So How Now ? US has a President with zero experience in politics

Yesterday, Wednesday 9th Nov (9th November early morning USA), the people of the USA voted in  Donald Trump, the businessman with a hotel and entertainment empire spanning 3 continents. This while not totally unexpected, shocked many billions around the world, as the polling agencies (almost 90%) had their statistics and data thrown out the window in 24 hours. A total loss of credibility for many pollsters,traditional and mass media.  

All (except for maybe 2) voting polls were totally wrong, the people from the lowest rungs of society in USA, the disenfranchised, the people wanting change, the folks who in their hearts hated either candidate but voted for the lesser of 2 evils made their choice. At the end of a long, bruising with tremendous mudslinging and personal attacks, USA has the 45th President elect in the wings.

Many people who were not internet savvy, quietly went their way, answered the surveys
changed their minds at the last minute ? I don't think so, they voted for 'change' against the ruling executive.  

Many people in the country and aorund the world are shocked at the outcome, the established elites, the ordinary folk, the minorities, the millions of women he insulted, the list is endless. Yet he won.

So how now ?, we wait with bated breath what will come of this new era ?   

   

Insane Ski Lines from Freeskiers - Seize the Day

This video shows how freeskiers can be as crazy at the next crazy person. You need a tremendous amount of courage and finding the 'Line' (or path to go down) sometimes is impossible leading to a great deal of skill, stamina, balance and luck.

I will be the first to admit it, my better days of skiing are behind me, you need to have strong joints, knees, and supple body. Youth has its downsides like stupidity and recklessness but limitless energy, courage and give it a go attitude is what the young have.

Motivation in these challenging times

                  I do not own the rights to this quote, but it is very apt on a Monday morning

Brazil finally gets the Gold for Football at home in Rio 2016

5 times World Cup Champions Brazil have never won the Olympics Gold Medal in football, Never. So it was so sweet a feeling when they finally beat arch-rivals Germany 5 - 4 in penalties to seal and claim the Gold after 90 minutes of regulation play which ended in 1 - 1 and another 30 minutes of extra time and finally the dreaded penalty shootout.

Never mind the fact that Germany send their U - 23 squad, finally Neymar and company can restore their pride as the top class footballing nation again.
  

100m Final

I do not own the rights to this video. But what a race, 9.81 secs of pure adrenalin.

Usain Bolt 100 m Legend

Once in 100 years - a legend, Usain Bolt 

The man they call Lightning Bolt has done it again, Usain Bolt, the fastest man on this planet has done it again. In the split 9.83 secs, he retained his Olympic Gold for the 100 m century sprint for the 3rd time, a feat unparalled in modern day sport. 

Some athletes have cheated in the past with doping, but Usain Bolt is a natural gifted athlete. Winning in its purest form, is the best way to show the world that Sports unifies us. It brings out the best in people, and everyone loves a winner.

But spare a thought for the remaining  7 in the finals (and the other 49 who did not make it in the heats, and semifinals) who raced alongside him, their decades long suffering, sacrifices and toils just to make it  to the pinnacle of world sporting arena. They go home knowing they have proudly represented their country and done in their eyes, their very best. 

The world needs more sports to unify us as one.  

Our Proudest Moment ; First ever Gold for Joseph Schooling in 100 m Butterfly 13 Aug 2016. Well Done !

         This is the first blog post in some time for me. I am so proud to share in the reflected glory of our young countryman, Joseph Isaac Schooling, 21 years of age who beat the "best of the best" Michael Phelps (USA), Chad Le Clos (S Africa) and Cseh (Hungary), all who are taller, have longer reach and more, much more experience than our "Jo". 

His time of 50.39 sec. is not only a personal best, but an Olympic Record, an Asian Games record, and the string of other records. The most amazing thing is that he beat not 1 but 3 great Olympians, including the great Michael Phelps who will retire with 22 Golds after this Rio 2016 Games as the most gold medalled athlete ever in the history of the Games. 

Michael Phelps, Thomas Cseh, Joe Schooling, Chad Le Clos.

All of them Olympic champions past and present. 

This is the "dream team". 

        His win has finally put Singapore's sporting ambitions on the world map, as this is the FIRST EVER gold medal in our 51 years as a nation, and everyone, regardless of race, social standing and gender is so proud of him. 

       Behind his win, is an army of support people, firstly his family, his Mum and Dad must be so proud of him, his fomer school, ACS whom I have friends, his coaches in US, and in Singapore, the team of physiologists, medical staff, masseuses, chefs, friends, and countless others who are beaming with pride an joy this young man has brought to Singapore.

      The almost 2 decades of hard training, (he started swimming at 3), the mental and physical strengths (mental discipline is the hardest), the hundreds of thousands of hours of training leading up to this 50 secs of pure joy made each and every Singaporean so proud.

     Well Done Jo !    A true Champion !   

The Moment of Victory is so Sweet 

10.20 pm 12 August 2016

Rio de Janerio