Covid- 19. End of the world?

Remember the 2012 spectacle and brouhaha. There were strong speculation  and assertions that the world was going to end on December 21, 2012 because the calendar of the Mayan civilization (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador) ended on that date! 

Well, the world did not end. We are still up and about, but not very much of it, up and about, I mean. Because we are engulfed by the plague of Covid- 19 virus disease. Here is the bombshell! Could there have been a mistake in the deciperation of the Mayan calendar. Could the year of doom be 2021 and not 2012, what with the all present incurable disease? Looks like vaccines for preventing the deadly coronavirus are not being found. Many countries have claimed "Eureka!" But until now nothing has materialized. The countries are desperately competing to be the first ones to have discovered the vaccine. They want other countries to applaud them, accept them as the genius they are! You see, they are greedy for the wealth and the power that monopolizing the vaccine will bring!

Coming back to the matter of similarity, just look at the numbers; December/21 /2012 or 12/21/2012. It could easily have been 12/21/2021! 

Painful, it may be, yes, let the world end in 2021! Man has gone overboard. He has thrown morality out of the window. He is slaughtering his own kind for the control of territories, for power, for wealth.  Abuses of all sorts are becoming the norms of the day – women abuse, child abuse, abusing and killing of one’s own kin – you name it, they have it. Even the priests whom we, faithfully, respect cannot be trusted! They can be so shamefully embarrassing! Adulteries, infidelities, frequent marriages and divorces are almost accepted as trends and envious life styles. Platonic friendship has given way to what they call now as polyamory – a term stylishly given for multiple partnerships. Innocent group relationship has been taken over by their ‘polyfidelity’. “Till death do us apart” has become “Till wealth do us apart”!

Man’s morality has gone down the drain! It is right that he too should follow along and drown! Yes, let the world end before more humiliation surfaces! It did not end in 2012. Could it end in 2021?

(The above is my singular observations and frustrations. Don't let it affect you).

1Malaysia wonders - the mamak restaurants

People may say what they want. That, they are expensive. Or, their food is tasty because they are putting the harmful monosodium glutamate in their recipes. Or, even, that they are dealing in some ‘mantras’ or magic spells to attract customers. Ha ha! But the fact is, the Indian Muslim (follower of Islam of the Indian sect) restaurants, fondly called as the ‘kedai mamak’, are real portrayers and propagators of the 1Malaysia, or unity of the Malaysian people concept, initiated by the, then, Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak. People of all races and religions - Malays, Chinese, Indians and even the westerners - are found eating there.

To explain further, Malays hesitate to go to the Indian or Chinese eateries because of the halal (food fit to be consumed by Muslims) requirements, which these places may not have. The Indians shilly-shally to enter Malay restaurants because of the fear of being, unintentionally, served food containing meat of beef (disallowed in Hinduism). It is difficult to see Chinese patrons in a Malay restaurant either because the food is not to their likings or the uneasiness that they may attract undue attention upon themselves, being consumers of foods prohibited by Islam. Having said that, to be fair, I do remember having seen, occasionally, some Chinese customers in a Malay eatery, most probably, due to the eatery being in close proximity.

The mamak eateries seem to have overridden all these obstructions. The Indians in Malaysia, who mostly comprise the Tamils, go there as the hosts speak their language, the age old Tamil language, and the food is similar to their own, what with dosai, capati, rice, curry and so on, and the ingredients, spices and such, similar to that of the recipes of Malaysian Indians' cuisine. 

The Malays patronize the kedai mamak because the food is halal, and what's more, the recipe also is not too far from their own, most of their ancestors having some South Indian roots. 

The Chinese are there because they like changes in their taste buds and also the Indian outlook of the hosts at these restaurants put them at ease. The other races are also there due to the wide variety of colourful and spicy fare.

Now, a kedai mamak is a place where all races of Malaysia converge and see each other eat! They are all under one roof, in a small place, rubbing shoulders with one another, if you please. To all the mamak eateries of Malaysia, I salute you! You are indeed 1Malaysia exhibitors. Long live the kedai mamak!

Animal life? Not for me!

Not that I am a Buddhist, but I do have some respect for the religions and their beliefs. I have started treating cats kindly now, since, I read about the Buddhists’ belief that one can be reborn as an animal, and for that matter, a cat, in afterlife, or rather after human life.

I hope in my afterlife, if I am reborn as a cat, the cats that I threw slippers and sticks at are not there! They are sure to give me a tough time! (Most Indians consider cats crossing their paths as a bad omen and choose to chase them away). 

If I am reborn as a goat, I hope the goat on which I shot water with a pump gun  accepts my apology. 

And the fowls! Oh, my God! I don’t know what I am going to say to the fowls! They had been so tasty! I am a goner for sure!

President Trump's Covid- 19 virus attack - a hoax?

 

Could President Trump’s Covid- 19 attack be a hoax, a drama, perhaps? I hope so. Yes, I hope him being found positive for Covid- 19 virus is just a gimmick to offset his doing badly in the Trump vs. Biden Presidential Debate. Trump being found positive, and being quarantined just after about 1 day from his debate held on September 29, in Cleveland, brings about this unintended suspicion. The fact that he can be driven around in his Presidential car and waving to the well-wishers along the street further strengthens this notion, added with the  presence of the political syndrome called as 'sympathy votes', and elections being just a month away.

Of course, we do not want anything untoward happen to Trump because of him being the current President of the American people.

USA, being the superpower that it is, and having control, whether directly, indirectly or even remotely over the world’s wellbeing of its economy, political stability, environmental dispositions will greatly bring about some anxiety to many leaders of the world.  And, generally, USA, having the internationally assumed task of being the ‘big brother’, whatever nastiness happens to its leader is sure to disrupt the routine functions of the world on a lot of aspects. Often, negatively, for many nations that depend on it, be it openly or secondarily.

If President Trump has truly contracted this scourge of Covid- 19 virus,  I, as a normal and caring human being, sincerely, wish him speedy recovery to his twitting self!

Super 7 Son Heung-min

 

Yesterday night, many people in South Korea would have gone to bed very happy as their super-hero footballer Son Heung-min had scored in the Tottenham Hotspur vs Southampton Premier League game, not once, but four times! Believe me, many citizens in South Korea and the South Koreans of elsewhere in the world would have been, surely, watching a game where their favorite ‘Son’ was playing. And, surely, would they have been overwhelmed and felt delighted and proud of their footballing citizen number one!

I, too, was happy for Son, for, he seems to be such a nice guy, and so very hardworking, running for every ball. His speed towards the goal and his ability to twist and turn are his assets.

And he is so passionate towards his club, Tottenham Hotspur. The look on his face after a defeat for his club tells it all. Another footballer that I like – a rare, yellow skinned man, thriving amongst the, mostly, dark and white skinned players and personnel. That is Son Heung-min. (Not being racial, just emphasizing)

Shooting dead a cyclist

There has been another shooting by a police officer on the heels of the George Floyd killing, by another police officer. The protests against the shooting of George Floyd have not completely died down and yet another Black American has been victimized. How distressing! On August 23, 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 29 years old Jacob S. Blake was shot several times in the back by a police officer, while Blake was trying to get in his car, after a tussle during which he was also tasered (shot with an electroshock weapon). Even though Blake had some other criminal records against him, the police should not have taken such a devastating measure like shooting, as the police officers were close by to the victim. This ‘Have gun will shoot’ rational of USA’s police officers must change.

Oh no! Just heard the news from TV Aljazeera that another black American was shot dead by USA police! This time it was 29 years old Dijon Kizzee, who was cycling in the Westmont neighborhood of Los Angeles County. It is said that two police officers shot him several times when he punched one of the officers attempting to question him on some unlawful bicycle code. He is also said to have possessed a handgun in the bundle of clothing that he carried.

Even then, as I had said before, shooting a disadvantaged man is not the answer. It is not the way to maintain law and order. This incident almost looks like the police officers are taking revenge for the continuing protests against the police. Hope this is not payback time!

You may wonder why I am always commenting on incidents in USA. It could be that, unknowing to me, I have got a soft spot and feel associated with America, though, quite remote that association could be, having grown up on cowboy and western novels since young, my favorite author being Louis L Amour, my favorite western movies being  Django, Trinity and the Clint Eastwood films. I was also a keen reader of anything written by Samuel L. Clemens, popularly known by his pen name, Mark Twain.

Well, the stories in those books and films were portrayed as to have happened during the lawless days, when everyone had a gun to defend themselves, and for others to obtain their requirements through the show and use of guns. Lawless days, remember? But, not now. The world has matured. It has laws and laws. Has judges and juries. Has life councilors and advisors. Has great orators and leaders.  Has great buildings of worship and the teachers and guiders of goodness against evils. All for what?  What use are all those when you shoot dead a cyclist!

Merci beaucoup, Kingsley Coman!

Victorious Bayern Munich

“Merci beaucoup, Kingsley Coman!”  These are the words the fans of Bayern Munich as well as the people of Germany should be saying for winning the Champions League. It is French, the language that Kingsley understands. Maybe, many have already said it! 

How ironical!  A German club fighting against a French club and a French man scores against the French club.  Ha ha! This is football! The beautiful game, with twists and turns at every corner.  On winning, Kingsley said he felt a little heartache, but he is “100% Bayern Munich”.  Of course, he is '100% Bayern Munich'; otherwise he would not have played so well and headed in that beautiful goal!

Kingsley Coman

The score was 1 - 0, so it would have gone either way.  Bayern Munich, indeed, played slightly better, but PSG did have its chances. There were goalmouth melees, and with luck, PSG could have scored. Manuel Neuer, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper, was also exceptionally good on that day. Knowing football, often the better teams lose, by a stroke of bad luck or inopportune.  Bayern Munich did not lose, though. This time PSG, and especially, poor Neymar did not have it, the providence to win.

Some fans commented on the media that Neymar, the Brazilian, was just ordinary but with a high price tag, and that is why PSG lost. They said he should have stuck with Messi at Barcelona.  I disagree. Neymar knew  what he can do to a club. That was why he moved to PSG. The new Neymar looks matured and is often mesmerizingly skillful with the ball and his strong and resilient play for the club had enabled it to top the Ligue 1, three times. If ‘Barcelona’ was mentioned, Messi ‘s figure would crop up  into mind. Mention 'Juventus'  and Ronaldo pops up into mind. Mention 'PSG' and who is the first one to appear in mind. Neymar, of course. To my mind, anyway, and !00%. Yes that same Kingsley’s !00%! Chuckle.

Inconsolable Neymar

Neymar really thought PSG could win the European Cup this time. It clearly showed on his reaction at the end of the game, having lost the game. He looked so inconsolable! Poor guy! I am sure he felt bad having let down his fans and his club.

Come on Neymar! Even if you did not win the Champions League you are the current No. 1 to me! Neymar, the ‘Camisa 10’!

Achtung! The Germans are here!

       

Nagelsmann ( German) - RB Leipzig

Rudi Garcia (French) - Lyon

I am not crazy about football, let alone a football fanatic. Just because, the other day, during the PSG versus RB Leipzig match, I told my friends that PSG’s  manager, Tuchel was on crutches because he broke his left foot during a training session, they began to say I know all, and am a football fanatic! Ha ha!

But I do follow the football news and developments, especially, from the portals of 'Mail online Football' and 'BBC Football' and recently '24/7 Football'. From there, I became familiar with the likes of Klopp, Guardiola, Lampard, Zidane, Solskjaer, Tuchel,  Simeone and, of course, Mourinho. I said ‘of course Mourinho’ because I am a keen follower of this guy. No, not stalking him! Just not failing to read about him whenever his name his mentioned.

Okay. Coming to the matter of football managers, I am red faced 😒 to say that last week was the first time when I had the feeling that I was being introduced to the names of Rudi Garcia and Hansi Flick, the two managers of Lyon and Bayern Munich, respectively. For the first time! Oh my God, what had I missed? Their teams, Lyon and Bayern Munich were involved in the semi-finals of the Champions League and I am blank about them, the managers, I mean. Some football fanatic I am! 

The other two semi-finalists were PSG and RB Leipzig. For the record, in the semi-finals, PSG beat RB Leipzig 3 - 0, and Bayern Munich beat Lyon, also 3 - 0. 

I got to know about Tuchel of PSG, when, quite a long while back, there had been mischievous talk about Mourinho replacing him at PSG. As for Nagelsmann of RB Leipzig, he was also new to me. Only got a slight touch of news on him when he was playing against Mourinho in round 16, but I couldn't forget his frantic walkabouts in front of his dugout during the semi-final!

Well, the two finalists of the 2019/2020 Champion League are PSG and Bayern Munich. Hope the media talks a little more about the managers of PSG and Bayern Munich. And others, too.  Not always about the players. And not always about Solskjaer,  Klopp,  Guardiola, Zidane, Mourinho….and the already well known. Maybe, my fault, too, for always reading the online portals of British tabloids only, on football. Or, maybe I missed their stories on the managers. Sorry about that.

Anyway, I  googled and discovered that Lyon’s coach, Rudy Jose Garcia is French and prior to Lyon he had coached  Lille, Roma and Marseille. He had been the manager of Lyon for just about 11 months now and his club had reached the semi-final of the Champions League. Quite an achievement, don’t you agree? He had been the French Manager of the Year for 2011, 2013 and 2014. That speaks a lot of him. No wonder Lyon is so competitive. He is a man to watch, alright. And let us watch him, shall we? Right on!

As for Hans- Dieter Flick, commonly known as Hansi Flick,he had played as a midfielder for Bayern Munich in the 80s. Prior to becoming the Bayern Munich manager, he had been the sporting director of the German football team for 3 years. He had also been the assistant manager of Germany from 2006 to 2014. He took over as manager of Bayern Munich in November 2019. So that makes him the manager of Bayern Munich for just about 10 months and he is in the Champions League Final. Standing ovation to him! 🙆 Yet, mostly, he looks so calm and composed, What a man!

Well, since Tuchel is in the final, a little more info about him. Prior to becoming manager of French club, PSG (Paris Saint Germain) in 2018, he had been the manager of German clubs, Borussia Dortmund, and before that, of Mainz 05. He had been successful in winning local trophies in Dortmund and PSG. 

Tuchel (German) -  PSG

Hansi Flick (German) - Bayern Munich

The Champions League Final between the French team PSG and the German team Bayern Munich will be played in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday 23^rd August 2020. Ironically, the managers of both the teams are Germans - Thomas Tuchel and Hans Dieter Flick. As it is now, the German media and tabloids are patting each other's backs, saying German football had never been better, having had 3 teams managed by Germans in the semi-final – RB Leipzig, PSG and Bayern Munich, managed by Germans Nagelsmann, Tuchel and Hans Flick, in that order. If Bayern Munich wins the Champions League, their feelings will be overflowing with pride. If PSG wins, they will breast beat that it won because it is managed by a German coach. Either way, the Germans are going to have a good time!  

Let us, too, be neutral and have a good time!

A tribute to Michael Jackson, on his birthday month

                                              

Michael Joseph Jackson, was his name 

Born on August twenty ninth, of nineteen fifty eight 

Was destined from the very beginning, to fame 

To 'shock and awe' the crowds was his trait. 

Amaze did he, the people of this very divided earth 

With his so bewildering endowment of songs 

And dances of exhilaration and mirth 

That the world forgot its rights and wrongs! 

Now, he is gone, went away on June twenty fifth, of twenty zero nine 

To be with God and to, finally, have the peace 

That he so craved for, in this land of yours and mine 

But never did attain, till the dance of his heart did cease. 

A thriller like him come but once in a life time 

To unite this world split by race, religion and creed 

To name him the icon of unity will be no crime 

Just a simple accolade that will be gladly agreed.

But alas! In the later part of his life, tarnished was his image

For the unsavory deeds he was suspected to have done

And which were, mercilessly, published, page after page

Please God, forgive him of misgivings, as he is also Your son!

He died, but still lived, in the hearts of his fans

In every corner of this wide, wild world

They hummed his songs of thrill, and songs of romance

While on his name their fingers and eyes swirled!