The Grand Slam

Talking about Manchester United going for an unprecedented five titles this season immediately brings to mind two other great sporting achievements in sport, that is, if they can be done! They are the grand slam of golf and tennis. For golf, it means winning the US Masters, US Open, the British Open and the PGA in a season and for tennis, winning the Australian Open, The French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in a season. Have they been done?
Tiger Wood came close for golf when at one period, he held all the titles but unfortunately, it was not over a season. This season, he will be back for the first of the titles, the Masters. Let's see if he can win it. Then we can talk about the other three.
For tennis, Roger Federer almost did it but for the French Open. He couldn't master the clay courts of Paris and that prove to be his undoing. This season, Nadal has won the Australian Open. Can he go on to win the other three? Only time will tell.

Can they do It?

Manchester United is going for an unprecedented five titles this season. Its never been done before so naturally, the question on everyone's mind is, can they do it? They already have one in the bag, the world club championship but the other four is still very much in the asking. Not that they are too far off! They are leading the premier leugue by eight points with about a third of the season left. They are in the quarter final of the FA cup. They are in the final of the Carling cup and they are in the last sixteen of the Euro cup. Tonight they'll play Inter Milan in the Euro cup. A bad result will see them losing sight of one cup already. On the other hand, a good result will mean they are still very much in the game!

Sg Buloh, the place to buy flowers

For as far back as I can remember, Sg Buloh has been known as the place to buy flowers. That reputation has remained till now. There might have been changes here and there but if you are looking for flowers, come to Sg Buloh. The flowers are waiting for you.

My Mother, a wonderful woman

My wife and I took sometime off from the hectic schedule of life to visit my mother's grave in Kiara. She passed away peacefully in 2000. She was the pillar of strength for us children to lean on whenever we need one. She provided the love and the care that we craved for as we were growing up. My mother, a wonderful woman, beautiful, inside and out.

Never ending battle

BN did a coup and took over the Perak government. They appointed a new MB complete with a new exco line up and got the Sultan to endorse it. End of story. The new government can now go on and start governing. That's what we all thought. But not Pakatan. While trying to figure out what to do next, they suddenly realised that in their midst they have a powerful weapon in the shape of the speaker. So begun a new chapter in the episode. We don't know how BN will react to this latest event where the MB and his exco have all been suspended! Only time will tell.

Raja Lawak 3

I never followed the Raja Lawak reality show. I thought the jokes by the contestants were too predictable and not funny at all. Then Nabil came into the picture and he made the difference. Although it was not until he was crowned 'Raja Lawak musim 2' that I first heard about him, it certainly changed my view of the whole show. Now I follow closely the third episode of this reality show but so far I have been disapointed. Perhaps I'm looking for another Nabil!

On reaching fifty

Reaching fifty is an important milestone in one's life. I reached mine two years ago. Thought I would feel old but somehow I never felt like fifty or at least I didn't feel that old. When I was young, I looked at colleagues who were fifty years and more and thought, how very old! Now that I'm a little bit above fifty, I certainly don't feel that old. God is real great! He has made life such that at whatever age you are, you learned to accept it in the best possible manner. Yes, and keep on learning because its a lifelong process!

Tit for Tat in Perak

This is a case of if you can do it, then I can also do it better! BN thought they had it all sealed up. It was like a perfect 'crime' but unfortunately, things don't always turned up the way it was supposed to be. They forgot about the all powerful speaker and now, like it or not, will have to face up to him. Who will truimph in the end only God knows! It is getting to be more and more interesting!

Football talk again

In football, the midfield department is sometimes known as the creative department. This is where the goal scoring chances are created. Midfielders are supposed to be able to see goal scoring opportunities miles ahead, and with one defence splitting pass, enable the forward to score that all important goal. However, in modern football, there are many type of midfielders. Besides the creative midfielder, there's also the defensive midfielder. Then there's the holding midfielder, the left and right midfielder, the ball winner midfielder, the central midfielder, the wing midfielder etc. etc. Talking about the creative midfielder, one name immediately came to mind, Alan Hudson. In his days, he had no equal. Unfortunately, being a creative midfielder, his defensive qualities left much to be desired. Perhaps that was why he didn't win many England caps. Managers are afraid to play him because that would leave their defence vulnerable. In International matches where only the best play, that would be suicidal.

4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-4, 3-5-2, 3-3-2-2, 5-2-3, 3-3-1-3 etc

You may be thinking that the combination of numbers above has all to do with money or something but actually, it is about football. Yes, football, the simple game that is becoming more and more complicated and very technical. Keep on playing the simple game and you'd be thrashed. The game has evolved so much since it was introduced that it can now be played in so many different ways. Most teams play 4-3-3 because it is supposed to be safe, home or away because it is neither an attacking or a defensive lineup. Manchester United during the days of Tommy Docherty played 4-2-4 all the time, be it home or away. Holland during the heydays of Cyruff played 10-1 or 1-10, whichever way you see it. Teams normally play 4-4-2 when playing away but switched to 4-2-4 when playing at home. But whichever way you play, you need to have the players to do it. Even with all the stars at his disposal, Scholari still complained that he don't have the players to play 4-2-4 at Chelsea. I guess that's why Benitez is all so confused. Keep on changing the players and the way Liverpool plays because he just cannot decide on the best system for Liverpool nor the best eleven!

First win for President Obama

The US of A has just been given a US 787 billion dollars injection to prop up their ailing economy. The voting went through successfully after much debate in the senate. President Obama is expected to sign the bill and the package can start rolling soon. This injection is the for construction of new roads, railways, hospitals, buildings and even to the arts industry. The banks are also to get money for lending. About 3.5 millions of new jobs will be created. Will it help to build up the economy? Only time will tell.

Why are we still paying RM1.80?

The price of oil has gone down so low! Yesterday, it was at 34 US dollars per barrel. The question is why are we still paying at RM 1.80? Didn't I read somewhere that at 60 US dollars per barrel,

the public is already subsidising the government if we continue to pay at this price? This means that the price should go lower! Much, much lower!

Who will save the world?

Amidst all the gloom and despair about the world economic problem, I read an article which says that we are almost at the end of the tunnel already. The Asian countries are showing signs of stabilising. In fact China have reached rock bottom and are showing signs of recovery. The government of China pumped in the trillions of money that they have, cajoled the banks into lending more, encourage spending by the consumers and the results are showing. Nevetheless, the big economies like USA, Japan and Germany are still struggling along. It will take sometime before recovering.

A generation is gone

Last Wednesday, I made a day trip to Taiping. My aunty passed away due to old age in Padang Lalang, a small village near Taiping. She was the last surviving member of my father's brothers and sisters. There's also no one left from my mother's side. The last one passed away last year. That means I don't have uncles and aunties anymore. So one generation is gone. Our time will come as well, that is my brothers and sisters. In fact, two have left already. Life on earth is short. The longer life will be the one in the hereafter and how it will be for everyone of us will depend on what we do now!

Who wants to be a millionaire?

A footballers managers job is the most unstable job in the world. You can be a hero one day but a zero the next day. You may be a world cup winner but having the best resume in the world do not mean that your job is safe. Its your performance on the day that counts. Start losing and out you go. Still, being a manager of a big football club is a job that many people would die for. Why? Because if you get the sack, instantly you'll be a millionaire! If you don't believe me, just ask Maurinho, Ramos, Scholari......

Divine Intervention?

Might not be exactly what they had hope for but still, there will be a by election in Perak. Will be interesting to see the outcome. Has BN taken a step too far by its action in Perak or will Pakatan be able to retain the seat by a resounding victory, proving once again that it has what it takes to eventually take over the government of the country! Only God knows!

Who can stop Manchester United?

Love them or hate them, Manchester United are well on the way to retain the English premier league title. It took them sometime to get into their stride but once they found them, there is just no stopping them. With all their traditional rivals floundering, the only side looking like capable of upsetting them is Aston Villa. Chelsea is not the same anymore without Jose Maurinho while Liverpool is clueless with Rafeal Benitez seemingly having lost the plot. As for Arsenal, they need to score more goals to compliment their beautiful passing game. Sorry folks, but it looks like Manchester United will rule the game in England for yet another year.

Perak... what is happening?

If I seem to be a little bit more concern with what is going on in Perak, it is justifiable. I am a Perakian. I was born in Selama Perak, had my primary and secondary schooling there and therefore, it can be said that I spent my formative years in Perak. I am passionate about my state. When Perak won the Malaysia cup, no one was happier than me. I never could have imagine the happening now in Perak. A state with two Menteri Besar. It is becoming the laughing stock of the whole world! The only way to get out of this mess is to go back to the rakyat! It is only logical!

The fight has just begun

Looks like the political battle in Perak is not going to end soon. Both sides are maintaining their stand and both are claimimg they are right. As for us, it depends on where we get our news from! The government controlled media will always side with BN be it from TV, radio or newspapers. On the other hand, the internet provides the Pakatan view of the whole thing. This coming Tuesday, the MB who has just been sacked but refused to step down will go to his office as usual. The newly appointed MB, legal or otherwise, will also go to the same office. So, who gets to go into the office depends on who gets there first! Its that intruiging. Wish I could be there to witness it!

Johore Baru, where are you?

Its almost two years since I last went in Johore Baru. Before that I have been going quite often to Johore Baru in the course of my work. Not much changed occurred during those visits although there were a few significant ones. For example, the smelly river that runs through the city has finally disappeared, hidden somewhere underneath. Then, like most cities, tall buildings just keep on appearing. Nevertheless, during this last visit, Johore Baru just don't seem to be the same anymore. Somehow, some things are missing. Can't quite put a finger to it but the feeling is definitely there. This definitely has everything to do with the new custom/immigration complex that recently came into use. It caused the character of the city to change drastically.

When will it end?

I was in Johor when I heard the news. The MB of Perak has been asked to step down by the Sultan because he don't have the support of the majority any more. Before that, the political intrigue has got everyone on edge with one Adun jumping ship, two went missing while another was on the brink. When the dusk finally cleared, it seems that BN has got the edge. It was just a matter of time before BN will be back in power! But no one could have anticipated what happened after that! The MB refused to step down! Now, Perak is in a constitutional crisis. Two MBs in one state. Who would have thought that this would happened?

The hole is too deep

Thought the new year would bring new hope, new resolve and a new beginning. Unfortunately, the economic hole we are in is too deep. There is just no way out, at least not in the near future. Everyday, bad news are mounting. Toyota, Hyundai, Citibank, AIG, General Motors, Chrysler, Volkswagen, British Airways, Standard Chartered, HSBC, Singapore, USA, England, Japan, Korea, China, Germany, Iceland, France, Canada, etc. etc. etc. They are all reeling from the meltdown! Back home, the situation is not much better. Already, thousands have lost their job. Electricity demand has dropped. Factories have closed down or going on one shift. Some people I know have lost their jobs. Others are looking for alternatives to their sales jobs because people are simply not buying anymore. Can't help but feel how lucky I am as I still have my job.

Some wish!

Malaysian football is in a state of utter despair and there's seems to be no end in sight. Countless seminars and brainstorming sessions have all come to nothing. Not to forget the hundreds of millions spent. We not only don't get better but we are in fact, getting worse. If we want to get back to the days of glory, drastic action need to be taken! Those days I can easily remember the names of the footballers playing for the country but if you ask me now, I can't even name one player! And believe you me, I'm not the only one having the problem. That's how bad it has become. If we keep on losing matches, to the easiest of teams, we are going to become anonymous. I wish for the day I am shouting at the top of my voice, watching a Malaysian team playing in a World cup.