kenny weir

Yeah, well like a host of Australians, I have a long history of misery with the Socceroos and a whole bunch of baggage. So it's only fitting, pre-game, that I work myself into a mood of outright pessimism and gloom. What exquisite masochism!

How depressing. I really enjoyed Poland/Ecuador and thought the standard was pretty high, particularly with the winners. My main thought was: "Australia has no hope in this sort of company.

Many label problems if you look at his recording career as a whole. Maybe a Select would be the go if there are any Atlantic session leftovers. A Proper New Orleans multi-artist box from quite a few years ago had a whole disc from various session. Also, there's even more repertoire than with, say, Monk. Closest thing is probably the four-disc set on Bear Family that has all of Smiley Lewis's stuff. Dang, must get that one day - that cat could sing and some.

That there's a notion with which Christianity power brokers have always been on working terms.

Well, yeah, sure, some, but.... You'd be surprised how many "real" Christians have reached similar conclusions. And there's suggestion that many early Christians were of a similar bent. I meant the ones who righteously believe their definition is the right and only one, that narrow focus actually being - as you imply - a relatively recent one.

Interesting and - IMO - intelliegent answers you two. Funny thing is, to "real" Christians I'm sure all that marks you both as heathen unbelievers of a real bad kind.

WTF?

Yes a classic - one in a long line of cool Oz beer ads. Nothing inspires our creative ad minds more. Filmed in NZ, I'm pretty sure, by looking at the scenery.

Jim, yeah it was pretty torrid for a, ahem, friendly. But both Hiddinck and Van Basten had no complaints. My understanding is that all the Dutch players are fully fit to play. Luke Wilkshire was sent off early in the seond half for a late challenge. Yellow card? Certainly. Red card? Maybe. Both teams were at full strength (injuries aside). As I said, really just the sort of toughening up that both teams could benefit from. Aussie Kenny (warning: bias on display!) says: These sorts of complaints I sometimes reckon come from teams who play pretty and don't appreciate teams that get in their faces and try to close them down. Hence Van basten's comments. Here's what he said (according Melbourne's Age newspaper): "This was a match for men," he said. "It is more enriching to play in a match like this, but unfortunately three of my players are now injured. I don't regret the match because it is good to play physical football." And here's Ruud van Nistelrooy: "They played to their capabilities. They are a very tough side, very hard to beat and that showed in their performance today. They are in a tough group but you never know. I think the spirit is fantastic, and they have got quality to decide games, too, so nothing is impossible. (Mark) Schwarzer made some unbelievable saves, especially against me. One was incredible. They just played as if it was the World Cup already, and for us it was a good test." And the latest from AP when I got to work this morning: Soc: Dutch injuries to players are minor WC06 Dutch By Raf Casert FREIBURG, Germany June 6 AP - The Dutch team was buoyed by early news that five injured players were recovering well and should be ready for the World Cup. "At this time there is no reason whatsoever toreplace players,'' a statement from the Dutch team said as it prepared to leave for its German training camp. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that all's well, and I did find it pretty tough - but nor was it all one-way traffic.

Australia v Netherlands, 1-1. First half: Bloody hell just like pre-Guus Australia. Passive, pathetic, letting play their pretty stuff. Seond half: Oh my - much much betterer. Tough, too. The Dutchmen were looking a bit wobbly and some of them later complained about the Aussie tackles. But their coach Van Basten had no such problems, describing it as a match "for men". Just what both teams needed at that particular point in time, I suspect. For Australia to emerge with a draw after a weak first half and with only 10 men in the last half hour was simply a fine result for us. And the goalkeeper, Schwarzer, was fabulous.

Ah - Australia 1 Greece 0. Quite a night in Melbourne. I managed to watch the first half while slinking away from the jazz award festivities. Fine goal by Skoko and some of the most assured playing I've seen by any incanation of the Socceroos. Hiddink had worked them extremely hard in the leadup, but it had little effect in terms of fatigue. The coach said he was satisfied with 70% of our effort, but very concerned about the other 30%. Which is as it should be - that's what these games are for. The absence of Cahill and Kewell was well covered, delivering Hiddink what he refrred to as a "welcome headache". They're off to camp in Eindhoven today before playing the Netherlands next Sunday.

Scott, bloody hell I hope you're right. Certainly, Viduka finished the Euro season on fire. Hiddink has really got some hefty extra kick out of him. He's also been re-appoited capatain by Hiddink, in lieu of the now returned Craig Moore, who was injured for the qualifying stuff.

Hey, leave the Socceroos alone!

My God, it's great to see ... In the midst of an Aussie rules season, Melbourne (the capital of Aussie rules) has gone football mad. The Socceroos are in camp here and the papers/TV are full of it. They will play Greece tomorrow night at the MCG in front of 90,000+ Unfortunately, as a judge I am obligated to attend the awards night of the Australian Jazz Awards at Federation Square, but hopefully I will be able to sneak away to watch some of it on the Square's big screen. But for me, an all-round footy slut, all is not lost ... Tonight, Queensland plays New South Wales in the first State-of-Origin rugby league game. The Super 14 rugby union final is this weekend (between NZ's Hurricanes and Crusaders), followed numerous Tests. The All Blacks are lookin' good, given the Wallabiy forward woes. Then - the World Cup. Bring it ALL on!

Well, that's pretty darn smug of you - sniping at people for not reacting to news they haven't even heard about. Sheesh ...

I reckon the Champions League final was a bit of a fizzer, partly due to the umpiring - but only partly, not wholly as our commentators would have it. The game just didn't seem to click, although Arsenal did really well to hold them out for so long. The Arsenal keeper get a deserved red card, but the goal should have been allowed.

A diversion ... The FA Cup was being dicussed around the office this morning. It was a fabulous game, but like others I felt the extra time was of a much poorer standard, what with players fatigued and cramping up all over the place. And then came the penalties ... Some of the possible options put up I had heard before, others I hadn't. *Personally, I think two 15-minute halves of extra time is too much. May be 10 minutes each way, followed by an endless golden goal period. *Another suggestion was removing a player from each side every five minutes or whatever. *Another suggestion: Eliminating the offside rule. BTW, I am much more than enough of of football fan to take a lot of the complaints about soccer being too slow scoring - we get plenty of that in Melbourne, home of high-scoring Aussie rule - with a smile and a shrug. Like y'all, for me a draw can sometimes be THE most exciting outcome. BUT I am open to alternatives to dealing with extra time in games in which a result MUST be found.

I was amused to see some postings on an Australian soccer site last week addressing the proposition "Which Socceroos would make the England squad?" Now these folks are I suspect much more knowledgable than, even if they have in-built biases. Still, all hands voted for Harry Kewell, with numerous other votes for the likes of Cahill, Schwarzer, Bresciano and others. The same could be said of many of the forthcoming tournament's lesser lights in terms of their best players and where the stand when compared with the world's best. But here's the rub - we have so little depth! So the injuries to Kewell and Cahill are nightmares for us. Still, many of the Aussies have been in good form. Onward! Our campaign really hots up next Thursday when the Socceroos play Greece at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Another nightmare: That is presentation night for the Australian Jazz Awards, of which I am on the judging panel. I'm planning to attend that envelope-popping function for the first hoiur and a half, then escape to watch the game on the adjacent big screen at Federation Square, thence returning to the jazzbo soiree.

Sent to me by a colleague this morning. Obviously for a Brit audience, so insert specifics appropriate to your location. My own single life viewing will be scattered between 10pm to 6am. List Of Rules For The Wife During The World Cup 1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the The Sun's sport pages so you are aware of what's going on regarding the World Cup and will be able to join in conversations. If you fail to do this, you'll be looked at in a bad way or be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention. 2. During the World Cup the television is mine at all times - without any exceptions. 3. I don't mind if you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game - as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand naked in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I won't have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World Cup month. 4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute - unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell from the second floor....it won't happen. 5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least two six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on. And please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day. 6. Please, please, please if you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game" or "don't worry, they'll win next time". If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about football than me and your so called "words of encouragement" will only lead to a break-up or divorce. 7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during half-time but only when the adverts are on, and only if the score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying "one" game, hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy excuse to "spend time together". 8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times. 9. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child related parties or gatherings that requires my attendance because: a) I will not go, b) I will not go, and c) I will not go. 10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Sunday to watch a game, we will be there in a flash. 11. The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about saying "but you have already seen this...why don't you change the channel to something we can all watch?" The reply will be: "Refer to Rule #2 of this list". 12. And finally, please save your expressions such as "Thank God the World Cup is only every 4 years". I am immune to these words, because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League, Spanish League, Premier League, etc etc. Thank you for your cooperation. Regards, Men of the World

I've browsed the Delmark site. Not a good look.

An inspirational role model for us all: Thelonious Monk.

It's just about all good news on the Australian front: Many of the key players have been in outstanding form, with injury worries largely managable, except for Tim Cahill. I suspect they'll name him in the knowledge that he's not up to it they're allowed to replace him. Meanwhile, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell have been running hot for Boro and Liverpool respectively, and are largely responsible for getting their sides into major league trophy final playoffs - UEFA Cup and FA Cup. Bring it on! (Before our guys peak too early ... )

It was my great pleasure to order the Charley Patton/Revenant set through the "O" link.

From this morning's Age newspaper in Melbourne: When plagiarism robs the poor of inspiration By Emma MacDonald April 22, 2006 It's one of the world's most popular songs. Whether we overhear our kids watching the movie or see The Lion King musical performed live in its Melbourne run, The Lion Sleeps Tonight makes the heart thump as the drums and Zulu chant call us to Africa. The song's original writer, Solomon Linda, can perhaps rest easy in his grave in his native South Africa, where he died in poverty from kidney disease in 1962, aged 53. Now, almost half a century later, someone has finally done the right thing. Or have they? In an out-of-court settlement in February, Disney agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to Linda's family. The family claimed the corporation owed them $US1.6 million ($2.2 million) in royalties for the use of the song in the film and stage productions. While the amount of the settlement is unknown, lawyers said it would make the family quite comfortable. Anything would be an improvement on the dirt floor carpeted with cow dung on which Linda slept in Soweto with barely a stick of furniture, as described by Sharon LaFraniere in The New York Times last month. Yet another famous entertainer is about to jump on the bandwagon by celebrating the man who was the issue's original protagonist. US Billboard magazine recently reported that the next album of working-class hero Bruce Springsteen, to be called We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions will be released next week. It will feature material long associated with Pete Seeger, who turns 87 next month. On the face of it, this seems a lovely gesture to the folk music pioneer, but the question is: does he deserve it? Since Linda's song became a 1939 hit in South Africa for him and his group, the Evening Birds - selling about 100,000 copies under the title Mbube (Zulu for lion) - at least 150 artists around the world have recorded it. Pete Seeger, the man who claimed to have discovered it, took the song to No. 6 on the US charts in 1952 with his group the Weavers. In his autobiography, Seeger says he first heard of the song from American musicologist Alan Lomax. He transcribed it note for note from an African recording and renamed it Wimoweh after misunderstanding the sound of the word uyiMbube (meaning he is a lion). Seeger then credited himself and the other three group members (under pseudonym Paul Campbell) as composers of the song, for which they have received publisher royalties. The song has earned more than $15 million, largely because of its use in The Lion King movies, but the Linda family has received just $15,000. All Linda received on selling his copyright to Gallo Studios in South Africa, according to LaFraniere, was 10 shillings - about $A1.20 - at present values. It is ironic that, of all the musicians who have profited from Linda's song, the original offender of this breach of copyright was in fact one of the heroes of the protest movement who was famous for singing about hammering out injustice all over this world. In the 2002 documentary A Lion's Trail aired by the US Public Broadcasting Service, Seeger said: "The big mistake I made was not making sure that my publisher signed a regular songwriter's contract with Linda." But why would he need to, Seeger always having claimed to have written the song with his group? Seeger continued in the documentary: "My publisher simply sent Linda some money and copyrighted the Weavers arrangement here and sent the Weavers some money." The first of these statements was not true. In 2004, the Weavers' publisher, TRO/Folkways, admitted it had not paid Linda any royalties and promised to give $3000 a year to the Linda family and finance a memorial to Linda. Too little too late? In 2001 Linda's daughter Adelaide died of AIDS at 38, unable to afford lifesaving anti-retroviral treatment, according to LaFraniere. Emma Macdonald is a Tasmania-based writer.

I never tire of Bellocq's pics of Storyville gals: