In the last few years, we’ve been hearing about 5G more and more. This should come as little shock. After all, the latter is the latest in mobile technology. Three years ago, it was relatively obscure. 5G phones were selling for fifteen hundred dollars here. Even with a forty percent discount, owning that smartphone meant shelling out nine hundred bucks. As the technology grew more prevalent, 5G enabled phones became cheaper. Nowadays, it’s possible to purchase such mid range mobiles for over three hundred bucks. Of course, there are still premium Android phones that will break the bank. On the whole though, 5G models are more affordable.
Two-headed monster
So far, I’ve bought two 5G phones. The first one cost me $429 at JB Hifi. It had 8gb of ram, a 120hz display. Additionally, it had 128 gb of storage and a 30w fast charger. My previous mobile, a budget Oppo phone, only had an 18w charger. The former came in an azure colour way. I used a Vodafone SIM for the Realme. The latter’s 5G network wasn’t as widespread as its competitors. I only took advantage of their 5G when I was outdoors. Even then, it wasn’t always 5G-covered. Good luck with trying them in our area.
The next phone (my current one) was purchased at Big W. I took home another Oppo. This time, it was 5G enabled. Initially, I tried out Lebara. They utilised the Vodafone wholesale network. Sadly, I couldn’t make the most of the 5G as it wasn’t yet available in the areas that I frequented.
I met up with a friend who had a similar looking Oppo phone.
‘What’s your phone’s model?’
‘Uh. Oppo something something,’ he replied.
‘It looks like an Oppo A74 5G,’ I said.
‘Yeah, sounds right,’ he retorted.
Our new phones also has 128gb of storage, but just 6gb of ram. Furthermore, it has a 90 hz display with an 18watts charger. The battery is the same at 5000mah. I got the black colour, as I didn’t realise that there was another shade.
Oppo A74 5G
5G areas
I stayed about a month with my Aunt in Mount Colah. Interestingly, Vodafone had 5G in her area. It seemed odd that the inner city was still dreaming while the boondocks was hi-tech. I wasn’t able to take advantage of their 5G as my aunt utilised a 4g connection.
I have since ditched Lebara in favour of Aldi. The latter utilises the Telstra wholesale network, which supposedly covers 98.5 percent of Oz. They have a few prepaid plans. I’ve used them before, with my old iPhone 8 Plus. As expected, their 5G coverage is broader than Lebara. If I’m not mistaken, Telstra was the first provider to offer 5G. For a while, it was only the three big telcos who featured the new frequency. In the past years, other smaller providers had gotten in on the act.
In order to get the full 5G experience, you’ll need three things. Firstly, your must have a 5G enabled device. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve used two 5G smartphones. Last year, I had considered getting the latest iPad mini, which featured the novel frequency. However, most stores had ran out of stock. Secondly, you’ll need a 5G plan. Thirdly, 5G coverage in your area is essential as well.
iPhone 12
3 + 4G
3G was a big thing when it came out aeons ago. Everybody thought the new iPhone 3G was the galaxy’s best phone. The maximum storage for this was 32gb, which is less than the minimum for most smartphones nowadays. A few years later, 4G came along. My old iPad as well as an iPad mini included 4G support. Moreover, a Motorola was my first 4g phone. In 2014 or so, 4GX was unveiled, supposedly much speedier than 4G. Meanwhile, Optus had 4G Plus.
Which leaves us to 5G. This frequency has become the norm with iPhones starting with the iPhone 12. You don’t have to stick with the iPhone ecosystem though. There are plenty of Android phones which offer good value at a fraction of the cost. Just like some items, you’re merely paying for the brand name. The telcos have 5g home plans that come with the appropriate modem. Meanwhile, the NBN is ubiquitous in homes around the nation. It promises exceptional speeds with lesser latency. 5G is seen as a viable alternative to the national broadband network. Whether it’s the latter or the former, mobile technology has come a long way since the iPhone’s advent.
It’s that time of the year again. The end of October means Halloween. In my auntie’s neighbourhood, houses have evoked the scary theme, garnishing their fences with cobwebs. While not as celebrated here as in the US, the thrill mongers chip in when they could. It isn’t all about spider webs. There’s the carved pumpkins or jack o lanterns, complete with a lighted candle inside. There’s dressing up as figures, both historical and creepy. Of course, Halloween won’t be complete without trick or treat. Again, it’s not as widespread here as across the pond.
Scary movies
I like the terrifying pictures. When I was in uni, I had a blood and gore phase. I would go out and rent unpalatable DVDs. I saw all of the Hostel franchise. I watched the remake of The Hills have Eyes and Wrong Turn as well. They usually featured half man half monsters who become either cannibals or psychopaths. Take your pick. If it’s not the cold blooded, then it’s the foreigners. The gorgeous Eastern Europeans turn out to be gold digging, callous witches.
Every year for a decade or so, a new Saw film would be released at the cinemas. I wasn’t updated on the franchise but it was really prolific artistry. No doubt, the title of the biggest scary franchise belongs to Halloween. Through the decades, the instalments have become box office hits. A couple of years ago, I got my first Halloween tasting at the cinemas. This was a well received picture that topped the chart.
Not in Oz
This year, Halloween would fall on a Monday. For most Aussies, this would be another ho-hum day. There won’t be many pesky kids asking for candy. Most of us won’t bother with dressing up. For those who will, they must have been planning this for a while. Picking your antihero isn’t an easy decision. We will mostly leave our pumpkins and scarecrows alone.
In truth, Halloween does not have to be on a set date every year. For Aussies across the continent, it’s ravaged them already. The year started with bush fires and deluges, as I’ve already mentioned in a previous post. Indeed, some of the areas got inundated thrice in less than a year. By winter, the whole Sydney region was ground zero for torrential rain. It was one of the coldest editions on record. The threat of COVID remained, with strict rules in place. The signage and regulations were constant reminders of the past lockdowns.
Speaking of spooky, how about Nick Kyrgios? I remember talking about Tsitsipas.
‘Don’t you like Nick Kyrgios? He’s Greek-Australian.’
‘I don’t like his attitude,’ I replied. Fair enough.
I already dedicated about 2,000 words on a post about Wimbledon 2022. Basically. You’ve got two versions of Kyrgios: he’s either scary good or just plain scary. He’s either hot or cold, a great showman or a great disappointment. This altogether makes him a delightful watch. You never know which Kyrgios you’ll see: the showman or the pretender. They should make a Halloween tournament that features all the tennis firebrands. Nick must be the top seed.
In the Philippines
In the Philippines, Halloween isn’t really celebrated. FYI, the country was under American control. However, the US Halloween tradition didn’t gain much ground in the former colony. As trick or treat isn’t widespread in Oz, it’s very rare in the Philippines. Christmas carols are more prevalent. Indeed, the Christmas tradition begins as early as September. Chances are, the houses have Yuletide decors instead of webs. There are no pumpkins and scarecrows. With the huge typhoon hitting the islands, people are more concerned with rebuilding their houses than some obscure foreign tradition.
Gaudy and glittering
I recall once attending this uni lecture. Our professor showed us clips of The Exorcist. This was my first look at the original. The crucifix scene was disturbing. The head twisting take was likewise unnerving. However, the eerie male voice was funny. Ditto those backflips, which showed that she had mad skillz.
Halloween occurs on the eve of All Saint’s Day. I remember visiting our ancestor’s graves on 1 November. Like Holy Week, many Pinoys would travel interstate in order to visit their fallen relatives. So Halloween is like the prelude to the day of the dead. We must remember that the former is not just about the deceased. It’s a chance for us to celebrate the living and be thankful for our family and friends. The message may be tempered by dazzling costumes, gaudy blockbusters, and glittering candy. However, being appreciative denizens, it’s never about the cost. Rather, it’s dressing up and sharing for a cause. Count me in.
This is a bit of a late post. My last reads compilation was two months ago. Since then, I’ve managed to finish four books. As usual, I’ll only review three of them, with one nonfiction text. Golden Days by Jack McCallum was first. The book juxtaposes the 72 Lakers squad with the current Warriors dynasty. Basketball legend, Jerry West, acts as the bridge between these two eras. Next up is The 15th Affair by James Patterson. As per the title, this marks the fifteenth entry in his Women’s Murder Club series. The book provided a good change of pace and Patterson’s literary universe was a welcome respite. Finally, it took me a while and I had to stop and start but I finally managed to get through Upgrade, Blake Crouch’s latest. The work reminded me of this indie film with the same title.
1. Golden Days (McCallum). I try to read basketball books when I can, being a hoops fan growing up in a b-ball crazed country. You wouldn’t find them in the library; hence, I get the ebooks. As mentioned, Golden Days chronicles two great dynasties. It gave a blow by blow analysis of the Lakers’s 33 game win streak. This still stands as the longest run in American pro sports. Aside from West, we get acquainted with the other Laker greats, including Elgin Baylor, the late Wilt Chamberlain, and Gail Goodrich. The fact that they played three nights in a row only mystifies this achievement.
The book though isn’t just about victories and jump shots. McCallum foregrounds the racial tensions in 70s America. He illustrates how the status quo still maintains remnants of racial discrimination. He asserts that the game has changed. He also looks at Coach Bill Sharman, the former Celtic great who fused all the Laker talent and turned them into a world beater. He also instituted the shoot around, which has become a staple in the association. Apart from the Lakers, he sets aside time for Oscar Robertson, the triple double machine. He pits the latter against West, a very apt comparison considering their shared timeline. He likewise dissects Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who would win five championships with the Lakers in the 80s.
By canvassing the Warriors, he unpacks the current crop of super teams. He talks about Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. West became a team consultant to the Warriors, creating a winning culture. Together with owner Joe Lacob, the Dubs have become the premier team in basketball. McCallum also synthesises the tech mogul invasion, where Silicon Valley billionaires buy into the league. Throughout the book, the author uses clear and riveting language. I got hooked from the start. The profiles of gamers, owners, and big names only spices up a loaded read. This was a lovely treat for basket watchers.
Rating: 4.7/5
McCallum
2. The 15th Affair (Patterson). This marks my first foray into this series. This instalment sees Detective Lindsay Boxer as she attempts to solve a triple murder in a San Fran hotel. While seemingly a routine elimination at first, Boxer and her adept team soon realise that this may not be a random slaying. She utilises the help of her other friends including Claire, the chief medical officer and Yuki, a District Attorney. As she tends to her toddler, her seemingly perfect life is unravelled. Her husband is hiding things from her and the conundrum has hit close to home.
I loved the twists and subplots. The author knows the tricks of the trade and utilises them well. The work is full of vanishing mirrors and stuff and action pervades every chapter. The author knows how to demarcate his storylines, with short but bitey chapters. He even manages to put an Oriental spin in the plot. Patterson managed to implicate seemingly all the important security agencies in the country and he does so admirably. He seldom strays from the correct working procedure. He even has a blonde bombshell doing the dirty work. I finished this 400 page book in six days. Once you pop some Patterson, the pages turn quickly. If I had a regret, it’s that I should’ve perused this series sooner.
Rating: 4.6/5
The author
3. Upgrade (Crouch). I’ll be honest about this one: it was one of the more challenging books I’ve tackled this year. Other readers have felt the same way, as their reviews and ratings suggest. The main hindrance is that Upgrade deals with gene modifications. People could read more, remember more, and react quicker. Logan Ramsay has been chosen for an upgrade. Now, he can beat his daughter every time in chess. He can recall sensations and every word from ten years past. He can read dense books in hours. However, his increased intelligence makes him a target. Soon, he yearns to find out how this happened. He ends up being a prisoner and a Guinea pig for greedy scientists and government agents.
Soon, he learns that he’s not the only one upgraded. An evil genius from his distant past persevered to release the upgrade. She thinks that this was the only way to save humanity. However, her calculations weren’t entirely precise. The upgrade isn’t only a levelling up but it also brings some hideous side effects. Logan races against time to stop this, but the odds are stacked against him. The so called ends of humanity is at the core of this narrative. Would you be prepared to sacrifice so much to save your race? Would you be prepared to kill your loved ones, seeing them as collateral damage in your quest?
This is my second Crouch book, after Recursion. No doubt, I much prefer the latter. Upgrade was like Big Bang Theory on steroids. It was not a very pleasant experience. It took about a month to crest this and even then I had to digest it bit by bit. I thought a few times about quitting due to the dense language but I rarely read sci fi books. Once I’ve invested a hundred pages, it seemed unreasonable to just move on. Before I forget: the book had a surfeit of lists. Any avid reader of my site will know that I dislike them. Upgrade had too many ‘dandelions’ and some had like twenty items. As with other book genres: choose carefully and choose wisely.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been a voracious reader. I would get my hands on anything in the library and at home. Even when I was no longer in school, I’d still borrow books. While grappling with tertiary education, I made sure to spare some time for John Grisham and Matthew Reilly. When I was younger, I’d devour encyclopaedias and Harry Potter. As I got older, I found joy in novels, magazines, and the newspaper. I grew up with Time, National Geographic, and Tower magazine. Once, my email was adjudged as the letter of the month to Handle magazine. Michael Crichton was one of the first writers that I followed. I fell in love with Jurassic Park, his dense scientific prose not deterring me.
Strictly fiction
Over the years, I discovered Stephen King, Dan Brown, and later, Michael Connelly and Jodi Picoult. The news had evolved for me. Instead of reading the daily editorials and sports reports, I read the news online. I did not read a lot of nonfiction. I recall knocking back sports biographies, but they were rare forays. Unlike my school days, I seldom bought books.
In recent years, this has changed. Since 2017, I’ve catalogued my latest reads on this website. That year, A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley represented the only nonfiction work I crested. The Oscar-nominated film version intrigued me, so I had to peruse the source material. Two years later, in 2019, I had conquered many more such titles. Last year, about thirty percent of mytotal were in this category. This year, almost half were nonfiction. I have finally come to parity. Mirin Fader’s Giannis biography was an outstanding product, perhaps even the year’s best such work. I’ve also managed to discover Jon Krakauer. I found out about him through Into The Wild. Like the late David Halberstam, he is a nonfiction specialist. He takes on difficult topics, democratising them to the average reader. Though I’ve only perused one of his books, he’s definitely my kind of writer.
From Lion (2017)
Ebooks
Not only has the art of the news evolved for me; so has the medium of reading. I’ve had iPads for years now but this year, I’ve bought and crested more ebooks. From Phil Jackson’s Eleven Rings to Jack McCallum’s Golden Days, from Giannis to Steven Adams, I get my hoops fix from Apple Books. I usually do so since most of these texts are unavailable at libraries, if not all. You have to be proactive.
My chiropractor told me that he downs nonfiction since he ‘learns something new’ while so doing. He’s right. I knew about the Fab Five and college basketball but, in his book, Mitch Albom went beyond the bald heads and baggy shorts. He vivisected social and racial issues that pervaded 90s basketball. I had the pleasure of seeing Jackson compare two GOATs, a guy named Jordan and his successor, the late Kobe. I began to understand what made Adams so damn tough and the power of his dreams. Giannis proved that poverty and racism are no match to a hungry basketball mind. In Golden, was taken back to the 60s and 70s, when NBA teams would play for three straight nights and yet still be battle ready for the postseason. The NBA was nothing like today. They had a hard time competing for coverage against college football. I had fun reading about the greatest win streak in the history of pro sports, a 33-game run by the eventual champions, the Lakers.
Bear Grylls
Halberstam
I’ve finished exactly two books by Halberstam, the Pulitzer Prize winner. I read them fourteen years apart. Playing for Keeps was the first one I read, an in-depth account of Air Jordan. He touched on how ESPN’s smashing success could be attributed to Mike’s ascendancy. He also ties in Jordan’s image with Nike’s meteoric rise. Last year, I perused Breaks of the Game. People have singled out the book as the finest basketball title ever, perhaps the best sports book of all time. I could see why. His detailed analysis and storytelling were spot on. He tackles key issues that are out of bounds in normal hoops conversations: the salary cap, TV contracts, and injuries. He provides gripping accounts of NBAers and Madison Avenue. At the same time, this wasn’t a book that you’d conquer in three days; it’s an acquired taste.
There are other nonfiction books on my book shelf that I’ve yet to read. Last year, I purchased this David Wallace collection. This would mark his second such title for me but I’ve been unable to spare the time. I have works about Elon Musk, Bear Grylls, and comedian Nick Frost. I’ve had this Steven Jobs bio for a while but it seems redundant now that I’ve seen the film version. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Recall was the last book I got off my shelf.
Other media
While this post has focused on books, I’ve also had the same sea change with other media. Before, I binged on Parks and Rec, Cobra Kai, and Stranger Things, amongst many more. I was also watching Michael Moore DVDs. These past few months, I made it a point to discover more docos. In August alone, I devoured Athelete A, Bleeding Edge, The Most Hated Man. I’ve already started on Virunga and will go through the McAfee bio soon. These films are rawer than their fictitious counterparts. There is an element of added genuineness, an aura of truthfulness. Often, you won’t feel this while bingeing on Game of Thrones. While both shows make you think, the docos are definitely a more cerebral experience. Like my chiropractor said, you learn something new.
Born to Write
These days, I’m mainly a nonfiction writer. Almost all my posts on this site are based on true happenings. There is the occasional poem, but I haven’t written one in a year. To be honest, though I admire Krakauer’s work, I don’t want to be as one-sided as him. He’s written nine titles and they’re all nonfiction. The same with the late Halberstam. Recently, I watched The Sandman by Neil Gaiman. I did some web-based research and found out that he’s written not only novels, story collections, and comic books. He’s also ventured into nonfiction. He utilises a fountain pen for all his first drafts. Bonus pointsfor that. While Stephen King has dabbled in true stories, he’s mostly focused on fiction. I’ve been reading Murakami and he definitely intrigues me. He’s a prolific and celebrated Japanese writer and his texts rarely disappoint. He’s certainly on my short list.
The two pillars
Nonfiction presents at a different pace than its made-up counterpart. There is no magic and ‘silly wand waving’. There is no bezoar to save a wizard’s foaming mouth. No Harry Bosch or Hole to save the day and make the bastards pay. I’ve never heard of a seven or twelve-part true crime series. However, there are journalists uncovering lies in Hollywood. A magical orphanage in Haiti. Tips on how to become a better human. Interviews with key people in Kobe’s life. Victims telling their stories. Chuck Palahniuk offering wise words on authoring. Overall, nonfiction is more demanding. Yet when you’ve summitted the narrative, it can be that more rewarding. Most of the time, I conquer one nonfiction title for every two fiction reads. Like my chiropractor, I believe in growing my vineyard and this is something that nonfiction could offer.
As you can see, having balance is important not just as a reader but more so, as a content creator. Ten years ago, I would find it curious if someone told me that half my books would be true to life. Human progress is about adapting, about broadening our horizons. We should embrace the desire to go beyond our comfort zones.
This past weekend, shocking news of a toilet incident surfaced. A pair of rugby league players were unceremoniously booted out of a Sydney toilet cubicle. A Queensland Maroon fullback and a his benchwarmer teammate comprised the unfortunate duo. The question remains: what was the inebriated tandem doing huddled in a toilet cubicle? I guess that’s what’s been bugging the public. Someone suggested that they were just ‘letting off steam’ after a hard earned thirst. By the way, other post titles I considered were ‘The Toilet Twosome’, ‘Boyz in the Cubicle’, and ‘The Love Seat’.
The Queensland Maroons
Highly regarded
The Origin representative is one of the most highly touted fullbacks in the game. Aside from representing Queensland, he also captains his home squad. This has been a trying year for his club as they underwhelmed all season, missing the NRL (National Rugby League) Finals. However, the victorious Maroons outfit during Origin was a silver lining for the chap. Since then, he has been ruled out for the season due to injury. He was originally from Western Australia but grew up in New South Wales. His parents are both Kiwis and his surname rhymes with Kalinga.
Not a landmark case
While admittedly surprising, this isn’t the first incident of its kind in human history. Using the time machine, we could step back to the 90s when Hugh Grant decided to hire a hooker. In LA, said lady gave him some car service before they were charged with flashing. I recall seeing Grant’s mug shot regularly on a billboard as I was on my way to uni. It was a far cry from his performance in Four Weddings. Liz Hurley, his girlfriend at the time, was very supportive and stood by her man. A happy ending wasn’t to be as they parted ways a few years later.
The teammateGrant with HurleyParramatta stadium
Speaking of flashing, a few months back, this chick made headlines for storming the field in her bra. The match involved the Parramatta Eels. I don’t know what was more troubling: the fact that she interrupted the game or her pear-shaped figure. Since I’ve began with the players, it’s only fitting to include the fans’ ‘contribution’. The next day, her boyfriend dumped her, writing that he can’t believe she was such an idiot. Clearly, she’s a massive attention seeker, probably a narcissist. The match was halted for some time as a result of this field invasion. If she was looking for her fifteen minutes of fame, she certainly got it.
Another notable toilet incident involved Sonny Bill and Candyce Falzon. They were both also in a cubicle and were caught in a compromising position. The former has played both rugby union and league, even suiting up for the All Blacks. He helped them win the 2015 Rugby World Cup. That year, I recall watching the action while downing some Heinekens. The latter was a major sponsor. Early in his career, Sonny Bill won a premiership with the Canterbury Bulldogs of the NRL. He is known for his knack for offloading the ball. The incident had little effect on Sonny Bill; the same cannot be said of Candyce. Eventually, Falzon would marry cricketer David Warner, with whom she shares three daughters. The dubious outing would follow Warner even to South Africa. Fans would taunt him with Sonny Bill masks.
Sonny Bill and Candyce
More bad boys
He should’ve learned from his teammate. The former Rooster copped a seven match ban after kissing a woman and simulating a sex act with a dog. It wouldn’t take a genius to see that the guy was wasted. The punishment was a bit lenient. Who could forget that Aussie rules player who was caught in a compromising image with a canine. The next day he couldn’t even finish his statement before breaking down in tears. His fam were his only friends. The jokes reached as far away as Taiwan. Eventually, he packed his bags for Europe.
Invested
When something like this transpires, people would wonder what they were up to. Instead of a place in the Hall of Fame, they’re relegated to the Hall of Shame. Perhaps they will move on like Sonny Bill. The game needs number 9 and he’s a nice fit for Queensland. Jonathan Thurston spearheaded the Maroon’s unprecedented dominance. He also had his unflattering days, but all was forgiven. By the time he was done, he made good to bring the premiership to Townsville.
Bizarre though this may be, nobody ever mistook rugby players for choir boys. As the clubs invest on their young players, they know that they’d act up now and again. Indeed, barely a month goes by without an NRL player making negative news. So long as it doesn’t affect their output on the field, ‘boys will be boys’. Previously, someone even told me that he wonders how rugby players are so fit when they do their share of silly stuff. As they say, ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’.
I remember this story that my mum told me. As a child, she visited this family friend’s abode. The house per se was unremarkable, save for one difference maker. The family had a pet monkey. Not just for beautification purposes; they employed the ape to fetch them coconuts. Imagine this: a hairy primate climbing coconut trees, bringing them the fruits, and giving them high fives. Now, that’s progress. My mum inferred that the ape was trained. Even as a kid, she knew that primates didn’t just fetch cocos out of altruism.
Ross with Marcel
In the media
She also has this primate sewing kit. The monkey head is really cute, until the zipper started acting up. Thankfully, we managed to remedy this hiccup. Anyhow, primates are well represented. Think of Marcel, Ross Geller’s pet in Friends. The former was a movie star and the latter adored him, even following him to San Fran. Ross even introduced him to his friends. He regards Marcel like another son. He tells Joey that apes are their ancestors. Big Bang Theory, another winning sitcom, had Amy doing experiments on this cheeky ape.
Going back in time, Congo was one of Crichton’s bestsellers and was adapted into film. I recall reading the book, before catching the movie on HBO. The novel, which featured intelligent apes running amok, was much better than the underwhelming feature. Of course, the book dealt with mountain gorillas (not monkeys). Congo was about the foreignness of the country. Rich in natural resources, the Congo remained a vast wilderness that westerners had only settled. The state hides as much as it presents and Crichton channels the strangeness through the merciless gorillas.
Speaking of gorillas, the Planet of the Apes franchise has consistently delivered. The reboot did a lot of good for them, which spawned hit after hit. The instalments not only won at the box office; they likewise scored well with the critics. While we’re at it, King Kong and Godzilla are exhibit A of what could go wrong with underfed primates and monsters. Hard to believe that the pair got the ball rolling even earlier than Planet.
The usefulness of pets
Going back to being trained, it would be nice to have a useful servant. Think of Dobby the house elf in Harry Potter. He may look weak and he may wear rags, but he’s a powerful critter who could do the laundry with a snap of his fingers. He’s extremely loyal and would protect his friends to the end. Even the Weasleys dreamed of having one. They had to settle for a ghoul in the attic.
Monkeys may have negative connotations but they remain highly intelligent creatures. You don’t have to be a Darwinist to see the similarities. They have been stereotyped as banana eating beings, but as per the aforementioned movies, they are also crafty.
The WeasleysDobby
Parables
There was this show when I was a kid. This kid had no respect for his elders. One day, his face turned into a monkey’s and he became the town’s curiosity. He regretted his actions and changed. Having understood the importance of good manners, his features were returned. Our teacher also told us this parable. The parents cooked and clean but the kids were insufferable ingrates. The parents told them repeatedly to wash their plates and cutlery but they never listened. One time, the parents got fed up as the dishes remained on the table. They looked for their offspring and found them playing outside. Enraged, they hit their kids with the utensils and cursed them. They grew tails and became the first monkeys.
Scene from Congo
Blank slate
I must admit that I believed that this week would be a blank slate. We were downing some coconut juice. My mum told me that some people didn’t like it.
‘It tastes like laundry water,’ according to white people.
She was about to pack the juice box away when I sighted this monkey in the container. Incidentally, we call this as buko juice or bj for short. As a Pinay comedian once intoned, ‘You’re right on time, doo.’
Her friend’s suitor had annoyed said actress.
‘Just come back next year,’ she told him.
Thankfully, that wouldn’t be the case with this week’s post.
Around July of each year, the temps absolutely plummet in Sydney. At the turn of winter, it was already freezing but July is traditionally the coldest month. It’s the perfect time to catch up on your reading. I begin this list with another book by Murakami. Sputnik Sweetheart is not among his best rated works but it remains enchanting. I followed this up with Mitch Albom’s The Fab Five. A chronicle of the Michigan Wolverines quintet, the five freshmen starters defied the status quo and created a legend.Finally, Total Recall, Schwarzenegger’s dense memoir, rounds out this month’s haul. The biography, full of bodybuilding and politics, was so far the year’s most challenging read. It took me the better part of three weeks and even then, I had to read other books simultaneously. In the end, this was a very worthwhile book and well deserving of the time invested. Two nonfiction works and one novel. As Alex Compton intoned, ‘makes sense to me.’
1. Sputnik Sweetheart (Murakami). Like Norwegian Wood, Sputnik is mostly a love story. This involves the two female leads, Sumire and Miu. The protanist, Sumire’s bestie, is secretly in love with her. However, Sumire wants a strictly platonic relationship. He then spends his time bedding married women. He works as a schoolteacher. The two of them have an odd connection. They are very open to each other, maybe too open. Though they had attended the same college, the guy is much further along in his career. He can afford the finer things and both is parents are alive. Sumire’s mother passed away when she was a child. Thankfully, her stepmother treated her like her own.
Sumire is a frustrated writer. She has tried to write many books but has not finished any of them. Her bestie is her only believer. She often comes to him for answers, whether big and small. She believes that he should know everything. These exchanges are sometimes philosophical. When Miu, a sommelier and publicist, marches into her life, she becomes smitten. She now works as Miu’s receptionist, eventually turning up each weekday. Suddenly, she accompanies her boss to Europe. They like it so much that they extend their visit a couple of times. Miu then contacts the pal, only saying that he must fly to Greece immediately. Once he gets to this small island, he understands that Sumire is missing. Miu needs his help to find her.
The author
Miu shares that Sumire was spending long days working on a project. This was a shock since she wasn’t able to write anything since meeting Miu. Sumire had simply up and left one night after Miu rejected her advances. She was in her PJ’s and slippers. All her things were left in her room. With some luck, the bestie manages to open her luggage where he finds two documents. It were like polished, extended diary entries. As usual with Murakami, there was a touch of magical realism. A 39-year old with white hair? An out of body experience? A splitting of souls? These are hallmarks of the great novelist. In the end, he even has time to unpack a moral question. Sure, some of his prose isn’t that easy but ultimately, this book is better than purported.
Rating: 4.1/5
2. The Fab Five. (Mitch Albom). I’ve read most of the author’s work. As I’ve consistently stated, his are the easiest books to read. Fab is one of his early works, back when he was a sports writer. The title chronicles The Greatest Recruiting Class ever. The eponymous five freshmen changed the game forever. At this point, getting a quintet of the best college prospects was unheard of. Eventually, all five players would start for Michigan. Fab has some shade of Halberstam’s Breaks. Fab doesn’t deal purely with basketball action. The book provides profiles. Whether it’s Bobby Knight or Mike K; forward Rob Pelinka or the Webbers; Carmichael Auditorium or Seattle’s Kingdome; there’s something for everyone.
Fab also deals with the highs and lows of a hoops juggernaut. When the five gobbled all the minutes, the rest of the team was relegated to garbage time. The freshmen were cocky even though they had won nothing yet. They loved to talk trash and to show up their opponents. Like the rest of the team, each had been the star player on their high school squad. Three of them – Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, and Jimmy King – were the number ones at their position. As freshmen, they were notorious for their baggy shorts and bald heads. This later became a trend. Furthermore, their long black socks were also a hallmark of defiance.
Most of the quintet grew up impoverished, with Webber and Rose being local kids. Howard was from Chi-town and Jimmy and Ray Jackson were Texans. The five would lead Michigan to back to back runs in the chip match, only to come up short both times. They especially hated Duke, the one team they never beat. The Blue Devils were fundamentally sound, cohesive, and made the smart plays. For the Wolverines, they seemingly looked out for the outstanding move rather than the sure two. With Duke’s experience and camaraderie, the Wolverines proved no match. In year two, they got past some powerhouses, including UCLA and Kentucky. They played a close match against the Tar Heels before some brain cramps cost them in the end.
Fab talks about Sutherland hypocrisy of college basketball. Despite being household names, the fab five were unable to reap the rewards from their merchandise. Albom’s effort reminded me of Sooley (Grisham), although this was nonfiction. Michigan was the darlings of March Madness. I wouldn’t be surprised if Grisham drew some inspiration from Fab. This was an easy ebook to read, taking me six full days to knock back. Moreover, the title was divided into ten parts, with mostly short chapters. The one thing going against it was the nineties publication date. This was the era before smartphones and social media. Imagine how much further the fab five would take off had the technology been there.
Rating: 5/5
3. Total Recall (Schwarzenegger). As mentioned, this nonfiction title is the third leg of the tripod. I started reading this 618-page monster three weeks past. I’ve had it on my bookshelf for a while, purchased from Basement Books. Recall is the definitive look into Arnold’s amazing life. He talks about his humble beginnings in Austria, the second of two boys. His father was in law enforcement and Arnold took an interest in weight lifting. Soon, he’d be crowned Mr Universe, repeating as champ a record number of times. He would then move to the States, where he’d spend hours in the gym. While improving his physique, he studied in college part-time. He also became a real estate mogul.
After accomplishing all there was with bodybuilding, he set his sights on Hollywood. Initially, he was viewed as an oddity: the guy with the impossible surname; an imposing brick with an accent. After a flurry of box office hits, he gradually became the world’s biggest movie star. He teamed up with helmer Jim Cameron for Terminator, which is his most famous role. Arnold proved that he was equally adept in comedy as with action. In 1983, he became an American citizen. When he married Maria Schriver, he was part of the Kennedy clan. Over the years, he’s suffered his share of setbacks on set, which required hospitalisation. He was fortunate to meet the right people, who supported and nurtured his show biz career.
When a special ballot was announced for the California governorship, Arnold knew that he had to run. Eventually, he would have the support of everyone including his wife. This paved the way for a landslide victory. Before his win, he mentioned meeting Nelson Mandela. He was amazed that, despite being in goal for twenty seven years, the latter harboured no ill will. There are occasional typos in the book but is a solid effort on the whole. Be prepared for some dense prose; I had to skim a long chapter on politics. Arnold was a bit of everything. He was a champion athlete, a sharp businessman, a megastar, a model politician, a talented writer, a husband, and a father. Clearly, Arnold has the Midas touch. In the last chapter, the author urges his readers thus: ‘When someone tells you no, you should hear yes.’
‘So it’s not always obvious what you should celebrate. Sometimes, you have to appreciate the very people and circumstances that traumatised you.’
If you’re going on a solo adventure, what would you bring?
A few months ago, I streamed Into The Wild on Netflix. Sean Penn directed the film, which was based on Jon Krakauer’s bestselling book. The read per se is timeless and has been studied in schools across the US. The adaptation was no slouch either, even being nominated for Oscars.
The movie
Emile Hirsch portrayed Christopher McCandless, the main character. He studied at Emory University. Upon graduation, his parents bought him new wheels. Chris was apoplectic. His 1970s ride worked just fine.
Director Sean Penn
‘Things, things, things,’ he said, shaking his head. Chris returned the money that his parents gave him.
The trappings of modern society disinterested him. He did not want creature comforts: a new car, fancy clothes, a big house. The four walls of the classroom suffocated him and he believed that real learning was out in the field. Wining and dining at the finest establishments meant little. He would rather curl up and read a book. Indeed, he was fed up with living in the secular world. He wanted to explore, to roam, to live. He longed to pack up and subsist out of his rucksack.
He changed his name to Alexander Supertramp. He treks to Mexico, where he meets some hippies. Even when promised accomodation, he opts to sleep rough. He goes to this gathering, where he encounters a sweet teener (portrayed by Kristen Stewart). He refuses her advances as she was underage. In Salton City, he also meets this senior and they connect. The oldie tries to adopt him but Alex, while tempted, leaves instead.He then continues, alone, to Alaska.
With Kristen Stewart
Bare essentials
Finding someone who’d forsake all the material goods in his life is rare. Selflessness is not ingrained to humans. No one would turn down a brand new vehicle. Watching this movie made me reconsider my priorities. If you’d strip a person to bare essentials, what would this entail? What makes the cut? What would be left off?
Imagine following Alexander’s lead to Alaska. Or, perhaps, to walk the Camino. You are only allowed one big bag. What would you stuff in it?
The Camino
I would probably include four sets of clothes. Two thermal tops and two jumpers. Two long johns and two thick pants. I might throw in an extra tee. I would likewise include a scarf. I heard it gets chilly in Alaska. Meanwhile, for outerwear, I would bring this down jacket from Kathmandu. It kept me warm when I last visited the snow. I might need to add a ski jacket down the line. I’d also bring five sets of underwear, although I doubt Supertramp was as liberal. Don’t forget the socks, either; three would suffice.
Aside from these, I’d carry a notebook to jot down my thoughts and observations. Obviously, I’d include two gel pens. You can’t go totally incognito, so I’d bring my passport. I’ll also carry my wallet, mobile phone, and its charger. No point lugging around a Mac. I’d probably pack some eye drops just in case the scenery isn’t too pleasant that my eyes become sore. I’ll also bring two unread books and a Bible. Looking at my shelf, the duo is: The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway and A Supposedly Fun Thing by David Foster Wallace.
Toiletries
I would not forget my toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. I’d also include one kilo of bananas for nourishment. As Alex found out, you can’t rely on berries alone. Furthermore, I might carry some cream as the freezing weather would require this. Ditto with lip balm. I’d also throw in a bath towel. I will take my two pairs of gloves as I don’t want to get frost bitten.
Looking at this list, there’s a lot of stuff that didn’t make the cut. There’s no razor, as we’re channeling the Supertramp look. The food could be adjusted, but there’s only so much that you could fit into the pack. There are no extra shoes. There is no scissors. My phone is the only device I need. I don’t require a car to explore the wilderness, nor do I have to charter a plane. I don’t need dollars because they aren’t the currency in the wild. Most importantly, I don’t ask for a companion since I need to make this journey by myself.
Theme alert
Transience is the theme of our world. Nothing is permanent and set in stone. Today’s heroes are tomorrow’s turnips. The picture reminded me of this other film, Up in the Air. I saw this in the cinema. George Clooney plays a hopscotching executive who downsizes firms. He asks the audience what’s essential enough to pack. Since he practically lives on planes, he becomes a million miler. At the onset, he really covets this award. However, as he celebrates alone, he realises that even this august achievement means nothing. This is the opposite of Wild. While the latter sees the benefits of solitude, the former posits that accolades are better shared with loved ones.
Ultimately, like George, we are merely travellers in the cosmos. We are just passing through. If we seek to gain glory and material goods, we will never be content. I admire Alex’s worldview. There are more consequential things than success and creature comforts. Moreover, Alex was an exemplary person. He never took advantage of anyone. Indeed, he’s so autonomous that he knocks back help of any kind. He lived like a nomad but troubled no one. He left his life behind and embraced the unknown.
Having a unique perspective and way of life can never be overlooked. So many souls yearn for fame and fortune that getting lost in the crowd is easy. However, people who choose to live like Chris are so rare that his story is being dissected decades later. Opting for his path was not easy but I could understand how modern society could make him disillusioned.
Watch and learn
I spoke with my chiropractor about the movie. He said that he’s seen it.
Last year, prior to the months-long COVID lockdown, I recall having a conversation with a ‘kindred spirit’. He asked me if I knew about this TV series, The Twilight Zone. He said that it was ‘a really old series’. When I asked him if it aired in the nineties, he told me that it screened ‘ages and ages ago.’ He then related one of its eps.
Oldie but goodie
Apparently, there was this family guy who kept getting interrupted when he was trying to get work done. His kids were a handful; his wife never left him alone. So frustrated was the hombre that he exclaimed: ‘I wish everyone would just DIE.’
Suddenly, a great upheaval transpired. It destroyed the entire planet, including his meddlesome family. The father was the sole survivor of a species-level extinction. He got what he wished for. He had all the time to peruse his books. He even visited the library, which was like an Elysium of reads. His heart jumping in joy, he was ready to pounce on these titles. Suddenly, he realised that he lost his glasses. In his haste to get going, he stepped on his frames. Now, he had everything and yet nothing. He had every book at his disposal, but he couldn’t read ‘em without his spectacles. We shared a chuckle.
‘Should have gone to Specsavers,’ I told him. I was referring to the catchphrase by the eyewear giant.
#shgts
That night, I did some web-based research on the ep. I found out that it was entitled ‘Time enough at last’ and featured a protagonist who was a show regular. It originally aired on November 1959. So ancient was the production that Time Enough was shot in black and white. I’m sure that my interlocutor wasn’t alive by then. He must’ve watched a rerun.The ep was noteworthy and was based on a short story. The show’s presenter, Rod Serling, regarded the ep as one of his favourites. Twilight Zone lasted for five seasons but it left an indelible imprint on American TV. To this day, the term ‘twilight zone’ is employed on something too unbelievable or bizarre for comprehension. Moreover, the programme has been considered as one of the finest US telly productions ever. Twilight Zone consistently charts on best shows lists.
Interpretations
There are a few interpretations of the ep. The overriding trope is ‘Be careful what you wish for’. Our perception may be to yearn for a different, better situation. However, the reality may not always meet our expectations. Before moving forward, human error must be factored. The reading scenario is likewise another theme. The protagonist, Henry Bemis’s voracity is at odds with the public, who could care less about pages. The ep implies that his family’s apathy toward books could be emblematic of future attitudes. Reading is clearly in decline.
The show’s ending highlighted the tensions of living in the Cold War. However, ironically, the sheer implausibility of Doomsday is what enabled the ep to be produced. Sterling stuck to his role, retaining poise even as the events turned darkly comic and unbelievable. His deadpan delivery is in stark contrast to the grimness on the screen. What was left unseen ultimately draws in the audience. The dangers of technology are also highlighted. Bemis has access to libraries, book stores, and universities. However, without his glasses, he’s unable to exploit these resources. Nowadays, we are blessed with the Internet and ebooks. The ep proves that, despite technological advancement, we remain – like Henry – indebted to wizard technology.
Fatal Blow
The glasses ‘crunch’ could be decontextualised further. The specs represents the quintessential tool of any trade. Imagine a hyped basketballer who joins a new team. He has all the skills and is even considered a mad player. However, upon joining his new squad, his teammates never pass him the rock. No matter how talented he is, no matter how much work he puts in, his new scenario becomes a nightmare. The lack of Spalding time severely negates his effectiveness.
Sometimes, having all the necessary resources is not enough. I recall this post on social media. A writer has all the ingredients ready but does not sight the biggest aid. The abundance of instruments so bewitches him that he fails to see the most obvious. Just like Henry, he is unable to maximise all his tools as a result of his lack of foresight. There was also this ep in Cobra Kai where Johnny angrily takes his laptop to the pawnshop. He wants a refund. It turns out that he did not press the power button.
Jordan and the ballhog
‘Time enough at last’
Legacy
‘Time Enough’ continues to resonate with the viewing public. Sixty years on, it is both an audience favourite and critics’ darling. The ep has been parodied in Modern Family, The Simpsons, and Futurama, among others.
I leave you with Rod Sterling’s closing monologue:
‘The best-laid plans of mice and men…and Henry Bemis, the small man in the glasses who wanted nothing but time. Henry Bemis, now just part of a smashed landscape, just a piece of the rubble, just a fragment of what man has deemed to himself. Mr Henry Bemis, now in the Twilight Zone.’
Over almost the past fortnight, the action unfolded at tennis’s most prestigious tourney. Only a mere two years ago, the event was cancelled due to COVID concerns. The shadow of the pandemic still lingered on in last year’s edition, with crowd caps and wholesale restrictions. This year, the multitude was back in full force. Avid patrons included the Royal Family, David Beckham, and even a few actors. In the men’s singles, Novak Djokovic is the defending champ, while the women’s field was wide open with the retirement of Ash Barty. World number one, Iga Swiatek, was the fave before being defeated in the third round. Prior to her loss, she had won thirty seven straight tour matches. A Tunisian and a Kazakh, both maiden finalists, contested the women’s chip. The latter, with the significant height advantage, won in three quick sets.
Iga SwiatekNole victoriousWimbledon crowds
Calendar Slam foiled
By emerging triumphant at the first two slams, Rafa Nadal had a chance at a historic calendar slam. Only Rod Laver (who did it twice) had swept four of four majors in a regular year. His two trophies has put him in first place with twenty-two majors. He had missed the grass court season after the clay court stretch had drained him. Rafa soldiered on until the quarters, where he was down 2-1 against American Taylor Fritz. Sensing his injury, his family had pleaded for him to retire. The Spaniard did not give in, ultimately winning, but the effort required had finished him.
As has been reported, he pulled out of his semis tussle with Nick Kyrgios, citing his ab injury. In a snap press con, Nadal admitted that he cannot win another two matches. This marks only his second withdrawal at a grand slam. Rafa’s durability is legendary. In the Aussie Open alone, I can recall two instances where he played on despite an obvious malady. A Kyrgios-Nadal matchup would’ve been mouth-watering. The two have a beef against each other and Kyrgios shocked Nadal on centre court as a teenager. This was their first meeting on tour. Nadal has a 6-3 edge against Nick. Yet with his injury and Nick’s momentum, anything was possible. Even Nick was looking forward to their matchup.
Rafa
King Kyrgios
Kyrgios, twenty-seven, has played a dream tournament. On the plus side, he has progressed farther than ever. With a bit of luck, he even had a walkover in the semis. When he battled the Chilean, Cristian Garin, this was only his third quarterfinal despite competing since 2012. In the fourth round, he split the first two sets before upping his ace count in the third canto. His opponent, Brandon Nakashima, broke him early in the fourth set and Nick looked lackadaisical for the rest of the frame. He admitted to employing some ‘rope-a-dope’. In the fifth segment, he left no doubt and handily broke through.
Without question, the highlight of his campaign was his third round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas. He emerged victorious in four sets but not without some controversy. As usual, he bickered with the chair umpire. At one point, Tsitsipas appeared to slam a ball into the crowd. At another, he had tried to hit Nick with a forehand. Thankfully, ‘no animals were harmed in the making of this (attraction)’. When Kyrgios was almost struck, he berated the umpire. It must be remembered that when Djokovic hit a linesman in 2020, he was disqualified. After the match, Tsitsipas called Kyrgios ‘a bully’. The latter responded by labelling the former as ‘soft’. He pointed out that he was more popular than Stefanos among his colleagues.
When the incident was replayed on Kyrgios’s countrymen, one Asian commentator said, ‘I love it’. Both Nick and his opponent were fined for their outbursts. This year, the former has racked up over $20,000 in fines at Wimbledon. Kyrgios has likewise been singled out for violating the Wimbledon dress code. Players are expected to wear all-white outfits. Kyrgios rocked up with a red cap and Jordan sneakers. This hasn’t been Kyrgios first brush with controversy. A quick online search would reveal his list of transgressions.
Nakashima Vs. Tsitsipas Nole flashing his swimming skills
McEnroe 2.0
Simply put, he’s this generation’s John McEnroe, without the slams (so far). He speaks his mind, he’s a flamboyant, fearless bunny. He hits the biggest serves and wins the big points. He had two slam quarters in his belt as a teenager. He serves underhanded and does tweeners. He laps up the crowd and berates his own team. He travels the world but readily admits that tennis is not his first love. He gets set, and loses, in a hurry. His propensity to lash out at others is only surpassed by his tendency to lambast himself during matches. In this regard, he’s reminiscent of former champ, Marat Safin.
When he’s good you can’t get enough of his game. When he isn’t good, you can’t wait to switch channels. He makes you cheer and hold your hair, sometimes simultaneously. He doesn’t just feast on weaklings. As I’ll point out, he saves his best for the world-beaters. He’s only one of two pros to have won their first meetings against the Big 3. Incidentally, McEnroe is doing some commentary work in London, as is the usual. He has been seen fighting with koalas as he tries to squeeze eucalyptus out of the twilight zone. He also would not let up on the Djokovic incident down under. As he fights for his politics, some would even label this as ‘bullying’. Just don’t say that to his face.
John McEnroe
Aside from his on-court tantrums, Kyrgios has to contend with off court drama as well. Before his quarters clash, news surfaced that he grabbed his ex. When reporters confronted him, he compared the situation with The Last Dance. He’s a big fan of Jordan’s Bulls, even donning a Rodman tee to a press con. Nick was even seen grinning. Wimbledon was also fined a million after preventing Russians from participating in the tournament. Novak didn’t seemed very surprised to be facing Kyrgios for all the marbles. Nole asserted that Kyrgios plays his best tennis against the best, much like Sakuragi in Slam Dunk.
By now, many tennis fans are familiar with Nick’s story. The son of a Malaysian mother and a Greek father, he took to the game as a kid in Canberra. He fell in love with basketball and his towering stature seemed tailor-made for the sport. He grew up idolising Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics. As mentioned, he turned pro in 2012 and two years later, stunned the tennis world by vanquishing Nadal on centre court. He has enjoyed most of his success at The Club, having reached the second week a number of times. He has endorsed Nike, Malaysian Airlines, among others. He speaks his mind to a fault.
Say what you want against Nick. Fact: he’s the first Aussie to contest a major chip since Little Lleyton in 2005. No Aussie man has emerged victorious at the Club since Hewitt two decades ago. At one point, fellow pro, Alexander Zverev, said that Kyrgios could not meet his lofty expectations as being great in one set does not beget victory. Tennis excellence is measured in sustained success, not just one set or a string of tour matches. He saw Alex ‘The Demon’ De Minaur as the Aussie male most likely to win a slam. I recall watching him at the US Open many years ago. He bageled Tommy Robredo in the first set and was up 3-love in the second. It looked as though he would finish the match in record time. However, the Spanish veteran regrouped and Kyrgios capitulated. In the end, despite the impressive start, he looked vulnerable.
ZverevThe DemonFrench-Wimbledon double (2021)
Aussies at the Club
This year has been a strong Aussie showing at the All England club. There were four players who made the second week, including three men. Apart from Kyrgios, De Minaur also had a strong showing. He led two sets to love against Garin, but ended up packing. Had he succeeded, it would’ve been an All-Aussie men’s quarters. Kyrgios had no such troubles, dispatching of the clay court specialist in straight sets. Meanwhile, Roger was a no-show. Indeed, he hasn’t suited up since last year’s edition, when Father Time seemed to have humbled him. He looked dapper though during the centenary celebration of centre court.Meanwhile, Ajla Tomljanovic (Nick’s other ex) carried the torch for the women’s side. She ultimately lost in three sets in the fourth round.
A match of contrasts
Kyrgios, as a world number forty, is the lowest seed to make the men’s final since 2003. Most importantly, he has won both his prior matches against the Djoker, not even dropping a set. However, the stakes for this one are much higher. History is on the line and Nole knows what it takes to lift that trophy. After all, he’s the three-time defending champion. He was barely troubled as he took out the hometown hero (and world number nine) in the semis. He hasn’t lost at the Club since 2017.
Centre Court centenary
He has his eyes on the prize. Rather unusually, Nole has not won a slam this year. He is stuck at twenty majors, tied with Fed for second all-time. As pundits have posited, every final is crucial in his quest to catch up with Rafa. Novak has been the game’s best returner for a decade and has spent the most weeks at world number one. His stretching ability on the court has enabled him to defend far better than any player in history. In spite of his visa concerns, he has dominated the Aussie Open almost as much as Nadal has lorded over Paris. This is a battle of contrasts: power against finesse, youth versus experience, flashy against a steady hand. Regardless, with Federer out and Nadal ogling his ab, this is probably Kyrgios’s best chance to take home the bacon.
When play wraps up this year, will it be the champion or the challenger who hoists the The Cup?
