My friend Leo has a deep passion for the Arowana - a beautiful, majestic-looking fish commonly known as the Golden Dragon. He paid several hundred dollars for a young Arowana several years ago. Barely three inches long it cut a lonely figure in the large four-foot tank, swimming constanly end to end, perpetually in motion.
He feeds the fish once a day, upon his return from work. On the way home he would stop by the pet shop and pick up different food items for his fish everyday without fail. They would be live tadpoles and small guppies, but as the fish grows in size, its menu would include live centipedes and larger species of the guppies. He could sit for a couple of hours just to watch his pet fish feed and swim. He feels a sense of serenity and calmness at the end of a hectic day at the office, he says.
Six years on, the fish grew to a size 18 inches long and space inside the 4-foot tank became increasingly an acute problem, made worse by the fish's enormous appetite which now costs him $6 daily.
Standing in front of the fish tank one day, he said to his wife: "We cannot keep the fish anymore. Tank is just too small. Time to sell it or give it away."
His wife agreed.
Returning home from work the next day, as soon as they turned the lights on, they saw sprawled on the living room their pet fish. Dead. Their Arowana, which they kept and fed for 6 years, was now dead. Suicide it was. For reason not hard to see, it decided to end its life by jumping out of the tank!
The thought that its owner is about to give it away must be something just too hard to take.
My friend was heartbroken for weeks after that. He has vowed never to keep a pet again.
Writer: Peter Chang
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
"Raise the Red Underwear"
Years ago in one of our morning walks to the open market not long after we first arrived in Tianjin, China, we came across several roadside stalls selling pretty much the same thing: red underwear, not just for the ladies but for the guys as well!
"Wow, look at the colour. Really shocking red, are they not?" my wife commented.
"You won't find me wearing any of those!" I replied.
A friend later told us that the locals wear them on certain occasions for good luck and good fortune. On New Year's Eve or eve of a wedding, for example.
Last year (and 13 years later) I was reading a feng shui book by a famous Hong Kong writer, in which was a suggestion under my horoscope that luck would markedly improve if I wore red underwear on New Year's Eve. As my luck the preceding couple of years was in a freefall in what seems like a bottomless pit, I thought to myself: "Why not try it? What is there to lose?"
The problem was, I couldn't find any red underwear on sale anywhere in Singapore. So we went on a special mission to Hong Kong specifically looking for red underwear. Problem solved. There were plenty on sale, some branded ones, as it was just weeks before the Year of the Ox.
Did my luck change? Well, sort of ...
We recovered my investment in DBS's structured (toxic) products in full plus interest. They were on the brink a complete wipeout during the global financial crisis.
We recovered in full our investment in Aussie dollars. For two years we lived with a paper loss of 40%.
We recouped all our early losses on UBS unit trust investment in the wake of the current financial recovery.
We also saw some healthy returns (yields) on our stock market investments this year.
Coincidence? Maybe. Peace of mind? Surely.
I will be doing the same this New Year. A cheeky thought just crosses my mind. What if I wear a double-layer red underwear this time!
(Writer's footnote: This article is to be read with tongue firmly in cheek or whenever Liverpool plays!)
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
"Wow, look at the colour. Really shocking red, are they not?" my wife commented.
"You won't find me wearing any of those!" I replied.
A friend later told us that the locals wear them on certain occasions for good luck and good fortune. On New Year's Eve or eve of a wedding, for example.
Last year (and 13 years later) I was reading a feng shui book by a famous Hong Kong writer, in which was a suggestion under my horoscope that luck would markedly improve if I wore red underwear on New Year's Eve. As my luck the preceding couple of years was in a freefall in what seems like a bottomless pit, I thought to myself: "Why not try it? What is there to lose?"
The problem was, I couldn't find any red underwear on sale anywhere in Singapore. So we went on a special mission to Hong Kong specifically looking for red underwear. Problem solved. There were plenty on sale, some branded ones, as it was just weeks before the Year of the Ox.
Did my luck change? Well, sort of ...
We recovered my investment in DBS's structured (toxic) products in full plus interest. They were on the brink a complete wipeout during the global financial crisis.
We recovered in full our investment in Aussie dollars. For two years we lived with a paper loss of 40%.
We recouped all our early losses on UBS unit trust investment in the wake of the current financial recovery.
We also saw some healthy returns (yields) on our stock market investments this year.
Coincidence? Maybe. Peace of mind? Surely.
I will be doing the same this New Year. A cheeky thought just crosses my mind. What if I wear a double-layer red underwear this time!
(Writer's footnote: This article is to be read with tongue firmly in cheek or whenever Liverpool plays!)
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
"The Rot of Liverpool"
This year's EPL season has just crossed the half way mark. And already (thanks to Rafa Benitez's clueless and lunatic leadership) Liverpool is out of the European Champions League and League Cup, and currently languishing in 9th position on the EPL table. Any chance of finishing 4th at the end of the season (to qualify for next year's Champions League competition) must have evaporated last night when Liverpool lost 2-0 away to Fulham. Imagine a club on a shoe-string budget like Fulham could dominate a club like Liverpool in every department of the game - the same Liverpool that its fat, out-of-shape manager had pumped more than 250 million pounds on players since taking over. Last night the Reds were playing like a bunch of desperate street urchins, tripping over each other and collecting yellow & red cards instead of points!
Half a century ago the legendary Bill Shankly transformed Liverpool from a second division club to one feared by clubs the world over - winning the European Cup treble and English Football League titles numerous times. All these in addition to a cabinet full of FA Cups, League Cups and Cup-Winners Cups. Shankly laid the foundation for a strong, solid football club with deep-rooted tradition anc culture that were carried on into the 70s and 80s by Bob Paisley and other managers (Evans, Fagan, Dalglish). This year the club celebrates the 50th anniversary of Shankly's Liverpool appointment. How he must have turned in his grave to see the club he so loved and painstakingly built now sitting on the edge of abyss on his anniversary year.
Rafa - do the right thing. Go visit Shankly's grave, say sorry and then walk away. Spare the club of further embarrassment and financial ruin. Give Liverpool fans all over the world something to remember you for - putting an end to the rot that had started, by you!
Writer: Peter Chang
Email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Half a century ago the legendary Bill Shankly transformed Liverpool from a second division club to one feared by clubs the world over - winning the European Cup treble and English Football League titles numerous times. All these in addition to a cabinet full of FA Cups, League Cups and Cup-Winners Cups. Shankly laid the foundation for a strong, solid football club with deep-rooted tradition anc culture that were carried on into the 70s and 80s by Bob Paisley and other managers (Evans, Fagan, Dalglish). This year the club celebrates the 50th anniversary of Shankly's Liverpool appointment. How he must have turned in his grave to see the club he so loved and painstakingly built now sitting on the edge of abyss on his anniversary year.
Rafa - do the right thing. Go visit Shankly's grave, say sorry and then walk away. Spare the club of further embarrassment and financial ruin. Give Liverpool fans all over the world something to remember you for - putting an end to the rot that had started, by you!
Writer: Peter Chang
Email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009
"I am Richard!"
Some months back while waiting for my wife on one side of Rochor Canal Road, I noticed a man on the other side of the road smiling and waving enthusiastically in my direction as he walked towards me. I looked behind to make sure he was waving at me. He grabbed my hand, shook it firmly and went: "I am Richard ... Richard lah! Can still remember or not?"
I looked at him, lost for words, trying to figure out who this person was. He was in khaki shorts and slippers. "Richard? From where?" I asked.
"Richard ... your renovation contractor!"
Feeling the pressure to maintain composure and politeness, I said "Oh ... How's things?" while still trying to figure out which contractor did what renovation for which house of mine! Not that I owned many houses but I did have quite a few renovations done to some of the houses I did own in the past!
"Not so good, lah." Pointing to a corner coffee shop across the road, he said: "Just went for a job interview there ... they asked me to start next week." Then switching to Hokkien, he continued: "How to tahan until next week?"
I was getting very uncomfortable now but before I could utter another word, he said: "Tell you what. Lend me $50. I pay next week after I start work." Without blinking, he continued: "Come drink coffee anytime when I on duty here. I won't collect money from you."
That was it! I couldn't tahan anymore and told him: "Sorry. I cannot help you. And good luck to you." As I walked away, I saw him crossed to the other side of the road (from where he came) just as my wife was crossing the road to where I waiting.
"Who's that guy? Your friend?"
I looked at her. "He is Richard! My renovation contractor!" And sighed. (I have never had a contractor named Richard.)
email : peterchanglc@gmail.com
I looked at him, lost for words, trying to figure out who this person was. He was in khaki shorts and slippers. "Richard? From where?" I asked.
"Richard ... your renovation contractor!"
Feeling the pressure to maintain composure and politeness, I said "Oh ... How's things?" while still trying to figure out which contractor did what renovation for which house of mine! Not that I owned many houses but I did have quite a few renovations done to some of the houses I did own in the past!
"Not so good, lah." Pointing to a corner coffee shop across the road, he said: "Just went for a job interview there ... they asked me to start next week." Then switching to Hokkien, he continued: "How to tahan until next week?"
I was getting very uncomfortable now but before I could utter another word, he said: "Tell you what. Lend me $50. I pay next week after I start work." Without blinking, he continued: "Come drink coffee anytime when I on duty here. I won't collect money from you."
That was it! I couldn't tahan anymore and told him: "Sorry. I cannot help you. And good luck to you." As I walked away, I saw him crossed to the other side of the road (from where he came) just as my wife was crossing the road to where I waiting.
"Who's that guy? Your friend?"
I looked at her. "He is Richard! My renovation contractor!" And sighed. (I have never had a contractor named Richard.)
email : peterchanglc@gmail.com
Friday, August 28, 2009
YeYe's One-on-One With Grandkids!
Kids say the darnest things, sometimes. My grandchildren are no exception. The things they said were said with no malice. Just pure innocence. Yet, depending on the occasion, their utterances would evoke different reactions from this poor grandpa whom the kids call YeYe. Sometimes surprised. Sometimes dumbfounded. Sometimes speechless. But angry? No.
6-year old granddaughter, Chloe, asked what I was doing with my pair of tweezer and mini-sized mirror.
"Nothing, just pulling beard," I said.
"Let me help you, YeYe," the ever helpful one offered.
She took over the tweezer and after staring at my chin for a few moments, asked: "Which one, YeYe? White one or black one?"
On another occasion I had just finished cooking claypot chicken rice and getting ready for dinner when Chloe stared at the plate in front of her and asked: "Who's the idiot who put garlic in my rice?"
YeYe could only glare back at her and growled: " I did!"
Sensing danger she quickly changed subject and asked "YeYe, what are you going to do after dinner?"
3-year-old grandson, Joseph, has grown to be quite talkative the last couple of weeks, and started using a few new words and phrases with a fair amount of accuracy. So YeYe was pleasantly surprised hearing his little Joe blabber out long phrases such as "It's amazing!"; "I can't believe it!"; and "What are you talking about?"
Until, out of the blue and catching me by total surprise, he let out a "Stupid YeYe!"
"Don't ever say that?" I said with a firm voice, taking his hand and swiping it with a ruler. Grinning, he offered his other hand and I had no choice but to give it a swipe also. He was still grinning! Suppressing laughter, I raised my voice a little higher and demanded "Say sorry to YeYe."
The little one went: "Sorry ... stupid YeYe."
I went back to my TV and watched Liverpool lost 3-1 to Aston Villa that night!
6-year old granddaughter, Chloe, asked what I was doing with my pair of tweezer and mini-sized mirror.
"Nothing, just pulling beard," I said.
"Let me help you, YeYe," the ever helpful one offered.
She took over the tweezer and after staring at my chin for a few moments, asked: "Which one, YeYe? White one or black one?"
On another occasion I had just finished cooking claypot chicken rice and getting ready for dinner when Chloe stared at the plate in front of her and asked: "Who's the idiot who put garlic in my rice?"
YeYe could only glare back at her and growled: " I did!"
Sensing danger she quickly changed subject and asked "YeYe, what are you going to do after dinner?"
3-year-old grandson, Joseph, has grown to be quite talkative the last couple of weeks, and started using a few new words and phrases with a fair amount of accuracy. So YeYe was pleasantly surprised hearing his little Joe blabber out long phrases such as "It's amazing!"; "I can't believe it!"; and "What are you talking about?"
Until, out of the blue and catching me by total surprise, he let out a "Stupid YeYe!"
"Don't ever say that?" I said with a firm voice, taking his hand and swiping it with a ruler. Grinning, he offered his other hand and I had no choice but to give it a swipe also. He was still grinning! Suppressing laughter, I raised my voice a little higher and demanded "Say sorry to YeYe."
The little one went: "Sorry ... stupid YeYe."
I went back to my TV and watched Liverpool lost 3-1 to Aston Villa that night!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Kartika Case - A Judicial Fiasco?
When the syariah judge passed his judgement on the Kartika case, little did he imagine that he would kick up a political storm embarrassing not only the Pahang judicial system but also the Federal government, PM Najib included. For Kartika, who was arrested and charged in court for drinking beer, not only paid her fine but also insisted that the caning, which is part of the sentence, be done in public!
What followed thereafter was a series of twists and turns as well as back-tracking of decisions made one after another.
- Caning date was first delayed by two weeks. Then it was deferred until after the Ramadan. Now it is postponed indefinitely pending a review no one knows for sure by whom.
- Noises in the background are murmurs no more. They are now loud enough to be heard and the message is clear: the sentence was too harsh and out of sync with the nature of the offence.
- The icing on the cake must be the time when PM Najib, on national TV, implored Kartika to appeal against the sentence. This is interesting for two reasons. One, the implication is that the appeal, without a shadow of doubt, will lead to the abrogation of the caning sentence. Two, the judicial system in Pahang, under pressure from the Federal government, will make that call. A face-saving manoeuvre for everyone perhaps. Except Kartika. She has firmly refused to appeal. So the plot thickens.
For this writer, the entire episode calls to serious question regarding a country's judicial independence. And judicial interference for that matter. But that would be a topic for another day.
What followed thereafter was a series of twists and turns as well as back-tracking of decisions made one after another.
- Caning date was first delayed by two weeks. Then it was deferred until after the Ramadan. Now it is postponed indefinitely pending a review no one knows for sure by whom.
- Noises in the background are murmurs no more. They are now loud enough to be heard and the message is clear: the sentence was too harsh and out of sync with the nature of the offence.
- The icing on the cake must be the time when PM Najib, on national TV, implored Kartika to appeal against the sentence. This is interesting for two reasons. One, the implication is that the appeal, without a shadow of doubt, will lead to the abrogation of the caning sentence. Two, the judicial system in Pahang, under pressure from the Federal government, will make that call. A face-saving manoeuvre for everyone perhaps. Except Kartika. She has firmly refused to appeal. So the plot thickens.
For this writer, the entire episode calls to serious question regarding a country's judicial independence. And judicial interference for that matter. But that would be a topic for another day.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Justice? World Conscience? Where?
I do not know what serious crime Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader, had committed but surely the 14 years already spent in house arrest should be enough mitigation for her immediate and unconditional release. But no, not in Myanmar as long as the powerful military regime still calls the shot. She was sentenced to another 3 years of 'hard labour and imprisonment' in a court verdict announced yesterday. The fact that the regime instantly commuted the sentence to 'just 1 1/2 years of continued house arrest' did not stop worldwide outrage and condemnation of the court ruling.
But that is only what it is: international condemnation and outcry across the free world. We had heard that before, and it is the very reason why the pro-democracy icon is still under house arrest today.
UN has lost its relevance and moral authority to even comment on the matter. It should have addressed and resolved this issue a long time ago. If trade sanctions did not help, how about expulsion from the world body? Neither happened.
Same goes for ASEAN. Myanmar is still very much an active member of the regional bloc supposedly established to promote peace, free trade, democracy and fight against terrorism. The question of Myanmar's expulsion from ASEAN was not, and had never been, on its agenda.
Sadly, the same goes for Singapore. It did not hold back from providing medical and humanitarian support to troubled spots in the Middle-East or East Asia but all it does on the Aung San Suu Kyi's case was to issue a statement expressing its 'utter disappointment' at the latest court verdict.
Singapore could have done more in the name of justice and democracy.
Sigh!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
But that is only what it is: international condemnation and outcry across the free world. We had heard that before, and it is the very reason why the pro-democracy icon is still under house arrest today.
UN has lost its relevance and moral authority to even comment on the matter. It should have addressed and resolved this issue a long time ago. If trade sanctions did not help, how about expulsion from the world body? Neither happened.
Same goes for ASEAN. Myanmar is still very much an active member of the regional bloc supposedly established to promote peace, free trade, democracy and fight against terrorism. The question of Myanmar's expulsion from ASEAN was not, and had never been, on its agenda.
Sadly, the same goes for Singapore. It did not hold back from providing medical and humanitarian support to troubled spots in the Middle-East or East Asia but all it does on the Aung San Suu Kyi's case was to issue a statement expressing its 'utter disappointment' at the latest court verdict.
Singapore could have done more in the name of justice and democracy.
Sigh!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Public Relations - Cab Driver vs Barber
The driver knew we were on our way to the national stadium the moment we hopped into his taxi.
Striking up a conversation, he asked: "Liverpool supporter?"
"Yes," I replied politely.
"Too bad they didn't the Premier League last season," he laughed proudly, " Man U was just too strong. Know what, next season another Man U year!'
I kept quiet, feeling a little sick already.
He continued: "Liverpool got no depth. Depend too much on Gerrard and Torres. Once they not playing, that's it. Can't even beat teams like Middlesborough, Hull or Fulham. Singapore will give Liverpool a tough fight tonight."
I was beginning to feel like we got into the wrong cab and regretted wearing the Liverpool shirts we had on.
When we got off the taxi at the stadium, I was both relieved and angry. "Stupid taxi driver. Idiot must be a low thinking Red Devil fan!"
My mood recovered once we stepped into the stadium. Liverpool did not disappoint either. They beat Singapore 5-0, a result enough for me to forgive that cab driver who after all was only behaving the way Man U fans the world over behave typically: an idiot on a good day, a hooligan on a bad day.
I decided on a haircut the next day, and walked into this barber shop I had not gone before. As soon as he started cutting, he started talking. "Oh no, not again!" I thought to myself.
He went: "You watched football?"
"Yes, a little," trying to sound disinterested.
"You support which team?'
Not wishing to go through another experience like the day before, I lied: "Newcastle. You know, the team that got relegated? You? Which team you support?"
"I support any team my customer support," came the winning reply.
Now that's what I call a smart barber. On PR skill alone, he beats the cab driver hands-down.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Striking up a conversation, he asked: "Liverpool supporter?"
"Yes," I replied politely.
"Too bad they didn't the Premier League last season," he laughed proudly, " Man U was just too strong. Know what, next season another Man U year!'
I kept quiet, feeling a little sick already.
He continued: "Liverpool got no depth. Depend too much on Gerrard and Torres. Once they not playing, that's it. Can't even beat teams like Middlesborough, Hull or Fulham. Singapore will give Liverpool a tough fight tonight."
I was beginning to feel like we got into the wrong cab and regretted wearing the Liverpool shirts we had on.
When we got off the taxi at the stadium, I was both relieved and angry. "Stupid taxi driver. Idiot must be a low thinking Red Devil fan!"
My mood recovered once we stepped into the stadium. Liverpool did not disappoint either. They beat Singapore 5-0, a result enough for me to forgive that cab driver who after all was only behaving the way Man U fans the world over behave typically: an idiot on a good day, a hooligan on a bad day.
I decided on a haircut the next day, and walked into this barber shop I had not gone before. As soon as he started cutting, he started talking. "Oh no, not again!" I thought to myself.
He went: "You watched football?"
"Yes, a little," trying to sound disinterested.
"You support which team?'
Not wishing to go through another experience like the day before, I lied: "Newcastle. You know, the team that got relegated? You? Which team you support?"
"I support any team my customer support," came the winning reply.
Now that's what I call a smart barber. On PR skill alone, he beats the cab driver hands-down.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Monday, July 27, 2009
Anfield Comes To Singapore
More than 45,000 football fans flocked to the National Stadium last night to watch the friendly between Singapore and Liverpool. (Or was it just Liverpool?) The overwhelming attendance brought life and energy to what was a drab, decrepit stadium, turning it into a bustling "Red" Stadium if only for a few hours. Fans turned up in droves in their favorite Liverpool jerseys - with caps, scarfs, banners and hooters to boot.
The match kicked off with the singing of the two anthems, but fans can be forgiven on such a sacred occasion for forgetting the lyrics of our national anthem. Even President Nathan and DPM Teo Chee Hean could be seen from a distance singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" - the Liverpool anthem!
Fans came from all over for the sole purpose of seeing the Liverpool players in the flesh - in action. Team coach Rafa did not disappoint. He fielded all his players who were fit to play. Never mind that some of them played for only a quarter of an hour, but fans get to see players like Kuyt setting up goals for Voronin, Nemeth, Riera and Torres; Alonso and Carragher making precision 40-meter passes; Mascherano showing off his deadly sliding tackles; and Babel and Benayoun dribbling past Singapore defenders into the 12-yard box. This alone is value for money for the football fans. Anything else, including the 5-0 final scoreline, is a bonus.
Singapore team also made 13 changes, not so much to display the home-grown talents (if there are any) as to replace the tired or injured players.
It has been 32 years since I last stepped into the National Stadium. An icon it no longer is, but last night, it was special. It was Anfield! The Kop was here. I am happy I was there!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
The match kicked off with the singing of the two anthems, but fans can be forgiven on such a sacred occasion for forgetting the lyrics of our national anthem. Even President Nathan and DPM Teo Chee Hean could be seen from a distance singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" - the Liverpool anthem!
Fans came from all over for the sole purpose of seeing the Liverpool players in the flesh - in action. Team coach Rafa did not disappoint. He fielded all his players who were fit to play. Never mind that some of them played for only a quarter of an hour, but fans get to see players like Kuyt setting up goals for Voronin, Nemeth, Riera and Torres; Alonso and Carragher making precision 40-meter passes; Mascherano showing off his deadly sliding tackles; and Babel and Benayoun dribbling past Singapore defenders into the 12-yard box. This alone is value for money for the football fans. Anything else, including the 5-0 final scoreline, is a bonus.
Singapore team also made 13 changes, not so much to display the home-grown talents (if there are any) as to replace the tired or injured players.
It has been 32 years since I last stepped into the National Stadium. An icon it no longer is, but last night, it was special. It was Anfield! The Kop was here. I am happy I was there!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Live Life To The Fullest - Today
Spare a moment to reflect the following ... 3 air disasters in the last two months ... suicide bombings in Jakarta's JW Marriot & Ritz Carlton ... terrorists' attacks in Mumbai ... ethnic clashes in Urumqi ... the list continues. Lives were lost - in all cases unexpectedly and unnecessarily. A fellow Singaporean was a dining table away from certain death and lived to tell his story and experience. Others were not as lucky. And the stark reality is that it could very well have been you or me.
Life therefore is uncertain and unpredictable, and should never ever be taken for granted. Live life to the fullest today and not leave it till tomorrow.
This is something I consciously try to do everyday, from the moment I open up my eyes to a brand new day every morning. I am counting my blessings every single day. I am spending good, quality time with my family and will continue to give them my time and attention whenever I am able. This new-found philosophy of life has made living that much more meaningful and enriching.
This weekend I get to watch Liverpool Live! at the National Stadium with my wife. Now this is the life!
Ces't la Vie!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Life therefore is uncertain and unpredictable, and should never ever be taken for granted. Live life to the fullest today and not leave it till tomorrow.
This is something I consciously try to do everyday, from the moment I open up my eyes to a brand new day every morning. I am counting my blessings every single day. I am spending good, quality time with my family and will continue to give them my time and attention whenever I am able. This new-found philosophy of life has made living that much more meaningful and enriching.
This weekend I get to watch Liverpool Live! at the National Stadium with my wife. Now this is the life!
Ces't la Vie!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Red Devil Owen
Man U wrapped up the Malaysian leg of their Far East tour with another win over the weekend, with Owen scoring a second time in as many games since putting on that Red Devil shirt. Already the tabloids are singing praises of his goal scoring prowess and Fergie's astuteness in plucking the diminutive striker off the free transfer market. Lest the whole world gets too carried away too soon, lets puts things in perspective.
The team that Man U beat is not the Malaysian team that once ruled the soccer world in Southeast Asia. Owen was a failure in Real Madrid and a washout in Newcastle. That is an undeniable fact. Without him, Man U would have beaten the Malaysian side anyway, with perhaps even more goals. Why? Because that is how strong a Man U team always is. A reserve Man U side would have won in Malaysia just the same.
We all know how he had let Newcastle down. A big chunk of his time there was spent either in crutches or on the bench. And when he did play, he wasn't scoring goals in the games that really mattered. What irks this writer even more is that he reportedly said "I could have scored more goals for Newcastle but the team was lacking in confidence. It was not playing well, there was a manager every two minutes and unrest at board level. In a situation like that you cannot name many players who have played well on a consistent basis over the years."
He went on to say "I don't want to say I was dragged down by Newcastle because I have a lot of respect for the club, but I do believe I play better in a team full of confidence."
Owen, it's early days yet. The new season hasn't even started, so hold your horses and all your bragging. You ungrateful dwarf!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
The team that Man U beat is not the Malaysian team that once ruled the soccer world in Southeast Asia. Owen was a failure in Real Madrid and a washout in Newcastle. That is an undeniable fact. Without him, Man U would have beaten the Malaysian side anyway, with perhaps even more goals. Why? Because that is how strong a Man U team always is. A reserve Man U side would have won in Malaysia just the same.
We all know how he had let Newcastle down. A big chunk of his time there was spent either in crutches or on the bench. And when he did play, he wasn't scoring goals in the games that really mattered. What irks this writer even more is that he reportedly said "I could have scored more goals for Newcastle but the team was lacking in confidence. It was not playing well, there was a manager every two minutes and unrest at board level. In a situation like that you cannot name many players who have played well on a consistent basis over the years."
He went on to say "I don't want to say I was dragged down by Newcastle because I have a lot of respect for the club, but I do believe I play better in a team full of confidence."
Owen, it's early days yet. The new season hasn't even started, so hold your horses and all your bragging. You ungrateful dwarf!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Sunday, July 5, 2009
"Liverpool Is In My Blood"
Michael Owen's transfer to Man U hogged more headlines than Kaka's move to Real Madrid. This is mind boggling considering that Real paid a hefty 56 mil pounds for the Brazilian's services while Owen goes to Man U on a free transfer. Whatever reasons Fergie has, they cannot be financial. It smacks more like an act of desperation. Ronaldo, his top striker, is gone. Tevez decided to call it a day at Man U. Fergie's target for Ronaldo's replacement, Benzema, has opted for Real. His other target, Ribery, had made it clear that it would be Real or not at all should he decide on a move. It is almost as if Fergie set out to buy a Porsche and a Maserati but came home with a Mini Austin and a Fiat Ponto instead. Oh yes, Fergie's other signing is one Antonio Valencia who in his 3-seasons with Wigan had scored just seven goals!
"Liverpool is in my blood," so said Owen many years ago. That didn't stop him from abandoning his childhood club for greener pasture - Real Madrid - in the hope of winning silverware he thought could only be a pipe-dream with Liverpool. He ended up warming his backside more than his feet at the new club. He quit to join Newcastle where his only notable achievement was to help accelerate the club's downward spiral to the lower division.
But surely there is something that Fergie sees in Owen that we don't. I can only hazard a few guesses:
- Owen is small -a foreign coach actually once called him a midget. Being small, you are supposed to be quick and nippy. But how quick can you be if you are running on only one leg (the other of course being either injured or under repair)?
- With Rooney alongside Owen, Fergie can have two strikers of similar build and size, a strategy sure to confuse any rival team's defenders.
- He dives like Ronaldo. That alone is worth half a goal everytime he plays.
- The oft-quoted statistic of 40 goals in 89 games for England was touted around to be a major deciding factor for Fergie. I beg to differ because that was precisely the reason why England had not won the World (or European) Cup for such a long time. Every manager had built the England team around the diminutive striker to ensure an abundance of goals for Owen at the expense of his fellow players, but falling short of winning the vital games that really mattered.
As a Liverpool fan, I am not complaining. Fergie can have all of Owen, body and soul (and injuries), including also-rans such as Crouch and Heskey. For good measure, he can also have Houllier and Souness as his backroom staff for free.
Rafa's foresight and vision in bringing Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush onboard his technical team can only augur well for Liverpool's future. 2009/10 could very well be the year the EPL Championship Trophy returns to its rightful place at Anfield. And remain there for many more years to come.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
"Liverpool is in my blood," so said Owen many years ago. That didn't stop him from abandoning his childhood club for greener pasture - Real Madrid - in the hope of winning silverware he thought could only be a pipe-dream with Liverpool. He ended up warming his backside more than his feet at the new club. He quit to join Newcastle where his only notable achievement was to help accelerate the club's downward spiral to the lower division.
But surely there is something that Fergie sees in Owen that we don't. I can only hazard a few guesses:
- Owen is small -a foreign coach actually once called him a midget. Being small, you are supposed to be quick and nippy. But how quick can you be if you are running on only one leg (the other of course being either injured or under repair)?
- With Rooney alongside Owen, Fergie can have two strikers of similar build and size, a strategy sure to confuse any rival team's defenders.
- He dives like Ronaldo. That alone is worth half a goal everytime he plays.
- The oft-quoted statistic of 40 goals in 89 games for England was touted around to be a major deciding factor for Fergie. I beg to differ because that was precisely the reason why England had not won the World (or European) Cup for such a long time. Every manager had built the England team around the diminutive striker to ensure an abundance of goals for Owen at the expense of his fellow players, but falling short of winning the vital games that really mattered.
As a Liverpool fan, I am not complaining. Fergie can have all of Owen, body and soul (and injuries), including also-rans such as Crouch and Heskey. For good measure, he can also have Houllier and Souness as his backroom staff for free.
Rafa's foresight and vision in bringing Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush onboard his technical team can only augur well for Liverpool's future. 2009/10 could very well be the year the EPL Championship Trophy returns to its rightful place at Anfield. And remain there for many more years to come.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Traffic Jams Along Upper Bukit Timah!
Traffic situation along Upper Bukit Timah towards the direction of city had gone from bad to worse and now getting even 'worser'. This is despite LTA's typical one-size-fits-all solution to the problem: the ERP gantry just outside, of all places, the clusters of condos in Hume Avenue!
If LTA is unable to see through their congested glasses where the actual problem lies, let me offer some help - for free.
The bottleneck is at the 2-lane road (left side of the underpass) where vehicles merge to head in 3 different directions: turn left into PIE; head straight towards Bukit Timah; turn right into Jurong Kechil. All it takes is for one car on the right lane (heading in the direction of Jurong Kechil) and it is enough to cause all the cars at the back to stop idly for a full 40 seconds before the green 'right' arrow comes on. As the arrow stays green for only 10 seconds, only a maximum of three cars will manage to filter right each time, and then the whole waiting cycle starts all over again.
My solution to the problem? Put up a no-right-turn sign (read: not ERP gantry!) at this junction. That will allow cars heading towards Bukit Timah to clear the light-controlled junction for the full 40-second duration without interruption.
As for those cars headed for Jurong Kechil, they can still do so (without necessarily incurring more time) at the next junction just 150 metres away. This is the 4-lane Clementi/Upper Bukit Timah junction which has a designated right-turn-only lane for cars going back in the direction of Upper Bukit Timah including Jurong Kechil.
LTA should give this suggestion some serious consideration.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
If LTA is unable to see through their congested glasses where the actual problem lies, let me offer some help - for free.
The bottleneck is at the 2-lane road (left side of the underpass) where vehicles merge to head in 3 different directions: turn left into PIE; head straight towards Bukit Timah; turn right into Jurong Kechil. All it takes is for one car on the right lane (heading in the direction of Jurong Kechil) and it is enough to cause all the cars at the back to stop idly for a full 40 seconds before the green 'right' arrow comes on. As the arrow stays green for only 10 seconds, only a maximum of three cars will manage to filter right each time, and then the whole waiting cycle starts all over again.
My solution to the problem? Put up a no-right-turn sign (read: not ERP gantry!) at this junction. That will allow cars heading towards Bukit Timah to clear the light-controlled junction for the full 40-second duration without interruption.
As for those cars headed for Jurong Kechil, they can still do so (without necessarily incurring more time) at the next junction just 150 metres away. This is the 4-lane Clementi/Upper Bukit Timah junction which has a designated right-turn-only lane for cars going back in the direction of Upper Bukit Timah including Jurong Kechil.
LTA should give this suggestion some serious consideration.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Scholarships - Not Based on Merit?
Our neighbour will create a special scholarship next year based 'totally on merit', so declared its Prime Minister. The announcement is of course a timely and welcome one, especially for the minority races, for it is always never too late to implement which is deemed to be a good and rational policy the world over. It defies logic why scholarships in the country had for so long been given out based NOT on merit but on one's race and political affiliations. Our neighbour of course has its affirmative action New Economic Policy to live up to - which is to protect and safeguard one particular race's national interests. This writer is not advocating that it abolishes such a policy. In fact he hastens to add that its government, if only for reason of greater transparency, can perhaps replace 'scholarships' with terms such as 'study grants', 'educational subsidies', 'bursaries' in keeping with the spirit of the NEP policy. And if it has to use the term 'scholarships', to make sure that they are given only to the deserving ones, based solely on merit - regardless of race, gender, religion, family income or political affiliations.
It is the only way that its scholars can stand shoulder to shoulder with scholars of the region. I for one can be spared both the agony and embarrassment of having to put up with a so-called government scholar who kept using 'sometimes can, sometime no can" phrases over and over again!
Lets hope the recent announcement by its PM is more than just rhetoric or a political statement in by-election month.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
It is the only way that its scholars can stand shoulder to shoulder with scholars of the region. I for one can be spared both the agony and embarrassment of having to put up with a so-called government scholar who kept using 'sometimes can, sometime no can" phrases over and over again!
Lets hope the recent announcement by its PM is more than just rhetoric or a political statement in by-election month.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Stock Market - Time for Caution
I am not a savvy stock investor, nor a very successful one at that. I do know, however, this is a time for caution in the stock market when even my coffee shop landlady - a naturalised Singaporean from Mainland China - has started to dabble in stocks; or my sister-in-law, a full time housewife who had never traded a single stock for the past 40 years, has recently opened a trading account and withdrawn $200,000 of her fixed deposits as starting capital! Although a first-time investor, the latter has one big advantage over the average punter like myself: she is setting aside what is only a fraction of her spare cash for investment and has what most of us have not - holding power. She said her money is better off parked in blue chips stock than in fixed deposits. She is probably right. But the point I am making is that the typical, average investor looks at the stock market as an easy source of quick profit and good returns on investment. This may have been the case so far. But unless they have the spare cash to ride through what is likely to be an imminent market correction, they are better off erring on the safe side, than be sorry on the wrong side.
Take it from this writer who have been through the 'wrong side' experience but survived unscathed to give this bit of advice.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Take it from this writer who have been through the 'wrong side' experience but survived unscathed to give this bit of advice.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Rafa - Too Slow in Transfer Market
Transfer window is created to serve one specific purpose: enable football clubs to make changes to its squad, to strengthen it, so it can and will perform better in the coming season. What goes on in the transfer window is often indicative of how the new season will pan out. For example: the likely title challengers at one end, and likely relegation strugglers at the other. When it comes to buying/selling players, no one does it better than Ferguson. And Rafa pales in stark comparison to this man in this area.
Fergie sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid for 80M pounds a week ago. This same player cost him only 27M pounds three years ago. This same player was instrumental to Man U's two successful League titles and the UEFA Champions League title. This same player also swept all the personal accolades that are there to be won, including the World Footballer of the Year. And only Fergie has the gumption to offload this world class player still at his peak and rebuild a winning team for a new season. With 80M pounds at Fergie's disposal, no one is betting against it.
Rafa moved in the opposite direction. He bought Keane for 20M pounds and sold him six months later for 14M pounds.
Fergie bought young players (Macheda, Rafael to name only two), put them through the mill in the reserves team, and elevated them to the first team in less than two years. They did not disappoint and now train regularly with the first XI.
Rafa bought new players (Voronin, Pennant to name only two), loaned them out, and with most of them back from loan, did not know what to do with them. He is still trying to sell them.
Rafa also loses out to Fergie in decision making. He takes forever to decide and make up his mind. Some of Fergie's past signings were in Rafa's radar for a long time: Heinze, Tevez, Vidic.
Rafa is presently eyeing the likes of Villa, Senna, Forlan and even Tevez. Knowing how complicated his mind works, you can be sure that these players will next season play for other clubs except Liverpool!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Fergie sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid for 80M pounds a week ago. This same player cost him only 27M pounds three years ago. This same player was instrumental to Man U's two successful League titles and the UEFA Champions League title. This same player also swept all the personal accolades that are there to be won, including the World Footballer of the Year. And only Fergie has the gumption to offload this world class player still at his peak and rebuild a winning team for a new season. With 80M pounds at Fergie's disposal, no one is betting against it.
Rafa moved in the opposite direction. He bought Keane for 20M pounds and sold him six months later for 14M pounds.
Fergie bought young players (Macheda, Rafael to name only two), put them through the mill in the reserves team, and elevated them to the first team in less than two years. They did not disappoint and now train regularly with the first XI.
Rafa bought new players (Voronin, Pennant to name only two), loaned them out, and with most of them back from loan, did not know what to do with them. He is still trying to sell them.
Rafa also loses out to Fergie in decision making. He takes forever to decide and make up his mind. Some of Fergie's past signings were in Rafa's radar for a long time: Heinze, Tevez, Vidic.
Rafa is presently eyeing the likes of Villa, Senna, Forlan and even Tevez. Knowing how complicated his mind works, you can be sure that these players will next season play for other clubs except Liverpool!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Transfer Market Gone Mad
Credit crunch? Recession? No. Not in the football transfer market today.
Real Madrid had in the past week signed Kaka and Ronaldo for 56M and 80M pounds respectively, and is planning to sign a couple more in the coming days! Where the money is coming from, I don't know. But I do know the Spanish club is already indebted to banks to a tune of half a billion euro dollars. And banks are willing to continue to lend Real Madrid more money to sign new players!
Over in England, Mike Ashley had put Newcastle United up for sale and, to cut loss, is asking for a paltry sum of 100M pounds for the club which had cost him a cool 320M pounds two years ago. There are no takers, despite the fact that it is the one and only club in Newcastle and is among the top 3 most supported clubs in UK.
The tranfer fees for Kaka and Ronaldo as well as the remuneration-cum-bonuses to be paid to the two players over the next 6 years is enough to take over the entire Newcastle United, win over its huge fan base, and keep the entire boardroom, coaching staff, players and groundsmen in employment for the next few years - all this with enough spare cash to recruit new players to help win promotion in the new season.
Surely it is a challenging and honourable cause worthy of any decent investor's consideration. After all Newcastle United is no ordinary football club. It is a club with history and steep traditions. It is the only club residents of the city can and would support. Sadly, the board of directors under the stewardship of Florentina Perez had decided to buy instant success with money, and oh yes, injecting some of Hollywood's showbiz glamour into Spanish football.
Transfer market in football has indeed gone crazy. And it is not showing any sign of slowing down or returning to sanity, anytime soon.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Real Madrid had in the past week signed Kaka and Ronaldo for 56M and 80M pounds respectively, and is planning to sign a couple more in the coming days! Where the money is coming from, I don't know. But I do know the Spanish club is already indebted to banks to a tune of half a billion euro dollars. And banks are willing to continue to lend Real Madrid more money to sign new players!
Over in England, Mike Ashley had put Newcastle United up for sale and, to cut loss, is asking for a paltry sum of 100M pounds for the club which had cost him a cool 320M pounds two years ago. There are no takers, despite the fact that it is the one and only club in Newcastle and is among the top 3 most supported clubs in UK.
The tranfer fees for Kaka and Ronaldo as well as the remuneration-cum-bonuses to be paid to the two players over the next 6 years is enough to take over the entire Newcastle United, win over its huge fan base, and keep the entire boardroom, coaching staff, players and groundsmen in employment for the next few years - all this with enough spare cash to recruit new players to help win promotion in the new season.
Surely it is a challenging and honourable cause worthy of any decent investor's consideration. After all Newcastle United is no ordinary football club. It is a club with history and steep traditions. It is the only club residents of the city can and would support. Sadly, the board of directors under the stewardship of Florentina Perez had decided to buy instant success with money, and oh yes, injecting some of Hollywood's showbiz glamour into Spanish football.
Transfer market in football has indeed gone crazy. And it is not showing any sign of slowing down or returning to sanity, anytime soon.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Glaucoma: A Personal Story
Thirty years ago, an office colleague I worked with had glaucoma. I know because I asked him. I had seen him using eye drops so often it seemed like a habit. A year after I left my job, he called me out of the blue one day with the shocking news that he had to quit his job because he had gone blind! If not for the seriousness of his voice, I would have thought it was all a joke. It was not as I found out few days later when I caught up with him.
His blindness came abruptly and suddenly. He was with some overseas friends in Haw Par Villa. Pointing and training his eyes on a towering statue, he was in the midst of explaining local folklore when the structure he was pointing to suddenly disappeared from view. It never reappeared. And he could never see again since that fateful day. He was only 30 at the time. His was a case of the closed-angle glaucoma, an acute form of the disease. So that explained why his eye-balls always seemed a little protruding, I thought to myself.
Six years ago, I had lunch with my wife, brother and sister at the Zion Road Hawker Centre and had just finished a small bottle of Guinness stout when, against my better judgement and tolerance level, I decided to have another one. A big mistake. I felt dizzy but managed to wobble along with help of my wife. But the moment I stepped out into the hot sunlight, bright blinding flashes not unlike those used in photo shoots was all I could 'see' which was nothing at all! I closed my eyes and still the blinding light was there. It stayed that way for a full 50 seconds and then I started to see images slowly forming before me, like a photograph in the process of developing. I saw my wife and oh, what a huge relief it was. I could see again. My vision, however, was never to be the same again. I could only see with my right eye; the left eye had only 40% vision left and images in that eye always look like they have gone through a tinted glass first.
The 50-second 'black-out' was a scary moment. Memories of my friend's trauma thirty years ago came flashing back, over and over again. I was afraid for the first time in a long time. Afraid that I had gone blind. I could hear the heartbeat pounding away furiously. I was soaked with sweat - cold sweat. I panicked. So did my wife. She was in shock, didn't know what to do when she asked me what was wrong and I told her I could not see. Thank God, I got back what is left of my vision.
I have been receiving treatment at the TTSH's Eye Clinic ever since. I had been diagnosed to have open-angled glaucoma - the top cause of blindness in Singapore, making up 34% of all blindness cases. It is a condition where high eye pressure cause damage to the optic nerve, and periperipheral vision gradually gets 'eaten away'. While prevention is always the best cure, the problem is that the person does not usually notice changes in vision until only at the later stages. The good news, however, is that further vision loss can be prevented by the use of eye drops and regular medical treatment.
My advice to readers is to take care of their eyes and not take eyesight for granted. Consult an ophthalmologist if you detect changes in your vision. It may not be the 'usual' long- or short-sightedness that is troubling you. Don't leave it until it is too late.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
His blindness came abruptly and suddenly. He was with some overseas friends in Haw Par Villa. Pointing and training his eyes on a towering statue, he was in the midst of explaining local folklore when the structure he was pointing to suddenly disappeared from view. It never reappeared. And he could never see again since that fateful day. He was only 30 at the time. His was a case of the closed-angle glaucoma, an acute form of the disease. So that explained why his eye-balls always seemed a little protruding, I thought to myself.
Six years ago, I had lunch with my wife, brother and sister at the Zion Road Hawker Centre and had just finished a small bottle of Guinness stout when, against my better judgement and tolerance level, I decided to have another one. A big mistake. I felt dizzy but managed to wobble along with help of my wife. But the moment I stepped out into the hot sunlight, bright blinding flashes not unlike those used in photo shoots was all I could 'see' which was nothing at all! I closed my eyes and still the blinding light was there. It stayed that way for a full 50 seconds and then I started to see images slowly forming before me, like a photograph in the process of developing. I saw my wife and oh, what a huge relief it was. I could see again. My vision, however, was never to be the same again. I could only see with my right eye; the left eye had only 40% vision left and images in that eye always look like they have gone through a tinted glass first.
The 50-second 'black-out' was a scary moment. Memories of my friend's trauma thirty years ago came flashing back, over and over again. I was afraid for the first time in a long time. Afraid that I had gone blind. I could hear the heartbeat pounding away furiously. I was soaked with sweat - cold sweat. I panicked. So did my wife. She was in shock, didn't know what to do when she asked me what was wrong and I told her I could not see. Thank God, I got back what is left of my vision.
I have been receiving treatment at the TTSH's Eye Clinic ever since. I had been diagnosed to have open-angled glaucoma - the top cause of blindness in Singapore, making up 34% of all blindness cases. It is a condition where high eye pressure cause damage to the optic nerve, and periperipheral vision gradually gets 'eaten away'. While prevention is always the best cure, the problem is that the person does not usually notice changes in vision until only at the later stages. The good news, however, is that further vision loss can be prevented by the use of eye drops and regular medical treatment.
My advice to readers is to take care of their eyes and not take eyesight for granted. Consult an ophthalmologist if you detect changes in your vision. It may not be the 'usual' long- or short-sightedness that is troubling you. Don't leave it until it is too late.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hating Liverpool is Hard to Do!
The day that Liverpool lost the League title to you-know-who a fortnight ago, I swore I will have nothing to do with them anymore. Ever. To say that I hate them is an understatement; I want to kill them. They were so close to winning it and could have done so had they not drawn their 6 vital home games. At Anfield.
When my daughter-in-law asked me if I was going to the Liverpool match in Singapore, I replied emphatically: "No! What for? Watch those idiots play?".
She knows better. She bought me two match tickets last night.
My reaction was instantaneous. I will go to the game! A financial decision. Doing it in England would set us back at least seven grand! And I would be watching the entire game not sitting down but standing up.
Besides, when I said that I didn't want to watch those idiots play, I was referring not to the Liverpool players! But to the team that they will be playing against in Singapore! I don't know who they are and don't care either.
My initial hesitance also has a reason. You need to be appropriately attired to attend a match of this significance. And the only Liverpool shirt that I have was the one I bought 16 years ago in Anfield when my daughter was still a student in England. I 'm not sure that I am prepared to invest in a new one for just this one rare occasion.
What about that vow I made about not having anything to do with the club anymore? My friends, surely you don't believe for one minute all the stuff that couples say about one another during a heated argument? Or things parents say to their children: "Break that glass and I will break your head!"
I can't wait to see the Reds play in Singapore. It has been decades since I took my wife to a football game. Talking about wife, that reminds me - where the hell did she keep my Liverpool shirt?
Thank you, Dom and Cheryl, for the tickets. We will enjoy the occasion. Even though Liverpool lost this year, there is always the next year, and the next, to look forward to. Viva Liverpool!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
When my daughter-in-law asked me if I was going to the Liverpool match in Singapore, I replied emphatically: "No! What for? Watch those idiots play?".
She knows better. She bought me two match tickets last night.
My reaction was instantaneous. I will go to the game! A financial decision. Doing it in England would set us back at least seven grand! And I would be watching the entire game not sitting down but standing up.
Besides, when I said that I didn't want to watch those idiots play, I was referring not to the Liverpool players! But to the team that they will be playing against in Singapore! I don't know who they are and don't care either.
My initial hesitance also has a reason. You need to be appropriately attired to attend a match of this significance. And the only Liverpool shirt that I have was the one I bought 16 years ago in Anfield when my daughter was still a student in England. I 'm not sure that I am prepared to invest in a new one for just this one rare occasion.
What about that vow I made about not having anything to do with the club anymore? My friends, surely you don't believe for one minute all the stuff that couples say about one another during a heated argument? Or things parents say to their children: "Break that glass and I will break your head!"
I can't wait to see the Reds play in Singapore. It has been decades since I took my wife to a football game. Talking about wife, that reminds me - where the hell did she keep my Liverpool shirt?
Thank you, Dom and Cheryl, for the tickets. We will enjoy the occasion. Even though Liverpool lost this year, there is always the next year, and the next, to look forward to. Viva Liverpool!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Money Talks - in Football!
Money talks. Money rules. Money overpowers. Evidently more so in football than in any other sport.
Aston Villa captain, Gareth Barry, on the brink of becoming a Liverpool player a year ago cited Champions League football as overriding factor for his decision. The transfer plan was scuttled when Liverpool could not find the money to match the asking price.
A year later - two days ago - Barry signed a 5-year contract with Manchester City, a club that finished lower than Aston Villa in the recently concluded Premier League. Next season Man City will not even be playing in the Europa Cup, let alone the Champions League. Villa at least gets to play in the former. For 100,000 pounds a week salary, Barry was prepared to throw his principles (and his mother) out of the window!
That Man City is now owned by an oil-rich sheikh from Abu Dhabi does not help matters. A year ago, the agent of Robinho - that Brazilian footballer the size of Michael Owen - was in talks with Chelsea (owned by an equally wealthy oligarch from Russia, Roman Abramovich) over a possible transfer for the player ... until Man City came a-knocking, made an offer no one wanted to refuse, and Robinho became a City blue instead of Chelsea blue. During the inauguration press conference, Robinho even thanked Chelsea, mistakenly, for signing him until he was reminded by his agent that he was joining City, not Chelsea.
Blackburn captain, Lucas Neill, courted Liverpool in similar fashion and went public with his declaration that joining the 'club he supported as a boy' would be a 'dream come true'. Couple of weeks later, he signed up for West Ham for a salary believed to be substantially higher than what Liverpool was prepared to pay. He was willing to forego the chance, and experience, of playing European football against the world's best players. He is now seeking a move to 'another club' after rejecting West Ham's latest offer of a new contract for next season. Presumably over money.
Man United's Argentinian striker, Tevez, was similarly inclined to join any club that is willing to pay his contracted 32 million pounds transfer fee. As events unfold he will most likely end up in the blue half of Manchester next season. United supporters will of course be incensed if this happens, but who cares! Not Tevez. Not his agent.
Which is why I am deeply concerned for Liverpool - the club owned by two cowboys from Texas, who believe more in borrowing money than putting in money. Much like their Wall Street friends. They have a long list of players they want to buy (they always do) but lack the financial power to bring them in when it matters. Two years from now they will still be talking about the bringing star players to Liverpool, to win the Premier League and the Champions League. That's what it will remain. Just talks.
Time Liverpool let MONEY do the talking! Not those IDIOTS in the boardroom!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Aston Villa captain, Gareth Barry, on the brink of becoming a Liverpool player a year ago cited Champions League football as overriding factor for his decision. The transfer plan was scuttled when Liverpool could not find the money to match the asking price.
A year later - two days ago - Barry signed a 5-year contract with Manchester City, a club that finished lower than Aston Villa in the recently concluded Premier League. Next season Man City will not even be playing in the Europa Cup, let alone the Champions League. Villa at least gets to play in the former. For 100,000 pounds a week salary, Barry was prepared to throw his principles (and his mother) out of the window!
That Man City is now owned by an oil-rich sheikh from Abu Dhabi does not help matters. A year ago, the agent of Robinho - that Brazilian footballer the size of Michael Owen - was in talks with Chelsea (owned by an equally wealthy oligarch from Russia, Roman Abramovich) over a possible transfer for the player ... until Man City came a-knocking, made an offer no one wanted to refuse, and Robinho became a City blue instead of Chelsea blue. During the inauguration press conference, Robinho even thanked Chelsea, mistakenly, for signing him until he was reminded by his agent that he was joining City, not Chelsea.
Blackburn captain, Lucas Neill, courted Liverpool in similar fashion and went public with his declaration that joining the 'club he supported as a boy' would be a 'dream come true'. Couple of weeks later, he signed up for West Ham for a salary believed to be substantially higher than what Liverpool was prepared to pay. He was willing to forego the chance, and experience, of playing European football against the world's best players. He is now seeking a move to 'another club' after rejecting West Ham's latest offer of a new contract for next season. Presumably over money.
Man United's Argentinian striker, Tevez, was similarly inclined to join any club that is willing to pay his contracted 32 million pounds transfer fee. As events unfold he will most likely end up in the blue half of Manchester next season. United supporters will of course be incensed if this happens, but who cares! Not Tevez. Not his agent.
Which is why I am deeply concerned for Liverpool - the club owned by two cowboys from Texas, who believe more in borrowing money than putting in money. Much like their Wall Street friends. They have a long list of players they want to buy (they always do) but lack the financial power to bring them in when it matters. Two years from now they will still be talking about the bringing star players to Liverpool, to win the Premier League and the Champions League. That's what it will remain. Just talks.
Time Liverpool let MONEY do the talking! Not those IDIOTS in the boardroom!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Time Michael Owen Hangs Up His Boots!
I almost tripped when I read an English newspaper report that Liverpool fans are clamouring for Michael Owen's return to the club for 'one last fling' - whatever that means. Football fans are not known to be sensible and clear-headed people; I didn't know they can be that fickle and irrational as well. Liverpool did not dump Owen; it was Owen who dumped Liverpool - for a club supposedly with big ambitions!
Owen was a precocious young lad from Merseyside who broke into Liverpool's first XI at an early age. Gifted and talented, he started to score goals with amazing ease. His call-up to the England team was a natural progression of his meteoric rise to fame and world attention. But ego soon got the better of him. He became a prima donna - and too BIG for Liverpool. He wanted out. He wanted to win trophies. He figured he could fulfill his dream only at a club with big ambitions and financial resources. He delayed putting pen to Liverpool's offer of a new contract, while openly courted and flirted with Real Madrid. He wanted to be their next 'Galactico'. He became too distracted to focus his mind and energy on football. He started scoring fewer goals. But he was never short of excuses, however - it was always his team-mates not supplying enough through-balls for him to score! The day of reckoning finally arrived. Owen joined Real Madrid. Much to the relief of this writer.
The rest is history.
Post-Owen era, Liverpool went on to win the Champions League Trophy, FA Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield.
Real Madrid? Suffice to say that Real Madrid (from the time Owen put on that white jersey at the Bernabeu) had not won a single trophy till this day. As for Owen, he spent more time warming the bench, coming on as a substitute (if at all), or in the treatment room having his knee-cap replaced or metatarsals fixed. He was subsequently sold to Newcastle where he relived his prima donna glory but ended up with the same old routine of seat warming and walking on crutches. The end result of Newcastle's dangerous liaison with Owen? It got relegated and will start the next season in the lower division.
You expect that Owen would put all his energy to help Newcastle win promotion next season but no - his contract has a bail-out clause allowing him to leave the club should it be relegated! And he undoubtedly will.
(Readers of this blog should know that when Juventus got relegated not so long ago, three of its world class players (Buffon, Piero and Nedved) stucked with the club and helped it win promotion to Serie A the following year. That's what club loyalty is all about. That's the stuff true sportsmen are made of.)
But this is the Michael Owen we know. The prodigy. The prima donna. The fallen star. The quitter. The born loser. The jinx.
All is not lost, however, for Owen. He owns a string of pedigreed racehorses. Given his age and physical condition, it is clear that he will have much higher chances of winning trophies at the races than on the football field.
Don't even think of rejoining Liverpool or Everton, Owen. Your footbal career is over. Let it be. And thanks for the memory.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Owen was a precocious young lad from Merseyside who broke into Liverpool's first XI at an early age. Gifted and talented, he started to score goals with amazing ease. His call-up to the England team was a natural progression of his meteoric rise to fame and world attention. But ego soon got the better of him. He became a prima donna - and too BIG for Liverpool. He wanted out. He wanted to win trophies. He figured he could fulfill his dream only at a club with big ambitions and financial resources. He delayed putting pen to Liverpool's offer of a new contract, while openly courted and flirted with Real Madrid. He wanted to be their next 'Galactico'. He became too distracted to focus his mind and energy on football. He started scoring fewer goals. But he was never short of excuses, however - it was always his team-mates not supplying enough through-balls for him to score! The day of reckoning finally arrived. Owen joined Real Madrid. Much to the relief of this writer.
The rest is history.
Post-Owen era, Liverpool went on to win the Champions League Trophy, FA Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield.
Real Madrid? Suffice to say that Real Madrid (from the time Owen put on that white jersey at the Bernabeu) had not won a single trophy till this day. As for Owen, he spent more time warming the bench, coming on as a substitute (if at all), or in the treatment room having his knee-cap replaced or metatarsals fixed. He was subsequently sold to Newcastle where he relived his prima donna glory but ended up with the same old routine of seat warming and walking on crutches. The end result of Newcastle's dangerous liaison with Owen? It got relegated and will start the next season in the lower division.
You expect that Owen would put all his energy to help Newcastle win promotion next season but no - his contract has a bail-out clause allowing him to leave the club should it be relegated! And he undoubtedly will.
(Readers of this blog should know that when Juventus got relegated not so long ago, three of its world class players (Buffon, Piero and Nedved) stucked with the club and helped it win promotion to Serie A the following year. That's what club loyalty is all about. That's the stuff true sportsmen are made of.)
But this is the Michael Owen we know. The prodigy. The prima donna. The fallen star. The quitter. The born loser. The jinx.
All is not lost, however, for Owen. He owns a string of pedigreed racehorses. Given his age and physical condition, it is clear that he will have much higher chances of winning trophies at the races than on the football field.
Don't even think of rejoining Liverpool or Everton, Owen. Your footbal career is over. Let it be. And thanks for the memory.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Golf: How It Shouldn't Be Played (Even Among Friends)
Golf is a gentlemen's game, like cricket, so the saying goes. Is it? I'm not so sure. It depends on who you play with. Take it from me - someone who had played the sport on-and-off for the past 18 years.
As in many sports, a little wager is good for the game to make it interesting, exciting and competitive. That's what it should be - a little wager to cover the costs of food & beverages shared by all at the end of the day. Not an income to take home to please the missus for leaving her all alone at home! Unfortunately, recession or no recession, that is the mindset of many golfers. They take the game so seriously they make you feel like you are in a battlefield - with them your enemies! To them it is more than pride that is at stake. It is the up-for-grabs $30 ($10 per 6-holes on the sixes format) and yes, they do want to keep this money if they win!
When it comes to handicapping at the start of the game, few golfers are like me. I would be so embarrassed revealing my true handicap of 36 that I would quickly and openly declare mine to be 24 just to get on with the game. But there will be those who insist on telling you how badly they had twisted their neck, wrist, knee and ankle the night before and then without even blinking declare their 'true' handicap, which is usually 2 or 3 higher than the official figure. Whatever for? It's only $30. Besides, we are playing the sixes format, are we not? All things should even out finally, right? Wrong. To this species of golfers, they want to win no matter who they partner. Sad to say, they are the ones who would win all the sixes (and the $30) and, if that isn't enough, rub salt into your wound by telling you this is their lucky day and they had never played like this all their lives. God, please bless them all!
There are cheats in every sport. Some big ones, some small ones. Golf is no exception, even among friends. What seemed like a lost ball and a lost cause in thick undergrowth, the ball would suddenly appear, and often times conveniently at a spot where you are entitled to a free lift.
There are also those who are simply hopeless in counting. Their count for any difficult hole is always 1 or 2 strokes lower than the actual figure. It amazes me why it is never 1 or 2 more. Some, when asked what the score is, would only start counting, stroke by stroke, not from the tee box going forward, but from the green going backwards all the way to the tee-shot!
Although I am always against the putter-length rule, I can understand the need for it to speed up games during weekends. But on a weekday when only the four of us are playing (and some monkeys watching), why is there the need to rush things? Even so, in borderline cases, shouldn't the putter be put to use to confirm whether or not the gimme rule applies? After all, the golfer is already holding a putter in his hand. So often, even among friends, I see a self-declared gimme taken unilaterally even though the ball is more than a putter length away.
I have come to terms with all these idiosyncrasies on the golf course. I try not to allow them to upset my game or spoil my day out with some good old friends, which to me is more important than just the $30 at stake. On the contrary I never fail to poke a needle or two at my good friend Thomas, and having great fun out of it, whenever I have a chance to golf with him. He is a good sport, a decent gentleman, and the only idiot I don't mind losing money to at golf!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
As in many sports, a little wager is good for the game to make it interesting, exciting and competitive. That's what it should be - a little wager to cover the costs of food & beverages shared by all at the end of the day. Not an income to take home to please the missus for leaving her all alone at home! Unfortunately, recession or no recession, that is the mindset of many golfers. They take the game so seriously they make you feel like you are in a battlefield - with them your enemies! To them it is more than pride that is at stake. It is the up-for-grabs $30 ($10 per 6-holes on the sixes format) and yes, they do want to keep this money if they win!
When it comes to handicapping at the start of the game, few golfers are like me. I would be so embarrassed revealing my true handicap of 36 that I would quickly and openly declare mine to be 24 just to get on with the game. But there will be those who insist on telling you how badly they had twisted their neck, wrist, knee and ankle the night before and then without even blinking declare their 'true' handicap, which is usually 2 or 3 higher than the official figure. Whatever for? It's only $30. Besides, we are playing the sixes format, are we not? All things should even out finally, right? Wrong. To this species of golfers, they want to win no matter who they partner. Sad to say, they are the ones who would win all the sixes (and the $30) and, if that isn't enough, rub salt into your wound by telling you this is their lucky day and they had never played like this all their lives. God, please bless them all!
There are cheats in every sport. Some big ones, some small ones. Golf is no exception, even among friends. What seemed like a lost ball and a lost cause in thick undergrowth, the ball would suddenly appear, and often times conveniently at a spot where you are entitled to a free lift.
There are also those who are simply hopeless in counting. Their count for any difficult hole is always 1 or 2 strokes lower than the actual figure. It amazes me why it is never 1 or 2 more. Some, when asked what the score is, would only start counting, stroke by stroke, not from the tee box going forward, but from the green going backwards all the way to the tee-shot!
Although I am always against the putter-length rule, I can understand the need for it to speed up games during weekends. But on a weekday when only the four of us are playing (and some monkeys watching), why is there the need to rush things? Even so, in borderline cases, shouldn't the putter be put to use to confirm whether or not the gimme rule applies? After all, the golfer is already holding a putter in his hand. So often, even among friends, I see a self-declared gimme taken unilaterally even though the ball is more than a putter length away.
I have come to terms with all these idiosyncrasies on the golf course. I try not to allow them to upset my game or spoil my day out with some good old friends, which to me is more important than just the $30 at stake. On the contrary I never fail to poke a needle or two at my good friend Thomas, and having great fun out of it, whenever I have a chance to golf with him. He is a good sport, a decent gentleman, and the only idiot I don't mind losing money to at golf!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Man U Loses!
I literally had to drag myself out of bed this morning to watch the Champions League Final between Man U and Barcelona. I didn't have to - as neither is a team I support (or like). As there had to be a winner, I just wanted to root for the team that would cause me the least pain and heartache should it emerge the winner. To my great relief, that was exactly how it eventually turned out. Barcelona knocked the daylights out of Man U with a well-deserved 2-0 victory. The icing on the cake was seeing Man U at the final whistle wallowing in shock, disbelief and disappointment. And Ferguson almost choking as he talked to Geoff Shreeves!
Bareclona was by far the better team on the Roman night. The passing was slick, the midfield was well marshalled, and Man U was never allowed to play their usual high-tempo game. To rub salt into Man U's wounded ego, the early signs were there for all to see that this was never to be Man U's night.
- Ferguson cut a forlorn, nervous figure from the start of the game. His usual confidence and chirpiness eluded him. He wasn't even chewing his gum!
- Van der Sar wasn't in his favourite green jersey.
- Man U players also left their lucky red jerseys at home - a fatal oversight. In an all-white outfit, they played like Real Madrid under the Ramos era. They could at least have worn red underwear to swing things around.
- United's strategy backfired. Underestimating Barcelona, they rested Tevez and Berbatov, keeping faith with a lone striker (a short, stocky, bald-headed Rooney), and started with lightweights Anderson, Park and O'Shea in midfield and defence.
- Red Devils allowed ego, pomp, arrogance, over-confidence and showmanship to get into their game.
- Ferguson could have sorted out Teves' contract prior to the match, and offloaded Anderson instead of Pique to Barcelona last summer.
If there is any positive that EPL managers can draw from last night's result, it is this: Man U can be beaten if you take the game to them, and if the English referees are not intimidated by Ferguson's influence. You also don't need skyscrapers like Crouch to get the better of United's tall defenders. Just a small, nifty, nimble, hardworking Argentinian will do!
Bareclona was by far the better team on the Roman night. The passing was slick, the midfield was well marshalled, and Man U was never allowed to play their usual high-tempo game. To rub salt into Man U's wounded ego, the early signs were there for all to see that this was never to be Man U's night.
- Ferguson cut a forlorn, nervous figure from the start of the game. His usual confidence and chirpiness eluded him. He wasn't even chewing his gum!
- Van der Sar wasn't in his favourite green jersey.
- Man U players also left their lucky red jerseys at home - a fatal oversight. In an all-white outfit, they played like Real Madrid under the Ramos era. They could at least have worn red underwear to swing things around.
- United's strategy backfired. Underestimating Barcelona, they rested Tevez and Berbatov, keeping faith with a lone striker (a short, stocky, bald-headed Rooney), and started with lightweights Anderson, Park and O'Shea in midfield and defence.
- Red Devils allowed ego, pomp, arrogance, over-confidence and showmanship to get into their game.
- Ferguson could have sorted out Teves' contract prior to the match, and offloaded Anderson instead of Pique to Barcelona last summer.
If there is any positive that EPL managers can draw from last night's result, it is this: Man U can be beaten if you take the game to them, and if the English referees are not intimidated by Ferguson's influence. You also don't need skyscrapers like Crouch to get the better of United's tall defenders. Just a small, nifty, nimble, hardworking Argentinian will do!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Reds Coming To Town?
It is confirmed. The Reds are coming to Singapore. Liverpool fans must be happy to hear this. Right? Wrong! Not this Liverpool fan, anyway. A tour of the Far East makes sense only if the team has won something (or anything) this season. They won nothing. Not even my sympathy. I would rather watch DPM Wong Kan Seng speak on television.
The last time Liverpool came to Singapore was more than 10 years ago. Coached by the has-been manager Graeme Souness, the star attraction then was Michael Owen, a promising upstart with huge potential. Or so it seemed. My daughter presented me with a copy of his autographed picture which made me a very happy man but not for long. Liverpool languished in the doldrums for years after that visit, forcing me to give that picture away (to my garbage collector, who else?) hoping things would 'turn around' for the better. I sincerely hope Liverpool do not go through that 10-year trophy-less cycle again after their upcoming trip to Singapore.
If Rafa is serious about mounting a challenge for the League title next year, his time can be better spent working out a good strategy and action plan, which should look something like this.
- call Jose Mourinho for tips on how to become the next Special One.
- attend an intensive course on social etiquette and basic manners.
- practise buy-low-sell-high stock market policy (and remember it is not the other way around).
- fire sale the old and useless players: Lucas, Dossena, Pennant, Ngog, Skrtel and those whose names are hard to pronounce.
- bring in an additional striker: David Villa or Samuel E'to or Carlos Teves or Didier Drogba or someone as ugly as them.
- strengthen the midfield with Gareth Barry or Glen Johnson.
- sign up Dennis Wise or Joey Barton (both unemployed) to toughen up the back four.
- buy a taller goalkeeper, or find some ways to add 8 inches to Pepe Reina's present height.
- beg, borrow or steal 40 million pounds to carry out all of the above, without which Liverpool stand no chance against the top 3 next year, the following year, ever. Sigh!
The last time Liverpool came to Singapore was more than 10 years ago. Coached by the has-been manager Graeme Souness, the star attraction then was Michael Owen, a promising upstart with huge potential. Or so it seemed. My daughter presented me with a copy of his autographed picture which made me a very happy man but not for long. Liverpool languished in the doldrums for years after that visit, forcing me to give that picture away (to my garbage collector, who else?) hoping things would 'turn around' for the better. I sincerely hope Liverpool do not go through that 10-year trophy-less cycle again after their upcoming trip to Singapore.
If Rafa is serious about mounting a challenge for the League title next year, his time can be better spent working out a good strategy and action plan, which should look something like this.
- call Jose Mourinho for tips on how to become the next Special One.
- attend an intensive course on social etiquette and basic manners.
- practise buy-low-sell-high stock market policy (and remember it is not the other way around).
- fire sale the old and useless players: Lucas, Dossena, Pennant, Ngog, Skrtel and those whose names are hard to pronounce.
- bring in an additional striker: David Villa or Samuel E'to or Carlos Teves or Didier Drogba or someone as ugly as them.
- strengthen the midfield with Gareth Barry or Glen Johnson.
- sign up Dennis Wise or Joey Barton (both unemployed) to toughen up the back four.
- buy a taller goalkeeper, or find some ways to add 8 inches to Pepe Reina's present height.
- beg, borrow or steal 40 million pounds to carry out all of the above, without which Liverpool stand no chance against the top 3 next year, the following year, ever. Sigh!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I like Hongkong!
My friends cannot understand why my wife and I keep going back to Hongkong for our vacation. The reason is very simple. We like Hongkong! This city is so vibrant and alive there is never a dull moment the moment you set foot in Hongkong. But each and every time I ask myself why Singapore, for all its so-called efficiency and meritocracy, can never be like Hongkong. Hongkong does things the simple, so often the practical way. Take transportation as just one example.
Yes, Singapore has its mass transit rail, just like Hongkong. Its network of buses and taxis, just like Hongkong. A world class airport, just like Hongkong. The similarities end here, unfortunately.
Hongkong's Airport Express offers travellers an attractive, yet economical alternative mode of transport to the city center. The smooth hassle-free ride to Kowloon Station takes only 22 minutes. Hongkong Station is another 8 minutes away. Return flight home baggages can be checked-in at either station 24 hours in advance.
MTR trains arrive promptly at 2-minute intervals during peak hours; 3-4 minutes during off-peak hours. Each station typically has 8-10 exits reaching out in all directions conveniently taking you pretty close to where you want to go without the need for crossing streets or using overhead bridges.
At The Merton Tower where we stayed the last time, we had at our disposal several modes of transport to choose, depending on where we want to go, the time of day, and the weather. The furthest option is just 80 metres away.
Taxis are easily available even during the morning rush hour. A tram ride costs a flat HK$2 and takes you to a town as remote and far away as Shaukeiwan (an hour's ride from Kennedy Town). If you take the upper deck, the experience (especially for a first-timer) is palpable.
Buses are available in several options and fares vary depending on whether they are single or double deckers, 14-, 16- or multi-seaters, whether they are "X" (or express) buses or buses that twist and turn into narrow streets of the smaller towns. The 16-seater "54" bus, for example, takes you to the Bus Interchange (next to IFC Building) for a flat fee of HK6 with fewer than 8 stops in between for the purpose of either picking up or dropping off passengers. The 14-seater "green" or "red" bus charges a fixed start-to-end fare, which is adjusted on a reducing scale along the way. The Octopus card is used for the "green" bus.
Crossing the channel is just as convenient and economical. The 10-minute Star Ferry boat ride from Sheung Wan Pier takes you right to the door step of Kowloon's Harbour City for a flat fee of just HK$4. The sight of Hongkong's skyline on both sides of the channel is simply breathtaking.
With so many modes of transport available at one disposal, who needs a car in Hongkong? Rain or shine, peak or off-peak hours, taxis are everywhere. As for the buses, there is no need for bus lanes to confuse road-users or further complicate an already complicated traffic situation in Singapore. If you ask me, we don't need a columbo-plan minister and his team of president's scholars to solve our traffic puzzle; just keep things simple and practical.
Writer's email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Yes, Singapore has its mass transit rail, just like Hongkong. Its network of buses and taxis, just like Hongkong. A world class airport, just like Hongkong. The similarities end here, unfortunately.
Hongkong's Airport Express offers travellers an attractive, yet economical alternative mode of transport to the city center. The smooth hassle-free ride to Kowloon Station takes only 22 minutes. Hongkong Station is another 8 minutes away. Return flight home baggages can be checked-in at either station 24 hours in advance.
MTR trains arrive promptly at 2-minute intervals during peak hours; 3-4 minutes during off-peak hours. Each station typically has 8-10 exits reaching out in all directions conveniently taking you pretty close to where you want to go without the need for crossing streets or using overhead bridges.
At The Merton Tower where we stayed the last time, we had at our disposal several modes of transport to choose, depending on where we want to go, the time of day, and the weather. The furthest option is just 80 metres away.
Taxis are easily available even during the morning rush hour. A tram ride costs a flat HK$2 and takes you to a town as remote and far away as Shaukeiwan (an hour's ride from Kennedy Town). If you take the upper deck, the experience (especially for a first-timer) is palpable.
Buses are available in several options and fares vary depending on whether they are single or double deckers, 14-, 16- or multi-seaters, whether they are "X" (or express) buses or buses that twist and turn into narrow streets of the smaller towns. The 16-seater "54" bus, for example, takes you to the Bus Interchange (next to IFC Building) for a flat fee of HK6 with fewer than 8 stops in between for the purpose of either picking up or dropping off passengers. The 14-seater "green" or "red" bus charges a fixed start-to-end fare, which is adjusted on a reducing scale along the way. The Octopus card is used for the "green" bus.
Crossing the channel is just as convenient and economical. The 10-minute Star Ferry boat ride from Sheung Wan Pier takes you right to the door step of Kowloon's Harbour City for a flat fee of just HK$4. The sight of Hongkong's skyline on both sides of the channel is simply breathtaking.
With so many modes of transport available at one disposal, who needs a car in Hongkong? Rain or shine, peak or off-peak hours, taxis are everywhere. As for the buses, there is no need for bus lanes to confuse road-users or further complicate an already complicated traffic situation in Singapore. If you ask me, we don't need a columbo-plan minister and his team of president's scholars to solve our traffic puzzle; just keep things simple and practical.
Writer's email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Liverpool - Anger Rages On!
Liverpool is a club I have supported since my varsity days. I have nothing against the club. In fact I still love the club despite the severe heartache I get each time I watch the team play. How can you not feel pain everywhere watching the ball being passed backwards all the time, only for the goalkeeper to finally kick a long ball into the opponents' half after all the superfluous merry-go-round. I am only against the owners who know nuts about football. I am also bitterly against the manager with an ego as big (and round) as his belly.
In any sport, there can only be one winner. It is never a shame losing to a better team as long as you have done your best. What happened in the aftermath of a defeat is what set the managers apart.
Arsene Wenger acknowledged that United deserved to be champions after seeing his team draw 0-0 with United. He also congratulated Fergie for the feat.
After Chelsea trounced Liverpool 4-1 in (of all places) Anfield, Guus Hiddink said on TV: "When you win, you win with modesty; when you lose, you must accept defeat with some humility."
Rafa, in contrast, stubbornly refused to congratulate Fergie for clinching the Premier League title. He only credited the United team for a fine performance, and went on to lament that United won only because it has a bigger squad and a bigger stadium! What rubbish! With a mindset and ego such as this, how far do you think Rafa can take Liverpool? Time for a complete overhaul of Liverpool Football Club. Time for change. Time for Rafa to go. And time for Mourinho to take over.
In any sport, there can only be one winner. It is never a shame losing to a better team as long as you have done your best. What happened in the aftermath of a defeat is what set the managers apart.
Arsene Wenger acknowledged that United deserved to be champions after seeing his team draw 0-0 with United. He also congratulated Fergie for the feat.
After Chelsea trounced Liverpool 4-1 in (of all places) Anfield, Guus Hiddink said on TV: "When you win, you win with modesty; when you lose, you must accept defeat with some humility."
Rafa, in contrast, stubbornly refused to congratulate Fergie for clinching the Premier League title. He only credited the United team for a fine performance, and went on to lament that United won only because it has a bigger squad and a bigger stadium! What rubbish! With a mindset and ego such as this, how far do you think Rafa can take Liverpool? Time for a complete overhaul of Liverpool Football Club. Time for change. Time for Rafa to go. And time for Mourinho to take over.
Hotel Mao Mee - Hongkong
Our 12-day holiday in Hongkong a fortnight ago was by far the longest we had spent in the former British colony, That an entire hotel in Wan Chai was quarantined for a week did not dampen our spirits nor prevent us from having an enjoyable time. We were privileged to have the opportunity again of staying at the Hotel Mao Mee. This litlle hotel by the sea in Kennedy Town captured our imagination the first time we stayed there (albeit in another closeby locaton). It is a 15 minutes' tram ride from Sheung Wan Station. Perched high up on the 30th floor of The Merton Tower, the guest room overlooks the sea with fishing boats and trawlers criss-crossing the waves throughout the day. Fireworks from Disneyland can be seen lighting up the skyline in the horizon every night at 8 o'clock sharp. Hotel Mao Mee is run by a local Singaporean who works full-time in Hongkong's Dow Jones office. It was started as a hobby and will remain as just a hobby according to the lady owner notwithstanding its growing popularity. Guests are screened and 'by invitation' only. A simple 'thank you' does not do justice for the enjoyable time we had at the Hotel Mao Mee, so we have decided to say it in a few short little verses.
Hotel Mao Mee, We Revisited Again
Few Months On, Much Has Changed
From Humble Start, In Budget Class
To 3-Star Status, Hope It Lasts
Sofa Bed, Once Considered Best
Ikea Bedsets Now, For Complete Rest
Toilet Room, Once Crammy & Tight
Power Trips, You Get A Fright!
New Shower Room, Breezy & Bright
Makes Daily Bath Such Sheer Delight
So Much More One Can Write
We're Saving Them All, Till Next Flight!
...... Thank you, Tracy.
Writer's email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Hotel Mao Mee, We Revisited Again
Few Months On, Much Has Changed
From Humble Start, In Budget Class
To 3-Star Status, Hope It Lasts
Sofa Bed, Once Considered Best
Ikea Bedsets Now, For Complete Rest
Toilet Room, Once Crammy & Tight
Power Trips, You Get A Fright!
New Shower Room, Breezy & Bright
Makes Daily Bath Such Sheer Delight
So Much More One Can Write
We're Saving Them All, Till Next Flight!
...... Thank you, Tracy.
Writer's email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Another Liverpool Heartbreak!
No, my world didn't crumble when Manchester United beat Arsenal 0-0 on Saturday to clinch its 18th English Premier League title. Even hardcore, brainless Liverpool fans like me expected it to happen. United had been the most consistent team throughout the season and won crucial games when all odds were stacked against them, often times on the brink of full-time whistle. That is the mark of a true champion. Even Fergie's long-time arch rival Arsene Wenger acknowledged that United had an excellent season. But what did Liverpool's Rafa Benitez had to say about it? He said United is not necessarily the best team. Come on, Rafa, wake up from your deep slumber and face the harsh realities. You fell short not because of injuries suffered by Gerrard or Torres. Not because Liverpool played more games than United. Not because United had better luck than Liverpool. Not because most referees happened to be United fans. In fact, you fell short because of other reasons - most important of which , because of you.
Liverpool's season started to decline from the time you bought Robbie Keane, and only started to turn around after you offloaded him. You went out to buy Barry but came back with Keane. What happened? You didn't know what your best line-up was, and experimented with different combinations. When Fergie made his substitutions, he brought on heavy weights in the likes of Berbatov, Teves, Scholes and O'Shea. When you made yours, you brought on light weights like Lucas, Insua, Skrtel and Ngog. My goodness, where on earth did you find them? Liverpool may have lost fewer games than United, but as long as the rules continue to award 3 points for a win, you'd better accept the fact that it is still better to lose two games and win one, than lose one game and draw two. Simple maths, Rafa! You also have to discard some of your superstitions - in particular, the one about making a substitution only after 70 minutes of play no matter how badly the game had gone before that. If that is not superstition of some kind, then it must be your hard-headed stubbornness of the worst kind.
You said Liverpool will come out even stronger next season. We heard that four years ago. In fact we heard that from your predecessor, that Frenchman Houllier, even before that. Turning the corner, he said without batting an eyelid; only he didn't know how many more corners there were to turn. Rafa, are you expecting United, Chelsea and Arsenal to be coming out weaker next season while you 'strengthen' your team?
Take heed of what Fergie had said. He is talking about knocking Liverpool 'off that bloody perch'. He is already gunning for the 19th League title. Knowing Fergie and United's way of getting things right, it may very well happen, and pretty soon too. This is why I am having this terrible heartbreak the past few days!
And by the way, Rafa, get rid of that stupid stubble of yours, will you? It may be one reason why you miss that League title by a whisker this season.
Writer's email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Liverpool's season started to decline from the time you bought Robbie Keane, and only started to turn around after you offloaded him. You went out to buy Barry but came back with Keane. What happened? You didn't know what your best line-up was, and experimented with different combinations. When Fergie made his substitutions, he brought on heavy weights in the likes of Berbatov, Teves, Scholes and O'Shea. When you made yours, you brought on light weights like Lucas, Insua, Skrtel and Ngog. My goodness, where on earth did you find them? Liverpool may have lost fewer games than United, but as long as the rules continue to award 3 points for a win, you'd better accept the fact that it is still better to lose two games and win one, than lose one game and draw two. Simple maths, Rafa! You also have to discard some of your superstitions - in particular, the one about making a substitution only after 70 minutes of play no matter how badly the game had gone before that. If that is not superstition of some kind, then it must be your hard-headed stubbornness of the worst kind.
You said Liverpool will come out even stronger next season. We heard that four years ago. In fact we heard that from your predecessor, that Frenchman Houllier, even before that. Turning the corner, he said without batting an eyelid; only he didn't know how many more corners there were to turn. Rafa, are you expecting United, Chelsea and Arsenal to be coming out weaker next season while you 'strengthen' your team?
Take heed of what Fergie had said. He is talking about knocking Liverpool 'off that bloody perch'. He is already gunning for the 19th League title. Knowing Fergie and United's way of getting things right, it may very well happen, and pretty soon too. This is why I am having this terrible heartbreak the past few days!
And by the way, Rafa, get rid of that stupid stubble of yours, will you? It may be one reason why you miss that League title by a whisker this season.
Writer's email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
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