Sometimes There Are Knots...

I've been very bad with keeping my blog up-to-date. Everyday, I have new things I wish to put in my blog. And then a lot of things get in my way. The 'things' getting in my way may seem to be excuses, but when I write, I prefer to be in the right frame of mind (unless I am writing in anger - then I don't give a shit).

It's been a long week and it's not exactly over. I just thought I'd take my mind elsewhere and I came to my friend's Kris' blog. Sometimes, it is so easy to be inspired. And without disappointing, a few of his posts did snap me out of it (at least for now, for me to write on my blog).

Kris wrote about the choice of getting rid of individuals who are "negative" for oneself. Sometimes, I get really tired - not from working on the real work, but from dealing with people. It can be really tiring - when you have to smoothen the edges of ruffled feathers, or having to dance on egg shells around someone, or if you're trying to convince a recalcitrant client who insists that you're supposed to fork out your own per diems,.... or simply, your own staff or even a stranger at the pool.

I really enjoy my non-team sports training. Swimming, Cycling and Running - all of which... are individual sports. Especially in the pool - when you're away from everything and you're just counting laps and pushing for a personal best time. My time in the pool and the gym are almost like my sanctuary. Until this little drama that occured a few days ago.

After living in Cambodia for close to 2 years now, I am getting more and more disgusted with the people here - and this is a whole new story for another day. One of the thing about them (and I know I am generalizing) is their seemingly non-existent basic hygiene knowledge. They throw rubbish everywhere, even right in front of their own homes, they spit everywhere, they pee everywhere and they blow their noses into the pool.

It greatly annoys me and disgusts me. Now, a few days ago - I was beginning my swim - and I was a little late - I usually swim at 4.30am - an hour where I have no need to share the pool with anyone. But on that particular day, I was there at 6am and so were a few other locals. One middle-aged man was happily blowing is nose and clearing his throat and spitting it all out at the edge of the pool. Annoyed, I told him "Please don't do that. It is dirty." I didn't shout, I didn't raise my voice, I told him politely, albeit firmly. Then I went on my swim.

When I got out of the pool, this idiot came back and started shouting at me. "Do you know who I am?!!! Do you know who I am???!!! You have no right to tell me not to do anything!!" Not wishing to cause a scene, I quickly got dressed while he continued his verbal diarrhoe. Irritated, I told him "No, I really have no idea who you are. I'm sorry." And then menacingly, he threatened me! "You better be careful. You better watch out."

I can't believe the nerve of him. But then again, this is one of those "Welcome to Cambodia" factors - which is really getting under my skin. Even a miserable lowly minister in the government can get away with murder. And I have no clue who this guy was!! As I hate having to watch my back everywhere I go, I made a distress call to a friend. At least, I'm slightly comforted by the fact that I am just a phone call away from mobilizing the PMU (Prime Minister's Unit) guards. I wonder how near they are should I really be sprayed with... say acid?? Hmmm... (But if anything does happen to me - remember - it can only be this guy from the Himawari gym!!!)

As it turned out, I'm still here, writing my blog. As Kris would say - that was a probably a "close shave". And maybe I should "live life to the fullest everyday". And maybe I should equip myself with more positive thoughts. And maybe I should "pursue my aspirations now rather than later." Try. Try. Try.

Like Kris, I am also, still.. a work-in-progress.