Year of the Matador

What a year it has been for the Spanish sports contingent. A nation which until recently has been marred by years and years of underachieving have finally been able to match their talents with results. Simply amazing. Rewind back just over 8 years ago, I remembered a certain cosmic collision of events - the French Open and a little soccer competition most widely known as 'The World Cup'. On that fateful night (in Malaysia that is), June 9 2002, by some odd zodiac, stars aligning one in a million chance (OK...maybe not one in a million) event, the French Open between Juan Carlos Ferrero and Albert final somehow coincided with the Spain's quarter final match with South Korea.

What an exciting day it was, I've been a big fan of Ferreros at the time and he was playing some of his best tennis, beating Agassi along the way. Largely favored against (ironically) his compatriot Costa, he started well enough...holding his serve to love (i think)...they played i think 3 games before mother nature decided to make her presence known by reigning down showers...which triggered a rain delayed...the rest was well...history. After the rain delay, Fererro just wasn't the same...clearly playing with nerves...he surrounded the first two sets rather meekly, losing 6-1, 6-0. In the third, he mustered some nerve and was able to carve up a 6-4 win...but with the tag 'heavy favorite', and the thought of overcoming insurmountable odds weighing heavily on his shoulder...he lost the final set 6-3...the final dagger through my heart was watching him double faulting at match point...it was a sad end to a match with so much promise of victory for the young Spaniard (he did eventually win he lone grand slam the following year at the same event)...but the tears in his eyes told the story of a man of seething thoughts of what could have been...

Albert Costa kissing the Trophy (while Ferrero sits shell shocked on his bench)

One the other side of the world, Spain the overwhelming favorites were playing against the giant killing South Koreans (who took down Italy in a rather controversial match). I have to admit, I didn't care much for soccer then (not that I do now), but since Ferrero was Spanish, at least for the remainder of the Soccer tournament, I had temporary switch allegiance to Spain...I didn't know much about the Spanish team, but I did know they were quite prolific during their group stage matches, scoring 9 goals along the way...they had been at the time (prior to 2006) touted as their best team ever team assembled for the Spanish contingent...some players included Raul and Morientes...who were at the peak of their prowess and formed a particularly prolific strike force...Mandieta who recently won FIFAs player of the year award, Hierro and T.Nadal (uncle of now famous tennis star R.Nadal) and a young trio of Casillas, Puyol and Xavi who would go on to form the nucleus of the currently reigning world and European champion team...Needless to say, Spain dominated the match from beginning till end of extra time...unfortunately, they had 2 goals unfairly disallowed allowing the Koreans to hang on till the end of extra time...nerves finally got in the way and they exited the tournament via a penalty shootout.

However of late, the Spanish seem to be enjoying a huge sporting renaissance, cumulating in the victories of Rafael double grand slam (French and Wimbledon), The Lakers (featuring Pau Gasol) NBA championship team and the Spanish soccer teams World Championship triumph.

After enduring a miserable 2009 and pre-clay 2010 struggling with injury. Nadal suddenly turn it around during the Clay season after winning all 3 masters title on clay (Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid), he came into the French full of confidence and claimed his 5th French title, before heading into grass of Wimbledon...collecting his 2nd Wimbledon title and bringing his overall tally of grand slam title to 8.

I've never really been a fan of his tennis...it's quite ugly on the eyes...chasing down every single shot and looping them back with his highly unorthodox ground strokes...But truth be told...the Spanish sport renaissance really started with him...prior to that...Spanish tennis has always consistently produce top level players...but neither truly soaring to the ranks of greatness, often becoming victims to their own fragile mental state...but this kid was different...playing with a kind of grit and determination seldom seen from today's elite players. His unwillingness to yield and finding every possible way to win a match has define him as a player. Strong, scrappy and stubborn merge with superhuman concentration, concentration and mental toughness...a perfected style of tennis started by Brad Gilbert who literally wrote the book on winning ugly...I don't like his style of tennis, but I do admire and appreciate what he brings to the court and the sport of tennis...although he really has to stop with the play acting...he's above that...he doesn't need to win with underhand tactics...before Nadal...the Spaniard struggled to performed at the highest level...Who knew a bandana, pirate pants wearing kid from Mallorca would show them the way to win when it counts...

Pau Gasol...the best basketball player ever to emerge from Spain...what a talent...tall, versatile and smooth...seldom do players of this caliber brace the basketball stage...Once, touted as the savior who would lead the Grizzlies to the land of milk and honey (that's the NBA championship)...he failed to live up to that reputation (albeit not entirely his fault)...always seen as the talented player who couldn't take his team beyond the 1st round of the playoffs (that distinction now is firmly at the hands of Mcgrady)...eventually traded to the Lakers (in one of the most lopsided trades in history)...he ended up being Kobe Bryant's "Pippen"...capable of supporting the franchise star...or carrying the team himself when Kobe struggles...He showed a different side of himself during the NBA finals...Unable to play with the kind of flair due to the punishing defense of Boston...decided to roll up his sleeve and get down and dirty...scrambling for rebounds, taking charges, bullying his way to the basket and being a general nuisance on the defensive end...he might never get the same recognition as Kobe for winning those couple of championship...but everybody knows...Kobe wouldn't want anybody but Pau as his wing man...Gasol, the bloke who help turn a perennial playoff team into a championship outfit...

Finally, the Spanish football team. For so long, they have been known as one of the prettiest footballing team to have never won the Cup...After struggling to even get to the Finals...they made their break through at this year's championship...what made this win more special in a way was after wowing the world with their football during the 2006 European championships...they showed us that they can win with shear grit, determination and patience as evident by their four 1-0 wins startling from the round of 16...stopping an impressive free scoring German side and a rough Dutch side in the Finals who were determine to kick their opponents out of the park...a win is a win...and that's what counts...

After years of struggling...the Spanish have finally learn how to win...it doesn't matter how pretty you play...just how hard...here's to more great years to the nation's sporting side...

Side note...Fernando Alonso is struggling in the F1 championships and Spain just lost 5-0 during the davis cup tie...well...you win some you lose some...

Hands

I've been watching a lot of "Cosby Show" lately. So I was googling through the internet to find more videos about about each character...I stumbled onto several "def jam poetry" videos on youtube. Two of the Cosby Show co-stars: Malcom Jamaal Warner (Theo) and Phylicia Rashard (Claire Huxtable) were contributors to this particular events (they both presented really good poetry). Anyway, I at a risk of sounding too poncy, I have to admit, some of them were good, some I just didn't get, some were funny, others just fell flat, Some I just couldn't relate to. But...occasionally, there were some gems like this one...which were both brilliant in terms of content and clarity. It's tittle "hands" by Sarah Kay...enjoy...



It's such a simple poem which doesn't try to be overly cleaver of sophisticated. The contents did make me ponder and realize certain aspects of our pair of "hands". First of, I never really imagined that my whole life story could be summed up by my pair of hands. You know...every cut, bruise, scar and blisters represents every toil and hardship I've endured...but to be honest...I do own a pretty slick pair of hands...barely worn out...except of this bump on my right middle finger...which I suppose represent my frequent use of stationary...

But...more than that...what stuck me even more was the idea that our "hands" are really an extension of our own thoughts...every action that we've taken with our hands reflects the very thoughts in our mind...whether we chose to hit someone, embrace them (that's using hands isn't it?), shake hands, high fives, clench a fist, give someone a pat in the back, ruffle someones hair, hold hands, point, flip the bird...etc etc...well you get the idea...

So remember to always keep your hands in check...and that hands...are such a wonderful gift from God...

Crooner's bug

Lately, I've found myself developing a stronger taste for jazz/old crooner's music. Anyone who knows me would be somewhat surprised by this recent revelation. After all, I've often been known to express my distaste for this particular musical genre. I use to find it quite dreary, slow, boring and too complex. But mostly, I find the people who listen to jazz very pretentious, you know...as if listening to jazz music brings them some measure of sophistication, that they're automatically cooler for appreciating the art of jazz. Well, I guess I'm running with my tail between my legs now, I humbly admit defeat and apologize to all you jazz fans out there...it is a fantastic genre that has to many layers to it. Unlike the blues (my fav genre), it's very diciplined free flowing music. But really, at the end...like Jun always tells me...I don't really have to explain why I like something other than "just 'cause" and it sounds good. So yeah, I suppose I knew I was slowly geting sucked into the world of jazz when I found myself discussing Nina Simone with my brother one afternoon over lunch.

So why this long ramble about jazz music? Well, me and jun where watching "Julie and Julia" the other evening. Its a fantastic movie which is a semi-autobiographic movie about two woman's ( Julie Powell and Julia Childs) struggle to find purpose in their life. It had loads of themes in it, like...perseverance and self-discovery...which was presented in the lightest of ways. Anyway, one of the best moments in the movie...was in my opinion...the ending (don't we all just love good endings)...so in the final scenes of the movie, Julie and her husband takes a trip to the Smithsonian to visits the Julia Child's exhibit. After taking several pictures around the exhibit, she (Julie) takes a block of butter and places it under Julia's (confusing isn't it) potraits and whispers "i love you Julia" just before the movie fades into a scene where Julia prepares dinner for her husband to the tune of "time after time".

I found that scene particularly profound. Besides expressing the bond Julie has for Julia because of their shared struggles...it also reminded me of another prevailing theme of the movie...which is how love is tracendental, infinitely stretch through time, and that there are no rules that shackle it. I realized how love has always really been the same from the past and probably will in the future. How we constantly tell ourselves that love changes all the time (in some context i suppose it does...but that's another subject for another time...), that each generations',definition of love changes...that we require a different kind of love...you know...more freedom, more independence, more flexibility...etc etc...maybe it's all of those things, maybe it's none...but here, two different couples seperated by 5 decades of time, really just want the same thing...a little support and understanding amoung other things...love really is the same...a kid will always love ice-cream cones, dads will always love playing catch with their sons, moms will always love sewing dresses for their daughter's dolls...nothing changes...and that's reassuring...

Anyway, this is not a post about love...it's about jazz...so here's the video for the song "time after time" by Frank Sinatra...my favorite version is actually by Ella Fritgerald...but i chose this one since it has lyrics in it.



also while on the subject of jazz...some comments left by people of those youtube videos said that everyone should absolutely check out the version done by Chet Baker...i confess...i never heard of him prior to reading those comments but boys is his version good...it really takes me back to a time i've never been before (was not born yet)...the Don Draper/Dick Tracy days when everyone wore hats, suits and trech coats...you can just imagine it now...walking into a bar, the air...thick with the stench of cigerrate smokes...you hear the buzzing and muffled sounds of conversations circling the booths...the sounds of of clanking glasses as the waitress brings your whisky on the rocks...when suddenly...the music plays...the room goes silent...everyone is entraced by the music...and somehow...you wonder amist the crowd...how surrounded by so many people...you can still feel so alone...how tonight...you won't be found as you take another sip of your whiskey, and another puff from your cigerette...and that's...oooooookay...

Return from hiatus

Well, I'm back from a...how has it been now...a year hiatus?? Seems like ages ago (which is probably true) since I last blogged. I guess at some point, I just fell out of love with it, not saying that I'm having all gushy feelings and am particularly full of inspiration at the moment, but i suppose seeing how everything has changed so much around me, I felt I had lost an outlet to express myself. So why of all times did i chose a cold Thursday night at 2:44am on The 1st of July?? Well...in the words of Gerard Butler ( from some sappy movies of his) "Beats the shit out of me"...so I'll see how it goes...I guess I'll blog until I get bored of it at some point in the future...who knows...for now...lets just live in the moment.

At this point, you have to forgive me for my lack of basic blogging instinct and etiquette. I am a little rusty. So lets try something simple to start with. This might sound like old news (which it is), but as of a week ago, Australia was graced with its first female prime minister, which is great. But as with one man's (or woman's) rise, another falls. I have to admit, I was quite surprise by the turn of events (as I'm sure with most people around the world) as it really came out of nowhere. Gosh, Mr Rudd must have felt like a deer staring at headlights (or whatever the expression is). Anyway, I won't go into the details of the politics, but depending on what political blog/paper you subscribe to, it was through unpopular policies like the ETS scheme and mining taxes...but to sum it up in a nutshell, Mr Rudd just couldn't deliver on his promises. Kindda like Lebron James and that illusive ring...yeah, I said it...

Anyway, this whole thing made me think a little (not too much) about politics/governments and how leaders can be feel so infallible and how arrogance led to their downfall, or worse...the country's downfall. One example that springs to mind is China- during the communist,Chairman Mao's ruling era, It's funny how when I was younger, I was thought or at least given the impression that he was some kind of great leader, I remember watching 'mind your language', and one of its character (i think her name was Su Li) who always harp about how "The republic of China...blah blah blah, chairman Mao, blah blah blah). But now, as I grew older and wiser (at least i like to think so) and developed a sense of curiosity towards stuff...i realized how chairman mao's "cultural revolution" almost destroyed the country.

I remember a quote from one of Alan Moore's more revered graphic novels, "V for Vendetta" (or...you can just check out the movie) which said, "people should not be afraid of their governments, the governments should be afraid of its people". Powerful stuff indeed. When you look at all the stuff going around the world...genocide, inequality, abusing of power, corruption, it makes you wonder if the people in charge really know what their role of authority is. After all, they were elected by the people to serve the people. Not the other way around. And as people under authority, that we didn't chose our leaders to be pushed around. As former President of the United states, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (that's the one Robin Williams played in "night at the museum") once said and i quote;

“The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government.”

Here's a song that talks a little about inequality and injustice (which curiously enough, might have to do little with everything I just wrote). Here's Buju Banton's "Untold Stories"...Ya Maaaaan...Peace out (with my most Haitian/Jamaican accent i can muster).



While I'm Living
Thanks I'll Be Giving
To the Most High You know,

I am living while I am living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through everyday
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

All I see people a rip and a rob and a grab
Thief never love to see thief with long bag
No love for the people who a suffer real bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul
What is to stop the youths from get out of control
Full up of education yet no own no payroll
The clothes on my back have countless eyehole.
I could go on and on the full has never been told

Who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can't they will have to stay
Opportunity a scarce, scarce commodity
In these times I say..When mama spend her last and send you go class
Never you ever play
Its a competitive world for low budget people,
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards to who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on the full has never been told

All I see people a rip and a rob and a grab
Thief never love to see thief with long bag
No love for the people who a suffer real bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul
What is to stop the youths from get out of control
Full up of education yet no own no payroll
The clothes on my back have countless eyehole
Could go on and on and the full has never been told
(On and On)
Though this life keep getting me down
Dont give up now
Got to survive somehow
Could go on and on and the full has never been told

Who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can't they will have to stay
Opportunity a scarce, scarce commodity
In these times I say When mama spend her last and send you go class
Never you ever play
Its a competitive world for low budget people,
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards to who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on.
The full has never.

Been..
Toooooold.

The Magic Position

I found this video by accident...It's so retro and laced with weirdness, the epitome of 80's pop culture, but apparently, it fairly new.
Dad used to send me/us videos of mostly 80's music...haven't been receiving any of late...
But...this is the closet i could get to 80's retro without actually digging into the 80's...think a younger David Bowie...

Through the Roof n Underground

Here's a flick that you should definitely check out ASAP...go to your nearest Blockbuster or equivalent and rent it over the weekend and chill with some mates over soda and popcorn.
I know......I should be studying for my exam...but every needs a break from time to time.
Anyway...trailer says it all...so I'm not going to give a synopsis...also, check out the theme song...it's wicked.

Tribute to My First Band

AAAahhhhhhhh.....there's nothing like the sweet memories of busting a tune with your first band. It's like your first crush...doesn't last long, but you'll remember it for a very long time...probably the rest of your life...
I remember those times...when me and the band was so young and ambitious...we really thought we could conquer the world with our music...and that we could play anything...well at least I did...I thought there was no tune I could not conquer...
Anyway, the first band I was in was a trio...It featured Sam on the drums, Serene on the keyboards and me on the guitars. I was 13 at the time...and just started learning the guitar...and just like person who's just introduced to an instrument, I went through that awkward period trying to coordinate my hands...I practiced till me fingers were bruised...but when I finally got it, boy did i felt good.
Sam too just learned the drums and had some difficulty getting the timing and rhythm right...but he got it eventually, and Serene...well, she was the veteran in the team.
And...when we finally mastered our first song...we played it in front of our first audience...Mom and Dad...I think we blew them away...anyway here's a youtube video of the original song...



Speaking of bands...here's my new favorite one...you have to turn up the amplitude to bust this one out...

Be Thankful...Always...

A friend of mine used to say “Do not complain when you have no shoes, think of those who have no feet”. Those words haven’t made more sense to me now than it did before.

I was having a conversation with the usual gang recently, and I was telling them how some kids have it so good. I was saying how during extra class in primary school, a lot of parents brought their child lunches just before lunch break, while it’s still piping hot and all I got was food stored in a thermos flask to which a couple of my mates (Serene & JunShi) exclaimed; “You had a thermos flask!!!!????”…hahahahaha, lesson learnt.

So kids, next time you’re having warm chicken soup with bread slices that your mom painstakingly prepared since morning for you to bring to school for lunch…be thankful, it could easily be soggy ham and cheese sandwiches…

Anyway...here are the top stories (in sports in the past week)

The renaissance of Celtic and Lakers Basketball. Both teams reach the conference finals this week. Fingers cross that they'll reach the NBA finals...although I'm rooting for a Pistons and Lakers final...either way...it's going to be good...

One of the all time greats in women's tennis; Justine Henin announced her retirement effective immediately...she cited burn out and a loss of motivation as her reasons for exiting the game...she will be sorely missed...her career has been marred by controversy and personal conflicts...but really started to take a turn for the better these couple of years...she will be sorely missed...I always liked her...she proved that little guys/girls can be ballin' (I know, it's techinically a basketball term)

Roger Federer...will he ever beat Nadal on Clay?? From todays scoreline...it looks improbable...Looks like the pundits prediction that Nadal will be in a Funk this time around were sorely mistaken...having said that...only count out Federer on your own peril...as he have proven time and time again in his career...

Anyway...here's something totally unrelated to my post so far...of all the big men in the NBA during the 90's I've always been a big fan of David Robinson...OK that's not really true, it was Hakeem 'The Dream'...but David Robinson was always a class act on and off the court...his persona and character has always been refreshing in a day and age of rich, overpaid athletes who cares about nothing but numero uno...so enjoy...