Well well well. All the big talking countries are out, some defeated even before they got their game on. The biggest embarrassments have been Italy and France, both previous champions, now relegated to the bottom of their groups with seriously unimpressive group performances. Pathetic some might say, others would they had it coming, yet more will conclude they weren't hungry enough.
The latest high flying World Cup departure was England. They limped off losing spectacularly to Germany. Many expected a low-scoring outing or even penalties judging by previous encounters between the two football giants but one proved bigger than the other by more than the proverbial inch. Germany young upstarts shook the world view of boring Teutonic soccer and played like a cohesive commando unit. All together, all for it. To be fair, both teams had their chances but the Lampard curse continued to plague the Chelsea star. He was denied 3 times and worst of all, by the linesman who didn't see the crossbar deflection go into the German net past Neuer the goalie who flicked it away as it bounced out. Amazing what instant replays can do to denounce the words of a man in black by the line with a flag. The whole controversy of video replays being used to assist refs in decision making has come to the fore, with such a gargantuan loss of English spirit leading the charge for its use. Who knows what England might have pulled off if they weren't so unfairly ruled against? Who knows yeah.
My issue is why have instant repllays on TV when the teams can't be subject to the same visual evidence as us at home. Then we'll never know if the linesman got it right or wrong and no one would have a price on his head for screwing up some drug cartel tycoon's bet.
Ok, ok, I am all for video replays in the spirit of fairness in the sport of hooligans.
Japan got kicked out last night. I had a bad feeling about Kamano all night as I watched the dismal tug of war between Japan and Paraguay. It was silly at times - the loss of control, the passes to nowhere, the mistimed kicks. Perhaps embarrassing even. The defender Kamano has some chances to move up to the South American half to assist his fellow men in blue with their attempts at scoring but he didn't really do well with his passing. So that bad feeling rose up when he came to take the spot kick and subsequently hit the ball too high. Was it me and my bad feeling that caused Japan to lose? I dunno, I am not that almighty I think. So the Asian representation is no more and Paraguay also made history by entering the final 8 for the first time. They meet Spain who will trash them but who cares, history has been written.
Spain knocked Portugal out and everyone is upset with Cristiano Ronaldo for not living up to his worth. Well, what to do. Sometimes I think the choice between club and country often falls on the former as that's where the regular fame is. For country, perhaps once in 2 or 4 years to prove one's mettle is too long to wait. Young, pretty and pretty good footballers like Mr Ronaldo lap it up, with the media at their feet and girls at their beck and call. It's about the $ baby. Make as much as one can while one can.
Half the month down, let's the madness continue. Go Germany!
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Thursday 17 June 2010
World Cup 2
Where do I begin?
Tonight I witnessed that giants can crumble before the unlikeliest of heroes. Tonight I knew that no matter whatever one had achieved in the past, he could still crumble. Tonight the world realised that legacy was not important but what happens right now that determines our destiny.
Switzerland, the dimunitive team from the mountains, ranked 24 in the world, dismissed as nobodies in the competition that was to be stage of glory for their opponents Spain, took the Iberian bulls by the horns and then the balls to score just one decisive winning goal. That was all it took to shatter the dreams of the team ranked no.2. The Swiss even had a chance to double that margin but were denied by the frame of the goalpost. They had only 8 shots at goal with 3 on target. The Spanish had 24 shots at scoring. But all that mattered was the one goal that separated winners from losers. The watchmakers had the passion and heart to see it through. They weren't as elegant as the Spanish with the likes of Villa, Torres and Inesta making sizzling runs, deft passes and matadorish turns. They weren't as fast either. But it didn't matter because they took chances.
The best thing was the Swiss goal was conjured out of a mess in Spain penalty box. A shot, a miss, a save, a bounce off a player, the ball edges towards the goal, and Fernandes, the Swiss saviour, ran in at the the right time, to fire the salvo that broke Spanish hearts and exalted Swiss spirits beyond their wildest dreams.
I love the underdogs. This competitions has already produced the like the Japan who held off Cameroon 1-0 to take lead of their group at this stage; the mysterious North Koreans who played gallantly to a 1-2 loss to the best team in the world Brazil; New Zealand who managed to eke out a draw with Slovakia; South Korea who showed Greece who's boss with a 2-0 victory; and the USA made a mockery of the English by securing a draw. Brilliant, just brilliant.
I am glad to the watching the small fry beat the big fish. It's about time for hope, and hope which manifests in positive action for victory. If the Swiss can pull off one of the biggest, if not the biggest sporting upsets of all time, why not any other country? Why not Singapore? Keep the dream alive.
Tonight I witnessed that giants can crumble before the unlikeliest of heroes. Tonight I knew that no matter whatever one had achieved in the past, he could still crumble. Tonight the world realised that legacy was not important but what happens right now that determines our destiny.
Switzerland, the dimunitive team from the mountains, ranked 24 in the world, dismissed as nobodies in the competition that was to be stage of glory for their opponents Spain, took the Iberian bulls by the horns and then the balls to score just one decisive winning goal. That was all it took to shatter the dreams of the team ranked no.2. The Swiss even had a chance to double that margin but were denied by the frame of the goalpost. They had only 8 shots at goal with 3 on target. The Spanish had 24 shots at scoring. But all that mattered was the one goal that separated winners from losers. The watchmakers had the passion and heart to see it through. They weren't as elegant as the Spanish with the likes of Villa, Torres and Inesta making sizzling runs, deft passes and matadorish turns. They weren't as fast either. But it didn't matter because they took chances.
The best thing was the Swiss goal was conjured out of a mess in Spain penalty box. A shot, a miss, a save, a bounce off a player, the ball edges towards the goal, and Fernandes, the Swiss saviour, ran in at the the right time, to fire the salvo that broke Spanish hearts and exalted Swiss spirits beyond their wildest dreams.
I love the underdogs. This competitions has already produced the like the Japan who held off Cameroon 1-0 to take lead of their group at this stage; the mysterious North Koreans who played gallantly to a 1-2 loss to the best team in the world Brazil; New Zealand who managed to eke out a draw with Slovakia; South Korea who showed Greece who's boss with a 2-0 victory; and the USA made a mockery of the English by securing a draw. Brilliant, just brilliant.
I am glad to the watching the small fry beat the big fish. It's about time for hope, and hope which manifests in positive action for victory. If the Swiss can pull off one of the biggest, if not the biggest sporting upsets of all time, why not any other country? Why not Singapore? Keep the dream alive.
Sunday 13 June 2010
World Cup 1
It's half time in the England - USA match and it's been interesting. This is my second live match having seen most of the Argentina - Nigeria match earlier. I oddly couldn't catch a nap between the matches, it being past midnight here in Singaland. I tossed and turned in bed, a myriad of thoughts running through my head. I sort of blame the food I had at the pasar malam a few hours earlier, full of god knows what chemicals and preservatives that toted with body chemistry.
Back to the World Cup. I was disappointed to know that the opening games were dull low scoring games. I remember the awesome opener in Germany in 2006 when the home side did away with Costa Rica 4-2, an amazing six goals in 90 minutes. I hope the Germans play as awesomely this year. Back to the England - USA match, I came into the game thinking te Anericans would somehow pull off a unforseen surprise over the colonial masters of yore. But somehow seeing the familiar faces of the EPL, Gerrard, Heskey, Lampard, Rooney, I somewhat wavered in my neutral position to support England. Maybe because I saw Gerrard and Liverpool not get anywhere this season and felt sorry for him. Then Gerrard scored in the 4th minute and I reaffirmed where my heartfelt loyalties lay. With the red and white flag, no blue. Yes I want England to taste glory, yes.
Ok the 2nd half is about to start.
Back to the World Cup. I was disappointed to know that the opening games were dull low scoring games. I remember the awesome opener in Germany in 2006 when the home side did away with Costa Rica 4-2, an amazing six goals in 90 minutes. I hope the Germans play as awesomely this year. Back to the England - USA match, I came into the game thinking te Anericans would somehow pull off a unforseen surprise over the colonial masters of yore. But somehow seeing the familiar faces of the EPL, Gerrard, Heskey, Lampard, Rooney, I somewhat wavered in my neutral position to support England. Maybe because I saw Gerrard and Liverpool not get anywhere this season and felt sorry for him. Then Gerrard scored in the 4th minute and I reaffirmed where my heartfelt loyalties lay. With the red and white flag, no blue. Yes I want England to taste glory, yes.
Ok the 2nd half is about to start.
Wednesday 9 June 2010
No, I Cannot LIe
Imagine that you couldn't tell a lie? What would life be like if humans couldn't lie and always told the truth? Interesting eh. I think people wouldn't be so easily upset with one another, not because we knew no one was telling a lie, but because we would innately be more trusting and perhaps kinder to one another. We would perhaps listen more because it was always truthful and hence believable. No one would use "literally" wrongly, haha.
But "how do I look?" might often with a slap or a harsh exchange of words because the truth can be ugly, haha, quite literally. (Hey, a punny use of literally). "Yes, you are fat" but a millenia of telling the truth may just mute the response.
It would make advertising tough, wouldn't it? Remember those early ads which promised the world if you bought this particular brand of soap or flew with this airline. Always the best and the greatest, till they got sued and people got smarter. Well then advertising these days is less about flash and dash and in fact has got downright factual in some cases. Recall Dove's real women campaign. Would we be less creative if we had to tell the truth all the time? Sales people might have a problem.
There would still be crime. More people would own up to their offence though. Criminals would just admit to their wrongdoings more readily when they got caught. "Yes I did it, I stole that typewiter." Okie doke, into the slammer for you. No more mind games though like those we see on TV. Oh yes, truth telling would bloody affect television. Perhaps the whole notion of entertainment would be different. OMG, can actors lie if we were all programmed to tell the truth? Hmmm. We learn a lot from TV, so lying on TV might end up being repeated in real life. The truth tellers would go mad.
There would still be practical jokes. Just that we'll always know who did it pretty quick. But then telling the truth and knowing but not telling is another story. Would surprises be affected? Maybe but then knowing but not telling doesn't mean one is lying. Ahah! Kids might mature quicker because Santa wouldn't exist and the pet goldfish that went belly up didn't go to heaven overnight but was flushed down the toilet. Truth telling makes the case for atheists stronger I think but belief is another matter too.
Not sure why I'm on this track this evening. Maybe after an hour of Frasier did me in.
But "how do I look?" might often with a slap or a harsh exchange of words because the truth can be ugly, haha, quite literally. (Hey, a punny use of literally). "Yes, you are fat" but a millenia of telling the truth may just mute the response.
It would make advertising tough, wouldn't it? Remember those early ads which promised the world if you bought this particular brand of soap or flew with this airline. Always the best and the greatest, till they got sued and people got smarter. Well then advertising these days is less about flash and dash and in fact has got downright factual in some cases. Recall Dove's real women campaign. Would we be less creative if we had to tell the truth all the time? Sales people might have a problem.
There would still be crime. More people would own up to their offence though. Criminals would just admit to their wrongdoings more readily when they got caught. "Yes I did it, I stole that typewiter." Okie doke, into the slammer for you. No more mind games though like those we see on TV. Oh yes, truth telling would bloody affect television. Perhaps the whole notion of entertainment would be different. OMG, can actors lie if we were all programmed to tell the truth? Hmmm. We learn a lot from TV, so lying on TV might end up being repeated in real life. The truth tellers would go mad.
There would still be practical jokes. Just that we'll always know who did it pretty quick. But then telling the truth and knowing but not telling is another story. Would surprises be affected? Maybe but then knowing but not telling doesn't mean one is lying. Ahah! Kids might mature quicker because Santa wouldn't exist and the pet goldfish that went belly up didn't go to heaven overnight but was flushed down the toilet. Truth telling makes the case for atheists stronger I think but belief is another matter too.
Not sure why I'm on this track this evening. Maybe after an hour of Frasier did me in.
Saturday 5 June 2010
News this week:
1. Israel pounce on aid ship bound for Gaza. So this whole mess has taken an interesting turn for the better and worse. Better in the sense that the world has come to realise and better appreciate the plight of Gazans. Even almost all of the UN Security Council and the Sec-Gen had harsh words for Israel and their combative tactics against civilians. What made the difference was these civilians were not Palestinians. Individuals from other nationalities got hurt and their governments had to come forward to address the situation. People also protested all over the world, even in Tel Aviv.
This solidarity of support for Gazans and Palestine can only serve to grease the gears of change. It's about time these warring folks seek to find a permanent, viable solution for each other. Yes, many Arabs want Israel's anihilation but seriously, it ain't right. At the same time, Israel's heavy hand has slapped around the Palestinians way too hard and way too often. I have generally been upset that Israel has almost never given the Palestinians a chance to be a nation. So many UN resolutions, so many violations. How can we not expect the Palestinians to be angry and react with violence? It takes a strong, strong man not to lift his hand. The worse bit is that people died. It's unfortunate but not in vain. There's another boat that's been boarded, this time amicably and the Israelis are searching it for weapons. Ok, compromise. Gaza gets aid, just no arms.
2. BP oil spill gets worse. The spill's showing up in Florida and today's news suspects it might latch on to the Gulf Stream and even make it up to New York, Nova Scotia and the North Atlantic. How bad can this get? Well it seems very. The oil might meet up with the puffing Iceland volcano with the tough name, a meeting of the natural whammies. The Americans affected by this are damn pissed. All the fisherman who rely on catch from the Gulf of Mexico want compensation, and unfortunately, New Orleans is now plagued with another disaster. Here's one website that plots the spill over any Google map to give people an idea of the extent of the problem - http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com Cool and shockingly scary. Singapore is slicked out.
Should we stop looking for oil? Some smart people are lobbying for better resources for non-carbon based energy solutions. You know, wind, water, solar, geothermal and nuclear - the Fab Five of clean energy. It's a good point. The more we rely on oil, the more likely accidents like this could happen, and mess up the world around us.
I also got to thinking about why don't nations share electricity generation capabilities. Perhaps neighbouring countries could get their currents from a shared, clean energy resource. Take Asean for example. Could we set up a set of nuclear power stations or geothermal stations somewhere and split the transmissions? Does every country need its own power stations? I don't think so. We could easily share. Engineers gotta figure out to reduce transmission losses though.
3. SG won a world table tennis title. Whooppee some might go but there are many Singaporeans who can't feel any pride at this victory. Locals have a big problem with foreign talent winning sports events in Singapore's name. I generally also feel the same way. Here's why. We've never really had a local-born person in the team and with the team being totally 'imported', it's hard to feel like it's a Singaporean win. Unlike other sports like swimming and football, we have locals and foreign talents competing in the country's name and it seems like a fair representation. We're also a young country and this youth makes the contrast in 'Singaporeanness' more apparent and perhaps severely recognizable. I've never the tennis table team champions speak English. It's a problem. The local TV folks have also been criticised for not transmitting the finals against China live. If Mediacrap can't be bothered, should the population?
Someone I follow on Twitter posted this - ultra_slacker: I don't get this sg ping pong thing. I don't choose not to feel proud; I couldn't even if I wanted to. #somethingsmoneycantbuy
It sums up the sentiments of many Singaporeans. We need a change. Something to wrest this apathy from sinking in and signal the end of local sports representation. But then so many people seem to be running in marathons these days. Why haven't we groomed any local champs yet?
1. Israel pounce on aid ship bound for Gaza. So this whole mess has taken an interesting turn for the better and worse. Better in the sense that the world has come to realise and better appreciate the plight of Gazans. Even almost all of the UN Security Council and the Sec-Gen had harsh words for Israel and their combative tactics against civilians. What made the difference was these civilians were not Palestinians. Individuals from other nationalities got hurt and their governments had to come forward to address the situation. People also protested all over the world, even in Tel Aviv.
This solidarity of support for Gazans and Palestine can only serve to grease the gears of change. It's about time these warring folks seek to find a permanent, viable solution for each other. Yes, many Arabs want Israel's anihilation but seriously, it ain't right. At the same time, Israel's heavy hand has slapped around the Palestinians way too hard and way too often. I have generally been upset that Israel has almost never given the Palestinians a chance to be a nation. So many UN resolutions, so many violations. How can we not expect the Palestinians to be angry and react with violence? It takes a strong, strong man not to lift his hand. The worse bit is that people died. It's unfortunate but not in vain. There's another boat that's been boarded, this time amicably and the Israelis are searching it for weapons. Ok, compromise. Gaza gets aid, just no arms.
2. BP oil spill gets worse. The spill's showing up in Florida and today's news suspects it might latch on to the Gulf Stream and even make it up to New York, Nova Scotia and the North Atlantic. How bad can this get? Well it seems very. The oil might meet up with the puffing Iceland volcano with the tough name, a meeting of the natural whammies. The Americans affected by this are damn pissed. All the fisherman who rely on catch from the Gulf of Mexico want compensation, and unfortunately, New Orleans is now plagued with another disaster. Here's one website that plots the spill over any Google map to give people an idea of the extent of the problem - http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com Cool and shockingly scary. Singapore is slicked out.
Should we stop looking for oil? Some smart people are lobbying for better resources for non-carbon based energy solutions. You know, wind, water, solar, geothermal and nuclear - the Fab Five of clean energy. It's a good point. The more we rely on oil, the more likely accidents like this could happen, and mess up the world around us.
I also got to thinking about why don't nations share electricity generation capabilities. Perhaps neighbouring countries could get their currents from a shared, clean energy resource. Take Asean for example. Could we set up a set of nuclear power stations or geothermal stations somewhere and split the transmissions? Does every country need its own power stations? I don't think so. We could easily share. Engineers gotta figure out to reduce transmission losses though.
3. SG won a world table tennis title. Whooppee some might go but there are many Singaporeans who can't feel any pride at this victory. Locals have a big problem with foreign talent winning sports events in Singapore's name. I generally also feel the same way. Here's why. We've never really had a local-born person in the team and with the team being totally 'imported', it's hard to feel like it's a Singaporean win. Unlike other sports like swimming and football, we have locals and foreign talents competing in the country's name and it seems like a fair representation. We're also a young country and this youth makes the contrast in 'Singaporeanness' more apparent and perhaps severely recognizable. I've never the tennis table team champions speak English. It's a problem. The local TV folks have also been criticised for not transmitting the finals against China live. If Mediacrap can't be bothered, should the population?
Someone I follow on Twitter posted this - ultra_slacker: I don't get this sg ping pong thing. I don't choose not to feel proud; I couldn't even if I wanted to. #somethingsmoneycantbuy
It sums up the sentiments of many Singaporeans. We need a change. Something to wrest this apathy from sinking in and signal the end of local sports representation. But then so many people seem to be running in marathons these days. Why haven't we groomed any local champs yet?
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Ego, Eggo And Cheesecake
I had a choice of a slice of cheesecake or an apple post dinner.
In an unrelated manner, I realized my ego today. Ego is that bit that you don't think about but it drives to do things for yourself, perhaps selfishly. Well mostly in self-interest. It's easy to spot people who are ego-maniacs. Usually loud ones who seems to know everything and perhaps everyone, and in some cases are ridiculously wealthy. I am not any of these things, though I do know quite a bit and bore people with my general knowledge at times. Other times, people sms me to ask how to pronounce 'Tyrwhitt'. Anyway, today I heard an acknowlegdment of my person. It sounds dumb but there it was "gurms from Singapore". And it felt good. Then it didn't anymore. Then it did again, I was smiling to myself. Goodness, I thought and realized it was my ego that made so. It was stroked. Yes, like that puppy getting scratched behind the ear, it felt good. Temporary but good. Yup, ego.
The burst of acknowlegdment made me think about long discussions on existential topics with a friend in Uni and just out of Uni. We talked about ego and how he was affected by what it made him do and what others around did to please their ego. Yes, deep I know but it helps stretch the mind a little when one talks about things that you can't see, touch or feel. The philosophical mind is a powerful one. I remember him repeating what a another friend told him "I have no ego." If you think about it, it's very egoistic for someone to say they have no ego. Go on, think about it. See, makes sense doesn't it. My friend had a habit of knocking the wind of people with his honesty, and he's still at it. Haha, ego checker.
If a person without ego or a diminished sense of personal arrogance really a better person? I dunno. There must be scientists out there who build things to fulfill some internal need for glory. "Haha, I found it! You lose suckers!" I am sure it applies to any profession where one's abilities are tested or there is merit/performance based rewards as the outcome. Does ego make progress? I know greed does. Greed is good for progress/development. But it makes us crazy. Ego plays a part too I guess. Maybe there wouldn't have been so many wars/conflicts or even exploration if early man had his ego checked. Maybe there would be more jungle, 3 billion fewer people, more trees and no Internet. Do winners have big egos? Or do they just play to be? Not to be the best but to just be. Not ego trip but ego trumped. Hmmm.
In yoga, we're asked to not think, just listen and do. It's an attempt not to pre-empt, not to let the ego anticipate. Quieten, listen and do.
Eggo is a brand of waffles I think. Saw the box in NTUC. My nephew told my mum "Let's go NTUC". So cute.
I chose the apple, saving the cheesecake, perhaps half, for breakfast. Oprah says you cna eat anything for breakfast, on a show where she had 1 croissant. One, goodness. Take 3 woman!
In an unrelated manner, I realized my ego today. Ego is that bit that you don't think about but it drives to do things for yourself, perhaps selfishly. Well mostly in self-interest. It's easy to spot people who are ego-maniacs. Usually loud ones who seems to know everything and perhaps everyone, and in some cases are ridiculously wealthy. I am not any of these things, though I do know quite a bit and bore people with my general knowledge at times. Other times, people sms me to ask how to pronounce 'Tyrwhitt'. Anyway, today I heard an acknowlegdment of my person. It sounds dumb but there it was "gurms from Singapore". And it felt good. Then it didn't anymore. Then it did again, I was smiling to myself. Goodness, I thought and realized it was my ego that made so. It was stroked. Yes, like that puppy getting scratched behind the ear, it felt good. Temporary but good. Yup, ego.
The burst of acknowlegdment made me think about long discussions on existential topics with a friend in Uni and just out of Uni. We talked about ego and how he was affected by what it made him do and what others around did to please their ego. Yes, deep I know but it helps stretch the mind a little when one talks about things that you can't see, touch or feel. The philosophical mind is a powerful one. I remember him repeating what a another friend told him "I have no ego." If you think about it, it's very egoistic for someone to say they have no ego. Go on, think about it. See, makes sense doesn't it. My friend had a habit of knocking the wind of people with his honesty, and he's still at it. Haha, ego checker.
If a person without ego or a diminished sense of personal arrogance really a better person? I dunno. There must be scientists out there who build things to fulfill some internal need for glory. "Haha, I found it! You lose suckers!" I am sure it applies to any profession where one's abilities are tested or there is merit/performance based rewards as the outcome. Does ego make progress? I know greed does. Greed is good for progress/development. But it makes us crazy. Ego plays a part too I guess. Maybe there wouldn't have been so many wars/conflicts or even exploration if early man had his ego checked. Maybe there would be more jungle, 3 billion fewer people, more trees and no Internet. Do winners have big egos? Or do they just play to be? Not to be the best but to just be. Not ego trip but ego trumped. Hmmm.
In yoga, we're asked to not think, just listen and do. It's an attempt not to pre-empt, not to let the ego anticipate. Quieten, listen and do.
Eggo is a brand of waffles I think. Saw the box in NTUC. My nephew told my mum "Let's go NTUC". So cute.
I chose the apple, saving the cheesecake, perhaps half, for breakfast. Oprah says you cna eat anything for breakfast, on a show where she had 1 croissant. One, goodness. Take 3 woman!
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