Fads in July 2007

1. A prisoner got an extra 3 strokes of the cane by mistake. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

2. Fernando Torres joined Liverpool. The new Lord of the Kop?

3. The Live Earth concerts was staged on 07.07.07 in 11 major cities.

4. Chek Jawa re-opens.

5. The “new” 7 wonders of the world were named.

6. After 6 months of waiting, the Beckhams finally landed in Los Angeles.

7. Ryan Babel, touted as the next Henry, went to Liverpool instead of Arsenal as rumoured.

8. Messidona scored an amazing measured lob in Argentina’s 3-0 semi-final win over Mexico in the Copa America.

9. Brazil won the Copa America with a 3-0 win over Argentina. I couldn’t believe my eyes when Julio Baptista hit that stunning first goal.

10. The ex-chairman of the old NKF was caught in Hong Kong.

11. The 7th and final Harry Potter book is out.

That sweet fleeting moment of Robin’s magic

A couple of months of non-Arsenal action….and two matches over the weekend. Two wins and the inaugural Emirates Cup belong to the Gunners.

Pretty uplifting to see the youthful gunners again…. 2 wins on the trot. Not that spectacular, a bit stuttering, but terrific for me.

The PSG game was a bit edgy. I like the Inter game better. Van Persie was great, that stepover and dragback before firing home the winner past Inter’s Toldo.

Things are looking good…. Flamini don’t seem like leaving, Henry’s absence don’t seem to hurt much, Diaby’s power play is majestic and Ebuoe’s runs looks marauding. I can’t wait for season 07/08 to start…

Yummy yong tau foo

I am always in awe with this yong tau foo stall at People's Park. It has fresh ingredients, clear & tasty soup, and lastly, the chilli and sweet sauce.

Each bowl costs $3 and is filled with yummy toufu, tau pok, fish ball and other generous stuffings. Every piece of yong tau foo is full of bite and taste. Dipping them to the chilli and sweet sauce, one get a completely superb taste of what supremely fresh yong tau foo should be like.

This stall is definitely worth a visit.... be ready to queue, that's all.

Freddie is a Hammer

Another of the Old Guard is leaving…yup, after weeks after weeks of yes, no, yes, no….the man is going to West Ham.

Nine seasons of goals, red hair, hard running, fighting spirit and flair. Occasionally, the Calvin Klein undies. He is my vote for the best Swede ever to turn out for the Gunners, ahead of Limpar and Schwarz.

In recent memory, all the ex-Arsenal greats seems heading to West Ham… Ian Wright, Nigel Winterburn, Davor Suker and now, Freddie.

I am sad today.

We can handle the Tooth (Truth)

Another whammy, the authenticity of the Buddha tooth relic housed in a temple at South Bridge Road is called into question.

Dental experts are claiming that the Buddha tooth may not be the Buddha’s tooth after all. Some are claiming it looks more like a tooth of a cow or water buffalo.

Besides the puzzling authencity of the Buddha tooth, I am also wondering why the temple need to use as much as 420 kilograms of gold for the stupa.

I am a simple Buddhist. I actually still think that observing and upholding the Five Precepts and practicing Lord Buddha’s Teachings was good enough to reap good karma and gain merits. Frankly, would donating tones of gold reap good karma and merits too? It then become a rich man’s game. Sigh.

It seems, thousands of years ago, the Man gave up on all wordly possessions to find the Truth. Observing His Teachings is the greatest homage any follower can show to Buddha. Maybe not by showering gold, not for me.

Army daze - Powderful whistle blowing

Last week, the “limelight” fell on a young maverick army officer. The young chap is 2LT Li Hongyi, the son of Prime Minister Lee. He was ranting here and there in an email to the army top brass against the workings of the SAF.

I didn’t pay much attention until I saw Rockson’s blog post on this matter. Check it out, I found it humorous, frank and earnest. Top marks for the right dose of vulgarities too.

Noise, sleaze... great sounds

When the “Appetite for Destruction” album came out in 1987, I reckon I might have been one of those first few who grabbed the CD then. After the release, Guns N’ Roses still wasn’t that popular. Somehow, all of a sudden, everybody starts listening to them and they became a top flight band from the 80s right through the 90s.

What genre they do? They are not alternative enough… they are quite heavy metal. What’s more… they are also commercial enough to hit No. 1 in America with the album, “Appetite for Destruction” and their single, “Sweet Child O’ Mine”. That’s it, back then, in the late 80s, I actually dig their style and scowl.

I guess many pop minded folks out there would see that Guns N’ Roses aren’t supposed to be commercial. The kinda band that is not supposed to be endorsed by the charts, by parents and not even to get near any airplay over the radio.

Who are they? To sum it up… they are noisy, sleazy, whiskey loving, long hair, tattoos, that no-ballroom tight pants and in general, the complete look of rock n’ roll decadence.

Ha ha… come to think of it, those into Scorpions, Rainbow or Deep Purple are likely to welcome Guns N’ Roses as another fine hair band. I would say that “Appetite for Destruction” did shook up action to some people, I liken it to a stab at total freedom. Listening through over and over again, I found that it gave me some sort of release. Most tracks from that album are stunning stuff.

“Outta Get Me” screams hell and fire on those people who are sitting on the other side. “Paradise City” is the Strawberry Fields Forever of driving hard rock. “Think About You” is sheer romantic rock coming down fast and furious. The fast talking “Mr Brownstone” is at best, undeniably attractive.

“Sweet Child O’ Mine” is the best track on the album. I will remember this song as the classic 80s MTV hard rock material. Right from the start, the classic opening guitar riff, to the wailing Slash solo, to the rhythmic kick and drive of the song’s groove to its bridge building up to a climatic crashing end.

This album makes me forget what should be and what should be not. Who cares if it is a bit hard rock, heavy metal, rock n’ roll or commercial sounding. It doesn’t really matter. It was the rise and rise of the sounds of GNR – the sounds of noise + sleaze = Rock & Rollah Freedom.

The new No. 3, on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee

Okay, great news once again. Another transfer scoop, another one on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee and viola, a new gunner.

This guy is Bacary Sagna, from Auxerre. Frankly, once again... never heard of him till the last few weeks. Many sites reported Bakary, now it seems officially to be Bacary.

Not gonna speculate where he will play or will Ebuoe be pushed forward....

The post-Henry era continues to look bright.... Cheers.

Meanwhile, it's Barnet for tomorrow.

High voltage rock

My first brush or rather, taste of AC/DC’s music came during my secondary school days. At Bartley Secondary. This Australian metal band features Angus Young. He’s the one with the schoolboy uniform and shorts….

AC/DC’s line up features singer Brian Johnson, the one with the trademark cap pulled ever so low and that so unholy howl. Phil Rudd, the drummer with the get-outta-my-sight concentration, bassist Cliff Williams and Angus’s elder brother, rhythm guitarist Malcom Young. Of course, we musn’t forget Johnson’s predecessor, the late Bon Scott. The one with that high, screeching and sand-papered bark. In particular, I find Bon Scott pretty eerie with that wig and milkmaid’s dress. It was like seeing Norman Bates doing that Psycho thingie on stage. Alternatively, it was like a nympho Heidi from Hell.

Angus Young is sheer dynamite on stage. The school boy with that bookbag, the non-stop headbanging, the fiercesome guitar tantrum, that Chuck Berry duckwalk with his axe. Together with the band, the animal magnetism, they freaking hypnotize me. No doubt.

When AC/DC are in full throttle, it isn’t enough just to hear their brand of rock and roll. One just had to see them. The pandemonium on stage, ever pulverising their audience, the raw energy…. Let ‘em blow up your video. We know, amp blowing up, smashing your guitar and another and another. Straight up, no frills and no bullshit.

Generations of Gunners

It’s slightly more than a month away from the new season. Enough of those withdrawal symptoms, I thought. I’ve drawn up this list of first team players…..Incredible, I’ve witness close to 9 generations of players.

LATE 70s
Goalkeeper – Pat Jennings

Defender – Peter Simpson, Willie Young, David O’ Leary, John Devine, Pat Rice, Sammy Nelson

Midfielder – Alan Hudson, George Armstrong, Peter Storey, Liam Brady, Paul Vaessen, Brian McDermott, Alan Sunderland, Steve Gatting, Brian Talbot, Graham Rix, John Hollins, Paul Davis, David Price, Trevor Ross, Wilf Rostron

Forward – Malcom MacDonald, Frank Stapleton


EARLY 80s
Goalkeeper – Pat Jennings, George Wood

Defender – David O’ Leary, John Devine, Pat Rice, Chris Whyte, Colin Hill, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Kenny Sansom

Midfielder – Liam Brady, Paul Vaessen, Brian McDermott, Alan Sunderland, Steve Gatting, Brian Talbot, Graham Rix, John Hollins, Paul Davis, David Price, Peter Nicholas, Vladimir Petrovic, Stewart Robson

Forward – Raphael Meade, Tony Woodcock


MID 80s
Goalkeeper – Pat Jennings, John Lukic

Defender – Viv Anderson, Chris Whyte, Tommy Caton, Tony Adams, David O’ Leary, Kenny Sansom, Gus Caesar, Martin Keown

Midfielder – Paul Merson, Brian Talbot, Steve Williams, Stewart Robson, Graham Rix, Paul Davis, David Rocastle

Forward – Tony Woodcock, Charlie Nicholas, Ian Allinson, Perry Groves, Martin Hayes, Paul Mariner, Lee Chapman


LATE 80s
Goalkeeper – John Lukic

Defender – David O’ Leary, Kenny Sansom, Gus Caesar, Colin Pates, Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn

Midfielder – Siggi Jonsson, Brian Marwood, Paul Merson, David Hillier, Paul Davis, Kevin Richardson, David Rocastle, Micheal Thomas

Forward – Niall Quinn, Kevin Campbell, Martin Hayes, Perry Groves, Alan Smith


EARLY 90s
Goalkeeper – David Seaman, Alan Miller

Defender – David O’ Leary, Gus Caesar, Colin Pates, Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould, Andy Linighan, Martin Keown

Midfielder – Paul Davis, David Rocastle, Micheal Thomas, David Hillier, Steve Morrow, Ian Selley, John Jensen, Ray Parlour, Paul Merson, Anders Limpar

Forward – Perry Groves, Alan Smith, Andy Cole, Paul Dickov, Kevin Campbell, Ian Wright


MID 90s
Goalkeeper – David Seaman, John Lukic, Vince Bartram

Defender – Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould, Andy Linighan, Martin Keown, Matthew Upson

Midfielder – Paul Merson, Paul Davis, David Hillier, Steve Morrow, Ian Selley, Stefan Schwarz, John Jensen, Eddie McGoldrick, Glenn Helder, David Platt, Ray Parlour, Patrick Vieira, Remi Garde, Stephen Hughes

Forward – Alan Smith, Chris Kiwomya, Paul Dickov, Kevin Campbell, John Hartson, Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Nicolas Anelka


LATE 90s
Goalkeeper – David Seaman, Alex Manninger, John Lukic

Defender – Silvinho, Nelson Vivas, Oleg Luzhny, Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn, Martin Keown, Matthew Upson, Ashley Cole

Midfielder – Jermaine Pennant, Marc Overmars, David Platt, Ray Parlour, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Stefan Malz, Luis Boa Morte, Remi Garde, Stephen Hughes, Gilles Grimandi, Freddie Ljungberg

Forward – Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright, John Hartson, Davor Suker, Christopher Wreh, Nicolas Anelka, Jeremie Aliadiere, Kaba Diawara, Thierry Henry, Kanu


EARLY 00s
Goalkeeper – David Seaman, Alex Manninger, Richard Wright

Defender – Lauren, Freddie Ljungberg, Jermaine Pennant, Pascal Cygan, Oleg Luzhny, Kolo Toure, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Martin Keown, Sol Campbell, Matthew Upson, Tony Adams, Igor Stephanovs, Ashley Cole

Midfielder – Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Sebastian Larsson, Patrick Vieira, Edu, Robert Pires, Gilberto, Marc Overmars, Ray Parlour, Emmanuel Petit, Stefan Malz, Luis Boa Morte, Gilles Grimandi

Forward – Thierry Henry, Francis Jeffers, Kanu, Dennis Bergkamp, Sylvain Wiltord, Jeremie Aliadiere, David Bentley


MID 00s
Goalkeeper – Jens Lehmann, Manuel Almunia, Mart Poom, Lukasz Fabianski

Defender – Philippe Senderos, Justin Hoyte, Johan Djourou, Sol Campbell, Emmanuel Eboue, Gael Clichy, Ashley Cole, Pascal Cygan, Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Lauren

Midfielder – Aleksandr Hleb, Gilberto, Mathieu Flamini, Denilson, Robert Pires, Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby, Patrick Vieira, Theo Walcott, Alex Song, Tomas Rosicky, Jose Antonio Reyes, Freddie Ljungberg

Forward – Thierry Henry, Eduardo Da Silva, Dennis Bergkamp, Emmanuel Adebayor, Jeremie Aliadiere, Julio Baptista, Robin Van Persie

Dennis Bergkamp is my idol forever. The Bergkamp years at Highbury was quite simply, the best!

I can recall the good ole days... listening to BBC radio for the "live" match commentary, reading SHOOT magazines and watching football highlights on "Big League Soccer" hosted by Brian Moore. Ha... all those years ago.

Dudu, the new Gunner on the Block

Saw this piece of news from the teletext last night... Arsenal made a surprise signing in Croat, Eduardo da Silva of Dinamo Zagreb.

Got to admit...never heard of this bloke before. Nonetheless, hope it is another masterstroke and brilliant piece of business by Arsene Wenger.

Well, let's all hope the capture of this prolific goal scorer would work out well for the team and may this chap stamp his mark with the Gunners!

Fads in June 07

1. Sgt Pepper turns 40.

2. Chelsea are on the cheap with Bosman signings.

3. Fashion icon Gianfranco Ferre died.

4. WWE wrestler Chris Benoit wrestler died.

5. Salman Rushdie got knighted.

6. Ebel are Arsenal’s new “timing partner”.

7. Singapore is the 14th most expensive city to live in.

8. Thierry Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona. Sob… sob…

9. The ex-chairman of the old NKF “runs road” while TT Durai got only a 3-month jail term.

10. Real Madrid muzzled Mallorca on the final day and won their 30th La Liga. Anyway, coach Fabio Capello got the sack.

11. David Beckham and Roberto Carlos bow out of Real Madrid with the La Liga title.

12. San Antonio Spurs completed a clean 4-game sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. LeBron James didn't really shine... sigh.