As we celebrate the anniversary of my birth 31 winters ago, winter is coming and a dark cloud hangs overhead to subdue festivities…
I’m not normally the one to party wildly on my birthday, but with the global pandemic of Covid-19, I wouldn’t feel inclined to do so even if I could. I have sworn an oath of solitude until the pestilence is purged from the lands (sounds better than I can’t go out because of the virus, don’t you think?). However, let us not lower the tone too much, it is a celebration after all, enjoy yourself! A wise decision, I think.
Wisdom is generally associated with age and experience, but it isn’t correlated with intelligence and that is actually technically true. However, before we get lost in a philosophical and psychological discussion as to what wisdom is and is not, let’s move on shall we?
As someone who is continually in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, I’m motivated to close the gap between what I know and what I don’t know, however, I know that the completion of this task will never come, but this doesn’t make my efforts futile. I desire a full and deep experience of being, and there’s still a ways to go before achieving that.
What I find helps give me a greater understanding of life is reading widely and of high quality (and what is “quality” I hear you say, a topic for another post). I’m fortunate enough to have been blessed with an affinity for reading teamed together with an inquisitive mind, which makes this task a joy rather than arduous. Maybe I’ll do some book reviews or a list of good reads in the future.
Speaking of the (near) future, Mother’s Day is this Sunday (10th). Shout out to all the great mothers out there, sacrificing to make sure their families are functioning on all cylinders, a lot of the time to the detriment of themselves.
From the future to looking back, I like finding notable people I admire born on the same day as me. Sir David Attenborough is someone who I have grown up watching his nature documentaries and who I immensely respect and could listen to for hours. Sir David will be turning 94, and I salute this man-made wonder for exposing me to many of nature’s wonders.
The other notable person I will mention is none other than Michael Bevan, saviour of the Australia cricket team on numerous occasion. All I need to hear are the iconic words of Bill Lawry: “It’s Michael Bevan’s evening here at the Sydney Cricket Ground.”, and I’m instantly transported back to New Year’s Day, 1996, when he scored a remarkable 78 not out and led Australia to victory after being 7 for 74 against the West Indies. No matter what the score, you always felt a chance with Michael Bevan at the crease, a true master of the run-chase.
I thought I’d finish off this birthday post with some fun and light-hearted quick fire questions for your entertainment and offering a little insight into who I am.
Five films that never get old?
The Shawshank Redemption
The Lion King
Commando
Days of Thunder
Top Gun
In the spirit of May the Fourth be with you, favourite Star Wars movie?
Return of the Jedi
Favourite music genre?
Classical or Rap/Hip-Hop
Favourite artist?
Michael Jackson
Favourite Comedian?
Dave Chappelle
Favourite food?
Fish & Chips
Favourite drink?
Whisky
Favourite five video games?
Assassin’s Creed II
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
The Witcher 3
(Many honourable mentions haha)
Favourite travel destination?
Italy
Favourite five sports?
Basketball
Cricket
MotoGP
Formula 1
WRC (World Rally Championship)
What did you want to do when you grew up?
Play cricket for Australia
And now that you’ve grown up?
Help people live the best lives they can through sharing my insights, knowledge and wisdom.
Skill you’d like to learn?
Play the piano
Something you wish you were more proficient at?
Speaking other languages, especially Italian
Favourite book as a child?
Tomorrow series by John Marsden
Last book the made you go “wow”?
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Current book?
Dante’s “The Divine Comedy”
Describe yourself as an animal?
Bear
If you had a warning label, what would it be?
“Caution: May use big words”
Five things you look for most in people?
Honesty
Trust/Loyalty
Humour
Inquisitive/Curious
Competence
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