nostr:npub1jlp5g79dvclru3lekdjd922vj5nx5d5zfxmrqcql6c8489tnevcq630cfy Would be hard to make an international comeback in hockey. It’s a major sport in Canada, USA, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, etc.

nostr:npub1e0sg4hfxaeu67vmpx2vfedru765lyw35yp7t4r7uhwswra3hxzsqjan6zr Sure, but it has a bigger population than Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

It’s funny, even sports that are popular in Canada—sports we think we invented—were invented by Brits. I’m taking about ice hockey and curling.

Brits used to be good at ice hockey, even medaling at the Olympics once upon a time. But they get smashed at ice hockey when they play internationally.

British people have a habit of inventing sports and then not being the best at them.

Take badminton. They invented it. To this day, the most prestigious badminton event is the All England.

But what countries are best at it? China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Denmark. Brits don’t even have a single player in the top 10.

Brits invented football but I think Brazil, France, and Argentina are better at it.

Brits invented cricket. But India and Australia are better at it.

Brits invented rugby. But Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa are better at it.

Brits invented boxing. They do very well at it. The current heavyweight division is dominated by Brits. But I think the most successful nations at boxing are USA and Mexico. Puerto Rico has the most success per capita when you consider population, though.

My wife says that mixed doubles in badminton is the hardest game to play because the strategic goal is to keep the woman at the front of the court and move the opposing team’s man to the front of the court.

WOW! Beiwen Zhang just won the Australian Open 21-8! First American to ever pull that off! And at 33-years-old too!

What a performance! What a story!

Currently 11-2 for Beiwen Zhang at the 3rd game. Kim Ga Eun would need a big comeback to win this.

Beiwen Zhang doesn’t win often against Koreans. So this is a big deal.

Wow! It’s now 1-1 apiece! Women’s finals at the Australian Open is going to a 3rd game! Either woman could win this!

I’m cheering for Beiwen Zhang because she’s 33-years-old. In badminton, it’s unheard of for a woman that age to reach the top 10—which might just happen!

The women’s final for the Australian Open is really good. The rallies are incredible. It’s USA vs. South Korea. And it’s really nip and tuck.

Beiwen Zhang (USA) vs. Kim Ga Eun (South Korea). Neither have won a world tour final.

Making myself longjing green tea. Putting it directly in my mug. Water is at 75C.

No need for a pot 🙂

And it wasn’t just action films Hong Kong was good at. It was art house cinema too.

I don’t think there’s a single film that’s more well shot than In The Mood for Love. Every frame is practically a painting. And it’s a devastating movie too.

Look at this film still. Now understand that every frame is this well composed. This is true art.

https://atomicpoet.org/media/cebf869a-c955-4bdb-9db3-55270c75d9cb/IMG_5318.webp

And by the way, that’s taking nothing away from everywhere else. Just mentioning what was big when I was growing up here in Canada.

Hong Kong culture was everywhere. Everyone knew Jet Li, Chow Yeun Fat, Jacky Chan, Andy Lau, Michelle Yeoh, and more.

And there was nothing better than a Hong Kong action flick. Nothing.

I know kids these days are all about anime and K-dramas. But when I grew up, Hong Kong was where it was at in terms of exposure to Asian culture(s).

I’ll never forget the classic Hong Kong films like A Better Tomorrow, Hard Boiled, God of Gamblers, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, and Mad Detective.

And then there were singers like Fay Wong, The Wynners, and others.

I’ve always wanted to visit Hong Kong but my wife says it’s completely different from how it was in the 90s.

My wife prefers 80s and 90s Cantopop. But for me, I like the 70s variety better. So much of it is a balance between traditional Chinese music and rock n’ roll.

You got guitar, organ, violins. And then where the traditional Chinese elements show up is in the singing and drums. Every so often, we’re treated to a gong.

If you ever grew up with Shaw Brothers kung fu films, then you’ve probably heard it. So much of the soundtracks for these films had Cantopop.

Anyway, here’s what I’m listening to right now.

nostr:npub1g43gezwlzmxd9ynk2znh64lrazu5ulgw74nkgpgf9damgnawxw7sjwqedu Yep, already noted about Nepali tea. It’s my 4th favourite black tea after Darjeeling. I’m glad it’s getting more attention lately.

I’ve never had wild tea from Vietnam but I have had it from Laos—which has tea trees nearly as old as Yunnan. It’s good but it’s definitely different from Chinese tea.

When I think about Vietnam, I more think about their coffee—which is legendary.

nostr:npub1wa0rqtnmc46ju9wvkdp3hwdqqenmtw7a58vjg2696tv9lfaw4jzs6t6pm7 Seriously, you can even book a tea tasting there and have them teach you about the gong fu preparation of tea if you don’t know about it already.

https://www.tlifeaustralia.com.au/book-online

nostr:npub1wa0rqtnmc46ju9wvkdp3hwdqqenmtw7a58vjg2696tv9lfaw4jzs6t6pm7 I’ve. Ever been to Adelaide but looking at their tea, this place looks like a good Chinese tea shop: https://www.tlifeaustralia.com.au/

nostr:npub1wa0rqtnmc46ju9wvkdp3hwdqqenmtw7a58vjg2696tv9lfaw4jzs6t6pm7 All over, really. But mostly from Chinese tea shops. They tend to be higher quality at more affordable prices.

With some exceptions, I stay away from grocery stores—unless it’s an Asian grocery store.

I buy my Indian teas online. The best Indian brand, in my opinion, is Vahdam.

Western tea shops tend to be trash unless they’re specialized in a certain kind of blended teas. But they’re usually not so good when it comes to *pure* teas.

I’ve previously never had an interest in Chess but I’m noticing the sport is becoming more like an e-sport and it’s fun watching all the drama.

Especially after the Vibratorgate scandal.

Making a mental note to myself. Qimen black tea is much better when brewed with boiled water at 2 minutes, not 3 minutes. And never brew for 5 minutes.