The Australian Monsters of Rock 2 - The Angels

These guys are nothing short of Amazing. I have seen them many times and certainly love their music, but their energy and vibe continues to delight their audiences. I don't think it is possible to go to one of their gigs and not feel the vibe and rhythm and stand still! They started almost 30 years ago and they were the inspiration for many other world wide famous rockers to get into the industry. They have split up and reformed, they have had their difficulties, but when they are together they create an energy and music that still grabs you and gets you rockin. The only equivalent I can find for their longevity and popularity in this country would be akin to the status of the Rolling Stones. The Angels are great and these pictures are just a few that I took. Even the audience was amazing, everyone just wanted to have fun. There were certainly a few people who had a bit more to drink than perhaps would have been advisable, but it was all a very good vibe and lots of fun.
I cannot get enough of these guys. The backup crew, for lighting and sound and the wonderful publicist always make me feel welcome and I am so very grateful for them all.

Look whose coming to the Opera House!

I would like to be the photographer and will be trying!
I did the artwork for a CD release of hers called When it Comes Down to it! a few years ago. I would like to see this legend live in concert. At $300 bucks for the good seats i will see what eventuates!!!

The Monsters of Rock 1

I am processing the pictures from this concert at present and will upload some for you shortly! Stay Tuned!
Also I accidentally found a few of my photos on the Angels website click here That was nice of them to do.

ANZAC DAY 2009

A - Australian
N - New
Z - Zealand
A - Army
C - Corps

Anzac Day is a National public holiday and is considered one of the most spiritual and solemn days of the year in Australia. Marches by veterans from all past wars, as well as current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Reserves, with allied veterans as well as the Australian Defence Force Cadets and Australian Air League and supported by members of Scouts Australia, Guides Australia, and other uniformed service groups, are held in cities and towns nationwide. The Anzac Day Parade from each state capital is televised live with commentary. These events are generally followed by social gatherings of veterans, hosted either in a pub (a beer establishment) or in an RSL Club, often including a traditional Australian gambling game called two-up, which was an extremely popular pastime with ANZAC soldiers. The importance of this tradition is demonstrated by the fact that though most Australian states have laws forbidding gambling outside of designated licensed venues, on Anzac Day it is legal to play "two-up" - where it is forbidden on any other day of the year.

Despite federation being proclaimed in Australia in 1901, many[who?] argue the "national identity" of Australia was largely forged during the violent conflict of World War I, and the most iconic event in the war for most Australians was the landing at Gallipoli in Turkey where the sheer logistics and landscape favoured the Turks and saw many Australian lives lost. Dr. Paul Skrebels of the University of South Australia has noted that Anzac Day has continued to grow in popularity; even the threat of a terrorist attack at the Gallipoli site in 2004 did not deter some 15,000 Australians from making the pilgrimage to Turkey to commemorate the fallen ANZAC troops.(Wikipedia and future press)

I was up at the crack of dawn this morning to see the televised Dawn service and observe a small moment of national remembrance as we reflect on the impact these young soldiers made to the country, their valour, their sacrifice and commitment is not forgotten.

Yesterday morning as I woke from a dream, I had two lines in my head for a poem and wrote it yesterday morning before going to the Wiggles, but here it is - the first time I have shown or published this and without reference to any other material it is original.

I may not have stood at Flanders Fields with poppies row on row,
Nor on the sands of Gallipoli, in turkey so long ago
Nor in the theatres of world wars past, nor in trenches of grief and pain
But on this sacred national day, the fallen I remember again

From the dawns first glimmer of light in the sky
With a trumpeter ‘s solitary call
The nation will pause, as the aircraft fly by
Then the memories will softly fall

Though not to the ground will those memories fall
But more accurately rest in my heart
With a deepened gratitude and reverence for them
Their sacrifice, a nation did start

In contrast, we gained a pride in ourselves
When the best part of the land was gone
They stirred within us a pride and a strength
And the freedom they fought for lives on

I have wondered and thought As I look at the crosses
That stretch far as eye can see
If they didn’t give what they gave for us all
Would the land I love be free?

on Anzac day 2009
the Anzacs I revere still the same
There is a gratitude I feel in my heart as I stand
May God smile and bless their name

We have to be vigilant again it would seem
With so many forces around
Determined to show that nothing was learned
From the wars and those in the ground

I am hopeful, and positive that we can eventually learn
That together we are stronger than one
Instead of us finding our own way along
May we see that we are Australian.

For me that brings a smile of pride
Whether you stand on a foreign sand
Or even in the suburbs or states within
With the Anazc’s, I love this land

May we all remember them……..

Craig Peihopa 7am 24th April 2009.

An Audi invitation

I have been invited to the launch of the new Audi Q5 which would be great, but they obviously assume I have much more money than I actually do. The invitation is for the launch in Hollywood Park in Inglewood California! USA! I would like to though!

The new, unmistakable Audi Q5. Combine great style with the technology only Audi could offer and you have one truly progressive crossover. And now we're combining this impressive crossover with an exclusive, exhilarating event: the Audi Q5 driving experience. As an Audi enthusiast, this is the perfect opportunity to get better acquainted with Audi innovation and the new, unmistakable Audi Q5. Join us at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA on May 14 – 17.

From its distinctive design to best in class ratings for fuel economy* and towing capacity,** there are a myriad of innovations that set the new Audi Q5 apart. Some of these available features include:

· Innovative LED daytime running lights and rear lights available
· Audi drive select with a choice of 27 different driving modes
· Next generation MMI® with real-time traffic updates and standout 3D graphics
· Standard quattro® all-wheel drive
· Comfortable seating for five

And the list goes on. We could tell you more about these striking differences, but we'd rather show you at a uniquely customized driving experience that puts the Audi Q5 through its paces. We also invite you to extend this invitation to your friends for an even more unforgettable experience.

· Drive the Audi Q5 on our closed course as well as on the street
· Experience Audi in our 360° interactive dome theatre
· Lounge in the Audi café and mingle with other Audi enthusiasts
· Win a trip to Audi Sportscar Experience in Sonoma or an ultimate Audi Atomic ski package***
complete with Audi gear

The Wiggles Go Bananas!

About an hour or so ago, Marcelina, Denzel and I returned from the Wiggles latest concert event at the famous Enmore Theatre, in Newtowns entertainment district near Sydney city. What a "Hoop De Doo" it was a great concert and Denzel loved it. I have noticed that as he gets older he is becoming more conscious of who some famous people are and becoming much more shy than he used to be. But he squeeled and sang along and I think Jeff and Murray may have recognised us slightly from a time when we met them previously, and they shook Denzels hand. He felt so special evidenced by the huge smile, and I felt that joy for him also.

It was a great concert and the joy these guys have brought to many children around the world is worth everything they enjoy as the fruits of what they do.

Thanks Wiggles you are great!!! Let me say with the acrobatics and work they do on stage 3 times a day is tough stuff. They works so hard!

Edgar Mueller

I have long been a fan of this artform of street painting or chalking. Simply brilliant artists and work. I am in awe of the scale and depth. I love the optical illusion and could not resist in sharing. Edgar you are a genius!

Here are some shots from the internet, they were without credit as to the photographer and so I apologise for not crediting him / her.

A room with a difference in Costa Rica

I love planes and could not resist looking more closely at this.

Ninemsn.com were featuring a new hotel room made out of a plane fuselage. I think it's a bit too wooden for my liking and not as luxurious as I might have imagined, but I liked the difference it presents and would love to spend a weekend there.