One of my favorite K Pop groups which disbanded in 2015, Kara. There was a tragic ending when Goo Hara the lead dancer and singer committed suicide in 1 year ago 2019, all of 27 years of age. Her best friend Sully did the same thing just 6 months before and it just goes to show how merciless the world of top level entertainment it is for the artistes. They can't have a 'normal' life and have very few friends as their performance schedules are punishing and soul destroying.
Behind all the happy smiles were ordinary young women, girls more like who are subjected to military training, regimental schedules, dining and drinking and socialising was practically non existent. A very sad existence, the price of reaching the pinnacle of their glamorous industry.
Goo Hara, rest in peace. You are missed.
Your artistry and music will live on for a long long time to come.
The year 2020 is 3 / 4 over. It has been super - extraordinarily overshadowed by the COVID - 19 Pandemic, so much so that most of our lives have been taken over by new ways of doing business, health monitoring, social norms, dining directives, massive travel restrictions and this whole new concept of Contact Tracing which in theory is an affront to citizen's right to privacy of movement and so on.
I wont dwell on the current elephant in the room, as it is already being discussed on every coffeshop corner, restaurants, Whataspp and whatever social media portals ad nauseum.
This September, I am going to review my own goals which I set at the beginning of 2020 and see whether I am on track or hopelessles way off track. Most of the below resolutions are business related, so it is quite satisfying to see I am hitting most of my resolution goals.
1. Say 'No' more effectively.
I am 80% there. Yes means yes to an appointment, and it must be worth both my and my agreed other person's time. If I have to cancel an appointment, I do so and explain and apologise for my oversight.
2. Be on Time
A big 100% 'Yes'. This goes hand in hand with resolution 1 above. I try not to please too many people because in the end, the situation displeases everyone especially me. So limit my appointments to 2 a day. Estimate the time to travel, and give myself an additional 15 minutes more beforehand. It gives so much more ease to everyone concerned.
3.Honor what I say
This is being mindful and shutting up ever so often. If I have nothing of value to add to the conversation, I will not say much and only speak when I can back up my committment with action. Else I shut up.
4. Lose 3 kg and Keep it There
I am happy to say I am on my way there. At the mid point of this year, I was a heavy 75 kg. Now I am easily 73 kg. Must perpetually remind myself that to lose weight is a privilege.
5. Manage Money Better
I am cutting out the excesses (food, clothes, new stuff) in my life. My wallet feels so much less pressure and I am lighter in mind and spirit.
6. Be a Better Swimmer
No. Still stuck at this. I was a school swimmer and participated at the National Championships way back in the 1970s. So I can swim. And well. But I need to persist to get better at swimming and ensuring that my muscles get their full exercise and conditioning. Running only stretches one set of muscles, and cross training with karate another set of muscles. So swimming is the last of the exercise skills I am still stuck at Base 1
7. Be a Better Piano Player
OK. Again. I am still a non starter. Played piano in school, was trained to Grade 8 and passed Grade 7. So again I am not a novice at this. I need to better discipline my time to maintain this passion of mine so that this activity can occupy me in my later years.
Hoo Hah ! I did my part to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder amongst people (especially Men) and here is my video from June and July 2020.
What a team, what camaderie, what determination, what skills and the support is second to none.
I can only admire the brilliance of the coach Nuno, his coaching staff, the selection of top top players and the vision of world class strategy that is the Old Gold.
The harsh realities of football is that players play in football teams in the Premier League not only to make a living, but also and heartbreakingly so, to make good money.
So it was a rude surprise that Wolves had decided to sell Matt Doherty, the Republic of Ireland wingback who had so loyally served the Wolves through thick and thin. I wish him all the best in his new club Tottenham Hotspur, but football teams nowadays are managed like horses, sad to say and the owners Fosun and the manager Nuno, saw a good deal to sell him off at 17 Million pounds to Tottenham Hotspur.
Fosun, after all is a business enterprise, so it is no surprise that when they see a deal, they make it.
Matt Doherty is a right wingback who plays with consumate passion. A player's player who gives 110 % on the field. True, he does not defend as well as many would have hoped he could but he served a good 10 years in the outfield for Wolves coming from League 1 (Div 3), then the Championship and now the Premier League. He cost only a bargain 75,000 BP coming from Bohemians in Rep Ireland league. What a tremendous asset and player.
His winner against Champions Manchester City wlllforever be etched in my mind as the most satistyfing of all as a recent Wolves supporter, to be very honest.
After 2 seasons in Premier League, Wolves have established themselves as a top half club and many top teams need to invest in new players and get their mojo going. My worry is that they have plateaued and need that super push in terms of new players to break into Champions League territory. The COVID 19 pandemic has taken a big hit on the fans attendance, and many clubs are reeling for lost ticket sales I am 100 % sure of that. How they will recover in 2020-21 season is on everybody's minds.
2020 is the year I will want to make many things right. I may just rethink my support for my childhood team Wolves for a while, as there are many pressing things I have to pursue for these 2 years.
My run yesterday at MacRitchie Reservoir park was the first, I believe, in 2020. So many things have happened in 2020, with the COVID-19 messing up so many people's lives, livelihoods, physical, health and mental well being, not to mention, crippling businesses, ruining decades of long established industries in Food and Beverage, Retail, Transport, Travel, Leisure, Entertainment, Hospitality, the list seems endless.
I put aside all the negative thoughts and went for the run. Starting from the tree near the performance bandstand (now long unused), I ran 5.2 km inside the track under the forest canopy and reached the exercise station deep in the forest beside the SICC Sime golf course and then backtracking my steps.
I encountered many muddy patches along the way, the trail run was muddy in at least 10 places, some spots being reduced to thick dark brown sludge. But I persisted and made my way past perhaps less than 10 people.
3 groups of people whom I passed along my run were very polite. One couple (or was it a father and daughter ?), even stopped, stepped aside and allowed me to continue at my regular pace and run through the side of the muddy pathway. Another elderly Chinese gentleman, stopped his walk to allow me to canter past me down one of the slippery slopes, and gave me a toothy grin when I thanked him profusely.
The last couple, upon hearing my panting and footfalls approaching them from behind, created an 'arch' between them (like those of raised swords during a marriage ceremony) and let me run past them. It is a real treat, not to slow down and stop during my run as it disrupts my pace first and foremost and secondly, the sudden slowing down and rapid acceleration can do damage to my soon to be 58 year old joints.
So, this post is a shoutout to these Singaporeans, who have 'arrived' when it comes to social responsibility and do give some thought to the other path users - at least those 3 groups of people.
May we continue this positive and uplifting mindset for our society going forward !
Here below is a picture of my muddy Kayanos.
May I be able to run at all the lovely parks in Singapore for as long as I can !
