Over the weekend, "I took part in the London 2012 Open Weekend challenge" by playing table tennis at different venues in London. Having last played in 2005 on the rooftop of a famous Manhattan building, overlooking the East River, I was pretty rusty on Saturday, at Brunswick Square, and it showed when I lost my opening game (I wasn't fully focused), but won my next 2 games before losing my final game to the best player. On Sunday at The Hub in Regent's Park, I lost both double series (best of five) that I played in, but won my singles series. I also picked up some tips on how to refine my strokes - now I just need to find an indoor table so that I don't have to compete against the elements as well.
Being serenaded by a preocious, bilingual 2+ year old was the pièce de résistance of a weekend full of highlights.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Malevolent rays
I lived in an equatorial country for over a decade where direct sunlight was the norm and I worked in the country who's national slogan is, 13 months of sunshine. I am an avowed sun worshipper (I would never go on holiday to look for snow) who enjoys basking in the sun rays or rather I used to because now I can't spend 5 minutes in the sun without a rash on the back of my hand and neck flaring up. I am currently using 2 creams, one of which needs to be refrigerated, in order to try and sort the problem out, but no sooner do I think I'm on the mend than there's another type of flare up - who knew skin was that sensitive?! Moreover, I mistakenly thought my melanin would protect me.
Friday, 23 July 2010
BAD DOG!!
Yesterday I was in the park doing my usual exercise routine that combines footy-boules, karate katas, juggling and stretching. I was juggling when all of a sudden a Scottish terrier takes it upon himself to get involved. At first, I wasn't having any of it so I kept the balls in my hands and backed away from the excitable mutt. The problem was, this served to make him even more excitable and he started jumping on me. Now, I'm not a pet person and I really don't like dogs jumping on me especially when the grass still has its morning dew.
The owner was trying to call the dog off, but the dog wasn't having any of it - I kept backpedalling in circles with the balls out of sight in my hands behind my back. The owner catches up with me and advises me to stand still which I do and immediately regret it. The dog, now emboldened continues to jump up at me while baring its teeth. Reluctant to call the dog's bluff, I threw the balls on the ground whereupon the dog triumphantly fastened its jaw around one of the balls and ran off. For the next 5 minutes, the owner used all sorts of tricks to get the dog to hand over the ball, but the dog wasn't having any of it. Eventually the dog obeyed a lie down command and reluctantly agreed to give up the ball in exchange for a treat. The owner who up until now had not been able to get close to the dog because he kept running off, quickly put a leash on the dog, wiped the ball down several times and handed it over to me sheepishly saying, "that's the first time he's ever done that".
Does anybody know how I can dog-proof my juggling balls?
The owner was trying to call the dog off, but the dog wasn't having any of it - I kept backpedalling in circles with the balls out of sight in my hands behind my back. The owner catches up with me and advises me to stand still which I do and immediately regret it. The dog, now emboldened continues to jump up at me while baring its teeth. Reluctant to call the dog's bluff, I threw the balls on the ground whereupon the dog triumphantly fastened its jaw around one of the balls and ran off. For the next 5 minutes, the owner used all sorts of tricks to get the dog to hand over the ball, but the dog wasn't having any of it. Eventually the dog obeyed a lie down command and reluctantly agreed to give up the ball in exchange for a treat. The owner who up until now had not been able to get close to the dog because he kept running off, quickly put a leash on the dog, wiped the ball down several times and handed it over to me sheepishly saying, "that's the first time he's ever done that".
Does anybody know how I can dog-proof my juggling balls?
Monday, 19 July 2010
According to the Capello Index
Leo Messi's nationality is Spanish - do you think they know something we don't?!
Where life is SO cheap
It will be interesting to hear what the spinmeister-in-chief will say with regard to the IDF's latest atrocity. But an even bigger atrocity is being committed by those countries who refuse to condemn this Rogue State's wanton impunity and belligerence.
All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing
Tail wags dog
As you can see from this, the very American sounding Israeli prime minster knows how to get the dog a fetchin' and a carryin'. It does make you wonder just how committed the current Israeli PM is to the peace process. His recent statements before his most recent mend-the-fence trip to Washington were in all probability part of the manipulation process.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Les Trois Mousquetaires
Pas Athos, Aramis et Porthos, mais Christophe, Renaud et Teddy. The latter 3 are beginning to create waves in the world of athletics. While Teddy's performance may have been the most impressive, when he triple jumped 17.90m to go sixth on the all-time list ( he bettered his PB in New York with a jump of 17.98m to go third on the all-time list - WR = 18.43m) and Renaud leads the Diamond League pole vault standings, it was Christophe's 100m run of 9.98s that garnered the most headlines as he became the first white man to break the mythical 10 second barrier. Christophe is 20 so by the time London 2012 comes around, he should no longer be fazed by running in the lane next to Usain Bolt as he may have been on Friday night in Paris where he finished 5th in a time of 10.08s - mind you, Christophe will have his work cut out if Usain Bolt decides to defend his Beijing title as he made his winning time of 9.84s look like the proverbial walk in the park.
Allez Christophe, Renaud et Teddy!!
67
This figure represents the number of years that Madiba has devoted to human rights work - that equates to 72.8% of his lifetime. The first 25 years of his life were spent preparing him for a calling that would see him put his commitment to the struggle for equality before his family.
As a fitting tribute to mark his 92nd birthday, the British Museum is hosting a series of events to mark Nelson Mandela day. As part of the festivities, the museum is asking visitors to donate 67 minutes of their time to charitable causes.
His legacy to South Africa, Africa and the world was his ability to maintain his humanity amidst unremitting inhumanity and I'm sure he would appreciate the symbolism of time as a charitable donation.
As a fitting tribute to mark his 92nd birthday, the British Museum is hosting a series of events to mark Nelson Mandela day. As part of the festivities, the museum is asking visitors to donate 67 minutes of their time to charitable causes.
His legacy to South Africa, Africa and the world was his ability to maintain his humanity amidst unremitting inhumanity and I'm sure he would appreciate the symbolism of time as a charitable donation.
HAPPY 92ND BIRTHDAY MADIBA!!
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