Seven Wonders - Fleetwood Mac

Really Cool Song ! 

Skiing - One amazing whole body workout sport ; this was in 2011 in Tomamu Resort Hokkaido

I love skiing as a winter sport. As my body is past its peak, I have to accept that my knees may not be able to take the swerving and turning at such high speeds coupled with the incline of the slope. But with the swishing of each 'S' curve and the cold wind blowing in my ears, it is an exhilarating experience !!!
  
Tomamu Resort in Hokkaido Japan 2011 was the 4th time we went skiing having first had a taste of it in 2006 in Korea. The next 2 - 3 years we did 2 ski camps in Korea, 2007 and 2010. I recall I reached Intermediate level and could ski down Intermediate slopes with little difficulty. 

Then we went for 2 wonderful ski trips first in 2011 Tomamu resort and then the last one (regrettably) we visited Rusutsu in Hokkaido in December 2012.  

Let me be clear about this sport ;

You need to be physically fit and core strong as when you fall, you need to get up from an inclined slope and most likely lying on your side.Additionally, the energy required to ski for a whole day will easy burn off 1000 over calories from the moment you put on your skis to then trudging and skiing somewhat to the skilift station 

Wear a good helmet, this is really important to prevent any novice, or intermediate skier to encounter a serious concussion or even death. The great Michael Schumacher went into coma for many years after a skiing accident and all but shortened  his useful successful life first as an F1 driver and then as a celebrity.  

Take lessons. YMCA has good ski camps for 5 - 6 days in total, mainly to Korea and 
Japan and I strongly recommend going for them. They have all expenses paid trips which include the airfare, ski resort, group ski instruction and then coaching from beginner to intermediate. 

Buy your own ski clothes and ski goggles. Hygiene is most important. Enough said

Rent skiis from the resort till you are at an expert level or advanced enough then decide to buy custom skis. 

I am good or fit enough for perhaps another 10 years max. So I hope and pray I can still ski another couple of times. 

George Calloway interviews Dr John Campbell ; very insightful

Shanghai May 2006 ; Weiss Technik Sales Training

with Frank Rigley (VP of Sales) 

The global COVID - 19 health pandemic leads me to look back at some old and happy memories, just to remember the 'good old days'. This was when we were sales agents for the then largest environmental chamber manufacturer in the world Weiss Technik. My company QRA International were agents from 2003 to 2012 or 10 years more or less. The first few years representing them were relatively easy and Asia, particularly China was the booming market for Weiss International sales.

These pictures were taken during their second Sales Training in China and it was held in May 2006. Our team of 5 were made to do presentations and at that point in time, we had offices in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. N. Kannan (Malaysia), myself and Sebastian Lin made up the team to China that time. 

With Dieter Haus and Tibor Csombordi (Hungary agent) 

The schedule was normally 4 1/2  days of lectures, tutorials and factory visits followed by 1/2 day of tour and the last day, normally was reserved for certificate presentations, pleasentries and goodbyes. 

Shanghai was and is the most futuristic city in China and each day's training was a learning experience for every one attending as we shared each other country's experiences, difficulties and success stories. 

Sebastian presenting on behalf of QRA team to Mr. Hehl, and Fred Schweitzer (Sales Manager)

It is safe to say, that these meetings will never be replicated as far as I am concerned, since 2012, my company has parted ways with the Weiss Technik group and I would like to say that we have made our own mark in the Athletic Chamber business as well as in the Test Business since that fateful day in 2012.

I recall the then management team at Weiss with fondness, Mr. Karl Heinz Hehl (MD), Mr Rudy Kreuzer (Technical Manager), Mr. Dieter Haus (Sales Director), Mr. Willie Dern (Service Director), Mr. Charlie Kaus (Service Manager) and my closest associate and friend, Mr. Frank Rigley (Regional Sales Manager). 

Japanese agent, Frank Rigley, N. Kannan, Tibor Csombordi, Pakistan agent, Ian Firth (Australian agent)

We will never walk this path again. 

So gather ye rosebuds while we may, 

Old Time is still a Flying

And that flower that smiles today,

Tomorrow will be dying.

Robert Herrick 

Charles Dickens : A Tale of Two Cities

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.^[6]"

That was written some 200 odd years ago by the famous Charles Dickens. He had certain genius flair for writing and I am so taken by his prose and nuanced composition. At the moment, I am listening to audio books and this is the first I have started on. 

This might just be his 'Magnus Opus'  (his best work) or then again there are so many other classics by him and many of the Renaissance authors that I will need to read and listen to all of them before deciding which is my favourite of the Classics !  

COVID -19 Aerosol and Droplet Transmission

Dr John Campbell is currently the most watched Youtube doctor who has been very clear and forthright with his analysis of the SARS-COV 2 Virus which is sweeping the entire world right now.

The key takeaways is this :

a) the virus is and can be transmitted by both aerosol (in the air) and droplets (by sneezing, coughing and then left on the surface).

b) the environmental conditions range from very cold and dry to warm and humid conditions (below 30 deg C) for the virus to remain alive 

c) the half -life (time for the virus to reduce its quantity) can range from 24 hours to 72 hours.

d) the virus can remain within the size of aerosol is 0.6 microns (one thousandth of a millimeter) all the way up to a standard droplet size droplet size of 1mm to 5 mm. 

d) in crowded places, there is the chance of aerosol transmission as when it is in aerosol form, it can remain in the air for up to 3 hours. 

e) the virus can remain alive up to 72 hours for various surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel. Cardboard and copper the duration is lesser. 

Social Distancing, Regular Handwashing, Proper Hygiene and less close contact with people, people. The social get-togethers, the occasional buddy or gal catchups, the smokers corner ; many of these nice to have things. 

Please limit or cancel them for the time being !

Carpe Diem !

Brain Training during these Social Distancing Times - Chess

With the advancement of the Smart Phone, we have a plethora of options available for us to make use of during our free time. So much so that I have picked up the game of chess just to make use of my mind, as well as learn to 1. Strategise   2. Predict and Pre-empt and 3. Counter-act my opponents move.

To be honest, I wasn't any good at chess in my primary and secondary school days. I had too many other distractions such as swimming (everyday except Wednesday and Saturday), studies, Karate and Piano lessons.

So now, I will give it a go, I hope this hobby can instill in me the tactical methods used by the most brilliant of brains, Gary Kasparov, Aanatoly Karpov and many others. 

Its better to start late than never !!!