Thursday, November 30, 2017

Songs of My Life #69 - Iron Maiden - Purgatory - 1981



Songs of My Life #69 - Iron Maiden - Purgatory - 1981

This is one of those songs that gets lost in the amazing career of Iron Maiden, but it has always been a favourite of mine. From the back half of the Killers album, it showcases how amazing this band was, and the talent they had to become as big as they would within just a couple of years.

Listen to Paul Di'Anno's amazing vocals here - after all of these years it still suits this album perfectly. The twin guitars of Murray and Smith are awesome here, as well as the rifling bass guitar of Steve Harris. That magnificent gunning in this song is tremendous. And not to mention the brilliant drumming of Clive Burr. Magnificent.

Like I said it's not one of their most well known songs, even though it was released as a single. But it still carries a lot of weight today in so many ways. It still reminds me of our Year 11 Study Skills camp at Fitzroy Falls, when Killers was played over and over in our dorm room.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Jessibill: Death By Multimedia. Episode 5.


This week on Episode 5:

There’s Something on the TV! – Time is against Jess at the moment, but she has been re-watching the "Total Drama" series and gives us a short run down. Bill meanwhile has been obsessed with the start of the Ashes, but has also dabbled in the first episode of "Dirk Gently Holistic Detective Agency"

Crap Movies Bill is Forcing Jess to Watch! – So bad that it's good? Well, from back in Bill's teenage years he draws out the 1982 classic "Creepshow", presented by George A Romero and Stephen King. Will Jess think it is bad or good?

Album Review Switcheroo! – With the death of Malcolm Young during the week, Bill has opined Jess should be listening to AC/DC's classic 1976 album "High Voltage", while Jess thinks Bill needs to calm down a little and indulge in some of Billie Eilish's 2017 release "Don't Smile at Me".

Crap That Jess Has Been Watching On YouTube! – Does the history of the world interest you? What if you could learn it all in under 20 minutes? If the answer is yes then Jess has found you the perfect answer. Bill meanwhile has been warming up for the Ashes with... more cricket... sigh...

And don't forget to help us in our battle to decide the answer to our ultimate question - does pineapple belong on a pizza!


Saturday, November 25, 2017

APCC Under 11 Golds: Round 7 vs Kookas Blue

WINNERS!

After three games, two washouts and a bye, the Albion Park Under 11 Golds have broken their duck and brought up their first victory over the Kooka Blue team at King Memorial Oval this morning.

Captain Josh Peters won the toss and elected to field on a muggy morning. The aim of the day was to eliminate no balls and to bowl at the stumps in order to get more wickets that the team has been doing. And most pleasing was that this was exactly what the team did.

Lucas Brown has comfortably moved into the role as new ball bowler, and excelled again today, at one stage being on a hat-trick. If he has bowled straighter he could have finished with anything, but his four overs brought him great figures of 2/10. Blake Ison began with a wicket with his first delivery, but wasn’t quite able to follow up after that. He tried a bit too hard in his last over, and finished it off with two front foot no-balls, which are not only unusual in Under 11’s cricket, but his last one cost him when he also bowled the batsman on strike. Lesson learned? His figures of 1/9 from four overs was also excellent. Josh Peters bowled as good a spell of leg spin bowling as you can for a ten year old. He had three balls that bounced an inch over the middle stump and he consistently beat the batsmen for spin. He will be lucky to get another wicket this season but his coach will be happy if he bowls like that. His four overs finished with 0/5.

Kane Rex took what he learned from training on Wednesday and executed it perfectly today, bowling straight and generally on a better length. He bowled two batsmen, and also got his third wicket by a great catch by wicket-keeper Max Sciberras who showed good awareness to get to the ball. Kane finished with 3/8 from his three overs which was just what the team was looking for, Great stuff. Max kept well, and bowled one over for seven runs before he took over the gloves. The other keeper was Bodhie Rodda who also did a good job behind the stumps, and finished with 0/4 from his one over, but his final ball was a peach, and if he can continue to bowl like that he will improve out of sight. Charlotte Rodda was terrific, bowling her best spell of the season so far, with most of her deliveries straight, only bowling six no balls, and picking up her first wicket of the season from a great catch by Lucas Brown at point. Her three overs produced the figures of 1/10, which was wonderful to watch. She should be very proud of her efforts.

At the end of the innings, the Kookas had made 65 runs for 9 wickets lost, and the chance was there for the Eagles kids to force a victory. Those nine wickets – a seasons best - had included two excellent run outs again, and the fielding again was good, though it dropped a little in the morning heat. There was also only 25 no balls, another season’s best. Improvement in stages.

Lucas and Bodhie opened the batting and their partnership was terrific. They ran hard between the wickets, looked for ones and twos, and both also hit the ball well. Lucas equalled his highest score of 9, and will beat that once he takes his practise from the nets into the game. Bodhie improved his highest score again, scoring a very impressive 3 runs, but the opening partnership didn’t lose a wicket which was just the way the team needed to begin. This start was slightly hampered by losing four wickets in the last three overs before drinks, which brought the game back to level pegging at 5/35. No doubt training on running and calling between the wickets could be coming up shortly.

Kane hit some nice shots in his innings of 3 today, and though he was disappointed today he shouldn’t be. A straight bat will improve his output. Charlotte also made 3 runs today which equalled her highest score from the first game. Blake Ison again batted well, hitting the ball nicely and playing much straighter today for his 14 runs.

With the game in the balance, the final partnership between Max and Josh got the team home. Max came out full of beans and confidence, and was immediately hitting the ball into the gaps and running hard. He made his highest score today with 10 runs and also wasn’t dismissed. His straight pull for four down the ground was the shot of the day. Josh also hit the ball well with four boundaries, and if he stops looking at the sky instead of the ball he’ll even make a few more. His 20 at number seven helped to secure the team the win despite the constant nerves of the coach at square leg, with the score finishing at 100 for seven wickets lost.

With penalties added, the final scores were Kookas Blue 9/93 and Albion Park Gold 7/136. It was a good game from both teams, played in the right spirit and was hard fought throughout. Well down to the Eagles Gold kids, it was a win that was deserved through the hard work that has gone in at training.

Let’s hope we can continue to improve and perhaps get another win up before the Xmas break. In honour of the victory I am going to have a beer for each of the seven of you. No, you know what? I’m going to have TWO for each of you!

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Jessibill: Death By Multimedia. Episode 4.


This week on Episode 4:

There’s Something on the TV! – Jess hasn't pulled her finger out this week and leaves us short-changed, before redeeming herself by reviewing "Beyond Stranger Things". Bill gives us a run down on his three season binge on the interestingly titled "Schitt's Creek"

Crap Movies Bill is Forcing Jess to Watch! – Beware being flooded in at a desolate hotel with nowhere to go with ten strangers, because no good can come from that. This week's movie is "Identity" and it keeps you guessing to the very end. Unless you watch it after listening to this.

Album Review Switcheroo! – Jess and her current obsession with Fall Out Boy has led her to have Bill reviewing their 2013 album "Save Rock and Roll", while Bill gives her something to think about with the classic 1977 Billy Joel album "The Stranger".

Crap That Jess Has Been Watching On YouTube! – Apparently Shane Dawson is not the same as Smoky Dawson, but Shane Dawson has a YouTube channel with 11 Million subscribers, and he does funny stuff. Jess tells us what, while Bill remains skeptical...


Saturday, November 18, 2017

APCC Under 11 Golds: Round 6 vs The Rail Red

Another wash out, but at least this week as it was a home game for us I got to call our opposition and call it off before we got anywhere near the ground. Good job Bill!

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Jessibill: Death By Multimedia. Episode 3.


This week on Episode 3:

There’s Something on the TV! – It's been a long time coming, but Stranger Things 2 has been run and won. Jess mightn't have been allowed to binge it all on the first night, but she's excited now that we've finished it!

Crap Movies Bill is Forcing Jess to Watch! – The zombie apocalypse is coming, and Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright have given us the best comedy spoof of the lot with their 2004 classic "Shaun of the Dead". Jess tells us why it is so good.

Album Review Switcheroo! – It's a whole new world of entertainment, as Jess asks Bill to have a bit of a listen to Dodie's 2017 EP "You", and Bill gets Jessica back to the roots by throwing at her The Beatles' 1963 debut "Please Please Me".

Crap That Jess Has Been Watching On YouTube! – More of the same from Jess, who tries to convince us that watching someone commentating on themselves playing video games is hilarious, while Bill tries to convince us that heavy metal versions of 1980's pop songs are a good thing.


Saturday, November 11, 2017

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Jessibill: Death By Multimedia. Episode 2.


This week on Episode 2:

There’s Something on the TV! – Jess discusses the anime program Seven Deadly Sins which she's seen on Neflix, while Bill relives past wrestling heroes in the documentary "The Resurrection of Jake the Snake".
Crap Movies Bill is Forcing Jess to Watch! – There's time for another John Carpenter masterpiece, and this week it is 1982's thriller "The Thing" starring Kurt Russell. Best get that heater turned up before you watch!

Album Review Switcheroo! – More musical mayhem this week, as Bill is reviewing Troye Sivan's 2015 debut 'Blue Neighbourhood', while Jess tells everyone she's not gonna take it in reviewing Twisted Sister's 1984 release "Stay Hungry".

Crap That Jess Has Been Watching On YouTube! – Vine died earlier this year, much to Jessica's disappointment, but with the help of several people on YouTube she has tracked down the best place to find the best of what once used to be. In Vine. You know...


Saturday, November 4, 2017

APCC Under 11 Golds: Round 4 vs Gerringong Gold

Today's game was washed out, though unfortunately not before we had to drive all the way down to Gerringong in the pouring rain to confirm it. Still, it was worth it for the day off.