Quote of the week
“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.”
– Mark Spitz
Hello,
The shortest month of the year has passed by without much notice, although we had two birthdays in the family, me and my brother. We do not celebrate too much these days. It was otherwise a quiet month and I managed to read 13 books; nine fiction and four nonfiction. There was a meeting at the house of the host to the Little Black Library which is a private book box where you can leave books and take a few with you. It was a very nice gathering, and I held a small book quiz. So wonderful to discuss books with a book loving crowd.
This week’s quote is about sportsmen and women and their fantastic achievements in the sport they have chosen. I therefore take a look at world records in various forms.
Armand Duplantis
Armand Gustav "Mondo" Duplantis, born in 1999, is a Swedish-American pole vaulter, competing for Sweden. Last weekend he set another world indoor record of 6.22 metres (20 ft 5) during a gala in Clermont-Ferrand in France. The gala was arranged by his idol, mentor and friend, and great pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie. The competitors did not manage 6,01 but Armand continued and made a go for 6,22. He tried two times but the bar fell down. On his last try he was quite a bit over the bar.
This young man is the current Olympic and World outdoor and indoor record holder, as well as the European outdoor/indoor champion and Diamond League champion. He also held most records as a youth. An amazing guy.
A thought goes to all sportsmen and women who fight to come to the top. There are so much training, efforts and sacrifices behind the athletes, and I think we sometimes forget this. They give us so many exciting moments and we are grateful for this.
The Beatles
My friend Lena invited me to meet the Beatles. Well, not the original band, but one called The Cavern Beatles. It seems the Beatles made the first of their 292 appearances at Cavern Club in Mathew Street in Liverpool on February 9th 1961. 50 years on, The Cavern Beatles, is a band licensed by the club to perform the old Beatles’ songs. Not only the songs sounds familiar, but the four guys are dressed and act like the Beatles. When you see how they looked and acted in the beginning of the 60s, it is difficult to understand today, how chocked people, or maybe, parents, were when they hit the scenes.
Starting out with their very first hits, and looking all good in suits. As the songs and music develop the four changes clothes and hairdos to highlight the original members look and sound. The band indicated that when Beatles were on the scene the girls were screaming and crying. As they looked out over the somewhat over middle aged spectators, they realised they would not get the same treatment. Although some tried to scream accordingly. I did not see any tears though. It was a pleasant evening with many good old tunes that I had almost forgotten. It is amazing how many good songs the guys wrote and performed. One of the best bands ever.
Talking about music
While we are at it, let’s talk about music. I like pop music and enjoy listening to good songs. I have a playlist on Apple music, using Shazam when I hear a good song on the radio to find new downloads. I listen mostly to such music in the background. To really enjoy and go into the music, I prefer classical tunes.
Never say never, because there are some band I think are greater than life and that I really enjoy to listen to more thoroughly. Apart from Beatles that would be the other two greatest bands ever; Abba and Queen. The music of these bands, I think, will never be outdated. Radio Tirol is the local radio station in Innsbruck, and every day, at least when Martin and I are listening, they play a song by Abba and Queen. Yay!
Musings this week
I went to Karlskrona to visit my parents and my brother for a couple of days. Two birthdays had to be celebrated and a third coming up in March, my father who will be 98. Still fit as a fiddle. We always have great fun when we meet. I was hoping to walk around the central island of the old city, but the weather was foul, could hardly get out at all.
When reading I prefer paper and e-books to audio books. However, sometimes when you are doing other things it is nice to listen to a book. I have discovered that Agatha Christie is a good choice for listening. The text and plot are rather easy to follow, and the characters are well introduced. It keeps your concentration up since you can’t let you thought wonder, in case you miss a clue. Recommended to start with if you are not a book listener.
Blog posts this week
Just one post this week, too busy reading 13 books this month obviously. It is a wrap-up of my February reading month, and prospects for March reading.
That is all for this week.