One day at the EU headquarters in Brussels….
Gordon Brown: Ive called ye ladies and gentlemen here to discuss the appropriate measures we need to take with Russia.
Nicholas Sarkozy: *thinks*”What would G man Bush do” Wee Monsieur I agree with you. We “ave to take some kind of action. Tis cannot be allowed.
Angela Merkel*munching on a bratwurst and takes a gulp of premium lager*YAAh we must.
Gordon Brown: Let place sanctions on them and threaten them with NATO force!
Javier Solana: *Smacks forehead* The Russians give us most of our oil. Idiot.
Gordon Brown: Oh for the Queens saggy left arse my good man. We need alternative fuel sources.
While on a hunting trip in Siberia….
Dmitry Medvedev: Uo think they are going to do anything about our shooting practice in the tupid Georgian *raises both index and middle fingers in a bunny ear motion* State hahahahaha…..
Vladimir Putin:*vodka dribbles down from his nose as he is laughing*
Friday, 19 September 2008
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Defensive rhetoric
About a month back, the Prime minister delivered his national day rally. Keeping up with the times, the PM made full use of technology and audio visual aids. Many including I were thinking that this year’s speech would be more of a technical speech that would focus on the problems that the Singaporean people are facing but I was left rather disappointed because he spent more time harping on how Singaporeans should go around mating and finding significant others. It went to the point where quality standards assurances are going to be given out to dating agencies so as to provide good service.
At a time like this where the economy is weak and prices are rising due to inflation, is an issue of increasing the population really that relevant. Proposals such as extended maternity leave and baby bonus increments are all good and all but what about measures to prop up the economy? Surely logically you would want to look at primary factor like the economy but the only thing that did come up was the increment of Singapore shares and efforts to make sure that we have enough food stock to last the population.
I felt that it was rather a side stepping the issue scenario by the government. Preparing for the future by increasing the population rate to 2.1 where we can replace our population is a long term goal many developed or near developed nations would want to do. Then what about the people who are already there for you to look after?
The way the slowing economy affects the mood of the people is because consumers become a lot more guarded with the amount of spending that they do. It is only when the mood becomes rather positive that people will have lesser fears of the economy crashing and are more willing to engage in other activities. Therefore I would think that mating would be considered something of a secondary development that a country would look through.
I felt that the rally given by the PM was rather rhetorical because he talked more about issues that weren’t really important and made light work of economical issues. It just suggested defensiveness on the part the government of not knowing what else they can do to improve the economy. All I can hope is that out of desperation to do something they end up increasing stuff again.
PS: slow on the uptake cos of the exams more analysis coming
At a time like this where the economy is weak and prices are rising due to inflation, is an issue of increasing the population really that relevant. Proposals such as extended maternity leave and baby bonus increments are all good and all but what about measures to prop up the economy? Surely logically you would want to look at primary factor like the economy but the only thing that did come up was the increment of Singapore shares and efforts to make sure that we have enough food stock to last the population.
I felt that it was rather a side stepping the issue scenario by the government. Preparing for the future by increasing the population rate to 2.1 where we can replace our population is a long term goal many developed or near developed nations would want to do. Then what about the people who are already there for you to look after?
The way the slowing economy affects the mood of the people is because consumers become a lot more guarded with the amount of spending that they do. It is only when the mood becomes rather positive that people will have lesser fears of the economy crashing and are more willing to engage in other activities. Therefore I would think that mating would be considered something of a secondary development that a country would look through.
I felt that the rally given by the PM was rather rhetorical because he talked more about issues that weren’t really important and made light work of economical issues. It just suggested defensiveness on the part the government of not knowing what else they can do to improve the economy. All I can hope is that out of desperation to do something they end up increasing stuff again.
PS: slow on the uptake cos of the exams more analysis coming
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Pot calling kettle black
We have seen Russia get condemned for invading Georgia. People have likened this to the new start of the cold war. The US and NATO stand behind a pro-western Georgia claiming that innocence has been trampled on. There is also a cry of going back on what has been promised and the undermining of established political procedure. It’s a strange issue of a pot calling a kettle black.
The US invaded Iraq in a unilateral move that sparked a wave of uncertainty and plunged America even further into deficit with a war that has no end and only negative implications. There were notions of a pull out and giving back the prized sovereignty back to the Iraqi people. Any similarities? Yes. Any differences? Yes. The difference is the fact that the Americans can go around being the policeman and removing threats they believe to have potency. They went half way around the world just to make a point. And they believed what they were doing is right. Even though there is colossal damage and loss of life.
The Russian-Georgian conflict in the area called the caucuses is more of self defence rather than colonial quest for power and the recapturing of former soviet territories. The issue is about Tbilisi’s rule of governance over 2 breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Both states prefer Russian backing to go independent so as to remain a former soviet state as well as having backing by a powerful giant in Russia. If there is a South Ossetia then there is a North Ossetia. It’s a bit like Kashmir if you ask me. This particular state would rather go back to Russian administration. Abkhazia would rather just be independent.
Therefore, they are considered rebel states by Georgia. Russia would rather not start off a fire fight with former soviet territories for the simple reason of just not wanting trouble on their hands. The caucuses have long been difficult to tame ever since Russia has tried to claim it as its own. It would be better to maintain good relationship with them rather than having situation like this. Why? Because these states, whether or not they are pro-western, have no choice but to work with the Russians in order to run their country because of a shared common like the Black Sea. By doing so the Russians get to establish trust and can profit form the relationship just like the other party.
So when the Georgian army does attack its own 2 states to the extent of entering Russia then Russia is willing to pick a fight. This is where the question of sovereignty is asked. Did Russia have the right to retaliate what it seems to them as a border infringement by their neighbour who they don’t trust given Georgia’s pro-western agenda and Russia’s long standing agitation to the US. With the Russians sending in a full retaliatory strike full with APC, artillery shelling and heck even MiGs to bombard the crap out of Georgia. Yes the retaliation was rather exaggerated but then again a country is allowed to practise self defence when infringed upon by a person they do not trust.
How is it that America can do so when there are no apparent infringements against them but attacking when attacked is called unbecoming? It is exactly this kind of stances that made Russia want to stay in Georgia even more. They have nothing to gain really. Their army would probably wipe out the Georgian army without much hassle. So then what is this about? Its politics rather than national security. The fact that the Russians are willing to make a point with Medvedev going all out to protect his borders, is 3 fold.
Firstly, the Russian people do agree in having this conflict as they see it as an infringement on territorial sovereignty. Secondly, its for the new president who used to be the intelligence head and armed forces committee member at a certain point, to stand out. He is and probably will always be in the shadow of Putin. So this is his way to bring his term to light by having the same strong arm tactical stance as Putin.
Thirdly and I believe the most important reason, standing up on Russian pride. The Russians believe that they should be allowed to defend themselves in a similar way to the US. I consider the two of them as the yin and yang. Both act as a check and balance. With the US in decline in terms of political bite, Russia has been making room for itself. Dominance at the 6 party talks as well as the Iran issue has brought back its famed tenacity remnant of its soviet past.
Yeaps its all about calling others black
The US invaded Iraq in a unilateral move that sparked a wave of uncertainty and plunged America even further into deficit with a war that has no end and only negative implications. There were notions of a pull out and giving back the prized sovereignty back to the Iraqi people. Any similarities? Yes. Any differences? Yes. The difference is the fact that the Americans can go around being the policeman and removing threats they believe to have potency. They went half way around the world just to make a point. And they believed what they were doing is right. Even though there is colossal damage and loss of life.
The Russian-Georgian conflict in the area called the caucuses is more of self defence rather than colonial quest for power and the recapturing of former soviet territories. The issue is about Tbilisi’s rule of governance over 2 breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Both states prefer Russian backing to go independent so as to remain a former soviet state as well as having backing by a powerful giant in Russia. If there is a South Ossetia then there is a North Ossetia. It’s a bit like Kashmir if you ask me. This particular state would rather go back to Russian administration. Abkhazia would rather just be independent.
Therefore, they are considered rebel states by Georgia. Russia would rather not start off a fire fight with former soviet territories for the simple reason of just not wanting trouble on their hands. The caucuses have long been difficult to tame ever since Russia has tried to claim it as its own. It would be better to maintain good relationship with them rather than having situation like this. Why? Because these states, whether or not they are pro-western, have no choice but to work with the Russians in order to run their country because of a shared common like the Black Sea. By doing so the Russians get to establish trust and can profit form the relationship just like the other party.
So when the Georgian army does attack its own 2 states to the extent of entering Russia then Russia is willing to pick a fight. This is where the question of sovereignty is asked. Did Russia have the right to retaliate what it seems to them as a border infringement by their neighbour who they don’t trust given Georgia’s pro-western agenda and Russia’s long standing agitation to the US. With the Russians sending in a full retaliatory strike full with APC, artillery shelling and heck even MiGs to bombard the crap out of Georgia. Yes the retaliation was rather exaggerated but then again a country is allowed to practise self defence when infringed upon by a person they do not trust.
How is it that America can do so when there are no apparent infringements against them but attacking when attacked is called unbecoming? It is exactly this kind of stances that made Russia want to stay in Georgia even more. They have nothing to gain really. Their army would probably wipe out the Georgian army without much hassle. So then what is this about? Its politics rather than national security. The fact that the Russians are willing to make a point with Medvedev going all out to protect his borders, is 3 fold.
Firstly, the Russian people do agree in having this conflict as they see it as an infringement on territorial sovereignty. Secondly, its for the new president who used to be the intelligence head and armed forces committee member at a certain point, to stand out. He is and probably will always be in the shadow of Putin. So this is his way to bring his term to light by having the same strong arm tactical stance as Putin.
Thirdly and I believe the most important reason, standing up on Russian pride. The Russians believe that they should be allowed to defend themselves in a similar way to the US. I consider the two of them as the yin and yang. Both act as a check and balance. With the US in decline in terms of political bite, Russia has been making room for itself. Dominance at the 6 party talks as well as the Iran issue has brought back its famed tenacity remnant of its soviet past.
Yeaps its all about calling others black
Does Sports really have glory?
It has always been the place where we push ourselves to the limit and try doing our best and making our country proud. Yes there is an element of national pride involved. Preparation, breakthrough in sports sciences and equipments and even the cordial interview just like the before the bout weigh in. Sports are more commercialised. There’s more money involved with all the dealings and sponsorships. There has also been the opening up in mentality that sport can be a job and that it can be a bread winner. More kids are getting pushed in that direction.
But even though there has been development, there is still the ugly side of it. There is doping, cheating, clubs being held ransom, players being tapped up. But there is also selfishness.
Usain Bolt achieved something that has either been never done or not done in 2 decades. He is the first man to have successfully won the 2 sprint events of the 100m and 200m dash at a single Olympics event since Carl Lewis. He is the first man to have won both sprint events in world record time. The problem? Michael Johnson.
He held the 200m world record that Usain Bolt broke last night. What were his thoughts on the best sprint athlete probably ever before the race? “He [Usain Bolt] will never be able to break my record”. Now honestly that’s not very nice now is it? How can a man who has held the record for more than a decade and gone through similar training that is gruelling and punishing just to see himself do well say something to someone who has done the same?
Records are meant to be broken. Athletes of yesteryear are meant to reminisce on their achievements and records and always rejoice when the younger ones do one better. Carl Lewis was all praise for the man who gave it his all just so that he could prove he was the best sprint athlete. Carl Spitz was absolutely happy to know that his demigod like record was under attack by a particularly talented swimmer from Baltimore by the name of Phelps. There have been other greats like Asafa powell, Ian Thorpe, Van Den Hoogendband and even they credit the new juggernauts of the sporting world.
So how can a great like Michael Johnson, from whom nobody can take his accolade from, say something that is so reminiscent of a schoolboy not willing to give his toy up and is pulling on it to prevent so. Sports was never about bragging ones achievements pass a certain time and to have someone say that he will never be beaten is idealistically what the sportsman should say. But seriously speaking, we are humans more than we are sportsmen. It has always been this humanity that has always put sports as the precision equipment to bring out the best in us.
Nevertheless, there is a new sprint king around and lightning bolts do hit the same place twice.
But even though there has been development, there is still the ugly side of it. There is doping, cheating, clubs being held ransom, players being tapped up. But there is also selfishness.
Usain Bolt achieved something that has either been never done or not done in 2 decades. He is the first man to have successfully won the 2 sprint events of the 100m and 200m dash at a single Olympics event since Carl Lewis. He is the first man to have won both sprint events in world record time. The problem? Michael Johnson.
He held the 200m world record that Usain Bolt broke last night. What were his thoughts on the best sprint athlete probably ever before the race? “He [Usain Bolt] will never be able to break my record”. Now honestly that’s not very nice now is it? How can a man who has held the record for more than a decade and gone through similar training that is gruelling and punishing just to see himself do well say something to someone who has done the same?
Records are meant to be broken. Athletes of yesteryear are meant to reminisce on their achievements and records and always rejoice when the younger ones do one better. Carl Lewis was all praise for the man who gave it his all just so that he could prove he was the best sprint athlete. Carl Spitz was absolutely happy to know that his demigod like record was under attack by a particularly talented swimmer from Baltimore by the name of Phelps. There have been other greats like Asafa powell, Ian Thorpe, Van Den Hoogendband and even they credit the new juggernauts of the sporting world.
So how can a great like Michael Johnson, from whom nobody can take his accolade from, say something that is so reminiscent of a schoolboy not willing to give his toy up and is pulling on it to prevent so. Sports was never about bragging ones achievements pass a certain time and to have someone say that he will never be beaten is idealistically what the sportsman should say. But seriously speaking, we are humans more than we are sportsmen. It has always been this humanity that has always put sports as the precision equipment to bring out the best in us.
Nevertheless, there is a new sprint king around and lightning bolts do hit the same place twice.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
The leaders
The fact that Pakistan’s best leaders were military strongmen like Zia Ul Haq already shows the fact that the society in itself is tough to govern. Civilian based democratic governments that were in power in the 90s were the bar jokes of the international community. They were weak and were not really concentrating on consolidating the resources and measures to ensure growth of any sort. We had 3 different PMs and all three were charged with corruption. At this point India seems pretty incorruptible if you ask me.
Now we see another charge at a civilian based government. Ever since Ghilani came to power, the only thing we have heard from him is how he wants to impeach the president. For Christ sake man what about rising costs of living, fuel costs, extremism and lack of social progress? Nah, getting rid of a guy who gave unprecedented growth to the very country you are running now will solve these things. I would love to analyse what the current PM has done. The thing is, he hasn’t done much. Pakistan has stagnated over the last year due to this internal struggle.
So we look to the alternative, our new former president. I do agree that the approach with which he took to consolidate power for himself in terms of a new 5 year term of office was borderline totalitarianism. The man did make some mistakes too. The red mosque siege was a delicate situation for him. He had to weigh in with the people’s affinity towards Islam compared to and extremist element that was sure to make a statement. Going in too strong from the get go would seem like he didn’t care about the religion and not going in at all would symbolise weakness and indecision.
Let’s take a look from the start, 9 years back. The first thing he does when he come to power is that he sets about purging corruption in the civil service and starts to move away from Taleban and Al Qaeda elements. He is a general after all and all generals play with strategy. By siding with America and Israel, he opened up more avenues for his government to introduce more investment and to gain military hardware. With the investment, more money would stream into Pakistan giving rise to the decline of corruption and with military hardware; he was capable of improving his armed forces without having to aid the afghan invasion and at the same time protect its borders from insurgents from the aftermath of the invasion.
Protecting the borders was important. You have to understand that as dim-witted as the Bush administration was, they did realise that at some point they would have to invade Pakistan to stop the safe haven for terrorist in the western and northern tribal areas. It was at this point in time, did Musharraf put his foot down and explain that doing so would create one more enemy and that too in an area where support from a local country is needed given the waning support from the Muslim world for the Americans. He was dictating the war on terrorism in his on backyard something a civilian leader would probably crumble with.
Parts to repair old F-16s from America and the purchase of a new radar and air system from Israel boosted up the armed forces in a way that stopped during Kargil 97. with this came the opening up of Pakistan with the appointment of Shauqat Aziz, the former Citibank President to take the post of PM. With such experience of financial and economic matters, the country started opening up to new investments from the western world with which there were previous based sanctions and improving current ties with Asian powerhouses like China and India. Higher GDP, newer and better infrastructure, less graft came about this.
It was predominant to see bribes being taken in Pakistan. Such Kopi money was given in such a way, you’d think it was a new HR based incentive scheme for bonuses. When upon entering Pakistani airports, just to get a speedy clearance at immigration you have to pay anywhere between 250-500 RPS. With the new found increase in budget, the administration was able to triple the pay for civil service alone.
Speaking of India, the one reason they were so nice was because there was a stable and strong figure in charge of the country. With the current situation in Pakistan, India will be monitoring this because the guy who caused the 97 war is a partner in the government and is known to be weak. The man single-handedly improved defences, increased investments and removed graft and did the holy grail of any Pakistani leader. Achieve a peaceful and harmonious relationship with India.
What he didn’t do was to try to bring about social change in terms of a more open society. This I will analyse in the segment on the people so watch this space.
Now we see another charge at a civilian based government. Ever since Ghilani came to power, the only thing we have heard from him is how he wants to impeach the president. For Christ sake man what about rising costs of living, fuel costs, extremism and lack of social progress? Nah, getting rid of a guy who gave unprecedented growth to the very country you are running now will solve these things. I would love to analyse what the current PM has done. The thing is, he hasn’t done much. Pakistan has stagnated over the last year due to this internal struggle.
So we look to the alternative, our new former president. I do agree that the approach with which he took to consolidate power for himself in terms of a new 5 year term of office was borderline totalitarianism. The man did make some mistakes too. The red mosque siege was a delicate situation for him. He had to weigh in with the people’s affinity towards Islam compared to and extremist element that was sure to make a statement. Going in too strong from the get go would seem like he didn’t care about the religion and not going in at all would symbolise weakness and indecision.
Let’s take a look from the start, 9 years back. The first thing he does when he come to power is that he sets about purging corruption in the civil service and starts to move away from Taleban and Al Qaeda elements. He is a general after all and all generals play with strategy. By siding with America and Israel, he opened up more avenues for his government to introduce more investment and to gain military hardware. With the investment, more money would stream into Pakistan giving rise to the decline of corruption and with military hardware; he was capable of improving his armed forces without having to aid the afghan invasion and at the same time protect its borders from insurgents from the aftermath of the invasion.
Protecting the borders was important. You have to understand that as dim-witted as the Bush administration was, they did realise that at some point they would have to invade Pakistan to stop the safe haven for terrorist in the western and northern tribal areas. It was at this point in time, did Musharraf put his foot down and explain that doing so would create one more enemy and that too in an area where support from a local country is needed given the waning support from the Muslim world for the Americans. He was dictating the war on terrorism in his on backyard something a civilian leader would probably crumble with.
Parts to repair old F-16s from America and the purchase of a new radar and air system from Israel boosted up the armed forces in a way that stopped during Kargil 97. with this came the opening up of Pakistan with the appointment of Shauqat Aziz, the former Citibank President to take the post of PM. With such experience of financial and economic matters, the country started opening up to new investments from the western world with which there were previous based sanctions and improving current ties with Asian powerhouses like China and India. Higher GDP, newer and better infrastructure, less graft came about this.
It was predominant to see bribes being taken in Pakistan. Such Kopi money was given in such a way, you’d think it was a new HR based incentive scheme for bonuses. When upon entering Pakistani airports, just to get a speedy clearance at immigration you have to pay anywhere between 250-500 RPS. With the new found increase in budget, the administration was able to triple the pay for civil service alone.
Speaking of India, the one reason they were so nice was because there was a stable and strong figure in charge of the country. With the current situation in Pakistan, India will be monitoring this because the guy who caused the 97 war is a partner in the government and is known to be weak. The man single-handedly improved defences, increased investments and removed graft and did the holy grail of any Pakistani leader. Achieve a peaceful and harmonious relationship with India.
What he didn’t do was to try to bring about social change in terms of a more open society. This I will analyse in the segment on the people so watch this space.
GONE MUSHARRAF GONE
9 years after getting his ass kicked out of office and Pakistan, dear Mr Nawaz Shariff gets to finally repay the favour. Well almost. We all know that if we find out we are about to get fired, we may as well just quit before facing the loss of dignity or face or pants, Musharraf pulled the mother of all I-quit-so-you-cant-fire-me. Impeachment charges aimed at the former president of the misuse of power and the abuse of the constitution were probably the brain farts of the right old scousers of Zardari and Shariff.
At this point you’re probably wondering, where’s the prime minister or his administration. AHA but there you go, we have not a prime minister but rather the widower of power hungry graft and corruption wielding 2 term ex PM and a dude who tried to kill Musharraf when he was in power. This plus the fact that the Pakistani people like being Indian chiefs and the fact that Islamic radicalism thrives in their northern border with the afghans, in the immortal words of Ja Ja Binks, WE SA SKROOWED.
At this point you’re probably wondering, where’s the prime minister or his administration. AHA but there you go, we have not a prime minister but rather the widower of power hungry graft and corruption wielding 2 term ex PM and a dude who tried to kill Musharraf when he was in power. This plus the fact that the Pakistani people like being Indian chiefs and the fact that Islamic radicalism thrives in their northern border with the afghans, in the immortal words of Ja Ja Binks, WE SA SKROOWED.
Of Olympic Glory
Go where no man has gone before ladies and gentlemen. Phelps with his lanky but muscular frame does exactly that. 8 GOLD MEDALS.
No man since Mark Spitz or Carl Lewis has ever been prolific in the recent times. Though doping is one way to make you nice and famous. Take a look at Marion Jones. Living the high life. Back to something nice. 8 medals 3 of which were team events which would mean that he would have to bitch slap his team mates to work harder if he wanted to achieve his dreams.
By the fifth day he is already crowned as the best Olympian in terms of gold won which now stands at 14 if I’m not wrong. Not content he still goes on to achieve his target amount of gold with the one race with the Serb Cavic in the 100m butterfly where he wins by a hundredth of a second where for the first time a frame by frame recording ad electrical micro timing is used to determine the winner in a swimming event. He even had to swim blindly for 75m out of the 100m freestyle because his goggles were waterlogged and still broke the record
The sad thing was the way he was not allowed to be given his 7th medal by THE Mark Spitz who did this before the time of major sponsorship deals and where being a sportsman was never considered a job and the equipment suck by today’s standards. Worse was for his 8th medal where he was given a special achievement trophy but without any proper ceremony. I do agree with Mark Richmond for the Today at the Games show. They should have brought out a special podium and get all the swimmers there to congratulate him. Maybe even get Jaques Rogge to give it out or even his own mother.
Is this how we want to celebrate our greatest athlete? A guy who actually goes beyond thrash talk and achieves something that can never be taken away from him. Will there be more? Yes. But for the first in recent times must we be so nonchalant about his medal triumphs? I don’t think so.
Kudos to the table tennis team of Singapore for winning the first medal in 48 years and Tao Li for being the fastest swimmer in Asia and the 5th fastest woman in the world for the butterfly.
My take home for these games? Usain Bolt and the world record breaking 100m dash. With a name like Bolt, he’s bound to be on the tracks right? He did this in the new time of 9.69 seconds. He could have actually gone to 9.5 seconds if he wanted to actually. The guy ran with his shoe laces untied on his right show. Even better, he starts slowing down to celebrate at the 90 metre mark. The guy is just awesome. And he breaks the world record doing it. Sheesh.
We have a few more days left for the games of the lifetime
No man since Mark Spitz or Carl Lewis has ever been prolific in the recent times. Though doping is one way to make you nice and famous. Take a look at Marion Jones. Living the high life. Back to something nice. 8 medals 3 of which were team events which would mean that he would have to bitch slap his team mates to work harder if he wanted to achieve his dreams.
By the fifth day he is already crowned as the best Olympian in terms of gold won which now stands at 14 if I’m not wrong. Not content he still goes on to achieve his target amount of gold with the one race with the Serb Cavic in the 100m butterfly where he wins by a hundredth of a second where for the first time a frame by frame recording ad electrical micro timing is used to determine the winner in a swimming event. He even had to swim blindly for 75m out of the 100m freestyle because his goggles were waterlogged and still broke the record
The sad thing was the way he was not allowed to be given his 7th medal by THE Mark Spitz who did this before the time of major sponsorship deals and where being a sportsman was never considered a job and the equipment suck by today’s standards. Worse was for his 8th medal where he was given a special achievement trophy but without any proper ceremony. I do agree with Mark Richmond for the Today at the Games show. They should have brought out a special podium and get all the swimmers there to congratulate him. Maybe even get Jaques Rogge to give it out or even his own mother.
Is this how we want to celebrate our greatest athlete? A guy who actually goes beyond thrash talk and achieves something that can never be taken away from him. Will there be more? Yes. But for the first in recent times must we be so nonchalant about his medal triumphs? I don’t think so.
Kudos to the table tennis team of Singapore for winning the first medal in 48 years and Tao Li for being the fastest swimmer in Asia and the 5th fastest woman in the world for the butterfly.
My take home for these games? Usain Bolt and the world record breaking 100m dash. With a name like Bolt, he’s bound to be on the tracks right? He did this in the new time of 9.69 seconds. He could have actually gone to 9.5 seconds if he wanted to actually. The guy ran with his shoe laces untied on his right show. Even better, he starts slowing down to celebrate at the 90 metre mark. The guy is just awesome. And he breaks the world record doing it. Sheesh.
We have a few more days left for the games of the lifetime
Life’s Chapters
From where I last left off in December till now I’ve been through new modules, new tournaments and new people. The culmination of 2007 ended in 2 tournaments with WUPID KL and the Worlds debating championships in Bangkok. Both were oodles of fun and I got to meet many new people in the debating circuit. I learned of new things too like issues like the Bolivarian system of rule and Kurdish issue in Iraq.
I went to these tournaments with the burden to achieve better marks for my projects. We all got together and made progress in terms of what needed to be done and we delegated the work before our holidays. I ended up spending the time when I was free and alone during my tournaments to do the work. Of course I had fun too goofing around and stuff. I came back a week after school started because Worlds was from boxing day through new year’s right till the end of the first week in the new year.
Everything was going fine. Work was a bitch but hey since when has work not been in the mood for a bone. We had our submissions and presentations. For my Principles of corporate communications subject, the tutor who I could tell didn’t really like me much, ended up asking me why we chose purple when we knew that purple is a mysterious colour. I went straight to defence and whipped out a reply that in the end she used to make herself shut up. She’s a nice teacher with loads of experience and all but seriously she should stop snarling.
Did well for HR and man was I happy. It was so cool that we got higher than the other groups because we were slated to be doomed from the get go. And then it went to the stage on exams. Ever get that feeling that you’ve done well and expect to see you at least get a decent score and then get a shock when the results come out? I’ve gotten that crap since I joined TP. And there it was again and it was probably worse than usual.
We go one into the holidays and I worked part time on a few occasions. Nothing much happened until the semester started. Debates wise we had our recruitment and orientation. That went well with a huge ass group joining. Bhavs was the only present member of the exco to pass on the 6 member exco to the next batch. It was an entertaining presidential segment this year with loads of pillows of fluff being said and my mate Blob ends up as president. In even better news, I get pushed in to making myself treasurer.
As for what happens this semester? Ill need a whole post for it.
I went to these tournaments with the burden to achieve better marks for my projects. We all got together and made progress in terms of what needed to be done and we delegated the work before our holidays. I ended up spending the time when I was free and alone during my tournaments to do the work. Of course I had fun too goofing around and stuff. I came back a week after school started because Worlds was from boxing day through new year’s right till the end of the first week in the new year.
Everything was going fine. Work was a bitch but hey since when has work not been in the mood for a bone. We had our submissions and presentations. For my Principles of corporate communications subject, the tutor who I could tell didn’t really like me much, ended up asking me why we chose purple when we knew that purple is a mysterious colour. I went straight to defence and whipped out a reply that in the end she used to make herself shut up. She’s a nice teacher with loads of experience and all but seriously she should stop snarling.
Did well for HR and man was I happy. It was so cool that we got higher than the other groups because we were slated to be doomed from the get go. And then it went to the stage on exams. Ever get that feeling that you’ve done well and expect to see you at least get a decent score and then get a shock when the results come out? I’ve gotten that crap since I joined TP. And there it was again and it was probably worse than usual.
We go one into the holidays and I worked part time on a few occasions. Nothing much happened until the semester started. Debates wise we had our recruitment and orientation. That went well with a huge ass group joining. Bhavs was the only present member of the exco to pass on the 6 member exco to the next batch. It was an entertaining presidential segment this year with loads of pillows of fluff being said and my mate Blob ends up as president. In even better news, I get pushed in to making myself treasurer.
As for what happens this semester? Ill need a whole post for it.
Friday, 15 August 2008
The Return! Err….. part 2
Remember how last year I had promised to give some entries to this dear dwarfpiss of mine? Bet you didn’t know I meant 9 months after the post they entry will come in. Well here they are. Im listening to the Mr Brown Show right. Hats off to them man, absolutely amazing sense of parody based humour. Let me recap what has been happening in the last 9 months:
In December of last year, other than the fact that the Kosovo issue had not been settled and that the EU signs a later to be doomed Lisbon Treaty, there were other astonishing things that happened. President Musharraf lifts his State of Emergency. Following which in another round of ground breaking news that can affect geopolitics; I attended the extremely fun WUPID tournament in KL.
It was really cool as Sethu and I were there to represent TP and it was a warm up for us. We got to see the broad spectrum of debating in the world with the Europeans and the Aussies. It was a great experience and I am hoping to get another chance to go again this year.
In other news during this tournament, Vladimir Putin gets voted as the Man of the year for Times, and we even had a breaking news round which was on the Kurds in Iraq and the Turkish government. It was cool as we were in a strong room and it was really nice to debate real time news as it is happening. But the last round was painful. We were in the bubble room with the CA, Omar as our chair. I hate the Bolivarian system. Never had I wanted to so badly just feign collapse as I was walking up to speak in my entire debate career.
And so not long after that we went to worlds in Thailand and once again it was a nice tournament (of course not as cool as WUPID) and I learned loads. It was the unofficial opening night when suddenly everyone goes like BENAZIR BHUTTO ASSASINATED! Everyone suddenly was jerking out of their mood to try to get into another’s pants and everyone was talking about it (never have I seen this). I even made a call back home just to confirm.
Personally I don’t like Ms Bhutto because of her track record and simple rhetoric. How does a person get caught for graft and corruption TWICE as PRIME MINISTER and still have the cheek to say that you are an honest person. Haiz even I am confounded at my peoples’ views on this.
2008 gets off with a bang and other than the fact that im still at Worlds and having fun; the bangs in some places have been as they have always been. Darfur, Palestine, Iraq and other skirmishes, hit around the world. Sub-prime crisis and a credit crunch cause inflation and rising oil prices. Only to fuel fears of a global US sparked recession. The worst weather patterns hit China with snow and Palestinians in a bid of desperation end up crossing into Egypt to find food and water. More freak weather in the US and Europe no doubt global warming had nothing to do with it.
The general election in Pakistan ends up with the opposition taking up the majority (surprise surprise). Chinese speaking Aussie PM Rudd finally gives an apology to the stolen generation of aborigines. Kosovo declares independence with two sides of the spectrum supporting and not supporting with an obvious reaction of support from the US and anger by Russia. And finally the infallible Fidel Castro gives his seat of power to his bro from the same mother. With continuous protest by the Tibetans on their freedom, the Chinese preparations for the Olympics go on well. Karzai ends up counting his blessings as a Taliban attempt to kill him goes all wrong. Karzai then shoots his mouth off out of relieve on invading Pakistan to which 200 million Pakistanis perform the famous ROFL (Rolling on the floor laughing).
More and more deaths from violence and unneeded conflicts and Nargis of Myanmar shows the ugly butt cheek Mother Nature by becoming the deadliest natural disaster since the tsunami. Weeks later the other butt cheek is shown with a deadly earthquake in China. Mugabe gets back his disintegrated office with a run-off win over the Morgan Tzangirai dude *sniggers*. Maybe McCain should hire his campaign manager. Speaking of which, the redneck from the southern pacific state of Arizona becomes the Republican Grand Poobah and awaits the Obama and Clinton Royal Rumble. Obama eventually wins and Clinton goes dang nabit and throws her support at her now Grand Poobah of the donkeys (Im serious they are called the donkeys and the rednecks the elephants)
A certain Ingrid Betancourt suddenly finds herself sipping wine in the presidential palace after Sarkozy shows a like of mind not expected of him. The Pope goes on the PR offensive by apologising for this and that including child molestation charges. After more killings and bangs happening, we arrive to the bangs of the Olympics. PHELP is AWESOMES as a particular friend of mine would say.
With that thank you for tuning into the Paki News and reliving the last 9 months in a space of nine minutes. This is Paki signing off. More to come no worries.
In December of last year, other than the fact that the Kosovo issue had not been settled and that the EU signs a later to be doomed Lisbon Treaty, there were other astonishing things that happened. President Musharraf lifts his State of Emergency. Following which in another round of ground breaking news that can affect geopolitics; I attended the extremely fun WUPID tournament in KL.
It was really cool as Sethu and I were there to represent TP and it was a warm up for us. We got to see the broad spectrum of debating in the world with the Europeans and the Aussies. It was a great experience and I am hoping to get another chance to go again this year.
In other news during this tournament, Vladimir Putin gets voted as the Man of the year for Times, and we even had a breaking news round which was on the Kurds in Iraq and the Turkish government. It was cool as we were in a strong room and it was really nice to debate real time news as it is happening. But the last round was painful. We were in the bubble room with the CA, Omar as our chair. I hate the Bolivarian system. Never had I wanted to so badly just feign collapse as I was walking up to speak in my entire debate career.
And so not long after that we went to worlds in Thailand and once again it was a nice tournament (of course not as cool as WUPID) and I learned loads. It was the unofficial opening night when suddenly everyone goes like BENAZIR BHUTTO ASSASINATED! Everyone suddenly was jerking out of their mood to try to get into another’s pants and everyone was talking about it (never have I seen this). I even made a call back home just to confirm.
Personally I don’t like Ms Bhutto because of her track record and simple rhetoric. How does a person get caught for graft and corruption TWICE as PRIME MINISTER and still have the cheek to say that you are an honest person. Haiz even I am confounded at my peoples’ views on this.
2008 gets off with a bang and other than the fact that im still at Worlds and having fun; the bangs in some places have been as they have always been. Darfur, Palestine, Iraq and other skirmishes, hit around the world. Sub-prime crisis and a credit crunch cause inflation and rising oil prices. Only to fuel fears of a global US sparked recession. The worst weather patterns hit China with snow and Palestinians in a bid of desperation end up crossing into Egypt to find food and water. More freak weather in the US and Europe no doubt global warming had nothing to do with it.
The general election in Pakistan ends up with the opposition taking up the majority (surprise surprise). Chinese speaking Aussie PM Rudd finally gives an apology to the stolen generation of aborigines. Kosovo declares independence with two sides of the spectrum supporting and not supporting with an obvious reaction of support from the US and anger by Russia. And finally the infallible Fidel Castro gives his seat of power to his bro from the same mother. With continuous protest by the Tibetans on their freedom, the Chinese preparations for the Olympics go on well. Karzai ends up counting his blessings as a Taliban attempt to kill him goes all wrong. Karzai then shoots his mouth off out of relieve on invading Pakistan to which 200 million Pakistanis perform the famous ROFL (Rolling on the floor laughing).
More and more deaths from violence and unneeded conflicts and Nargis of Myanmar shows the ugly butt cheek Mother Nature by becoming the deadliest natural disaster since the tsunami. Weeks later the other butt cheek is shown with a deadly earthquake in China. Mugabe gets back his disintegrated office with a run-off win over the Morgan Tzangirai dude *sniggers*. Maybe McCain should hire his campaign manager. Speaking of which, the redneck from the southern pacific state of Arizona becomes the Republican Grand Poobah and awaits the Obama and Clinton Royal Rumble. Obama eventually wins and Clinton goes dang nabit and throws her support at her now Grand Poobah of the donkeys (Im serious they are called the donkeys and the rednecks the elephants)
A certain Ingrid Betancourt suddenly finds herself sipping wine in the presidential palace after Sarkozy shows a like of mind not expected of him. The Pope goes on the PR offensive by apologising for this and that including child molestation charges. After more killings and bangs happening, we arrive to the bangs of the Olympics. PHELP is AWESOMES as a particular friend of mine would say.
With that thank you for tuning into the Paki News and reliving the last 9 months in a space of nine minutes. This is Paki signing off. More to come no worries.
Sunday, 9 December 2007
The Return
Ah it’s been a while. And for good reason too. I have been busy with my projects and stuff. Finishing reports, studying for this and that and I still have yet to finish doing some reading for my tournaments which are coming up. Plus I have a test next Thursday to study for. But alas its time I repaid the entries that has not been posted in this one week just like how I did for my sleep.
So much has happened in the news the past week. America just found out Iran stopped its weapons programme in 2003. Kinda funny how they always said that American intelligence is that darn good but only now do they realise that they were wrong cough* WMD cough*. But hey it’s all cos of the distrust I would say. There’s violence everywhere, global warming is worse than before, Sarkozy is trying to shoot his mouth off by meddling in Colombian politics even when he can’t really stop his own internal problems.
I owe the blog a few entries should be getting them soon. No worries.
So much has happened in the news the past week. America just found out Iran stopped its weapons programme in 2003. Kinda funny how they always said that American intelligence is that darn good but only now do they realise that they were wrong cough* WMD cough*. But hey it’s all cos of the distrust I would say. There’s violence everywhere, global warming is worse than before, Sarkozy is trying to shoot his mouth off by meddling in Colombian politics even when he can’t really stop his own internal problems.
I owe the blog a few entries should be getting them soon. No worries.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
