Of course it must be good news. I hear that the Olympic stadium in Tokyo is being refurbished and painted, and if that is not a sign that they believe the Olympic Games will be held, I don’t know what is. Of course the entire world is waiting and hoping for an announcement that there will, indeed, be competitions of Olympian proportions, but as to which countries are prepared and ready for the bouts, we still don’t know. One thing I believe is sure, the Japanese athletes are not taking chances, and are preparing round-the-clock for the contests.
***
What about other countries, our own Philippines, for one? Are there signs of intense preparations for the intensive competitions? Since vaccinations against the COVID have been going on full-swing, with all those vaccines being sent to us by other countries, we should prod our athletes to get on with their preparations and struggle for medals, especially the evasive gold ones. I have heard comments that it is virtually impossible for us to hope for group medals, especially gold ones, but there are good chances for individual ones.
***
So let us all cross our fingers, and also pray that the games will take place, and that our dear country will bring home one. That would be the first, wouldn’t it? Anyway, let us look at the advantageous side – if the games are postponed, that will only give us more time to prepare. And I hope it will be worth it. Especially in the team games, where we seem to have some disadvantages. Let this be the year for it, and let it be a prize for surviving the COVID!
***
Why is it that crime surges are constantly being reported in the United States? What makes people there so hot-headed that they would shoot each other for the slightest reasons. Lately, not only individual shooting, but “mass shootings” are being reported. Has life become so cheap there, and as easily extinguished as the means of acquiring guns? I have mentioned this before, I know, but, well, I am also realistic enough to admit that they have no way of hearing, much less, listening to me. But it is such a pity that lives can be so easily extinguished because access to deadly weapons is so easy there.
***
I heard from TV an item saying that the COVID virus continues to surge in the provinces in our country. What about the vaccines regularly being reported to be arriving here from other ones, the latest of which from the United States? Are they all being put to use? I hope, however, that our doctors and other medical practitioners manage to convince our citizens about the benefits of vaccination. Seems we still have many who fear, and actually avoid it. And that is a great pity, because some of those vaccines have short expiration limits.
***
Oh, the Oympics again! Now there is a new term “superfans”, which was probably coined for those who insist on the Olympics taking place, no matter what the consequences. Well, sports are supposed to be healthful activities, so the Olympics are expected to benefit participants. Already, I have heard that strict protocols are being set up, in case the games do take place. I bet that if a vote is taken, the votes for holding the games will win by a big majority!
***
Why does the new leader of Iran sound so hostile to the United States? So far, I have not heard anything encouraging for their relationship from EbrahimRaisi, the new head of Iran. That, even if we haven’t heard any reports about the reaction of the new U.S. president to that. When we keep watching, reading or listening to reports from all over the world, it seems as if the possibility of peace these days is very, very fragile, indeed. And that is very alarming for mankind, with so many deadly armaments already discovered.
***
Now, now, what is this? The former First Lady of Nicaragua was reportedly detained by the police for allegedly having said something against the administration! Now, are their leaders so onion-skinned that they would arrest or detain anyone, especially a former first lady, for criticizing their incumbent leaders? They should take a cue from the Philippines where people who go into politics prepare for it by developing thick hides! Nobody with onion skin should attempt to go into the tough world of politics, but it’s still a wonder why so many risk so much to get into it!*