Happy Retirement, Michael
It was indeed a fantastic finale for Michael Schumacher, more affectionately known to his fans as ‘Schumi’. Sure, an eighth Formula 1 World Championship title was never meant to be, but boy did he put up a fight.
Things hadn’t started well for Schumacher, who made his 248th grand prix start at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil. In qualifying on Saturday, his car failed in the last session, meaning he had to start from 10 place. Needing to win and for his title rival Fernando Alonso to finish below eighth, his chances for another World Championships were slim. But boy, did he try.
But the gods weren’t making it easy for him. On lap 10 of the 71 lap race, he suffered a puncture, meaning he ended up at the back of the field. But he still tried his best, winding past driver after driver in the superior Ferrari to eventually finish fifth. A fantastic result, but it wasn’t enough. Fernando Alonso finished second, whilst Schumi’s teammate, Felippe Massa won the race to become the first Brazilian to win his home grand prix since the legendary Ayrton Senna.
And in terms of legends, Schumacher becomes one of them. Arguably the best driver there ever was, he had his faults, particularly with multiple allegations of ungentlemanly conduct, but there is little doubting his genius.
As the most prolific driver on the F1 circuit in history, the sport will miss him.
Congratulations Minh and Tuan
Didn’t have a chance to write this last week before the breaking news, but I did go to my fourth invitation to a wedding this year. Congratulations to Minh, a uni friend of mine and her husband, Tuan, who celebrated their marriage with a banquet at the Royal Docks last week (they actually married a month earlier, apparently).
Anyway, it was rather strange for me as I was the only person I knew apart from the happy couple, and it was slightly odd being a bit nameless in such an occasion. It was also the first time I had been to a Vietnamese wedding, albeit at a Chinese restaurant.
Anyway, in an evening when that was loud enough for people not to hear my name and therefore resort to being called Leslie, there was a fantastic musical duo, a saxophonist and a vocalist singing some great songs.
I seem to remember a saying that referred to a statistic about people meeting their future spouses at weddings. It may have been from Four Weddings and a Funeral, but I’m not sure. But certainly I doubt it will happen to me, and I’d very much to thank the couple for their seating plan. I was looking forward to having some beautiful girls at the table, but I wasn’t counting on sitting next to three sweet little girls who were all under the age of ten. Maybe next time some girls my age, people! 
Anyway, my warmest congratulations to you both, Minh and Tuan.
Tagged: Friends