Not So Cheerful

Still struggling with an extremely cranky back. This has manifested itself at a particularly bad time as I've got one heck of a lot of work to do. Since pretty much all the work involves having to sit on a chair and sitting on a chair involves a considerable degree of discomfort I am not a happy soldier. But I did cope with a full set of marking today so I can't complain, even though that's what I'm doing.

Staying Cheerful

Quite a mixed day. Enjoyed adding another year to my age this morning, with cheerfully celebratory cards from The Missus. Then found myself suffering from the crankiest of cranky backs for the remaining hours and struggling to get any work done.

In fact, the struggling is still on-going, but I have managed to get a bit done. Just not enough of a bit to feel any real sense of accomplishment. Still, you can't have it all, and I'll very happily settle for the cards.

At Peace

On a busy day two moments (extended into minutes) of peace. Friday Prayers at Masjid Darussalam. And praying Maghrib at the Sultan Mosque, pictured above, as it was at 8.00 pm. Escaping the noise of it all, whilst the noise swirls restlessly around one, is peculiarly satisfying.

What Really Counts

It's the steps that count; not the count that counts.

(I was thinking about compiling a set of my finest apothegms, but since the above is the best I can come up with for now, I've decided not to bother.)

The Sporting Life

I miss my involvement in drama at work. That came home keenly to me when watching the play at our amphitheatre the other week. On the other hand, I'm loving basketball. I don't think I'd have ever been much good on a court myself, but shouting at the guys on it is distinctly life-enhancing. The funny thing is that watching the guys play feels so much like directing a show: huge amounts of nervous energy meaning I can't bring myself to sit down and relax. And the pay-off when we win is the equivalent of putting on a show that really works.

It's an interesting mental exercise to try and draw the lines between Sport and Art. I suspect that, in the final analysis, it can't be done. 

Simply The Best

Over the weekend I found myself idly browsing through one of my prized possessions, this being a rather battered copy of The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book. I'd been inspired to revisit by a splendid article on the greatest comic strip ever drawn & written over at the also somewhat splendid Open Culture. Now thinking of acquiring the complete three volume version of the full run plus extras, but maybe that can wait until I finally retire.

By the by, aside from his artistic genius, Bill Watterson, the man (and really just one man, alone) behind the brilliant strip is up there as one of my ethical heroes for his unbending stand against the merchandising of his creations. Much as I'd like to, I'll never wear a Calvin and Hobbes t-shirt unless he endorses the production thereof and happily (or a bit sadly as well) that'll never happen.

Staying Well

There aren't too many positive features involved in a good buddy having a heart attack - though the fact of survival thereof ranks as a major relief. And it serves as excellent motivation for getting to the gym, as I just did.

Am now regularly putting in an hour on the torture device elliptical trainer. Of that one hour I can honestly claim to enjoy roughly four minutes. And that's on a good day.

A Sense Of Wellness

Just got back from visiting Boon at the KTP Hospital out in Yishun. He was looking pretty good for someone who'd recently suffered a heart attack, I'm glad to say. He reminded me that his first one happened around 15 years back, which put me right since I was vaguely telling folk I reckoned it was some 6 or 7 years ago. Time flies at supersonic speed, eh?

We'd engaged in a bit of post-Raya visiting in the earlier part of the day, which was gently joyous in its own way - especially the part involving the consumption of freshly prepared prata. So a fruitful day overall (even including the work-stuff which claimed my attention in the morning.)

Oh, and Noi intends an end-of-the-day treat with a few slices of home-baked cake of the fruity variety adding to the general sense of well-being.

A Bit Of A Worry

A message from Mei we received this afternoon, whilst we were out for a tea and epok epok, caused Noi and myself more than a little concern. Boon has had another heart attack, following one a few years back, and at first it wasn't clear just how bad it was. Fortunately it wasn't too long before she followed up by letting us know it was relatively mild and there's no need for a by-pass. I didn't get overly worried, even when the severity of the situation was open to question, reminding myself that Boon had actually driven himself to hospital on the first occasion. But in that first fifteen minutes or so there was still a nagging doubt that this time things might not turn out for the best. And the worst might have finally arrived.

Awareness of mortality - one's own and that of one's contemporaries - is inescapable once you get to my age, I'm afraid. And, in a small way, I am afraid.

But, for now, at least, it looks like Boon and I get to go on and enjoy time's mercy.

Modern Life Is Rubbish Confirmed

The thing about auto-tune is that it's impossible to unhear it.