I haven't done much over the past couple of days.... well nothing that I can talk about anyway !! Only joking !!!
I slipped and twisted my ankle so I can't do much really until I can put my weight on it again. So it's stay in bed til late, watch TV and send out for takeaways.................... no change there then !!!
It was a really hot day today, I had to have the aircon up full blast all day and the fans on too. Quite boring not being able to go out when you want to, it would be exactly the same situation if I was at home though. Living alone you get used dealing with times like this... you just don't have anyone to make you a cuppa or at least say there....there.....there!!!!!! You just have to get up and do anything that needs to be done, I think in a way it makes you quite tough, there's no time for self pity as you just have to get on with it, same when I had those hospital tests, they wanted to put me under.......no thanks I said....just get on with it so I can get home !!
Big Peter the Norwegian never did get back to me !!!! scammer... possibly !! That's life.
Hope you have a nice Wednesday.. 1 day closer to the weekend and Xmas........
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Monday, 10 December 2007
weekend over
On Saturday I coached at Las Pinas, it is running down due to Xmas coming, there are a couple of party days before the end of the year. They are also doing Xmas caroling, they take it very serious and have been practicing together many times, they only visit the houses of members of the club, no cold calling.
I was out doing a bit of shopping when I came across a VCD copy of the film "Bridge over the River Kwia" starring Alec Guiness, I have seen it many times on TV at home usually around the Xmas time, I bought it as I remember watching it with Paul and my mum. After dad died mum used to to take Paul and I to the Vogue cinema in Possilpark every Tuesday night. Although possibly my memory could be playing tricks, I seem to remember that this was the film that when we reached the cinema, mum had lost the money so we had to head home, on the way home I found the 10 shilling note (the old 10 bob note for those of you over 40 years old), so we headed back to the cinema to watch the movie. Whenever I see that film the above recollection always comes to my mind.
On Sunday I spent the afternoon writing Xmas cards, I'm not even sure if they will arrive in time, we shall see.
Sunday night was a TV night and receiving many many texts.... yawn !!
It's cloudy here but still very hot, with this constant heat it does help the cockroaches to survive, amazingly even here on the 18Th floor we have them. Though I have only found 2 in my condo in the 3 months that I have lived here, I realised that they come in under my front door so I now put a towel down there before I go to bed. They are easy to spot as the hallway floors in the building are all bright marble and the condo floors are all polished wood. I must admit that they are one of the few creatures on earth that I do try to kill when I spot them !!!!
I hope you all had a great weekend and are refreshed for another week at the grindstone.... as I am !!
I was out doing a bit of shopping when I came across a VCD copy of the film "Bridge over the River Kwia" starring Alec Guiness, I have seen it many times on TV at home usually around the Xmas time, I bought it as I remember watching it with Paul and my mum. After dad died mum used to to take Paul and I to the Vogue cinema in Possilpark every Tuesday night. Although possibly my memory could be playing tricks, I seem to remember that this was the film that when we reached the cinema, mum had lost the money so we had to head home, on the way home I found the 10 shilling note (the old 10 bob note for those of you over 40 years old), so we headed back to the cinema to watch the movie. Whenever I see that film the above recollection always comes to my mind.
On Sunday I spent the afternoon writing Xmas cards, I'm not even sure if they will arrive in time, we shall see.
Sunday night was a TV night and receiving many many texts.... yawn !!
It's cloudy here but still very hot, with this constant heat it does help the cockroaches to survive, amazingly even here on the 18Th floor we have them. Though I have only found 2 in my condo in the 3 months that I have lived here, I realised that they come in under my front door so I now put a towel down there before I go to bed. They are easy to spot as the hallway floors in the building are all bright marble and the condo floors are all polished wood. I must admit that they are one of the few creatures on earth that I do try to kill when I spot them !!!!
I hope you all had a great weekend and are refreshed for another week at the grindstone.... as I am !!
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Foreigners....................................
Over here if you are a non Filipino they call you a "foreigner". Lots of non Filipinos feel insulted by that, I'm ok with it as it is just a term. They could use better terminology but as far as I'm concerned it's no big deal. The only time that I don't like hearing it is when I am about to buy something from anywhere.... it usually goes like this; Hi I would like to find out some information about buying..... or having this or that done... yes sir hold on I will phone that office....... I listen...... gaga .... blah blah....hfyuaaa... blah blah..... foreigner......ok.... yes sir they will be straight down. At that point I know that the price has just doubled at least !!!!!!
Everyone that is non Filipino falls into the category of "foreigner", one of the downsides is that some races are disliked here more than others.... especially Koreans as they do look down on Filipinos as beneath them and do treat them badly, but you as a "foreigner" fall into the same category as them..... by the simple use of that term "foreigner".
At home we don't use terms like that, especially in London as sometimes there are more non Brits there than natives. We also are very aware of the race differences and the laws that cover what term you can use or not, we are so politically correct at times that it's quite pathetic in some cases. One of the things that I like about here is that they are not really politically correct and they don't worry about it either. Let's be honest, in this country I am a foreigner... that's simply a fact. It maybe... in some instances nice to be called something else.... no I don't know what...... but the term foreigner is a sort of alienation I suppose. That's the argument with objecting non Filipinos anyway. Hey I have been called a lot worse in my life and I'm sure that I will again, I would prefer people not calling to me "hey Joe" and calling me a Kano, that is because they think that every white person is an American but I can live with that, especially as it is usually said with a broad smile !!!
Thursday and Friday were quiet days, just done the usual things that I would have done if I was at home in London. Sometimes I feel that as I am in a foreign country that I should be doing this and that every day, but I am not a tourist as such.......... I live here !!! It makes a difference.
I count Xmas time as the half way point of my experience here, after Xmas it will then be the second half and nearer to me going home.......... which at this point....... I dread.... big time !!!!
But who knows maybe by April I will be looking forward to going back to work in the rain, getting up at 6.30am every morning, seeing bad behavior on the streets every day, watching the young drunks in Uxbridge on a weekend, listening to them screaming and shouting as they walk down my street at 2am............... yes just maybe I will be looking forward to that..............mmmmm........... can I bribe that government official to let me stay here indefinitely !!!! Please I beg you..... don't make me go home....... please, please......pretty please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any donations to the "keep Gerry in the Phils" fund please send to the address above !!
I hope you all have a fun packed weekend.... enjoy
Everyone that is non Filipino falls into the category of "foreigner", one of the downsides is that some races are disliked here more than others.... especially Koreans as they do look down on Filipinos as beneath them and do treat them badly, but you as a "foreigner" fall into the same category as them..... by the simple use of that term "foreigner".
At home we don't use terms like that, especially in London as sometimes there are more non Brits there than natives. We also are very aware of the race differences and the laws that cover what term you can use or not, we are so politically correct at times that it's quite pathetic in some cases. One of the things that I like about here is that they are not really politically correct and they don't worry about it either. Let's be honest, in this country I am a foreigner... that's simply a fact. It maybe... in some instances nice to be called something else.... no I don't know what...... but the term foreigner is a sort of alienation I suppose. That's the argument with objecting non Filipinos anyway. Hey I have been called a lot worse in my life and I'm sure that I will again, I would prefer people not calling to me "hey Joe" and calling me a Kano, that is because they think that every white person is an American but I can live with that, especially as it is usually said with a broad smile !!!
Thursday and Friday were quiet days, just done the usual things that I would have done if I was at home in London. Sometimes I feel that as I am in a foreign country that I should be doing this and that every day, but I am not a tourist as such.......... I live here !!! It makes a difference.
I count Xmas time as the half way point of my experience here, after Xmas it will then be the second half and nearer to me going home.......... which at this point....... I dread.... big time !!!!
But who knows maybe by April I will be looking forward to going back to work in the rain, getting up at 6.30am every morning, seeing bad behavior on the streets every day, watching the young drunks in Uxbridge on a weekend, listening to them screaming and shouting as they walk down my street at 2am............... yes just maybe I will be looking forward to that..............mmmmm........... can I bribe that government official to let me stay here indefinitely !!!! Please I beg you..... don't make me go home....... please, please......pretty please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any donations to the "keep Gerry in the Phils" fund please send to the address above !!
I hope you all have a fun packed weekend.... enjoy
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Racism...................
Over here there is racism......... but it's an inverted racism against themselves. Obviously everything I say is a generalisation but I think..... no I know .......that any Filipinos reading this will mostly agree with me.
Everywhere you go in the city, all the big billboards advertising this or that, the models used are always (99%) white. They watch a lot of foreign (US) TV which show the usual white handsome men and beautiful woman, rich with their nice cars, homes etc. They have been brought up on this and of course as the general population here are poor, they look up to, admire and would love to be like the all American family.
All the white tourists here are of course... in their eyes... rich, well in comparison with the average Filipino family..... we are.
The Americans helped to liberate them here during the war, they are still grateful for that and look up to America as this great country with no faults.
Everything seems to point to being white = good..... = rich.... = happiness.
Everywhere I go I experience it, I...... being this magical white colour makes me superior !!!!!
No not to me but to a lot of Filipinos, I get priority in lots of situations, walking into any mall or store, Filipinos are searched and if they have bags they get searched too, I am mostly just waved right through, if I have a bag they may sometimes have a courtesy glance but no more.
Cabs will always stop for me over a Filipino but that's only because they think they will get a bigger tip.. but that still falls into this syndrome.... because I am white therefore I am rich.
My goodness they even have skin whiteners here that you can buy in stores, you can have your skin whitened in clinics just like having a facial or any other beauty treatment. People use umbrellas as parasol's to avoid their skin getting darker. The darker your skin is here the lower down the class system you are. Because having dark skin indicates that you are working outside in the sun, could be on a farm or whatever but you are a lowly worker. Being light skin is looked up to as either you don't work or at least you don't work outside in the sun.
I must admit that the people in the slum areas and from certain parts of the Philippines do have darker skin, it is noticeable therefore it is easy to put them in a certain bracket... is that racism or just being aware. From my point of view I would say that I'm just aware of the difference, to be racist in my opinion is to treat someone differently because of that difference.
I talk to any and everyone, I've had good chats with road sweepers as well as anyone else... am I putting a tag on road sweepers.... probably inasmuch as they do have a recognized lowly job... so what does that make me !!
Anyway I do talk to everyone and am friendly with all, I never treat anyone badly ( though sometimes I have to count to 10) or look down on them when I have any dealings with them. I pride myself on being friendly with whoever I come in contact with, I know a lot appreciate it as an unexpected friendliness from a " foreigner". I try to be humble in every situation and I find it easy to be so with such a wonderful, friendly and helpful society of people.
When I have been the coach during these badminton tourneys, my players have the advantage over their opposition simply because they have a white coach.. white coach = superior coach= superior player.... of course it's not true but that is the perception.
This is also one of the reasons that national Philippines badminton players don't so well against white foreign opposition, they are in a lot of cases just as good or even better, but they have this psychological inferiority complex which affects their game.
I've spoken with some young University graduates about this, they agree with me and are trying to change it, as they say... Filipinos must start to recognize that they are equal to any other race or colour. The main thing for me was that they recognized it and gave me many instances when they themselves have experienced the syndrome.
Anyway this is a bit too heavy a subject for my little blog, especially as I am writing this at 9am on a Thursday morning.
I have lots of chores to do today so I better get started.
Have a look again at the pic in my post titled "yyeeessssss ssiiiiiirrrrr" as Gary in Canada brightened it up for me, you can see my face clearer now..... gary's young so he doesn't realise yet that as you get older you actually want photos of your face to be darker as then people can't see how old you really look !!! ;-) Joking Gary.... thanks mate.
The sun ISN'T shining her in Manila yet, it's actually cloudy but I guess the sun will burn off the clouds and eventually show itself.
Thought for the day from Father McGuire... ;-)
Be nice to your road sweeper, school janny or any other considered low status person today... give him or her a smile and a kind word.... it will be appreciated
Everywhere you go in the city, all the big billboards advertising this or that, the models used are always (99%) white. They watch a lot of foreign (US) TV which show the usual white handsome men and beautiful woman, rich with their nice cars, homes etc. They have been brought up on this and of course as the general population here are poor, they look up to, admire and would love to be like the all American family.
All the white tourists here are of course... in their eyes... rich, well in comparison with the average Filipino family..... we are.
The Americans helped to liberate them here during the war, they are still grateful for that and look up to America as this great country with no faults.
Everything seems to point to being white = good..... = rich.... = happiness.
Everywhere I go I experience it, I...... being this magical white colour makes me superior !!!!!
No not to me but to a lot of Filipinos, I get priority in lots of situations, walking into any mall or store, Filipinos are searched and if they have bags they get searched too, I am mostly just waved right through, if I have a bag they may sometimes have a courtesy glance but no more.
Cabs will always stop for me over a Filipino but that's only because they think they will get a bigger tip.. but that still falls into this syndrome.... because I am white therefore I am rich.
My goodness they even have skin whiteners here that you can buy in stores, you can have your skin whitened in clinics just like having a facial or any other beauty treatment. People use umbrellas as parasol's to avoid their skin getting darker. The darker your skin is here the lower down the class system you are. Because having dark skin indicates that you are working outside in the sun, could be on a farm or whatever but you are a lowly worker. Being light skin is looked up to as either you don't work or at least you don't work outside in the sun.
I must admit that the people in the slum areas and from certain parts of the Philippines do have darker skin, it is noticeable therefore it is easy to put them in a certain bracket... is that racism or just being aware. From my point of view I would say that I'm just aware of the difference, to be racist in my opinion is to treat someone differently because of that difference.
I talk to any and everyone, I've had good chats with road sweepers as well as anyone else... am I putting a tag on road sweepers.... probably inasmuch as they do have a recognized lowly job... so what does that make me !!
Anyway I do talk to everyone and am friendly with all, I never treat anyone badly ( though sometimes I have to count to 10) or look down on them when I have any dealings with them. I pride myself on being friendly with whoever I come in contact with, I know a lot appreciate it as an unexpected friendliness from a " foreigner". I try to be humble in every situation and I find it easy to be so with such a wonderful, friendly and helpful society of people.
When I have been the coach during these badminton tourneys, my players have the advantage over their opposition simply because they have a white coach.. white coach = superior coach= superior player.... of course it's not true but that is the perception.
This is also one of the reasons that national Philippines badminton players don't so well against white foreign opposition, they are in a lot of cases just as good or even better, but they have this psychological inferiority complex which affects their game.
I've spoken with some young University graduates about this, they agree with me and are trying to change it, as they say... Filipinos must start to recognize that they are equal to any other race or colour. The main thing for me was that they recognized it and gave me many instances when they themselves have experienced the syndrome.
Anyway this is a bit too heavy a subject for my little blog, especially as I am writing this at 9am on a Thursday morning.
I have lots of chores to do today so I better get started.
Have a look again at the pic in my post titled "yyeeessssss ssiiiiiirrrrr" as Gary in Canada brightened it up for me, you can see my face clearer now..... gary's young so he doesn't realise yet that as you get older you actually want photos of your face to be darker as then people can't see how old you really look !!! ;-) Joking Gary.... thanks mate.
The sun ISN'T shining her in Manila yet, it's actually cloudy but I guess the sun will burn off the clouds and eventually show itself.
Thought for the day from Father McGuire... ;-)
Be nice to your road sweeper, school janny or any other considered low status person today... give him or her a smile and a kind word.... it will be appreciated
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
What ..... no mozzies !!
I don't understand but I haven't been bitten by a mozzie in months, I wonder why ??? I still see them flying around my condo so what are they feeding on ?? Do they still bite me but my body is used to them now so there is no swelling or itching ??? I don't know.... interesting !!!
I seen the hospital specialist yesterday again for my results, they were very good, the biopsy showed that nothing is malignant, he kept using the word beginning with "c", I even find it difficult to type it !!!
I was treated in the best hospital in the Philippines but as it is still a 3rd world country, it wasn't in very good condition. By that I mean the walls and ceilings could have done with a repaint, the floors could do with being replaced and the furniture looked as though it came from the war. I suppose though that the most important thing of all is the treatment, that was very good and obviously I am happy with the results.
Other than my appointment I didn't do very much yesterday ( Tuesday), I was supposed to go out for dinner with 2 friends last night but cried off as I preferred to stay at home. yes I am an old stick in the mud !!!!! Sometimes.... actually a lot of times... I just prefer my own company, it's strange as it isn't a family trait.
Well it's 8 am here in Manila and the sun is shining again, I have my aircon on as the temp is rising fast. I do think though that it is getting cooler as during the day when I am walking around I don't have that sudden need to find somewhere that has aircon to cool down, maybe I am getting used to it...... doubtful !!!
The only reason that I am up at this time is because I got a text at 6 am from a friend which woke me up, normally I turn my mobile off before I sleep to avoid that but last night I forgot obviously.
Texts......... Filipinos love them.... big time !!
Definition of a Filipino...................
some one that asks if you have eaten yet as an opening gambit.
someone that is constantly eating but never gets fat !!
Someone with a thumb that is attached to a mobile phone.... texting.
Someone that is always shopping in the mall but has no money.
Someone that when you shout at them for being incompetent says... yeeessssss siiirrrr and totally ignores what you just said.
Someone that when you say to them, you are totally wrong.... just smiles...... then says yeessss siirrrr !!! Still ignoring what you just said.
I could go on, the above is just tongue in cheek but is true.
Anyway time to go, I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday... as I will.
I seen the hospital specialist yesterday again for my results, they were very good, the biopsy showed that nothing is malignant, he kept using the word beginning with "c", I even find it difficult to type it !!!
I was treated in the best hospital in the Philippines but as it is still a 3rd world country, it wasn't in very good condition. By that I mean the walls and ceilings could have done with a repaint, the floors could do with being replaced and the furniture looked as though it came from the war. I suppose though that the most important thing of all is the treatment, that was very good and obviously I am happy with the results.
Other than my appointment I didn't do very much yesterday ( Tuesday), I was supposed to go out for dinner with 2 friends last night but cried off as I preferred to stay at home. yes I am an old stick in the mud !!!!! Sometimes.... actually a lot of times... I just prefer my own company, it's strange as it isn't a family trait.
Well it's 8 am here in Manila and the sun is shining again, I have my aircon on as the temp is rising fast. I do think though that it is getting cooler as during the day when I am walking around I don't have that sudden need to find somewhere that has aircon to cool down, maybe I am getting used to it...... doubtful !!!
The only reason that I am up at this time is because I got a text at 6 am from a friend which woke me up, normally I turn my mobile off before I sleep to avoid that but last night I forgot obviously.
Texts......... Filipinos love them.... big time !!
Definition of a Filipino...................
some one that asks if you have eaten yet as an opening gambit.
someone that is constantly eating but never gets fat !!
Someone with a thumb that is attached to a mobile phone.... texting.
Someone that is always shopping in the mall but has no money.
Someone that when you shout at them for being incompetent says... yeeessssss siiirrrr and totally ignores what you just said.
Someone that when you say to them, you are totally wrong.... just smiles...... then says yeessss siirrrr !!! Still ignoring what you just said.
I could go on, the above is just tongue in cheek but is true.
Anyway time to go, I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday... as I will.
Yeeeeesssssssssssss Siiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Sunday was a bit of a washout, Messed about during the day and watched Sri lanka V England in cricket. I managed to get to see the match online but have to pay $50 for the 3 test series but its worth it..... I think.
Monday.
I have been trying to get a Xmas card made with my photo on the front, found somewhere that does it and went to see them. We went through all the details, picture size, wording etc. I of course then asked the cost, I asked for the bottom line, what is each card going to cost me with everything included... no extras I emphasised, she works out the cost and tells me 35pesos each..
OK that sounds good.... I'll have 30 please. 30 x 35 = 1050 pesos. She says 2200......... what !!!! excuse me !!!! your maths is poor 30x35= 1050. yes sir but there is an extra 1150 pesos for processing........... I asked for the bottom line price ......... yeeeeeessssssss Siiiiirrrrr but plus the processing fee......... with steam coming out of my ears I work out that it's now 73p per card still not too bad as it is what I want. So I count to 10 and say OK lets do it... she now asks do I want envelopes with them... well they are Xmas cards to be sent overseas as I explained earlier... well that will be another 10p per envelope.. I ASKED FOR THE BOTTOM LINE TO INCLUDE EVERYTHING TO SEND THESE CARDS OVERSEAS...... yeeeesssssss siiiiiirrrrrrr that's right so it is 2200 + 300 for the envelopes which = 2500 pesos.
By now I am really trying hard to keep my cool, I take a deep breath in while I think about it, I have gone this far, this is what I want to do, I don't want to start again with another company, going through all this rigmarole again, OK its now nearly 76p per card... but OK just agree it and get out of here. OK Siiiirrrr 2500pesos. do you want them in 2 days or 4 days.... well 2 days sounds good to me but 4 days is OK too as I begin to relax........ OK siiiiirrrr that will be another 20% to the total................. HELP ME................................ I AM GOING TO KILL THIS PERSON !!!!!!!!!!!......................
I walk away............ a beaten man.............!
But I didn't give up there, I did manage, after a lot of searching, to find another company that would do it, even better than the first one and cheaper too.......... things are looking up, all I need is the photo downloaded to a CD and they can work from there. I excitingly rush home put the pic on the CD and rush back... he puts it in his computer.... 3 or 4 times as it doesn't seem to be working........... oh no please don't tell me.... sorry sir but your CD isn't working for some reason.... OK I will check it out elsewhere, maybe it's his CD player.... I go to other stores that have computers and ask them to insert this CD to see if it works...... 2 computers later......... no it won't !!!!
I go home, insert it into my laptop........ bingo !! no problem, my photo is there on my screen in all it's glory !!!!
I can only think that as my laptop is European that the download to the disc is slightly different, therefore has trouble working on Asian CD players. If you know better then please tell me.
So I will be sending ordinary Xmas cards this year again, maybe my personal Xmas card was not meant to be... it wasn't that bad I don't think !!
This is the offending photo, I did ask if I could send it to them by email but they are not online in the shops. I'm in the white shirt with red sleeves ! ;-)
Monday.
I have been trying to get a Xmas card made with my photo on the front, found somewhere that does it and went to see them. We went through all the details, picture size, wording etc. I of course then asked the cost, I asked for the bottom line, what is each card going to cost me with everything included... no extras I emphasised, she works out the cost and tells me 35pesos each..
OK that sounds good.... I'll have 30 please. 30 x 35 = 1050 pesos. She says 2200......... what !!!! excuse me !!!! your maths is poor 30x35= 1050. yes sir but there is an extra 1150 pesos for processing........... I asked for the bottom line price ......... yeeeeeessssssss Siiiiirrrrr but plus the processing fee......... with steam coming out of my ears I work out that it's now 73p per card still not too bad as it is what I want. So I count to 10 and say OK lets do it... she now asks do I want envelopes with them... well they are Xmas cards to be sent overseas as I explained earlier... well that will be another 10p per envelope.. I ASKED FOR THE BOTTOM LINE TO INCLUDE EVERYTHING TO SEND THESE CARDS OVERSEAS...... yeeeesssssss siiiiiirrrrrrr that's right so it is 2200 + 300 for the envelopes which = 2500 pesos.
By now I am really trying hard to keep my cool, I take a deep breath in while I think about it, I have gone this far, this is what I want to do, I don't want to start again with another company, going through all this rigmarole again, OK its now nearly 76p per card... but OK just agree it and get out of here. OK Siiiirrrr 2500pesos. do you want them in 2 days or 4 days.... well 2 days sounds good to me but 4 days is OK too as I begin to relax........ OK siiiiirrrr that will be another 20% to the total................. HELP ME................................ I AM GOING TO KILL THIS PERSON !!!!!!!!!!!......................
I walk away............ a beaten man.............!
But I didn't give up there, I did manage, after a lot of searching, to find another company that would do it, even better than the first one and cheaper too.......... things are looking up, all I need is the photo downloaded to a CD and they can work from there. I excitingly rush home put the pic on the CD and rush back... he puts it in his computer.... 3 or 4 times as it doesn't seem to be working........... oh no please don't tell me.... sorry sir but your CD isn't working for some reason.... OK I will check it out elsewhere, maybe it's his CD player.... I go to other stores that have computers and ask them to insert this CD to see if it works...... 2 computers later......... no it won't !!!!
I go home, insert it into my laptop........ bingo !! no problem, my photo is there on my screen in all it's glory !!!!
I can only think that as my laptop is European that the download to the disc is slightly different, therefore has trouble working on Asian CD players. If you know better then please tell me.
So I will be sending ordinary Xmas cards this year again, maybe my personal Xmas card was not meant to be... it wasn't that bad I don't think !!
This is the offending photo, I did ask if I could send it to them by email but they are not online in the shops. I'm in the white shirt with red sleeves ! ;-)
Sunday, 2 December 2007
alas the weekend is over
but does it affect me .... NO !!!!!
It was quite an interesting end to last week with the attempted coup and then the curfew. life is never boring in the Phils.
Saturday I went coaching in Las pinas, it was enjoyable to see everyone again. People there are so friendly to me and always treat me so well. It's a respect and friendliness that I have never experienced before..... to this level anyway.
I have been doing some specialist coaching for adults on some of the so called "difficult" shots to learn, most players have learned something which is all I can hope for. The players have asked me to do a sort of instruction manual to explain techniques and shots There is a place in manila that sells magazines on that sort of thing but these players feel that my technique and the way that I dissect and explain is way better than any of those sold. I've noticed that the other coaches there now use my techniques on some of the shots, I was even at another sports hall and one of the coaches was there coaching and he was doing what I had discussed with him the previous week !!!! One of the players is a graphics guy that does drawings and has offered to do the illustrations if I do the words. So maybe I could become a magazine columnist.... who knows as long as I just have to do the words.... thats ok by me. They also feel that this could be the legacy that I leave in the Phils when I return home. Nice eh !!!
This is the banner that they have outside of the badminton hall in Las Pinas, I am in every picture... superstar at 53...well it's never too late !!!
The same as everywhere else the Phils is preparing for Xmas, the lights and decorations are all up and it all looks very nice but there are many people here who are not going to receive much for Xmas, many children will only get the most basic of things, but I guess they will feel just as excited as the kids in 1st world countries that often get spoiled.
I hope you had an enjoyable weekend and the week ahead isn't too demanding
please remember the children of the world that don't have or get very much, so when and if you are passing any collectors in the street this Xmas, if you feel comfortable with it put a coin in the box to remind us all of the differences that exist....
one of the nicest sayings that I heard this year was from someone in school; "a man never stands so tall as when he stoops to hold the hand of a child"
It was quite an interesting end to last week with the attempted coup and then the curfew. life is never boring in the Phils.
Saturday I went coaching in Las pinas, it was enjoyable to see everyone again. People there are so friendly to me and always treat me so well. It's a respect and friendliness that I have never experienced before..... to this level anyway.
I have been doing some specialist coaching for adults on some of the so called "difficult" shots to learn, most players have learned something which is all I can hope for. The players have asked me to do a sort of instruction manual to explain techniques and shots There is a place in manila that sells magazines on that sort of thing but these players feel that my technique and the way that I dissect and explain is way better than any of those sold. I've noticed that the other coaches there now use my techniques on some of the shots, I was even at another sports hall and one of the coaches was there coaching and he was doing what I had discussed with him the previous week !!!! One of the players is a graphics guy that does drawings and has offered to do the illustrations if I do the words. So maybe I could become a magazine columnist.... who knows as long as I just have to do the words.... thats ok by me. They also feel that this could be the legacy that I leave in the Phils when I return home. Nice eh !!!
This is the banner that they have outside of the badminton hall in Las Pinas, I am in every picture... superstar at 53...well it's never too late !!!The same as everywhere else the Phils is preparing for Xmas, the lights and decorations are all up and it all looks very nice but there are many people here who are not going to receive much for Xmas, many children will only get the most basic of things, but I guess they will feel just as excited as the kids in 1st world countries that often get spoiled.
I hope you had an enjoyable weekend and the week ahead isn't too demanding
please remember the children of the world that don't have or get very much, so when and if you are passing any collectors in the street this Xmas, if you feel comfortable with it put a coin in the box to remind us all of the differences that exist....
one of the nicest sayings that I heard this year was from someone in school; "a man never stands so tall as when he stoops to hold the hand of a child"
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