Thunderstorming and gardening

There's nothing better than a thunderstorm in summer. Especially if you, like myself, have no plans to water the lawn this year. It does seem a bit odd that we have to water the lawn, fertilize the flowers, weed the shrubbery. I mean, the whole point is to recreate a bit of nature for ourselves, right? Logically, wouldn't nature be able to take care of itself without our tender loving care? But then, I guess we don't REALLY want a piece of nature (decaying logs, layers of decomposing leaves, forests of weeds). What people really want is a semblance of nature - domesticated, I guess. Much like how people like to have domesticated animals.

And sitting here, listening to the thunderstorm, I'm starting to think I'd like to have domesticated weather. Not in the docile sense, since that's quite boring. More like a dome or enclosed sphere where I can tend to the temperature/humidity/pressure and nurture a little thunderstorm every so often. I'm sure such a thing would do wonders for agriculture and disaster management, if on a large scale (in fact, there has already been quite a lot of work on cloud seeding). However, I'm more interested in domesticating weather the way people like gardening (as compared to reforestation) - it's mighty therapeutic, regardless of whether I'm inside or outside.

I'm sure there's a deep, cathartic reason why thunderstorms are so attractive, but I'd rather not think about that right now. Let's just enjoy the rain.

Sleeping

That's how most people would like to pass away - peaceful, sleep-like. Preferably with loved ones nearby. Preferably having lived a full life, with all matters settled. Death from natural causes, with ample time for mental preparation and acceptance. When children have become independent.

In that situation, it's not even that sad when the person dies. It's more like a nice rounded finish. Does it take courage to face death in such a situation? Generally, I think not. If anything, it seems that children and dependents are the ones who find it difficult. It is the thought of having to move on without what was once a constant in their lives. So to have reached the point where you yourself are dying, and your children/family/dependents are okay with your passing is actually a good thing. Then, you have been successful in teaching and raising your kids, in establishing good life skills in your family, and in teaching independence to your (former) dependents.

Parents always say that they will always worry about their children, even when their kids are 50. But they rarely say that they want their kids to keep thinking of them. Sure, visit occasionally, and bring the grandkids, certainly! But they prefer to almost fade as they age, I think.

Hmm...I think I'm too young still to guess at what they might think. But hopefully, I'd be able to handle old age that way! Oh yeah, provided I fail in my plan to die young :D

And we begin!

Okay, on account of me finding that my friends also have blogs, I am suddenly motivated to post. Yes, I have been super lazy. I blame it on my dull life.

Anyhow, World Cup is on! Yay! It's the only sporting event I really follow. I don't know why, it must be the Hong Kong in my blood. Of course, by "follow", I really mean "watch". I find it very hard to keep track of all the players/teams/coaches and their various athletic conditions, etc. I mean, I just want to watch the game!

I love the idea that soccer can be played by any random group of people - all you need is a bit of space and a reasonably round object. No special tools, setup, or protection. And (at least at the amateurish level) it's quite easy to pick up. There's the ball. Kick it. If you want to do fancy chest or knee bounces, whatever, that's your business. Everyone else, just kick forwards. And really, any number of people can join in, as long as your space is large enough. I guess maybe that's why it's so popular in a number of poorer countries.

I know I suck at soccer, but I still loved playing it in highschool. I wonder if I'd still enjoy playing it now?