Been so hideously busy lately, what with finishing work and my parents arriving, everything's just been a blur. Wednesday was my last day of work, witnessed Liverpool incredible comeback that evening, went to Chateau de Chillon near Montreux on Thursday with Pamela and Anthony, took care of administrative chores Friday, and went to Mount Pilatus and Zermatt with my folks the last two days. My knees are killing me from all the walking.
Still worried about coming home.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
15 Maggio
Sunday was the big day. Yup, you got it: the Roma derby. AS Roma vs. SS Lazio. Roman football doesn't get any bigger than that, even if both clubs have declined in recent years, now sitting just midtable in Serie A.
I spent the morning and early afternoon walking around city center looking for a power adapter, the one thing I forgot to pack, without success. The one Ferramenta near the Termini was closed on Sunday.
So I headed back to the hostel, then walked over to Stadio Olimpico a little after 2pm. The stadium, which officially seats 82000, was already filling up. The chanting could be heard a block down the road.
I was seated in the Tribuna Tevere Centrale, section 29C, row 26, seat 6, which is approximately halfway up the stands at the 18-yard line. Curva Sud was filled with hardcore Roma fans, while Curva Nord was the section reserved for Lazio fans, since this was technically a Roma "home" game. Tribuna Monte Mario was only half full, probably because a seat there cost 100 Euros.
Roma skipper Francesco Totti, easily the most exciting player on either team, was out injured, so the match itself was a rather drab affair. Antonio Cassano and Vincenzo Montella failed to threaten the Lazio goal at all, while Paolo di Canio was equally quiet at the other end. In midfield, Daniele de Rossi and Fabio Liverani looked comfortable, but essentially cancelled each other out.
So a fitting 0-0 scoreline in the end, but the atmosphere was second to none. Emotional and passionate, Italian fans will scream and shout and gesture and curse with the action from beginning to end. Made me realize how much NHL has become entertainment rather than a sport. Stadio Olimpico had no fireworks, no music, no jumbotron, no spotlights, barely even a scoreboard (only shows the teams, the score, and the time on a clock, that's right, a clock, no fancy digital stuff). Yet the fans are totally riveted to the action, jeering with every foul, cheering with every chance (few and far between they may be). Go to an NHL game, and you'll realize how many distractions there are, from rock music blaring to jumbotrons showing replays, commercials, and closeups, from ice-girls and cheerleaders to stunt-performing mascots. If you ask me, they need to make it about the game again.
I spent the morning and early afternoon walking around city center looking for a power adapter, the one thing I forgot to pack, without success. The one Ferramenta near the Termini was closed on Sunday.
So I headed back to the hostel, then walked over to Stadio Olimpico a little after 2pm. The stadium, which officially seats 82000, was already filling up. The chanting could be heard a block down the road.
I was seated in the Tribuna Tevere Centrale, section 29C, row 26, seat 6, which is approximately halfway up the stands at the 18-yard line. Curva Sud was filled with hardcore Roma fans, while Curva Nord was the section reserved for Lazio fans, since this was technically a Roma "home" game. Tribuna Monte Mario was only half full, probably because a seat there cost 100 Euros.
Roma skipper Francesco Totti, easily the most exciting player on either team, was out injured, so the match itself was a rather drab affair. Antonio Cassano and Vincenzo Montella failed to threaten the Lazio goal at all, while Paolo di Canio was equally quiet at the other end. In midfield, Daniele de Rossi and Fabio Liverani looked comfortable, but essentially cancelled each other out.
So a fitting 0-0 scoreline in the end, but the atmosphere was second to none. Emotional and passionate, Italian fans will scream and shout and gesture and curse with the action from beginning to end. Made me realize how much NHL has become entertainment rather than a sport. Stadio Olimpico had no fireworks, no music, no jumbotron, no spotlights, barely even a scoreboard (only shows the teams, the score, and the time on a clock, that's right, a clock, no fancy digital stuff). Yet the fans are totally riveted to the action, jeering with every foul, cheering with every chance (few and far between they may be). Go to an NHL game, and you'll realize how many distractions there are, from rock music blaring to jumbotrons showing replays, commercials, and closeups, from ice-girls and cheerleaders to stunt-performing mascots. If you ask me, they need to make it about the game again.
May Movie Review
The Incredibles: The sixth feature film from Pixar once again uses computer graphics to explore alternative worlds. After playing with Toys, Fliking Bugs, scaring children, and finding Nemo, Pixar is out the save the world with the Incredibles, a family of superheroes living in a world where superheroes, once worshipped in the limelight, are now outcast, outlawed, and outdated, after Mr. Incredible saved a suicidal businessman against his will. Loads of family fun, decent plot, even though the intro seemed a tad long.
Robots: Your typical the-people-overthrow-the-tyrant-and-bring-back-the-good-guy story, only this one is played out in robot world. The plot has no real surprises, but there are some refreshing robot jokes. I have no idea who came up with the Britney idea, but it was equally hilarious and disturbing. Overall, not as good as The Incredibles, but still a good laugh.
Hitch: A romantic comedy starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, and Amber Valletta. Tasteful, funny, touching, and encouraging for the average Joe. I found the storyline to be a little scattered, with two relationships interwoven by Hitch's (Will) career as a "date doctor". The movie goes back and forth between the two without really establishing a main thread; it was more like watching two stories unfold in parallel, held together by a common denominator. Frankly, I preferred the Albert (Kevin) / Allegra (Amber) story over Hitch / Sara (Eva). Albert, the short, chubby, likeable chum who's totally shot of self-confidence, tries to win over Allegra, the rich, famous, and beautiful blonde who recently dumped her equally-high-profile boyfriend. I guess I can relate more to the timid, self-conscious Albert than to the experienced, witty, charming Hitch.
Robots: Your typical the-people-overthrow-the-tyrant-and-bring-back-the-good-guy story, only this one is played out in robot world. The plot has no real surprises, but there are some refreshing robot jokes. I have no idea who came up with the Britney idea, but it was equally hilarious and disturbing. Overall, not as good as The Incredibles, but still a good laugh.
Hitch: A romantic comedy starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, and Amber Valletta. Tasteful, funny, touching, and encouraging for the average Joe. I found the storyline to be a little scattered, with two relationships interwoven by Hitch's (Will) career as a "date doctor". The movie goes back and forth between the two without really establishing a main thread; it was more like watching two stories unfold in parallel, held together by a common denominator. Frankly, I preferred the Albert (Kevin) / Allegra (Amber) story over Hitch / Sara (Eva). Albert, the short, chubby, likeable chum who's totally shot of self-confidence, tries to win over Allegra, the rich, famous, and beautiful blonde who recently dumped her equally-high-profile boyfriend. I guess I can relate more to the timid, self-conscious Albert than to the experienced, witty, charming Hitch.
Monday, May 23, 2005
I'm baaaack!
Whew, what a trip. That was the longest solo trip I'd taken so far. The UK and Budapest don't count because I stayed with friends. Maybe that's why I was so scared, that I'd be travelling alone in Italy for nine days.
I'll be recounting a few of the highlights here over the next few days. Here is the itinerary:
14-18 Maggio: Roma
19 Maggio: Pompei
20-21 Maggio: Firenze (Florence)
22 Maggio: Pisa
I'll be recounting a few of the highlights here over the next few days. Here is the itinerary:
14-18 Maggio: Roma
19 Maggio: Pompei
20-21 Maggio: Firenze (Florence)
22 Maggio: Pisa
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Everton Embarrassed
A humiliated Everton side offered the perfect tonic to Sir Alex Ferguson's claims that the English Premiership is "a hell of a league", which were based on the fact that Arsenal went unbeaten last season and Chelsea lost just once this year with one match left, suggesting that a club "cannot afford any more than three defeats in a season."
Tell me this: How is a league where leaders Chelsea are 11 points ahead of second-place Arsenal and 20 over third-place Man United, where Arsenal blew fourth-place Europe-bound Everton (behind by 22 points) away with a 7-0 scoreline, where an average Everton side without a single striker bagging more than 7 goals all year can scrap their way into the Champions League, "a hell of a league"?
As it stands now, the unprecedented amount of cash injected into Chelsea has swung the pendulum from a perennial two-horse race between Man United and Arsenal to everybody trying to catch Chelsea in vain. We didn't even see the transition period where a three-way battle between the top three might have generated more interest.
Mind you, the continental leagues aren't doing so well either. Roma and Lazio have fallen to midtable in Serie A, whereas Barcelona and Real Madrid are leaving everyone else in the dust in La Liga. Up north, Celtic and Rangers are neck-in-neck in the Scottish Premier League, Celtic with a measly two-point lead with 2 matches still to play, but Rangers are ahead of third-place Hibernian by 26 points.
Tell me this: How is a league where leaders Chelsea are 11 points ahead of second-place Arsenal and 20 over third-place Man United, where Arsenal blew fourth-place Europe-bound Everton (behind by 22 points) away with a 7-0 scoreline, where an average Everton side without a single striker bagging more than 7 goals all year can scrap their way into the Champions League, "a hell of a league"?
As it stands now, the unprecedented amount of cash injected into Chelsea has swung the pendulum from a perennial two-horse race between Man United and Arsenal to everybody trying to catch Chelsea in vain. We didn't even see the transition period where a three-way battle between the top three might have generated more interest.
Mind you, the continental leagues aren't doing so well either. Roma and Lazio have fallen to midtable in Serie A, whereas Barcelona and Real Madrid are leaving everyone else in the dust in La Liga. Up north, Celtic and Rangers are neck-in-neck in the Scottish Premier League, Celtic with a measly two-point lead with 2 matches still to play, but Rangers are ahead of third-place Hibernian by 26 points.
Monday, May 09, 2005
"Crucify Him!"
Yesterday's evening service at the IPC was great. Good music, and a drama production that, although it won't be moved to Broadway anytime soon, was thought-provoking. While we, as Christians, know that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and redeemed our eternal souls some two thousand years ago, most of us would prefer that He stayed nailed to that log of wood, that He wouldn't come down and interfere with our daily lives filled with worldly desires and lusts. I, for one, certainly live that way sometimes, though perhaps I hide it well. (Or maybe I don't. You tell me.)
It might be something as little as turning a blind eye to a person in need. It might be falling into the trap of sexual immorality. It might be avoiding taxes. There are all kinds of things that, though they seem clever and acceptable to the world, aren't quite right by the Word of God. So what do we do? We argue. We rationalize. We justify. We act as though it's none of God's business. God should stay within the walls of the sanctuary; we'll visit once a week and on holidays.
That's not God, brothers and sisters. That's just our aging parents locked up in a nursing home. And though our God has been since beyond the beginning of time, He is neither old nor helpless. He's the living God, who wields power over every single atom, every minute quark, in this vast universe, and He wants to be part of our lives - nay, to be all of our lives. Difficult as it may be, I think we ought to be a little more submissive, and a little less indulgent, with every passing day.
It might be something as little as turning a blind eye to a person in need. It might be falling into the trap of sexual immorality. It might be avoiding taxes. There are all kinds of things that, though they seem clever and acceptable to the world, aren't quite right by the Word of God. So what do we do? We argue. We rationalize. We justify. We act as though it's none of God's business. God should stay within the walls of the sanctuary; we'll visit once a week and on holidays.
That's not God, brothers and sisters. That's just our aging parents locked up in a nursing home. And though our God has been since beyond the beginning of time, He is neither old nor helpless. He's the living God, who wields power over every single atom, every minute quark, in this vast universe, and He wants to be part of our lives - nay, to be all of our lives. Difficult as it may be, I think we ought to be a little more submissive, and a little less indulgent, with every passing day.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Oh Little Town of Liechtenstein...
(Okay, so technically Liechtenstein isn't a "town"... but it might as well be!)
For those who were wondering, "Where did Alex go??" - which I know are few since the majority of you guys should be in camp this weekend - I went to St. Moritz on Thursday and Liechtenstein on Friday with my coworkers. Today, I went to IPC for the evening service, but that's another blog entry.
St. Moritz is a small ski-town in the southeastern corner of Switzerland, geographically similar to Interlaken in that it resides between two lakes surrounded by ski-hills. It is, however, much less commercial than Interlaken (although that might be because May isn't exactly skiing season).
Pamela and I hiked from the lake by the train station (Lej da San Murezzan) to the Silvaplanasee by Champfèr and back. That took the better part of the four hours we had there. Needless to say, my legs were sore right after.
Liechtenstein is an incredibly small country squished between Switzerland and Austria. So small, in fact, that diplomacy just isn't worthwhile, to the point where Liechtenstein handed over all external relations to Switzerland. They're famous for their wine and postage stamps, so I bought some of each during my visit: wine for my bosses, stamps for my mom.
For those who were wondering, "Where did Alex go??" - which I know are few since the majority of you guys should be in camp this weekend - I went to St. Moritz on Thursday and Liechtenstein on Friday with my coworkers. Today, I went to IPC for the evening service, but that's another blog entry.
St. Moritz is a small ski-town in the southeastern corner of Switzerland, geographically similar to Interlaken in that it resides between two lakes surrounded by ski-hills. It is, however, much less commercial than Interlaken (although that might be because May isn't exactly skiing season).
Pamela and I hiked from the lake by the train station (Lej da San Murezzan) to the Silvaplanasee by Champfèr and back. That took the better part of the four hours we had there. Needless to say, my legs were sore right after.
Liechtenstein is an incredibly small country squished between Switzerland and Austria. So small, in fact, that diplomacy just isn't worthwhile, to the point where Liechtenstein handed over all external relations to Switzerland. They're famous for their wine and postage stamps, so I bought some of each during my visit: wine for my bosses, stamps for my mom.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Chelsea Treble Dream Over
Luis Garcia scored a controversial goal early in the second leg of the Liverpool-Chelsea semifinal at Anfield, and Liverpool defended staunchly for the remainder of the match, holding on for a 1-0 victory after last week's 0-0 deadlock at Stamford Bridge. They'll face the winner of the other semifinal, more likely to be Milan than PSV Eindhoven, later this month in Istanbul.
Obviously, Chelsea learned nothing from Manchester United's exit against Milan: If you don't score goals, you don't go through.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, defiant to the end, insisted "the best team lost". Controversy will surround Garcia's goal, which was cleared off the line by William Gallas but ruled a goal by the linesman.
The fact is, Chelsea had 85 minutes (plus 6 minutes stoppage time) to grab the vital away goal, which would've taken them to the final on a 1-1 draw. They didn't, and they're out.
Obviously, Chelsea learned nothing from Manchester United's exit against Milan: If you don't score goals, you don't go through.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, defiant to the end, insisted "the best team lost". Controversy will surround Garcia's goal, which was cleared off the line by William Gallas but ruled a goal by the linesman.
The fact is, Chelsea had 85 minutes (plus 6 minutes stoppage time) to grab the vital away goal, which would've taken them to the final on a 1-1 draw. They didn't, and they're out.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Dumbass, Dumbass, Dumbass
Should've known. Should've known.
Should've known that leaving tickets till 2 days before a trip was never going to work out well.
Especially considering that Thursday is a public holiday and night train to Nice doesn't run on Thursday. Should've known that the Wednesday train would be sold out.
Dumbass.
So, no Nice, no Monte Carlo, no Cannes.
Might go to Lugano and Locarno with my coworkers instead.
Should've known that leaving tickets till 2 days before a trip was never going to work out well.
Especially considering that Thursday is a public holiday and night train to Nice doesn't run on Thursday. Should've known that the Wednesday train would be sold out.
Dumbass.
So, no Nice, no Monte Carlo, no Cannes.
Might go to Lugano and Locarno with my coworkers instead.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Bottom of the Pile
The Premiership season is winding down, and the relegation dogfight is tight as ever, with one measly point separating four teams at the moment. All three freshly promoted clubs (Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City) are fighting to retain top-flight status for next season, while Southampton find themselves once again precariously close to the drop-zone. Here are my thoughts:
Southampton (36 matches played, 31 points): As much as I have enjoyed the lanky 6'7" Peter Crouch's transformation into a reliable striker this season (11 league goals, 15 in all competitions), I wouldn't mind seeing them relegated if it means keeper Antti Niemi will become available for a transfer to Manchester United, whom they play on the last day of the season. Before then, they face fellow relegation battlers Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and Southampton have won just one away game all season. At best, they might manage a draw against Palace; at worst, Harry Redknapp will need to prepare for life in the League Championship.
Verdict: 32 points at most, drop.
Crystal Palace (36 MP, 31 Pts): Level with Southampton on points but behind in goals difference by one, Palace will face Charlton Athletic at The Valley on the last day. Like Southampton, they've won just once away this eason, so a draw might be the best they can hope for. However, with Andy Johnson leading the way, they just might be able to exploit the second-worst defence in the league and beat the Saints for all three points.
Verdict: Hope for 35 points, hate to see Johnson, Routledge, and Kiraly relegated.
WBA (35 MP, 30 Pts): The good news: WBA have a game in hand on the other three clubs. The bad news: WBA still have to play Arsenal (home) and Man United (away), before finishing the season at home to Portsmouth. At this point in time, they need all 9 points to be mathematically safe. In reality, they would need a miracle to get more than 2 points out of Arsenal and United. Portsmouth have won just twice away, the last time coming on Boxing Day. Personally, I'd like to see WBA stay up. Zoltan Gera and Jason Koumas have impressed me enough to win my support.
Verdict: Miracle needed for 1 win and 2 draws; greater miracle would be 2 wins and a loss.
Norwich City (36 MP, 30 Pts): Nigel Worthington is plotting the Greatest Escape we've seen in years, only to have it derailed by Henri Camara's lately goal for Southampton last weekend. Keeper Robert Green may yet have an England career, but Norwich's dreadful defending means they're simply not worthy of Premiership status. Even if they beat Birmingham at home, they still need to win their first away game of the season on the last day at Fulham if they want to be safe.
Verdict: The three teams above will keep dropping points; the question is, can Norwich earn enough of their own to leapfrog all three? I think not.
Southampton (36 matches played, 31 points): As much as I have enjoyed the lanky 6'7" Peter Crouch's transformation into a reliable striker this season (11 league goals, 15 in all competitions), I wouldn't mind seeing them relegated if it means keeper Antti Niemi will become available for a transfer to Manchester United, whom they play on the last day of the season. Before then, they face fellow relegation battlers Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and Southampton have won just one away game all season. At best, they might manage a draw against Palace; at worst, Harry Redknapp will need to prepare for life in the League Championship.
Verdict: 32 points at most, drop.
Crystal Palace (36 MP, 31 Pts): Level with Southampton on points but behind in goals difference by one, Palace will face Charlton Athletic at The Valley on the last day. Like Southampton, they've won just once away this eason, so a draw might be the best they can hope for. However, with Andy Johnson leading the way, they just might be able to exploit the second-worst defence in the league and beat the Saints for all three points.
Verdict: Hope for 35 points, hate to see Johnson, Routledge, and Kiraly relegated.
WBA (35 MP, 30 Pts): The good news: WBA have a game in hand on the other three clubs. The bad news: WBA still have to play Arsenal (home) and Man United (away), before finishing the season at home to Portsmouth. At this point in time, they need all 9 points to be mathematically safe. In reality, they would need a miracle to get more than 2 points out of Arsenal and United. Portsmouth have won just twice away, the last time coming on Boxing Day. Personally, I'd like to see WBA stay up. Zoltan Gera and Jason Koumas have impressed me enough to win my support.
Verdict: Miracle needed for 1 win and 2 draws; greater miracle would be 2 wins and a loss.
Norwich City (36 MP, 30 Pts): Nigel Worthington is plotting the Greatest Escape we've seen in years, only to have it derailed by Henri Camara's lately goal for Southampton last weekend. Keeper Robert Green may yet have an England career, but Norwich's dreadful defending means they're simply not worthy of Premiership status. Even if they beat Birmingham at home, they still need to win their first away game of the season on the last day at Fulham if they want to be safe.
Verdict: The three teams above will keep dropping points; the question is, can Norwich earn enough of their own to leapfrog all three? I think not.
Chelsea Crowned
It's official: Roman Abramovich has succeeded in buying himself a Premiership title.
Extravagant spendings in the two years since the Russian's purchase of the football club have landed them their first title in 50 years. Their second overall in 100 years of existence. That's right, two freakin' titles in a century. I pray to God that the trend continues and they don't win another one till 2055.
Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro, now seeing out his career with the Bolton Wanderers, spoke before Saturday's game against Chelsea, saying that Chelsea cannot be compared to Real Madrid, voted FIFA Team of the 20th Century in a landslide.
Heck, Chelsea can't even compare with the 1980's Liverpool or the 1990's Manchester United. With the 2004/05 title, they now have as many top-flight titles as the likes of Portsmouth ('49, '50), Tottenham ('51, '61), Derby County ('72, '75), and Manchester City ('37, '68). Ahead of them, Wolverampton ('54, '58, '59), Leeds ('69, '74, '92), and Everton ('63, '70, '85, '87) have all achieved more post-war, nevermind the trio of Liverpool (14 post-war, 18 total), Man United (13, 15), and Arsenal (8, 13). Even more staggering are the differences in top-two finishes: Liverpool has 29, Man United 27, Arsenal 20; Chelsea has a paltry 3. In 100 years.
Sure, they now have a title to show for all their money. Yeah, Mr. Abramovich is so filthy rich he probably flushes money down the toilet for shits and giggles. But here's a newsflash for you: Chelsea's championship team will never have the respect enjoyed by the truly great clubs around the world. Success that can be bought is worth about as much as a store-bought bowling trophy.
Extravagant spendings in the two years since the Russian's purchase of the football club have landed them their first title in 50 years. Their second overall in 100 years of existence. That's right, two freakin' titles in a century. I pray to God that the trend continues and they don't win another one till 2055.
Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro, now seeing out his career with the Bolton Wanderers, spoke before Saturday's game against Chelsea, saying that Chelsea cannot be compared to Real Madrid, voted FIFA Team of the 20th Century in a landslide.
Heck, Chelsea can't even compare with the 1980's Liverpool or the 1990's Manchester United. With the 2004/05 title, they now have as many top-flight titles as the likes of Portsmouth ('49, '50), Tottenham ('51, '61), Derby County ('72, '75), and Manchester City ('37, '68). Ahead of them, Wolverampton ('54, '58, '59), Leeds ('69, '74, '92), and Everton ('63, '70, '85, '87) have all achieved more post-war, nevermind the trio of Liverpool (14 post-war, 18 total), Man United (13, 15), and Arsenal (8, 13). Even more staggering are the differences in top-two finishes: Liverpool has 29, Man United 27, Arsenal 20; Chelsea has a paltry 3. In 100 years.
Sure, they now have a title to show for all their money. Yeah, Mr. Abramovich is so filthy rich he probably flushes money down the toilet for shits and giggles. But here's a newsflash for you: Chelsea's championship team will never have the respect enjoyed by the truly great clubs around the world. Success that can be bought is worth about as much as a store-bought bowling trophy.
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