11.4.2024 Thursday - poolside sketching

We attend RF's dad's funeral. When we arrive, the monks had finished their prayers and one of them is giving a sermon. We sit on the carpet and listen from the rear of the gathering. RF turns around and catches sight of us, she comes over to sit with us. She is tired but seem relieved, and pleased to see us - we chat although we are often interrupted by folks who come to introduce themselves to her. The poor thing cannot recall many of them - friends of her late mother, distant relatives, dad's colleagues. We leave as the coffin was getting ready to depart for the crematorium. 

Today  is still a public holiday so I go to the club, sit myself in the dining room next to the pool and draw for a few hours before squash. I see Louis and Louise in an adjacent table poring over something - these two have a common bond, they are good friends enjoying each others company and simple things in life; a meal, a long table with books and papers for reading and writing. 

 

29th November 2023 Wednesday - good people

 Today is an easy day, and I sleep in until 7a.m.

Helping Hailey look at birds

I am always happier when I have a chance to draw and to talk to the people in the office. I feel surrounded by good people, and it makes me feels a little invincible. Which is a dangerous feeling if one lets it get to our heads. 

When you are surrounded by good people, there is little that you cannot do. 

Can you design? yes. and do you do site inspections? yes, it is part of our job. 

Do you go yourself? yes, I am the person who sign the drawings. 

Do you draw? yes, quite well. Make furniture? Cook lunch for 20 people? Speak in public? yes, yes, yes. 

An event in the evening disappoint Sam and I beyond anger and frustration. A father and his children seated outside a restaurant does not teach his children to pay respects and greet their grandmother who is dining inside. The grandchildren have been away from home for two years, and have not seen grandma for that time.

10 March 2022 Thursday

I knew the time would come. 

Time when the registered members of the tennis club commented on my using 'their' courts without registering as a member, enough was enough - there is a limit to their hospitality. So, ok - no more tennis with Patrick after work.

Patrick is a registered member, and found it hard to understand why I couldn't simply join and pay the monthly RM 20. To explain - there are 4 courts, 3 good ones and 1 not so good one which we normally use because the registered members prefer to play doubles on the good courts. So, I thought everyone was happy; no objections, everyone and everything in its place.

But no, even if the courts are unoccupied between 4 and 7pm, non registered members cannot use them. Those are the rules apparently; exclusive and narrow minded, entitled and precious to a select few, although our club fees paid towards the recent upgrading of 3 courts.

I am not upset, (I can still play in the mornings) but I'm sad that after what we collectively gone through in the past 2 years, there are still people who are selfishly guarding 4 rectangles of concrete for 3 hours each evening, and for what? The betterment of their favourite sport? I think not, injecting new blood and welcoming new people is a better way. There can be one court (the not so good one) retained for anyone to show up and have a hit; young people, beginners or players like Patrick and I who want to hone our skills.

But no, it is to be very exclusive, for registered members only. Which is why I can't become one of them. Sorry, Patrick.