Battle of the Generations

I had some friends over from interstate and during the various meals, drinks and socialising our discussions turned to the generational differences we are experiencing.

And by contributing to this discussion, I finally believe I have gotten older, because I agreed with a lot of what was said.

Most of this group are older than me (hence my enjoyment at hanging out with them because I am one of the youngest) and they are now in positions of management and responsibility. Be it as a senior in their profession or in middle management. So they are responsible for teaching new graduates and junior staff.

The biggest gripe I heard was about Generation Y, those that are born between 1980 and 1995. Sadly I do not fall into that Gen Y category as I am an X, those born between 1960 and 1979, we are the post baby boomer society.

These days there is talk of Generation Z i.e.) the kids that are currently up and coming.

But back to my friends and our discourse over lunches. The main complaint that people have about the Gen Y’s is that they want the big salaries, they want the status and the position BUT they simply won’t do the work.

Basically they want to be superstars but get there easily.

They are too preoccupied with getting what they think they deserved but have failed to realise they need to work for it. They will only do the work they want and won’t do anything meaningless because it was not in their job description.
We all hate doing meaningless things that are not part of our job, but in the workforce it is a requirement. This is how you learn how to become multi skilled. Added to this is that a number of my friends complained about the poor written skills.

Another major gripe is that they lack written and satisfactory communication skills. While they are confident, they do not know how to talk to the baby boomer generation or how to conduct themselves properly. Sadly, a lot of them appear to now want to learn how to write better. Heck, I was a terrible writer especially with report and my grammar was poor, but I learnt and hope it has improved a little (I know this blog has evidence which contradicts that statement).

The Gen Y’ers have a lot of self belief and confidence and that most likely stemmed from society. Over the last decades we have seen a shift towards a classless society, where children are told there are no barriers and anyone can get anywhere.

That is a great message and good that it happened. But the bit about the hardwork seems to have been lost in the message.

Also the X’ers had a recession to go through, so mum and dad did not have a lot of money so we learnt to save and make do with what we have. No Ipods, Internet, X-Box or Cable TV. We learnt to play sport and make our own fun.

Further, we have seen the rise of the instant celebrity and this is mainly due to the media. People like Paris Hilton have become insanely well know because they are rich or made some questionable videos.

So the kids seem the glam and want to get it, they see these people get the star treatment by not doing much, so they aspire for it.

All the Y’ers. Just do a little hard work and you will be right.

Let us hope that the Z’s learn and work a little harder and smarter. While saving the world at the same time.

Dexter - The TV Series review

The MOssiah introduced me to the amazing TV series.

I guess you could say this is what would happen if the SITH took over TV, then again you could call it CSI with a heck of a twist.

Dexter is the main man, protagonist and anti-hero of this remarkable piece of television. He works as a blood splatter specialist with the Miami Police. That is where the CSI link comes into it.


However, what turns this series on its head (and got me hooked) is that he is a SERIAL KILLER himself. But he is a serial killer who targets the guilty - child molestors, murderes who have not been caught - the bad and the ugly of society who have fallen through the legal cracks and are stil at large and able to do bad.

So far, the series has gone for two seasons and it is excellenty written and exceptionally acted out. It explores the dark side of humanity and questions the thesis about what truly is a hero.

We would generally consider someone who kills others in such a graphic nature (and let me tell you some of the scenes are squemish) as a villian, as a bad man. But we are placed in a quandary when we see the type of people that Dexter goes after.

After the initial shock of the premise of the show, this character grows on you. Eventually he comes a likelable serial killer.

This series is enjoyable as it mixes a morbid sense of fun when the dark issues of humanity are discussed. Added to this are the varying characters and people that infiltrate Dexter's lives. His step-sister who he has known all his life, but does know not his secret double life, his fellow officers who are his friends and in the case of one, very suspectful of what he does and his girlfriend who is also oblivious to his extracurricular activities.

Then there are the flashbacks where we gain an insight into why Dexter does what he does, and how he can go on doing such disagreeable things, yet not get caught.

So if you are looking for something different, witha strong composition and will not delve to heavily into the morality of such a show. Give Dexter a go.

13 February 2008 - A day Australia did the right thing and said SORRY

Imagine being taken away from your mum or dad, from people who had cared for you and loved you. From people who never did anything harmful to you.

Imagine when someone came to your home to take you away, your parents had to be held back, screaming your name, begging and pleading for these strangers to let you stay with them.

Imagine that your last memory of your mum was of her anguished face covered in tears.

Then you may understand what happened and why today was important.

Over a decade ago, a report came forth that determined that 1 out of 3 Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their communities and families between 1910 and 1970.

These children were known as the Stolen Generation.

However, there are some who feel that the intentions of this action were not bad, but good and just - take the children away from the poor families to give them a good education and therefore a good life.

But how could this be justified if these children never, ever saw their families again?

How could it be seen as positive if there is also evidence that some administrators had intentions that could be construed as genocide?

All that people wanted was a five letter word to be said by the government of Australia.

A word that would stop the nation to mark this historic moment.

It was a word that made me proud to be an Australian.

Proud that the Government that I had voted for has finally just done the right thing, but the morally correct thing.

I hope that they take some solace in this gesture. Just a word but symbolic and may not mean a whole lot to some, but to those that it did matter too I hope it meant a lot.

Until today, no one ever said "sorry" for this dark chapter in our history.

Australia prides itself on being a developed nation, a first class country where everyone is accepted. We may have our idealistic Jedi ways but there are aspects that could be considered Sith-like.

Yet, there are numbers of the indigenous community who still live in third world like conditions.
Now that the words have been said it is time to progress forwards and take the next steps to reconcile with the indigenous people.

It is time that we take steps to ensure that the indigenous community can consider themselves to be Australian first and foremost, because I get the feeling they do not see it this way.

We should never forget what was done but now we have to make sure that everyone gets a fair go. EVERYONE! Afterall, it is the Australia way isn’t it?

The Diesel stops in Phoenix, The Matrix could revolutionise Miami and LA gets a serve of Paella

Two major trades happened in the NBA last week – Pau Gasol was traded by the Memphis Grizzlies and Shaq went to Phoenix in a trade for Shawn Marion.

Gasol to LA Lakers:

The Lakers received an All-Star calibre player for hardly anything and this now makes them a formidable opponent for most teams. Will this mean they are a favourite for the title? I personally do not think it will happen this year but next season could be very interesting.

This is a massive boost for the Lakers as they will now comprise 1 perennial All-Star (in Kobe Bryant), 1 All-Star who played for a team that sucked (Gasol), 1 guy who used to be an All-Star and could return to that level (Lamar Odom) and a youngster who could be an All Star (Andrew Bynum). Plus you cannot discount the successful man limping on the sidelines and the triangle offence.

Regarding Andrew Bynum, this trade helps him a lot. With the ability of Gasol to play close to the basket, teams will not be able to double up on him - making it easier to score. He also has the length and atheleticm of Gasol to assist him on defence.

Overall, a good move by the Lakers and one that will benefit them in the coming years.

Phoenix land the Big Aristotle

This deal caused greater shockwaves throughout the basketball community as it saw one of the most dominant players to play in the NBA being traded to a team that just was not right.

The Phoenix Suns are a team that loves to run and score. Shaq is a player on the wrong side of his game, he is nearing 36 and has been slowed by injuries the last two seasons. Shaq won a title in 2006 but his game is based on banging and posting, rather than run and gun these days. so people think that this will destroy the chemistry and style of the team.

But I like this move, it will change things around for the better.

First, Steve Nash is the soul of this club, he literally makes them run. Yet he is nearing his mid 30's and has a few more seasons of playing at this level. They have tried winning with Marion, Amare Stoudamire, Boris Diaw et al. but they have come up short.

Secondly, people forget that at Miami, opponents could double team Shaq because apart from Dwayne Wade, there was no one else they had to guard. At Phoenix, there is another behemoth in the block so team can not double team Shaq all the time. Plus people forget how good Shaq is at passing to the open man, so the Suns 3-pont shooters will find extra time and more looks becuse of the big fella.

On defence, Amare will handle the teams best big man, allowing Shaq to patrol the outside of the laneway.

Lastly, with all the negative talk about Shaq being past his best and the trade being lopsided favopuring the Miami Heat, I am sure the big guy will be fired to prove the doubters wrong. He will run and he will get up and down. He will rebound and ignite the Suns running game.

Shaq could deliver the title to Phoenix this season or over the next year or two, and make Steve Kerr look like a genuius, make Mike D'Antonio a champion coach and elevate Steve Nash to the pantheon of great players.

Lets not forgetMiami - with Shawn Marion playing for them, they have suddenly gotten quicker on the wings. Add a draft pick (as they seem likely to get this year), and a few moves and the Heat could be contenders for years to come.

Happy Year of the Rat

For all my Chinese friends

Gong Xi Fai Cai.

Happy Year of the Rat!

Now where is the char siew?

Superbowl XXLII - Free Falling to 1988

These days I am not as enamoured with the US of A as I once was, mainly due to the current heirachy that is in place. After the past 8 years, I am looking for a change. But I shall save that for a later entry.

But when it comes to sporting events, I do enjoy the NBA, Baseball's World Series and the Superbowl.

This years Superbowl was special because the favourties were the New England Patriots who had traversed through the season undefeated to get to the big game. Playing the villainous role of Darth Vader to their Luke Skywalker were the New York Giants - a team that was given no chance of winning at all. I am telling you, NO ONE gave the Giants a chance - Osama Bin Laden being America's Next Top Model Winner would have gotten better odds than the Giants winning the game.

So it came as a surprise when the Giants pulled out probably one of the greatest upsets in the history of the game. I am glad they did becasue at the start of the final quarter I thought the event was more SuperBORE than Bowl!

So how did this happen? Well NOT being a seasoned watcher of American Football (by the way, why is it called football when most of the time they use their hands???) here are my thoughts:

1. The Patriots offence: During the season, the Patriots were celebrated for their attacking flair, but surprisingly during the game they seemed lacklustre, like they had lost their mojo and took some time to find it. It seems that the pressure of going undefeated during a season was taking its toll and their grasp at history left them empty handed.

2. The Giants defence: NY played a heck of a game and made their opponents very uncomfortable. Whenever Brady got the ball he seemed to have guys running at him all the time putting him under pressure and making him think too much about screwing up the pass if he got tackled. But credit to them, their defence won them the title.

3. The PLAY: The most memorable sporting contests always comes down to an event that everyone remembers. They call it THE PLAY. For example, Michael Jordan's winning shot in the 1998 NBA Finals, Leo Barry's mark to win the Sydney Swans the 2005 AFL Premiership, Dudek's saves in the final minutes of the 2005 Champions league Final. All events that have stayed in my mind when those games are discussed.

Usually they are memorable because they happened at the end. But in this match, it was the play when Eli Manning had the ball and was being set upon by the Patriots defence and one of the defenders actually got a hand on his jersey and held him. He actually ducked out free, got his jersey free and then threw a pass, that was not the amazing part. That the person who caught it, did so with someone on his back, but after juggling it, he held it to his helmet and kept it there, wile landing on the body of his opponents.

Ever landed awkwardly on some protruding element on your side or back? Then you may know how much that hurts. Imagine landing on someone's knee or elbow while trying to catch and hold a ball.

Amazing play. I am sure someone, somewherein America is thinking of a name to link that moment to.

4. The half time entertainment: 99.99999999999999999999% of superbowls have an awesome half time show. This years did not.

First of all this is 2008 not 1988. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!! Sure Britney is in Rehab, Michael Jackson is..is....., Madonna is past it and U2 did it a few year ago and it is probably too early. But what about The Killers, Muse, Kanye West, Missy Higgins even!

There are so many world class acts out there who would have given a good half time show. Plus being relevant. Heck even the Police would have been better.

But Tom Petty!!!!

I know there was the Wardrobe Malfunction back in Superbowl Nipplegate, but the NFL did a poor choice.

Maybe given that no one in the Patriots was really listening to music when Tom Petty last had a hit single was the reason they played so poorly. How can you get amped for that when you got to listen to a band at half time whose last hit was nearly 20 years ago.

Oh well.....let me just hum...."Now I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, freee faaaalling"

Racism and Diversity

I abhor racism. It is terrible that humans make assumptions about a group or individual based on the colour of their skin or shape of their eyes.

My earliest recollection of racism was when I was about 10 years old and growing up in Perth, Western Australia. I was sitting in the back seat of the family car as we headed home from a friends place.

It was an uneventful drive until some people (who happened to be white, blonde and young) drove past us, but then decided to slow down so they could drive next to us.

They had slowed down to look at my dad because he was wearing his turban. Their windows were down and I can not recall what was said but they were making comments to each other and laughing - about my dad. Back in the 1980's in Perth, a man wearing a turban was about as common as a fat person at a salad bar.

Upon recollection of this event years later, I felt proud that my old man did not react. He knew what was going on, but he kept on driving. I am sure it hurt him but he thought me a valuable lesson that day

The ignorance of someone should not affect you in any great deal.

I strongly believe that most of the time, when people stare at you because you look different, it is because they do not know you or more importantly, your culture. I found that just because someone makes a silly comment that sounds derogatory does not mean they are racist. They just do not know and when you explain it to them, they shall learn and their eyes would have opened to something new. Therefore, they will become appreciative of this new information and may want to learn more.

But then there are some who will not want to learn. That is because they will never know what life is all about. They think their way is always right. But it is wrong.

No religion or culture should exclude another just because they do not fit into their norm. All religions and cultures actually encourage the spread of their ideals in a way that is not confrontational. If you embrace it then good for you, if not, such is life.

But people are a different manner as there is always a small minority that will never want to listen to others. They poison others with their ideals who then close their minds and souls to the wonderful diversity of the world.

In the long run, we should accept that everyone is different. Even those that worship the same deity can have differences of opinions. As a Sikh, I never understood why there was a difference between Christians and Roman Catholics. Yet after some discussions with some people, I understood the difference.

Everything is different, everyone has some peculiarities about them. But overall, everyone should aim to be good and respect one another and help another human being no matter what they look like or who their worship.

Afterall, we are all the same and we all want to live life well.