It had been a quiet winter for me. No big news around the globe that are worth mentioning or debating about. Forget about Toyota and valuation of yuan. Earthquakes are now of frequent occurrence round the Pacific Rim. Terrorists are still everywhere in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Palestinians are back to the fight with Israelis. Southern Europe are giving unwelcome news of their ailing economies.
There were more liveliness in Vancouver for the Winter Olympic. Thank goodness it ended well (that should be the way to remember the city), making a U turn from the worst expected start. The good news are that there are no more giant companies falling and most economies are now technically out of recession. Things are even looking brighter on this small island that I stay in. Property prices have been on the rise for the past 24 months. News of the latest developments in the integrated resorts are keeping interests on this country high. Stakes are high on this and the government will never let it fail. So, the people believe.
One thing to look forward to is probably the World Cup in South Africa. After 4 years of waiting, it is time to get an update of who is the world’s best. After watching Invictus, I have a feeling that this World Cup is the perfect opportunity for the blacks in South Africa to prove something. By recent traditions, a no. 4 placing might be desirable.
A rare quietness prevails in the White House as well. Other than a few foreign exchanges, the President seems to have simmered down. Reforms seem to be a thing in the past; job done and rest is up to those below him. Perhaps we should define this the moment of truth. A moment when big plans are translated into big actions, and hopefully into big results as well. It decides if the President’s honeymoon year turns out to be a perfect marriage. Symptoms can be defined as smoke screens to divert the attention of the public (who are watching closely) to other matters such as nuclear threats, war with terrorists, unbalanced trade with the world, and the stability of Middle East.
Yes, big plans need time. They need more than that. But the clock is ticking and time waits for no man. It’s hard to determine what is a good plan. A good plan may start off bad and turn out better than expected. An effective plan is different. It produces results, in a very short term. So, a good and effective plan might just be the ideal case for everyone.
Quiet is good. It keeps one and all calm. Winter makes you feel numb too. It reminds me of a scene in part III, “Return of the King” of the Lord of the Rings, the night before Gandalf prepared for war with Sauron in Gondor. The wise man warned the Hobbit the calm before the storm.
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