No longer a bum...

Because I got a job offer today at 12:33pm to work at Macquarie in the city starting next Monday!

Wooohoooo!!

Praise God for his providence and timing!

I just hope this doesn't mean an end to my life (imbalance of working hours) but I'm still prepared for some hard work. Pray that God will show me how to manage my hours in between work, AYC and RICE preparations, church, social activities, sports, uni, music and all the other things I want to do.

Can't wipe the smile off my face right now! Look forward to catching up with all you city workers for lunch.

Gigs, gigs, gigs

Licking my lips in anticipation of the new Silverchair album to be released next week. Every since they released 'Diorama' I've been itching for another album. Given the way that their new single has been going, the album 'Young Modern' should go to No. 1 on the charts not too soon after it gets released.

Talking of Silverchair, they are playing their first indoor concerts in Australia in nearly 3 years!! Tickets on sale on 30th March. They're playing a show at the Enmore theatre on the 9th May (Wednesday night). I'm there for sure (if I can get tickets)!!

Also, managed to get my hands on Bloc Party tickets (Thanks Sam) for later in August. Should be sweet, although I'm not a big fan of the Hordern as a location. Just hope they play more stuff from 'Silent Alarm' and their singles which were released between the 1st and 2nd album. I'm not really feeling 'A Weekend In The City'.

Apart from 'The Roots' who are playing at the Enmore Theatre in April, there aren't many good hip-hop gigs happening. Not keen on rocking up there by myself so I might skip the Roots and wait till they come around next time. Otherwise, underground act J-Zone is coming and so is the more commercial Lloyd Banks (plus some of his G-Unit cronies).

Braggin Writes (Song of the Week)

Title : I've Never Seen
Artist : RZA Ft. Xavier Naidoo
Album: The World According To RZA
Year: 2003

I remember during my uni days (makes me sound old) I used to watch Channel 31 if I was studying late at night because they'd often show rare hip-hop music videos (alot of old classics). This was of course before the time of YouTube (where any music video from any era can be found). Anyways I switched on the television and it was halfway through a music video with what sounded like an R&B song. But then I recognised a face in the video, it seemed to be that of RZA. For those who don't know the RZA, he is one of hip-hop's greatest producers (in a league with DJ Premier, Pete Rock, J-Dilla, Dr. Dre, etc), the de-facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, composer of many movie scores (including that of Kill Bill) and musical genius.

I was a bit confused because I never knew he collaborated with R&B singers. Anyways, back to the song. I was instantly hooked on the song and the music video. I listen to mainly R&B and Hip-Hop and this song is one of the most heartfelt & beautiful R&B songs I've ever heard.

I'm really feeling RZA's lyrics in his little cameo...

Aiyo, shorty, I've never met someone so beautiful
From your hair follicle to your finger nail cuticle
Struck by the arrow of Cupid, this love is deep rooted
Like someone took my heart, sampled it and looped it

The singer is from Germany and his name is Xavier Naidoo. He's of Tamil/Indian/South African descent and has a really smooth voice. I'm not sure how many people have heard of this song before, but it went to #1 on the German Charts. If this song was released in the US or Australia I'm sure it'd blow up and go high on the charts too.

Watch the music video on YouTube and become a fan of the RZA & Xavier Naidoo.

There's also another version that went to #1 in Germany. The German title of the song is "Ich Kenne Nichts (Das So Schön Ist Wie Du)" . In this version, Xavier Naidoo switches halfway in the song f rom English to German, and RZA doesn't have a part in the song.

Enjoy.

Job Hunting

Yep, that's basically all I've been doing since I returned from China. Having a week or two off after coming back from a long holiday is good and relaxing, and perfect for getting back into routine. But after that it starts getting boring and a bit frustrating (at least for me).

Been applying for lots of places. Have gotten a few calls, had a few interviews - and a few more coming up. Just hope that I'd be able to get one that is suitable soon. By suitable I mean not being too monotonous of a role, giving opportunities for career progression but at the same time not being a crazy, hectic job which requires lots of late nights and overtime. I'd happily give up a bit of salary to get more balance so I can still do the things I love doing and start planning things I want to do.

Things I want to do at night during weeknights (on the assumption I have a job)

• Continue learning Mandarin Chinese.
• Complete a subject or two at bible college.
• Play in a touch footy competition or at least socially.
• Start going to singing lesson or continue bass guitar lessons.
• Finish that one subject left on my Masters.
  
• Keep regularly attending weekly CORE gatherings.
• Have time to contribute at RICE and plan for AYC 2007.

Phew! That's alot of things but I think with good time management it can be done. That is something I truly lack in - time management. Hopefulyl I'll look back on this list at times through the year and see that I'm doing most of what I wanted to do.

In a change of subject, how annoying are 'Today Tonight' and 'A Current Affair'. They have to be the two worst shows on free to air television at the moment. I never really liked the show but in the last few years it's gotten worse in its reporting of useless and ridiculous news. The recent furore about Schappelle Corby's sister and the private investigator and all the lying and scandals is just plain stupid. Why does it take up such an important timeslot? Yesterday there was a 10-15 minute report questioning if 'homework is good for children'. They call this news? They call these current affairs? Just my two cents and a bit of a rant.

Braggin Writes (Song of the Week)

Watch out for this guy - Black Milk. This guy is coming straight out of Detroit, home of the late J-Dilla (R.I.P), Royce Da 5'9 and everyone's favourite white rapper, Eminem. Not only does this guy emcee, he's also a talented producer (ala Kanye West).



This is one of the singles off his debut album 'Popular Demand'. The song is called 'Sound the Alarm' and it's H-O-T! Check it out - Black Milk. Watch the YouTube video for the song here.

GO MUNDINE!!!!

Anthony 'Choc' Mundine - New WBA Super Middleweight Champion!

Choc just destroyed Sam 'King' Soliman in their much anticipated rematch for the vacant WBA super middleweight title. In front of a packed house at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Anthony 'Choc' Mundine put on his best performance to record a 9th round TKO of his fellow Australian boxer.

The last time these two fighters met, Mundine won a controversial split decision. Many thought Soliman had the slight over Mundine in that encounter. There was no controversy or uncertainty about this rematch. Mundine gave Soliman a boxing lesson.

So where are all the Mundine haters now??!?!!? Either in denial or reluctantly acknowledging the guy has serious talent and is a real threat to capture other championship belts. They are also probably now just talking about how Mundine didn't talk too respectfully in the post fight interview, anything to take away from his comprehensive victory.

Winky Wright (one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world) couldn't knock down Sam Soliman once in last year's match up. Mundine knocked him down twice in round 9 (not to mention knocking him down in round 2!). Additionally, Sam Soliman has never been stopped inside the distance in his 42 fight career, Choc TKO'd him in the 9th round.

Regardless, I hope that this proves all the doubters wrong. Love him or hate him, Anthony 'The Man' Mundine is one of Australia's best all round athletes and as a boxer has serious talent and ability (did someone mention amazing hand speed?). Yes, he's a cocky bastard and a showman but it's good for boxing and it attracts the crowds (whether they are there to see him win or to see him get knocked out). Australian boxing has been revived since he entered into it and he is the drawcard at any fight he is at. I think his persona is something he puts on in the public. I have read stories of Mundine haters actually changing their views and saying he's a really good bloke in person after meeting him in person (and totally different to the persona he puts on in public).

Let's hope now that Choc can get a rematch with Kessler and even the score with the Dane (instead of going into politics). Or maybe even Jermain Taylor? It'd be interesting to see Choc move down to the middleweight division where there are alot of good fighters.

Finally, I think Mundine put it nicely in the post match interview, with the below comment directed at the Mundine haters :

"You can't say sh*t now"

Back into routine

Pretty much settled back to normal life back in Sydney. I think being able to catch up with family and friends has been the best part. Doing the ordinary things is something I find I really appreciate (driving a car, eating a home cooked meal, hanging up the washing, watching latest episodes of Prison Break, ironing clothes, listening to familiar music).

It has been quite a hectic time of late, a whole ton of meetings, music practices, etc. Litmus was great yesterday & Sam Mak gave a really hard hitting talk which I think great challenged not only the youth but also the youth leaders. Been getting back into the loop with RICE and that's going to be busy again this year. Next week will be the first meeting for the AYC Convention to be held at Sydney at the end of the year.

Apart from Litmus yesterday, there was also a PILOT training day during the daytime (basically for English youth of Chinese churches). Was greatly challenged by the talks and the messages and there is much I can take away and learn from them (especially given my ignorance of quiet time and reading the Word in the 3 months I was overseas).

Besides looking for a job (submitted quite alot of applications last week), I'm going to make an effort to keep up with bass guitar practices and also going to pick up the ol' guitar and give it a strum (playing Guitar Hero does that to you). Chinese language practice has been pretty good. I get alot done at church, alot of the kids in youth group own me in terms of Chinese language so they are pretty much all my "laoshi's".

Prediction for Wednesday night's fight - Anthony 'Choc' Mundine to win in a points decision over Sam 'King' Soliman.

Braggin Writes (Song of the Week)

Yep, after returning from overseas, I can update y'all faithful readers with some of my favourite songs. But for the first time, it's not going to be a hip-hop song (yep I do listen to other genres!).

Check out this awesome song by Anthony Evans. I'm guessing most of you reading this haven't heard of him. He's a Christian singer of the R&B/Urban genre. Great voice, lyrics and production to match.

There is one song in particular that basically made me buy the album. The title is 'The One'. Check some of the lyrics:

For so long I tried to please
Everyone around me
I didn't realize
I was wasting so much time
Alyways trying to achieve
Everything they asked of me
But no matter how much
It was never enough
I tried everything I had all that I knew
To give away what I should only give to You

Download the mp3 here.

You'll have to buy the rest of the album if you want to listen to it! Highly recommended.

Ooh, I'm also pretty down with the bass line on this song...yeeeh!