Shattered dreams* - Johnny Hates Jazz

Nike cursed those players featured prominently in the ad?

Well, Drogba was injured before the world cup. Ronaldinho and Walcott din even make it to the team. Ribery was in the dismal French team (did he even play? Can't remember - it was that forgettable).

And how about the main characters in the ad - Cannavaro, Rooney and Ronaldo, the 3 who had dreams? Cannavaro appearing in some TV show (sori, dun know wat it is). Rooney being knighted, beating Federer in ping pong and having babies named after him, Ronaldo having a huge statute of him built and appearing in the Simpsons...

Well, let these pics tell the story:-

Cannavaro left the field last after arguing with the referee.

Rooney failed to score a goal and performed consistently - consistently bad.

Ronaldo is now accused of spitting at a cameraman after last nite's game.

Yeah, none of them had their dreams come true. they could not write a future that was what they wanted. Instead, they all leave with shattered dreams.

Coincidence? Ironic! But it was a nice ad, wasn't it? Still, Nike should have featured Messi and David Villa instead!!!!

Pics taken from various sites online

*Their debut single which was a worldwide hit!

Perfect* - Simple Plan

Spotted on a student's t-shirt:-

I am nobody Nobody's perfect Therefore, I'm perfect!

Haha. Quite witty. think i've heard it before, though. Anyways, if anyone thinks that way, i'll point him/her to the sticker on the rear window of my car (no, not the UEL one):-

This car sticker is referring to this incident in the Bible

p/s - this post has been sitting in my draft folder for a while. When i decided to post this up now, i oso want to dedicate this post to Yuichi Komano, who missed the crucial penalty earlier. He missed it but he's only human and to err is human. I hope he recovers from this.

(Pic taken from online)

*My favourite song of the group, this was their last single from their debut album.

Thank you* - Dido

I just realised that i have not blogged about God answering my prayer!!!!! How could i have failed to do so? =(

I had previously blogged about my worries that i may not get from the insure the money that was spent to pay for my surgery early this year. Well, after more than 5 months, i received a cheque from the insurance company - everything i could rightfully claim for, they paid.

The news was shared with my BSF mates tonite - and they rejoiced with me. I'm so thankful for them, for praying for me, some of them actually coming up to me to personally encourage me. Their faith has been stronger than mine. I'm so thankful oso to my BSF Group leader - what a wonderful man of God!

Of course i'm thankful - as usual and as always - for tGiF for praying with me over this too.

Most of all, i'm thankful to God.

Thank you, Lord.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Luke 11:9)

*First featured in the soundtrack of Sliding Doors and then famously sample by Eminem which made this song into a hit.

It's over* - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories

England's World Cup 2010 is over. They were beaten by the Germans (see here for my views on why they were beaten).

At the end of the day, with the kind of central defenders they have, with Rooney playing the way he does and still being played, and with the tactics of the Coach, would they have gone far anyways?

But i feel really bad for Gerrard - played out of position for the entire World Cup, he was clearly their best player. And for him this is really the end.

(Pic taken from online)

*The first track of their brilliant album Tails.

We are the champions* - Queen

So South Korea made it! Well done!!! Hope they will do well tonight. But do you know there was a point of time when our national team could beat South Korea?

When we talk about our national football team, the word 'champion' is hardly ever used. But there used to be days when we weren't too bad - yes our 'glory days'. It was in the 70s.

It's interesting how Maxis, a local mobile phone service provider, had decided to use players from those days to star in their TV commercials lately. Perhaps they could be targeting people of my age-group - or perhaps more likely, it is because of the World Cup this year. They wanted to use the football theme - and only that team from those days are worth talking about!

I'll never forget the final match to decide who qualifies for the Moscow Olympics - it was us against South Korea (look how far they have progressed today). I still remember it was Bakri Ibni who scored our first goal. But the Koreans equalised. Time was running out - less than 5 minutes - when the ball suddenly broke free to my all time favourite Malaysia football player, Hassan Sani! He took the ball from around the middle of the park, danced past 2 Korean players - and just when i thought he was going all the back, he pulled back and centered it unselfishly to James Wong - who made no mistake and put the ball into the back of the net.

We were the Champions for that qualifying group. We could have gone on to the Olympics - but the government decided to boycott the games. No one really knew wat could have happened if we played there.

I remembered as a young kid, i cut out all the newspaper reports about Hassan Sani and James Wong, in particular, from that game itself. I drew pictures of Bakri Ibni's goal and Hassan Sani's brilliant run. Yes, those were the days for M'sian football. I'm so glad that Maxis chose that very James Wong's goal as the basis of one of their commercial. It gives me goosebumps just watching it again.

You can watch it too. Here it is:-

*What can be said of this song? Overplayed but yet still loved! Brilliant stuffs!

Where do we go from here?* - The cast of BTWS

Here is what happened 4 years ago at Germany:-

This took place last night, at South Africa:-

The headlines read "Shock loss put holders Italy out".

But that's not all. France, the runners-up in the last World Cup were knocked out earlier and in most miserable fashion:-

Their captain din look too happy...

But all i wanna say to Henry is that 'What goes around comes around'. France got what they deserved - a shameful exit from the World Cup that they qualified only by cheating.

So not only did the Champions fail to make it pass the first round, the runners-up failed too!!!!

But not just in football. Here is what happened a few months ago:-

This week, the headlines read:-

French Open winner Schiavone falls at first hurdle

Seed Stosur surprised in first round upset

Yes, both the women champion and runners-up of the last tennis grand slam event were knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon!!!!!

I really can't help but to think of Winston Churchill's quote - "Success is not final, failure is not fatal...".

Yes, we can be the champions one day, on the top of the world, second to none, but for how long? Successes in this life are only temporal - they are not final. But at the same time, failing to win is not fatal for there will always be another opportunity try again.

So where do they go from here? Where do we go when we succeed or fail?

I will end off with the 2nd part of the quote above - "...it's the courage to continue that counts". So where do they go from here? They should just go and try again the next time - and the courage to do that should win the respect of many.

Pics taken from various sites online

*Taken from my favourite episode of the TV series, "Once more with feeling".

The longest time* - Billy Joel

The longest tennis game in history - and mind you, it's not over yet!!!!!!

You can read about it here.

10 hours straight!!!! I can play for 2 or 3 hours just for fun and then i'll be wasted! These guys are simply AMAZING!!!!!!

*One of my fav songs of his, an excellent doo-wop song!

Charlie Brown* - The Coasters

Yes, i was thinking of Charlie Brown thruout much of the game last nite. What does Charlie Brown have in common with players from the Slovenia football team?

Take a look:-

I just couldn't stop thinking about it as i watched the match last nite. Ok, ok, maybe i'm mean to make fun of them now they are out of the World Cup.

Pics taken from various sites online

*A hit back in the late 50s, it is best known for the phrase "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?".

Please be careful with my heart* - Jose Mari Chan and Regine Velasquez

I think i'm getting too old to watch football. Or maybe i'm just too old to watch England play football. I thought i was gonna have a cardiac arrest just now!!!!!

Why, oh why did they have to choose the hardest way to qualify? They had to draw their first 2 games which were games they should have won easily. Yes, qualify for the next round they did - but at what expense? A heart attack for me???

They scored only 1 goal altho they had countless of chances including one which was ruled offside and another which hit the post!!!! So i sat there, heart in my mouth, just willing the time to go faster, knowing that a goal from Slovenia would mean the end of the World Cup for England. So instead of scoring another one more goal, they just left me there, my heart thumping so hard that i could feel it hitting against my chest!!!!!

Please sir, can i have some more... goals???
(Pic taken from online)

Oh England - please, please, be careful with my heart. But it has always been like this - especially having to endure the penalty shoot-outs. No one will be surprised if we are served with another shoot-out involving England in the next coming weeks.

I hope my heart can hold on...

*One of the nicer duets which came from singers in this region.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going* - Billy Ocean

I was shocked!!! I just came back from dinner and watching Portugal score 6 goals in the second half of their game against North Korea. I went online and found out some people were talking about the biggest upset in tennis!!! I checked and sure enuf, Federer was down two sets and trailing in the 3rd (he was down 0-40 on his own serve with the games tied at 4-4).

Federer could not believe this was happening - and neither could i!

Who the heck is this Falla?

But Federer won the 3rd set to keep his chance alive. Still, Falla was not out yet. he did not fade away as some would think he would had he fail to win it in straight sets. The 4th game was pushed all the way to the tie-breaker. But that was it. Federer - like the champion he is just upped his game and produce some brilliant shots.

Sad for Falla, it was all over for him. Federer started showing the reasons why he has been hailed once as one of the most complete tennis player ever. His drop-shots in particular were sublime!!!! More than once, i screamed out in admiration as the kind of skills this man produced on the grass court of Wimbledon.

He won it in 5 sets, the final set being 6-0!

What a come-back! This was so much more enjoyable than any of the World Cup football matches i have watched! I love Wimbledon! =)

Pics taken from various sites online

*This song was on the soundtrack of The Jewel of the Nile, and subsequently remade by the remake masters, Boyzone.

The best* - Tina Turner

I watched Toy Story 3 today. It was the best movie i've ever watched!!!!!!! No, i'm not exaggerating!

A wonderful tale about frenship and loyalty, it has everything - great storyline, edge of the seat excitement and action, laugh out loud comedic elements, tear-jerking situations, inspirational moments.

I dun wanna talk so much about - if you have not seen it yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????? Go see it! Better still, go see it with me - i'm definitely gonna watch it again. And again. And again...

Perhaps after a while, when i get over how brilliant it is, and i start to think back of movies like The Lord of The Rings, Dead Poets Society, Love Actually, The Empire Strikes Back, i may change my mind. But for now, Toy Story 3 sits at the pinnacle of the list of best movies of all time for me!

Pics taken from various sites online

*I remember the music video - it has a horse in it!!!! And no, i'm not referring to the singer.

Awesome God* - Rich Mullins

Grasshopper - that's who (or what) i am! No, no, i'm not saying i am Kwai Chang Caine from the old TV series Kung Fu. And it's not just me - you too! Yes, all of you reading this (and those who are not) - you are all grasshoppers!!!!!

Maybe you may want to dispute it. But lemme put it in its proper context - when compared with God, we are like grasshoppers - and we can only stand in awe of him!

It wasn't me who came up with the description - long ago, the prophet Isaiah said so (mind you, there has been worse descriptions of us when compared with God). Here are some verses taken from chapter 40 of his book:-

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?

13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD,
or instructed him as his counselor?

14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding?

15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

Truly, our God is a great and awesome God!

*A very popular Christian song in the 80s.

Have you never been mellow* - Olivia Newton-John

I really shud have been angry. Well, truth be told, I was! How could he have done that (see here)? Was he dreaming? There was a long stretch of cars, stopped in front of me, all caught in a terrible jam. I myself have not been moving very fast, anticipating the need to come to a standstill. I slowed down to a complete stop – and he rams into me. Hard, mind u!

Worse still, he was not apologetic at all! In fact, his fren suggested that I was to be blamed for the accident! He was not aggressive – but he was very rude.

Yet, I tried to be nice to him.

And when we were discussing how much he should bear for the accident, I actually found myself pitying him a little. He din look like a University educated person and therefore, not a professional, not like me who works in the comfort of an aircond office and classrooms. He had a family and kids. I was single. His holiday was ruined – whereas tGiF and I could laugh and thank God over the incident (see here). He also had to pay a lot for the damage to his own car. Yes, no doubt it was his fault. So too bad if you have to pay for your own car and bear the loss I suffered.

Still, I actually had compassion on him and decided that if he can’t bear my loss fully, I’ll cover for it myself. It’s not like I’m so poor. And if he is conning me when he could actually afford it, then the Lord will be the ultimate judge.

Looking back, I am surprised at my reaction. I was telling tGiF that if this took place 10 years ago, I would be out there screaming and shouting at him. I would go all out to ensure he pays every single sen, not just for the damage but for the inconvenience caused.

I came to the conclusion that I have mellowed – no longer the hot-blooded young man but an old man who has seen so much of the world and realize that in some situations, you will have to let go of what is rightfully yours.

But not just to attribute it to age and experience, I give all credit and glory to God. Truly he is transforming me. Nothing is impossible for him – not even a person like me.

And for that, I truly praise Him and give him all the glory!

*One of my all time fav songs, liked this song since i was really very very young. Still love it.

Soldier of Fortune* - Deep Purple

One who follows a military career wherever there is promise of profit, adventure, or pleasure. (Definition of 'Soldier of Fortune' from Merriam-Webster Online)

So does this describe the members of the A-Team? Well, in the opening credits of the TV series, they were referred to as that - and in the last scene before the closing credits of the movie, the very same phrase was used.

Who cares? What's important is that the movie absolutely rocks!!!!!! Brilliant, funny - and it's not a no-brainer too. I loved it! And judging by the response of the audience in the cinema tonite, they loved it too!

I've been looking forward to this for a very long time. After all, i grew up watching the series. Who cares if the storyline was not so interesting after a while - we watch the A-Team for the characters! What memorable characters they were - and now, with the movie out, we can stop referring to them in the past tense! =)

Then...

...and now!

There has always been talk about A-Team the movie. The fun part was to figure out who would take over the almost immortal roles played by the wonderful original cast. George Clooney was once tipped to play Hannibal. Jim Carey would have been ideal for Murdock, wouldn't he? A rumour was floating some time ago that Mike Tyson would be asked to play B.A.!!!!! Face? Well, many names have been suggested including Tom Cruise.

Although in the movie version out today, none of those i originally thought of would end up in the movie, i must say that the cast did justice to the roles - altho the part where B.A. struggles with being violent was a little strange and IMHO could have been cut out of the movie and not be missed. But Rampage Jackson could not be blamed for the writers' decision to put that in the movie.

Good stuffs, fun movie, great memories. This movie is actually a prequel to the TV series, explaining why they became the A-Team (and why B.A. is afraid of flying!!!!). Right at the end, a voice-over comes on and ends off with the very words that precede ecery episode of the TV series - "...today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, and no one can help - and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team!"

I actually had tears in my eyes when i heard those so-familiar lines being uttered on the big screen.

Now i can't get the tune out of my head...

Check out the original credits and memorable theme song from the TV series:-

Pics taken from various sites online

*One of their well known songs, it is taken from their 1974 album, Stormbringer.

Anything is possible* - Debbie Gibson

It was the event of the year for me! Some people were soaked to the skin while many others were going to get wet - my eyes were wet with tears. Tears of joy.

My mom got baptised on the 30th May 2010. She is 70 years old. She has now publicly confessed her faith in Jesus Christ (note to non-Christians: baptism does not make one a Christian, but a person is baptised because he/she is a Christian).

As far as i could remember, i have been praying for her since i became serious about my faith. After around 20 years, my prayers were answered - and i received the best Christmas gift ever!

To be honest, i have not been very consistent in my prayers for the salvation of my parents as the years went by. i started losing faith and even tried to convince meself to accept the fact that perhaps my parents are 'not meant' to be Christians. i looked at their situation and their life and realised that it is going to be very very difficult for them in their old age to finally turn from their old way of life and believe in Jesus. Could they change? After spending their whole life as one who does not believe in Jesus and who have been practising Taoist rituals, do i seriously think that they can discard all that and start singing hallelujah to Jesus?

But i've been reminded that while i may not be faithful (among others, in my prayers), God is still faithful. And i'm reminded not to lose heart in the face of seemingly impossible situations - for with God, nothing is impossible!

I see the change in my mother's life. She is so serious about her faith. At church (she goes to another local church nearer to our home), it touched my heart to see her worshiping the Lord together with her church members. She was then listening attentively to the sermon being preached and taking down notes!!!! When i wake up early in the morning, i see her reading her Bible in the downstairs room. At one point of time, i was sure she was more consistent in her Bible reading/quiet time than i was!

Truly, to God be all the glory!

*The title song for her 3rd album which is my favourite album of hers.

Celebration* - Madonna

I'm so excited about the World Cup!!!! :-)

*Taken from her 3rd Greatest Hits compilation album, it was produced by her together with Paul Oakenfold.

Crash boom bang* - Roxette

I have thought of the title of this post before – but I had wished that I will never have to use it. Not to describe my own experience anyways.

But I’m doing that now.

Yes, I was involved in a car collision recently. And it wasn’t very pleasant – but then again, when will a car accident ever be pleasant?

Number plate blacked out to discourage ppl from buying 4-D number!!!!

First, it took place during my holiday! Yeah, kinda puts a damper on things, dun it? And it took place out of state, at a hill resort far far away from my home. How inconvenient!

The driver of the car which rammed into me was not apologetic. He refused to take any blame. And he was downright rude.

Oh, it wasn’t my car!!!! =(

Yet, as I drove to the police station, tGiF and I had time to talk about it – and calm down. And suddenly, we were actually thanking God! When that started, we began to realize that there were so many things to thank God for!

The obvious one was that we were both unhurt!

Secondly, the car while damaged was still able to be driven (and driven all the way down from the hill resort) – we had no need for a tow-car service.

Thirdly, while the car behind us rammed into us very hard, we did not hit the car in front of us.
tGiF’s mom was familiar with claiming insurance for these kind of matters – and I used to do these kind of cases too. On top of that, I had my own experience of being rammed by a car and claiming the insurance from that car’s driver’s insurance. So we knew what to expect and what to do.

tGiF’s uncle also knows mechanics who were able to help us. Further, tGiF could leave the car with her uncle and use her parents’ car in the meantime so the inconvenience will not be great – her parents have another car which they could use.

We were thankful that we had each other at that time instead of going thru the whole experience alone.

On top of it all, we knew that this was all in God’s control – and we did not allow it to ruin whatever that was left of our holidays. We trusted that God will help us thru the situation and we were at peace over the whole matter.

I still hope and pray that I’ll never have another ‘crash boom bang experience’ to blog about again – but if I do, I’m sure God will see me thru and put the peace and joy in my heart.

*One of my fav ballads of theirs, second to Vulnerable.

Here we go* - Michael Jackson

So today is the day! World Cup 2010 starts!!!!! One whole month of football, one whole month of sleepy faces at work, one whole month of non-stop excited chats at cafes and mamak stalls about matches, one whole month of unhappy spouses/partners who do not appreciate the beautiful game, one whole month of anticipation over who will finally win the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy on July the 11th!!!!!

Who do you think will win?

Well, the BBC News got the views of many experts and pundits - and came up with the following top 4 positions (pics taken from BBC Online):-

Surprised? Well, a little.

• While i'm a die-hard England fan, i was surprised that many thinks they'll make it to the semi-finals.

• Argentina at the 3rd place? While they may be good, but surely you need a good coach to help the team play well!

• What about Holland? I'm a big fan of theirs!!!!

• Dun write off Germany - somehow, i won't be surprised if the grind out their wins in their usual boring but efficient manner. What about Italy?

• France has good players all round - defenders like Evra and Gallas, midfielders like Ribery, Malouda and Abou Diaby and the strike force which consists of Anelka, Cissé and Henry. But yet many are writing them off. A good example of having good players but the same cannot be said of the coach. I dun like them so i hope they live up to expectations!

But other than Argentina, i am quite happy with the other 3. Still, i fear that having the favourites' tag may not work well for Spain. let's hope Torres remains fit!

Here we go!!!!! :-)

*This song was actually written quite a while ago by Michael together with Paul Anka. When it was released recently, there was a big 'fight' between Anka and Jackson's estate. Finally the latter offered the former 50% of the royalties to acknowledge his contribution.

Sing* - Carpenters

It was great to be able to sing during the sunday service last weekend! It has been a while!

No, i have not been playing truant from church! But i have not had many opportunities to really sing! I am usually on duty playing the drums. So while i sing as much as i can and play at the same time, it's just not the same. Furthermore, i have been away to other churches lately - i was at FGT where i wasn't too familiar with the songs and i was at the chinese section at Elim where i couldn't sing at all since it was in mandarin.

Not singing does not mean not worshiping (i still remember those days at school when some of the worship leaders used to say 'brothers sing, sisters worship' or vice versa - so if u're singing, u're not worshiping???). But i do enjoy standing and singing!

I miss singing in the choir too. Wonder if i have the chance to be in the choir again?

Choir singing at Bidor church a few years back

But it's alright - i'll always have the chance to sing God's praises on Sundays - and for eternity!!!!!

*One of the songs which brings back memories of my childhood.

Only He* - Stephanie Lawrence

I have been reading from the book of Job these past few days. Among others, i read Job 38 - 41. And after reading it, i started thinking of part of the lyrics from Nicole Mullins' song, My Redeemer Lives. Specifically, it was the first part:-

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?

(Sunrise seen from the North Towers, UoE)

And who told the ocean you can only come this far?

(Seaside at Mersea)

And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?

(Moon appearing at dusk over South Courts UoE)

Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

(God's words being read at Temerloh)

Who? Only God can do such things.

Then Job replied to the LORD, "I know that you can do all things."
Job 42v1-2

*Taken from the soundtrack for the musical, Starlight Express which featured the original cast.

Self control* - Laura Branigan

A kind-hearted person who is prone to anger and scolding cannot be regarded as a good person.

Jing Si Aphorism
by Master Cheng Yen

This quote hangs on the wall of the waiting area of the clinic i go to.

I remember when i first read it, i could not appreciate it. Is it possible that a kind-hearted person cannot be regarded as a good person? Aren't all kind-hearted people good people? Is it saying that no matter how kind one can be, it is pointless if one cannot exercise self-control over his/her own anger?

It got me thinking - can a kind-hearted person be one who gets angry easily, and scolds others? Why not? A kind-hearted person need not necessarily be one who has good self-control.

I think that that is possible - because i think i used to be one like that. I would like to consider meself as a kind person - but there is no doubt that i was prone to anger and scolding. If i had to be honest, i have to say that i was not a good person at all.

Now? Well, i am trying to exercise more self-control - but whether i am a good person, you gotta ask the people around me.

*A huge hit for her back in the 80s.

Eat it* - Weird al' Yankovic

Some time last week...

Nurse: These are your antibiotics. Eat them 4 times a day.

She hands them to me. I looked at the plastic envelope housing quite a few capsule tablets. I noted what was written on it and pointed it out to the nurse to confirm:-

Moi: It says here that i can eat it only after meals?

Nurse: Yes, after meals.

Moi: That means i have to have 4 meals a day then!!!!!

The nurse din know wat to say in response to that!

*His classic parody of the late Michael Jackson's Beat It. I love the music video where he parodies Michael's video too!

Sacrifice* - Elton John

Today was D-Day 66 years ago. The allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy.

I think that no movie catches it more realistically than Saving Private Ryan. Here is a clip of the first 10 minutes of the movie, showing the troops just before the landing - and the massacre that took place when they arrived.

Be warned - in case for some reasons you have not watched this movie, the violence is VERY graphic. You may just want to skip the clip (if you dun have the stomach for such things) and just look at the photo below the clip.

If you wanna watch on, go here.

Pic taken from Wikipedia

So i'm a Malaysian (as i'm sure most of you few readers of this blog are) living in the South East Asia. What does this bunch of American soldiers on a French beach over 6 decades ago have to do with me?

A lot! D-Day was basically the beginning of the end. The world is how it is now because of what happened then. The end of Hitler and his terrible ways and the consolidation of democracy.

Furthermore, after the World War 2, the entire world came together and unanimously pledged that such atrocities shall never happen again. This marks also the beginning of International Human Rights laws in the world.

So the world is how it is today due largely to what took place back then. Can you imagine what kind of a world we'll be living in if Hitler won World War 2? For one thing, i doubt i'll be in this world, coming from a race where we neither have blond hair nor blue eyes - not authnetically, anyways!

I am grateful to those brave young American, British and other allied soldiers who sacrificed so much for us - some of whom who literally gave their all. Most of their remains were probably never recovered, their families never having a chance to see their bodies. We don't know their names - but their acts of heroism and courage lives with us today.

*The lyrics of this song was penned by Bernie Taupin who considered it one of the best songs he was written with Elton John (who composed the music) - his marital problems at that time served as an inspiration for this song.

Goodnight and thank you* - Madonna and Antonio Banderas

We knew the time to say goodnight was near - the day was getting so dark.

We therefore bid thee farewell - and thank you. Thank you so much for what you have done. Thank you for the players you bought:-

Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso

Torres!

Thank you most of all for the Miracle of Istanbul in May 2005. Like every true Liverpool FC fan, i'll never forget that night!

And that oso means i'll never forget you.

Let me end off by reproducing here what you said as you left:-

I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool.

I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.

Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone.

Neither will you, neither will you...

Pics taken from various sites online

*Taken from the movie version of the musical - i enjoyed the movie very much and loved the music in it.

I'm still remembering* - The Cranberries

June 4, 2007 - Hong Kong

June 4th, 2008 - Hong Kong

June 4th, 2009 - Hong Kong

June 4th, 2010 - Subang Jaya

Pics taken from various sites online (except for the last one)

*Track no. 10 from their "To the faithful departed" album - quite a fitting album name for this post, dun u think?

Gonna tell everybody* - Christina Milian

A pet peeve (or pet hate) is a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to them, to a greater degree than others may find it. (Wikipedia)

Yeah, i'm an easily annoyed person - so dun mess with me! :-P

One of my big pet peeve lately - since i started work at my current place - is the inability of people not use the 'reply all' button when replying an e-mail to an individual!!!!! Or perhaps, it's not so much an inability to do that but more of an intention to let everyone know what you are saying to a particular individual - even if it doesn't concern u at all!!!!

Can't tell the difference???

We receive a lot of e-mails at work. The work day usually starts with clearing our in-boxes from all unwanted mails. Most mails are mass mails. I understand why these are sent to everyone. what is annoying is when someone wants to say something to the sender, he/she sends his/her reply to EVERYONE!!!!!

A typical example - mass mail informing everyone about some achievement made. Fine. Maybe a bit of showing off but understandable. But after that, i'll get lots of e-mails from many others congratulating the sender! No, not only me but everyone will get that e-mail!!!! If you want to congratulate the sender, why do you need to let everyone know????

Recently, the FML Manager - Facilities Management (Lakeside) Manager - not F*** My Life Manager!!! - sent out an e-mail to all informing us to direct all complaints etc to that e-mail. Very good!

But since that e-mail, i... no, ALL of us have been receiving e-mails from many different individuals complaining about the aircond at their place, the window at that room, the photocopier at this suite... the list is endless. Sure, tell the FML about it! But why do u need to send yr complaint to EVERYONE????

Then there are the e-mails asking staff if they want to take part in some competitive sports. Some dude replied to EVERYONE telling the sender that he wants to join, but was unsure if he could make the team because it has been so long since he played and...... . Do you need to tell everybody about it?

But this is not just limited to work. Even people in my local church do the same thing. One sends out a mass e-mail thanking God for a certain success/achievement. People reply to the sender congratulating him/her - but they send their replies to EVERYONE!!!!!

Another writes to all asking for assistance in her preparing a particular duty list. One person actually replied to her, praising her for her efforts. Good. But why must that e-mail be sent to EVERYBODY????

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why????????

Is it just incompetence of not being able to differentiate the 'reply' button with the 'reply to all' Is it to show off to everyone that u are such a nice person praising or congratulating the sender? Is it (as a colleague suggested) out of frustration and wanting to share your problems (like e-mails to FML) with everyone? Is it a lack of attention? Then start a blog (like me :-P)!!!! Stop clogging up our e-mail in-boxes!!!!! (And stop annoying me - and making me waste time blogging about it!!!!!! Lol!)

Ok. Time to go check my e-mails. *sighs*

*She wrote this song regarding her break-up with Nick Cannon.

Notes* - John Savident, David Firth, Steve Barton, Rosemary Ashe, Mary Millar, Janet Devenish and Michael Crawford

Scraps of paper: RM0.20

Ball-point pen: RM0.70

Leaving thoughtful notes around my room while i was away: Priceless!!!!

There are some things money can't buy. There are some things even Mastercard can't charge!

Thanks, tGiF! :-)

*One of the many wonderful songs from the musical, The Phantom of the Opera, this was also one of the most amusing piece!