Thursday, February 22, 2018

Thursday 22nd February 2018...Oh come on!!!!!!

First of all I want to say congratulations to the USA Olympic ladies hockey team on their gold medal coming from behind but I must protest the way the game ended is in my humble opinion so very wrong........

This is a team sport and for the outcome to be judged on a penalty shoot out is crazy...every other team game they play till one of the teams win can you imagine how the Canadian girl who missed her shot must feel and have to live with that...I vote if you play as a team you win or lose as a team......

Winter Olympics: USA beat Canada on penalties to win women's ice hockey gold





USA beat Canada to win women's ice hockey gold




The United States beat Canada 3-2 in a sudden-death shootout to win Winter Olympics gold in the women's ice hockey for the first time in 20 years.
The scores were level at 2-2 after five penalty shots each, but USA's Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scored past Shannon Szabados before Maddie Rooney saved from Canada's Meghan Agosta.
Canada won gold at the previous four Olympics, including victories over USA in the 2002, 2010 and 2014 finals.
The game had ended 2-2 after overtime.
Hillary Knight opened the scoring for USA but Haley Irwin and Marie-Philip Poulin put Canada ahead before Monique Lamoureux-Morando took the match into overtime in Pyeongchang.
USA beat Canada in the first women's ice hockey Winter Olympic final in 1998.

'Oops, I did it again'

Lamoureux-Davidson said she had repeatedly practised the move in which she feinted to the left before taking the puck round Szabados to the right to score the winning penalty-shot.
"I've done that thousands of times around tyres just set out on open ice," she said. "It's called 'Oops, I did it again' and I'm just thrilled beyond words.
"I've butchered it a thousand times, ran into tyres, tripped over tyres just working on my hands. I'm just glad it worked out this time.
"This victory is special and it's going to give us an even bigger platform to make a bigger difference."
Twin sister Lamoureux-Morando added: "It's a move that our coach Peter Elander worked on with us over the last four years, not just on the goalie, but against defenders.
"We've screwed it up plenty of times, but she pulled the perfect time to pull it off."


Ok Now I know this will upset my good friends Norma and Croft but give me a break the guy loses his medal for a doping violation in CURLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doping in cycling, running, swimming, football  I understand but CURLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


They should give him a medal for chump of the games!!!!!!

Winter Olympics: Russia curler Alexander Krushelnitsky stripped of bronze for doping






Alexander Krushelnitsky won bronze in the mixed doubles alongside wife Anastasia Bryzgalova
Alexander Krushelnitsky won bronze in the mixed doubles with wife Anastasia Bryzgalova

Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky has been stripped of his Winter Olympics bronze medal after being found guilty of doping.
The 25-year-old was one of 168 Russians allowed to compete as neutrals at the Games despite the country being banned for previous doping offences.
Krushelnitsky, who won mixed-doubles bronze with wife Anastasia Bryzgalova, tested positive for meldonium.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said he admitted the anti-doping violation.
With Krushelnitsky and Bryzgalova's third place annulled, when the bronze medal is officially reallocated it will go to Norway.
The International Olympic Committee banned Russia from this month's Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea over "systemic" doping at Sochi 2014, which Russia hosted.
But athletes who could prove they were clean were allowed to compete as Olympic athletes from Russia (OAR). The team of 168 was the third biggest behind Canada and the United States.


Winter Olympics: OAR win the first ever bronze medal in mixed doubles curling

On Tuesday, the OAR team said a criminal investigation had been opened into Krushelnitsky's positive test.
It said there was "no evidence of the systematic usage of meldonium", and that he returned a clear sample on 22 January, when the team's curlers were tested before flying out to South Korea.
It added that "unbiased results" of the analysis of Krushelnitsky's samples showed a concentration of meldonium "indicative of taking it once" which would be "absolutely useless and ineffective in the context of enhancing physical performance or sports results".
Meldonium, a substance that increases blood flow and improves exercise capacity, was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list in 2016.

Analysis

BBC sports news correspondent Alex Capstick in Pyeongchang
In the end, the verdict was a formality. There was no alternative once Krushelnitsky accepted a doping violation had been committed, despite his claims that it wasn't deliberate.
So how will the ban influence the IOC's decision on whether to lift Russia's suspension? We only know that it will be one of a number of factors taken into account by an implementation group which has been monitoring the behaviour of OAR competitors during the Games.
It is chaired by Nicole Hoevertsz, a former synchronized swimmer from Aruba, who made it clear that anything is possible. "We're not excluding any options," we were told as she was whisked through the lobby of the IOC's hotel.
So what are those options? Apparently it's not a simple yes or no. It seems a partial reprieve is also on the table, whatever that means.
And what to make of a meeting on Wednesday between IOC leader Thomas Bach and Russian government official Igor Levitin, who also happens to be an aide to president Vladimir Putin? The IOC stressed the discussion lasted four minutes and was to congratulate Levitin on his birthday, but it also came hours before Krushelnitsky's agreement not to contest the doping charge.
Members of the IOC's executive board have been reluctant to express their opinions until they have seen the final report. But what is clear is that their ruling on Saturday is becoming increasingly difficult to predict.


Yashi Kochi!!!!

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Wednesday 21st February 2018...a good day!!!

Felt good when I woke up this morning and after breakfast went for a 3 mile walk around the town and I enjoyed the sunshine and the exercise!!!

Poker this afternoon and happy to report that I won again....it does not matter that it was only 10 pesos a win is a win in my books!!!!

Class tonight was great I copied off an article outlining the difference between a cold and a the flu and they each took turns reading and then we talked about the content.

I surprised my young student Adel with a Birthday cake ..it is his 19th Birthday tomorrow..we all helped him celebrate with cake and a drink and the singing of Happy Birthday!!!





A good day!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Tuesday 20th February 2018...on the courts again!!!

It felt really good to be back on the tennis courts this morning and I do realize that playing tennis and watching is one of my passions and as I begin to tell you my summer plans you will realize that tennis will be a big part of those plans.....


I will admit to being a tad tired when I got home and I made myself a nice sandwich and took a short nap......

Spent the afternoon watching a great live soccer game and then this evening Gracie and I went out for dinner it seems to be a Tuesday tradition Country fried chicken at La Frontera.....

So getting stronger everyday.....

Yashi Kochi!!!

Monday, February 19, 2018

Monday 19th February 2018..I made it!!!

This morning I felt the best I had in over two weeks...my chest infection seems to be clearing up....my body has energy and I have my appetite back......I am still not going to rush back to my usual activities and  will still take it a little bit easy but I am going to go to the courts tomorrow and see how I feel...I have cancelled my gym sessions and may start again on Friday.



Thanks for all the e mails of good wishes....just as a comparison...my Doctor's visit last Thursday I made the day before (unheard of in Canada).......Dr. Marco gave me a great examination and pills for the next 7 days and cough medicine for the next week and the charge was 700 pesos.....just saying!!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!!

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Sunday 18th February 2018.........slam update!!


Well the drugs are slowly taking effect and I am feeling stronger each day, eating a bit more and I was happy to see that I had lost 9 pounds which is the weight I put on over the holidays when I was so busy with 3 Kings......

I still am a long way from full energy so have cancelled my gym sessions for Monday and Wednesday and may try tennis on Tuesday morning!!

Today was the Valentine's tennis slam that I had arranged and sad I could not take part but 8 of my great friends showed up dressed as I had ordered.....well almost everyone!!

Ladies I must tell you this photo is pretty graphic but Rob and his adorable wife Diane looked great!!!

Sadly Rob's Mum is very very sick and he wanted me to take this photo to send to his Mum!!!


I know you cannot tell my looking but there are some really great tennis players here!!!

I stayed and watched a little and I hear they had a great time.....

Yashi Kochi!!!!!


Friday, February 16, 2018

Friday 16th February 2018....health update!!!

This flu like stuff that I have is hanging around it has been 8 days now so I broke down finally(yes Linda you helped) and went to my Doctor.......

He game me a thorough examination and told me that the whole right side of my chest is congested and now I have drugs!!!!!!!!

I am not good at being sick but I know I must rest and I have cancelled everything again for this weekend and into next week but I am sure the drugs will kick in and do their job!!!

Such a tragic loss of life at another school...seems to easy a solution to ban all automatic rifles to civilians......

Also found out that most airlines now charge up to 100 dollars for a checked bag...I shall be looking for carry on luggage from now on.

Wish you all a great weekend...

Yashi Kochi!!!!!

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Wednesday 14th February 2018......a very special day!!!

I posted this post below in 2009 and I just could not write a better tribute so here it is again and as true now as it was then.



floewers I would like to take this opportunity to say hello and to wish a very happy Valentines Day to all the women in my life. I know that sounds like a Willie Nelson song and  I don’t mean it that way. There have been many women who have played and still play a significant role in my life, I don’t want to name names but you know who you are and I thank you all for being there for me. So to these special ladies have a wonderful day  and blessings to you.
Another reason this is such an important day in my life is that this is the day that my Mum passed away in 1995.mum2 Here we are in Bermuda you only have to check out the side burns and the crazy shirt to know this was the fabulous seventies.
This one was taken in England on my first day as a Bobby, probably 1968.mum 1
Mum and Dad had been in Portugal for 7 weeks and arrived home about 11.30pm in the evening and all was well they had a great holiday and they went to bed. They slept in separate bedrooms because of my Mum’s snoring, so as usual Dad kissed her good night and went to his room. In the morning he went into her room to find her gone, she had died in her sleep. No illness, no lingering health defects, just a weak heart, she was 75 years old.
She was the most remarkable woman I have ever met in my whole life and I am so proud and happy she was my Mum. I never heard her say a disparaging remark about anyone, she never lost her temper and had a kind word for everyone. Mum was always there for me even though we spent nearly 25 years several thousand miles away from each other. She was the only person who ever called me by my full name and when she did I knew I was in trouble and that I had better stop hanging a licking on my older brother!!!
Many years since you have been gone and Mum I love you still and miss you and wish you could have taken that ride in Ramona.

Yashi Kochi!!!



Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Tuesday 13th February 2018...Shrove Tuesday!!!

medical update....



Well I am happy to report that I am starting on the road to recovery

I take pride in my health and my body and consider myself quite strong even for my age but this bout really knocked me back and I feel sad for those people that are not as strong because I was mainly in bed for 5days.....
My aches have gone and I have a little appetite returning....
Yesterday I had arranged a special class for my English students and I did not want to disappoint them so I bought a face mask and slowly walked to class last night...
This lovely young lady Kristen and her charming husband Rob came to class and it was such a great hit for my students.
Rob is from the deep south and he told the history of Madri Gras and it was all new to me...part of the long standing tradition is of decorating coconuts to throw on parade day ......they brought coconuts for everyone with all the materials to decorate them...it was such a wonderful time for me to sit back and watch these talented people display their artistic talents!!!
Enjoy the photos!!!!!!




Today I made pancakes!!!!!!

Shrove Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent. It's a day of penitence, to clean the soul, and a day of celebration as the last chance to feast before Lent begins. But there's more to Shrove Tuesday than pigging out on pancakes or taking part in a public pancake race. The pancakes themselves are part of an ancient custom with deeply religious roots.

Penitence


Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving that Christians used to undergo in the past. In shriving, a person confesses their sins and receives absolution for them. When a person receives absolution for their sins, they are forgiven for them and released from the guilt and pain that they have caused them. In the Catholic or Orthodox context, the absolution is pronounced by a priest. This tradition is very old. Over 1000 years ago a monk wrote in the Anglo-Saxon Ecclesiastical Institutes:

In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him.

Shrove Tuesday celebrations


Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it's the last day before Lent. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent. Giving up foods: but not wasting them. In the old days there were many foods that observant Christians would not eat during Lent: foods such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on the shriving Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off.

The need to eat up the fats gave rise to the French name Mardi Gras; meaning fat Tuesday. Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of









Rob is also a computer whiz and he is going to look at my computer tomorrow because even though I had a new hard drive installed the computer still freezes up..so hopefully Rob can help with that!!

I am still not up to going out but I may try a short walk later on today after I watch a live international soccer game ....

I found this photo on my desk top and I really like it ..of course I am being silly but why not????



Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Saturday 10th February 2018.......sleeping!!!

Today was a very slow day which I spent most of the day sleeping...I have no appetite but realize I do need to eat something...I am drinking lots of fluids....My body feels like a Mack truck hit me.....anyway going to have some soup then try to watch a movie before going to bed early!!!

I realize looking at past blogs I have been writing January still.........

Yashi Kochi!!!

Friday, February 09, 2018

Friday 9th January 2018...glad I am not running a marathon!!!

Without complaining too much just let me say I am feeling a tad sick!!!!!!!!  Thanks for the kind e mails and the good friends who sent me "funny" emails thanks too...I think!!!!!

My techie brought over my computer and of course I have to start from the beginning loading all my stuff it did not go too well...so I closed it down and will look at it when my brain is not fogged...

.

Spent the whole day at home and slept a lot..I have cancelled everything for the next 3 days and even postponed the Tennis slam till the following Sunday...three other players were sick!!!

Ok going to try to watch a movie and see if I can stay awake.....

Yashi Kochi!!!!

Thursday, February 08, 2018

Thursday 8th January 2018......well I wasn't normal for long!!!!!

There is a really bad strain of flu going around town and when I woke up this morning I knew I had been caught....scratchy throat and aches and pains........I did manage to go play tennis but afterwards came home and hunkered down.

I have multiple throat lozenges......vitamin C...and bed rest is the ticket for me....



I have cancelled my gym session for tomorrow morning and cancelled my tennis for Saturday morning but I have organized another tennis Slam for Sunday afternoon and hoping I can play in that but will have to wait and see......

OK this kid is going to bed!!!!


Yashi Kochi!!!!

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

Wednesday 7th February 2018....back to "normal"

I still do not have my computer back so using the same header photo of my SIL and Bro!!!!!

Jen my Land lady loaned me a computer so I have able to post but not photographs......

Had a great workout at the gym today with Aaron I do like his style of teaching and I feel stronger I think already after three weeks.....

Back to normal at poker this afternoon with a 120 pesos win!!!!

Off to class in a few minutes...Last Monday was a holiday so I have not seen them for a week!!!

All is well the weather is warm now and lovely.....

Hope you had a great safe day!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!!

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Tuesday 6th January 2018.....i think

Finally I think I figured it out..my computer is very sick and I need a new hard drive so my techie ordered one but will take a few days to get here hence no blog....i am using my Smart phone which is smart..but me not so....anyway I hope this comes through....thanks for the caring e mail wondering if I am alright......should have the computer by the end of the week.
🎾📟

Sushi Kochi!!

Thursday 5 th January 2023…it was a great run!!!

 This was my first ever blog post back in November of 2006!!! With just a couple of days off I have written a blog every day since and I hav...