Remember Michael Jordan?

My son and I found a 12 year old VHS tape with a classic Bulls game on it. The game was great – so were the ads!
I doubt anyone has defined their sport more thoroughly than MJ and his Chicago Bulls. Aside from Pippin, can you name more than one of his team-mates?

Basketball has moved on, but who could forget moments like this?

Sonny Sandoval

A band that I have come to love over the past couple of years is nu-metal act P.O.D.  Sonny is the lead-singer and heart and soul of the group.  The band is held up by their hardcore back-end, but it is the vocals that stand out.  Sonny’s blend of screamo, rap and reggae make for a very unique mix.

What draws me to Sonny is his heart for the lost, his way-cool dreads (which he has now cut off sadly,) and the tattoos.  Would love to have mad hair and tatts like that, but my middle-class station in life makes that a little hard.

Having journeyed with the band since ‘Satellite‘ in the early nought-ies, I have enjoyed watching the music and lyrics mature as the boys have wrestled with their own identity as a band, as well as issues of faith.  Aside from the music being interesting in itself, P.O.D. display a heart for the average metal-loving Joe, seeking to get into nu-metal air time with some really positive messages. I was fortunate enough to see the boys do their thing when they seconded to Disturbed in concert last year.  Was quite moved to see all the kids in their black t-shirts  singing “I feel so alive for the very first time, and I think I can fly.”

One theme that comes up continually in Sonny’s lyrics is his love for his mother, who he lost to leukemia before the band got underway.  After many years, one can see that he is still processing this loss, showing a deep spirit and empathy for the broken of this world.

Unashamed of their faith and with a mission to enarm the ‘warriors’ to change the world, P.O.D. inspire me to ‘keep it real.’

Great P.O.D. Lyrics
****************

Even though you feel all alone
It can’t rain every day, It don’t rain for ever,
Your sunshine may be gone, but I know
It can’t rain every day,  It don’t rain for ever.
“It can’t rain every day”  When Angels and Serpents Dance – 2008

I think the hardest part of holding on is letting it go
“Goodbye for now” Testify – 2006



One word, a voice unheard
You can change the world
If everyone would stop and listen
“Change the World” Payable on Death – 2003

Time after time, Walk the fine line
Something keeps bringing me back
Time after time, going in blind
I don’t know which way I need to go
Do all these roads lead me back to you?
“Going In Blind” Greatest Hits: (The Atlantic Years) – 2006

I feel so alive, for the very first time
I can’t deny you, and I think I can fly
“Alive” Satellite – 2001

My life, a sacrifice is made new through these confessions
Manifested, this joy is my desire
Light this fire to flames; praise the name, Jehovah Jireh
“Tribal Warriors” – The Fundamental Elements of Southtown – 1999

Craig Lowndes

One of my passions is motorsport – in particular V8 Supercars.  Me and my buddies try to get together and watch each round on the telly, and aim to get to at least one race weekend per year.  (This year we are going to Bathurst, about which I am very, very excited…but that’s another blog entry.)

As you wander about the pits, you get to know some of the personalities and see people at their best and worst.  Some racers are there for the fans, some are just there for themselves.  One of the people for whom I have developed a deep respect is Craig Lowndes.  Aside from being a great driver, CL is also one of the nicest guys you are ever to meet.

What impresses me most about CL is his ability to keep reality in a crazy scene.  Always grinning from ear to ear, Lowndsie always has time to chat to the fans, sign things and hug people.  I know this for a fact as I have had a Lowndsie-hug, simply because I asked for one.  (Probably sounding a little weird now….)  I just love his trademark “Okaaay” in response to a transmission from his pit crew over the team radio – hope to set it as my email notification one day.

A defining moment:  December 2006, last round of the series and the championship has all come down to one last race.  If CL finishes in front of Rick Kelly, he wins the lot.  Of course racing being what it is, there is drama and Wick can’t resist an opportunity to spin CL around – the race is over, championship lost.
What would you do next?  Scream and shout? Punch Rick? (I know I would have!) Complain loudly to the nearest microphone?  Not our Lowndsie. 
After the race, and a quick  stint in the team trailer  (probably to scream and shout,)  CL came out to the pits and spent half an hour with the fans.  We tried to make him spit on Rick, but he wasn’t listening and only replied with “well there’s always next year.” 

Now that’s character! In any trade there are good blokes and losers.  CL may be no angel out there, but he always has time for people and has never forgotten that sport should be as much about the fans as about one’s own success.

So the influences bit?  As a person, my nature is to always try to be of good cheer, whatever is going on.  I would love people to say of me that I was always grinning, and whatever the circumstances that I could take it on the chin and still enjoy the moment.  That’s what JOY is all about.  Now that would be a good legacy to leave.

 

Rick tags CL - Championship over

Jesus

When I first began this blog, I decided then to do an influences category, discussing the people who have played a part in shaping who I am.  I quickly developed a little list, noting the personalities who have played this part.

Despite being a ‘Christian’ all my life, I didn’t immediately put Jesus down as one of these influences, to my own chagrin.  I had to spend a minute or two asking why this may be the case.

If I was being kind to myself, I would suggest that JC has always been part of what I do, and he always will.  I have ‘tried’ to dump my faith at times, but I just keep waking up every morning knowing that God is real and this world cannot have just happened by accident.

I suppose if I was to be truthful, I would have to accept that my faith could be more in the fore-front of my mind as I go about my daily stuff.  Funny to say, especially when you work in a Christian school, wear a cross around your neck and call yourself a ‘follower.’

I guess we are all imperfect people, and if we are serious about our walk through life, then we need to work a little harder to ensure that we make our lives and our relationship with the Lord all it should be.

JRR Tolkien

Few people in history have as profound an effect on me that Mr Tolkien. 
I first discovered LOTR in my teens, and have read the thing at least once a year since (that’s 25+ times.  Not bad for a 1000 page epic.)  In fact I limit myself to reading it once a year, or else I would read it continually, and never get anything else done.

 On Hobbits:
Being not overly tall myself, I can associate with Bilbo, Frodo and friends and the crazy things they get up to.  One gets a sense that the hobbit tends to feel under-sized, under-skilled and basically inadequate to achieve anything much in Middle-Earth.  As a person it is easy to feel this way sometimes.  Any one who says otherwise is selling something.  Other than this, a being who loves to eat, sing and laugh is definitely someone I can appreciate.
One other thing you can pull out of LOTR is that people need each other.  Frodo ‘wouldn’t have got far without his Sam,’ and relies on him to get him through the quest.  Life is like that.  We need each other to travel the journey with, for wisdom or just for friendship.

my precious