Loose subject, just one stone to hit many birds

Today I found I almost lost my credit in my weekend tennis court.

While I was one of the three doing warm up and wait for the 4th person to play double, the anticipated fourth person was still watching the game under progress in the first court. When we were almost worn out, he still sit in there without joining in. Then the "lady Caroline" came, as always on this timing, filling in the 4 spot for warming up. With her in, the other two are not interested in playing game because of different level of game. Actually, she is fine in stroking, but people just teasing her and avoid teaming up with her. I really don't mind and suggest for a game, the other two kept silent, and the warming up become wearing out. I was getting mad and almost to that guy to tell him "if you don't want to play, why you come, and ruin the game?" I didn't, at the last minutes.

Then when we are all resting up, I saw him walking across our center court with a very stiff back, and slow speed. And I realized he was injured with spine. He was actually young and strong in serve, from my experience partnering up with him. I almost did a stupid thing if I let my temper erupt.

Then I played with Eddie, a familiar Philipino, a younger brother of Bob, another "persistent
guy " in this court for decades. We were playing well, and he made a good passing shot that I complimented. Later I also made one shot that caught my opponent unable to return back. He made a bigger compliment. I responded and said to him "I learn from you". It seems be be a courtesy back to him that put him in a mixed emotion for a while. I figure he might wonder how nice this guy is to make two persons happy with one comment, or how humble this Chinese guy is. Yes, it is our Chinese culture made us quite complicated for foreigners to figure out. At end, I served for a 6-4 win. He asked for another match, I had to excuse out since it is getting late and I was guilty of having my own fun and ingore my wife's health concern. She will always blame me for not taking her to a walk. I have to explain that I do not know if you are able to get up to walk, or just keep sleeping. ha ha, a routine argument that is her way to cover her weakness to sleep, I guesss.

We are mostly humble in individual level, but in a group, we may be totally different. Just yesterday our motherland China was doing different kind of huge event on the 60th anniversary of National Anniversary. The unprecedented scale of parade with army has delivered to the world this country is no more the one that was attacked under united front of eight invading countries. They are not hesitent in showing their richness in wealth, and strength in national defence.

On the other side of the trait, Taiwan, my home town country is very humble because its prosperity rely on China on a daily basis. It is also under two possible Typhoon on the eve of Moon Festival after a "human typhoon" attacked by Rebiya Kadeer, leader of Uighur association of Xinjiang providence. DPP, the political-minded only party ushered in such controversial figure into this island just in order to embarrass the ruling party and gain some votes in the coming election. They are really the minority group of people making Taiwan so humble, and their most popular icon is the prisoned ex-President, S.B. Chen.

God bless Taiwan. Be it free of nature disaster and self-destruction of their own people.