Sunday, April 17, 2005
In the past 2 weeks alone, there has been several shifts in powers around the world.
First, it was the demise of Pope John Paul II. The one and only pope known to a large proportion of Catholics, especially they younger generation. With the third longest pontificate in the history, he will definitely go down as one of the most remembered pope and face of the Catholic Church. His pressence also helped contributed to the end of Gorbachev's and Castro's communist rule. More amazingly, a mere 3 words from him, led to the liberation of Poland without spilling any blood. He survived an assasination and only to emerge with an act of stunning virtue: his forgiveness of his would-be assassin in his prison cell. Come Monday, the cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pontiff. Wonder if John Paul's successor will have as great as impact as he did.
Anyway, the Sistine Chapel is beautiful. Its walls and ceilings are covered with paintings by Michaelangelo.
This is on the main wall of the Sistine Chapel. Stretches all the way to the ceiling and corners. And trust me, the wall is HUGE. Its called "The Last Judgement" by Michaelangelo. Its really amazing how someone could actually cover the walls and the ceiling of the chapel with his paintings. Michaelangelo's famous "Creation of Man" is also found in the fresco ceiling of the chapel. Somehow, I feel that people of the past are more superior to modern man. We don't have such wonderful creations anymore. For example, I don't think the sculptures of Botero or Bourgeois are comparable to that of Michaelangelo or Donatello, bearing in mind that they didn't have high-tech tools in the past. Neither do I see the beauty in the so called "modern" art which sometimes requires nothing but a haphazard splashing of paint. It is the the Leonardos and Van Goghs that are drawing the crowds to museums. Although I couldn't see what's the fuss about the Mona Lisa, partly because there were too many people and they kept the queue moving, but Leonardo's other works are amazing. You have to see, to believe.
So, there goes the one Great man, with a new ruling power soon to to be elected.
Anyway, the picture of the Last Judgement is a poster on my room wall. Bought it from the Vatican.
Next, Monaco also has its own mourning to do with the passing of Prince Rainer. Famous for his wedding to Grace Kelly, but also expanding the principality's economy beyong its gambling base. Anyway, Monaco is a nice place, more for a day trip from Nice. Nice marina filled with yachts and the casino lined with ferraris, porsches and lambourghinis, though you need to pay to enter the damn casino.
So this also great monarch has gone, and his son Albert will succeed him. Prince Albert, though, I seriously doubt his capacity to succeed his lofty father.
Finally, the one closest to my heart. The downfall, or impending downfall of a dynasty in the local schools rugby scene. ACS(I) was once again defeated at the hands of the Saints in the B Division for the second year (at least its not the green Waffles who beat us). Anyway, Saints used to be the powerhouse of rugby when the game was first included as an inter-school sport. They ruled for years till they were overthrown by the green Waffles. The Saints have this song that their supporters always sing. "Oh when the saints, go marching in....". I guess when Waffles beat them repeatedly in the past, Saints were really marching... into the dumps. Then Waffles ruled the rugby schools fraternity for the another long period.
However, in 1994, someone in the land of red, blue and gold decided to do something. The green Waffles had to be stopped! So this burly rugby coach cum Lit teacher, came knocking on every sec 1 classroom one fine day, and pulled many innocent young boys out of their classrooms. They had their names taken down, and were asked to report for a TRIAL. Among those picked was a nerdy top student called Mingmong. heh.
Anyway, shall cut the story short, but one day I will do a story on us huh guys. Wait till I get my hands on some pics of you all.
So this team went on to win the C Div title, and the B Div title (the first in 34 years) for ACS(I). We were A students, but still we pushed aside all self-interests to go to ACJC as a team, and complete our collection of titles with the A Div title. Since our team, ACS(I) has went on to win both C and B titles for years. So did the ACJC dudes.
But now, AC's dominance as the rugby power house of the decade has been broken. Seems like the gauntlet is going back to Saints. Their rise to ascendency has finally come. Hopefully its not for long.
Sigh.
