Staying Positive

Thankful for health and wits 

This blog post is to just remind myself that there is plenty of things for me to be thankful. We tend to take so many things for granted in life that we forget actually how far and how much we have progressed.

As a country, Singapore has made it up to the first world, in a short span of less than 30 years, since 1965. So while there are still many people struggling, the plight of the poor is never a constant because there are opportunities for the youth and the adaptable to rise up the jobs ladder.

We must always be nimble enough to go out and make good our lives. As I write, I am in Middle East sourcing for new business to take my company forward, hence  the need to have boundless energy and drive to see through the vision.

The struggles of the past have only given me greater resilience to take things in their stride and move ever upward and onward.

This way, I can stay positive and with this mindset pursue the aims I have set out for myself. 

Million Year Old Artefact as Present ; Watch Video

My German friend, Heinz Strobel gave this priceless present to my wife and I as a wedding gift, and it occupies pride of place in my office table, one of the most amazing and intriguing anthropological artifact brought out from the Black Forest Area. 

Supposed to be millions of years old, it is the embodiment of a molusc which has rings around its body, and it was entombed in the earth and somehow when it was dug up in one piece, it was preserved and the 'Ying" and the "Yang' parts can be taken out and the fine lines appreciated every once in a while.  

Enjoy this video, my readers. 

Dragostea Din Tei - Here's to the Uncool People !

Keep Moving Everyday !!!

Here is the secret to living well and living long - at least for me anyway.

My last full marathon was 3 odd years ago !

1. Exercise at least 4 times a week of duration 50 minutes ; a brisk walk, a run, a cycle, 
swim or just climbing stairs just to get that old pump the heart beating relentlessly is a must.

2. Do mind stimulating exercises. I play Sudoku most days, and spend at least 30 minutes  on an challenging level game (Normally Daily Telegraphs competition level games) 

3. Try to focus and be Happy ; Engage in a rewarding experience. My work in my business keeps me pretty happy. Stress is a downer, so I try not to load myself with too much work  - that can be a real killer too. 

4. Give back to society ; I have said it numerous times and will continue to say it. Give my time and some money back, because as the wonderful Mr. Tony Tay of Willing Hearts says, when you give to the less fortunate, you really wake up to the fact that indeed you ARE fortunate. 

5. Wake up, meditate and smell the fresh air. 

6. Seize the Day ; the salad days are gone, but wisdom and experience have replaced the raw energy and blind enthusiasm.  Just enjoy the ride .

Salad Days June 1990 - Visit to Yoshida Seiki 

And the Wolves go marching on !

Today's fifth round FA cup tie away to Bristol City brought another victory to the Wolves who have got 0 silverware of note in the last 38 years. The last serious Cup they secured was the 1980 League Cup which was won by a mistake by Shilton giving Andy Gray an open goal to score.

The only goal came from a beautiful pass from Conor Coady onto Matt Doherty whose jinking run into the penalty box and then hauling the ball back to Ivan Cavaleiro to place it past the hapless Bristol City keeper Fielding. 

They then went on to control the first half with beautiful passes and the mercurial Doherty came very close to a second goal which just nicked the upright. Boly, Gibbs White, Moutinho and Dendonker all either forced their goalie to make finger tip saves or parry their shots out wide.   

Now, they are in the last 8 and my dream as a fan is to go and watch the FA Cup Final with the Wolves once in my lifetime.

Will 2019 be the year ????  I wait with bated breath. 

My Goldfish in my Water Feature live in a Separate Universe to Me.

Here are 4 happy goldfish taken today. I have got them for over 3 weeks and I have learnt a lot about rearing goldfish in the past. There are many factors which will lead to their early demise, so I have alot of pain and heartache in the past, especially when the water in the water feature turns acidic or some disease wipes them out. 

So 3 weeks ago I bought my first pair of goldfish, and so far so good. The thing is that the weather has been very hot and we have no t had much rain. Rain is likely to be acidic in nature, and hence will disrupt the alkalinity in the pool. Before putting the fish in the outdoor pool, I had conditioned the water with lots of salt as well as with an anti-chlorine solution which normally affects ornamental fish.





Once that was done, I also have ensured that there is enough air (ie. bubbles) circulating the pool and that whenever we clean the pool, we do not use any soap or cleaning solution. The fish have led a happy existence, so far, only eating 6 pellets a day (we control their diet very strictly) as well as changing the water only once every 2 weeks or so, ensuring that 2 - 3 pails or about 1/3 of the water is reused.

Chlorine, alkalinity and acidity all lead to problems and may eventually kill the fish.

But as goldfish, they lead a very happy existence, playing with one another, exploring the length and depth of the pool and keeping all those who observe their existence quite happy.

Its as if they live in their small universe and we humans in ours. 

There is hardly any interaction between them and us. If they are happy and lively, so am I. 

Joe Cocker - Feeling Alright

What a fantastic song !