Spinning...No Air

I am spinning in remembrance of stuff I may have never enjoyed. I may have never really felt.

I am with no Air, but then...
Air comes back and I am here for you...
For you all

Air did come back

Now that I...

rationalize, everything is clearer. For in the rational space, I live.

I sort of live, because I am intellectual, smarter, braver, sharper. But am I?

Or not?

This is the pain. The pain of not knowing who you are. Not knowing what you feel. Not knowing...why? The thing is, upon the deliverance of clarity, you still say "Crap". You still don't make much sense. You still don't get it, right?!!!

It is often the case...

that one rediscovers writing, when some sort of painful incident brings back memories, brings back pain and delivers inspiration.

Over time, I have found that my writing of such non-technical subjects comes normally at night, normally with disruptions and often infused in some alcohol.

Tonight I am writing this in the middle of a nice crowded bar in Coronado/San Diego, with great live solo music in the background, with many people around me. Yet, in a pretty recurring feeling from previous posts, I feel rather lonely.

Loneliness is one of those things: mostly unexpected, almost never comforting, always leading to focus. I will take the absolute latter as the inspiration for greater things for myself. May loneliness take me to new heights, make me a better man, a better professional. May it inspire me beyond the limits of myself... beyond the limits that others may think I have, but mostly beyond the limits I think I may have.

That is it...for now.

A couple of soundbites from me at http://www.mobileworldlive.com/videos/2012-gsma-mobile-world-congress-analyst-preview/21841

Moving on...

After 5 and half years in Asian lands working for a management consulting Firm, I am now moving on to the more moderate weather of San Francisco.

There, I will be joining Kii Capital - a micro-VC fund - as a Managing Partner.

Posts will become more geeky...oh yes, they will.

A new blog: Rushed - The Accidental Business Traveler

As activity on nein has come close to a stand-still, please check out my new more focused blog: Rushed - The Accidental Business Traveler

Married Lives: A new project

V and I have started a new project called Married Lives. V will write in Chinese and in English (or so she says) and I will write mostly in English and some Portuguese.

It will talk about our lives... together... that's it.

An article I really liked on the Olympics

Three encounters that showed what the Games meant to China

It's over - final impressions and lessons-learnt

Well, the Olympics are over. Just wanted to share some final impressions and lessons learnt.

Final impressions

A great spectacle and fantastic way for China to "open" to the world. Many of the events produced amazing results (world records, olympic records), new heroes(e.g. Phelps) and quite some drama (e.g. Taekwondo's last day).

Most of the new stadiums, gymnasiums and locations were amazing: from the National Stadium (I still look at it in awe every time I go through the 4th Ring Road) to the Tennis Centre Court and many others.

So, what wasn't so good? Well, unfortunately the atmosphere wasn't so great. I think there were two reasons for this:
1) The lack of events outside close the locations (even in the Olympic Green, there wasn't much going on) and throughout the city. The limitations on company's activities and outdoor activities overall took a lot of the vibe that you typically get during these types of gatherings.
2) The lower number of foreigners versus other Olympics. There were few events where Chinese were not in majority and while this is not necessarily bad, it does diminish the impact of a truly multi-cultural event such as the Olympics.

I could call these the "Historical Games where China showed it is a super-power and the world welcomed it with open arms". Yet, ultimately the Games ended up being too orderly, sometimes close to being boring.

Although I enjoyed most of the events I went to and shouted like a mad man at a several of them, I would say that the Games were a bit disappointing, in particular because of the "too orderly" point I mentioned above.

Lessons-learnt

1) Buy less tickets: I had tickets to 21 sessions and I can assure that's way too much. Next time I will focus on 5 or 6 key sessions and that's it. The rest of the time I will try to go out and enjoy the city.

2) Focus on the "spectator-friendly and more exciting" Olympic events:
- Men's Basketball (quarter-finals and after);
- Women's Artistic Gymnastics (all-round individual or less ideal team or apparatus finals);
- Beach Volleyball (pretty much everything, but preference for men and after quarter-finals);
- Volleyball (women or men and either on preliminaries or semis and after), Table tennis (women or men and ideally finals - team or individual).

3) Do not go to certain events unless some dramatic happens to competitive landscape:
- Women's Basketball;
- Tennis - unless the atmosphere in London is very special and ATP finally gives the tournament a more tier-1 rating;
- Athletics - unless I get tickets right next to the track.

4) Only go if I have category A-equivalent tickets: unless the tickets are given to me for free, I would sincerely only go if I have the best type of seats. Even then, there is a chance your seat is crap, so why even play "russian roulette" going to category B or C.

5) Lower my expectations before the next Olympics: I acknowledge that my frustrations this time around were also strongly tied to my expectations about the Games. Next time I hope to have learnt my lesson.

Controversy and disgrace in Taekwondo heavyweight bouts

Well, what a day it was. Great bouts and fantastic Men's over 80 Kg final between Greece (the Goliath) and Korea (the David). David won, but there were some/one unhappy greek(s) that threw some bottles in and I am sure should have been detained by security, if security wasn't too shocked just looking at him and not doing anything.

Yet, I honestly don't think there was controversy here. There was somewhere else. The Chinese favorite in the Women's over 67 Kg who had seemingly won against a British contender in a quarter-final, lost after appeal from the British. There was booing afterwards - and not during the announcement since it was made in English - and half of the Chinese left the event.

The Chinese appealed on a quarter-final loss in the Men's competition to Cuba, one Angel Valodia Matos of whom we will speak much more below. The appeal was not upheld and that would be it, if the Chinese translator at the Stadium had not just told the audience about the appeal not being approved, having forgotten to also say what appeal it was about. The audience thought it was the British appeal on the Chinese Women's win and was over-joyed. Not so much overjoy, after the translator was forced by the officials to repeat the WHOLE announcement and not just the end.

The disgrace came in one of the Men's bronze medal matches between the aforementioned Cuban and Arman Chilmanov from Kazakhstan. The latter gentleman can only be considered lucky since he lost his only match of the day... the only one that finished that is, since he then won the Repechage with an injury from his opponent and then the Bronze medal with ... well, here we go: the Cuban got slightly injured on his foot while he was ahead on points. Apparently, and according to Taekwondo rules, he has 1 minute to be assisted (in this case inside the "ring"). When the 1 minute finished, the referee believed that he was not ready and decided to end the bout, which would obviously give the victory to the lucky opponent. The issue is that the Cuban was literally just getting ready so if at all beyond the 1 minute, it would have been literally by 1 second or so.

The Cuban and his coach started protesting straight away, and even before the bout had been called. What happened next can only be described as a very sad moment in these Olympics: the referee declares the bout finished and points to Chilmanov as the winner; Angel almost immediately kicks the referee in the face and although his coach tried to take him away (and only at that point tried to keep him away), tried kicking everyone around him; the judges came in and with a mysterious lack of security (I really don't know why there was so much in all the events, since when they were finally needed, nothing happened), Angel and his coach were taken from the "ring" side by WTF's secretary general - a gentleman, I may add, that was heroic enough to alone and just pointing his finger drive these two people (plus the Cuban "doctor) far from that ring (see picture); a GENTLEMAN that I have had the privilege of meeting in a flight to Seoul and who is unlucky for such unfortunate event but had thus the opportunity to show his strength of character.

The coach and the Cuban athlete waited in the sidelines for some time and delayed the programme. They finally left. Later in the evening, it was announced that it had been decided by the appropriate authorities, to ban this Cuban athlete and his coach for life from any WTF tournament or link. Furthermore, the athlete's records in the Olympics will be delete.

Although I believe the referee's decision was not correct, I absolutely agree with WTF's decision. Nobody can have these attitudes in any sporting event, let alone in the Olympics. The Cubans could have protested and even if they had lost, could have further appealed to higher instances. What they did - both the athlete and the coach - is not acceptable and was punished as all these behaviors should be.

All in all, a lot of drama, but also some great Taekwondo. V and I will be back.

Of Basketball and other things

Well, after watching the Men's Quarter-finals and today the Semi-finals, I can say I am impressed.

Men's Basketball has evolved significantly since I started watching in 86/88 and today there are strong teams all round: Spain, Lithuania and Argentina at the fore-front, but solid teams such as Greece and Australia, and future hopes such as China. I am also sure that Croatia will re-emerge, as well as Serbia and Russia.

Did I forget a team? Oh yes, the USA... In my opinion - a biased one I might add - they are still at a different level and when they brought a tremendous team to this event, people thought it was a done deal. Others reminded us of past failures, namely in 2004 and 2006 when they had also brought "great teams". None was truly right. We haven't seen the "destruction" that we saw in Barcelona '92 with the first (and for me still the only true one) dream team, but they have been dominant nonetheless.

However, the interesting aspect of their dominance has, in my opinion, not been their individual superiority (which they definitely have) but their focus during the games. They have been very focused throughout the tournament and respectful of their adversaries. Today I saw one of the Americans almost get into a fight with one of the Argentineans and the amazing thing was to see the rest of the US team on the field (all 4 of them) taking him out of the mess straight away and telling him to calm down and keep his head. I had seen a similar scene against Australia. Today, Mike K kept is "A stars" much longer than usual, truly respecting their opponent. The Americans never looked too much at doing "show" for the audience, but always took Argentina seriously. They even came out with an uncharacteristic shooting games which added to an amazingly tight defense gave them a significant early lead.

What about Argentina? Great team who lost Ginobili very early in the encounter with the US, but to be honest, I don't think the US would have lost today as I don't think they will lose on Sunday. They are too strong and especially too focused.

Some doubts on what really happened to Argentina's number 5. He left on his own feet, but I did not see him back on the bench. V and I think he might have pulled a "Liu Xiang", but who knows. My hat off to Scola and to Delfino, who pushed the "Pumas" to within 8 points of the US at a certain point and to a closer and more exciting match than the final 20 point deficit really shows.

Finally, a special mention to the man, Mr. Bryant, and in particular, in spite of having scored only 12 points, having been such a fundamental piece in the US team tonight. He defended Ginobili in what promised to be a very tough night for Argentina's number 5, defended strongly against Delfino and pushed Nocioni around like "he didn't mean too much". His connection with James, the rest of the team and the fact that he has opted, not only tonight but throughout the tournament, for a more supporting role with strong defense, helping the team in offense when needed (what a show he put on against Australia) and even as a true leader, should potentially still allow him to be the tournament's MVP. On Wednesday, he stayed on with the coaching staff to watch Argentina versus Greece and one can only but wonder how important his leadership has been for the US team to glue so dramatically well.

Spain has a shot at the US, but although I don't feel it will be another 30+ point difference game, I do feel the US will win. The key to Spain's success will be in significantly slowing down the Americans and making them take their shots. The problem for Spain is that their own game style is very American with either "run and shoot" or "push to the inside man and dunk/make easy shot". We shall see what happens.

When the most exciting moment of the session is changing seats... something is wrong

What a boring session. The women's basketball quarter-finals 1st session with the matches between China and Byelorussia, and Australia and Czech Republic, were painfully boring. Granted that China is playing well and Australia has a great team - although today it really didn't impress me.

Please note that the comments that follow are in no way a criticism of a country, of its athletes in general or a person in particular for that matter. The criticism is on a specific women's basketball team, full stop.

The Czech Republic women's basketball team - and please note this is the second time I watch them - is the worst team I have seen live in any sports event: they lack skill, any stamina and, to top it all, will ... to do basically anything that involves them fighting for the ball, fighting for possession. I watched the match (did I say it was the second one I watched live?) in absolute disbelief. They even managed to - and accidently, I might add - injure one of Australia's top players. The Byelorussian team is just like the Czech Republic but with the positive difference that it fights and therefore provided more excitement.

Some will think I am too harsh and others will defend that the basis for the Olympic vision is precisely that Participation is what matters... BUT I would allege that participation can only materialize if accompanied by true will and if the Byelorussians had some, the Czechs didn't have much and were therefore an extremely poor representation for a truly great country. Some years ago, in my home country, a coach and the team captain in another sport apologized to fans and to their citizens for the lack of focus and will they had demonstrated in a match. I would respectfully propose that the Czech team should do the same.

If I look at Mali, this truly poor - and I mean materially poor - team from Africa that lacked any clear discipline or competitive edge, I saw the absolute manifestation of the Olympic ideal: the fighting even when there is not much more to fight for, the energy to keep going, the "living every moment". My hat off to them for they showed a thing or two to some teams who actually made it to the quarter-finals.

My new seat ...

after complaining. It's a security seat so fingers crossed on security letting me stay here.

The worst seat of my olympics

How can they call this a seat? It's in a passage way between sections and is not even a category c but is a b. Shame on whoever did this.

The two most interesting events I have attended so far

Going into the 2 week, it's important to recognize the two most interesting events I have been to. Specifically:
- Beach volley: the atmosphere, the fun you have as part of the audience is quite unique. Adding to that, the quality of the players and the quasi-individual battle of one against the other. I know it's teams but it's as close as it gets to 1+1 versus 1+1. V and I really enjoyed it.
- Women's Artistic Gymnastics: the overall competition, the drama of the American and Chinese performances, the beauty of the individual skills made it for me the most enjoyable sport thus far.

A special mention to football with the Men's quarter-final between Italy and Belgium. Not the best match of all time, but still very exciting from end-to-end. A good demonstration that having younger players at the Olympics might not necessarily be a bad thing.

10 predictions until end of the Games

- Nadal will not win Olympic gold.
- Phelps will get his 8 gold medals.
- US will win both Men's and Women's Basketball competitions.
- China will win all 4 gold medals in table tennis - the two in teams and the two in singles.
- China will be number 1 in gold medals and total medals.
- The Athletics 100 meters world record will be beaten.
- Liu Xiang will not win the 110 m hurdles.
- Rosenthal/Gibb will win a medal for the US in Men's beach volleyball.
- Brazil will not win gold in football - male or female.
- Shawn Johnson will win Women's individual all-round Artistic Gymnastics competition.

Federer is out

Federer was just beaten in 2 sets by Blake. Americans rejoice with their last shot at a medal in the Male competition and for the Swiss the remainder of the competition is in doubles.

What a bad year for this guy. Truly amazing how this amazing player went from clearly best to absolutely beatable. As Courier once said when asked "It's all in the mind".

End of Olympic blogging

Given a lower number of hits than I expect as well as no comments (yes, yes), I decided it would be more useful to spend the rest of the Olympics organizing photos and videos I take from the events than to spend much time on blogging.

I will be posting some stuff, but not as meticulously as before.

Some random updates

- In Beach Volleyball, men world champions Rogers/Dalhauser from the US made for a good come-back after losing their first match. They won the second comfortably agains Heyer/Heuscher from Switzerland. In women, the Chinese double Tian Jia/Wang are doing well, thank you very much, although they lost the first set agains the Belgium pair.

- In Tennis, Venus and Serena are through to the third round with comfortable wins. The Chinese lose one of their representatives in women as Peng Shuais is beaten by Alize Cornet. Daniela Hantuchova again makes a mess out of it and loses to the unseeded Caroline Wozniacki. Wunder-kind Agnieszka was shown the way out of the Olympics by unseeded Francesca Schiavone. Match of the day will oppose Lleyton Hewitt to Rafael Nadal.

-In Artistic Gymnastics, the Men's team final was very much dominated by China who took Gold, followed by Japan and a US team that hadn't had a promising start but delivered at the end for a Bronze medal and narrowly relegating the German team to the wooden spoon. Korea, Russia and Romania were very close in what could have been a very different bronze medal setting.

The US-China Basketball thing

Well, there was eager anticipation in knowing how China would fare against the US and at home in both the Women and Men's competitions. The answer was unequivocal: not well. In Men, the US won by 31 points (101-70). Amongst accusations of arrogance from the American team (arrogance ?!), Mike K - the American coach - replied that the Americans dunked so much because there was, amongst others, this 2.26 m guy called Yao Ming that is quite good at blocking.

In the Women's competition, the anticipation was even stronger since approximately a month ago, China beat the US in the final of a preparatory tournament in Beijing. The story now was different, with the US winning by 45 points (108-63). V said "I had to change channels. The women were playing even worst than the men". V always gets these right.

Tennis on August 11th

I watched three matches at the evening session - all of which at Centre Court.

Venus Williams looked confidant in beating Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 6-2. There were some good exchanges but pretty much one-way traffic.

Robby Ginepri was not able to keep up with Novak Djokovic for long in a straight set loss 4-6, 4-6. Robby seemed at times to have enough game for Djokovic but then he somehow didn't seem to want it enough.

Finally, Chinese sweetheart Li Na unexpectedly won against Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6(5), 6.4 in what was another highlight for the Chinese audience who saw three out of the four Chinese women progress throughout the day.

In other results, Federer won comfortably and Nadal had to go the distance (3 sets) with the Italian Potito Starace.

Final comments to the mess around security for the 5 pm session and the recurring I have that volunteers, in their effort to keep things under control, create even bigger issues. The one I have seen a couple of times is the "bottleneck" one both going in to venue spaces (not venues themselves) and out where there seems to be either only one way or one way out. Clearly they haven't seen what happens when a stampede takes place.

Another note - and also a negative one - for the Chinese crowds in tennis. This isn't news, but clearly they are yet to understand the principle of silence in a tennis match and yesterday repeatedly shouted "out", "uhhed" and "ahhed" during several of the points between Li Na and Kuznetsova. Really, really bad and I hope the crowds can learn how to behave in the next few days or at least get strong referees that push them to do so.

Live from tennis centre court