Rock out in red.

Most people in Aus know the story of Daniel. Daniel was a little boy, he could have been anyone’s little boy. He was 12 and waiting at a bus stop, just like any other kid does on a daily basis when he was abducted and killed.

In light of this, his parents set up the Daniel Morcombe foundation to teach kids about Stranger Danger and what to do if they get into a situation where they’re uncomfortable

Now, I don’t know how much stuff had changed before what happened to Daniel, but I don’t remember much being taught about Stranger Danger when I was at school. Unfortunately it’s a valuable lesson that seems to have been missed.

In order to raise funds for Daniel, the good people of Melbourne (namely Tania Wilson and Kim Valance) have done what Melbourne does best and decided to put on a concert to raise some much needed funds to help the Morcombe family keep doing what they’re doing.

There’s also going to be an auction on the night and you would not believe the stuff that’s been donated! There’s a signed and framed Michael Jackson Thriller album, a guitar signed by the Stones, a framed magazine signed by John Lennon and the chance to jump up on stage with the two acts performing that night – Ross Wilson and Daryl Braithwaite. If music isn’t your thing, there’s also a surf board and a bunch of other stuff going for auction too.

One thing is for sure – it will be a good night. It’s at Riva in St Kilda tomorrow. Tickets are $100 with all proceeds going to the foundation. Be there or miss out.

How did it get to Wednesday already?

I’m sure I had a list of things I wanted to do this week. Instead it seems that I took a nap. To be fair, I took several naps and to be even fairer, Sunday was quite productive, but now it’s Wednesday. How did it get to Wednesday? Tonight I shall play drums. I’ve started packing (or at least worked out what needs to go in the bag) for my next weekend away.

Hopefully I’ll get my car back tonight, too. I’ve also done the rather productive thing of challenging a friend to get his Duesenberg before I get mine. You know me, I like a challenge. I’m going to have to start saving!

In other news, I’m listening to The Stones and thinking of Mick Jagger this morning. I didn’t have tickets to the gigs, I know people that did and although I’m disappointed that they won’t see The Stones now I can completely understand postponing given the circumstances. It is hard enough for any one to deal with something like that. It sucks that what will follow is an invasion of privacy, prying questions at every opportunity and people following him everywhere, speculating how he’s doing.

Song of the day is Stealing My Heart because, well listen to the lyrics. Love hits in unexpected places – and usually gives you a black eye when it does.

Soap box warning

So, the Rolling Stones are coming and everyone with ears in Australia is so excited that a major train station wet itself with joy (well, a water main burst, but that’s because even train stations get excited) and whilst I should be reading every news paper with so much joy that I’m glowing, I’ve noticed something alarming and it’s started already.

Whenever acts get to a certain age, new words are suddenly attached at the start of every sentence. “Old rockers . . . “ or “vintage”.

Now I have a problem with this. How is it relevant? Everyone knows that The Rolling Stones have been around since the 60’s. Everyone knows that Keith Richards has seen part of the Second World war and you know what? No one cares. No one cares that they were born before rock n roll. We all love to make jokes about how some members are starting to look more than a little skeletal or how forgetting stuff may have less to do with the drugs and more to do with age but they can still play and no one cares.

Why? Because The Stones are one of the greatest rock acts that ever lived and we get to see them. If anything, it’s a friggen miracle that they’re still around and why don’t we try celebrating that and showing a little respect instead of mocking it

This doesn’t just apply to the Stones. When The Who came out quite a few years ago, there was the same debate. Again, no one cares. The same way that mentioning the word “gay” before an actor or musician should be a non event. I’m not comparing the two issues at all and respect all people regardless of their sexual orientation, nor am I mocking the struggle for exceptance that people face, but the fact is simple. Neither of these things change you or make you less of a human being so why do news papers always seem to mention it?

Maybe it’s just me? I’ve never seen age. People are people. Grey hair, blue hair, no hair and if they’re good people, then the fact that they have a hundred candles on their birthday cake isn’t an issue.

I’m not saying I’ve never picked on any one for their age before. Ohhh gosh yes I have. I have some zingers. I’ve heard some zingers. However, it’s always done with love and it’s usually done to people who know I think the sun shines outta them any way.

Another thing to think about is this – these guys have had years and years of practice. In some cases, they’re playing better now than they ever did. As the saying goes, with age, comes experience. Maybe this is what should be mentioned instead? The impressive amount if shows that some of these guys have done? The places they’ve played or the things they’ve lived through?

I could also get into the fact that time is a human concept and therefore age is non existent as it is dependent on time, but I think that might warp a few brains so I’ll leave it there, but I will say this. If I hear someone being spoken about as an age and not a human, I will be forced to tap you on the face with the pointy end of a cricket bat. Violence doesn’t solve anything, but beating the sense into people sure is fun.

End rant