Something I have miss out

Been a working class employee for a very long time liow, and over the years I would always try to make it a point to go tour annually, especially when I wasn't attached then. And also due to the nature of the my job, I would require to fly oversea very often.

So comparing myself with the rest of my family and even my wifey, I have taken plane as my mode of transport has a much higher frequency. However, today I just realized something....

I have NOT been to any place where there is snow!!! Living in Singapore, snowing is impossible (at least for now, unless some drastic climate change:p) So I have always long for a snowy tour and Hokkaido is at the top of my dream destination. This is one place I would love to be there at least once in my lifetime. Mainly for the potential pretty Japs babe, Sapporo beer, hot spring, natural snowy scenic... piece all these together in one place:p WOW!!!

And looking around me, I realized ALL my family members & wifey had been to these snowy places liow and shared their snow experience!!! me so jealous!!!

Younger bro went to Korea first to experience it with gf for the skiing fun. Then recently, my mum and sis, together with my youngest bro & his gf went jalan jalan in the rich cultural city of Harbin. And lastly, wifey went to Colorado with her frnds for the hot spring and snow skiing too!!! Arhhh.... All these are the things I wanna do and all of them had experienced it liow.

Right now, must pan out a possible schedule to go for a trip to Hokkaido... real sooooooon... Even it means I am there alone:p

Gerrard... the diver

Wah... the Reds very lucky. They got away with a point, got away from any form of punishment... all these because of their influential captain.

Yes... He scored the equalizer, BUT he did it in such dirty way. He DIVE!!! Under pressure, he played dirty. I guess in modern soccer, players are taught to produce result no matter what. So I suppose in the eyes of the Reds supporter, he did the right thing. But for netural, this is absolutely ugly.

Modern soccer is getting dirtier these days, no such things as fair play.

Big players are getting dirtier as well. So what he is cute (at least that how Chel think of him)

Out once more!!!

Out from the 2nd competition in 2 weeks. First, being out from Carling League Cup, to Blackburn. Then, lost to the reds in the following league game. nd now, out of UEFA Cup, without even qualify for the competition proper!!! WTH!!! It another 2 goals conceded again.

The season just got worse. Tomorrow, they are facing a team, the Toons, who is in turmoil both on and off the field. If they can't win at home, who can they win then?

Every game, the players would claim the confidents are high, team is improving. Week in, week out, read the same old stuff. But the result on the field shows otherwise. This is getting disheartening.

Though the season is still early, do not wish to see the toffee fighting for regulation survival. So hope they could buck up and start performing and stop giving excuses.

208th Merseyside Derby

The Merseyside game, with the Reds once again came out victor.
The statistics have once again proven right with another lost at home.
The defense was once again breached with Torres scored both goals.
The team had once again, got another red card in the Merseyside game

Sigh... this is gonna be a long long season ahead.

Now could only look forward to the UEFA Cup qualifying where the Blues ought to improve hell lot more in order to get any chance of going into the competition proper.

Worrying Statistics...

Check this out...

Everton
7 games in all competition
11 goals scored
14 goals conceded (8 goals conceded at home)
2 wins - WBA & Hull (0 home win)
Form of last 5 matches... 1W 2D 2L

Liverpool
8 games played to date
10 goals scored
4 conceded
No lost a game this season yet (Last away win was against Marseille)
Form of last 5 matches.... 3W 2D 0L

Looking at the stats, must admit it not exactly the best time to meet the reds now:(

208th Merseyside Derby

This weekend features the 208th Merseyside derby. As much as I like to see the blue end to come out victor but the recent statistic speak otherwise.

Since the start of the season, toffee have not kept a single clean sheet, so once again, playing against one of the finest striker partnershipin EPL, Torres, Kuyt & Keane, is just gonna be handful for the blues. Although the pools did not score against the stoke in their previous game, but look at the possession, shots taken and saves, unless Tim Howard is playing (last known he is injured) or super top form and defenders (or whole team) playing tightly as an unit... To keep a clean sheet will be a tall order:(

The leaky defense somewhat similar to the beginning of previous season has been very vulnerable. Not just because goals conceded were top of the class shot, but people not doing their jobs properly. In short, soft goals:( To make matter worse, over the last 3 games (two league games & 1 UEFA qualifying), toffee's defender have been scoring on the wrong end of the field, eg, Jaq, Yobo & Nev, sigh… it like defender taking turns to score own goal. So who's next? Lesscot?

Although I do see the "never say die" attitude remains in the team, crawling from behind seem like norm these days, or at least for the past two games, but this is not healthy. Why not take a lead for a change, and let the opponents chase the game instead? If only it can be that easy:p

Lastly, I do hope the assigned referee, Mike Riley could live up to the hype of this game, though the previous high profile game he took charged was just last week, Chel vs ManU, when he dished out 7 yellow cards to the red devil. (Just my lame wish, hopefully he have this thing against the color of red:p) AND unlike the previous referee, Mark Clattenburg, at the previous derby in Goodison. Mr Mark sure have caused LOT of controversies (too many to name here) and robbed the results from the blues. If Everton gonna lose the game, I rather see them lose out due to the reds in fair & square fashion, then because of some shitty refereeing.

In any case, din really looks forward to this year's Merseyside derby. I am not being pessimistic, but just being realistic. Though I do hope for some "miracle" result & prove me otherwise:p

Shitty weekend

The weekend that just past wasn't exactly the best one, though I din recall having any good wkend at all over the past months. But this one was pretty sucky...

Started on Friday, after "begging" for time slot to do some engine thingy, only to realize I could not complete in time, due to some "unforeseen" circumstances". So end up, received a call from our client, and kena a mild one from him. Although end the night with some makan session at the Seaman Club with the guys, a plan that was had already planned, prior to this "screw up". A plan is a plan, so just go ahead with it. Ultimately, everyone needs a break.

Saturday.... back to the boat, trying to get the parts. Hunting high & low, finally got something and electrician is attending to it. Work till night time 9+pm. But still did not manage to complete it. Then on personal front, toffee kena trashed 0-3, at HOMEGROUND!!! Sigh... it a long long season ahead, I fear.

Sunday... started the day with some blasting session from our client. Cos the job still have not complete, and I had previously promised him 8hours of jobs. Now end up 3 days liow. He is a very unhappy man, and all I can do is apologize. Not much can be done except trying to recover the defects sooner rather than later.

Tough luck...

Apparently, toffee is going through a rough patch since the closure of the last season. Throughout the entire summer, targeted and shortlisted players, simply refuse to join the squad of hardworking, never-say-die-attitude blue merseysider!!!

It either a case where clubs could not agree on the transfer fees, or simply player just wanna be a fringe player in a "bigger" clubs. I mean, yes, the temptation to get a chance to play in CL is too good to reject but looking at the current squad of that "bigger" club, I am not sure if his chance would come by at all. sigh...

End up this week... a couple of signing were made (in my opinion, rather hasty ones), and I am not sure if these are the first choice on Moyes' mind. Just hope all would work out fine for them this season.
With already a paper thin squad available to selection, and yet sold away two of the key players. Then promoting youngster into senior squad for the league game, that is quite a gamble, which personally, I din think it paid off well, though it just after 2 games.

Coming UEFA Cup 1st round, with all the shitty luck, the toffee got the "worst" draw as compare to her other England "colleagues". By mean of worst, I mean toughest, because they would be playing against Standard Liege. The team that gives the Red some hell time during their 2-legged CL qualifying, before a magical moment of Kuyt broke their heart. So I am not sure if these youngsters are really ready for such a big stage?!?

Let's see what happen after 18 Sep & 2 Oct.

Go back soon

Called my boss this morning, and updating him the usual stuffs and happening around in this region. So far, I guess, he have heard nothing but shitty stuff that is going on here. So am sure I din really given him much of the pleasant wkends. Also informed him of my intention of my return to sort out some personal issue back in Sg. Though din really object, but do concern about the happenings around here if it will be taken care of with my absence. So right now, I am crossing my fingers that my guys dun fails me. And allowing me some peace and quiet when I am back in Sg, else it gonna be tough for me to justify my return with my boss liow:)

This euro 2008 have been pretty fantatstic, not just becos German had against the odds and beat Portugal (a hot fav). But also another big gun (Holland) was knocked out by Russia last nite. The games have been great so far. Goals have been free flowing. So hope it keeps on coming and no anti climax at the final.

Hopeful finalist... Russia vs Turkey, cos both teams can really play nice footie and score goals. Forget bout the Germans (though I support them) & Spain, but I would like to see 2 new faces on the pitch on Final:)

Something positive

Just noticed the past two months, all my entries have been rather depressing, it feels so pessimistic... so for a change, though I am still in the midst of some shitty, sticky, tricky, demoralizing condition at this moment, I might as well look at the positive side.

The EPL had just concluded, both my wishes before the beginning of the season did not fulfill but on the bright side... Once again, 2nd yr in the roll that Everton had qualified for UEFA Cup in 2008/09 season, courtesy of a strong league position, 5th. Quite a feat, considering the limited resources they have, in term of players and financial. Teams like ManC & Pompey, whom had spend hell lot of money to get their players. Especially in the case of ManC, almost the entire first 11 is different, yet these teams are below the toffees.

Right now, hopefully the clubs moves further forward from here and could attract more world class & hardworking player to compete in both the UEFA Cup & a champion league position for that following season.

Just to add a sour note, hopefully the referee handling the merseyside derby next season could do a better job, maybe I can close in with another 3 points or more:p

At least I am looking positively ahead now:)

Sunday blues

Since most part of the world starts their work on Monday, hence we been hearing lot of Monday Blues thingy... but only at this part of the world that you will be suffering from Sunday blues. Still trying to adjust to the life here, so intend to hang out some place over the weekend... But eventually end up in office on both Friday and Saturday. Well, I suppose that is part of the adjustment I need to make since the workload here is like double of what I experience back at home. With minimum resource and many vessels port call at various part of UAE, especially over the weekend period. It really stretches us here. Whew... tired lah.

These days, had not been watching soccer, due to the fact that EPL dun seem to be popular here. Or at least it was not telecast in the hotel I stayed. 2 present sports channels are mainly so USA sports, (from Fox Channel) and the other is mostly on cricket… both not my kind of games. So my input of soccer updates comes from internet. And seeing the result of the toffee drawn with the hammers AT HOME, it really din perks up my Sunday blues a bit. Read into the articles, and once again toffee been "unfairly" treated. I just wonder how many times in this season, or even recent seasons, where we see legitimate goals had been unfairly denied. Penalties appeal falls onto deaf ears. Well, some people gonna tell me other teams suffered the same things. But let look into the numbers. 30 games on, and I have recalled on 4 occasions that such goals and on few occasions, referees waves "play on" after a toffee was taken out in the box.

The most infamous penalty appeal incident would goes to the Lescott-Carragher, where Lescott was "wrestled" out deep into the injury time, during the Merseyside derby at the Goodison. Dear Mr Mark Clattenburg totally ignored the penalty call. So with the return leg to Anfield, I would look forward to the referee performance more than the game itself:p Wondering who's in it?

Bloody Stupid Referee

BLOODY SHIT!!!! WTF!!! The leaky defense of toffee really does it again…AND to make things worst… The officials of the game also SUCKZ BIG TIME!!!

The Merseyside derby had always been a fury event, so pace of the game is going by in neck breaking speed and of course, number of fouls & near fouls might need some power PC to keep track of it:p But apparently the referee have only have seen fouls committed by the blue merseysider??? WHAT THE HELL!!!

Ok, no excuse for the 2 penalty conceded by the blues, or maybe just 1, that last minute penalty conceded by Neville. Cos the 1st penalty was a case of stupid defender against a smart (READ cunning) Red’s captain, resulted a penalty & a marching order for Hibbert.

The 2nd one, is just a case of goalie beaten and goals bound shot “saved” by the “stand in” goalie, Neville:p of cos, that too resulted another penalty goal and 2nd red card of the game.

BUT what about the fouls on Lescott??? To quantify it… there are 2 penalty appeals and all those are clear penalty call, yet the referee had turned away instantly!!! So much for the quality of the referee and his “able” assistant, that another blinded linesman.

Damn sian liow (& TL too!!!). My weekend is spoilt, not just of work, but also of footie.

Sigh… WHAT THE HELL!!!

DINNER TIME!!!

Another long absence cos due to work again, so much so that I was limited to just a couple of the outing with gals,frnds:p Though busy, I still made some effort to go for my regular session of gym workout, hoping to achieve some form of physical outlook improvement:p

So when I was out with some guys frnds and attended a wedding dinner recently, some of them complimented that I have slimmed down!!! Wah…. Shiok shiok ah… damn good mood lah:) it sure have set up my mood pretty well through the days. Until that vain nature in me, went to take some measurement and found out that me din actually slim down at all:( but then again I realized maybe it cos my upper body have slightly increases in it thickness so it not too bad after all:p BUT ok… that bad news for my wifey! hahaha… cos she have always been complaining bout my desire for growing my already massive body (massive as per her definition, not mine).

The past few night dinner, as long as I am home, had taken been pretty simple or some might term it pathetic, "dinner":p Check out what have been my dinner for the past 2-3 nites:)

It not cos of the diet but simply not in the mood for proper dinner and by the time I’m home it pretty late, so no intend to take too heavy stuff:)

GREAT NEWS… England lost to Russia and on the verge of failing to qualify Euro 2008, but sadly, Lescott did not play well for his 1st ever starting 11 for England, wonder would he would be ever call up again.

Leaky Defense

Not a good weekend for me, cos everton lost again, by two late goals… and to make things worse, the reds scrap for a draw in the 92nd min & avoided their 1st Anfield defeat this season. It is apparent the leaky defense is a major cause of concern in this season for the toffees. I mean apart from the last home game against the boro, where everton got a clean sheet, which was pretty lucky, the other games in the season have ALL conceded goals. Even prior to this league game they lost 2-3 to Newcastle, the toffee have also won the UEFA qualifying round against at Ukraine team in not exactly in a pretty fashion, in short, SUCKS!!!

Most of the goals the blues concedes took place in the final 5min of the half, so it would damn demoralizing and definitely affects the outcome of the 2nd half or the following games. Based on the many games I watched over this season, the percentage of goals conceded in those critical moment, Everton would comes out top, though not actual statistic to prove my point, but it sure is a worrying signs. Especially their next home league game will be against the all time arch rival, Liverpool, that encompass the likes of Torres, Kuyt, & Gerrard, etc , etc.

Crossing my finger now:)

Lunch Time Update

Still recovering from the flu, so gotta cook some light stuff for myself. Something different from my usual Sunday routine (which usually house chore only:p) So went did some marketing at the nearby place & the stuff there is so expensive. I am comparing them with the big player in these provisions thingy. But since they offer convenience, so I guess the resident here is paying that little bit of premium for it.

A light and simple lunch, pork porridge, just the way I like it… more pepper, less salt. Ok, I know it look really plain, but what to do??? I’m a sick man, so can’t expect me to have more stuff in there, do u. And also, since it a pretty last minute kinda of marketing, so just buy only the essential.

Of cos, right after lunch, it medication time!!! With my favorite “Doraemon” mug:)


But what happen next…. It not my fault. The temptation is way too strong for me. I don’t usually snacks, and my colleague can testify that:) but with this new pack of chips left in the cabinet, I just can’t ignore it, so me have “sadly” finish half the pack, feeling so “guilty” now:p

Btw, a new premium league record was set last night… Portsmouth 7 : 4 Reading. The highest scoring game in the history of Premium League since it started in the early 90s’ But this game was not shown live!!! Instead, 3 boring games were on, producing only 2 goals. That speaks a lot of these “Live” game involving 3 of the Big 4s’.

So sian!!!

Another long absence.. guess the recent stress is getting onto me liow… it really needs extra effort me to come online and update. Hopefully, soon enough that these stress will fade off.

But no matter how busy or stressful it gets, meeting up with friends and going for exercises is still a compulsory thing to do.

So met up some friends on Friday, and check out this place… Pump Room:) Not too bad a place, crowds of our age, falls into our category… Young, Mature & Good Looking… Hahaha… Just a simple gathering, but still fun enough to catch up, since it have been quite a while since we guys met up. tcss, a bit of drinks (1 for me to be exact) and of cos, appreciating god’s creation. Too bad, it is apparent most gals there are more into the ang moh guys, so no lucks for us:)

And Sat, surprisingly me still manage to find the extra ounce energy for work (yard & office), MIL’s B’day lunch & badminton. And for my wifey, together with badminton kakis, we went for some nice makan. Will post it here when I got it from Chris:) Nothing in particular, just to make u envy:p

Also consider a lousy week for Everton... to only managed a draw in their UEFA 1st leg AT HOME in mid-week, then lose to Villa on Sat.

In conclusion… A stressing, uneventful week has passed and foresee a similar week ahead as well (hopefully not appicable to the Toffees). Here is goes…

Another “healthy” weekend… a workout in gym, by myself, that mean involve a bit of “snake eating”:p then following a badminton session. Another round of handicapped badminton game & them improving, it getting tougher playing against them these days. Must find myself a badminton kaki soon.

Ok… the healthy portion ends here cos what after this is just another round of sinful dinner, or to put it nicely, just our way to pamper ourselves after a good sweat out session at the badminton court. Just some simple makan in the neighborhood area, that mean varieties and quantity:p

After this hearty dinner, time to go home & gets online for chat. And witness an entertaining game of Bolton vs Everton. Indeed an end to end stuff, clearly demonstrate their desire to win. The substitution works to perfection with Gravesen setting up the goal of Lesscot in dramatic fashion!!!

But a cause of concern would be the leaky defense of the toffee. So far, I don’t recall they kept any clean sheet this season and with the arch rival banging in 6 goals against a hapless Rams (2nd clean sheet in 4 game), must admit it a worrying sign. Hopefully the toffee can start to improve as the season goes.

Crossing my finger (for toffee) when the 2 teams meet.

Had kept aside this pair of bedroom slipper for my wifey while I'm still looking around a Doraemon one for myself:)

My legs hurts!!!

Currently in Jakarta now… kinda pack 3 days trip here. Full of activities lined up prior to my arrival. Activities in the form of work, NOT leisure:p

There is a “lesson learnt” in this trip… Never go gym to train legs before proceeding for any vessel inspection. Climbing up and down the vessels had become a huge task for me with those tired, strain legs. Really had a hard time moving around as well. Even when simple routine like walking down the stairs seems like a chore to me as well.

The only thing I can look forward to is back to the hotel at night in order to have my “well deserved” rest. The room here is pretty big, much spacious than my two bedroom combines back home. The only flaw is there is nothing in the vicinity. But again, since with the pack and tight schedule, guess I don’t think I would like to go any where for the next two nights.

Ok, will upload a pix of it soon.

Just a point to add... Toffee is top of the table after 2 games!!! They beat the Spurs at their own bakyard once more. Just hope the toffee could keeps the form going this way. Not exactly the beautiful part of the game but just the result. Who cares how well you play, as long as they can deliver the results. It the results that counts after all.

BPL had began... No more EPL

A very busy & fantastic weekend for me!!!

Busy… cos of some screw up from others, I gotta go for a meeting on Sat & there goes my precious morning where I could have see my wifey. But at least the afternoon goes on quite nicely with some good decent work out of badminton but follows on with a not so decent work out of Japs food. So technically speaking, all those sweat out badminton session may consider went to waste:p

Fantastic… cos Everton won their season opener. Though based on internet report, it seems to be very scrappy affair. So hope the toffee could buck it up and go on to register their 1st away win at White Hart Lane, a ground where they just broke the jinx last season, where they won for the 1st time in 21 years. So hopefully, they can continue to win it there… & it all happening tonight, while I will be sound asleep:p

So far, it had been a pretty busy working week. With lot of paperwork to close within these two days, cos I will be going over to Jakarta once again. And oversea trip is never a pleasure, cos it usually returns with MORE reports. That is why needs to close out as much stuff as possible, as I know this trip would be a pretty busy one, consider the task list assigned to me:p Potentially, damn shag out lah!!!

Ok… time to rest before my VERY early flight tomorrow morning:)

Check this out… a Everton Goalie jersey… A gift from my friend whom just came back from Liverpool…. & he’s a supporter of the toffee’s rival club in Merseyside:)

Don’t think they would be anyone with this apparel, since the toffee doesn’t have a lot of supporter here, which mean not being part of the main flow here, like those usual “winners” supporters:p So maybe would have this exclusive feeling!!!

With three signing for the coming season, hope the blues would have a decent run in Europe and pray hard history don’t repeat itself like few seasons ago.

My unrealistic target for the toffee is to win the UEFA Cup!!!

My realistic target for the toffee is to have a better standing (aka above the Pools) when season end:p