Here's another of his poems that finds favour with me - I particularly like complimentary poetry that deliver their praises through the most unexpected and unlikely ways, that bring out the essence of the mentioned virtues from the prosaic facets of the object, that illustrate how the extraordinary is often hidden behind the ordinary. Such poems are often suitably 'dressed down' and simple to read, with the form befitting the content. This poem dedicated to a newborn reminds us of the real ingredients for happiness that we often forget.
Born Yesterday
for Sally Amis
Tightly-folded bud,
I have wished you something
None of the others would:
Not the usual stuff
About being beautiful,
Or running off the spring,
Of innocence and love -
They will all wish you that,
And should it prove possible,
Well, you're a lucky girl.
But if it shouldn't, then
May you be ordinary;
Have, like other women,
An average of talents:
Not ugly, not good-looking,
Nothing uncustomary
To pull you off your balance,
That, unworkable itself,
Stops all the rest from working.
In fact, may you be dull -
If that is what a skilled,
Vigilant, flexible,
Unemphasised, enthralled
Catching of happiness is called.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Philip Larkin I
Philip Larkin' Collected Poems did not disappoint at all; the prerequisite poetic perspective, lyrical rhythm, and an oft-displayed wittiness makes it a good read thus far (a quarter into the book). Here's one out of many others that impresses me with the above qualities, with a novel consideration of marriage through thoughts on a Maiden Name.
Maiden Name
Marrying left your maiden name disused.
Its five light sounds no longer mean your face,
Your voice, and all your variants of grace;
For since you were so thankfully confused
By law with someone else, you cannot be
Semantically the same as that young beauty:
It was of her that these two words were used.
Now it's a phrase applicable to no one,
Lying just where you left it, scattered through
Old lists, old programmes, a school prize or two,
Packets of letters tied with tartan ribbon -
Then is it scentless, weightless, strengthless, wholly
Untruthful? Try whispering it slowly.
No, it means you. Or, since you're past and gone,
It means what we feel now about you then:
How beautiful you were, and near, and young,
So vivid, you might still be there among
Those first dew days, unfingermarked again.
So your old name shelters our faithfulness,
Instead of losing shape and meaning less
With your depreciating luggage laden.
Maiden Name
Marrying left your maiden name disused.
Its five light sounds no longer mean your face,
Your voice, and all your variants of grace;
For since you were so thankfully confused
By law with someone else, you cannot be
Semantically the same as that young beauty:
It was of her that these two words were used.
Now it's a phrase applicable to no one,
Lying just where you left it, scattered through
Old lists, old programmes, a school prize or two,
Packets of letters tied with tartan ribbon -
Then is it scentless, weightless, strengthless, wholly
Untruthful? Try whispering it slowly.
No, it means you. Or, since you're past and gone,
It means what we feel now about you then:
How beautiful you were, and near, and young,
So vivid, you might still be there among
Those first dew days, unfingermarked again.
So your old name shelters our faithfulness,
Instead of losing shape and meaning less
With your depreciating luggage laden.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
The postmodern take on reality
Postmodern relativism and the impermanence of truth has been attacked on many fronts for their sometimes radical views on reality, but I think to a large extent we all should agree, and be aware of, the fact that the notion of cultural and even 'scientific' truths are always being written and contested. Ignoring the actual debate on the fight for scholarly truth versus religious self-portrayals, this article on the fight for the right to narrate in textbooks clearly shows the awareness of these people of the power of history. History makes the present moment by situating us in particular perspectives to view reality, and therefore I always think control of the past is in some ways more important than of the present or the future.
Throughout the ages, the people with the political power, the aggressor, the kings and emperors, have always wanted to change the social system, rewrite cultural history, and burn the books. Now that power in the modern world is fractured and largely dispersed through the people in many ways and mediums, the fight for the right to write and to be read is fiercer than ever.
So, read widely, judge critically, and always be a skeptic. If the past is always being fought over to be written on and the present an unceasing war for power, get into the thick of things and slug it out with them, and perhaps then you can get a little nearer to the truth of things as they really are.
(Postscript - Coincidentally, here science is presented as another form of discourse, which might be true in a certain sense. However, this truism should not distract from the endeavours of the scientific effort; this is one way in which the postmodern notion of truth can be detrimental to progress, and where I differ from its views.)
Throughout the ages, the people with the political power, the aggressor, the kings and emperors, have always wanted to change the social system, rewrite cultural history, and burn the books. Now that power in the modern world is fractured and largely dispersed through the people in many ways and mediums, the fight for the right to write and to be read is fiercer than ever.
So, read widely, judge critically, and always be a skeptic. If the past is always being fought over to be written on and the present an unceasing war for power, get into the thick of things and slug it out with them, and perhaps then you can get a little nearer to the truth of things as they really are.
(Postscript - Coincidentally, here science is presented as another form of discourse, which might be true in a certain sense. However, this truism should not distract from the endeavours of the scientific effort; this is one way in which the postmodern notion of truth can be detrimental to progress, and where I differ from its views.)
Seeing red!
Part I - New Bike!
Just bought a second-hand road bike from a seller who advertised on togoparts this evening - It is a vibrant red Fondriest frame with Campagnolo veloce groupset. Though it is 3 years old, has rust on some of the screws and oxidised marks on other parts, the frame's paintwork is gorgeous, the brand is good and so are the parts. Parted $1.3K for it, but then will have more investing to do now...on shoes, helmet, gloves, lights, lock(s) etc...
Part II - First Crash
I crashed it on my first ride, along the short >5km route from Cycleworx at Upper Thomson to AMK! It was my first ride on a road bike since I was 14 i think; at first a bit tentative with the feel but never approaching any nervousness, then confident and feeling exuberant joy at the speed. 1 km away from my place, I went onto the aerobars, then did my habitual traffic check with a turn of the head. Upon turning back forward, I was suddenly hit with a feeling of instability and loss of control on the front wheels, and my corrective movements with my elbows stuck at the bars only made it worse. As the bike skidded and I landed on my right side, I realised that looking out for traffic behind is not something to be done when down on the aerobars.
So. All in an hour, I got a beautiful bike, a good lesson, and patches of road rashes to show for it. One on my right hip made hip flexion tedious, and so I hobble around like Terry Fox now. The one on my elbow will probably make badminton difficult, and dance classes is out of the question for now. Oh well. Still worth the pain, all in all :p
Just bought a second-hand road bike from a seller who advertised on togoparts this evening - It is a vibrant red Fondriest frame with Campagnolo veloce groupset. Though it is 3 years old, has rust on some of the screws and oxidised marks on other parts, the frame's paintwork is gorgeous, the brand is good and so are the parts. Parted $1.3K for it, but then will have more investing to do now...on shoes, helmet, gloves, lights, lock(s) etc...
Part II - First Crash
I crashed it on my first ride, along the short >5km route from Cycleworx at Upper Thomson to AMK! It was my first ride on a road bike since I was 14 i think; at first a bit tentative with the feel but never approaching any nervousness, then confident and feeling exuberant joy at the speed. 1 km away from my place, I went onto the aerobars, then did my habitual traffic check with a turn of the head. Upon turning back forward, I was suddenly hit with a feeling of instability and loss of control on the front wheels, and my corrective movements with my elbows stuck at the bars only made it worse. As the bike skidded and I landed on my right side, I realised that looking out for traffic behind is not something to be done when down on the aerobars.
So. All in an hour, I got a beautiful bike, a good lesson, and patches of road rashes to show for it. One on my right hip made hip flexion tedious, and so I hobble around like Terry Fox now. The one on my elbow will probably make badminton difficult, and dance classes is out of the question for now. Oh well. Still worth the pain, all in all :p
NOLS - 'Numinous Outdoors, Life's Sea-change'
"NOLS, the premier teacher of outdoor skills and leadership, offer courses 10 days to full semesters in the world's most spectacular classrooms"
That's the tagline for the website of the 'National Outdoor Leadership School', a US-based outdoor school where people can join to learn skills like backpacking, climbing, kayaking, mountaineering, wilderness first aid etc for days and days on end. Think Outward Bound but on a much grander scale, in locations ranging from Patagonia to NZ, among other places outside of the US itself. Someday, maybe next year, or further down the road, I promise myself to go for one of its Outdoor Educator's course.
I always imagine what an incredible life-changing experience these courses will be for teenagers if they last through it ably - It will undoubtedly mould them with indelible positive lessons that will carry them through their lives. My second dream is that my children next time will go through a semester of NOLS also.
Go request for their catalogue online - it's free and they will ship it to your mailbox! You'll get pages and pages of awesome paranomic pictures and details of courses to light sparks in your heart and make you wish for adventures like those.
That's the tagline for the website of the 'National Outdoor Leadership School', a US-based outdoor school where people can join to learn skills like backpacking, climbing, kayaking, mountaineering, wilderness first aid etc for days and days on end. Think Outward Bound but on a much grander scale, in locations ranging from Patagonia to NZ, among other places outside of the US itself. Someday, maybe next year, or further down the road, I promise myself to go for one of its Outdoor Educator's course.
I always imagine what an incredible life-changing experience these courses will be for teenagers if they last through it ably - It will undoubtedly mould them with indelible positive lessons that will carry them through their lives. My second dream is that my children next time will go through a semester of NOLS also.
Go request for their catalogue online - it's free and they will ship it to your mailbox! You'll get pages and pages of awesome paranomic pictures and details of courses to light sparks in your heart and make you wish for adventures like those.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
On the sad state of paddling sports here
There had been a mini-furore in a certain yahoogroup for kayakers recently, when a poor/smart girl acting as the role of facilitator enlightened a certain newbie kayaker (and the rest of the 339 members in the group) that
1. 'the tides these few weeks are unfavourable for us to paddle to or around pulau ubin..'; and that
2. 'u need to complete your two star before u can take a kayak out for an expedition'
A guy rightly pointed out to her that planning for tide movement for expeditions is necessary anyway, and that the 2-star rule only applies if one takes out a kayak from PASSC, his point being that this rule seems to have dumbly restricted the growth of kayaking brains in Singapore such that newbies think sea traffic channels can only be crossed by 2-star kayakers and beyond, as if it was God's decree or that some ill fate awaits lesser-certified (though not necessarily less abled) kayakers. And following that mail, self-righteous kayakers in the group one by one came out to defend her silliness with lots of extraneous words, as it he has specifically intended to criticise her, or that he had been wrong in any case about his comments.
Now, as all students in Geography knows, there are two cycles of tide flooding and ebbing each day, so I have no idea what nonsense she was sprouting either. Secondly, kayakers usually do a round trip to Ubin and back to mainland, so if you plan well even if you are paddling against tide for some hours for the other hours you will be going along with it. Thirdly, I have no idea why a resisting tidal movement can put off people who want to just go out and enjoy the activity. It's not a bloody race for goodness sake.
And what are all those people who keep reminding that guy that it is PASSC club rules for people to have 2-star cert to rent a boat and go for expeditions, when he already said that "If I'm not wrong, this only applies to club rules for PASSC"? His point is that PASSC has been breeding kayakers with a lack of common sense that's all. Kayakers who think that there are only three types of boats in the world and they are called 'slalom' (How that name got stuck to that kind of boat, I have no idea), 'dancer' and 'bandit'. Who never seen asymmetical paddle blades, two piece paddles, used real sea kayaks before etc etc. And worse of all, think the world of their limited knowledge in kayaking.
I didn't post a reply to all those because it's not worth my time. I only blog here about it to stand up for the brave soul who exposed the shallowness of someone.
1. 'the tides these few weeks are unfavourable for us to paddle to or around pulau ubin..'; and that
2. 'u need to complete your two star before u can take a kayak out for an expedition'
A guy rightly pointed out to her that planning for tide movement for expeditions is necessary anyway, and that the 2-star rule only applies if one takes out a kayak from PASSC, his point being that this rule seems to have dumbly restricted the growth of kayaking brains in Singapore such that newbies think sea traffic channels can only be crossed by 2-star kayakers and beyond, as if it was God's decree or that some ill fate awaits lesser-certified (though not necessarily less abled) kayakers. And following that mail, self-righteous kayakers in the group one by one came out to defend her silliness with lots of extraneous words, as it he has specifically intended to criticise her, or that he had been wrong in any case about his comments.
Now, as all students in Geography knows, there are two cycles of tide flooding and ebbing each day, so I have no idea what nonsense she was sprouting either. Secondly, kayakers usually do a round trip to Ubin and back to mainland, so if you plan well even if you are paddling against tide for some hours for the other hours you will be going along with it. Thirdly, I have no idea why a resisting tidal movement can put off people who want to just go out and enjoy the activity. It's not a bloody race for goodness sake.
And what are all those people who keep reminding that guy that it is PASSC club rules for people to have 2-star cert to rent a boat and go for expeditions, when he already said that "If I'm not wrong, this only applies to club rules for PASSC"? His point is that PASSC has been breeding kayakers with a lack of common sense that's all. Kayakers who think that there are only three types of boats in the world and they are called 'slalom' (How that name got stuck to that kind of boat, I have no idea), 'dancer' and 'bandit'. Who never seen asymmetical paddle blades, two piece paddles, used real sea kayaks before etc etc. And worse of all, think the world of their limited knowledge in kayaking.
I didn't post a reply to all those because it's not worth my time. I only blog here about it to stand up for the brave soul who exposed the shallowness of someone.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
The reason...
In sports, one can't always be in the winning team, unless you're damn lucky to be in a team with a good learning culture and is damn motivated to win it all. What will you be playing for if your team is one which always ends up being last?
As a PE teacher, sports should always be encouraged on even if the win is impossible, for it is in the striving that one's character grows. But what if you know your team is not really doing its best to win? If it is totally ignorant of best practices in training, or even about the basic tactical premises of the game? Has no realistic short or long term goals? Has no way to renew its members, or incentive to retain its current people? Is deluding itself that its practice drills are actually useful and applicable? A team with no real leadership, no coaches, no teacher, no supervisor, no one at all to instruct, advice, train, feedback and improve itself? And when training sessions never have targets or objectives, and are never reviewed or feedbacked? And finally, a team which blames the equipment for their failure to succeed and thinks that it's more important than getting a coach?
Now, if you are in such a team...well, if hypothetically you really still am in such a situation, why the hell are you stuck there?? And what will make you want to carry on there, what sort of motivation or reason will you need to be able to make yourself continue to be with such a team?
As a PE teacher, sports should always be encouraged on even if the win is impossible, for it is in the striving that one's character grows. But what if you know your team is not really doing its best to win? If it is totally ignorant of best practices in training, or even about the basic tactical premises of the game? Has no realistic short or long term goals? Has no way to renew its members, or incentive to retain its current people? Is deluding itself that its practice drills are actually useful and applicable? A team with no real leadership, no coaches, no teacher, no supervisor, no one at all to instruct, advice, train, feedback and improve itself? And when training sessions never have targets or objectives, and are never reviewed or feedbacked? And finally, a team which blames the equipment for their failure to succeed and thinks that it's more important than getting a coach?
Now, if you are in such a team...well, if hypothetically you really still am in such a situation, why the hell are you stuck there?? And what will make you want to carry on there, what sort of motivation or reason will you need to be able to make yourself continue to be with such a team?
Monday, January 23, 2006
Books galore!
Bookstores target suckers like me when they publish discount coupons periodically in the papers. I know I have loads of books unread, starting from the load that I bought in May-July at book sales after graduation. Nonetheless, the true bibliophile will collect books because he knows that these are precious documents of knowledge that will eventually be enjoyed in retirement years, and partially out of morbid obsession too.
So, with 2 borders coupons, I bought Saul Bellow's short stories and Gogol's Dead Souls. This was in addition to Penguin's anthology of Russian Short Stories from Pushkin to Buida and Philip Larkin's Collected Poems bought a fortnight ago at Kinokuniya. How will I find time to read all this? "Somehow..." I reply.
By the way, Czeslaw Milosz's book of essays To Begin Where I Am is my read of December - Although a man firmly rooted in the middle of the 20th Century, most people will probably find his style and content archaic compared to modern writings nowadays grounded in disaffectation. He was someone who cared for the fate of post-war Europe and the place of art and culture in the modern age, from a place devastated by the WWII physically and psychically. Read and empathise with the artist who feels for humanity with honest sentimentality.
So, with 2 borders coupons, I bought Saul Bellow's short stories and Gogol's Dead Souls. This was in addition to Penguin's anthology of Russian Short Stories from Pushkin to Buida and Philip Larkin's Collected Poems bought a fortnight ago at Kinokuniya. How will I find time to read all this? "Somehow..." I reply.
By the way, Czeslaw Milosz's book of essays To Begin Where I Am is my read of December - Although a man firmly rooted in the middle of the 20th Century, most people will probably find his style and content archaic compared to modern writings nowadays grounded in disaffectation. He was someone who cared for the fate of post-war Europe and the place of art and culture in the modern age, from a place devastated by the WWII physically and psychically. Read and empathise with the artist who feels for humanity with honest sentimentality.
New Year resolutions
Chinese New Year coming soon! Some new year resolutions that I want to try keeping...
- Start my practical driving lessons (Because this is, without a doubt, the slackest sem ever).
- Start exploring the island on a bike again (That's a bicycle, not a motorbike).
- Get my blue khatsalano, go to any beach, set it up, and paddle away.
- Bring Vortex into the National Champs 2006.
- Spend less time on myself and more on people around me.
Sports addiction
It's net silence for me every weekend this term, bacause I'm just too busy playing every weekend that I really am home only to sleep over. Sunday mornings start at 7am for my weekly badminton at 8am, leaving me with less than 6 hours of rest each weekend.
After the 'Managing Obesity' seminar at Suntec on friday (interesting talks though I visited dreamland a few times), I went down to PC to play polo. With only Wira and James, we waited out the rain before doing only shooting and keeping practices until my right triceps started complaining. Reaching home past midnight, I was so tired that I unwittingly slept on my sofa for the entire night! Nonetheless, went to play badminton next day, but an hour into the 3-hours session, my shoulder instinctively stopped me from doing smashes, and I just have to listen to its advice. Have to skip polo training at NTU due to my strained shoulders (yes, the left one hurts too!), because I always try too hard during trainings to take care of myself.
Had one of those rare lunch with my family at a restaurant at Toa Payoh today after badminton, my eldest brother's treat. Am quite surprised to see him pretty changed for the better, from being a dour face to being able to talk and even joke with the family, showing his ease with his gf in front of us all. Seems like his relationship with his gf is going well, and I hope they get married soon even though they said they wouldn't.
Seeing the bright half-moon up in the sky, I wonder how the water and weather is like at East Coast today, and I miss all the scenery there right now.
After the 'Managing Obesity' seminar at Suntec on friday (interesting talks though I visited dreamland a few times), I went down to PC to play polo. With only Wira and James, we waited out the rain before doing only shooting and keeping practices until my right triceps started complaining. Reaching home past midnight, I was so tired that I unwittingly slept on my sofa for the entire night! Nonetheless, went to play badminton next day, but an hour into the 3-hours session, my shoulder instinctively stopped me from doing smashes, and I just have to listen to its advice. Have to skip polo training at NTU due to my strained shoulders (yes, the left one hurts too!), because I always try too hard during trainings to take care of myself.
Had one of those rare lunch with my family at a restaurant at Toa Payoh today after badminton, my eldest brother's treat. Am quite surprised to see him pretty changed for the better, from being a dour face to being able to talk and even joke with the family, showing his ease with his gf in front of us all. Seems like his relationship with his gf is going well, and I hope they get married soon even though they said they wouldn't.
Seeing the bright half-moon up in the sky, I wonder how the water and weather is like at East Coast today, and I miss all the scenery there right now.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Teacher teacher
The Blackboard Jungle is a teacher's blog that's interesting to read - there are lots of other teachers' blogs out there (mostly from the US), but this one is interesting as the guy is new to the profession and writes honestly about his experiences in class from the perspective of a beginning teacher. It is heartening to read about the joy of seeing children grow, along with the way he tries to cope with the teething problems. Its charm comes not from being inspirational, but from its ability to voice out the daily issues concerning a new teacher, which attracts people like me who can empathise with his position.
I do hope to set up a blog for students to read when I start teaching - not something for self-gratification like this one, but one that is informative, thought-provoking, challenging to the intellect, and entertaining altogether. To expose them to various issues related to schooling, let them hear of things from a teacher's perspective, and encourage them to read, think and comment. Then at least the time that they spend online can be more productive ha.
I do hope to set up a blog for students to read when I start teaching - not something for self-gratification like this one, but one that is informative, thought-provoking, challenging to the intellect, and entertaining altogether. To expose them to various issues related to schooling, let them hear of things from a teacher's perspective, and encourage them to read, think and comment. Then at least the time that they spend online can be more productive ha.
Communicability
I hate to be unclear in communicating intentions. I therefore choose my words really carefully when writing emails, and rather dislike phone conversations for serious issues because my thinking process introduces awkward silences into the dialogue. I think the people who cannot find words to express exactly what they want to mean must be one of the most pitiful lot.
So, some peeving moments from this are when
- people try to be obfuscating in their speeches and hide the obvious lack of meaning/sense/logic in their grandiloquent choice of words.
- people's actions not aligned to their words; one or the other must be lying.
- people leave their intentions vague with the lack of effort to communicate well; they are only subjecting themselves to abuse from misinterpretations. Should we pity or blame them?
But I sometimes am guilty of similar crimes too, lacking the guts to say the words that hurt. Especially those that will hurt myself to say it more than the person who receives them. When I have to say things because my principles dictate so but am afraid of offending other's sensibilities. Humankind cannot bear very much reality, it seems to me - to see all the insolvable contradictions of emotions that can arise out of singular issues.
What I so very often want to say, at moments of the most urgent need, are only the bathetic and disappointing words echoed after Prufrock (After all, our archetypical modern anti-hero): "That is not what I meant at all, That is not it, at all"...
(Do read Primo Levi's essay on 'Communicating' to learn what a man who does not communicate will degenerate into.)
So, some peeving moments from this are when
- people try to be obfuscating in their speeches and hide the obvious lack of meaning/sense/logic in their grandiloquent choice of words.
- people's actions not aligned to their words; one or the other must be lying.
- people leave their intentions vague with the lack of effort to communicate well; they are only subjecting themselves to abuse from misinterpretations. Should we pity or blame them?
But I sometimes am guilty of similar crimes too, lacking the guts to say the words that hurt. Especially those that will hurt myself to say it more than the person who receives them. When I have to say things because my principles dictate so but am afraid of offending other's sensibilities. Humankind cannot bear very much reality, it seems to me - to see all the insolvable contradictions of emotions that can arise out of singular issues.
What I so very often want to say, at moments of the most urgent need, are only the bathetic and disappointing words echoed after Prufrock (After all, our archetypical modern anti-hero): "That is not what I meant at all, That is not it, at all"...
(Do read Primo Levi's essay on 'Communicating' to learn what a man who does not communicate will degenerate into.)
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Treasure trove of words
This is amazing - I just found this website that offers Free Poetry eBooks for all. It offers the bulk of each poet's corpus in the PDF documents (popular poets like Goethe had over 300 poems compiled, while Thomas Hardy had 249 etc), there are 20 poets on each page to browse on the site, and the entire site spans 74 pages of downloadable links. It's an incredibly stupendous project and I can't imagine why I never found this site in my undergrad days, orwhy it's all free.
I had downloaded more poems that I can ever read in this life from the site already; Do yourself the favour, do likewise, and once in a while see if you can experience a moment of epiphany by reading the world being described from a whole new perspective by someone else. T.S. Eliot says that good poetry is more often enjoyed than understood first, so don't let a perceived lack of a literary mind get in the way of enjoying words made entire new and novel again.
I had downloaded more poems that I can ever read in this life from the site already; Do yourself the favour, do likewise, and once in a while see if you can experience a moment of epiphany by reading the world being described from a whole new perspective by someone else. T.S. Eliot says that good poetry is more often enjoyed than understood first, so don't let a perceived lack of a literary mind get in the way of enjoying words made entire new and novel again.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Sporting Madness
This blog can hardly deviate from the topic of sports, but that's because it's what I do almost everyday - The time I spend reading or doing assignments is pathetic compared to my hours playing. I even joined 3E-3F's badminton class last friday, and today I joined my class's volleyball session. It was so good! The coach was a real professional, able to set appropriate drills, repeatedly emphasising key points, and making me learn so much in just 2 hours! I was definitely hooked when I did one really good spike that smashed down close to the net in the jump-and-spike drill, and I'm now more excited about learning volleyball than badminton ha...
I do know that my body's gonna take a real beating this semester though. I have been plagued with recurring sporadic bouts of flu, cough, mouth ulcers and diarrhoea that come and go like the waxing and waning of the moon since early December; now I'm afraid of my right rotator cuff muscles and right elbow getting injured from overuse with all that spiking/smashing/throwing actions in my sports.
Still, I can't help it, I'm really addicted to sports now! Now, that's howI think a proper semester in PESS should be like. If only I can stay for more years here...
I do know that my body's gonna take a real beating this semester though. I have been plagued with recurring sporadic bouts of flu, cough, mouth ulcers and diarrhoea that come and go like the waxing and waning of the moon since early December; now I'm afraid of my right rotator cuff muscles and right elbow getting injured from overuse with all that spiking/smashing/throwing actions in my sports.
Still, I can't help it, I'm really addicted to sports now! Now, that's howI think a proper semester in PESS should be like. If only I can stay for more years here...
On rackets...
Some things I realised recently:
- If your racket string breaks, cut all the strings away as soon as you can. The tension of the strings will pull on the frame unevenly and can warp the frame shape.
- If you get a head-heavy racket for smashing power, it doesn't make sense to get a heavy foam grip that evens off the weight distribution.
- The best rackets can make you a better player, but only marginally.
Back to the court!
- If your racket string breaks, cut all the strings away as soon as you can. The tension of the strings will pull on the frame unevenly and can warp the frame shape.
- If you get a head-heavy racket for smashing power, it doesn't make sense to get a heavy foam grip that evens off the weight distribution.
- The best rackets can make you a better player, but only marginally.
Back to the court!
A typical Sunday
For those who are not too familiar with my typical weekends, let's just say that it's basically an itinerary of activities one after another. It must have been years since I last slacked at home one whole day; usually the only times i'm at home during the weekends will be when I'm back to bath and sleep. Those were happening days in the past when I could do 3 different paddling activities in a single day, or do a combo of badminton-rock climb or rock climb-kayak etc.
Today was no exception - played badminton at Toa Payoh from 8-10am, lunched, went Wisma's Sony Ericsson shop wanting to replace my phone's joystick. Then it's down to Bras Basah to restring my racket, and I ended up buying Yonex's Muscle Power 99 that I've been eyeing for so long! It was a deal to get an entire package with strings and stuff for $160, particularly satisfying as i have been mulling over getting it for 2 years or so.
Went to the National Library next, browsed, read, and borrowed stuff. Just before reach Bugis MRT to get to Boon Lay, I remembered I needed something at Beach Road. Took a bus ride there, walked 2-3 rounds around the army knick-knack gear shops before getting my stuff and then rewarding myself with Ah Balling downstairs. Finally, a walk to Lavender train station to get to the western end, 179 to NTU, dinner, then polo training. Bathed, did laundry, went out for supper, and now here I am, typing this at an ungodly hour.
Phew what a day. Wouldn't want it any less tiring though.
Today was no exception - played badminton at Toa Payoh from 8-10am, lunched, went Wisma's Sony Ericsson shop wanting to replace my phone's joystick. Then it's down to Bras Basah to restring my racket, and I ended up buying Yonex's Muscle Power 99 that I've been eyeing for so long! It was a deal to get an entire package with strings and stuff for $160, particularly satisfying as i have been mulling over getting it for 2 years or so.
Went to the National Library next, browsed, read, and borrowed stuff. Just before reach Bugis MRT to get to Boon Lay, I remembered I needed something at Beach Road. Took a bus ride there, walked 2-3 rounds around the army knick-knack gear shops before getting my stuff and then rewarding myself with Ah Balling downstairs. Finally, a walk to Lavender train station to get to the western end, 179 to NTU, dinner, then polo training. Bathed, did laundry, went out for supper, and now here I am, typing this at an ungodly hour.
Phew what a day. Wouldn't want it any less tiring though.
Sports Training
Sports training need objectives. Especially if it's a competitive sport with competition seasons. Progressive training plan with set milestone objectives should be laid out.
Drills involving repetitive movements to train proprioceptive memory is only effective if it can be linked to further exercises that involve the drilled skills in game-like scenarios. If people are not performing under game pressure, that means the drills practiced were not made relevant and needs to be reassessed/modified/adapted/improved.
Objectives of drill tasks should be made explicit, and checks available to ensure that they are achieved. If drills are unsuccessful most of the time, it should be reassessed. Success should be a goal for drills, even easy success, before progressing on to more difficult drill tasks.
In games, the most important thing is possession. Reckless attacks which risks losing the ball is suicidal. Patience to go for the kill at the opportune moment is vital.
Aggression and 100% effort is necessary in training as well as competition. Incidentally, these act as indicators for the hunger of the team to succeed. If people are not substituting each other because they are too tired to continue, that means effort expended is not sufficient for the game to be competitive.
Everyone is only as good as the weakest standard in the team.
Drills involving repetitive movements to train proprioceptive memory is only effective if it can be linked to further exercises that involve the drilled skills in game-like scenarios. If people are not performing under game pressure, that means the drills practiced were not made relevant and needs to be reassessed/modified/adapted/improved.
Objectives of drill tasks should be made explicit, and checks available to ensure that they are achieved. If drills are unsuccessful most of the time, it should be reassessed. Success should be a goal for drills, even easy success, before progressing on to more difficult drill tasks.
In games, the most important thing is possession. Reckless attacks which risks losing the ball is suicidal. Patience to go for the kill at the opportune moment is vital.
Aggression and 100% effort is necessary in training as well as competition. Incidentally, these act as indicators for the hunger of the team to succeed. If people are not substituting each other because they are too tired to continue, that means effort expended is not sufficient for the game to be competitive.
Everyone is only as good as the weakest standard in the team.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
School
The second week of school flies by, almost unnoticed. Things are getting familiar again - the walk to the hall, the faces in the canteen. This semester seems like a breeze on paper, with five modules instead of nine in the last, and with one ending in another 5 weeks. Before I went into NUS, I thought that will be a wonderful place as I can just read literature, but I ended up dreading those silly compulsory modules. Things are still the same here...
Anatomy and Biomechanics - Had some interest last year to read up on anatomy last year, but with all due respect to Ms Wong, the lessons have so far been a bore. I don't even want to start thinking about biomechanics...
Instructional methods in PE - The aircon in the room must be drugged with sedatives. I'm allergic to the air in the room anyway, and now to add to that I have to fight weariness to stay with the languorously winding sentences...
Dance - Fun! Really interesting, really nice. Yes, I do enjoy the refinement of my kinaesthetic awareness through dancing, to respond to music through movement, and to hear folk music and mentally teasing out the hereditary elements from its ancestry, or to compare it to the classical canon. It can be as tiring as any sport, trust me.
Badminton - Needless to say, this is the best module for me. Am challenging myself to further improve my standards within this semester - a somewhat wishful thought given that I only reach my current mediocre standards after about 6 years of regular play, but a goal to work towards nonetheless.
Social Context in Teaching - Someone please tell me why postgraduates need to read this. Utterly boring, horribly inane, and with a spade of required readings and futile assignments to go along with it. All in all another dumb module reminiscent of Education Psychology II.
Anatomy and Biomechanics - Had some interest last year to read up on anatomy last year, but with all due respect to Ms Wong, the lessons have so far been a bore. I don't even want to start thinking about biomechanics...
Instructional methods in PE - The aircon in the room must be drugged with sedatives. I'm allergic to the air in the room anyway, and now to add to that I have to fight weariness to stay with the languorously winding sentences...
Dance - Fun! Really interesting, really nice. Yes, I do enjoy the refinement of my kinaesthetic awareness through dancing, to respond to music through movement, and to hear folk music and mentally teasing out the hereditary elements from its ancestry, or to compare it to the classical canon. It can be as tiring as any sport, trust me.
Badminton - Needless to say, this is the best module for me. Am challenging myself to further improve my standards within this semester - a somewhat wishful thought given that I only reach my current mediocre standards after about 6 years of regular play, but a goal to work towards nonetheless.
Social Context in Teaching - Someone please tell me why postgraduates need to read this. Utterly boring, horribly inane, and with a spade of required readings and futile assignments to go along with it. All in all another dumb module reminiscent of Education Psychology II.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Of paddles and pedals
Met up with Bings at Paddleculture today to mess around in the pool - he tried my 'Flight' boat and I used Andrew's, and both of us tried to adapt ourselves to the boat and see who can do all the polo boat tricks better. His opinion is that the boat isn't the easiest to get used to, though the 'vampire' wins it as the most difficult boat to master. Anyway I swear I'll make my Flight do playboat tricks eventually. Need to recover my gluteals by keeping it away from the bloody seat for a while though. And yup, I paddled in the rain today! Shiok...
Enric just bought a road bike! Stupid blackie went for a trail bike previously despite my persuasions on the virtues of a roadie, and now...see see? Pretty nice aluminium Scott, with a beautiful carbon fork. I'll like one too! Figured that if I know I'm gonna get one to cycle to my attachment school in June, I might as well get one when a good deal comes along and start using it now to go NIE. Though if I buy a beauty I wonder if I'll bear parking it in the open, subjected to the weather and strangers' scrutiny...
Enric just bought a road bike! Stupid blackie went for a trail bike previously despite my persuasions on the virtues of a roadie, and now...see see? Pretty nice aluminium Scott, with a beautiful carbon fork. I'll like one too! Figured that if I know I'm gonna get one to cycle to my attachment school in June, I might as well get one when a good deal comes along and start using it now to go NIE. Though if I buy a beauty I wonder if I'll bear parking it in the open, subjected to the weather and strangers' scrutiny...
Monday, January 09, 2006
Rain rain rain!
The weather is incredibly wet these days - How could so much water drench the island without pause from the same sky? The sky is a perpetual blank space, flat and featureless, refusing to give any signs as to when it will relent.
But it's lovely. To have nature forcing itself into our lives and consciousness, slowing traffic, disrupting plans. By making things difficult for us, it forces us to reconsider our plans and see which are the really important things we need to do. And I much rather hear the noisy rain than the noisy streets, because one can lull me to sleep while the other is just plain urban static.
And I can still go out paddle in the cool weather if I like, ha!
But it's lovely. To have nature forcing itself into our lives and consciousness, slowing traffic, disrupting plans. By making things difficult for us, it forces us to reconsider our plans and see which are the really important things we need to do. And I much rather hear the noisy rain than the noisy streets, because one can lull me to sleep while the other is just plain urban static.
And I can still go out paddle in the cool weather if I like, ha!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Life as a neophyte canoe polo player
The SRRR for canoe polo ended today - My team Vortex went in without anyone knowing who the hell we were, and I wonder what impression people had of us now. We played our first match using the heavy acrobats borrowed from SP and then ended up using more and more composite boats till it became 1 cyclone with 4 composites in match 4. But we got trashed 5-2 for the first two matches, both games letting in 3 goals by the 3rd minute. We got full-pressed (man-marked) from the 1st to the last minute against SP Rookies, and ended up 7 to nil I think. Won 2-1 for the last match against NP's 1st year team, but still we know we suck.
Have to balance our self-critique with small consolations though, seeing that we got no substitutes for the entire tournament, played once as a full team together only, and otherwise only training with 3-5 people doing attack-defence drills to no end. Think we got progressively better in attack, and we experienced firsthand the excellent standards of the better teams in the competition.
And yes, I'm actually glad to be in the group of death and to lose to the best in the land, than to go for cheap wins. Now I only need to remember these lessons well and work hard to achieve the potential that my boat allowed me.
Have to balance our self-critique with small consolations though, seeing that we got no substitutes for the entire tournament, played once as a full team together only, and otherwise only training with 3-5 people doing attack-defence drills to no end. Think we got progressively better in attack, and we experienced firsthand the excellent standards of the better teams in the competition.
And yes, I'm actually glad to be in the group of death and to lose to the best in the land, than to go for cheap wins. Now I only need to remember these lessons well and work hard to achieve the potential that my boat allowed me.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Inner music
It's a surrealistic experience to browse the National Library yesterday plugged into my earphones listening to Haas's 2nd string quartet (a recent gem of a discovery), as it is today, to a lesser extent, listening to music through my laptop in the NIE library. The silence of the external world and the enveloping aural haze sent my self into an aesthetic space detached from the surroundings, allowing me to contemplate what my eyes saw from a strange perspective.
Come to think of it, this reminds me of the scenes in 'Wings of Desire' where the angels contemplate the humans silently in the library, each absorbed in their own world. And I really wouldn't mind being deaf at these moment, with only my inner music to accompany my journeys. To see people move around me noiselessly with a detached sense of curiosity and amusement, and wonder why they can't see the meaninglessness of their frenzied activities and redundant chatter.
Many social commentaries have decried the ipod culture for turning people into self-absorbed beings walking around deaf to the world and allergic to human interactions. I see it as an act of necessity to escape the noisy demands of urban life. What do you think?
Come to think of it, this reminds me of the scenes in 'Wings of Desire' where the angels contemplate the humans silently in the library, each absorbed in their own world. And I really wouldn't mind being deaf at these moment, with only my inner music to accompany my journeys. To see people move around me noiselessly with a detached sense of curiosity and amusement, and wonder why they can't see the meaninglessness of their frenzied activities and redundant chatter.
Many social commentaries have decried the ipod culture for turning people into self-absorbed beings walking around deaf to the world and allergic to human interactions. I see it as an act of necessity to escape the noisy demands of urban life. What do you think?
Friday, January 06, 2006
Hello world
A new start to the year, and a new blog for everyone's entertainment. It has been a great holiday for me in december, and I have no doubt that life in the new year will bring more suprises. Alex - this is for you man. Hope you like this ha.
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