The SquizLogKeith Pitty takes a squiz at the world. |
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The SquizLogKeith Pitty takes a squiz at the world. |
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What? No Soup!!
The other night at home I was searching the web to see what gigs were coming up on the Sydney Jazz scene and naturally I checked out Soup Plus, only to be shocked with the discovery that it had suddenly closed. Surely not. As it happens, the new Soup Plus venue (well it was new compared to the 30 years that the Soup was in George St) is across the road from my city office. So the next day I checked the bricks and mortar as opposed to the Soup's virtual presence in cyberspace. The posters were still there including one advertising What's on at the Soup in April.
But the door was shut and the red sign confirmed that one of my favourite jazz establishments had indeed closed.
Oh well, I guess it just goes to show that one of the few things one can rely on in this life is change. Hopefully Soup Plus will open again soon in another Sydney CBD location with an intimate atmosphere more akin to the old George St venue. Otherwise there would appear to be a niche in the market waiting to be filled.
I'm sure, like many blokes, this fella likes a free beer but I think this is a rather extreme way of getting one!
Last Saturday I was privileged to hear a truly inspiring speech, delivered by Dr Paul Brock. The occasion was the Education and Professional Studies graduation ceremony at the University of New England.
Dr Brock's occasional address showed his passionate belief in the crucial role of education in contemporary Australian society, the importance of learning from history and the need to use clear language that does not resort to unintelligible jargon. He showed a refreshing preparedness to tackle head on political issues that many people now turn a blind eye to. Dr Brock has lived with the cruelly debilitating Motor Neuron Disease for the past ten years, is now paralysed but fortunately for the rest of us can still speak! And speak he does with remarkable drive, courage and passion. His address on Saturday was greeted with a standing ovation. I'd love to get access to the text of his speech; it contained much food for thought. Meanwhile, his autobiography has been added to my list of books to read.
Why was I at this ceremony? My wife was graduating with a Dip Ed and indeed received a Dean's Merit Award for outstanding academic achievement! So, well done darling and thanks for giving me the opportunity to hear Dr Paul Brock speak. I was inspired on two counts.
Yours truly tagging along with the graduand.
Newly graduated, together with other recipients of the Dean's Merit Award.
The thing I love Test cricket is that every match has its own character. Each Test match ebbs and flows differently.
The current Test between South Africa and Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg is a wonderful example. When Australia were set 292 to win on a wicket that had been playing tricks I gave them little chance, especially with Justin Langer unlikely to bat. At 2-33, with Hayden and Ponting back in the pavilion, I had almost written them off. But that man Michael Hussey, alias "Mr Cricket", was still at the crease so there was a glimmer of a hope. When he and his fellow Western Australian Damien Martyn had both survived some early tense moments and were settling into their batting, I began to have more faith.
Hussey and Martyn both showed wonderful patience and gave an excellent example to young aspiring batsmen of when and how to leave the ball. Then when the bowler gave them an opportunity they pounced, usually sending the ball speeding to the boundary. At 2-198, Australia were sitting pretty. But then Hussey fell LBW to Boje. It came as no surprise to me that a collapse followed. A quick cameo of 29 from Symonds was followed by meagre contributions from Gilchrist (0) and Warne (3) who were both dismissed by the impressive Ntini. All of a sudden Australia was six wickets down (effectively seven assuming Langer won't bat) with 55 runs still required.
When bad light ended the day's play Martyn (93 not out) and Lee (9 not out) had reduced the runs required to 44. What a wonderfully nerve-wracking finish the morning of the fifth and final day promises!