How mad was Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League Final? Fantastic result for Liverpool – and AC Milan must feel pretty awful at playing so well and still end up losing. [Though, to be fair, the disparity between the two teams was nowhere near the gulf between how Man Utd and Arsenal played in the FA Cup Final at the weekend]
Due to the timing of the European games out here (2:45 am), I usually watch them at home where I sup water and try to be as quiet as possible. However, as Weds’ game was a big one (though the correct footballer’s adjective for ‘big’ is ‘massive’), I thought it only right to venture out to the Penny Black on Boat Quay.
The bar is the home to ‘East Of Anfield FC’ (mad bunch of expat and local Liverpool fans) – and was absolutely heaving by 1:30. Great atmosphere inside and, thankfully, it took ages to get served as we (Gareth and I) both had school in the am (or in like 7 hours time).
With Liverpool shipping 3 goals by half-time, things did not look good to say the least. But there was a silver-lining: about a third of the pub left to go home and kick the cat before grabbing some kip. Which meant that there was no some breathing space for the rest of us.
When Liverpool got one back, I thought there was hope. [Though, if the truth be known, it was probably more like ‘well at least the scoreline is more respectable]. The second so soon after and the whole place went crazy. And then the roof in the bar came off when Alonso smashed home the rebound from his penalty.
Even though the rest of the game was scoreless, there was still some heart-in-mouth moments - especially Dudek’s surreal double-save from Shevchenko right at the end of Extra-Time.
I know that penalties are cruel – but when your team wins on them, who cares!
Fantastic stuff. And coincidental too as back in 1981
Prince Charles gets married
Coronation Street's Ken and Deirdre gets married
There is a new Doctor Who
Norwich City and Crystal Palace are both relegated
Liverpool won 17 league games and finish 5th
Liverpool won the European Cup
Ended up in the bar til 6am, hope by 7am, cooked Sarah and I breakfast and in the office by 9. Needless to say that I was absolutely shattered yesterday.
And with our own Beer Cellar Utd being so short of players, I could not cry out of our football match last night. Ended up playing the whole game, which we won 4-1. Though skipped going back to the Beer Cellar afterwards and went straight home to sleep. And sleep…....
Friday, May 27, 2005
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Crazy Horses!
First, the Singapore Govt announced their plans for a Casino (though they used the term ‘Integrated Resort’ or IR for short). And now they tell us that they have given the go ahead for the French cabaret / revue act, ‘ The Crazy Horse Paris’, to come and perform.
[The act consists of a dozen classically trained female dancers – wearing G-strings, make-up and l’il else – strutting their stuff in a ‘celebration of l’art du nu (the art of the nude)]
Which is pretty radical for here, I can tell you.
The show opens here in December and, provided that we are still out in these parts, am hoping that Sarah can snaffle some free tix!
[The act consists of a dozen classically trained female dancers – wearing G-strings, make-up and l’il else – strutting their stuff in a ‘celebration of l’art du nu (the art of the nude)]
Which is pretty radical for here, I can tell you.
The show opens here in December and, provided that we are still out in these parts, am hoping that Sarah can snaffle some free tix!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Nice Turn of Phrase
I stumbled across this great site last week called World Wide Words. It's basically helps to list / explain new words and phrases. Words that will no doubt crop up in the OED in the coming years.
Phrases like 'Acoustic Shock' and 'Nipperkin' have their origins explained, along with 'My Giddy Aunt' and 'Oyez'. But my favourite so far is the definition and link to'BookCrossing'. This is where kind souls leave books in a public place and then place a note on the internet, stating when and where the book will be. The idea is that someone picks up the book, reads and then passes it on in the same way.
Am sure that there is a film in there somewhere.
Phrases like 'Acoustic Shock' and 'Nipperkin' have their origins explained, along with 'My Giddy Aunt' and 'Oyez'. But my favourite so far is the definition and link to'BookCrossing'. This is where kind souls leave books in a public place and then place a note on the internet, stating when and where the book will be. The idea is that someone picks up the book, reads and then passes it on in the same way.
Am sure that there is a film in there somewhere.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
That Was The Week That Was
Last week really flew - helped no doubt in the long part by Liverpool's narrow win over Chelsea in the Champions League.
It was a shame that all the talk afterwards was about the 'goal' - which according to Sky's interactive wizardry was never a goal. Though, if the ref had not awarded the goal then he would have probably given the penalty beforehand and Petr Cech would have then had a very early bath all to himself.
Still, as Chelsea's defender, Gallas, pointed out there was still 86 minutes for Chelsea to grab an equaliser. In fact, when the ref added a further 6 minutes in the second half, Chelsea had over 90 minutes to score.
Over the two games, Liverpool shaded it by the fact that they defended better and Chelsea only forced the Reds' keeper to make one save throughout both games.
As for the debate who should get the 4th Champions League spot, I reckon that if Everton finish 4th in the League (which looks very likely after they mugged Newcastle yesterday), then they will deserve it - regardless of what Liverpool do in Istanbul (not Constantinople).
[Besides, if Everton then past their qualifying game, they are in for a bit of a shock when they realise that their style of bruising play is likely to pick them up a few suspensions along the way!]
On the downside, I did not manage to finish my entry for The Last Laugh - mainly due to me under-estimating how long it actually takes to write a few decent lines! Still it wasn't all in vain as I know realise that you have to be a tad more dedicated than I was! Will now have a go at a Story competition thru Singapore's National Art Council and as that deadline is only a few weeks away, I had better get cracking!
It was a shame that all the talk afterwards was about the 'goal' - which according to Sky's interactive wizardry was never a goal. Though, if the ref had not awarded the goal then he would have probably given the penalty beforehand and Petr Cech would have then had a very early bath all to himself.
Still, as Chelsea's defender, Gallas, pointed out there was still 86 minutes for Chelsea to grab an equaliser. In fact, when the ref added a further 6 minutes in the second half, Chelsea had over 90 minutes to score.
Over the two games, Liverpool shaded it by the fact that they defended better and Chelsea only forced the Reds' keeper to make one save throughout both games.
As for the debate who should get the 4th Champions League spot, I reckon that if Everton finish 4th in the League (which looks very likely after they mugged Newcastle yesterday), then they will deserve it - regardless of what Liverpool do in Istanbul (not Constantinople).
[Besides, if Everton then past their qualifying game, they are in for a bit of a shock when they realise that their style of bruising play is likely to pick them up a few suspensions along the way!]
On the downside, I did not manage to finish my entry for The Last Laugh - mainly due to me under-estimating how long it actually takes to write a few decent lines! Still it wasn't all in vain as I know realise that you have to be a tad more dedicated than I was! Will now have a go at a Story competition thru Singapore's National Art Council and as that deadline is only a few weeks away, I had better get cracking!
Friday, May 06, 2005
Speak Out - ish........
Recently young Singaporeans were urged to 'speak out' by none other than Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (the guy who turned Singapore around).
So rather than just sit back and accept things as they were, if they had any gripes then they should 'speak out' about them. Some poor student recently took MM Lee Kuan Yew at his word and is now in a spot of bother.
A student at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), felt that the school's policy of only passing those with a minimum grade in every subject, would encourage students to opt for the easier subjects.
And this was from a straight-A’s student.
However, A*Star took umbrage at the student’s opinions in his blog and have threatened to sue him!
So much for ‘speaking out’!
So rather than just sit back and accept things as they were, if they had any gripes then they should 'speak out' about them. Some poor student recently took MM Lee Kuan Yew at his word and is now in a spot of bother.
A student at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), felt that the school's policy of only passing those with a minimum grade in every subject, would encourage students to opt for the easier subjects.
And this was from a straight-A’s student.
However, A*Star took umbrage at the student’s opinions in his blog and have threatened to sue him!
So much for ‘speaking out’!
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