Thankful and Grateful

July 22nd 2018 mid afternoon 

Today I want to give thanks and gratefulness to the Man Upstairs for what I have. Its enough for me and I want to thank Him specifically for my health, at 55 I am considered young-old.

My family especially my wife May, who has stood by me through all the business ups and downs and raising 2 lovely young men. They may not be world beaters in any sense of the word, but they have in them, my father Geoffrey's compassion, good attitude and hopefully a willing heart for May and myself when we get old.

My Mum also imparted upon me the spirit of helping out the less fortunate and I have been doing that the last 10 odd years ; those who know me will understand. In a small way, it has been a meaningful albeit tough journey for me thus far.

The uncertain dynamics of this multi-polar world led by sub par leaders especially the Trump administration in trying to Make America Great again has only led to a rise in anti immigrant and racial intolerance especially in the US. The imposition of the additional taxes to China and the EU and their tit-for-tat retaliation will only make the major manufacturing players move to more trade friendly shores such the South East Asia.

My hope and wish is for more good health so that I can pursue my goals and help give back to society in a meaningful way like my good parents did in their prime of their lives.

Thank You. 

World Cup Final Night ; Predictions ? France by the Odd Goal

My prediction for the World Cup Final ? Purely from a neutral standbpoint, France. I do not support either team, but as some say that Croatia are the hungrier team, France has the more balance and skill.

I am a lousy predictor of football matches having watched a measly total of 3 games before the final, so what do I really know ? Next to nothing.

However, I am without bias, and am with the bookies on the favourites.

Wolves lift the 2018 Uhrencup in Siwtzerland

This is great stuff from my boyhood team Wolves. Once the no-hopers of the first division, now they have a great manager, a solid team with World Cup stars and thay can dream again !

They started out pre-season winning the Swiss Uhrencup 2018 in fine fashion winning both games 2-1 (FC Basel) and 4 - 0 (FC Young Boys Bern, the Swiss Champions).

I am inclined to stick my  neck out and say they will be rank outsiders after the top 7 to win the coveted Premier League Championship. Why ? No one has been watching their buildup and their classy midfield, superb strikeforce and strong defence.

I wait with great anticipation for the new EPL 2018 - 19 ! 

Wolves will be Ready for 2018 - 19 Season

With the summer transfer window open, Wolves has confirmed the following players on full time basis :

a) Diogo Jota (Phenomenal Forward 16 goals last season)
b) Leo Bonatini (from Saudi Arabia, petered out the 2nd half of the season)
c) Reuben Neves (signed a new 5 year contract)
d) Raul Patricio (Portugal's No. 1 keeper in this 2018 World Cup)
e) Hector Jiminez (Mexico Forward also another player in the World Cup).

Right now, I think the team needs a couple of solidly built and steady defenders and I hope they can get them soon. 

8 km run at ECP with new running partner 30 June 2018

I managed to do an 8 km run today. All in all I was really happy that Filipe joined me on this, as I have barely 6 weeks to register a decent time at the Army Half Marathon during the 3rd week of August.

My Front 4 (hand timed,Garmin monitored) was a massive 24 mins, 56.2 secs or averaging about 6 minutes 14 secs. I am very pleased with this time. My best Front 4 km was 25 mins 31 seconds and this is a new personal best (PB) for Yours Truly.  

We reached the first 4 km near the changing rooms just before the East Coast Seafood Centre and had a short drink.

My Back 4 km was also very decent, clocking 25 mins 43 seconds or 6 minutes 25 seconds per km. Very decent considering I was hitting about 28 minutes on the Back 4 my last time I ran 2 weeks ago.

So all in all, providing that my Anterior Crucia Ligament holds, I hope to be back into full fitness soon !

Niccolo Machiavelli - the Prince

This is a very insightful book for anyone who has an interest in how people in positions of power get there and more importantly, stay there. One of the key takeaways of this book is that the prince will need to be 2 faced ; for he has to govern according to many different circumstances under his rule. Many times he has to be strong like the Lion and Fight when necessary, sometimes he has to make a Great Escape and oftentimes he has to play the Victim ; to be one and neglect the other 2 could be disastrous.  

Now not many people can be both as strong willed and unyielding as a Lion, nor can a Lion turn into a Fox who is always on the lookout for some opportunity to come in unannounced and take the prize hens or geese. 

However, the prince needs to be both ; my view is that for a company, sometimes the Prince can only do 1 version of the persona well, such as the Lion and leave the Fox to his trusted henchman or henchwoman and vice versa. So in my playbook, I should establish a Tag Team of players who alternate between Fight, Flight, Seize Opportunities or even Do nothing. 

Such is today's dealings in the very disruptive  world where no technology and application is safe from imitators, bigger and more savvy competitors as well as identity thieves. 

Fortune favours the brave ; well think and analyse each step then go against the playbook. 

  

One Final Hurrah ; 15 more good years

To regain my run pace of 6 : 30 per km for 10 km ; My mid term goal by August 

Today I just made a new running buddy, so I am now again motivated to start regular running at my usual haunts such as East Coast Park and Bukit Batok area (the stadium track is under repair) so I will give myself these targets : 

By end 2018 ; weight : 73 kg (after meal) ; currently : 75.5 kg

Run Pace : 6 : 30 min / km for 10 km

Length : 21 km or 2 hr : 20 mins

This is my Final Hurrah, as I feel Father Time is catching up and I need to maximise all my remaining good years (no more than 15) to building my health and stamina.