Fads in December 06

1. Singapore played China in the women's table tennis final at the Asian Games held in Doha. It was basically China: Quitters vs Stayers.

2. Goldenballs is still the top earning footballer. No longer an England international and playing occasionally at Real Madrid... he still nets 87 million pounds.

3. In fashion, we got Hugo Boss. In Venezuala, they got Boss Hugo.

4. Genting won the Sentosa IR.

5. Shevchenko is not one of Mourinho's Untouchables.. and this guy costs more then S$90 millions.

6. Augusto Pinochet, Saddam Hussein and James Brown died. Sorry to bundle the Godfather of Soul together with those tyrants.

7. Days of Being Wild is not just a cult HK movie... it's also a book about the Opposition in GE2006.

8. There is a football wonderkid. He's only 17, plays for Internacional, and he's known as... the Duck! His name just brought memories of the song, Disco Duck by Rick Dees.

9. Henry and Wenger had an alleged bust-up. Not long after, the club announced that Arsenal is not a one-man team...later, Henry admitted that, sometimes, he can be a "pig".

10. There is a serial killer in Ipswich. It not only evokes thoughts of Jack the Ripper, it also made me think fondly of footballers like Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, Arnold Muhren, John Wark under the astute management of Sir Bobby Robson. They were kings, then.

11. Fabio Cannavaro won the FIFA Player for 2006. What a joke. I think Thierry Henry deserves better.

12. Bono Vox, the lead singer of U2 is gonna be Sir Bono. Fantastic contribution towards music and humanitarian work.

13. There were mayhems of rainfall this month. We got floods, landslides, fallen trees and Japanese carps.

Losing more ground

What a sad end to 2006. Losing at Bramall Lane. Thank God…Wenger did not give Warnock a shove for his “wild” celebrations.

Christian Nade's goal just before the break did the damage. Probably, the Blades’s greatest scalp for a long time. Did enough to sent the Gunners down to fifth place in the Premiership.

Can’t say much…if one can’t beat a side like Sheffield United, coupled with a stand-in keeper…it just shows that Arsenal has been blowing hot and cold all season.

Pathetic showing by the Gunners. I also think that Jeremie Aliadiere should be shipped out soon…I thought he never showed the promise when he first came. Just like Guy Demel. Equally frustrating to see Kolo Toure out-muscled en route to Nade’s goal. What a crappy ending for the year.

Shades of Bergkamp

What a superb winning goal by Van Persie…it had all the hallmarks of a great Bergkamp goal. It was just a slender 2-1 win and sure looked like a hard fought victory for the Gunners.

As of late, our “fox-in-the-box” Gilberto rose majestically and headed the Gunners to a 1-0 lead. Watford equalised not long after and their goalkeeper, Ben Foster kept Arsenal at bay with a string of fine saves.

It looked like a 1-1 draw till the 83rd minute, Walcott sent Van Persie sprinting away on the right flank. The Dutchman cut inside and sent a left foot curler to the corner. Another of his catalogues of stupendous strikes!

A dificult match where the Gunners could not gain much foothold. Nonetheless, a win is a win. Back to third in the table…the way it goes… it is bye bye to the Premiership title but possibly, a spot for next season’s Champions League berth.

Sigh.. do hope that Walcott, Baptista and Rosicky could start finding their scoring boots soon…My Boxing Day wish!

My bundle of joy

My daughter was born on Boxing Day. Hooray... I am a father!

Life may not be the same again...no more couch potato lifestyle. I wonder would I have the time to watch telly. Meanwhile, I am learning about parenting.

Tons of things to do... changing diapers, sterilising the milk bottles, feeding her, making her "burp", washing stuff and countless baby stuff. Tiring but fulfilling.

From now... me and my wife's lives would revolve around her. Can't wait for her to grow up.

Merry Christmas!

Wow... today is Christmas. Hardly excited...didn't do any shopping, didn't go to the Orchard Squeeze, didn't go to Tanglin Mall & see fake snow. Things may have changed...when one grows older, such festivities do not really mean much.

Read this somewhere the other day, thought that it is meaningful...the 4 stages of our lives.

Stage 1 - We believe in Santa Claus

Stage 2 - We do not believe in Santa Claus

Stage 3 - We act like Santa Claus

Stage 4 - We look like Santa Claus

A thumping six!

What a thrilling match before Christmas. It was a 8-goal thriller against Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates. The Gunners roared six goals past Brad Freidel on the day before Christmas Eve.

Blackburn took a quick lead in the 3rd minute through a penalty. Soon after that, it was Arsenal all the way.Gilberto headed the first goal and the equaliser. It was our stand-in skipper’s 7th goal of the season. Hleb added a second. The Belarus just walked through the Blackburn backline and passed the ball into the goalmouth. Togo’s Adebayor added a penalty to make it 3 – 1. Arsenal are in cruise control. Van Persie added two more goals before Flamini hit No. 6 at the death.

Awesome….Not only was the scoreline impressive…the manner which Blackburn were outplayed…the cosmic football that Arsenal dished out…bewitching, so much energy and out of the world. It was also football that was meant to be…free flowing and attacking flair.

To end it, I thought ex-Gunner David Bentley was pretty impressive. Was it right to sell him then? Anyway, Christmas has never been better for me.

Buying a toy for Christmas?

I saw this toy at a large departmental store on Friday evening. Uhmm... I was thinking would any kid be impressed with this kinda toy... especially for Christmas.

It is a local taxi! How exciting. I guess any kid with reasonable intelligence, would probably crash this X'mas present on the gift-giver's head.

Talking about taxis and taxi-drivers... the latter are the greatest observers and thinkers in Singapore. Very so often, they have a wide range of topics to talk about during one's taxi trips... it can range from Government policies, PRC girls, Geylang trysts, maids, GST hikes, and anything. Strangely though, they NEVER... touch on topics like taxi fare increase and their disappearance just before the witching hour or rather, the midnite hour.

Rodzilla

The dizzying heights of the Chicago Bulls’ success in the nineties generated my interest in basketball. One player sure was my favourite of all time. He isn’t Jordan, Pippen, Barkley, Bird, Malone, Olajuwon, Dr J, Stockton, Shaq, Abdul Jabbar or Magic. He is Dennis Rodman.

This bad boy is known for his defensive force, his rebounding skills and for his outrageous lifestyle. He is so well conditioned that he never seems to tire. Well, at the Chicago Bulls, the unorthodox coach we see in Phil Jackson and the superstar, Michael Jordan kept Rodman focus on his rebounding job and basically, in line with the team.

Rodman’s gameplan is about bringing an attitude to the game to frustrate opponents and taking them out. Besides rebounding, Rodman was great at drawing fouls too. His other strengths include relying on a rough and physical style of play to compete against those taller and stronger opponents in the NBA.

I really love the attitude, colour and raw energy he brought to the Chicago Bulls or to a larger context, the game back then. Those were exciting times…What colour will his hair be? Was his marriage to Carmen Electra for real? Did he wear a wedding gown to his book-signing session? Will he erupt on court? Will he run naked on the court? Is that a new tattoo? One thing is for sure. Rodman was the best rebounding forward in NBA history. One of the best known and perhaps, most controversial basketball player during his time.

He has done it all…dyes his hair, being part of the Chicago Bulls, hanging out with Madonna, as a wrestler sidekick with Hulk Hogan, acted in a few action movies, had a bestselling book, torching the Mormons, kicking courtside cameraman, on his own MTV reality show, plus many more.

For all his rebounding brilliance, his appearance and lifestyle probably deflects media attention from his remarkable basketball achievements. He wore the 91 jersey, it was said that he actually wanted 911 and he sure spells trouble for his opponents. In short, he is the slap in the face to David Stern and the conventional America.

No bull. They are the Greatest!

The Chicago Bulls are the greatest NBA team. In 1995 to 96, with 72 wins and 10 losses, the Bulls set all records. They were indeed the single best team in recent history. The phenomena that the Bulls generated was compared to the excitement led by the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. There was hysteria…America went mad. People paid big bucks to see them.

Michael Jordan was at the peak of his powers. Rodman led in rebounds. Pippen was the best all-round player. Kukoc was the best European player to grace the NBA. The Bulls also got the best coach in town, Phil Jackson.

The pre-game introduction was excellent. Laser lights dancing round the arena, the red bull charging across the city skyscrapers on the video screens. The Bulls had the great Air Show – Michael Jordan.

The Bulls are tops in sports franchise during the 90s. The great team, the players and the winning streak set a unique appeal that transcends not just basketball, but the world of sports. The red bull logo is probably one of the well-recognised logo in the world. It was as recognisable as McDonald’s golden arches and the “Medusa” logo from Starbucks.

Their greatest moments… Paxson nailing the 3-peat in 1993, He’s gone and then, he’s back in 1993 – 95, that great record of 72 wins -10 losses in 1995 – 96, driving for No. 5 in 1996 – 97 and finally, the last dance in 1998.

Jordan and company was fabulous during the Bulls’ amazing run in the 90s. It was always a stellar perfomance from them… the glorious run of 6 NBA titles in eight years.

Number 23 + 33 + 91 would give the Bulls, countless three-peats! The Bulls sure set the records as the dominant basketball team of their era and perhaps, the greatest in history.

Dream Team 92 @Barcelona

I was serving my National Service in the army when I heard this great news. Team USA is fielding a team of NBA superstars for the Barcelona Games. It was in 13 September 1991 when this electrifying announcement was made. Most of all knew that we would see NBA stars on the Spanish courts. But, wait…to what extent is the greatness…well, this is the Dream Team. The Greatest of them all.

The Dream Team are Magic Johnson and John Stockton as playmakers. Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin and Scottie Pippen are the guards. Charles Barkley and Karl Malone as power forwards and Patrick Ewing and David Robinson as centers. Clyde Drexler and Christian Laettner were drafted later. The coach was Chuck Daly.

There was indeed so much hype back then. Why not? These are the best players in the world playing together. This team is built around the three top players of all time, Jordan, Magic and Bird. It was not about winning the gold. It was a foregone conclusion when the team was formed. The team left an incredible mark on the history of Olympics.

In all 14 games, coach Daly did not call a single time-out at all. As Magic Johnson said,”Before we see a team like this again, we’II be dead and gone.”

Zhen Zhen Porridge

I usually have my Zhen Zhen fish porridge for breakfast at least twice a week. It is a must-have.

The first time where I got to try Zhen Zhen porridge was in the early 90s. I was a draughtsman then and had gone to BCD (Building Control Division) for drawing submission. I wandered off to Maxwell Market after that, saw this snake of a queue, tried it and had been a frequent customer ever since.

Zhen Zhen Porridge is a hawker stall located at Maxwell Road Hawker Centre. This stall dish out the best porridge in Singapore. No bull! They have a wide array of porridge, u know, the fish slices, frog legs, etc. One thing… they don’t sell pork porridge. The portions are generous in those flaming red bowls and it is cheap too. Prices starts from S$2, I think.

Zhen Zhen also sells raw fish as a side dish. For youtiao, one can buy them from some stall at another row of the market. For 30 cents each, it is equally awesome when one dips to the porridge.

Be warned…super long queue at all times. I think they open early. Say 6 am to at most, 1 pm. One more thing… they are closed for business every Tuesday.

Another priceless gem in local hawker food fare.

The Comeback

The unbeaten home record was intact…thanks to Adebayor. He led the comeback in the second half as Arsenal were trailing by 2 goals against Pompey.

Despite their dominance, Arsenal were down 2-0 just minutes into the second half. Noe Pamarot and Matthew Taylor were the Pompey scorers. The second one by Taylor was a beauty, those Matthew Le Tissier-types.

Emmanuel Adebayor was put into the fray…the Comeback begins. He brought urgency into Arsenal’s play. In the 57th minute, he fired home from Walcott’s low cross from the right. Couple of minutes later, Adebayor was at it again…playing a major part in the build-up to skipper Gilberto’s goal. The Brazilian blasted the ball home.

From then on, Arsenal threw everything at the nervous Pompey. They held on and at the end, the two teams share the points. It was funny to see David “Calamity” James sporting a thick hairdo. I prefer his crew-cut style all this years and I still remember that ridiculous iron board hairstyle in his Watford days.

It sure was an exciting match. In the absence of Henry, Adebayor has shone. He was the Difference…the catalyst behind the Comeback. What a turnaround!

The Amoy Tissue Seller

This photo is on the notorious Amoy food centre tissue seller. This lady is pushy, she just shove packets of tissues to the table and demand payment. She would not go away and it can be quite a harrowing experience.

Many colleagues had suffered this “treatment” from her half-way through their meals at Amoy. I had a close encounter with her the other day during the busy lunchtime. I just beat a hasty retreat…No point arguing.

I must reiterate that I’m not here to belittle any tissue sellers in Singapore. But, this lady is just too much. I reckon most of us who had our meals at Amoy might have got the "Hard Selling" treatment from her.

Adebayor strikes...

It was a bland first half. Things only start happening or rather, come alive during the second half. The way the Gunners and Wigan played…it seems to be that both teams are contented to grid out a draw.

Sigh. The Beast looked pretty lost. As mentioned before, I reckon most South Americans need time to settle in. I gather Edu, Silvinho and Gilberto took some time to adapt, they were great soon after.

Once again, with our talisman captain out till next year, Emmanuel Adebayor reprise the striker’s role again. His strike in the 88th minute was the match winner and sent Arsenal to third in the Premiership. Fabregas came in as a sub… sent a killer through pass for Adebayor to shoot pass the injury-prone Chris Kirkland. That was the Pass of the Match.

Frankly, I don’t really fancy this Togo striker. He don’t quite look the part. But his vital goals against Man Utd, Spurs and now, Wigan had slightly change my mind. However, my opinion is that he is still not quite good enough.

It has always been frustrating to me, or any Gooners that Arsenal do not splurge much in the transfer markets. Seeing Chelsea snapping all the best available players around has been nauseating.

Once again, Kolo Toure gave an assuring performance, he was ever so composed and reads the game excellently. Poor Wigan…don’t really deserve to go home empty handed. They did pushed the once mighty Arsenal all the way.

My dad's 23rd anniversary

How time flies... my dad passed away 23 years ago today. He died from a blood clot in his brain. He had sustained it from a fall about a month ago back then.

Gosh… 23 years now. Many of his friends and relatives would have joined him now. For me, he left us when I was 13. My greatest regret was how I never got to know him well.

He would have been 72 this coming February. I guess I had never really accepted that he was gone at an age of 48. You see, my father was stout, healthy and strong. He rarely smokes or touches alcohol. He had good sight, working as an accountant and could beat any man at arm-wrestling.

He died so suddenly in the morning on 14 December 1983. It sure struck my family like a thunderbolt. He was a strict father, who did not flinch from scolding my siblings and me. It was his way of telling us that he cared. But during my youth, all I felt was nothing but resentment.

There is an ever-reminder of his presence in my mother’s place. His photo is hung high up the wall overlooking our dining table. How I wish he’s around this Christmas…his grand-daughter is coming this Boxing Day.

Lucky Arsenal

The Gunners were six minutes from being the first side to leave Stamford Bridge with full points. Alas, it was not to be when Michael Essien fired home a long-range curling equaliser in the 84th minute.

This match was hyped to a large extent… the warring managers and the Cole-Gallas exchange. It was a match where the young Gunners showed true grit and resilience. However, they were lucky to share the spoils with Chelsea. The woodwork saved the day.

It was the Arsenal midfield of Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Flamini and Van Persie squaring up against the established midfielders comprising of Ballack, Makelele, Essien and Lampard. Quite frankly, the young Gunners held them back pretty well.

Chelsea really stepped up their efforts in the second half and Arsenal had their backs to the wall most of time. Senderos was particularly nervous and Chelsea’s Robben looked dangerous on the left flank.

Despite all the pressure, Arsenal took a surprise lead. Flamini’s goal came against the total run of play. There was this interesting exchange play between Hleb and Flamini before the Frenchman fired a right-foot shot past the diving Hilario.

In the dying minutes, Hleb could have won it for the Gunners, but he blasted the ball over. Had it not for the woodwork, Essien and Lampard could have won all three points for Chelsea too!

What an exciting draw. Chelsea were unlucky and the Gunners are plainly lucky, lucky Arsenal. My final word…Essien’s goal was certainly a wild swing that went in. It was never a measured shot. Never.

My Top of the Pops

Oh, I just have to do this. Putting my own all-time favourite tunes out there. Here it goes!

Jump – Van Halen
Every Breath You Take – The Police
Bang Your Head – Quiet Riot
When Doves Cry – Prince & The Revolution
Our House – Madness
The Glamourous Life – Sheila E
Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
Love is Love – Culture Club
Take Five – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Epic – Faith No More
Nick of Time – Bonnie Raitt
Hotel California – The Eagles
Legs – ZZ Top
What is Love – Howard Jones
Wide Boy – Nik Kershaw
The Riddle - Nik Kershaw
You’re the Best Thing – The Style Council
Janie’s got a Gun – Aerosmith
Jaded – Aerosmith
Baba O' Riley - The Who
Mixed Emotions – The Rolling Stones
Undercover of the Night – The Rolling Stones
Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones
Don't Stop - The Rolling Stones
I Will Remember You – Amy Grant
Love Hurts – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
It’s Still Rock N’ Roll to Me – Billy Joel
People Get Ready – Rod Stewart & Jeff Beck
Young Turks – Rod Stewart
Forever Man – Eric Clapton
Give it Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers
More Than This – Bryan Ferry
Slave to Love – Bryan Ferry
I Can Dream About You – Dan Hartman
Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Deniece Williams
Doc – Earl Klugh
Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington Jr
Beyond The Sea – George Benson
Leader of the Band – Dan Fogelberg
Longer – Dan Fogelberg
Sometimes When We Touch – Dan Hill
One – Metallica
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Africa – Toto
If You Leave Me Now – Chicago
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – The Pretenders
Windows of the World – The Pretenders
The Christmas Song – Hootie & the Blowfish
Faithfully – Journey
18 and Life – Skid Row
One Headlight - The Wallflowers
Yesterday – The Beatles
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Puttin On The Ritz – Taco
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
One Shining Moment – Diana Ross
Down Under – Men at Work
Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
Human Nature – Michael Jackson
Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
Borderline – Madonna
Like A Virgin – Madonna
Material Girl – Madonna
Rock This Town – Stray Cats
Against All Odds – Phil Collins
A Broken Hearted Me – Anne Murray
Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon
Burning Down The House – Talking Heads
September – Earth Wind & Fire
Coming Around Again – Carly Simon
Copperline – James Taylor
Your Smiling Face - James Taylor
Ain’t Nobody – Chaka Khan
Feels so Good – Chuck Mangione
Wait For Me – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Private Eyes – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Hard Luck Woman – KISS
Beth - KISS
Yah Mo Be There – James Ingram & Michael McDonald
Kayleigh – Marillion
Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) - Cinderalla
Through The Years – Kenny Rogers
Love Will Turn You Around – Kenny Rogers
Love You Inside Out – Bee Gees
Love Me – Collin Raye
The Gift – Collin Raye
Modern Love – David Bowie
Miss You Like Crazy – Natalie Cole
More Than Words – Extreme
Promise Me – Beverly Craven
Crying - Roy Orbison
Show Me Heaven – Maria McKee
Leather & Lace – Stevie Nicks
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Forever - Kenny Loggins
For the First Time - Kenny Loggins
If You Leave – OMD
Talking Loud & Clear - OMD
St Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion) – John Parr
Redemption Song – Stevie Wonder
Sara – Starship
What A Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers
Morning Has Broken – Cats Steven
Eye In The Sky – Alan Parsons Project
Imagine – John Lennon
Take On Me – A-ha
Amanda – Boston
Crying in the Chapel – Elvis Presley
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Layla – Derek & the Dominos
Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
Light My Fire – The Doors
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
One – U2
Stand – REM
Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles
Your Song – Elton John
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
Radio Ga Ga – Queen
Lose Yourself – Eminem
Dancing Queen – ABBA
God Save the Queen – The Sex Pistols
Don’t Do Me Like That – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Come Together – John Lennon
1999 – Prince & the Revolution
Starfish & Coffee – Prince & the Revolution
Raspberry Beret – Prince & the Revolution
Valarie – Steve Winwood
Heart of Glass – Blondie
Call Me – Blondie
No More Lonely Nights – Paul McCartney
Take It Away – Paul McCartney
Walking in the Rain – Modern Romance
Something – The Beatles
Walk this Way – Run DMC & Aerosmith
Do You Think I’m Sexy? – Rod Stewart
Poison – Alice Cooper
We Will Rock You – Queen
I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
Killing Me Softly With His Song – Roberta Flack
Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
Somebody – Depeche Mode
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
If You Let Me Stay – Terence Trent D’arby
Pride (In the Name of Love) – U2
Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve
Children of the Revolution – Marc Bolan
White Wedding – Bily Idol
State of Shock – The Jacksons & Mick Jagger
I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
Heaven on Our Side – Foreigner
Oh Sherrie – Steve Perry
The Flame – Cheap Trick
Any Day Now – Ronnie Milshap
I’m The Man – Anthrax
Living On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
The Word Girl – Scritti Politti
Take My Breath Away – Berlin
Red Day – Hacken Lee
Your Latest Trick – Dire Straits
With a Little Luck – Paul McCartney
Band on the Run - Paul McCartney
Yesterday - Paul McCartney
Zombie - The Cranberries
Glory of Love - Peter Cetera
Turn Your Love Around - George Benson
Kisses in the Moonlight - George Benson
Lady Love Me (One More Time) - George Benson
Lithium - Nirvana
Plush - Stone Temple Pilots
I Alone - Live
In My Place - Coldplay
Mr Roboto - Styx
Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder
99 Red Balloons - Nena
Dog & Butterfly - Heart
I Love You - Heart
Never - Heart
Almost Paradise - Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
There's Got To Be A Way - Mariah Carey
Vanishing - Mariah Carey
Piano In The Dark - Brenda Russell
Walking In Memphis - Marc Cohn
A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
Stepping Out - Joe Jackson
Time after Time - Cyndi Lauper
Little Red Corvette - Prince
One Headlight - The Wallflowers
Clocks - Coldplay

His Royal Purpleness

Back in 1983 – 84, it was those great years for music. You know… those monster hits like “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes, “Every Breath You Take” by the Police. Wait…this particular track, “When Doves Cry” by Prince & the Revolution. My word, it was mind-blowing.

Those were the good ole days where I grew up listening to America Top 40 hosted by Casey Kasem through my mom’s Redifusion in the kitchen. I remember Casey Kasem’s Top 40 would be played on those lazy Saturday afternoons.

In 1984, I really liked Prince & the Revolution. They were awesome. The “Purple Rain” soundtrack was God-sent. Hits like “Computer Blue”, “Let’s Go Crazy” and who can forget the controversial “Darling Nikki”.

Of course, I went back the years for his other albums such as “For You”, “Dirty Mind”,”1999” amongst others. Hey, Prince sure draws his fans via musical seduction where sex, spirituality and funky music converge to music salvation.

With Prince, we can go to techno raves, rock goes cabaret, silent storms and also swinging jazz escalating to glam rock. He is one artist that pushes sexual limits to the fullest. Femininity, with religion and race, are just elements of Prince’s own psyche expressed through his music.

His ingenuity, his touches – music, ideas, proteges, Paisley Park and ideals – becomes an aspect of his own identity. His gifted talent has allowed him to create the most complex of artistic expressions known to pop music world. He is my funky Wizard…appearing behind those Purple walls and as always, creating tension-filled sexual illusions.

Top of the Flops

Just what is wrong with Andriy Shevchenko? Is he misfiring or about to get used to life at the Premiership? When Chelsea splashed out S$90 millions to signed him. I thought oh, he was gonna terrorise all the Premiership clubs, tear apart their defences at will and score spectacular goals for fun.

Well, it was not to be. I waited and waited. It’s around year end now. I am wondering when will he start firing in all cylinders?

I remember back then at Dynamo Kiev, he and Sergei Rebrov were like the twin strikeforce terror. Hey, Rebrov was a flop at Spurs too. When Shevchenko went to AC Milan. He was the epitome of the modern-day striker. He was classy, looks good and score lots of goals. He was a God at the San Siro and adored by everyone in Milan.

How come the goals dried up at Chelsea? Was the pace of the Premiership too much for someone who just hit 30. Quite frankly, he looked pathetic when he was leading Ukraine in the recent World Cup held in Germany. I can’t recall he did anything great. At the Premiership, he fumbled, stumbled, had defenders racing past him, passes going astray, shooting and heading wide. It was real wretched quality.

What a pale shadow of the great striker he used to be….sigh. It would be a shame if he got offloaded to somewhere come this January transfer window. But seriously, that could not happen. Why? He has become the excellent battering ram for Didier Drogba. He gets shadowed more by defenders and so, Drogba could sneak in and score. Disgraceful.

Since this blogpost is on football flops, I am gonna highlight the other flops that I can think of. There is Alen Boksic at Boro. The great Croat, he was so terrific at Lazio but flopped at the Riverside. Massimo Taibi, he cuts a dashing Walter Zenga-like air back then. Flopped at Old Trafford with a series of blunders. A fumbling giant with butter fingers.

The worst of all was Emile Heskey. He sure as hell flopped at the Kop. Can anyone tell me how he got into the England reckoning? Hey, wait…the French guy, Djibril Cissie sucks big time too!

I am not sure if Winston Bogarde and Shuan Wright Philips bombed. But they sure got frozen out at Chelsea. The great Dutch striker, Patrick Kluivert sure looked every bit the lost soul at Newcastle.

On the Arsenal front, Charlie Nicholas bombed too. Hardly score goals with the regularity he did at Celtic.

Carlos Tevez looks every bit like a flop at Upton Park as well. To be fair, most South Americans need quite awhile to settle in a foreign land.

Lifting the spirits

After those unexpected defeats by Bolton and Fulham, Arsenal recorded a well-deserved 3-0 derby victory over their fiercest North London rivals. It was rejuvenating and a wonderful response. This victory also calmed my nerves too. I am convinced for the moment, that Arsenal might not be an ailing side after all.

In the 20th minute, the lanky Adebayor came storming through the Spurs defence, beating the offside trap and slot the ball past England’s No. 1, Paul Robinson. The Togo international was to go on and have an excellent game. A commanding “Man of the Match” performance.

Just before the break, the excellent Graham Poll awarded Arsenal a penalty. Gilberto slotted home so stylishly. Our stand-in skipper converted another penalty in the second half to give the Gunners a convincing 3-0 win.

There is nothing better than trouncing the Old Enemy at the first ever North London derby at the new stadium, the Emirates. Overall, a tremendous Arsenal performance and superb refereeing by Graham Poll – Courtesy of 2 penalty awards.