{"id":6,"date":"2008-04-02T20:34:08","date_gmt":"2008-04-03T04:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.fatbeetle.com\/?p=5"},"modified":"2010-11-16T06:56:44","modified_gmt":"2010-11-16T06:56:44","slug":"ok-the-first-proper-news-is-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/?p=6","title":{"rendered":"Ok the first proper news is here….."},"content":{"rendered":"
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So what have we been up to since the old site shut down?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Well I suppose the biggest event recently was young Bethy becoming a teenager. Had to happen sometime I suppose, but by Christ it makes me feel old. We had a small family do for her, and between us we got her a new computer, computer desk and a few fripperies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Unfortunately, due to illness, Bethy wasn\u2019t up to taking part in the Canberra basketball trials, so she\u2019s not in the team this year. Never mind, there\u2019s always next year.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I took the mother in law to see India play Sri Lanka at <\/span>Manuka oval<\/span><\/a>, our city cricket pitch. Great match, though the Sri Lankan\u2019s did dominate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Images from the match in our gallery.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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It’s a nice, but small ground, and the match was the first time an international had been played there. Only 7000 attended, mainly due to the weather. Of those I would have thought 40% were of Sri Lankan background, 30% Indian, and the rest Aussie.I was there with the mother in law, as Lee-Anne couldn\u2019t go, due to her Minister having a vote of no confidence against him. I had no confidence in him as he robbed me missus of the chance to see the match.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
We had seats in the main stand, but luckily close to the bars and eating areas. The grub on offer, from local Indian and Sri Lankan vendors was first class. We also had a <\/span>Tamil<\/span><\/a> band on one side of us, a Sri Lankan band behind us, and an Indian drum ensemble in front of us. Boy do those buggers know how to party at a match. (Not as full on as the Windies though!)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Despite there being a large contingent of Tamils, identifiable by their \u201cFree Tamil\u201d bright red t-shirts, and there being fierce rivalry, and of course political bloodshed, between the Sri Lankan\u2019s and the Tamils, I’ve never been at a more fun game. The number of mates wearing opposite teams shirts, India\u2019s and Sri Lanka\u2019s, sat watching the match together was very heartening.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Lankan and Indian totty on view was rather eye opening. But not as eye opening as the two guys dressed up, and wigged, to look like <\/span>Ritchie Benaud<\/span><\/a>, who were doing fake interviews with people in the crowd.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Funnily enough, and for a change, it only pissed down with rain during the interval.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Great match and we got to see some of the Indian players who were to go on and demolish Aus in the series. Also it was <\/span>Murilie\u2019s<\/span><\/a> last series, so I got to see him bowl before he retired.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I was lucky enough to catch<\/span> Leo Kottke<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> at Canberra Theatre recently. Words cannot pay justice to his virtuosity, nor his ability as a raconteur.His playing, and I last saw him nearly thirty years ago, is still astonishing. The Lee-Anne, who hadn’t heard him, or heard of him even, before seeing him, was enthralled. Close your eyes and you’d be damned if you thought that one man could produce such rich melody and density of sound from a guitar, surely there must be another two people playing behind the curtain?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I’ll happily admit that the style of music he plays isn’t something I particularly enjoy. But seeing him play live, hearing the vocabulary of his technique, getting wrapped up in the sound scape of his songs, and watching his dexterity in playing is a wonderful experience. His singing voice isn’t great, but suits the stuff he sings.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I also got to see this;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n

Katie Noonan<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>Australian Chamber Orchestra<\/span><\/a>.The divine Katie Noonan sings English songs from Dowland to The Beatles.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Program to be selected from songs by Radiohead, Massive Attack, Sting, David Bowie, The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Nick Drake, Purcell, Britten, Holst and Tavener. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Five Variants of \u2018Dives and Lazarus\u2019. ELGAR Introduction and Allegro<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Richard Tognetti Artistic Director\/Lead Violin<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>Venue: Canberra Theatre<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201dNoonan\u2019s lyrical singing captures the magic that exists when music illuminates text, bringing us joy, grief, pleasure and pain. Then, revel in the warmth and sweetness of the ACO strings in two stirring English masterpieces.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Well it was good, not great, but good, and definitely a game of two halves.The first set was a pretty straight rendition of classical, light opera, and some modern works in the classic style, which I enjoyed very much. Her Taverner recital was superb.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The second set was classical interpretations of modern pop, rock, and jazz songs. Some came off, some didn’t. Her version of “Riverman” by Nick Drake was wonderful. Her “The man who sold the world” missed the point by a hundred yards. Luckily, as a bonus, the chamber orchestra accompanying her were the best I’ve seen, ever.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Highlights of the night for me were the Taverner; “Song Of The Angel” taken from his “Children of Men”, and a rework of “How to disappear completely,” by Radiohead, complete with cello and harp solo! (Her take on Portishead’s “Sour times” also rates a mention.) BUT one thing no soprano should EVER attempt is to rework John Cale’s “Hallelujah”, it’s just WRONG! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Her range was somewhat limited, though she had great diction.Couple of good comedian’s playing the venue in the coming months, may check them out, Ross Noble is one I remember.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Me, Bethy and Glenn also went to see the <\/span>\u201cCrusty Demons\u201d<\/span><\/a> at the local rugby ground. We nearly didn\u2019t get there, as my car blew up a mile from the ground. We walked.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Marvellous stunt show. The \u201cdemons\u201d are all professional stunt and acrobatic motorbike riders, and we were lucky enough to have front row seats. My god the buggers get high now. Looping the loop on a bike is now classed as a warm up. And getting off mid flight, while looping the loop, and then hanging off the rear mudguard, is standard fare.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One near fatality on the night, a guy attempting a double back-flip on a bike. His first attempt he crashed off the end of the ramp. After the paramedics sorted him out, he kicked the front wheel of his bike back into shape (!) and had another go. This attempt he landed square on the flat top of the ramp, from 65 feet in the air. Ambulanced away.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/embed><\/object><\/span><\/p>\n

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The totty dancers were hot, (I took lots of pictures,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> and the freak show freaky. (The guy picked up a deck chair using hooks in his eye sockets. I damn nearly threw.)But all told a very entertaining night out, made more nice by the car actually getting us home..<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

The other day my boss came up to me and said: \u201cTaff, you\u2019re allowed to build up 40 hours flex time you know?\u201d (We get a day flex for every fortnight of shifts we work, which is rather nice.) \u201cAye\u201d, I replied. \u201cWell according to my logs, you\u2019ve built up 75 hours.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Suits me.<\/span> W<\/span><\/span><\/span>e\u2019ve got Janet and Howard from <\/span>Sennen<\/span><\/a> coming over in the next fortnight, and my two young relations (don\u2019t ask, I haven\u2019t a clue what relation they are to me,) coming over at the end of the month. So I\u2019ll use a batch of flex time up, and not need to dig into my holiday allowance then.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Our old Ford bit the dust not so long back, and I was very sad about that. But I\u2019m on the lookout for a new car, so that\u2019s fun.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pain\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For a while Lee-Anne has had difficulty getting to her <\/span>gym classes<\/span><\/a>, due to work commitments and transporting Bethy to basketball, scouts, athletics etc in the evenings. She’s missed it a great deal. So we came up with a cunning plan.For the last fortnight we’ve been getting up each day at 5.30 am, yes that\u2019s 5.30 in the morning, and going to the gym by 6.00 am. We do an hour there, her in her class, me on the weights, and get back home in time to get Bethy ready for school.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Not a problem, we’ve both been enjoying it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

But for a while now Lee-Anne has been telling me that I don’t do a full body work out, and that I neglect the exercises I don’t like, and that I do a little aerobics work apart from my 15 minutes on the bike for warm up and cool down. She\u2019s right. I hate doing leg work, and don\u2019t like doing sweaty puffy stuff, so I don\u2019t. This is partially the reason I\u2019m such an odd bloody shape. Oh, and the amount of walking I do guarantees I have no buttocks whatsoever, making me look like something out of an Esher cartoon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So I finally relented, and went along to one of her pump classes one morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

And I nearly fucking died.<\/span><\/p>\n

The class was taken by a very fit woman of indeterminate age, who turned into Joseph Mengele whenever the music started. I exercised muscles I didn’t know I had, I sweated like a pig, and at the end I had to be helped down the stairs to get out. I spent half my time facing the wrong direction, shoving when I should have been pulling, dropping when I should have been lifting. My calves felt like someone had poured lava over them, and my triceps have seized up. At the end of the class I was shaking like Mohammad Ali playing buckaroo.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The most humiliating thing for me was though, that I used LIGHTER FUCKING WEIGHTS than Lee-Anne did. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

That morning at work I was thinking of taking a few Cogentin for my Parkinsonian tremor. People at work were casting aspersions as to me drinking habits. Wankers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway, I\u2019ve been a few times now, and was just about getting the hang of it, when\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The other day a new bit of aerobic totty was taking the class. Our normal instructor is a rather chunky lass, who is all smiles and good cheer. This new one was a skinny little slip of a thing, who arrived five minutes late, with a \u201cMorning everyone\u201d, which sounded rather like \u201cI got up late, I\u2019ve not had a coffee and I\u2019m going to make you buggers suffer for it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell she\u2019s only a scrawny wisp of a thing,\u201d I thought, \u201cso this should be a doddle\u2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Wrong! My weights went down a few kilo\u2019s, Lee-Anne put hers up. The scrawny piece out front, and I kid you not, used exactly three times the weights I used. The embarrassment of using 5 kilo dumbbells when this bird was using 15 kilos, was eye opening to say the least.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

So ok, that\u2019s the first of the news reports for the new site, I hope you enjoyed. F<\/span><\/span>eed back welcomed on this \u201cblogsite\u201d or by e-mail.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(A signed limited edition print of one of my photographs to the first person from the UK or the US to e-mail me at fatbeetle@fatbeetle.com, with the title \u201cno thanks you keep the bloody thing.”)<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So what have we been up to since the old site shut down? Well I suppose the biggest event recently was young Bethy becoming a teenager. Had to happen sometime I suppose, but by Christ it makes me feel old. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3,5,7,6,8,4],"class_list":["post-6","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-cricket","tag-crusty-demons","tag-gym","tag-holiday","tag-pump-classes","tag-teenage"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fatbeetle.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}