereo and sing along to some rock! And here is the perfect song.
Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zHNcSwx71w
Anyway, I’m signing off. I hope you enjoyed a few loud tunes. And I hope I am a lot calmer after listening to them. If you’re in a bad mood get outside, play music, walk your dog or do whatever.
This last song is from a great Victorian band. Painters & Dockers are just too cool for words. Loud guitars, brass section, mega-energy and a good range of lyrical content. I wore out a cassette copy of their live album "Bucket" when I was in high school. This song is about the scourge of the late 80’s and early 90’s….
Painters and Dockers – Die Yuppie Die: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvBcVS16_XM
I’ll be calmer next week. Maybe some Sinatra and Michael Buble…
Blow your mind, smoke dynamite,
DJ Rob
For those of you game enough to hang around, well, let’s get started.
Rollins Band, fronted by Henry Rollins. We’ve played this artist before, and I’ll play him again. Pure aggression with lyrics that bite and bite hard. I’m in the mood for this one. A song about being true to yourself. This is a song I think about a LOT when training for Ironman. As you may or may not know I suffered a small tear in my Achilles Tendon. That has made running impossible but I am riding and swimming like a madman. Listen to the lyrics.
Rollins Band – Shine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec2BcZWn3zk
Loud enough? I don’t think so. This one is from one of the best…Ozzy can’t talk coherently anymore but singing is not an issue.
Black Sabbath – Children of the grave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=236Lquwq22A
You still with me? Here’s the heaviest song of all time. Lyrics, guitars, the works. Turn it up as loud as possible.
Faith No More – War Pigs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhIMf61NeB8
Loud music, heavy music, hard rock – sometimes it is just great to get in the car, crank the stereo and sing along to some rock! And here is the perfect song.
Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zHNcSwx71w
Anyway, I’m signing off. I hope you enjoyed a few loud tunes. And I hope I am a lot calmer after listening to them. If you’re in a bad mood get outside, play music, walk your dog or do whatever.
This last song is from a great Victorian band. Painters & Dockers are just too cool for words. Loud guitars, brass section, mega-energy and a good range of lyrical content. I wore out a cassette copy of their live album "Bucket" when I was in high school. This song is about the scourge of the late 80’s and early 90’s….
Painters and Dockers – Die Yuppie Die: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvBcVS16_XM
I’ll be calmer next week. Maybe some Sinatra and Michael Buble…
Blow your mind, smoke dynamite,
DJ Rob
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Cool and not cool
A random list of some stuff.
- iPod Touch - a lot cooler than I had imagined
- Roky Erickson's album - so cool it is unimaginable
- Garmin 310XT GPS super sports watch - cool but a bit addictive
- Swooping magpies - not cool, not cool at all
- Collingwood making the Grand Final - more than cool
- Peter Garrett becoming the Minister for Education - judgement reserved on that one
- Parents living through their children's sporting achievements - not cool
- French toast with banana, maple syrup and bacon @ Carlos - cool
- The Commonwealth Games pre-event coverage on ABC Radio - long, boring and not cool
That is all!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Song of the Week #108
Hooray, another week done and only one to go until school holidays!! 12 weeks until Ironman.
I'm in my new office with the million dollar view and stacks of work to be getting on with as usual. That's all good.
Today Alison's car had to go in for some work. They gave me a loaner to get around in and oh my goodness was it gutless. I'm used to putting my foot down and the car going somewhere fast (well at least in a hurry) but this particular Merc B180 was about as exciting as my old Toyota! And it was brown too....very 70's.
Speaking of the 70's, here's a singer who is often derided unfairly. In this clip he has stolen Hank Marvin's glasses but I've always found his voice a treat to listen to.
John Denver - Rocky Mountain High: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_WyUwNPOzQ
And speaking of Hank Marvin, here's a classic...
The Shadows - Apache: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax7PoQd0euk
We've got new neighbours. Here's a wishlist. I hope they can park straight. And I hope they don't smoke. It isn't really that hard is it!! There was bike racks on their car so that is a positive thing I reckon.
Last week I parted with ten bucks and bought Rush's greatest hits. Why? Well they featured on a couple of TV shows I saw as well as a movie and I'd never really listened to them. Not bad, not bad at all. I'll need to spend some time working through their discography over time. For only three guys their sound is full, complex and hard hitting.
Rush - Working Man (live): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul0qlHHvELU
It seems pretty obvious that a lot of bands are heavily influenced by Rush. None more so perhaps than one of my personal favourites, Coheed & Cambria.
Coheed & Cambria - Ten Speed (of God's Blood & Burial): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxjYP4QEK8
I had to laugh. Coheed & Cambria are a very successful band. In the liner notes for one of their CDs, one of the band members makes mention of his High School Careers Teacher who said he'd never amount to anything!
A few weeks ago I featured Chet Atkins. This week I want you to listen to this song before you find out who is playin it so click the link and close your eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pTHucIRMJw
Unbelievably that's John5. For those of you unfamiliar with the name, he was the guitar player in Marilyn Manson's band. Bit of a change of pace. DJ McG loaned me his John5 CD and it is seriously wide ranging in terms of style but all killer guitar work.
I saw video of Henry Rollins interviewing Marilyn Manson. Seems to me that Manson thinks he is a lot smarter than he is. But then again, he's the international rock star and I'm blogging on a Friday night!
Time to close off. But as always there is a feature tune. Remember Charles Manson stealing from The Beatles and U2 stealing back? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLmqjcYtH3c ) Well, even if you don't, here's a tune that Eminem stole from Martika and ruined. The original is a great song and the whole album isn't half bad.
Martika - Toy Soldiers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq4QKbb1pkc
Rock, rock, till you drop!
DJ Rob
I'm in my new office with the million dollar view and stacks of work to be getting on with as usual. That's all good.
Today Alison's car had to go in for some work. They gave me a loaner to get around in and oh my goodness was it gutless. I'm used to putting my foot down and the car going somewhere fast (well at least in a hurry) but this particular Merc B180 was about as exciting as my old Toyota! And it was brown too....very 70's.
Speaking of the 70's, here's a singer who is often derided unfairly. In this clip he has stolen Hank Marvin's glasses but I've always found his voice a treat to listen to.
John Denver - Rocky Mountain High: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_WyUwNPOzQ
And speaking of Hank Marvin, here's a classic...
The Shadows - Apache: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax7PoQd0euk
We've got new neighbours. Here's a wishlist. I hope they can park straight. And I hope they don't smoke. It isn't really that hard is it!! There was bike racks on their car so that is a positive thing I reckon.
Last week I parted with ten bucks and bought Rush's greatest hits. Why? Well they featured on a couple of TV shows I saw as well as a movie and I'd never really listened to them. Not bad, not bad at all. I'll need to spend some time working through their discography over time. For only three guys their sound is full, complex and hard hitting.
Rush - Working Man (live): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul0qlHHvELU
It seems pretty obvious that a lot of bands are heavily influenced by Rush. None more so perhaps than one of my personal favourites, Coheed & Cambria.
Coheed & Cambria - Ten Speed (of God's Blood & Burial): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxjYP4QEK8
I had to laugh. Coheed & Cambria are a very successful band. In the liner notes for one of their CDs, one of the band members makes mention of his High School Careers Teacher who said he'd never amount to anything!
A few weeks ago I featured Chet Atkins. This week I want you to listen to this song before you find out who is playin it so click the link and close your eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pTHucIRMJw
Unbelievably that's John5. For those of you unfamiliar with the name, he was the guitar player in Marilyn Manson's band. Bit of a change of pace. DJ McG loaned me his John5 CD and it is seriously wide ranging in terms of style but all killer guitar work.
I saw video of Henry Rollins interviewing Marilyn Manson. Seems to me that Manson thinks he is a lot smarter than he is. But then again, he's the international rock star and I'm blogging on a Friday night!
Time to close off. But as always there is a feature tune. Remember Charles Manson stealing from The Beatles and U2 stealing back? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLmqjcYtH3c ) Well, even if you don't, here's a tune that Eminem stole from Martika and ruined. The original is a great song and the whole album isn't half bad.
Martika - Toy Soldiers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq4QKbb1pkc
Rock, rock, till you drop!
DJ Rob
Friday, September 10, 2010
Song of the Week #107
I’ll be brief this week. It has been hectic at work, with training and also we’re packing up to move offices which is almost as good as root canal work I imagine!
The Darkness were a UK rock band. They didn’t last all that long (two albums) as the group disintegrated in a clichéd mess of drugs and musical differences. The two albums are quite different but both worth a listen if you like Queen, AC/DC and have a good sense of humour. We all now know that Justin Hawkins managed to fit into that hilarious suit by existing on a steady diet of illicit drugs but he’s managed to get the monkey off his back. His latest band, Hot Leg, were a bit too far into left field even for me. This is a cool song from the first album.
The Darkness – Friday Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDETEPYS3Hs
And look, I wouldn’t usually put two songs in from one artist but this is a live version when the band was pretty much unknown. Check out the way they win the HUGE crowd over. Not many bands can pull this off in a live situation.
The Darkness – Love On The Rocks (With No Ice): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1TKAE4fKy4
Is that enough rock and roll for one week? NO WAY!
This next tune was recommended by DJ WatzOn…I’m only on my second listen but it ain’t half bad. I will be making an effort to listen to more from this guitar player.
Rory Gallagher – Cradle Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k4iocWURPk Yesterday I made a mistake and the wrong radio station was playing in the car. Commercial radio – shudder! But they played this song and it was a huge flashback to when I was a kid! There is no doubt that this is derivative, a rip-off and extremely cheesy. I guess that’s’ why it is so foot tappin’ good! Sounds like Boney M to me.
Leif Garret – I Was Made For Dancing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hihp_Jjdnsg
The instrumentation in that song really reminds me of 70’s TV theme songs. Which allows me to segue nicely into the song of the week. If you were a fan of Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, The Professionals or The Sweeney then you’ll know this one as well. I was reminded of it when I went to a concert here at school last week. Rock on.
Radio Birdman – Aloha Steve & Danno: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkKiZ9VSD6U
Deniz Tek who plays guitar in Radio Birdman is a qualified doctor and a US Navy pilot…his callsign was (is) Iceman…
Have a great weekend. I’ll be riding up 5 big hills and swimming a long way!
DJ Rob
The Darkness were a UK rock band. They didn’t last all that long (two albums) as the group disintegrated in a clichéd mess of drugs and musical differences. The two albums are quite different but both worth a listen if you like Queen, AC/DC and have a good sense of humour. We all now know that Justin Hawkins managed to fit into that hilarious suit by existing on a steady diet of illicit drugs but he’s managed to get the monkey off his back. His latest band, Hot Leg, were a bit too far into left field even for me. This is a cool song from the first album.
The Darkness – Friday Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDETEPYS3Hs
And look, I wouldn’t usually put two songs in from one artist but this is a live version when the band was pretty much unknown. Check out the way they win the HUGE crowd over. Not many bands can pull this off in a live situation.
The Darkness – Love On The Rocks (With No Ice): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1TKAE4fKy4
Is that enough rock and roll for one week? NO WAY!
This next tune was recommended by DJ WatzOn…I’m only on my second listen but it ain’t half bad. I will be making an effort to listen to more from this guitar player.
Rory Gallagher – Cradle Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k4iocWURPk Yesterday I made a mistake and the wrong radio station was playing in the car. Commercial radio – shudder! But they played this song and it was a huge flashback to when I was a kid! There is no doubt that this is derivative, a rip-off and extremely cheesy. I guess that’s’ why it is so foot tappin’ good! Sounds like Boney M to me.
Leif Garret – I Was Made For Dancing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hihp_Jjdnsg
The instrumentation in that song really reminds me of 70’s TV theme songs. Which allows me to segue nicely into the song of the week. If you were a fan of Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, The Professionals or The Sweeney then you’ll know this one as well. I was reminded of it when I went to a concert here at school last week. Rock on.
Radio Birdman – Aloha Steve & Danno: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkKiZ9VSD6U
Deniz Tek who plays guitar in Radio Birdman is a qualified doctor and a US Navy pilot…his callsign was (is) Iceman…
Have a great weekend. I’ll be riding up 5 big hills and swimming a long way!
DJ Rob
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Reality check
13 weeks until Ironman. With the Achilles getting ultrasound, acupuncture and massage that means a maximum of 9 weeks run training. And the training intensity is gradually increasing. This is the hardest week of the four week training phase. It culminates with 5 peaks ride and long swim on Saturday - that is going to hurt!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Song of the Week #106
A warm welcome to this episode from the human pincushion!
I had acupuncture today. Only 5 needles but connected up to some sort of electrical device. It wasn't too bad but then I couldn't see what was going on as I was lying face down. Hopefully the acupuncture, massage and some gentle stretches can sort out my Achilles tendon.
I was mildly amused that the acupuncturist was in the rooms next to the tattoo parlour. I'll need to book myself in there for an appointment post Ironman!
Needles, tattoos....a song...by one of the greatest rock and roll groups ever.
Rose Tattoo - Scarred For Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYdK3eVSuTI
I met Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo singer) at the Melbourne Zoo when I was still at High School. Yes, he is really short and he was super nice to us as well.
Hey, what is it with people who have "Kind Regards" at the end of their emails? It really sounds like such a blah statement to me. It says nothing and as part of a signature block I always think, how patronising!
Let me put my amateur political analyst hat on now. Skip to the next paragraph if you want more music. If Australia's electoral system is such that power has been handed to a small group of independent MPs then maybe we need to look at it. Is it time for a different electoral system? Certainly, 4 or 5 people determining who can form government doesn't seem particularly representative. Maybe I should stop moaning and run for office. Nah, I'm too honest!
Alice Cooper - Elected: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0RlYtee0qg
And now for some classic, classic rock. This song has everything. Great beat, tough snare sound, groovy guitar riff and smoky vocals. And when the chorus kicks in it is a real toe tapper. AND it featured on the soundtrack for a super movie.
Huey Lewis and The News - The Power of Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBK2YQPKMf4
But I listened to a wider range of music this week than the playlist so far might make you think. I scored a sweet compilation CD programmed by Tom Waits. And I'm just going to play the first two tracks because they really seem like essential listening to me.
First up we have Tennessee Ernie Williams. I'd never heard this in my life but the groove, the lyrics and that voice are just so good that I have to share. This song would make it onto a desert island disc if I had to make one. Imagine Nick Cave singing this one...sublime!
Tennessee Ernie Williams - Sixteen Tons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUpTJg2EBpw
Things got even better when the next tune came around on the CD. Son House has an amazing voice. Listen carefully throughout the track as he conveys an amazing depth of emotion. I really like the way he gets in and out of time when the only accompaniment is him clapping! Reminds me a bit of listening to John Lee Hooker who obviously never plays a stright 12 bar - he just plays what feels right.
Son House - John the Revelator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGBoP70A7Q0
But here's the song I want everyone to listen to. A bit unexpected as well. I had no idea that the Green Day album (rock opera perhaps) American Idiot had been turned into a Broadway Show. It looks pretty cool from the YouTube footage that I've seen so far. This song is from the subsequent album but I guess it is in the show anyway. I like it.
Green Day - 21 Guns (Broadway Cast Version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1RKr4pWOqs
There's almost a Wayne's World headbanging moment in that clip! But seriously, I like what they've done with it. Almost the Glee treatment but with people who can sing!
Have a great weekend.
Kind Regards ;-)
DJ Rob
I had acupuncture today. Only 5 needles but connected up to some sort of electrical device. It wasn't too bad but then I couldn't see what was going on as I was lying face down. Hopefully the acupuncture, massage and some gentle stretches can sort out my Achilles tendon.
I was mildly amused that the acupuncturist was in the rooms next to the tattoo parlour. I'll need to book myself in there for an appointment post Ironman!
Needles, tattoos....a song...by one of the greatest rock and roll groups ever.
Rose Tattoo - Scarred For Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYdK3eVSuTI
I met Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo singer) at the Melbourne Zoo when I was still at High School. Yes, he is really short and he was super nice to us as well.
Hey, what is it with people who have "Kind Regards" at the end of their emails? It really sounds like such a blah statement to me. It says nothing and as part of a signature block I always think, how patronising!
Let me put my amateur political analyst hat on now. Skip to the next paragraph if you want more music. If Australia's electoral system is such that power has been handed to a small group of independent MPs then maybe we need to look at it. Is it time for a different electoral system? Certainly, 4 or 5 people determining who can form government doesn't seem particularly representative. Maybe I should stop moaning and run for office. Nah, I'm too honest!
Alice Cooper - Elected: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0RlYtee0qg
And now for some classic, classic rock. This song has everything. Great beat, tough snare sound, groovy guitar riff and smoky vocals. And when the chorus kicks in it is a real toe tapper. AND it featured on the soundtrack for a super movie.
Huey Lewis and The News - The Power of Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBK2YQPKMf4
But I listened to a wider range of music this week than the playlist so far might make you think. I scored a sweet compilation CD programmed by Tom Waits. And I'm just going to play the first two tracks because they really seem like essential listening to me.
First up we have Tennessee Ernie Williams. I'd never heard this in my life but the groove, the lyrics and that voice are just so good that I have to share. This song would make it onto a desert island disc if I had to make one. Imagine Nick Cave singing this one...sublime!
Tennessee Ernie Williams - Sixteen Tons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUpTJg2EBpw
Things got even better when the next tune came around on the CD. Son House has an amazing voice. Listen carefully throughout the track as he conveys an amazing depth of emotion. I really like the way he gets in and out of time when the only accompaniment is him clapping! Reminds me a bit of listening to John Lee Hooker who obviously never plays a stright 12 bar - he just plays what feels right.
Son House - John the Revelator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGBoP70A7Q0
But here's the song I want everyone to listen to. A bit unexpected as well. I had no idea that the Green Day album (rock opera perhaps) American Idiot had been turned into a Broadway Show. It looks pretty cool from the YouTube footage that I've seen so far. This song is from the subsequent album but I guess it is in the show anyway. I like it.
Green Day - 21 Guns (Broadway Cast Version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1RKr4pWOqs
There's almost a Wayne's World headbanging moment in that clip! But seriously, I like what they've done with it. Almost the Glee treatment but with people who can sing!
Have a great weekend.
Kind Regards ;-)
DJ Rob
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