Fads in September 06

AP file photo

1. Maria Sharapova won her first US title. I felt that women moaners perform well in tennis. My first known case was Monica Seles.

2. IMF was held in Singapore. Protests were done in another country.

3. Hastily planted flowers can make Singapore a truly Garden City and Unique too.

4. We are the Land of 4 million smiles. I thought Thailand was the Land of Smiles. We beat them to it…we got 4 millions.

5. Thailand got a bloodless coup. In a strange twist within a week, the Thai and Japanese PM both lost their jobs.

6. Everybody’s favourite Croc Hunter, Steve Irwin passed away.

7. Hady Mirza is the new Singapore Idol. I hope he got good things mapped out for him.

8. News filtered in….that Osama is “dead”.

9. Arsene Wenger’s 10th anniversary as Arsenal manager.

10. Neptune closes down. No more “ballroom” shows.

11. There was some “protests” in Hong Lim Park. If ever our sovereignty is compromise from this episode, the Bradleys must roll in and crush them.

Disclaimer: I am not sure if we got 'em. I mean the Bradleys.

Arsene who?

This week was his 10th anniversary in charge of Arsenal Football Club. As a fanatical supporter of this club, I must pen something today…

Monsieur Arsene Wenger has been distinctive, setting apart from distinguished managers like Bertie Mee, Herbert Chapman and George “The Bung” Graham. I personally think Terry Neill, Stewart Houston and Bruce Rioch are forgettable.

In the past decade, Wenger has formulated and presided an exciting and captivating team so entertaining and playing cosmic football on a regular basis at Highbury. The Arsenal he created, a far cry from those “Boring Arsenal” days, would probably have won over neutral fans too. The bounds of credibility were stretched beyond any known point.

As we had seen him at the touchlines, at match conferences, this man oozes quiet confidence, he looks intelletual, scholarly and almost professorial.

During his tenure, we were blessed to see the introduction of Vieira, Anelka, Petit, Overmars and a clutch of obscure foreign talents. Most importantly, he rescues Henry from the reserves at Juventus. Look at the transformation.

His mantra thru’ my eyes: Getting his defenders to play constructively without losing the originality of the Dixon-Adams-Bould-Winterburn axis, whipping the midfield with creativity and combativeness and the attack must be mobile, quick and inspirational.

Amidst all this heaps of praises, we must not overlook his assistant of engaging candour, Pat Rice and the entire coaching and backroom staff too.

To bring it home in the Singapore context, "more good years", those great "feel it in my bones" footballing sense, for the "larger good" in the football community, but not “swiss standard" of football.

We are the Eboue’s Witnesses (EW)

For the second match running, Emmanuel Eboue sent a pinpoint radar-like cross for his captain to head home. It is becoming like a Sunday kickabout. Cross and head…cross and head.

This young right back is a revelation. More of such exploits and Lauren may find it hard to nudge him off that position.

Anyway, King Henry notched his 50th goal in European competition during this mid-week match against FC Porto.

The second goal was equally satisfying for all gooners. Gallas bamboozled his way through, feeding Henry at the end of his run, Henry pass it wide to a running Hleb and he fired a low shot to the net.

Enough said…. a comfortable 2-0 win against The Special One’s former team.

Gallas 1 - 0 Cole

The Emirates jinx ended. I think everyone at the Grove was getting worried as the match reached the hour mark.

Luckily, Gallas volleyed home for the first goal, minutes later, an own goal and a simple header from Henry sealed the points. The scoreline probably wasn’t a reflection of a dominant Arsenal performance. I think they struggled to break through the Blades team who were contented to camp in their own half. Rosicky and Ljunberg were in particular, illustrious. Henry didn't really look lively till the second half.

What a sigh of relief. Our first Premiership win at the Grove.

Normal services resumed.

Pricey abalone

Many in Singapore may have followed the news of the nutty don, the gold-digger PRC girl, and the involvement of more guys in this somewhat lurid tales of spurned love, sex, human ATMs, deceit, lies, greed, sham marriage, secret trysts, paid holidays, cash cows, love nest, gangsterism, prized citizenship, professorship, money, more sex, lust and even more sex.

I read it with a slight pinch of interest...and some bated breath. It's a fiasco on the folly of local men for this porcelain-skinned beauty. The storyline is about getting laid and the perceived fact by gold-diggers that Sinkies are basically, cash rich and horny. This story just fuel this "myth".

Imagine S$800 per grind.... My colleagues were debating... for such payouts, those guys must have gone to Heaven a few times over from those sessions with her.

Moral of the story: All abalones are expensive and chinese abalones are the priciest.

My Absolut choice

I love great and creative ads. My favourites are those Why Milk? and Absolut ads. The worst I can think of are those... swallowing ads.

Absolut ads are awesome. I reckon they probably hold one of the most successful campaigns in magazine advertising history. Always fun, arty, imaginative, witty, full of ingenuity and such a star of ads.

Well, it's a superb product riding on brilliant marketing magic... this image of Absolut Vodka is well embedded in all our collective consciousness. Simply wonderful!

Our love dish

During our courtship days, my wife and I love taking our dinners at Whampoa market. Our favourite dish is the fish head steamboat. In fact, my wife named it as our “love dish”.

Eating fish head steamboat is a real joy, it is full of warmth and a truly food-sharing experience. Best eaten during those rainy evenings.

The steamboat is filled with charcoal to keep the soup piping hot. There is a generous serving of fish (a few choices), we normally go for batang fish. White cabbage, greens, seaweed and sliced yam are the peripheral food accompanying the fish to make up this dish. The soup base is well flavoured with the mixture of fish slices, yams and vegetables.

There are several stalls selling fish head steamboat in the Whampoa / Balestier area. Our one and only choice is Xin Heng Feng from Whampoa market. We are probably one of their more frequent customers and my wife takes pride that we are being served without having to make an order. All we need to do is just sit down and give the stall holder a friendly nod. That is the level of understanding we have with the stall holder.

This stall is sure hot, during some peak evenings, one might have to wait for an hour & half before your steamboat is served. I liken it to the "Soup Nazi" episode in Seinfeld.

Stand off

For the past few mornings, as I breeze past the Hong Lim area, I am bemused to see hordes of policemen at the Speakers' Corner.

Any well-informed Sinkie would probably know... I thought such show of force was to quell violent demonstrations or unruly crowd. It was clear that the policemen outnumbered the "sub-standard protesters" and curious onlookers by a mile.

On a serious note, the security and sovereignty of our nation must not be taken lightly. Ask any bloke who grew up in the turbulent sixties.

Some photos found in this blog gives us some idea of how it is like...not the turbulent times, but the face off.

Labour Agents - Construction sector

Employment agencies deals with importing foreign workers for gainful employment in the local construction industry. Alternatively, one can call them human resource centres, staffing houses or labour agents...

Here are some marketing lines dedicated to them...

1. Bangla Power! The cornerstones of nation building!

2. The Total Package – Pillow, mattress, SOC, curries and more!

3. Meeting your staffing needs when the construction industry peaks

4. We supply the best workforce in Singapore, Batam and JB.

5. We definitely do not condone cross-industries deployment: Construction industry to clearing and washing plates at hawker centres, marine industry to grass cutting and finally, both marine and construction industries to S$50 rear entry at Tekka!

Back in the high life again

The knives were out on them… the gunners responded to all detractors in the best possible manner. Securing a gutsy 1-0 away win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Grand Slam Sunday.

A record crowd of 75,595 at Old Trafford were there to see the Red Devils literally chasing shadows. The Fab Five of Rosicky, Hleb, Ljunberg, Fabregas and Gilberto mesmerised Hair Dryer’s men. They were dazzling in the lush Manchester turf.

Cole, Pires, Campbell and Reyes were hardly missed. Lehmann was the Berlin Wall, he blocked, saved and did everything with his hands, fingertips and face. This guy is like wine, he gets better and better with the years.

We may have unearthed a great left-back in Djourou. This chap was majestic, hardly putting a foot wrong. So poised and steadfast.

Now for that killer punch… Fabregas stole the ball from that Portuguese imp, ghost pass 3 United players before releasing a killer pass for our Togo international to stab home the winner.

Our first win of the season. Did a terrific job at the Theater of Dreams. The self-belief is back.

Meanwhile, in Game 1 of the Grand Slam Sunday, an elephant swivel from Chelsea sent Liverpool crashing to their second defeat in succession.

Rosicky's screamer at the AOL Arena

Despite all the stutterings, Arsenal notched a fine victory during mid-week. A comfortable 2-1 away victory at Hamburg in the Champions League.

The highlight was Rosicky’s screamer. I had expected him to do stuff like that. Repeating those World Cup goals of his. The newly appointed Czech captain didn’t disappoint.

Didn’t get to watch the match "live" on telly. Ask Starhub.

All match reports culminated a glowing report card of Arsenal’s performance. Probably not all-conquering but controlled and comfortable.

I guess the only blip was Toure’s injury. Lehmann’s 850-minute clean sheet record got busted as well.

In all, a job well done. Manchester United, you are next.

Week of retirements

Juan Roman Riquelme and Thomas Gravesan both announced their retirement from international football this week.

Surprising…. I still think they have got a lot left in them to perform in the international stage. I like Gravesan’s combative edge. I always believe that if he gets to don Arsenal colours, he would be a great hit. Like John Jensen. He would add a cutting edge to the Gilberto-Fabregas midfield axis. The bite that is lacking since Vieira left. Taking care of the physical part that is lacking.

Riquelme is the best thing that has come out of Argentine soccer since Maradona. Personally, I favour Fernando Redondo best. I remember Redondo (Real Madrid) was so magical in one particular Champions League match against Manchester United. He practically ran rings round the MU players that night.

Transparency issues

During seasons 2003/04, the unbeaten run of 49 matches, he was part of the Invincibles.

Of late, he calls himself the Invincible Man. Not many would be bothered. Nowadays, this bloke is donning Chelsea colours. Despite his whinings, I still think he is the best left-back in the world. I am also glad he's gone too.

Lepas jambatan, buang tongkat.

Grand Slam Sunday

This Sunday is a real Football Bonanza. Chelsea vs Liverpool and Manchester United vs Arsenal. What a Sunday. I hope it would mean much more than the shaking of hands and Pizzagate Revisited.

For the record, I absolutely loathe Manchester United and Chelsea.

Poles apart

Coincidentally, Singapore Idol 2006 and Rock Star: SuperNova goes on air head to head on Wednesdays. Two singing competitions with talents, class and standards, literally vast oceans apart. One so super duper and the other, so crass.

Toby, Magni, Lukas, Dilana, Storm, Ryan and the rest could easily be the frontman of any top bands anywhere, anytime. They are simply awesome and they embodies rock and rollah.

Personally, I like Magni. His rendition of “Fire”, so ooommmphhh. He was like a white incarnate of Hendrix himself. The man from Iceland is the Real Deal.

Not squirrel..but the wonder lob

Enough of the squirrel jibe. For all long suffering Spurs fans out there, who is the most virile Spurs player ever? It has to be Nayim, no one could second that.

In season 94/95, with about less than 30 seconds to go in extra time of the then European Cup Winners Cup final, Nayim so stylishly lobbed Seaman (Semen) from 50 yards and scored.

That golden moment… although it was against my beloved Arsenal, could easily be in my all time Top Ten goals list.

5 years on...

Today is the fifth anniversary of 911. How time flies…. the two towers went down to Ground Zero.

That day which took about 3000 lives…It was my Convocation Day. I remember my girlfriend (now wife) and my mother was with me at the ceremony. When we got home, we saw the news…there was shock and disbelief.

Life is short…it can be cruelly curtailed in this manner. In this age where terrorism is rife… it makes things more vulnerable. So, we have to find time for our family and loved ones. Don’t forget to tell them that you love them every now and then.... and remember to stop and smell the roses.

Talking about flowers...there's lots of hastily planted flowers along the two banks of Orchard Road this month.

Fever Pitch

I simply can’t understand why Arsenal is stuttering… Wenger blame it on the physical aspects of the game, the opposing team’s confidence and the pitch.

I think it’s the pitch. The gunners were so used to the small pitch at Highbury. At the Emirates, what they got was a pitch so wide that they lost their compass. I am thinking along the line of graduating from baby wading pool to Olympic sized swimming pool.

Enough said…. I believe they will get their act together….soon.

Well, talking about the Highbury turf and Spurs. A squirrel can get more action in Champions League football than Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Middlesbrough

Ashburton Grove was in terrific September sunshine. A good crowd of 60,007 and almost everyone decked in red and white. Gallas debuted with the No. 10 jersey and the Beast was waiting to be unleashed. I thought Middlesbrough is gonna get plummeted.

It was not to be… they even took a shock lead. Luckily, Henry opens account for the season with a penalty equaliser. Sigh… got the lion’s share of the game and yet fail to convert the chances. Schwarzer was top class. The Emirates has yet to see an Arsenal team win a Premiership match. As usual, controlling for most, swarming their opponents and failing to win. That’s the Arsenal story so far this season.

What a stutter… Old Trafford next Sunday. Not really the right time to meet the Red Devils even though they laboured to a 1-0 win against Spurs. Chelsea didn’t look too convincing against Charlton either.

Hope the Gunners get into gear with a win over Hamburg mid-week. Might put them in a better frame to go against the Red Devils come Sunday.

Glaring differences between kopi tiams & restorans

Non-aircon coffee shops
1. Wear like a slob. Can even wardrobe malfunction.
2. Get all sweaty.
3. No receipt.
4. Pay cash.
5. Can scratch your balls while eating.
6. Talk loudly & shout obscenities.
7. Order 10 dishes with beer for $70.
8. No menu.
9. Poorly renovated. Décor sucks but Old World Charm.
10. Can dig your nose & pick your tooth openly.
11. Uncles or ah sohs shout your orders across.

Aircon restaurants
1. Dress like a snob and wear perfume from head to toe.
2. Won’t sweat, cause got air con, mah.
3. Got receipt.
4. Pay by credit cards and clock your points.
5. Can't really scratch your balls too openly, but can cross yer legs tightly.....tide over the itch.
6. Talk quietly and eat delicately.
7. Order 10 dishes with beer for $200.
8. Got menu.
9. Nicely renovated. Chic décor.
10. Cannot dig your nose and have to pick your tooth clandestinely.
11. Waiters use palmtops to write your orders.

Growing up....80's retro music

I grew up in the eighties. Those were interesting times…. trapped between the "Baby Boomers" and "Generation Y" is this special generation. I was also a metalhead too.

80s retro music was great….i like the energy and catchy music from UK and USA groups….the function days, the Centrepoint kids, the era when M. Menon, E. Gallistan and company were the terrors at Centrepoint. Those gravity defying hair, "day-glo" clothing and comb at the back pocket styles….and breakdancing. We all may have gone to Rumours, Warehouse or Fire disco. It was liken to the age of excesses. It was the time of the Yuppies too. The Carter and then Reagan era.

Without any doubt, the 80s was some hotbed of hostilities, heavy metal bands sprouted. From this era, it emerges numerous sub-genres… Most music lovers were either into heavy metal or watching the glitz and glam of MTV. Yeah. Video killed the radio star. I liked both camps.

Heavy metal will always hold dear to me because of the raw energy and attitude. The riffs and wailing guitar solos were always something that stood out for me most, but hey, it was a different sound from anything else that was around during the 80s and early 90s. Van Halen’s “1984”, Police’s “Synchronicity” and Prince’s “Purple Rain” were albums that shaped my taste for music. It felt atmospheric and I could be morphing from one thing to another, amazing. The adrenaline rush of sonic waves coming through the centre of earth’s core.

I have always wanted to compile a list of singers and bands that reflects my tastes and to add on to an element of objectivity. It is a bit hard not to be biased but my intention is just to share some of their music that shaped my tastes in 80s retro and heavy metal. These are glorious movement of the yesteryears. There were many great bands and albums, not all could be mentioned here.

ABC, AC/DC, Paula Abdul, The Police, Madness, Van Halen, Motley Crue, A-ha, Queen, Poison, Micheal Jackson, U2, Duran Duran, Men Without Hats, Naked Eyes, Toto, Culture Club, Kajagoogoo, Dan Hartman, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Dead or Alive, Stephen Tin Tin Duffy, Prefab Sprout, Wham!, Akina Nakamuri, The Checkers, Matchy, Nik Kershaw, Billy Idol, Modern Romance, Thomas Dolby, Howard Jones, and so much more….

Cole & Reyes out, Gallas & Baptista in!

Hooray! William Gallas and Julio Baptista are the new Gunners. As a gooner, it was sad to see Cole, Cygan and Reyes go... they were great players.

As a new era at Ashburton dawns, let's pray that the defensive pairing of Gallas-Toure will be a watertight and formidable one! May Baptista's rampaging and surging runs unsettle and unlock those Premiership defences....