Dead and buried...

Strangely, none of last nite’s bumper crop of EPL matches were telecast on Starhub Cable TV. Like many others, we paid Starhub Cable to get football blackouts. We must count our blessings...they reinstated Italian Seria A football this time round.

For the umpteeth time, Arsenal fell back to an early goal again. Sigh…what a season it has been…slaying Man Utd away and Liverpool at home. Yet, losing to the lesser teams. Those are not lesser teams anymore.. they have improved and catched up. Meanwhile, the Gunners, as of late... left to nurture “babies”.

Read the news…final score, Fulham 2 – 1 Arsenal. My take is that no matter what kinda beautiful curling long distance free kick one may score, a loss is a loss of 3 points and falling way behind in the title race.

Actually, I really hope Arsenal could turn the tide by beating Spurs come Saturday at the Emirates. That could possibly change our sort of abysmal season so far. Hey, it was not too long ago that they were known as the Invincibles.

Fads in November 06

1. Scientists warned that seafood may disappear in 40 years. So, let's all mee siam mai hum!

2. Saddam is sentenced to death by hanging.

3. Singapore is ranked 2nd in the world for nightlife, dining and shopping.

4. Wenger almost came to blows with Pardew at Upton Park. I think he is kinda losing it abit. Personally, I rather see him slapping the Hair Dryer and the Special One.

5. Oral sex between consenting straight adults will be de-criminalised. For gay bangers, it's still a no-no.

6. If the registration of the name, Yao Ming as a trademark for a women's sanitary pad is successful.... In the future, women can be Yao-Minged during their days of heavy flow.

7. GST will be 7% soon. Don't worry, it might be gradual....we can all cushion it.

8. Real Madrid signed Marcelo, a 18-year old left back, known as "one of the jewels of world football".

9. George Bush landed in Singapore. I love the way he calls up "the Internets" and "The Google". Oh, Bushism.

10. Ian Thorpe retires. He's only 24.

11. Sadly, no one would get to read O.J. Simpson's "what if" tell-all revelations.

The revenge of the Incredible Sulk

It was a Saturday when an ex-Gunner, or better known as “The Incredible Sulk” destroyed any remaining chance the Gunners could hold on to the title race.

The widely travelled Anelka, who ply his trade in France, England, Spain, Turkey and back to England again….haunt Arsenal with two superbly taken goals. Bolton drew first blood with Abdoulaye Faye nodding home from a corner early in the match.

I sense hope when stand-in skipper Gilberto rose and sent a muscular header to the Bolton net just before half-time. But the Incredible Sulk ended all hopes of a comeback when he scored his second mid-way through the second half.

The Gunners did came out all guns blazing in the second half. They struck the woodwork thrice in the second half.. well, it is just one of those off-days. A 3-1 away loss.

The title dreams is quite effectively over for the Gunners. Of course, unless Chelsea or Man United falter badly. But that’s not the case, I think. I am wondering if Thierry Henry is making the right choice with his decision to stay with the Gunners for the rest of his career.

He is experienced

He is quite the ultimate rock guitarist, the killer. He is none other than Jimi Hendrix. I reckon Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani or Steve Vai might be better technically with the six-string. But, I must say Hendrix was there first. So, quite rightfully, he is the Man.

Many other guitarists have laid claims that they were influenced by Hendrix. Quite rightly so, I guess. Hendrix sure defined the electric guitar. He explored it, fired it all up and makes the six-string an essential rock status. The guitar became the essential music instrument for all rockers. He did what Wacko Jacko did to the moonwalk or The Beatles’s influence to mop top hair.

Hendrix embodies the fusion of rock, blues and at times, jazz. He was the showman, the explosive live act and the unabashed rocker. He is the spiritual music force on stage and also, the unstoppable liberator of the six-string.

Songs like “Fire”, "Crosstown Traffic", "Hey Joe", "The Wind Cries Mary", “Voodoo Child” and “Purple Haze” were sensational. His rendition of “All Along the Watchtower” and “The Star Spangled Banner” were fast, furious and outta the world. The latter probably, stung the Woodstock crowd…The Flower Children.

In 1970, he rose to the Heavens…till today, this Seattle-born musician’s work is revered as mythology. His name had reached almost God-like stature to any known or practicing guitarists. Any lingering memories of his stage performances will continue to reverberate across the music world.

Ghoulish Rock

One of my all-time 70s rock hero is Alice Cooper. Wow, it was quite some time ago already…in fact, his work spanned four decades. Alice Cooper’s shock rock is just simple hard rock with punchy guitar riffs, sometimes nice sounding rhythms & melodies with oh yes, cool lyrics. His shows were pretty grand theatre style, violent and designed to shock. Probably drawing inspirations from horror movies, his concerts features snakes, electric chairs, gullotines, dripping blood, boa constrictors and damn heavy make-up.

I reckon parents back then did fathom… what their children (growing up in the 70s & 80s) like about this creepy rock singer with his simple loud music. I like Alice’s songs. Hits like “School’s Out” – a hit single on sheer adolescent rebellion, “I’m 18”, “Under My Wheels”, “No More Mr Nice Guy”, “Freedom”, “Poison” etc. Alice also introduced to the world – Kane Roberts. The hunky Rambo-like metal guitarist with those machine-gun guitar. It was Out-Out-Outrageous!

Back in the 80s, I remember going to the Attic CD shop at Centrepoint to buy my “Constrictor” and “Raise Your Fist and Yell” records. The musical interest started to wane till Alice Cooper released “Trash” in 1989. My word, it was superb and this album sure as hell revitalised Alice’s career. It was one great pop metal release meeting all mainstream requirements.

Alice Cooper sure did some masterpieces in his 70s heydays. “Killer” is perhaps one of the greatest rock albums of all time. No kidding. My wish for now… more shock rock from this beloved great stage entertainer. So scary, with all the thrills and spills. Yes, all the snakes, blood… everything…and there is news that his new album is in the works.

The late, late show

Same old situation…falling behind at the Emirates once again. This time around, the Gunners did not salvage a draw. They stormed to a 3-1 win and sent Arsenal to the top of their group table.

Dutchman Raphael van der Vaart stunned the Gunners so early in the match with a curling right-foot long-distance strike. The Hamburgers’ early lead probably stung the Gunners to action. It was a match they could ill afford to lose.

The 3 goals came flooding in after the break. Fabregas was running the midfield and spraying passes all over, Hleb was twisting and turning, tormenting Hamburg on the right flanks. Hamburg had their backs to the wall for most of the second half.

Come the 51st minute, Arsenal broke the Hamburg’s resistance. The Cesc sent Dutchman Van Persie through with a splitting pass and our Dutch striker slotted the ball home. The second goal was from an impossible angle and the unlikely scorer was Eboue. He ran right through the right flank and drill in a low shot. The score now stands at 2-1.

The introduction of Walcott and Baptista was the final nail to Hamburg’s coffin or rather, Wenger’s masterstroke. The young British talent’s ran down the right, whipped in a pinpoint cross for The Beast to head home from far post. Final score 3-1!

They are the comeback kids and they sure did a late, late show for all gooners. FC Porto, you are next…

KISS, one hotter than hell band

I was one of KISS army, or alternatively, quite a big fan of KISS. I have an almost entire set of KISS figurines which I proudly display in cabinets at my home. Their appeal is rather limitless. The other day, my cousins, in their late teens, were asking me about them. They were busy buying back catalogues of KISS albums.

Many would probably ask, why are they so spell-binding back in the 70s and still manage to stay sort of relevant today? Well, the KISS experience was sheer spectacle. Four costumed characters such as The Demon, The Catman, The Star Child and Space Ace. They played bubbly rock & roll with some metal riffs, wore high heels, stage pyrotechnics, smoke bombs, candles, chandeliers, scary make-ups, dripping blood, wigs, fire-breathing shows, a comic called “Psycho Circus” and an entire horde of crazy fans calling themselves “Kiss Army”. All this factors led them to be the hottest act in the 70s.

KISS sure as hell drove us, the fans, wild and happy. Looking back, or listening to their music all over again, I do feel it borders on thinly-veiled bubblegum-hard rock with some occasional catchiness. I like their song, “Hard Luck Woman” best. Even the great Garth Brooks covered this song and make it country-sounding.

Well, KISS has long past their expiry date by now. All members came out with solo albums back then, not so outstanding ones…However, I like Gene’s version of “When You Wish Upon A Star”, the classic Disney child ballad. KISS tried everything….from recording with a full orchestra to removing their make-up and putting them back. Even going MTV Unplugged. I thought KISS went for a joint tour with Aerosmith recently.

Whatever they are trying to do now…I will remember their past better…in the 70s, when KISS was at their glorious, bizarre and gory best! In all, selling a whopping 75 million albums worldwide! That’s all for my KISStory.

Painful

Oh so painful. After seeing a dominant Arsenal controlling for almost the entire match and even have to come from behind to salvage a draw.

Despite all the domination over their visitors, the Gunners fell behind to a Keiron Dyer strike in the 29th minute. Once again, in similar fashion, the Gunners had to start hunting for an equaliser. To their credit, they didn’t panic.

Theirry Henry who was named as a sub for this match, just had to come on. The importance of our captain was demonstrated once again. In the 70th minute, he curled in a wonderful freekick equaliser for the Gunners.

Shay Given, the Toon goalie must be singled out for praise. It was his saves that rescue a draw for Newcastle. I must say the Toon Army are a bit boring… it was not too long ago when Ginola and Asprilla were thrilling the crowds…those were exciting times.

10 matches have been played at the Emirates so far. Out of which, there were 5 wins and 5 draws, with no losses. The record have to be improved if the Gunners were to mount any serious title threat to either Man Utd or Chelsea. I can’t help feeling that the Grove is a bit jinxed.

Van Halen, the monsters of rock

Van Halen’s “1984” was one hell of a thumping masterpiece of hard rock album. “Jump” is probably the song that inducted me to the music of hard rock and heavy metal. The album cover was maybe, controversial during its time. A baby smoking….

Of course, further to all this lies the band’s guitarist, Eddie Van Halen. This guy has what it takes. Great guitar skills and technical prowess. He probably set the standard for guitar solos in hard rock genres during the 80s. Their musical chair arrangement of replacing lead singers have always been news… to me, David Lee Roth was the best.

As a tribute, I rate them as a band with glorious Eddie’s guitar solos, sleazy, great fitnesse of hard rock power, sometimes glam, and the fantastic showmanship of David Lee Roth. Not only a great frontman, Diamond David was the oversexed, God’s gift to women. They always give the crowd a rollicking good time and in turn, form a entire generation of hard rock fans, or I rather call, pop metal fanzines.

They did fantastic cover versions of "(Oh) Pretty Woman", “You Really Got Me”, "Dancing in the Street" and "Where Have All the Good Times Gone?". The magic of the Van Halen I liked disappeared as soon as David Lee Roth left. I reckon Sammy Hagar was passable and Gary Cherone lacked charisma and personality to front a super band. Van Halen also established themselves as great MTV acts with breakthrough videos like “Jump”. The MTV video of “Hot for Teacher” really stirred the groins of many a teenager then.

I still followed through with the "5150", "OU812" and "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" albums. I felt that at times, they were quite good, but never, brilliant. Whatever it is, I still can look back at “1984”.

Into the chamber of fear... with the Chosen One

The greatest basketball player I knew of was Michael Jordan. However, I liked the wild antics of rebounding king, Dennis Rodman. Ever since Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen left the Chicago Bulls, my interest in NBA wane too. Of late, the interest had been revived. It was for this great player…Lebron James.

This prodigious young player is sure hot…even The Shaq were among the many who saw Lebron play high school basketball then. His appeal is sure awesome and knew no bounds. Even before he played a single NBA game, Lebron got a $95 million contract with Nike. How’s that for advertising dollars.

He is the power guard for the Cleveland Caveliers. In fact, he is so versatile with all-round play. I see the similarity in Lebron’s style with Magic Johnson than his idol, Air Jordan. Lebron sure have the size, height, strength, skill and quickness. Such great intensity when the Chosen One is on the offence. Holy cow.

I really dig his pre-match ritual of tossing powder high up at court side. It’s like Triple H spewing out water before he wrestles. The difference is that the Chosen One has more class than the Game. People calls him King James, Flight #23 or The Chosen One. To me, he’s the Total Package. You really gotta believe the Hype.

Cleveland Caveliers sure got the hottest NBA player right now…for how long, no one knows. For me, I am going to enjoy every NBA telecast whenever Lebron James comes on for the Caveliers. I intend to coax my wife watch too.

Gallas 2 - 0 Cole

Wow! Arsenal gave the best response when they were in the news for the wrong reasons last week…getting beaten by troubled Hammers and the infamous shoving incident. They gave Liverpool a sound 3-0 beating which also, sort of ended Liverpool’s title hopes.

None of the goals came from the Gunners’ acclaimed strikeforce. We got Flamini and Toure grabbing their firsts and Gallas nodding in his second of the season. The first goal came as Hleb dribbled across the edge of the area before flicking the ball to Fabregas on the right flank. The Cesc took a touch and sent a low cross for the tumbling Flamini to stab home.

In the 56th minute, Van Persie clipped a quick ball forward and Kolo Toure out sprinted everyone and slip the ball past Reina. It was quite a cool and clinical finish. The third came from a corner, 10 minutes from time, Gallas simply walked right in to the six-yard box and nod home unmarked. A classic set piece goal, thanks to the static Liverpool defence.

In fairness, Liverpool were a great footballing side. It was just one of those off days. We are third now, with a game in hand. It would be interesting to see the outcome of the Chelsea vs Man Utd match on 26 November 2006.

Arsenal certainly outplayed Liverpool for many periods in the game, dishing out uncaring & elite football and sure as hell kicked the balls out of the entire Liverpool team.

Where is the penalty?

What a London Derby.

It was a pulsating finale to a great match. But, the ending was not what any Gooners had wanted. Really couldn't stomach the moment when Harewood struck in the 88th minute.

Rosicky could have put Arsenal ahead from a great lay-off by Henry. Sigh... he sliced it wide. The worst was yet to come... referee Styles failing to award a penalty to the Gunners. Hleb was blatantly brought down by Spector. Gutter refereeing.

To sum it up, some blind refereeing, that spurned chance by Rosicky, the near miss from a Toure missile and a passionate West Ham did the Gunners in. Dramatic last few minutes.. I swear this is the first time I saw Wenger shoving an opposition manager. Pardew must had been a prick.

Terrible feeling on a Sunday night... the second defeat of the season. All by pathetic teams like Man City and West Ham. The only consolation was Chelsea losing to Spurs.

Don't let life kick you in the balls

During the past couple of weeks, the furore in local blogosphere was about an elitist babe hurling uncaring remarks at a 35-year “loser”. One of my buddies who read my blog posts frequently, was not sure of the going-ons. He was asking me, put something in your blog, something that could describe the entire issue in one post so that he could breeze through….here it is. My version…

It all started with Mr Derek Wee, a 35-year old regular guy who wrote in his blog….regular topics like the influx of foreign talent, about older workers – the fortysomething & above, about having kids, and other real-time issues…he led a cry for the Government to hear us, people from the lower rungs, the working class and to understand our problems. I can’t say he was the Voice or our regular working class hero. But, he did strike a chord among many of us. I was the first few to congratulate him for the article, which incidentally, echoes my thoughts too.

Not long after, an elitist babe wrote on her blog (it has since been shut down), launching a fierce broadside at our darling. It was outright brazenly bigotry at its very best. It sure was strong words, mama. Her tough talking led to strong responses. She ranted and got out-ranted. Her father, a MP from some GRC came out and apologises twice.

His apologises came out like that, “if you cut through the insensitivity of the language, her basic point is reasonable” and her dad mitigated further, with “some people cannot take the brutal truth and that sort of language, so she sought to learn from it”. Okay lah. Apologises or damage control, it comes across quite like the same.

I reckon the brutal truth is that what Derek Wee, wrote in his blog, are the absolute brutal truth. So, many bloggers might have felt that a caste system actually exists here...the uncaring elites (Brahmins) and the working class, the Derek Wees (Dalits).

My advice for any young elitist who thinks of those whining peasants who could not measure up in the workforce, think again. Have you stepped into the working world yet? If only you could get off your cocoon of privileged smugness, please. My final plea to those young, spoilt brats…stay humble. No matter what you are, top scholars, elitists, the noveau riche, the immortables or the infallibles, please be humble. It pays to be so.

Barring a few exceptions, i dare say, most elites may never resonate with the working class or the lower crass. I am sure, it's as sure as life, death and taxes. Enough said and ranted... let's move on.

Pass the 179

Before Bergkamp, Vieira, Petit, Anelka, Henry came by….my Highbury hero was Ian Wright. He was the star striker. The absolute effervescent hitman.

He had the cavalier free spirit, full of swagger and at times, volatile coupled with a streak of rebelliousness in him. It all adds up to the allure that many, including myself, find him irresistible.

He was the first guy to esclipse Cliff Bastin’s records. I think around some 184 goals in 278 starts. This record is staggering and the manner in lots of Ian’s sensational strikes was incredible. However, Theirry Henry had since broken Ian’s record.

His many goals had left my mouth wide open in astonishment. I remember the one against Everton at Highbury in August 1993. Seaman threw a long pass to Ian, he chased it, juggled the ball from foot to foot, flip past a bemused Everton defender and then lobbed the ball past and beyond Neville Southall. No mean feat. The artistry was unique and the effect was damn viper deadly.

I reckon he loves it at Arsenal…one could attest to it through his extragavant goal scoring celebrations. Each goal celebrations were different and it became a trademark of Ian Wright.

Ian Wright boasts of a destructive pace, leaving many defenders in his trail. He holds a determined drive and ruthless aggression that was all so necessary in the George Graham era. Ian also has the deft touch, the sublety of first touch and truly, sublime goal-scoring ability. He sniffs goal scoring chances and strike like a ninja in the still of the night, with subtle precision.

Ian's got a volatile temper to boot. I remember his infamous feud with Manchester United's Peter Schmeichel. I could recall one particular match when Ian unleashed a two-footed lunge during a goalmouth scramble at the Dane. Whatever the intent was, to any Gooner, it was great. I don't see it as a blemish to his character, I see it as great competitive edge.

To me, he is one English-bred striker that is made in Football Heaven, ranked among the best with the Linekers and Shearers, the finest the English game had produced.

He turns 43 today. Happy birthday, Ian Wright.

Punk is not dead

I like this punk rocker’s hair, sneer, shredded leather jacket, tattoo, the “no ballroom” skin-tight leather pants and almost every other thing. I am referring to Billy Idol. I first saw him perform his hit single, “Hot in the City” on telly. The TV show was “Solid Gold”. Wow…that show sure got babelicious dancers. Those taut, long and slender legs.

Billy Idol really endeared to me and my friends. We were in secondary school then. We really dig his attitude. It was a rush whenever we hear his records and watch his MTVs.

He was the mindless new-wave haircut punk rockers of the '80s. You know, the most rocking, the most punkish, always punching his clenched fist in the air, with the cheesy spikey hair.

I reckon he got a few hits during his time, songs like “Dancing with Myself”, “Mony Mony”, “White Wedding”, “Rebel Yell”, “Hot in the City”, “Eyes without a Face” and “Sweet Sixteen”. I love hearing them over and over.

This punker’s music probably borders on a mixed combination of punk, disco, synth pop, glam rock and bit of metal. “Eyes without a Face” and “Sweet Sixteen” are surprisingly smoldery sweet tunes for someone like him. “Rebel Yell” was truly one hell of a rock anthem, madman at the midnight hour, screaming "mo, mo, mo”! The MTV was one heck of a cinematic landmark for its time. It captures and smacks of hostilities, sexual hysteria and narcissism.

Till today, Billy Idol is still inexplicably one of my idols, so punky, so alive and so darn unrepentant.

Astounding

I really couldn’t believe my eyes and I am fretting with sheer frustration.

I think the Gunners played mind-blowing football last night. I swear it could have been seven goals. How on earth could the score still be goalless after full-time?

The Moscow side was torn to shreds and in tatters. They had their backs to the wall for almost the entire match and yet could survive the barrage. Astounding.

I still think the Gunners can qualify. A team playing cosmic football should not be out of this competition so soon. Bearing in mind that they were the runners-up last season.

There is hope. The ball movement, flow, understanding and everything was good. Except scoring. Rosicky, Hleb. Van Persie and Henry were excellent. So was Toure and Gallas at the back.

The football was cosmic, scintillating, out of the world, supernova-like, and last but not least, heavenly. But, but the misses were ridiculous. Nevermind… the goals will come….surely.

Kok Kee Wan Ton Noodles

I am a noodle lover. I brought my mom to try out the famous Kok Kee Wan Ton Noodles in Lavender Food Square the other day. After downing her noodles, she proclaimed it’s yummy and simply, the best.

I know many others may have their fav wan ton noodle stalls. Kok Kee’s noodles are addictive from the very first bite. It is springy and firm to the bite. Moreover, it offers a nice texture for noodle lovers. The char siew comes in thin slices and tasted tender with a nice flavour.

The only setback is the paltry portion for $3 or $4. I could have easily wolf down the noodles in one mouthful. Kok Kee’s wan ton noodles is a simple dish with good quality, nice taste and quantity just right for a small eater. Don’t expect hearty portions from the aunty.

Wish they are more generous…