Sunday, December 31, 2006

2 separate, distinct personalities, not separate at all, but inextricably bound, soul and body and mind, to each other, how did we get so far apart so fast?

A bizarre sensation pervades a relationship of pretense. No truth seems true. A simple morning's greeting and response appear loaded with innuendo and fraught with implications. Each nicety becomes more sterile and each withdrawal more permanent. I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.

It's afterwards that only do you realize that the feeling of happiness you had with a someone didn't necessarily prove that you loved him. In love, unlike most other passions, the recollection of what you have had and lost is always better than what you can hope for in the future.

Happy new year to you guys!

All the best in the coming year

Chelsea will retain the EPL title

Looking into my crystal ball, which for once is crystal clear, I predict that come May, Chelsea will retain their title.

I realize that this statement will probably offend every Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal fan out there but when you look at the Blues, besides all their talent, the one characteristic that leaps out and slaps you around the face is their incredible consistency.
With the 'Big Four' now established in their rightful positions in the league table, the race to the title is about maintaining form and avoiding the blips that cost you championships.

Under Jose Mourinho, the Blues simply do not drop unnecessary points. Their home form at Stamford Bridge, where they have not been beaten since February 21, 2004, is the best of any of the 92 clubs in England. On the road, they consistently grind out victories and draws, even from losing positions — truly the mark of champions and reminiscent of United back in their pomp in the '90s.

Sir Alex Ferguson is aware of this and would have been absolutely gutted to lose at West Ham. Their 9-point lead has shrunk faster than a schoolboy's excitement upon learning that his date with the prom queen to the summer dance has been cancelled. United has only been beaten twice but both losses were massive psychological blows.

Firstly, you cannot afford to be beaten at home by Arsenal. Secondly, you can't lose to a club in the relegation zone. Can anyone imagine Chelsea slipping up at Upton Park?

Liverpool is 13 points behind United, which has now decided to start playing properly and is putting a decent run together. A day late and a dollar short is the cliché that comes to mind. By taking close to four months before winning on the road, Benitez has shown that his club doesn't have the nine-month consistency that all championship-winning sides must possess.

After that, it's Chelsea, a team they've not beaten in the league for three years.

I should have included Arsenal in the consistency table because they have aptly demonstrated that they can put similar results together. Five home draws out of a possible nine is a reliability that Honda motorcars would be proud of but when it translates into ten dropped points, I find it hard to agree with Arsene Wenger's assessment that his team is playing well. Ultimately, for the Gunners to challenge for the crown again they'll have to prove that they can win at the Reebok against Bolton — Chelsea gets maximum points there every season, Arsenal doesn't and won't until they get another crack next season.

As you can see, it comes down to the 'blips'. Whether they are big as in the case of Arsenal and Liverpool or relatively small as demonstrated by United, they eventually cost titles. In Mourinho's two years at the helm, Chelsea's 'blips' have occurred in Europe or when the title has already been wrapped up and his players are already thinking of deckchairs and Margaritas.
With a schedule that makes Paris Hilton seem like a challenge, the Blues are on course not only for the treble but for the almost-impossible quadruple and their consistency makes me believe that it is possible.

Look at the wet paper bags coming up for them — Newcastle in the League Cup, the worst team in England, Macclesfield, in the FA Cup, the weakest team in Champions League, FC Porto and EPL matches against Wigan, Reading, Fulham and Villa over the holiday period.

Honestly, which team are they going to lose to? Not one!

The inconsistent three can only look on in envy.

hi! back from my trip! will update and post photos when im free

Yeah! Im going to Thailand for holiday trip tommorrow with my family. Im bursting with so much excitement now, just can't wait for tommorrow to arrive. Finally able to afford some well-deserved rest now, phew, have been working non-stop for 3 weeks now. Beginning to feel tired and drained.

Yuppie! 13 hours to trip!

Bon voyage!

Absolute classic at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea and Arsenal simmered at first, creating wonderous aromas around Stamford Bridge before bubbling and bursting into a delicious hearty meal for the 42,000 souls on hand in West London and the millions watching worldwide.

Plain and simple, when football is played at this level, the EPL makes its rival European leagues look and taste like moldy old sandwiches.

With Man United 9 and 19 points clear respectively of the Blues and Gunners before the start of play, Sunday evening was a must-win match for both clubs as they attempt to chase down the club that has so far shown no signs of slowing down.

Hence, a 1-1 draw will be a bitter pill to swallow for Jose Mourinho and Wenger but not for Ferguson and the neutral fan, who just wanted to watch a classic.

What I witnessed over the 90 minutes was exactly that a classic pitting Chelsea's power against the precision of a weakened Arsenal side, missing Henry,Gallas and Toure.

There is no denying that the Blues form the most brutally efficient machine since the great Liverpool sides of the '70s and '80s and that the midfield quartet of Lampard, Essien, Ballack and Makelele aimed to put a stranglehold on the proceedings effectively.

With the Gunners looking to produce another 'smash-and-grab' performance to mirror the famous win at Old Trafford in September, the question for me as the match progressed was not if, but when Chelsea would break the North Londoners down.

Against the run of play though, Arsenal took the lead in the 78th minute through Mathieu Flamini and Theater of Dreams déjà vu must've been flowing through their veins.

However, the ex-Gunner would have the last laugh as the two would meet up again in the turning point of the match. In the 84th minute, Cole seemingly fouled Hleb in the build-up to Chelsea's equalizer. Wenger didn't miss this incident, saying after the game: "I feel a bit frustrated because before the goal they scored it looked to me a foul on Hleb."

35 metres from goal, Essien thumped the ball with the power of a juiced-up howitzer, creating the perfect mixture of pace and swerve to elude the dive of Jens Lehmann, who for once was diving with purpose instead of looking towards the Oscars after a entanglement with Drogba. It was a goal worthy of the occasion.

However, Essien's glaring miss from 2 yards out just minutes later may come back to haunt the Blues when reckoning time beckons in May, as will Lampard's effort that also hit the woodwork when it seemed easier to score.

With United 8 points clear, Mourinho was quick to throw down the psychological gauntlet, saying: "I think Ferguson must be happy now because we can say we dropped 2 points but if he thinks it's over, he is in trouble."

Foreign Ownership in the Premier League

On November 21 2006, Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson took control of West Ham United. In buying the London club,he joined a growing list of foreign owners who are willing to gamble large sums of money on making money in the EPL.

Are these owners passionate about football, do they have the sport's best interests at heart and are fans even considered an important element? These are important questions that supporters and administrators of the game need answered, the majority of these owners are secretive and rarely grant interviews.

Fulham: Mohamed Al-Fayed
Where they were then: 1997 in the Second Division
Where they are now: 10 in the Premiership
He has been a controversial figure in England throughout his 3 decades there. The Egyptian-born businessman has brought great success to the West London club as they're now a regular in the elite after brushing with disaster in the '90s.

Al-Fayed's original goal was to make the Cottagers the Man United of the south and he showed his commitment and passion in the early days by investing $60 million in the team between 1997 and 2003. Unfortunately, the outlay didn't generate the results required to see Fulham bring home trophies and Al-Fayed closed the purse strings. With a limited budget, boss Chris Coleman has worked miracles keeping the team in the elite and with Al-Fayed now residing in the tax haven of Monaco, the club is nothing more than a business.

Conclusion: I think Al-Fayed did genuinely see Fulham as a love affair and that he did have a soft spot for football. However aggravation with the British authorities over his citizenship soured his relationship with England.

Portsmouth: Alexandre Gaydamak
Where they were then: 1998 in the First Division
Where they are now: Fourth in the Premiership

Milan Mandaric gets plenty of the credit for Pompey's recent resurgence. In 1998, they were languishing in the First Division and going nowhere until Mandaric bought the club and began to invest cash. The hiring of Harry Redknapp was a key move and promotion to the Premiership was a richly-deserved achievement. Mandaric had bigger plans for Pompey in terms of a new stadium and after battling the local council for years, couldn't take the bureaucracy and gave up selling the club to French businessman Alexandre Gaydamak.

Gaydamak arrived just in the nick of time as his $30 million injection of cash during January gave Redkanpp a war chest that enabled Pompey to escape the jaws of relegation. It is not known whether Gaydamak is a true fan, although he does have football in his background, his father owns Israeli side Beitar Jerusalem FC.

Conclusion: From near liquidation to the Premiership is quite a feat. It is not known exactly how much Mandaric sold for or made on Pompey, however, he recently tabled a $50 million bid for Leicester City. Judging from the smile on his face, I think he made a tidy sum. Gaydamak, after his initial spurt of cash in January, has asked Redknapp to do a spot of bargain-basement shopping. But qualification for Europe will be the acid test. If Portsmouth does make it to the 'Promised Land' and Gaydamak doesn't up his investment, that will tell the real story.

Chelsea: Roman Abramovich
Where they were then: 2003, Fourth in the Premiership
Where are they now: Second in the Premiership (Winners in 2005 & 2006)

Roman Abramovich has changed the face of football with his wealth. According to Forbes, he is the 11th richest person in the world with an estimated fortune of $18.2 billion. This makes the $1 billion investment to date in Chelsea fairly substantial. It does appear though that money is no object to Abramovich in his quest to make the Blues the best team in the world. World-class players are routinely bought and sold regardless of profit and loss and Abramovich just smiles beatifically from the stands.

Conclusion: Abramovich appears to be becoming more 'hands-on' depending on which rumor you choose to believe. Although this would not be in the best interests of the club, without his money, Chelsea would simply collapse. Ultimately, I'm not sure the Russian is good for English football because his money has sent the economics out of whack but he sure is good for the Blues. Chelsea is Abramovich's 'rich-man's hobby' but I do believe he loves his football.

Manchester United: Malcolm Glazer
Where they were then: 2005, Second in the Premiership
Where they are now: 2006, First in the Premiership

US$1.4 billion is a steep price to pay for anything let alone something as unpredictable as a football team. However, Glazer has been successful in most of his 'business' ventures and that is exactly what this investment is a business. If Glazer was a football fan he kept it very quiet and he's never been to Old Trafford. His sons represent him and despite an initial hostile reception from the OT faithful, results have gone their way this season.

Conclusion: Glazer has taken on a mountain of debt to buy United and will want to see a healthy return on his money. To be fair, he has speculated by increasing the capacity of Old Trafford by 10,000 and giving Sir Alex Ferguson some funds for transfer activity. As for passion of the game goes,Glazer cares more for the oval 'pigskin' and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Aston Villa: Randy Lerner
Where they were then: Perennial underachievers
Where they are now: 2006, Eight in the Premiership

One wonders why Lerner made his $130 million bid for Villa. It seems a strange move to test the waters of the EPL. There is no doubt that he has brought a new lease on life to Villa Park but he hasn't exactly dumped a sack full of cash on the floor of Martin O'Neill's office.

Conclusion: A background in investing and the NFL hardly seems like ideal preparation for swimming with the sharks of the EPL.

West Ham United: Eggert Magnusson
Where they were then: Nov 2006, Eighteenth in the Premiership
Where they are now: Dec 2006, Seventeenth in the Premiership

Magnusson comes across as someone who loves football because it is a part of his life. He is the President of the Icelandic FA and a member of the UEFA Executive Committee. He'll have a 'hands-on' approach to running the club after spending $170 million! This should make for some interesting clashes with manager Alan Pardew.

Conclusion: It's too early to tell what effect Magnusson will have but I believe he'll have the interests of English football and West Ham close to his heart.

If reports are to be believed, it is Liverpool. Dubai International Capital, a company owned by Dubai's ruling Maktoum family, looks to have usurped the Kraft family, owners of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, as well as businessman George Gillett, who has a passing interest in the round-ball game.

Don't count out Reading either as their owner, John Madejski, recently stated that he would be willing to sell the club if the right bid came along and the same goes for Newcastle United.

I just hope that these gentlemen realize it is not just a monetary gamble — buying a football club is a monumental commitment. Football clubs represent a way of life to the respective supporters.Don't break their hearts or play them for fools just because the EPL is a hot property. Without the atmosphere of the fans and packed grounds, it's just 22 men running around in shorts chasing after a ball.

i hate you so much because i love you so much

You are not so good after all...

If i had a choice whould i have done it again?

If i had a choice whould i have taken the same path?

If i had a choice whould i change my own destiny?

Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your head.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.
Goodbye my lover.Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.You have been the one for me.
I am a dreamer but when I wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to beI've seen you cry,
I've seen you smile.I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bear my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.

Goodbye....

'All Star' team of the EPL season so far . formation 4-3-3.

Goalkeeper: Tim Howard (Everton) has been a revelation this season and due to frequent appearances, I'll vouch that he's back big time. Gone is the nervousness that characterized his second season at Manchester United. It's been replaced by a confidence that he belongs in the league. In a way, being relegated to the bench behind Edwin Van der Sar was the best thing that every happened to him and the Toffees are reaping the rewards. Four clean sheets in the Premiership may not sound tremendous but remember the eleven in front of him.

Right Back: Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal) is the best attacking full-back in the league and by stepping into Lauren's shoes seamlessly he has completely justified Wenger's faith in him. He has pace, strength, vision and he can defend.

Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic (Man United) is the rock that United has missed since the days of Jaap Stam. This Serb is one hard defender as anyone who has been on the end of his superb tackling will attest to. It is no surprise to me that United has improved defensively since his arrival and his partnership with Ferdinand could develop into the best in the Premiership.

Centre Back: Sol Campbell (Portsmouth) was thrown on the scrap heap by Wenger after a season that saw the former England man walk out on his side during a game!. Many thought that he was finished but instead of skulking off to Europe for a quiet time, he stayed in the eye of the storm and has taken the South Coast by storm with one heroic performance after another.

Left Back: Leighton Baines (Wigan) is pushing Ashley Cole really hard for that England spot. Firstly, he doesn't have Cole's outrageous, self-important ego and secondly he's vastly experienced despite being just 22-years-old. With a series of impressive outings for the U21s and the Latics' steady climb up the table, he'll be in the running for the Young Player of the Year award.

Right Midfield: Mikel Arteta (Everton) was pushed closely by Aaron Lennon,but the Spaniard is more consistent. He's ever-present for the Toffees and has chipped in vital goals.He's been David Moyes' best and most influential signing because he not only provides the graft but also the craft.

Centre Midfield: Gary Speed (Bolton) is a modern marvel and an example to anyone over the age of 35 that if you take care of yourself, you can still compete at the top level. Despite the Trotters having a little blip, Speed is still pulling the strings in the centre of the park with the aplomb of a teenager after over 500+ top flight appearances.

Left Midfield: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) is a old head on young shoulders and if McClaren doesn't add to his total of 8 England caps, there is something wrong.He was going in the wrong direction last season but under Martin O'Neill he is a player reborn. He's different gravy and the type of player that can change the dynamic of teams. He doesn't get his due because he doesn't have great dribbling skills or pace.

Forward: Didier Drogba (Chelsea) has been on fire this season and he can thank Shevchenko, who has taken attention away from him. However, let's give Drogba credit where it is due. At the end of the last campaign, his head was on the chopping block and now his is the first name on the team list. He has it all: pace, power, strength and he's not even selfish. Don't be surprised if he scores 30+ goals and wins the Players' Player of the Year. Professionals recognize greatness and Drogba has shown that he possesses that.

Forward: Darren Bent (Charlton) is scoring goals in a team that quite simply sucks, so that makes him a superstar in my book. If only McClaren would live up to his philosophy of selecting 'in-form players', England could be World Champions instead of World Chumps. Out of the 14 goals the Addicks have scored this term, Bent is responsible for 9 of them.

Forward: Kevin Doyle (Reading) won't blow you away with the typical forward's attributes of pace, power and skill but what he will do is work for 90 minutes. That means hustling for half chances that 9 times out of 10 don't pan out but still believing that they will.

Manager: Steve Coppell (Reading) was pushed hard by Martin O'Neill at Villa but at the end of the day his squad at the Madejski doesn't come close to the talent available to O'Neill. To have his team in the top half of the table is practically a miracle, especially after meeting and losing to Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. The key has been beating teams that are struggling and this has been done with some style thanks to Coppell's philosophy of attacking, no-nonsense football.

Tribute to Steve Irwin

Discovery Networks International and Animal Planet International mourn the loss of Steve Irwin, the world's Crocodile Hunter. Steve was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers worldwide and was a true friend to Discovery Networks. He was also one of the world's most passionate conservationists. His loss will be felt for many years to come. Discovery Networks extends its thoughts and prayers to the family, staff and many friends Steve leaves behind.
Steve’s adventures were watched by over 200 million viewers in more than 120 countries around the globe, making him the world’s best known wildlife crusader.

Steve’s parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, dedicated themselves to the protection of wildlife and founded the Australia Zoo when Steve was a child. They passed on their passion for endangered and threatened species and Steve helped out with the injured and orphaned animals that the zoo cared for. These included baby koalas and wallabies, but Steve also developed a keen interest in less cuddly creatures.

While most other little boys would be happy with a bicycle for their sixth birthday, Steve was given a 3.6m long python, which he called “Fred”. By the time he was 10, his dad had already taught him how to handle crocodiles and some of the world's deadliest snakes, without harming them or himself. As he got older, Steve helped his father rescue and relocate crocodiles in the rivers of North Queensland.

In his 20s, Steve volunteered his services to the Queensland government's rogue crocodile relocation programme, living alone for years in the mosquito-infested creeks, rivers and mangroves of North Queensland, apprehending huge troublesome crocodiles single-handedly and achieving a staggeringly successful catch rate.

In 1992, Steve and his friend television producer John Stainton, created a distinctive new style of wildlife documentary. The hour long programme, The Crocodile Hunter, featured Steve, his wife, American wildlife caretaker Terri Raines, and the animals of North Queensland.

Steve's boisterous charm, unconventional style and extraordinary daring, combined with Terri's wit and composure in dangerous situations and their amazingly close encounters with such potentially deadly creatures as crocodiles, venomous snakes and spiders, saw The Crocodile Hunter became a worldwide hit.

Steve followed this with the hugely successful and critically acclaimed Croc Files and The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, a behind-the-scenes look at daily life at Australia Zoo. He and Terri established a breeding programme to help such endangered species as the southern cassowary, koala, giant land tortoise, Fijian crested iguana and Komodo dragon.

The zoo, a dedicated conservation area covering over 250 acres, earned Australia's most prestigious tourism award as "Major Tourist Attraction" for 2003. In 2004, Steve was awarded the title of “Queensland Australian of the Year”.

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