Chances

There are times when you really feel so helpless and depressed. Times like you seem to be so worthless and immobile. You are so incapable that even imagining the possibilities and opportunities, you can’t think of anything. You want to move on, fight and enlighten yourself, but frustrations and hopelessness is weakening you. Even if you try to reach out, there’s no one there. Your head is spinning out of so many things.

Honestly I know how does one feel. That is why I am imagining those who are without jobs or livelihood in our country. We have some friends who already went home and continue to be in touch and they are telling us how hard to cope with day to day living. How much more those who really have nothing. Those who have families (with many children) and plenty of mouths to feed. And that is speaking only of food, but what about clothing, shelter and education? You can say that they are feeling the same way as what I have mentioned above.

Could it be that there are those who are just lucky? Some have more chances, even without having to strive or exert effort are doing better in life. Is life really a race wherein those who are faster to grab the opportunities are the ones who get ahead in life. We can’t say that these people (above) want something more, I am sure they are wanting or wishing to have just enough. Life is different now compared to that some years before, where you can live decently even as a farmer, laborer or a factory worker. I can remember that in our neighborhood on those days, there are those who earn their living, not even as being regularly employed, but by being on their own as a carpenter, plumber, mason, barber, watch repairman, vendor, etc. And from those jobs, they were able to raise their children and most of them were able to produce successful professionals and businessmen.

Now, even doubling our effort or having to work even both as parents, we find it really very hard to cope with day to day expenses. One could be just as lucky if you have a stable job or business. I just can’t imagine those who don’t have or just lose their jobs. Much more, I cannot imagine myself being one (not again).

Life really is all about chances (or maybe choices). The ones you create for yourself and those you can create for others.

World Cup 2006

Football World Cup 2006 is almost over and is now down to the last two, meaning the FINALS. That is between Italy and France. I am sad my favorite team BRAZIL didn’t make it. They are the hot favorites at the start of this tournament. Anyway, so far it is a good tournament. Sadly also, I cannot enjoy it because I was not able to watch the game live.

As for this post, I would just like to make some suggestions regarding the format wherein after the game is tied even after the bonus 30 minutes each for both teams the game should be decided by penalty shoot outs. I wish they could come up with better way to break the tie. Penalty shootouts is very hard and cruel to both the teams (especially the players) and the fans.

I am thinking the following suggestions:

The first suggestion is to remove the goalkeeper. Allowing both teams to score as many points during regular play both without any goalkeeper.

The second is that each team will be given an advantage of 11-9 number of players at the first 2/3 part of the extra time in each half. The last 1/3 part (of each half) both teams can even the number of players. The idea is that to remove the disadvantage for the first team availing of the 11-9 ratio besides to allow the referee the same decisions in allowing extra minutes in the end for injury times as in the regular play.

As to future World Cups, I would like to suggest that those countries who until now have not have the chance to participate or make it to the World Cup finals be given the chance to have a tournament of their own. The Champion to be given the chance to play in the finals. This will be considered great by those countries wishing and dreaming of making it to the finals. This will revitalize the interest of other countries in football and encourage them to improve further their team and allow them the once in a lifetime chance of being in World Cup finals.

These are just some humble suggestions. I just really love sports.

Gentlemen Among Us

I like it when two people shake hands before a match, look each other in the eye with a smile and you can feel the sense of respect being given. Then I like it better that after the match the same act of respect is also readily given.

I like it when one suddenly speak in front of a noisy crowd arguing or quarrelling on something and shouted the word "Gentlemen", then everybody stopped followed by a complete silence. This means that these people understand the importance of the word and to be worthy of being one.

I like it when one readily acknowledge mistakes or acts of wrong doings at the same time knows how to save face by doing something to correct them. The same is true if he is a member of a group.

There is one good reason why we enjoy watching movies and sports competition. Because it is there where we can see "Great Men" and/or "Champions". We see those qualities of a man that we want to see. Characters that we wished we have in ourselves and most of all how we want those who have done excesses, abuses and other bad things punished. We even applaud or let us just simply say approve it "kapag binabatukan ng bida yong kontrabida". It is simply saying doing to them what they properly deserve.

Then normally after watching good movies we go home feeling good and feel somewhat influenced by the good things we have just watched, wanting to apply them in our day to day life. Therefore I must say that we always wanted to see the triumph of good versus evil. But sometimes we don't really have to watch sports or movies. In our day to day life, we can see some people like them. These are people who make great influence and without realizing it they somewhat become role models. It is but normal not to allow or let people make abuses and make it difficult for them to take advantage. Normally the better treatment would be putting them to shame, but most of the time the general reaction would be shying away from them making them isolated. You just don't want to be identified associated with those kind of people.

Now, I am wondering if we are living in "normal times". The way things are happening right now is really very disappointing. There seems to be no sense of good values being exhibited especially among our leaders. It's the numbers game as they keep on saying. As if what is good and bad or what is right and wrong is determined by who are in your side. So the battle is between those who are supporting and those who are against. It is not "I am innocent" or "I did not do anything wrong" that is being said, but it is "there is nothing you can proved."

The situation could be likened to a game wherein there is a team whose players (maybe some) are playing dirty and of course they are also winning and would eventually be the Champion. The other teams as expected would be protesting but the committees or the officials handling the game seem to be not concerned and just let the games to proceed as it is. So the other teams can choose from playing on with the game, play it also dirty themselves or leave the game and quit.

I just hope that some few good men come to their better senses and think of the future of our country. There is really a need to repair our damaged institutions and so much repair is required. Whether we disagree on what ways to pursue for our development, the most important thing is that we should all agree that we will not allow other people to take advantage or commit wrong doings at the expense of further damaging our institutions.