February 4, 2022
Happy Chinese New Year!
Perhaps you are reading this from the Olympic City as the Winter Olympics gets underway? That would be dope. You could be out watching the athletes perform amazing feats of strength, skill, speed, etc. There would probably even be some fun parties and people to interact with. Wait a minute, I guess with the COVID situation you just go directly to and from whichever events you are authorized to witness and you may need a government-approved journalist pass or somethings. Well, I am not typing this from China. Maybe next year, or in four years or whatever? Honestly, if I were down with the Olympic fandom, I think I would like to enjoy it in moderation in China’s younger sibling’s country of Taiwan, who won't be hosting the winter games this year, or any other year, due to the overbearing Chinese government and their lack of a skiing industry. Although visiting Taiwan sounds great, I think you still might have to quarantine for 14 days or so upon arrival, so I hope you’re not in a hurry. Taiwanese athletes apparently can compete as long as they pretend to be from a place called Chinese Taipei. Taiwan, on the other hand, seems pretty relaxed and fun. It would be like visiting China except without the wall, I’m guessing? I think of Taiwan as a kind of bicycling utopia, possibly due to the fact that the trusty Olde Bastarde was constructed in Taiwan and I know they still make a lot of bikes there. Also, if you are more of a boycott-the-Olympics type of person, I’m pretty sure you could find some awesome non-Olympic-related activities to enjoy in Taiwan. Let’s have a look, shall we?:
1. Visit Yushan National Park
2. Ride a bicycle around Taiwan
3. Drink some bubble tea and check out a Mandopop show
4. Go up into a tall building in Taipei, maybe Taipei 101 would be nice?
5. Eat some street food, it’s reputedly awesome!
6. Learn about the indigenous Austronesian people of Taiwan.
7. Contemplate the legacy of Chiang Kai-shek
8. Visit some temples
Now let’s pounce back to the year of the water tiger! This year has a high risk and reward factor and rewards those who are self-confident and willing to take risks. So someone like Chuck Norris should be doing well this year. Let’s see what Chuck Norris is up to these days. Here’s a thoughtful piece about breathing and 2022, although no mention of the water tiger. Speaking of breathing, I may have mentioned that I read Breath, by James Nestor and enjoyed it immensely. I have even added some breathing exercises to the start of most of my days and there is a chance I will eventually sign up for one of those Wim Hof method classes. And, although I don’t think Wim has met Chuck, he does mention him in this video where he’s showing off some sweet nunchaku moves!
So let's all ride the tiger or the Tigris or maybe Tigger. Whatever it takes!
May your days be auspicious and fierce.
Love,
BSO
