Paddle board @ Copacabana

February 12, 2024 at 7:24 pm · Filed under Musing

Rio de Janeiro

Sunset at Copacabana Beach.

Watching over the sunset from the Café 18 do Forte, I saw the paddle boarders: have to do it.

It was 6:40 when I got to an outfit who was willing to rent me one. The first one to the southern most won’t do it – it’s too late.

The water is relatively calm. By then, all the paddle boarders have returned. I was the only one out there. Shortly after, I saw a huge turtle to my left. Then I began to dream a killer whale swims under neath of my board -:)

I returned a little after 7. Thanks for renting me a board.

 

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Ayrton Senna, 1960-94

February 10, 2024 at 12:04 am · Filed under Sports

 

Brazilian F-1 driver Ayrton Senna da Silva (1960-94) was a respected driver whom we followed for a while. His statue at Copacabana Beach is the first thing we visit once in Rio de Janeiro.

… more pix n videos on Google Maps, TA

 

He won the F-1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1988, 1990, and 1991. Michael Schumacher (1969-) won 7: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. Senna’s death certainly made Schumacher’s win that much easier. Unfortunately, he died young, on the race track in Bologna, Italy, of skull fractures, brain injuries, and a ruptured temporal artery. Italian Air Force offered to fly his coffin home but his family chose the home airline. He received a state funeral. (Gisele Bündchen catwalked at 2016 Rio Olympic … it seems Brazil lacks talent, oh well.)

One item on top of our agenda in Rio de Janeiro is to visit his statue on the sidewalk to Copacabana Beach; facing the Copacabana Palace, reportedly the best hotel in town. It’s a live size, he stands on top of the podium that he had stood for more than 40 times in his short career. His left hand is holding a Brazilian flag.

His figure is slim, compare to his fellows we see in 2024. The inscription reads “O medo me fascina”, which Google translates to fear fascinates me.

RIP.

… the evening photo was taken at 7:52pm on Feb 12. Unlike the pristine condition in the morning, empty bottles are everywhere.

 

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Polar plunge @ Antarctic

February 3, 2024 at 8:01 pm · Filed under Swim

Ok, I did it again!

This time is at Antarctic, which I’m officially checking off polar plunges from my bucket list. I did Arctic in 2022.

The water temp is 44° Fahrenheit (about 6° Celsius) at 5:40pm. This time, the ship designated a staff to use our phone to video the event, which is really good. I didn’t try to swim this time.

 

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Bridge basics: points

January 21, 2024 at 4:43 pm · Filed under Bridge ♠️♥️♦️♣️

There are total 40 points in a deck: A K Q J, the high card point.

  • HCP:
    • Ace = 4 points
    • King = 3
    • Queen = 2
    • Jack = 1
  • long suit:
    1.  = 5-card suit
    2. = 6-card suit
    3. = 7-card suit
  • short suit:
    1. = doubleton
    2. = singleton
    3. = void

Just so you know, the maximum points a hand can have – mathematically proven – is 37 HCP because each hand has only 13 cards.

♠️ A K Q J
♥️ A K Q
♦️ A K Q
♣️ A K Q

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Slam bid 满贯叫牌

January 21, 2024 at 4:09 pm · Filed under Musing

Bidding starts bridge game. It communicates between two partners, as  what kind of hand you’ve. It often needs various conventions to nail down the contract, but it’s NOT convention.

A few slams that are bid & won

  1. bid 6N, won 7: 36 hcp
  2. 6N, 32 total hcp
  3. 2025 21 hcp, 32 total
  4. my first small slam bid & won, 2023

A few unbid slams 

  1. a grand slam with 3 aces
  2. a grand slam: 30 total hcp, bid 3♦️
  3. grand slam, 34 total hcp, bid 4♥️
  4. grand slam fm 5D, 30 hcp & void ⇓
  5. bid 3NT won a grand slam
  6. won my 2nd slam on the first hand
  7. won my 2nd grand slam bid 2NT asking for aces
  8. won my 1st grand slam bid 4♥️
  9. Won my first slam
  10. my first slam

Blackwood convention: at 4NT bid, you’re asking your partner for Aces; the response of:

  • 5 ♣️ = none of all 4 aces
  • 5♦️ = 1 ace
  • 5 ♥️ = 2 aces
  • 5 ♠️ = 3 aces

At 5N, P response with the following:

  • 6 ♣️ = none of all 4 aces
  • 6♦️ = 1 ace
  • 6 ♥️ = 2 aces
  • 6 ♠️ = 3 aces

HCP needed in a slams and the bonus when it comes to scoring:

  hcp needed   not vulnerable   vulnerable     
 6 level   33   500   750
 7 level   37   1000   1500

… the hcp needed to win a slam, really depends. The following hand, we’ve 30 hcp but our hands fit perfectly, and won a grand slam.

Bidding slam with a void:

My hand: 19 hcp, with a void.
My partner: 11 hcp, 6 diamonds

I opened it with 1N, which is wrong. (Control bid or cue bid?)

~ p, 1N, p, 2♦️
~ p, 3♦️, p, 4♦️
~ p, 5♦️, ppp

I didn’t ask for A or K … because I wanted to be the dummy to watch the Australian Open … unfortunately, Coco Gauff didn’t do well, defeat by Paula Badosa (7-5, 6-4), out of Aussie Open in the quarter final.

 

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Pool at Sofitel

January 20, 2024 at 8:15 pm · Filed under Swim


The swimming pool at Sofitel is bit small and can certainly use some cleaning. The moldy tiles or the grout is pretty disgusting.

There is a full time staff watching over the gym, sauna room, and the pool. They/he bring drinks to the pool side.

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CABJ @ La Bombonera

January 19, 2024 at 11:10 pm · Filed under Sports


Brandsen 805
C1161, Buenos Aires

Club Atlético Boca Juniors is their top pro soccer club, founded in 1905. It’s based in La Boca, a neighborhood of Buenos Aires. La Bombonera (chocolate box) is the name of the stadium which was built in 1938-40. It has a museum and used as event venue: Elton John and James Blunt had performed there. CABJ plays at their new home

… more pix & video on Google Maps

We went there twice, happened to be in the neighborhood. The narrow street Brandsen @ Dr. del Valle Iberlucea is filled with fans and shops that rent the trophy, sell memorabilia or trinkets.

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Gabriela Sabatini played here

January 19, 2024 at 10:56 am · Filed under Tennis

Sabatini (1970-; 1985-96; $8,785,850) was born in Buenos Aires. She played two finals, won US Open in 1990, and lost Wimbledon (1991), both against Steffi Graf. Her highest ranking was #3, reached 1989.

On the bus tour we saw two red clay tennis camps. She lost 5 French Open doubles SF (1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992) and 3 final (1986, 1987, 1989) at Paris’ Roland Garros.

The youngsters play well

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6-1 w/ Golfer

January 13, 2024 at 9:54 pm · Filed under Tennis

I’m a little deflated on getting rid of my waiter’s tray when serving. I know all the theory and tried to do the right thing. BUT unable!

Tell me, why do I want to get rid of the waiter’s tray?

The iffy weather ruined our regular lineup. I ended up practiced for an hour then played doubles with Golfer, vs Matt and Sally. We won 6-1 without a double – the third time in a row. But I’m not too happy. I’d rather lose, with doubles but with correctly motion/form!

  1. 6-4
  2. 3-6, 3-6

In the video, I’ve

  • hammer grip
  • holding up the racket – salute/birthday hat position
  • swing … why do I change back to waiter’s tray?

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… is there a game, and where?

January 11, 2024 at 6:07 pm · Filed under Tennis

Waking up not knowing if I’ve a game and where to play. Senior moment. But glad I clear all that up and how up on time.

🎾 6-0, 6-2, no double (w/ Hope & Al; Kurt) – my second game in a row without a double fault; and my first serve % is high [跳跳][玫瑰]… but but but … the waiter’s tray may still be there

老年痴呆 醒来不知咂回事儿 不记得有没有🎾打 在哪儿打

🏊 气温50多度 水温 77 爽

那天下雨也在游的男生今天也在
他说每次游一小时 [强]

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