www.Go To The Mountain - Musings of a Potential Guru

TaylorMade Super Launch Hybrid

2012-01-28T15:06:00.000+08:00

Old school golfers are still using their irons not believing much in hybrids when even the pros at PGA Tour are mostly converted. They are direct replacements for your hard to hit long irons not woods. I have done a previous article on it:

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-hybrids.html

If you want an easy to use hybrid that isn't too expensive then just settle for one that is not the latest but yet not from the dinosaur's age and a good metal wood company is TaylorMade. The Burner SuperLaunch hybrid.

Some hybrids are just chunky irons and others are more wood like. Even for those that are wood-like, there are two different species. One is build like an iron with more weight behind and actually look half iron-half wood. The Burner SuperLaunch actually look like a small fairway wood. I do have some misgivings looking down at an entirely triangular shaped club head but this one is rounded off towards its perimeter.

What are the technical features of this Burner SuperLaunch from TaylorMade? SuperFast technology, ultra-thin club face and high MOI club head. The club head sets up quite perfectly and should instill confidence in you as you line up a shot. The stock shaft is a TaylorMade RE-AX 60 that seems to fit the club well and the grip is decent with the typical TaylorMade graphics of loops for your grip setting.

As always, do find out about your distance gaps if you are using a different hybrid or switching from long irons or gap from your fairway woods. Also a lower loft hybrid at 18 degrees is always going to be more challenging to use due to its lower loft and naturally longer shaft while the distance gain for 3-4 degrees of difference is 10-20 yards. Wouldn't you want them to be straighter then longer?

The graphic is a little carried away perhaps to show that it is high tech and a newer version, I find the honeycomb graphic on the crown a little distracting but once you hit it, all is forgotten especially when you look at its trajectory and distance.

A good hybrid's tasks is to launch the ball high so that not only does it go far but it will land softer like parachute landing. This becomes crucially important when your shot is to be landed onto the green.

I would advocate that you try out this club and when you want to get one, go for the 21 or 24 degrees rather than the 18 degrees for reasons I have explained earlier. The club face is slightly lower and elongated to offer more forgiveness. The trajectory when hit correctly is a shot that goes high, straight ending with a beautiful slight draw. A very satisfying and elated feeling will send chills through your spine and feel is related to sound and the sound is a sensation of a slightly high pitch sound amplified indicating that you have hit the sweet spot and like your cash register ringing...ka-ching!

My only gripe is the head cover which has colours that are quite pleasing - black/white and red. The small opening makes it hard to retrieve or slip back the over on the club head and it does not take a genius to know that after using it for sometime, the reverse will be true as it will be slipping off by itself as the elasticity passed its sued by date.

The newer TaylorMade version are the R11 Rescue and updated Burner SuperFast and the distinct difference is they are white in colour and the R11 can be adjusted for flight and you will pay a lot more.

If a rescue, utility or hybrid club (they are known by different names but the same type of club) is on your horizon, do yourself a favour - give this one a try. Thank me later.

Golf as in life, play as it lies.

Monster Fish

2012-01-28T00:38:00.000+08:00

Surely all of us has something to do with fish one time or another. Mum used to rear some in a tank at home.

At one time, fighting fish were the rage among boys. I was one of the boys.

Commonly reared fish are like guppy, angel fish, zebra fish, tiger barb, red sword-tail, gourami, etc. The wealthier folks would go for something more exotic and more adventurous. They reared Oscar that gulps down their food in a more ferocious manner. Some even had a Piranha or two before they were banned. Here's an Oscar.

All these tropical and ornamental fishes are still here today with new and cross-breeds to boot and then there are marine fishes. Youngsters today are also different. They love their fish quite differently. They love "Monster Fish".

What are Monster Fish? Those that can grow up to a foot in length or even more than two feet and they have a high protein diet. That means you require special filtration and care and are not for normal hobbyists. You will need a huge tank and think 120 gallons of water or more for a tank and upwards. What you see here is a baby toman (snakehead) and a walking catfish. Snakeheads and Catfish have many cousins.

These are also used as feeder fish that is as food for bigger fish but I don't like catfish.

I caught a walking catfish before that weighed a few kilos and felt utterly disgusted. I just do not like the look.

Gar

Gars are relatively large fish and the alligator gar is the largest as they can grow up to 3m. They are slow moving except when striking at prey. They look a bit like sturgeons and commonly available here is the spotted gar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy8Qx6ztBo8

Look at this monster 1,000 gallon tank with all the large fish including gars in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SN9Ew6FbLU

Because it is slow moving, it is hard for the fellow when hunting for its prey.

But what it lack in speed of movement, it more than make up for in stealth. It hunts stealthily moving close to its prey and suddenly "snap!"

Due to its long snout it has to hold on to its prey and gradually turn it around before swallowing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mil1pe_cF_U;feature=related

After some time, the gar has to go up quickly to the surface of the water to take in air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzJhGscsRI8;feature=fvst

Arapaima

The Arapaima is a South American fresh water fish that can grow up to 400 pounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPKHkhuhcrg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRfN_y64RZY

Bichir

This is a bichir. They have spike-like fins like an armour.

This one in particular is a Polypterus Endlicheri.

Though predatory, they are peaceful.

And are bottom dwellers.

It is one of the oldest living fish today.

They do like fresh live seafood.

Fishes are amazing in that they can do nothing all day! Humans will be bored to death.

They are also popularly known as Endi.

An ancient dragon indeed.

Very often, it is not easy to capture a shot of any fish as they can move around very quickly even for the slower moving species. This was the only time I could get them to pose together.

Pleco

Every home needs a vacuum cleaner and the South American Plecostomus or Pleco in short is just that. They are large algae eaters and can grow quite huge to about two feet. Though peaceful and can live with the others they may suckle on to some fish causing a little problem here and there. It took me a long time to patiently wait and get this shot to display its suction.

In the old days, we can put these small goldfish into a goldfish bowl for display.

The shops are now selling them as feeder fish to feed the monsters.

Crayfish

It is nice to add many different species of life in a tank. So this Crayfish made an interesting addition. As it grows, it will shed it's shell and need a place to hide while a new one is growing. Unfortunately, on one careless occasion, after shedding it's shell, we could not find it overnight. Only the shell is left. We were looking for the criminal who might have swallowed it. Crayfish meat is very sweet and tasty you know? Just like what a priest may say at a funeral: "What you see lying here is the shell. The nut is already gone".

Prawns

Some folks prefer prawning rather than fishing and of course some do both. It can be quite fun and in fact some folks relish doing it. We put this large freshwater prawn in the tank with a Redtailed Catfish and a Snakehead and as we have been feeding both fish with prawn meat, I think they can smell a fish, er, I mean a prawn. Redtail tried to swallow it but could not and the Snakehead was all excited making a few hits at it. Now you know why prawns have shells.

Snakehead (Toman)

Toman is another species that are sold for food as in baby toman. Rearing them can be an eye opener. They are voracious eaters reminding me of some people.

As they grow they change in colour and texture. They are easy and not choosy. Live feed, prawn meat or pellets makes no difference. Other fish may be more choosy but not the toman.

Toman can be agressive and have sharp teeth and boy can they bite. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ixdzQkvnMU (Jeremy Wade)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=vlvX92YMXDE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUnAXcMuNkI

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?67070-THE-LEGENDARY-TIGER-SNAKEHEAD

There are many varieties - the Giant Snakehead (Channa) is the largest in the family. It is locally known as toman. They put up a strong fight when hooked. It is a good food fish in Chinese cuisine. They can only be put in a tank with same size fish or else they will all be gobbled up. This fish can be vicious for it is the most ferocious of all freshwater predators. The "Haran" is its smaller brethren.

I had originally wanted to show a video clip of snakehead live feeding from youtube but decided against it as it may be somewhat gruesome for some of you but then these things happen in real life in the oceans, lakes, ponds and even in the wilderness for the animal kingdom. We humans do these things too, don't you know? Big fish eats small fish.

Redtailed Catfish

The Redtailed Catfish is native to the Amazon and the Orinoco river basins of South America. It is also a game fish for anglers due to its potential large size. There are many other types of large Catfish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tejA-CxDIVk (Paraiba)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37membCwaYY (Goonch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvz6gs5nWBY (Mekong Giant Cat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29U787KK6ck (Redtailed Catfish)

Sea Bass

We caught some baby Sea Bass (Kim Bak Lor) and kept them. This fish is unique as it can survive in salt water as well as freshwater. Allow it to slowly adjust by easing it into "brackish" water. Brackish water is saltier than freshwater but not as salty as saltwater. It's like a mixture of seawater and freshwater as in estuaries.

I was surprise to find out the the sea bass is quite an aggressive fish. You eat it all the time but I bet you never knew that.

This fellow, much smaller in size than the Temensis could actually whack the bigger fellow into submission. I like that spirit.

Peacock Bass

Cichla Orinico aka as the Peacock Bass is actually a large South American Cichlid and is a prized game fish. It is the largest cichlid. This fellow is a schemer. It avoided the sea bass but slammed at it when it is all dark. I am studying fish behaviour in relation to humans. What the fish!

Arowana

This is a prized fish and is legendary. Some folks nay even believe it brings good luck. "Kim Leng" or Golden Dragon in local dialect, they are excellent jumpers. It can leap almost 2m into the air to pick insects or birds on branches. It is solitary, aggressive and dominant and can only be paired with other fish that does not fit into its mouth.

It is a majestic swimmer. This one here is a Silver Arowana. The most famous and expensive Arowana is the Red Arowana or some call it the Super Red.

Other Monster Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCS3EfE7UCs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC0YPkGUuOE

Now that you have seen all these, do take care and do not go into the water to pee. Especially the guys after too many beers.

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDu1E4EndJw

When you look at fish and the vast species you wonder if they were accidents or creation. A wonderful creation by design or thousands of perfect accidents? Watching species of fish in a tank can be therapeutic - how they go about daily, move around, fight at times or feed. It is perhaps a little like god watching the going on in the world. So much like observing humans in this world. If you are on high protein diet, you are just like a fish!

Endangered Species - Food

2012-01-27T23:30:00.000+08:00

Venezuela, Dominica, Lebanon, New Caledonia and Guatemala visited my blog to cross the century mark, with Guatemala being the 104 country to have done so. Maybe I should do it like Changi Airport and sponsor some Venezuela Miss World to Singapore since they were the 100th country to have done so.

I used to save money to buy an Apple Song Book for 101 songs as a teenager. Today an iPod is usually given to the youngsters and it could carry thousands of songs in it. The irony of life is often, as we progress, we actually regress. If you drop your cell phone into the sh*t hole while texting or tweeting your friends "shitting in office now" you won't even remember any number of your friends. When people ask for for phone number, I tell them "sorry, I won't know as I do not call myself".

I have said it before, lots of good hawker food will all disappear in the next 5-10 years. It is not just gut feeling but I have actually spoken to real hawkers. The below are some types of food and operators facing extinction and may have to be a protected species.

A long time ago, at Toa Payoh Blk 73, there was a wanton noodle stall that made wanton noodle just like this stall which is now famous and popular.

There is something special about the gravy and chili sauce but for $5 a plate with a few thin strands of char siew (BBQ pork) and only two wanton, it is a hefty price to pay. Worse than this is the queue.

At Upper Serangoon Road, the old six mile market was no more. Besides that old market in the past, it used to house some fabulous food where you can grab all at one go. The popular Nam Sing Fried Hokkien Mee has gone to Old Airport Road. There was a very good Mee Rebus stall which sold a plate for only $0.70c at the time. They have such a huge pot of gravy one must be careful not to fall into it but I do not know where they are now. There was also a famous Muah Chee stall and then satay. People used to ask me if I were a member of any club and I used to tell them "Satay Club". It was a wonderful place at the old Esplanade with Fatman Satay and all the rest.

At Blk 212, Hougang St 21 you will find Poh Kee Satay. Sounds like Porky Pig and Merrie Melodies -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI_qOf6ZYAg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-YXW2xaoWQ

They used to be a the six mile market. I read that the lady boss will be giving up the business soon in this year.

The satay is good - succulent and tasty but the lady boss can be grumpy at times. Maybe she is very stressed but she is the same all over the years. So her satay has been as consistent as she has been.

It is hard to find good satay gravy. This is even harder to find as her peanut sauce comes with a dash of fresh pineapple jam.

Satay is a wonderful food as it is always so easy to eat and a comfort food where people of all races, young or old will like. It is a common denominator.

Further down to the end there is this Western Food stall that used to be from Hougang Ave 5. They serve more than decent food especially their chicken chop fried rice.

Fresh chicken, good gravy and well done fried rice.

Over at Queen Street, you will find the same thing happening to this hawker stall every morning. A Queue of at least 15-20 people at all times but it moves quite fast.

The texture of their "chee cheong fun" is different and taste better than most. They just don't make them the same way anymore. That's why people queue here.

The porridge is always piping hot and very tasty! 花生粥。Lovely!

The fried vermicelli is simple and with chili sauce added is just so simple to eat. Combined the three together and it is a very potent mix guaranteed to satisfy and give you a great start to any day. All these for $0.80c each.

I have watched this guy serving from young and now grown old but yet do not know his name. What a shame! There was no chance for conversation as he goes about his job seriously.

Katong Laksa is well-known to all Singaporeans. I leave their history to other sources but this is just a revisit for me. I tried one very popular one and while it is still pretty good, the place is being run by foreign workers. Besides Katong, Roxy at East Coast and the one at Sungei Road are pretty good.

Sugar Cane juice is popular with Singaporeans. Despite reports of contamination when left unattended at stalls, some sugar cane juice stalls are still flourishing. It depends on where you are but at Changi Village there are many. Do you like yours plain with just sugar cane juice or with lemon added. Lemon has a strong taste that overpowers the sugar cane taste. In many places today, they do not have any sugar cane stalls.

Teh Tarik is a wonderful concoction. There is nothing like good tea especially teh tarik or teh halia (ginger). When I first had my cuppa from this stall, he was just a very young man learning from his father or uncle. Now at Rafee's Corner at Amoy Street, he still makes them very well.

Watching your tea being pulled is quite a sight to behold. The end result is it is still hot/warm but a little easier to drink and a well pulled tea comes with a good head like a well-poured beer.

If you haven't had one for a long time, it is time. It never goes wrong.

I never remembered the name but my office was once very near here. They told me it is now not as good as before but I find that their Lor Mee is still special. Their ingredients are good with quality in their fish, pork and other ingredients.

This Lor Mee at Amoy Street has been around a long time too. Add more vinegar and throw in red cut chili to slurp dry the bowl. The name sounded like a martial arts clan.

Teochew folks love their ducks braised. They used to be at Kovan (Yio Chu Kang Road) and now relocated to Y2000 coffee shop and beer garden along Upper Serangoon Road. Light and delicious and they do go well with beer. I know some of you guys just love duck wings. You will chew and tear off the meat and spit out the bones.

Rahim's was from the same place with Ah Xiao and came along to Y2000. Besides the nice Malay style satay, they are well known for their mee rebus. Pay a little more and you'll gt shredded chicken. They top up their mee rebus with some satay gravy.

In the name of development, we are tearing down too many buildings and places. One day, we will have no trace of our childhood and you will think you came from apes. Each time an old market or hawker centre got a makeover, prices go up and some of the older generation and original hawkers hang up their woks. I hope they will leave Hong Lim (at Fook Hai Building) market and food centre alone for these are among the last few of the Mohicans. The food stalls here are original, authentic and there are many good ones here like the famous Outram Char Kway Teow and more like the Curry Chicken Noodle. There are two and both are very good. Some will say that the one on the ground floor is better and so on.

But I love my curry and the one with the shorter queue when both are almost as good will do. Potato with tender chicken and curry drowning the noodles need no invitation. The curry here has a nice balance.

At the other end the old man here beckoned. He invited me to try his Hokkien Prawn Mee. Normally, I'll just take it with prawns but I ventured to ask him if his pork ribs were tender and soft? (even some Bak Kut Teh stalls has pork ribs which are too hard) and his reply was a guarantee and assurance. He said that if they were not tender and soft I could return them.

He was right and the quality of the soup immediately got me into time travel mode. Gong back in time that is.

And these powerful stuffs to add to your soup or for a dip with the crunchy prawns made the trip there worthwhile.

There are many popular and award winning food stalls. Your choices are plenty. There is something for everyone. Like this fishball, meatball and fishcake noodle stall.

The trick about fishball and meatball is simple. It is not factory-made but rather home-made. It is in the texture.

Asians love their "mochi" or as we call it "muah chee" made from glutinuus rice. This is the next generation as his father used to helmed that famous stall at the Upper Serangoon six mile market. That used to be a long queue as his dad would slowly and meticulously pinched the the muah chee in small bite size pieces and dipped each piece into a small pot with oil and shallot in it so that the shallot would stick to them.

They are then thrown into a big tray of grinded peanut and rolled to give you the delicious plate of muah chee. Find them at Hougang Ave 8 Blk 644 now.

Let's move on to Changi Village. The place has an old town feel about it where people are unhurried. Jackie's a popular seafood tze char at one corner but the real action is in inside. From nasi lemak to nasi bryani and satay, you get to have some pretty good chinese food too. I like this Fried Hokkien Mee here. The other fabulous ones are, Nam Sing (Old Airport), Come Daily (Toa Payoh) and Kim's (along Eunos).

But this one is special. It is very tasty without being overbearing with lard or others.

In this day and age, it is getting harder to find your fried noodles in lopeh leaf for take away. It keeps the food warm and fragrant and is environmentally friendly. We should have more of this.

Some carrot cake stalls just fry theirs white or black. A few may offer both types but there are some today who can offer you both white and black in a plate. How do you like yours? Or does it depend on the time of day? This one at Changi Village is good.

I know this guy who does his carrot cake very well at Tanjong Pagar. He may be the last of the Mohican. Old school type.

His comes with loaded with sprinkle of spring onions. Spring onions make the carrot cake or you mee pok dry taste much better.

Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak has been around for years made famous from their Adam Road stall and previously helmed by Haji Hassan and you will always find a line waiting patiently for their order. I would also cater from them from time to time but Haji Hassan has since passed on and his son Malek has taken over.

Thank goodness for that for their nasi lemak is special as they use only long grain Basmati rice which is noted for its fragrance, aroma and delicate flavour. Of course what is nasi lemak without solid chili.

I read that Professor Tommy Koh has this same worry and is trying to keep the original tradition of our hawkers going. I wish him and us success. Our economy needs it. We need to keep going. That's all folks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH7qq7OjJO8

MacRitchie Reservoir

2012-01-24T00:30:00.000+08:00

There were only two big places to go in Singapore in the old days - the Botanic Gardens or MacRitchie Reservoir and there was only a couple of similarities. They both have lots of green and lots of monkeys. When we were smaller, everything looks bigger and places seemed so far away. That is probably because our transport system then was not so comprehensive. Today you can go anywhere in a jiffy.

The first thing that greeted us was this long-tailed macaque. Don't get too close or stand below them, they could pee on you. It is better to be pissed off then pissed on, believe you me.

Plenty of open space and greenery. There is something about nature. Was it about creation? Although I am a seasoned veteran of the concrete jungle unfazed by the tallest and grandest of buildings, their facades and decor, nothing beats nature. You feel a sense of calm and peace. This is a good place for an alien mother ship to land. Question is will the aliens say: "We come in peace" or "We come to piss." The worst types whether aliens or humans are those who pretend to come in peace but when you turn your back they pee on you.

Ah, there is a new food outlet here. We will return after our Tour of Duty for sure.

I just love these open air toilets.

On a hot day, any water activities are welcome. Imagine if this is oil gushing out, we'll be working 3 days a week with a day for golf and a day for beer and we will be cursed to laziness.

Families with young and old in toll. Even Heaven looks closer than you thought. Just look at the sky and the clouds.

Some are there to exercise while others for a picnic and a few would bring along their fishing gears.

Some of us have performed at the MacRitchie Reservoir before. In the middle of this mazy bridge is a stage for performers but it is now open.

What a sight to behold.

Simple and powerful if you absorb the sound of nature with the rustling of leaves.

Observe and you will find evidence of the ecosystem.

Water flowing on the ground and from the plants and grass or weeds.

If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the Lord of the Skies. The White-bellied Fish-eagles. Who says Singapore do not have eagles?

Soar like eagles my friends.

Soar Like An Eagle

Did you know that eagles have the longest lives among all birds? They start to age by the time they reached 40 and everything else begins to lose its effectiveness like their claws and beak and the usual simple and yet powerful means of catching preys so magnificent in the past is now threatened. As eagles can live up to 70 years of age, they have to go through a very tough process to ensure their survival.

At this point, an eagle's beak becomes too curvy and long and its full span of wings have become thickened feathers which makes them heavy and clumsy. The eagle has only two choices - to do nothing and wait for death to come or to go through a very painful process of renewal and transformation. For more than a hundred days, the eagle trains itself to fly beyond the highest mountains and then build and live in its nest ceasing all activities of flying. It will then start knocking its beak against some rocks till its beak is completely removed. The eagle then awaits a new beak to grow and use the new beak to peck at and remove its claws.

When this is over, it waits patiently for new claws to be fully grown, it will use them to remove its thickened feathers - one at a time. When new feathers are fully grown the entire process may take up to some five months. A magnificent bird emerged from its nest with a new beak, claws and feathers. It will now soar the skies again with great and renewed strength for the rest of its entire life span.

We can learn so much from the eagle. Life is like that too whether you are talking about a business, an individual, country or an organisation. We have to take painful decisions sometimes with changes for renewal. Reinvent my friends.

It is hard to find fishing spots in Singapore. If we depended on it for a living, we will be wiped out like fish.

This tree stretches across the walkway. Greedy for sunlight? This is how we can become when we over indulged. We get stretched and turned ugly without knowing.

The canopy of trees and the foliage makes me wonder why in Singapore we have not spotted Big Foot like in many other countries. My next attempt must be to go on the Tree Tops walk. You will be looking down at canopy of trees but I haven't done that yet as the Canopy Walk is the "Cannot Pee Walk" for kilometres.

We spotted some orange-tailed carps or barbs here. They were jumping out of the water.

You may meet some friends along the way. Carry an umbrella with you in case you need to protect old folks or young children. Monkeys are getting bolder as some people may have been feeding them.

We took the shortest walk in the forest with very young people and time constraint.

Just more than 2km will do this time but if we add all the other walk time and distance it could have been 5km.

Choose the trail you like.

Just look at the map and decide and have a meal time in mind.

It's about time for a meal.

Fortunately, the food here is much better now compared to the previous. The curry noodle is very good.

The place was packed. Mushroom is an outlet owned by Old Chang Kee? I think.

On a hot day, any beer will do!!

Finally, fishing.

The sad thing here is that with the wide expanse of water, the legally allowed fishing spots are so miserable. may be the rules were set years ago but today the stretch here is limited to some 40-50 metres and where all the kayakers are. Lines of ropes adorn the the space here which makes fishing even more difficult. Time to change the rules?

It starts here.

This is where they do kayaking.

May be we should take up kayaking. Then fish further up.

It's the end. ITE.

Beware the mischievous monkeys here. That's how some humans behave some times.

Nature, always unchanged by time.

Current Affairs And Wassup 2012

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ministerial Pay

Everybody's talking about ministerial pay. Of course you must pay your ministers well so they must have enough and not worried about these things like us as they have bigger things to do and not get caught in a vicious cycle of mundane stuffs. We should not begrudge them. We want our leaders to stand tall and hold their own against the world's best. But I suspect that many like me feel strongly that while you do not want people to get into politics for power and other forms of money, you do not want people to go into politics asking what's in it for me.

If you feel smaller because your salary is less than those you are working with or talking to, then there is no business for you to be there or anywhere. President Obama should then be ashamed to be talking to Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or even Michael Bloomberg. A policeman ought to be ashamed to issue a summon to the owner of a Jaguar. Meanwhile, corruption is of the mind and soul of a person no matter his status in life. In fact, I believe that poor people are seldom corrupted. Maybe they don't know how or have the opportunities. It is the love of power and money that got people corrupted. So, no matter what salary is paid, you can still be corrupt.

Throw in women and they will sell state secrets. It is all in the history and folly of Man. Man can resist anything except temptation. Those who are incorruptible are those who do so by choice as everyone faces the same temptation. It takes a very strong man to flee from temptation as everyone is susceptible. The flesh is weak and at every corner there are temptations.

Politics and such leadership should be no career option but for people who are leaders and truly wish to serve his or her nation and love and respected by the people. The old guards of our government is a good example. We may lament that Singapore is a small country and lacks talent but we still have our Water Polo champions in every SEA Games, we have a soccer team that sometimes beat the other bigger nations, we have table-tennis, we have the best sea port, airport, education system, etc.

What we need is a birthplace for politics like we used to have for soccer in Farrer Park. We need goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, strikers, trainers, coaches, etc. Create a space and situation where people truly wish to come forward. Utopian? Think Lionel Messi. No player trained in methodical ways even given the best coaches can be a Messi. None. Never. Great players and true leaders emerged in a different way. Our soccer players are now professionals but are they really better than those of the 70s and 80s? No way!

Uncle Choo Seng Quee was well respected and well loved because of this. He never did it for the money. He was extremely knowledgeable, intelligent, a mover of man and patriotic. He would not ask for anything in return. We need people with a sense of mission and moral conviction and please stay away even if you are talented but lack these qualities. A soccer club should take players who want to play for the club and that makes a difference rather than those who can be bought with huge pay. Our politics died like Farrer Park in soccer.

Life would really be better off, more comfortable and rewarding for people like Mr. Chiam See Tong and Mr. Low Thia Kiang had they not been in politics. But there again, some Ministers would really made 3 or 5 times more money had they continue in their private practice. The trick then is probably to moderate especially for junior ministers. When you are young and put in high places and get paid loads and commanding many people you may not know how to deal with it. Just like many young EPL soccer players simply because you do not have the experience and exposure.

I don't know all these complicated mechanisms of pegging to top 1,000 earners or what nots but to discover talents you will have to open up our minds, play grounds or find new fishing spots and I agree with MP Denise Phua's comment about elitism but why only slam opposition MPs when they raised questions? Even the same questions raised by their own party?

A simple question - why find talent from the top 1,000 earners? Unconventional thinking? Yes it has been said that the government do not look at just from the top 1,000 earners group but the perception from the ground seems not and feel we have become elitist.

Talents can be found in many places if we open our eyes and our minds. I am more concerned about the future of Singapore and what happens if a government goes wrong. Singaporeans would just have to be more politically savvy if not already. Engaging more Singaporeans politically would ensure that future. Having said all these, I think some of our ministers are really hardworking, flying around promoting Singapore's interests doing much more than ministers in many other countries. Elitism plagues all people and all countries and all segments of society. We have to watch it.

Malaysia Cup

Well, game one was over after all the build up and after 17 long years. In our days, the Malaysia Cup gave us time together and things to talk about. I saw the match on TV- Singapore v Kelantan. Singapore did very well in the first half. In fact, we made Kelantan looked ordinary and at times poor. Baihakki Khaizan scored a very good goal as Kelantan had trouble coping with those crosses. It should have been fully exploited.

But that is soccer when out of nowhere, Kelantan scored. Soon after a dubious penalty followed as our goalie Izwan Mahbud was adjudged to have fouled their striker. A fairer result would have been a draw. Kelantan was not M League Champions for nothing. They make their chances count. Singapore lacks experience. Baihakki Khaizan was certainly our best player. Cool and compose at the back, read the game well and made good clearances and interception and of course he scored with that glancing header. Singapore must learn to pace themselves better.

What I could not understand was why was Sharil Ishak replaced so often especially when he is the captain of the side and even when playing for Avramovic's team. It's a long season and every point counts especially when playing away and you will have to win at home. Then came the Kedah away game in which we got a point. If I were Agu I would be a frustrated soul being alone up front and got kicked so often no wonder he's injured. Singapore's play was often predictable and they lost the ball too easily. Lions XII will get better and though they won only 2-1, it was a much better showing against KL as there was greater confidence and urgency but they need to take their chances. Nizam was quite impressive with his play and when Khairul Amri is back from injury,we ought to be better. Finally to go to Sabah to win against such intimidation on and off the pitch was quite admirable. We will get better.

Lychee Beer

I have been told about chili beer and now Lychee beer. I first found out about this beer when I was told they have it at Wild Oats at Punggol Park but I think it costs $10! Then a friend passed me one and after trying it I like it very much as it was very easy to drink and has a nice fragrance about it. Lychee sorbet, lychee cake, lychee beer. Lychee is indeed quite a special fruit.

Sometime ago when I sent my car for servicing, I got to use this coffee machine. Pick the type of coffee you want, slot it in the machine and bingo!

The ultimate caffeine machine!? Everything is so convenient, we don't know how to do things anymore.

Online Protests

Wikipedia, Google and other websites are staging online protests over legislation in the US congress to crackdown on online piracy. The draft legislation with the backing of Hollywood, the music industry and others pave the way for US authorities to shut down websites accused of piracy without due process and threatens the architecture of the Internet. In Singapore, we didn't have this problem. A nice change. Maybe one day they will wish to introduce Singapore style ministerial pay even though it looks unlikely due to their political situation. We are after all Uniquely Singapore.

Nightclub Used School Logo

A nightclub is in trouble for using or allowing school logos of ACS and CHIJ to be used with "highly inappropriate and demeaning" insinuations. The length people would go through to have fun.

Kodak Moment

Kodak is special to me and to many of you. The first film I fumbled with was Kodak. When you realized that founder George Eastman had his picture taken with Thomas Edison in 18xx and that they invented the world's first digital camera but never further developed it, you know that the company has touched many lives and have come a long long way. Let me share with you those Kodak moments some of which were before I was born.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQChWiAfr4s (1958)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB3YqMPCpUM (60s - Instamatic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QCBeZi0bRI (Times Of Your Life, Paul Anka)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVHJwMXlbrw (1977)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGGyxt7ar8E (1980, True Colours)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkG18KiSMGk (Kodak Moment)

They say a picture paints a thousand words, a face can launch a thousand ships. Yes, a photograph too. Here is David Gates with Bread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a_4fBH_7dk

What about words? What are words?

What Are Words - Chris Medina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQY4dIxY1H4

EPL Game Week 23

2012-01-21T12:39:00.000+08:00

It is turning into a two-horse race. I hope there will be more surprises in store right up to the wire!

Swansea v Chelsea - Norwich played stoutly to hold Chelsea 0-0. At times, they were inspiring. Some of you may not know but Norwich should be special to Singapore because former national coach Barry Whitbread who won us the Tiger Cup has a teenage son training with Geylang at the Bed Ok stadium. You don't know? Ok, it's the Bedok Stadium. His name is Zak Whitbread. Later he moved with his dad to Liverpool and is now plying his trade with the Canaries. Zak was a giant that day against Chelsea as he marshalled the defensive line. Another connection we had is that Norwich striker and Captain Holt used to star in our very own S-League. Swansea was awesome against Arsenal but lost 2-0 to Sunderland away. Can Swansea surprise another London visitor? Chelsea's last 7 games: away to Wigan 1-1, away to Spurs 1-1, home to FUlham 1-1, home to Villa 1-3, away to Wolves 2-1, home to Sunderland 1-0, away to Norwich 0-0 and now away to Swansea? I pick Swansea to win 2-1.

Tottenham v Wigan - Tottenham lost 2-3 to Man City narrowly and this is an almost last second goal from the penalty spot after Ledley King was adjudged to have fouled when the score was 2-2. And did you see that Gareth Bale goal? With such an inspiring goal you shouldn't loose a match. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp1hzMkdw38

The Welshman has now moved more into the centre of midfield from left back when he started to left winger and now this. Glimpses of his ability became concrete when he played Inter Milan in an European game. The world took notice because he tored Inter's famed defence apart single-handedly and he took Maicon for a ride. It became a folklore chant "Taxi for Maicon" as Brazilian Maicon was considered the best right back in the world but was made to look like a novice that day. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp described Bale: "He's 6ft 2in, he can head the ball, as strong as an ox, can run, dribble, shoot, he can do the lot." Bale is athletic pyrotechnics in motion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp0ZUdopxjY

Wigan is in bad shape. They have held Liverpool and Chelsea in the past but now last in the table. They may get a backlash from Tottenham. 2-0.

Wolves v Liverpool - Wolves played well and nearly got a point with Villa (2-3). Liverpool looks set to take 3 points from this match or is it? They were completely inept against Bolton. The same people who wanted Kenny Dalglish back may soon be baying for his blood. I said that if Liverpool could not beat Bolton they do not deserve to be in the top six let alone top four and then went forth and promptly lost 1-3. They were completely outplayed by Bolton. Something is not right. Liverpool's stats of DDWLDL is of concern while Wolves record of DDDLDL is almost identical but their loss included one to Chelsea but they have held Arsenal and Spurs to 1-1 draws away. Wolves are improving while the Reds are declining. The Reds pain may be prolonged as they have distraction in the League and F.A. Cup. 1-1.

Everton v Man City - You see when one cannot win one must at least draw. In this area, Everton is an expert and WDWLWDD wasn't exactly bad. For Man City it was WDLWWW, still very good but of late a little less convincing. Everton can surprise with a draw to do Man Utd a favour. You need to watch this video on how Lionel Messi was double-teamed ending with Real Madrid's Portuguese international Pepe stamping his boots on Messi's hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_hmhkFT7d8

Then let Everton be warned that if he has still not been banned, Man City has an even more vicious player who stamped on heads:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXxVj-x2jL0

Accidental or with malice? You decide. If you have been a victim of such dirty players who go in with violence, malice and intention to hurt then you will know what I mean. 1-1.

Man Utd v Stoke - Stoke is at WLDDWDL. Man Utd is at WWWLLWW and looks to be back but they have growing injury list like Arsenal. Hopefully, Sir Alex won't get injured. Stoke can sometimes be stubborn but I think Utd should cruise. 2-0.

Villa v QPR - Villa fought so well at the Molineux to beat Wolves but this QPR with Mark Hughes at the helm performed very well to beat Wigan clearly 3-1. It will be a tough one here but being away QPR should be able to get at least a point or maybe a surprise. 2-2.

Blackburn v Newcastle - Blakcburn's record this season is like reading a horror story. LLDWLLWD...so the next ones look like LL or a continued revival like like last two? Newcastle has their own problems with DLWLWWL especially in their last match which was a 2-5 thrashing at the hands of Fulham. I say 1-1.

Bolton v Arsenal - Bolton is at LLDWLW and has been a bottom dweller all season and I'm not talking about fish but the EPL. The Gunners' at LWDWLLL - terrible by Arsenal's standard. A breath of fresh air was when Wenger finally introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who tormented the Man U defence and created their only goal. What was surprising was when Wenger took him off as he was the most effective player for the Gunners, better than Walcott. Unless he was injured? With him around, England will have a bright future. Arsenal is at a low now and Bolton is capable of shocking if you saw how they whacked Liverpool 3-1 but it is a match Arsenal must win. 1-2.

Fulham v WBA - Fulham is flying at the moment with their 5-2 victory over the Magpies. Their WLDDWWW is superb and Dempsey hit a hattrick and on song. WBA's WWDLLLW. Their last match win over Stoke away was impressive and is capable of holding Fulham but Fulham is in a vein of fine form where they can beat almost anybody now. 2-1.

Sunderland v Norwich - Sunderland's LWDWWLW was hard to fathom until Martin O'Neill came along. That's what a man mover can do. Meanwhile Norwich took on and held Chelsea at home. Norwich is the best team based on their results from Liverpool downwards and two points ahead of Sunderland. Like I said before, you don't have to outrun a hungry bear, just outrun the rest. An opportunity to watch Zak Whitbread and Holt in play. 1-1.

In the New Year of the Dragon, anything can happen. Those who win may lose and lose may win. There will be disasters like players stomping on other players' hands or heads. The Dragon will breathe fire and burn the economy of the EPL such that they have to bring back Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes and the terrible news came that Carlos Tevez's deal broke down and he is to remain in the EPL with City. Who do you like most? Pepe, Balotelli or Tevez? Or hate least?

EPL Game Week 22

2012-01-18T23:00:00.000+08:00

Life is sometimes just like that - when you think you are flying you

get shot down. You see old men Thierry Henry returning to

Arsenal, Paul Scholes to Man Utd and both scoring a goal. Wow! Old folks have their values and experience. The fact is that free spending days are over.....so what cometh this week?

Norwich v Chelsea - Norwich is going into this game with an away win over WBA while Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 win over Sunderland courtesy of Frank Lampard's shin off a crossbar rebound. It is no longer the same Chelski but at least they are winning. This may be a tight game unless Chelsea comes up with something special. A little surprise may be in store for the visitors. 1-1.

Everton v Blackburn - I would have said an Everton win if not for that fighting performance in Blackburn's 3-1 win over Fulham. Not many teams can oust Fulham 3-1 and they did that with Yakubu sent off. There is big incentive for Blackburn to pull further away from the relegation zone. 2-2.

Fulham v Newcastle - Fulham will be stronger at home and it is time for Clinton Dempsey to score again. Newcastle do not score many goals especially with Demba Ba away. It will be a tight game and probably a 1-1 draw even though Fulham did looked poor against Blackburn.

QPR v Wigan - QPR are now just 2 points above last placed Wigan. Actually they played a good game v Newcastle but lost 1-0. Mark Hughes should be able to inspire his charges for a win this time at home to a Wigan now anchored in last place. 2-1.

Stoke v WBA - Stoke has gotten back their stride and should stay in their position. They gave Liverpool a hard time. Meanwhile, WBA seemed to have lost their mojo of late. Stoke to ace this one 2-1.

Sunderland v Swansea - Martin ONeill's magic has worked wonders but there is a limit so it ended at Chelsea but it was a good workout. Swansea showed that they need fear no one as what Arsenal could do they did better and they did it with sheer class but it will be a tough call away to an improving Sunderland unless Brendan Rodgers can pull out that rabbit for the Swans. 1-1. By the way, Fabio Capello should take a good look at some lesser known Englishman at Swansea - striker Danny Graham, flying wingers Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer and midfielder Leon Britton. The latter Leon is the world's best passer of a soccer ball with a 93.3% passing accuracy surpassing even great Barcelona players Xavi (93%). He was the only player in Premier League history who registered a perfect game with a 100% pass succession.

Wolves v Aston Villa - If Wolves repeat their performance against Tottenham, they will beat Villa. I think so. 2-1. Fletcher is their talisman.

Bolton v Liverpool - Liverpool is playing on and off or yoyo soccer. Bolton has been a lost cause this season as they are no longer that battling team we used to know. If Liverpool do not beat Bolton then it will be difficult to see them among the top six let alone the top four. Newcastle has just displaced them. Liverpool has been getting their tactics wrong. If you play Carroll you have to supply the crosses. He is no Suarez. 0-2.

Manchester City v Tottenham - This will be a cracker. City have lost their bubbles. Tottenham lost their chance to catch up. Both are capable of supreme attacking soccer. A loss would be a big blow to both their credentials and more than that their title aspiration and Utd will create a gap provide they too win. 2-2. Gareth Bale and David Silva will be instrumental. Modric and van Der Vaart will exploit the absence of Vincent Kompany.

Arsenal v Manchester United - These days it is no longer certain. Teams with such calibre like Arsenal and Manchester United can suddenly lose to lesser teams. This is another cracking game. Both face problems within their teams. Arsenal needs no further motivation than to revive memory of their 1-8 thrashing earlier in the season. United always play above themselves when they face the Gunners. Being a season of surprises is it possible that Arsenal may actually win this one even though it was usually not the case? It depends on the Arsenal defence which is capable of giving away goals some times. A surprise 2-1?

Barcelona is still the team to beat. Here's why:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=DhYU_znLSRk&sns=fb

Better to train like Nakamura.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdO733POGDY

A Happy And Prosperous New Year!

2012-01-15T15:23:00.000+08:00

Are you happy? Are you prosperous? No worries, the Lunar New Year is here and you will be. With so many people wishing one another you can only "HUAT ah!!!" Soon, it will be goodbye Sam hello Samantha. The tame and timid Rabbit is no more.

Strange things do happen to people. Bunnies are known for their breeding ability. They hope around, eat and make babies.

The irony is that people just love to have Dragon babies because the zodiac says that the mystical creature has great powers but
then you look at some Dragon people and you are surprised. You are going to face problem with places in childcare centres, school, etc. There are also very successful, powerful and great people in other zodiac signs too.

Are you done and through with your spring cleaning and clearing cobwebs. I wrote about previous new year and clearing cobwebs.

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/search/label/Clearing%20Cobwebs

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-prosperous-new-year.html

This Dragon year, we may have to tighten up. We may have to prepare for a tough year ahead and if you are my age or somewhere there, you and I would have been through quite a few crises. The problem today is there are not enough phone booths. We need them in strategic locations so that when trouble comes, we looked around and when no one is watching, get into the booth for quick change and Hey Prestro!

We shall come out battling and saving the world! What did I tell you about tightening up? Yes in spandex and with the red underwear on the outside.

We have to adjust, adapt or simply survive by taming and riding the dragon like this old man here.

Have fun meeting relatives and old friends. See how much everyone has grown. Eat all the cookies you want and postpone that health check for awhile.

Deck yourselves out in red and all bright. Give with pleasure.

I wish to share with you the below clip and hope you will enjoy lots of warmth this Lunar New Year. May you and your family be blessed and continue to enjoy the joy of good friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqMgxwAXuP0

I wish all friends and readers a ridiculously fun year ahead! May you and your family be blessed with good health, great wealth and strength. May your life be filled with joy, peace and happiness and may the year ahead be one of abundance!

Secret Spots

2012-01-14T13:18:00.000+08:00

Golf can be a lot more interesting if we had secret spots. Secret golf courses where few people knew like discovering new places as in movies like Avatar. Alas! You only find these secret spots in fishing. You see when you discover a good spot and reveal it then you will find everybody is there pretty soon. So you may have to search the internet or know somebody who know the secret. It may be a sea spot, a stretch of river, lake or reservoir or even a pay to fish pond but you have to know.

And so a few young people led me to a place in Pasir Ris. When we got there we could not find the place. There is no number to it and fortunately we met a guy whose car was parked at the road side and he just said "go in by that gate, turn right and shortly turn to the left then go straight till deep inside". We did and eventually found Shangri-La, the lost horizon.

Who said young people are soft and not focus? Is there a degree out there for fisherman? Or a course as absorbing as fishing?

We landed our first fish quite quickly even before I got my rod set up. I don't even know what fish this was but was told it was some Taiwanese species that makes good Assam fish on the dinner plate.

http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2009-06-02/306338146689.html

It is like scoring an early goal in soccer and you think this is our day, we are going to have an avalanche! A very good start indeed.

They have two big plastic baskets with one turned upside down and then joined at the seams but securing them with plastic straps all around with a rectangular opening for you to drop your fish into as you lower it into the pond by hanging it to the rod pole.

We were thinking how many could we fill up with?

We change our live baits every now and then and waited patiently. There were some bites.

Young people do not need to eat when they have something they like to do. Or they can do it after all is done. I can't. It was way past feeding time.

I need to take fun seriously. I go get lunch. Fish can wait but I can't.

I left and took a wrong turned into some construction shed dead end with foreign workers. Went out hoping to find the nearest coffee shop to get food and hoping to find an ATM as I need $$$. After circling around I realize that there are not many coffee shops in Pasir Ris and only at certain areas. Found an ATM at the gas station that wouldn't dispense cash. When you need something you can never find them.

Finally, the most convenient food - chicken rice and got my ATM. Oh, it tasted so good! Or was it due to hunger? Maybe both.

It was back to fishing as the sun gets hotter.

There wasn't enough shed and shelter and they call it a protected place?

Breaking the lazy quiet afternoon, we got our second. Fortunately or unfortunately, a similar fish.

It was picked up with the aid of a lip grip.

But it has swallowed the entire hook deep in.

The grass is always greener on the other side. Boredom set in and I took a look across the covered pond behind and behold from the gap we saw a beautiful view - a pond full of fish.

These are KBL (Kim Bak Lor) or Sea Bass, Barramundi and that pond is for catch and release on booking only.

It does not matter whether you are Chinese, Japanese, Malay or Caucasian, etc. When you live near the sea you will probably eat more fish. So too if you are a dog. There were a few but the bigger ones got to eat first. Law of the jungle?

Normally, they say where got fish cat do not want to eat. But this here is a dog eating fish. A dog eating fish is not a type of fish that eats dog. Relax. Fish baits left behind by departing anglers.

This man who is in charge of the pond is very hardworking. He is either walking around, relaxing by a chair while blasting 70s Mandarin songs or he would join in the fishing. Here you see him scooping water from his dinghy before he venture forth.

As the afternoon became quiet, he does not appear quite happy.

He wanted to release more fish! This guy knows where are the spots to fish. Immediately after he released, he went to a certain spot and he got one!

A few others caught this. Earlier he helped someone landed a big Garoupa! I spoke to an old man who seemed happily retired and now working casually. He told me this is one of the better ponds to fish as he has been fishing around but usually on weekends. He said that some days he got nothing while on some days he could catch 6 or 7 and he saw others who caught 10-12.

That guy was by now in his boat again this time clearing seaweed. I asked that old man what is the name of this guy whom as a regular he knew well and he said "oh, his name is Panjang". As if we didn't know it as Panjang means tall in Malay.

Fishing is a very good activity to train our patience and tame our temperament. Towards the end just before we packed up and left, we caught some fry. Baby KBL or sea bass. You can try to rear them.

We have to leave and go back from where we came. Dirt tracks all the way before we get to the main road. It was a tiring day.

Bone shaking ride out.

Finally, a rocky stretch and we are out.

Fishing has legends too. The young ones knew a boy who is slightly older and whom I have met before. The boy loves fishing and quite frequently people befriended him to actually find out where were his fishing spots as he would often post pictures of himself with some big catch all over on facebook. He had even caught an eagle by accident as the eagle caught his lure and got entangled with his line.

The question is why do people do such things of being pretentious?

More importantly, I think fishing is a good sport as it wears, thins and test your patience. Good for young people to have a calmer mind. Mmm.....I like secret spots. Do you have any secret spots? What are they?

You Can't Have Your Cake And Eat It

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000+08:00

You can't have your cake and eat it! You must have heard umpteen
times or read about it. It is a popular English idiomatic proverb of sorts or like a figure of speech. What does it mean?

Basically, if you had consumed something you can't preserve it. Another connotation is that someone is wanting more than he can handle or deserve or having two incompatible things. In short, you can't have it both ways, you can not have the best of both worlds.

You must also have read about Singaporeans who gave up their career that pays well and then set forth to start their own restaurants, bistros and bakeries. I think the only way to have your cake and eat it is to set up your own bakery otherwise buy a few more cakes. The following is a very popular cake shop where their cakes are selling like yes "hot cakes" because not only do they sell you quality cakes but theirs have special flavors that is tantalizing and comes with fluid designs.

This is an award-winning cake shop.

They have a wide variety of mouth-watering cakes to cater to your desires and is nestled in a typical neighbour in Ang Mo Kio Ave 10. Looks can be deceiving and never judge a book by its cover. The test of the pudding is in the eating.

They have Oreo Cheesecake, Black Forest, Orange Chocolate, Apple Martini, many more and the very popular Lychee Martini. While one could not have your cake and eat it, one should also not drink and drive and in this case, do not devour a few slices of it and get high but no worries, the Martini quantity and taste is mild.

May be next time I'll inject my own additional Martini for extra kick. I really think they should add a rum and raisin or do they already have this recipe?

Even if you did order in advance, come collection time, you have to be prepared to wait in line especially on special occasions like holidays, Christmas, New Year, etc. For cake lovers, you will get your heads spinning when you get there. It's like you wish to try everything but the lychee martini is really good.

You will have a selection of colours and designs to choose from if it is a special occasion.

Or if they were to be built in tiers, you can opt for different flavours like martini below and chocolate on top.

Well, life is just like a cake. Firstly, all the world is like a fruit cake, it would not be complete without some "nuts" in it. Then very often, you will realize that you cannot have your cake and eat it. It is also about choices and the price you have to pay with the choices you make. May you make all the best choices each time.

King Of Your Throne

2012-01-13T22:46:00.000+08:00

Imagine that everyone of us is a king. Everybody else that you come into contact are your subjects. You can't be as powerful as to order someone to be beheaded but still you are powerful enough to do or say things that can cheer up another person's day, inspire a child, help somebody , give them hell or create happiness.

Regardless of your status in life, whoever you are, you are a king or a person of influence in a particular sphere. It could be your family, workplace or even a group of friends. May be you are the one-eyed Jack in the kingdom of the blind. Whatever. The point is you will have your circle of influence somehow. You may even have your secret admirers!

The throne is the official chair or seat of a monarch seated on state or ceremonial occasions. It is of royal power, dignity and sovereignty. A king always sit in his throne. When a King is no more, he is dethroned. An emperor is very much the same.

The only throne that everyone sits on is the one that is most important even before you meet your subjects or got wished 10,000 years of long life. I mean people are funny, they feel happy to be wished such a long life when you know it is not possible. There is something about power that attracts. That throne I am talking about is the one where you do your own business in privacy.

Some folks can go a week without release. That is constipation. At times, others may go on the reverse due to gastritis or diarrhoea. Which is better? Both are not good just like how some people speak, either verbal constipation or verbal diarrhoea. Have you ever had a stomach ache while driving or looking for a toilet? Then you found a toilet and was happy until you realized there was no toilet paper? Just dreaming about this in a nightmare is scary enough! It is like taking a bus or waiting for a taxi. When you need one they never appeared.

So do you treat your toilets or some may call washroom with great care and respects? Or is your kitchen more important? If yours at home is clean and comfortable, why are public ones so obscene? I think the most important to have when one awakes in the morning is the smell of a good and clean toilet. That's where you go to first don't you? Even if you do it once a day but I know folks who is so full of sh*t that they need at least three times. Like a one in one out system. Some will do it everywhere they go as if it is a natural attraction. These are philanderers. A few can only do it at home. All amazing in their own ways.

The best thing to do first thing in the morning is not to say good morning but to go and release all toxic waste and historical and excess baggage. After that when you say good morning, there will be a sweeter smile. With that no fear of traffic jam anymore. Decorate it for visual effects if you must.

I know some of you are avid readers too. You can carry the newspapers, books, magazines to read. Maybe you are such a busy person and that is the only time you are sort of grounded, so you need to read. A few folks may even have a whole book shelf in it. The work is not complete until the paper work is done or do you have to finish that article or the book first.

In the old days, people used to live together in a large family. Your grandparents, your family, maybe another uncle's or aunt's families and a few other uncles and aunts and you only have one washroom where you do everything there. I wondered how we have managed to allocate limited resources and survived till this day. In today's society, you measure success but looking a washing machine, refrigerator, and how many television sets and computers in a family. You can also measure by counting the number of bath rooms and yet today's people will fight to use such facilities even when we have more.

Having a good washroom is like good defensive play in soccer. Every time you start play from your defensive line unless you concede a goal or at the beginning of each half. That's how you should start your day. Do it in style.

I remember during the younger days, some school children will be late for class and then when the teacher asked: "Why are you late?" The reply came swiftly: "Stomach ache". Looking back, it was kind of silly. At least now we can say "the train broke down".

King or subjects, it is always difficult to learn good and do good or to do what is right. It takes a lot more time to become good or better yet it can be quick to turn bad. Humans are just like food. Without proper handling, given a wrong temperature or the environment, it can quickly to bad and the food don't even know it. We can turn bad or become evil over time, bit by bit and often we may not even know it. Moreover, as a person gets conditioned gradually, one can even justify to oneself that he is in no wrong.

Anikin Skywalker is a good example. Impatience, anger and hunger for power led him to the dark side. He "anikin bien pai liao". Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shARxLBECUg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRempBv1Pms&feature=related

Like your toilet seat which is your throne, each of us sits on a throne with different sphere of influence. What kind of King or Emperor are you or will you be? If you are the last emperor you may end up as a gardener. So be careful. Be a good King but do not be like a mini emperor. A good king of your throne. Take a good look at the mirror. Which side are you on?

Are You Stressed?

2012-01-10T22:05:00.000+08:00

Are you stressed? "No! I'm not!!" If your reply comes with the exclamation marks, you are. Are you drunk? No, I am not and this is often the expression of people who are drunk. Caution!

I wrote a previous article on stress and I attached the link for your easy reference. http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/2010/10/stress.html

Do you feel like you have to do everything now? I mean NOW!!

Stress is a strange thing. Everyone needs some in order to improve, compete and achieve. Yet too much of it drives people's system out of order, make people sick, become irrational and spells trouble. Very often, you are too busy and so into it that you won't even know. For many of us the common retort is: "I have no choice".

Yet life is all about choices and one of life's great gifts is choice. Our hectic personal and professional life is I am afraid of our own choosing. Therefore, that particular fixed pattern of stress became part of our life. Yes, there are some folks who really do not have a choice or they have only few choices. This is the politics of life if politics is about trade off - which is of the greater good?

All too often, most of us rush through life, hurrying from one place to another, trying to cut the next deal, conquering the next challenge, scaling the next mountain, running around like a blue ass fly because we feel we do not have enough time to do so many things for we are living in a time compressed world living at break neck speed. That is why every week and months just fly by. Are we really living life or rushing through life? Shouldn't life be a series of choices and living a stress-free life is one of those choices? A priority? No?

People have even fought for what they wanted but soon after getting them, they are discarded. Like bicycle bays. I have seen rusted bikes and torn covers suggesting their stage of rotting.

If you had never believe that copying or aping the lifestyle of other people, other culture, other countries then why do we conform to a lifestyle like everyone else? If our personal and professional life is caught in a swirl of chaos, it is our own choosing. People need to get new fixes, get a new high because it is tantalizing but watch your blood pressure.

Meet more people, buy more things, fit more things into our life. It is so easy to be lured into such a life, a head-spinning life where our "To Do list" will never get exhausted but we do. The thing is that we can never know when to stop and when you are caught in it, it may be very difficult to moderate or to get out. So which way do we go?

The only way to overcome all these, to counter, to balance is to simplify processes, use simple ideas in its simplest forms - in other words, to live a simplified life and the first thing you will have to learn is to - "slow down". Or replace your water cooler at the office with this. Everybody will be happy in a short while.

If you do not slow down, you cannot see through the clutter. You may collect expensive watches but fail to appreciate a simple painting or smell a rose. We don't want to end up the wrong side up!

(Please see the previous article on simple life).

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/search/label/Simple%20Life

Look at your current situation and ask yourself - is this the life I want to live. Or do you yearn for less complexity and less stress? Do you have an anchor and clear sense of purpose? Or are you living a life like this because others expect of you or is it your own ego? I want to go back to the "Good Old Days" where life was simple. Do you? Is is possible?

Finally, be very careful what you allow to take root in your life. Roots do not grow over night. Once it has taken root, it becomes very difficult to shake off or uproot as strong roots cling to the ground. If it has to sink roots, make sure they are very good stuffs and you will be fine. Please see the below link on my article on "Roots". http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/search/label/Roots

The evolution of things. Please do as I say and don't do as I do.

Have a wonderful weekend and a great year ahead with less or no stress! Aargh!! I feel so stressed!

EPL Game Week 21

2012-01-09T22:28:00.000+08:00

I was fortunate to be too busy from Christmas to the New Year and all the parties to have enough time to give you the EPL heads up. Thankfully so and as I have advocated previously that the EPL is probably the most exciting league in the world, you can now see why, especially during this part of the year. Predicting soccer results is like being an economist. You can hardly be right.

Suddenly, Manchester United has been indifferent. Never have they done so badly during Christmas to the new year. First, they lost at home to bottom team Blackburn 2-3. When Manchester City did not take advantage by losing 1-0 to Sunderland's last gasp goal, United was downed 3-0 by Newcastle. Back to back defeats conceding six goals is hardly championship material. If you are a Man U fan, I figure that you would have chomped off half of your finger nails. These were horrendous results! Chelsea was equally bad going down 1-3 to Villa at home. Sunderland continued their wondrous run winning 4-1 at Wigan. The magic of Martin O'neill inspiring his charges. All form books have been thrown out the window.

Game Week 21 - Ball Gazing

Villa v Everton - The 13th and 11th placed teams battle this one out. Both are having an indifferent season. They both win by the odd goal but this one to me is a draw written all over. 1-1.

Blackburn v Fulham - Blackburn propping up the table from the bottom deep end shocked United. Another win could see them going outside the bottom three if the others lose. We are slightly more than half-way through the season with no time to lose. Fulham is behind Villa on goal difference. 2-2. Yakubu to score for the home team and Clinton Dempsey for the visitor.

Chelsea v Sunderland - An interesting pairing here. Chelsea has been faltering but recovered slightly while Sunderland continued to do no wrong under O'Neill and suddenly now in 10th position. It should be a tough game. With Chelsea slackening a bit and the Black Cats's propulsion and growing confidence, it could be a surprise draw. 1-1.

Liverpool v Stoke - Liverpool has a very poor scoring rate - 24 goals after 20 games. Only 9 other teams are worst but they have the second best defence. You need a solid defence to start with but if you don't score you won't win. Fortunately, this is soccer where you have a 90-minute game and not badminton. I have always said Stoke isn't all that bad and they have comeback to proof me right and now in 8th position. Expect Peter Crouch to score against his old team after his brace last week. Stoke is a hard team to play and Liverpool's style won't be easy to prise them open. 1-1.

Manchester Utd v Bolton - A draw with Wolves and an away win over Everton left them 3rd from bottom. Meanwhile, United has lost theri last two matches and a 3rd loss would be disastrous. They are fortunate to be meeting Bolton. Their 3-2 win over City in the F.A. Cup has halted the bad streak and they are looking sharper. 2-0.

Tottenham v Wolves - It will be difficult for Wolves despite their recent improvement. To me Tottenham has been the most exciting team of last season as well as this. There is a renaissance and new cockiness about them as they are playing with a swagger and confidence. 3-1 and Bale to score.

WBA v Norwich - Two consecutive 0-1 losses got them down to 15th. Result-wise, Norwich are the best of the newly promoted and the weaker teams in 9th position. 2-2. WBA to bounce back a little as the Canaries are playing away.

Newcastle v QPR - I think if you can beat Manchester United, you can beat anyone except Barcelona. The Magpies did not jst beat Man U, they got them humiliated 3-0. The problem now is that their 15 goal machine Demba Ba is now away for the Africa Nations Championship. Shoala Ameobi and the rest have to step up but they should win this one as QPR has jsut sacked their manager Warnock. 2-0.

Swansea v Arsenal - Swansea plays attractive soccer so Arsenal may breathe easy they have a game on. The Gunners do not seem to thrive playing against teams that dished out ugly football. Robbie van Persie should add another goal. 1-2 to the Gunners.

Wigan v Manchester City - I am no referee and the rule may have said red card for two legged tackles. City captain Vincent Kompany was red carded in the F.A. Cup tie versus Man Uted. I saw Kompany going in for that tackle on Nani. He went in with his right foot and got the ball not the man and later as he went down his left foot came along. I would have interpreted differently.

The rule book says: A player is guilty of serious foul play if he uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when challenging for the ball when it is in play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

So it does not matter if one leg or eight legs were involved when the opponent is an octopus. Was the force deemed excessive? Was brutality used? So early on in the game so would a yellow suffice? Zan, if you are reading this, please give you views.

Kompany is one of the reasons Man City defence is holding up so well. Should City now move the in-form Micah Richards to the centre and use Kolarav as full back to swing in another one of those wicked free kicks like the one he scored v Utd.? Wigan can sometimes surprised with doggedness but I do not see it here. 0-2.

Vincent will at least have company on the bench in Suarez whose language proficiency got him into trouble. Well, whatever you do, just do not concede a goal like that:

http://1045theteam.com/embarrassing-goalkeeper-error-leads-to-goal-video/

Always watch your back for you know not what lurks behind.

Titleist Vokey Spin Milled Wedge

2012-01-08T13:07:00.000+08:00

TaylorMade will be releasing two new drivers. Yes, TaylorMade. Yes, two "new" drivers. The "R11S" which seems to have an additional feature of being able to adjust loft by 1.5 degrees while retaining its usual FCT, MVT and ASP. It will now come with a bigger head of 460 cc with the same length of 45.75 inches. This is interesting and can be considered a future acquisition if you think the previous R11 was very good. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Wy9lfEoX4 (Sergio Garcia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UC4XGDu5oU (Dustin Johnson)

The other driver is the new "Rocketballz". This is slightly longer at 46 inches and by the name of "Rocketballz" I think it tells the whole intent but probably an updated Burner in disguise. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GScga9B5Rb4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zAGNdlQFrY

We are not here to discuss drivers today. The first thing I learned about Titleist was all the rave about their wedges designed by Bob Vokey. (Please see a previous article I wrote on wedges and Bob Vokey).

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/search/label/Bob%20Vokey

The Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges are the first of Titleist Vokey wedges to conform to USGA's new grooves rule where C-C means Condition of Competition. Master craftsman Bob Vokey worked with Titleist research experts and Tour professionals to get the results for this wedge that offers shot control and optimum performance within the new guidelines.

This wedge is built to produce a higher launch and lower spin for more run than previous Vokey wedges due to the limitation of groove size as allowed by USGA. Made from soft 8620 carbon steel, the club head features a flat face and a new cutting technique is used to get closer to the specified limit and creating a face surface that will provide extra spin and you will find this most noticeable on partial shots as grooves play a less important part here. The face is CNC-machined with a series of milled micro-edges cut into the face so as to create more friction during a shot.

They come in 17 different variation of loft and bounce and comes in three non-glare Tour-chrome finish, a dark black nickel finish and the oil can finish. (The latter will wear off and get rusty).

They look entirely like those of past seasons. Each wedge design is based on Bob's experience working with the world's best players with the sole design hand ground by Bob from continuous input from Tour players. Vokey Design wedges have been the PGA Tour's most played wedges since 2004. They are carefully crafted with maximum allowable draft angles and edge radii for more consistent performance. Spin-milled grooves usually produce medium trajectory and high spin conforming to the rules of golf until 2004. Spin-milled C-C grooves produce a higher trajectory with medium spin and conform to the 2010 rules of golf for grooves.

I have played quite a number of wedges over the years and my favourite has been Cleveland where I first used the classic 588 Tour Action followed by CG10, CG12 and CG14. Then I tried the TaylorMade RAC Satin TP which were all very good wedges.

Titleist wedges are noticeably different and when holding it in your hands you will immediately feel the weight. The shaft and therefore the club is heavy. The Dynamic Gold shaft is a heavy-weighted steel shaft with a high flex point that produces a lower and more penetrating trajectory with lower spin for better control. You will get plenty of weight feedback.

Compared to other clubs which are mostly lighter, it means you will need a window period to get used to it. The problem with playing wedges is that lots of golfers have a tendency to accelerate on the back swing more aggressively and then unwittingly decelerate on the down swing causing an awry shot because they do not trust the distance they are going to get especially if it is a front pin.

Having a heavier weighted wedge means that you do not have to force a thing. Just lift it up for the back swing normally and let gravity do the job on the down swing feeling the weight throughout the swing. I find that with proper full shots or even on partial shots, you could see and feel the ball spinning. This translates to an ability to attack a pin if you put this equipment in the hands of a skilled short game player as you can charge it at the flag and expect it to drop, check and stop within a dime. But you will need quite a bit of practice to gain confidence as you will need to believe in what it can do plus some practice.

This will be equally effective from the bunker once you get the feel and hang of the weight right. It comes in a D5 probably a slightly heavier swing weight than others at D3 or D4. Titleist wedges are well known for producing lots of spin and the micro edges on the face of the club will really cut and spin the ball so much so that after several full shots, you will find that the ball can be scuffed, especially if it is a Titleist Pro V 1 or Pro V 1 x due to it being a very soft ball with a soft cover.

Eventually, if you can master this wedge, it could be like throwing darts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmTnS1P939A

Golf as in life, play as it lies.

Coming Of Age

2012-01-06T22:42:00.000+08:00

I was not sure whether to go to bed early or wait up way late but anyhow I fell asleep. It was the early morning on a day in January back in 1991. It seemed like I have just had 40 winks when I felt someone tugging me. "My water bag has burst" was all my wife said.

I was like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KMMDrGRr_Y.

It was 3am. Was I a little nervous, anxious? I drove normally wanting to reach the hospital fast and early and yet not trying to be in a rush. Well, at this ungodly hour, even the devil was asleep even though he does not. The traffic was all clear. I was glad to be at the hospital to check in as the nurses, mid-wives and facilities were all there.

With all these excitement there was no time for breakfast even though the famous and popular Roti John, Mee Siam, Mee Pok and Soursop juice all beckoned near the Gleneagles. My tummy was grinding and growling but labour has just begun. On and off. By now 7am. It was cold in the hospital in the morning especially without food but I can't leave the wife behind at this stage nor do I want to miss the baby's delivery. Hang on there dude, a voice in my head whispered. I was almost hallucinating. Soon it was way past lunch and I might have digested my own stomach and some nearby organs.

The gynecologist was the last to come and first to leave. To them it was like eating breakfast. 3 attempts for normal delivery failed and it was vacuum assisted. It was like the longest day! Finally the baby was out. It was a girl! But her head was a little like a cone due to the vacuum. At 7.3 pounds (3.3 kgs), she was pretty big for a girl I was told. Here she was.

Finally, relieved and happy I got to have my breakfast in the very late afternoon. It was such a joyous occasion to witness the miracle of childbirth. I have always told people that you cannot be the same person after witnessing a childbirth. Great responsibility is now placed in your hands and I believed in the wonders of creation.

One great thing to do is to smell the baby's head. It smells like a freshly baked bread. All babies have this wonderful smell of a newborn life. A fragile baby soon grew into a toddler and then a little child.

A birthday here and a birthday there and the old man gets older.

A few years later, a second gift came from the heavens. This time a nine-pounder who will eventually pee while standing and I missed the whole day's meal till way late into the night as the gynecologist was unable to deliver normally. Not even the vacuum worked nor the forceps which led eventually to Cesarean. Imagine how it was when watching all these "live" until the doctor threw away his rubber gloves and robes and you get to wait outside. It was a tumultuous and incredible experience. A day I will never forget.

Women goes through much pain in childbirth. Can you imagine in the old days, they do not have a gynae to do all these, just midwives. No technology nor better techniques. I believe some of us got our umbilical cords tied wrongly or navel made to look ugly as it was just nip and tuck back then. No wonder some of us are so uptight. What about those early men? Women are not supposed to have pain while giving birth originally.

"I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." Genesis 3:16

Don't get it wrong guys. Rule meaning you are the head of the household even if she wears the pants.

Here is Agnes Chan with Circle Game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPnBwQTz75s

We captive on the carousel of time. We can't return we can only look behind from where we came....

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers' gone now.....

I want to drag my feet to slow the circle down. My dreams has lost some grandeur coming true. There'll be new dreams maybe better dreams and plenty. (The genius of the song originally written and recorded by Joni Mitchell).

They grew and one day shall leave the nest.

Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2: 24. So that's why people got married. Our children will too.

Ephesians 6: 1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

We can never know how our children will turn out but we have an unenviable job. We can tell our children what to do and what not to do but at the end of the day, they will do what we do. They will observe how their parents treat their grandparents. How their parents respect authority and how they treat others.

I made a coming of age speech on youtube which I share with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciEzbclSQCc&feature=g-upl&context=G24e3c67AUAAAAAAABAA

The girl is now a woman. No man should bully my daughter or they have to face me. I'm very scary one you know. Very 恐怖 one (like Mr. Brown). Likewise, my son must treat ladies and others with respect. Meanwhile, all fathers should take note that we must show what is acceptable and what is not even when your children are not watching.

Well, the entire story today ends with a twist. The story is all about me. I am now an old young man. No, a young old man. Make that a wiser and better man. It is the coming of age for me. Here's Robbie Williams:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY2ekm_krNU

Meanwhile, do not bully old people. Everyone will go this path. You will grow old, lose your teeth, go bald, grow fat, grow weak. Facial muscles collapse, wrinkles accentuate, gravity pulls. Old people can be very powerful as they will pray more often and believe more fervently. Don't mess with them. I show you:

"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." 2 Kings 2: 23-24

As you know, you can't outrun a bear as they can go 40mph, faster than an Olympic sprinter. Just play dead. You don't need to outrun the bears, just outrun the other boys. The best thing is not to bully old men. Haha.

Just kidding! The Almighty don't do these things. We have such a thing called Grace! Grace is here, we don't need bears. There was this guy running away from a grizzly big brown bear and he knew it was hopeless as he came to a dead end so he prayed: "God, please make this bear more human". Suddenly, the bear stopped running and stood up walking like a man, knelt down and prayed: "Dear God, thank you for the meal you have just given me".

As I walk a new chapter in life, the journey continues into the next lap. The show must go on even if the spirit is willing but the flesh is not some times. I hope you will look back in life's journey and have many wonderful memories because that's all you have and all you need - the more the merrier as we do not know if or when we lose them. To do so, you will have to create them. I wish you an abundance! That's the Times of Your Life. Here's Paul Anka:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWHL_4_ia_Y

Come to think about it, I feel old for a 38 year old. Must have been mixing with too many old people. Release the bears!!

2012 - Happy New Year?

2012-01-01T15:25:00.000+08:00

Cyprus became the 99th country to have logged on. Happy New Year! It'll be a century soon.

The Fat Lady Sings On 2011

In the blink of an eye, 2011 was over. As in opera, it is not over till the fat lady sings and then curtains. Did you realize how quickly the days, weeks and months just flew by? Whenever I meet people from my teenage or young adult years, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia besides the old landmarks that I see which are also disappearing. over time I may not even know or remember who I am anymore. Why? Simply because those years were different and actually fun years. Adults years are all the same - work, pay bills, work, pay bills and once in awhile, every two years the SEA games, every four years, the Olympics, the World Cup and every five years, the Election. You'll get a bit of distraction when you got married or have a couple of childbirths.

When my first child was born, Iraq annexed and invaded Kuwait. Everybody rushed to buy up milk powder and petrol prices went up. This did not worry me and I understood I can get enough milk powder but panic-stricken folks really cleared the milk powder off the shelves and what did was some Jehovah Witnesses or others that distributed tracts that claimed that it was the end of the world. They even gave a date! And I was thinking: "Heck, this is not fair, my child was just born". Of course, I knew the "Truth", so this did not scare me. Friends and people I know started asking me if this was really the end? Then came 911 and the tsunami on Boxing Day, the tsunami in Japan and such questions and curiosity surged.

Signs And The Mayan Calendar

This got me thinking and I found people generally do not care much about such issues going about their daily lives in their hurried world until something catastrophic happened and then they may take note. In recent times, more frequent earthquakes everywhere and with greater intensity seems to be the norm. Floods are occurring on a grander scale and in some cases, ponding. Financial crises are happening so often these days. There are wars and rumours of war. It did not help that they discovered that the Mayan, an ancient people has a perpetual calendar, something ahead of their time which provides calendar dates perpetually but found that its cycle is set to end in 2012 on 23 December to be exact. Maybe an asteroid will hit earth or an extremely powerful solar flare may occur.

There are many more signs explained in the book of life but to explain in detail, I'll have to write an entire book or a series in my blog which will extend for a year. Why don't you go to Revelations and read it for yourself and if you have questions, you can ask me.

I want you to take note that when the Mayan calendar ends, it just simply means a new chapter begins. May be they ran out of ink or paper. The folks who said it is the end of the world are doomsday experts. Not all of you knew about this Mayan Calendar. The only calendar you are worried about is to find out when you can connect a long weekend with an additional day's leave or for your golf dates. Then the folks in Hollywood put their creative talents to good use, take a look at Deep Impact,The Day After Tomorrow and Armageddon. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KGg0BWFb-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3OgeVbABNY

The first time I heard about the end of the world was from Skeeter Davis in the 60s when I was just a little child. Unrequited love seems like the end of the world. Then later, some folks found out to their relief that they were lucky they did not end up with the same person whom they were pining for. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BweCXILNe28

Don't Worry - You will never get out of this world alive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyCCd8MCcZY (2012 movie)

Are you prepared? It's too late to learn swimming now. Do not read too much into the newspapers. Dog bites man is not news. Man bites dog is news. I read the newspapers from the back page because the daily is all bad news so I start with sports. If you want to read good news read the gospel as gospel means good news.

They put on the front page a plane crash but did not report about the thousands of flights that went smoothly. They report about some looming recession. The worst way to close the year is knowing that the new year is going to be a recession year. You are going to have to work harder for less. To get out of a recession, everybody should be spending more! The irony is that when there is an impending recession, everybody cuts back, from governments to groups and individuals. You merely bring forward the recession and prolong it. If you were in some other countries, you lose your business or job you can go back to your parents in the village and eat off the land be it yam or sweet potatoes.

Will The World End?

Does it matter to you when the world will end? Or that it will one day end? Metamorphosis is but a life cycle. We are no better than butterflies but just superior and has a conscience and free will. Please see my previous article on "Butterfly": http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/search/label/Butterfly.

Just as a seed must die before it begin to grow into a new plant. Seeds can remain dormant for different periods of time and yet are still able to germinate under proper conditions. Humans are not unlike seeds and we must sometimes put aside or put to death bad practises and habits or those that prevent us from growing or being a better person. Once you sow that personal seed, it will begin to grow under proper conditions and at the right time your dreams like a thousand flowers will bloom, the plant will produce fruits and the fruits will produce more seeds and you will have your barnyards full and overflowing from harvest after harvest.

The seeds that you sow today will be your harvest of tomorrow and you will "reap what you sow". Do make sure though that the seeds you sow are good ones! For you cannot afford to harvest bad fruits from bad seeds sown come the season to harvest. It could come back ten folds or a hundred folds.

Friends, the world will one day come to an end but it does not matter when it will be for truly no one knows. There are signs to read but that must never be the point. It is far better to live a blameless life, a life without regrets. Better to say sorry and ask for forgiveness or to forgive. Spend more time with your family, loved ones, true and good friends. Show your love always and fear God.

When you see an earthquake or tsunami coming, can you grab your money and run? What would be your your first thought? Tomorrow golf, how? Live like tomorrow will be the end but plan like it never will. Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, sing, dance and live like there is no tomorrow but give me all your money. Smile and laugh always.

When you feel miserable, give yourselves only five minutes of it if you have to worry or fret simply because we are humans with emotions but no more and snap out of it. Wallow in it, enjoy it if you like, embrace it and then move on quickly. Life is too precious to waste time on petty arguments or unhappiness.

So the more we get together the happier we'll be. For your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends. For your things are my things and my things are my things. The more we get together the happier we'll be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jom_Au2Cs7Q

Indomitable Spirit

Have an indomitable spirit and persistence like this legend, help one another and pull together. Humans have an immense spirit to fight back, recover and triumph against all odds. Just remember you were once that one sperm racing against thousands and millions of them and you came in as champion. We were born winners! But then after all the conditioning we went through, all the pessimism we had faced and the obstacles we have cleared, we got tired, felt weak and grew soft at times. Time to awaken the giant within.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdfChSQRzTc

Have a Happy New Year full of joy and peace! The thing about happiness is that you must first choose to be happy then the rest falls in between. Take that step. During God's creation He spoke and things happened. He said let there be light and there was light. So please say "I am happy and I will be happy" and so it shall be. Let this light from the heavens shine on you.

When you do this, you will be ready. Come what may. That is also the reason you wish each other a Happy New Year! Mean it and accept that blessing! So watch your tongue this year and say positive things to yourself and to others. Do not say - "die, die".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uo0JAUWijM&ob=av2e

Meteorites and asteroids may strike, may be it'll be a solar storm. The magnetic poles in the North and South poles may shift, super volcanic eruptions and super earthquakes or just global warming. The actual thing could be a lot worse than those depicted in the movies. Who do you run to or where do you run from? Who do you trust? In times of trouble and calamity, spirituality increases. Find God. I have decided to be happy. Join me!

I am not afraid. I am ready. What about you?

New Year, New You?

2011-12-31T01:02:00.000+08:00

People wish one another a Happy and Prosperous New Year every year as we cross over from 31 December into 1 January. It is the time of the year where there are great festivities as it is just after Christmas and then following it the Lunar New Year. It is also a special time of the year because whatever you have been doing for the year, you have worked hard and deserve a good closure especially with a handsome bonus. Whatever it is, do not forget your acquaintance. Here's Auld Lang Syne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId95N2teUc

However, in recent times, things have become difficult and more complex. Because things are more costly or venues more difficult to get, some companies actually host their D and D way ahead of Christmas and as early as July or August but at this time of the year you are still struggling with work and you are robbed of the festive spirit or mood. Why don't they keep it closer to Christmas but change the venues to possibly cheaper ones or those that you can secure? All you need is a little creativity.

The worst thing for a new year is that even before it's curtains for the old year, you knew well before the new one is a tough one to negotiate. Worse, some say it is the end of the world in 2012! The Mayans' calendar may have ended the cycle but the Mayans were wrong or perhaps it is not the Mayan's fault but that of those who claimed that was what the Mayans meant that the world will end on 23 December 2012. The world will not end in 2012 even though it looks quite like it if you piece together all that has been happening.

Giant tsunamis, super earthquakes, great floods, nuclear disasters, diseases, financial crises, wars, moral decadence, broken ice bergs, global warming have come or are coming our way. What's happening to the world around us? Europe is crumbling and this is just the beginning as their default risks are increasing. The USA is not out of the woods yet even as the election year looms large. Japan will face more woes and are considering to target foreign workers to boost their economy - a rare occurrence. China will go slower and go soft. Pray they do not falter with any social-economic divide. Greater income inequality is the order of the day and politics become less certain. They have an Arab Spring that seemed to have turned to winter and thousands in China protested land seizures. The last thing you need is a China in any kind of trouble as the world has become over reliant on them.

Then come the politics of picking new leaders in several countries from Myanmar to Taiwan, most prominent being the succession from Dear Leader to the Great Successor from Kim Jong Il (two) to Kim Jong three. If the USA, Europe and Japan are facing difficult times, how will the rest cope? We must hope for China to defy gravity. I can't help you with all these but I think we can re-engineer ourselves to meet whatever challenges that lie ahead or at least make you better, suffer less and enjoy more.

Stress

It is common to hear "I am very stressed" wherever you go. When you do not hear it, you can see it - in the faces of people say in the train. This was during a good year and you'll be thinking that you were in North Korea where Dear Leader has died and folks in the train are in mourning. How will things look in our trains during a bad year and after it has broken down several times? Can we ever learn how to relax? If you go to the beach or visit another country and you expect things to be quick then you would have missed the point. Life is like your golf swing speed, it has to be a natural swing speed and you can't force it otherwise, the timing goes off and you lose you balance. It is strange that people always put so much strain and stress on themselves. Some stress may be necessary to propel your backside out of your chair but too much of it?

Diet

Let's face it. We all eat too much even for those who are conservative. Except for the exceptionally well-heeled, where there may be no recession, there should be parties all year round to celebrate. This is a good thing but watch it. Not just the quantity. Focus on quality and eating right ones but it is difficult. You feed a fish with smaller live feeder fish and they may not go back to pellets. What the fish!

Sleep

Sleep is your weapon even as some of us regard it as a waste of time. It is a form of recuperation, much needed rest and when your body got rid of toxins not and repairs tissues. There is no other way where your rest is complete. Please see a previous article: http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/search/label/Sleep.

Prisoners Of Own Device

Whether we like it or not, we are prisoners of our own device. In the old days, transmission of communication takes a few days as we have to draft a message for your manager to vet then dispatch and then for the reverse to happen at the other end. The good point is for some people who needed more supervision they got to learn more whilst today's people may have used too much in sms, twitter and short cuts. Fortunately, they have spell-check in your computer which I never used as it makes your brain stop thinking.

Some friends asked me if they should get a Blackberry. My answer: It depends if you are going to be the master or the slave. Today, they got their Blackberry and they have since become slaves. It does not mean you are doing less if you are not a slave. It is the same as TV, the Internet and Online Games. More of these, means less sleep. No wonder they say ignorance is bliss. Remember that we are living in a time compressed world. It's about give and take. It's like fixing table legs. Tightened on one side and the other side becomes a problem and the table gets wobbly.

Exercise

It takes great discipline and commitment to do your workouts. If only we could do our required exercises no matter how small like the way we take to food or how we plunge onto a sofa. God gave us two ends, the head and the butt. What we become depends on which end we use most. Move about even in the office do not just sit down. When your chair fit your butt perfectly, you are in trouble because you have been sitting too long the chair took to your shape. May be creepers may grow on you or spiders will spin web and you become part of the world wide web.

Food

The good food we have in hawker fare here will deteriorate in 5-10 years time as everything goes commercialized and once the older hawkers phased out, they will go bad unless something is done. If we eat out all the time, it is like over reliance on domestic workers to do things. Time to have more home cooked food? More vegetables and fruits. Prepare yourself for poorer quality of food which looks nice only in packaging but not in taste.

Gratitude

It is easy to forget how to be or feel grateful. Most people will take things for granted. If only we can be thankful and be grateful for many things we have, we will immediately feel happier. So, be grateful and thankful for all things big and small and think of the many less fortunate people than you and to those of you who in your business and work have been earning so much - more than enough for you to live a most comfortable life in every sense of the word, do your bit for others in whatever way. It is an easing of burden. It would also be good if only more people wish others happiness and success then the world would be a better place. A lot of us are so much better than others and yet do not realise it.Wouldn't it be good to be in your shoes? Watch Nik Kershaw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIBzbdo2LjU

At the other end of the spectre, because the problems you face is known to you, it always seems so big but when you mixed with more people, when you have a chance to see, hear and understand other people's problems you will soon realize that yours are pretty small stuffs. Friends don't always tell you their problems and that does not mean they have none. Go to the hospital, old folks home and the children's home and you will have a real sense and perspective of it all.

Golf

Play more golf. You have always said you haven't enough time. When you can't have a game then go to a range. Whatever it is, it is not true that you haven't got enough time. It is just that you have not given it priority. It is not just golf. Life is all about priority isn't it?

24 Hours

There is no such thing as "no time". It has always been there. Time immemorial. Life is about time and space. Everyone has 24 hours - not a minute more, not a minute less. The burning issue is what is your priority? There is a price to pay for everything.

Slow Down

There's a reason why tortoises live many years. Ha ha. Because they can't rush to their graves. There were friends who asked me if they should get a Blackberry. I replied that it depends on whether one would end up as master or slave. They have since got their Blackberry and they are all slaves. I believe some can't get to sleep before looking through the device and the reason is that they feel more peaceful after doing that but to me that means there is no peace. Peace is calm and rest and not dependent on habits.

Do not believe that longer hours at work means more productivity or being efficient. Naturally, when you have more work then you have to work longer but long hours everyday could mean you are not productive. Being efficient could mean you have been very efficient doing the wrong things.

Better to be effective. Give 100% during official hours without wavering, find the most effective ways to deal with problems or seek solutions, then rest. Your mental and physical powers cannot be sustained without rest. Don't fool yourself and believe otherwise. You will become more effective when you have rest and balance. I give you a simple task of watching TV for hours in a day and ask you which advertisements capture your imagination and is stored in your memory, you will probably only name a few. That's because you will remember the most effective ones as your mind suffers from overload. You will not be at your optimum.

The highly skilled practitioner of martial arts sees commotion in slow motion as his mind is calm. Just like your golf swing, a hurried and forceful swing may not yield desired results. Slow down. Let me give you an example. If you drive your car everyday, you may not notice many things unless you take a walk on the same stretch of streets then you realize what you have been missing - the people, things and buildings along the way. Imagine yourself playing soccer or hockey and you run around and all over non-stop. How do you conserve energy. I know many are good in energy saving mode. Rush is not an option.

Do Something Different

Go some places you have never been, do something you have never done before or meet some one you have never met. Or at least haven't been, done or met for awhile. I swim but not in the cold waters of the morning lacking sunshine since a long time.

The cold morning waters of December sent a shot up my spine. A tingling sensation. When you swim slowly and focus on senses, you will feel a floating sensation surrounding you. Clear your mind as you absorb the soundscape beneath the water. You will feel alive. For those of you who still can't swim, watch the news and make sure our "ponding" does not grow. Why did Moses build an ark? No, no my friend Moses didn't build an ark! It was Noah. Noah with his family, escaped the flood and not the pond. In that sense, ponding is acceptable? No?

Well the sun is coming up soon. Otherwise nights will last forever. Listen to England Dan and John Ford Coley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR45JW9buOo

Here comes the sun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk

And I Love Her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96YQdiMV-Jc

Even the birds. You know I love getting up in the morning when the sun first strikes the trees. All the morning birds that sing above will bring back memories. IOIO the year is over lo.

Stay calm.

Stay cheerful and stay bright!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR2G-iI3-I

A Happy New Year to all friends and readers!

When it's too hot, take cover. Like the Bee Gees sang: Aiyoh! Aiyoh! Another bad year is coming they say. I'll survive. Join me in surviving. Learn from Gloria Gaynor:

Titleist 910 D2 Driver

2011-12-30T12:18:00.000+08:00

This is exciting. I'm falling in love again. We are on honeymoon now. She has presence. The Titleist 910 D2 golf driver, I mean.

Titleist has always been known or said to be the "better players" club. It was quite true. Their 905 series was hugely popular and it took a dip after that when they attempted building a more forgiving driver in the 907 and the 909. I played with a couple of Malaysian friends in KL some time back and they were both very good golfers using Titleist drivers. No matter how straight and far I hit, they were straighter and longer. May be they are just better and can handle it I thought. I researched and found that Titleist clubs are always among the top and highly rated but there were some mention that they are for better players.

Before TaylorMade's R11 was introduced, the 910 was one of the hottest but Titleist has loyal fans and you can say that all better players who played Titleist are staunch followers. They seldom gravitate to other brands, yet their strongest point is their weakest link as high or average handicappers shun it. It should no longer be the case. This is why.....

Titleist claimed that the 910 is their most technologically advanced driver they have ever made. It comes in a 460 cc head which is the maximum size allowed under USGA regulations and a 0.5 degree open face as standard, has a 15% larger sweet spot and a traditional pear-shaped head with a black PVD finish. (PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition, a process that creates a very durable finish which looks highly polished but is highly tarnish-resistant).

I like my drivers with a traditional look, not the square or triangular shaped types. It has to look good and inspire confidence. At 460 cc, it does not look big at all. In fact, I can say it is one of the best looking drivers in the market or in play in the circuit today. Most people would probably rate it a 9 or 10 for looks alone and it looks and feels good at address.

It has a dark face, nothing sinister, just serious. It has one of the most springy face I know as upon impact you could almost feel the ball being sucked in bounced off in a hurry in a mid-high trajectory such that your ball experience a phenomenal rapture. I have played great drivers from Nickent's first Genex, Taylormade r5, Burner (twice), R9 (460), Ping G5, G10, G15, Cleveland Launcher and more and this rates among the best if not the best in terms of feel. Now feel is often equated to sound. It is sweet and powerful without being loud. This has been acoustically engineered to create a hot and solid sound.

To me, its accuracy level is top notch. Often, when you hit your driver and it landed on the fairways, many thought they were hitting straight. If a measuring device is there to capture data, you would realize it may not have been straight but just that the fairway is big and oblivious to the naked eye, it looked straight when it landed safely.

How forgiving is this driver? It is one of the most important things ain't it? If you wish for a forgiving boss then you need a forgiving driver for the driver is your boss on a golf course. No clubs can give you an auto-pilot kind of shot. Golf clubs are not push-button Jackpot machines and you still need a decent swing. It is not the most forgiving but after five rounds with it, I have not gone out of bounds or sent any balls to their watery grave. It means the dispersion is indeed very good, therefore, forgiving enough for many others.

I am not in pursuit of hitting longer shots by using a longer driver with a lighter shaft to promote distance. I always felt that I prefer it to be shorter than the norm in the market place. I have plundered some shots into places on the fairway that I have never been before from where to play the second shot. While some drivers are as long as 46.5 inches and the standard being 45.75 inches today, this is only 45 inches. Refreshing! And truer to my philosophy. I like that. This is probably the shortest driver in the market now.

The shorter shaft is not a hindrance to distance at all. On the contrary, I found it better and you will hit the sweet spot more often resulting in more consistency and longer drives. This is what I have always advocated. Oh yes, this club looks great at address. The alignment aid is subjective. Some may hate it others love it. It is just like the cursor of your computer mouse. The crown is chemically milled and is 17% thinner than the previous model.

This is a very good option for better players but amazingly, I can tell you that high handicappers should not run away from this club. It is easy to keep the ball in play. It is still early days and I am on honeymoon but this is probably the most consistent driver I have played and I am well pleased.

Though advanced, it is traditional in shape. Modern yet very much functional. Other than a shorter shaft, I like very much that it is adjustable. The way it can be adjusted is different from other clubs. This is Titleist's first attempt and I think they have aced it. They called it the "SureFit" system. Unlike others, "SureFit" allows the loft and lie angle to be adjusted independently. In other words, one can adjust lie angle without affecting the loft and vice versa. If you like to tinker, you can purchase an optional weight kit to swap weight in the sole to adjust to your favourite swing weight or to match the shaft.

Theoretically, if you play at a windy course or on a certain day, you can adjust it to a lower loft. I do not need this, I just wanted to experiment and discover the best results meaning - consistent, straight and long all day. Aesthetically, you can see that the adjustment ring and sleeves are nicely built-in like part of the hosel with the complete absence of a dog collar. Rory McIlroy, Ross Fisher, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy have all put the 910 in play. This club should be flying off the shelves in my humble opinion.

Grip is the Titleist Tour Velvet 360 rubber. TaylorMade usually has loops on the grip to gives you a guide on different grip position while Ping's comes in arrows. Titleist has nothing on it for design or for guide. If you don't know your grip, you can't play Titleist. Ha ha.

The 910 D2 I have came in a Fujikura Motore F3 shaft. While I used to fancy heavier shaft and overall club weight, I decided this time to go a 55g shaft which is still much heavier than today's many lighter shafts at just slightly above 40g. The swing weight at D3 is just nice and is suitable for me. No issue. I do not need to tell you about Fujikura shaft though or the Motore.

Wait, let me let you into the driver cover. This one has socks to protect the shaft. Not only that, it comes with a useful strap which is nicely designed so that when popping up this cannon you do not have to fight with it. Just hold on to the strap and pull. Clever.

They know this one is precious so they have to get the head well padded. It looks like a crash helmet to protect that titanium club head.

If you look at the chart below, you will see the two types of settings A to D and 1 to 4 giving you a combination of 16 settings. If you bought a 10.5 degrees you can add up to 1.5 degrees more in loft to bring it up to 12 degrees or subtract by up to 0.75 degrees thus lowering loft so that you can play a range up to a maximum of 12 degrees or a minimum or 9.75 degrees. You may not know it but most social golfers are playing with the wrong loft. It may look macho wielding a 9.5 degrees driver but not everyone can handle this. It all boils down to your individual swing speed.

There is no shame to play with a 12 degrees driver if your swing calls for one. If you want a driver that shows 9.5 but you adjust it to 11 degrees you can do it with this driver. This club is not here to cure your hooks and slices but to offer you launch optimization. Just be aware that changing a club's loft will also change its spin rate. Research shows that 90% of all golfers may need to adjust their loft or lie angle by one setting from standard. It is easy to set up for your swing. If you want your shots higher and to the left then go one up the grid and to the left by merely matching the ring and the sleeve.

The standard setting by default is a A-1 which means neutral with a slight fade (remember 0.5 degrees open face) at 10.5 degrees loft. I have since tried and experimented with B-2 (10.5 degrees with a slight draw), A-3 (12 degrees with most draw),C-3 (11.25 degrees with a slight draw). My last test was at C-2 (9.75 degrees with a slight draw). I seemed to like C-2 best due to its penetrating trajectory. Just use the standard issue wrench to unlock, adjust and lock.

The Titleist 910 D2 seems to have everything in the package all in a neat bundle. Good looks that inspire confidence. Easy to set up. Very useful independent adjustability for loft and lie angle. Solid sound and feel. Straight and long. Great performance is the order of the day! The ball explodes off the face and it has good workability. This will surely be a top driver and top contender in the 2011/2012 golf driver market. As manufacturers face limits to build a better driver each year, engineers at Titleist has made that right step ahead. This is a fabulous and fantastic driver = fantabulous! This one is a winner! Bring me out for a test run. Bring the game on! Simply awesome!

http://www.milesofgolf.com/blog/golf-reviews/titleist-910-driver-review/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY6JuIE7QbQ

If you are in the market for a driver, be sure to check this one out or you may regret it. You hear all these from the Guru. Fear not the weapon but the hands that wields it.

Golf as in life, play as it lies.

EPL Game Week 19

2011-12-29T01:13:00.000+08:00

The Boxing Day curse hath cometh. Manchester City was held to a goalless away draw by WBA. Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal were all held 1-1 at home by Blackburn, Fulham and Wolves respectively. From Christmas, we are heading into the New Year of 2012. Can Manchester City fend off their United namesake? Can Tottenham win the League? Who will be number 4? Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal? Or maybe the others currently in the top three. Will you stand up and say: "I am Number Four!" This is what happens when you are number four. You will have to live dangerously, watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVs6eg8V-AE

Liverpool v Newcastle - Liverpool lost precious points to Blackburn at home. Their first crime was allowing Blackburn to score first and they clawed their way back but it was not enough. If you do not skin Blackburn at home at this point in time, others will. Liverpool was dismal. If they continue in this fashion, they will miss Europe. Newcastle returned to winning ways and of course Ba scored again. Ba! Both Liverpool and Newcastle have decent defence but do not score tonnes of goals. A low scoring 1-1 draw I say. Suarez (if playing) and Ba to score.

Manchester United v Blackburn - The old fox SAF (Sir Alex Ferguson) knows what he is doing. A 5-0 away thrashing of Fulham followed by another 5-0 massacre of Wigan at the Theatre of Dreams have put them back in contention and level on points with their noisy blue neighbour. United always peak during Christmas. It is a crucial period. This is where United excels where the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal failed. Arsenal must learn from United how to tear apart defensive teams. If better teams than Blackburn like Fulham and Wigan can fall into the 5-0 zone, how will Blackburn survive? 5-0 again at Old Trafford? SAF will go all out to secure a solid victory to put the brakes on City, put the pressure on them when they look over the shoulders. 3-0.

Arsenal v QPR - Arsenal could not have hope for a better start when Gervinho scored in the 8th minute with a clever goal but the Gunners do sometimes frustrate themselves with too much intricate passing when a simple and more direct approach will do - like shoot! They must have dominated with some 70% possession against Wolves but their first failing was failing to defend a corner. The second half was played in the Wolves den but the visitors defended resolutely. It's time Wenger drop Song who gave away the ball on numerous occasions causing Arsenal's attack to break down and getting yellow carded unnecessary.

Countless shots were blocked by defenders, saved by the woodwork but mainly it was the outstanding man-of-the-match superlative performance of Wolves goalie Wayne Hennessy who saved with his hand, body, legs and toes. Arsenal can walk all over QPR but this is a London Derby and Arsenal has just been held by a team like QPR in Wolves. So QPR looks like sheep in Wolves clothing. Be careful. 3-1. RVP could have scored a couple against Wolves but the burden of Shearer's record must have weighed on him as he missed a few gilt edge chances. Robbie van Persie to score and equalise or exceed Alan Shearer's record.

Bolton v Wolves - We will always love underdogs. For example watching Rocky being punched to smithereens. Whenever people asked me for my favourite EPL team, I always tell them the bottom team and that I'll buy their jersey. Wolves are just 4 points above Bolton who is second from last and just 4 points behind Fulham and Swansea in 13th and 14th places. Wolves may have a chance to survive if they keep playing like their last 2 matches. Bolton has more serious problems. Wolves will shock Bolton. 1-2.

Chelsea v Aston Villa - Chelsea drew their last 3 matches an identical 1-1. Away to Wigan, Tottenham and then at home to Fulham. Hardly inspiring. When you see Anelka going to China and may be soon Drogba will be going there too, it means the team has grown old. Although Chelsea is still stronger than Villa, the visitors can frustrate them to a 1-1 draw. 1-1.

Norwich v Fulham - Fulham is the more experienced team but being away, it is always a bit more difficult. Like when you are drinking at home, you can just crawl to bed to sleep. 2-2 with Clinton Dempsey to score for Fulham.

Stoke v Wigan - Wigan was improving till they got crushed by Man U. Stoke must fancy their chances. Stoke was WWWWLD while Wigan was DWLWDDL. It could be a tight game by Stoke should prevail. 3-2.

Swansea v Tottenham - THis will be a good game to watch as both play open attacking football. Swansea was LDLWDLD while Tottenham was WWWLWDW. They are in 3rd place and 7 points behind the joint leaders with a game in hand and playing with a swagger. 1-2. Gareth to score another or at least an assist.

WBA v Everton - WBA is in 9th position and has shown that they can compete against all including the best holding City to a goalless draw. Everton is in 10th and they haven't been that good or consistent and yet are better than 10 others. This may end a draw but WBA is quite on song and could edge this one. 2-1.

Sunderland v Manchester City - Martin O'Neill has lifted the Black Cats out of their voodoo curse. Their last 4 matches were WLWD. They must be thinking if WBA could hold City so can they. Can O'Neill mastermind this one? Especially when City know their more successful neighbour are level on points. Mancini should unleash 3 strikers in Aguero, Dzeko and Balotelli together. 0-2. Listen to stories about black cats, watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px7ilisAGj0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p47fEXGabaY&ob=av3e

Reviving Singapore Soccer.

2011-12-28T22:14:00.000+08:00

Liverpool FC was once in the lower division and Leeds United, a mighty force under Don Revie is now languishing in a lower division. Singapore squash was once number six in the world and in waterpolo, we have won every gold medal at the SEA Games. Why the contrasting fortunes? What about Singapore soccer? Whereto from here?

There was a time where a local game between two top league teams that can bring in a crowd of 20,000 and regularly at Kallang, we have crowds of 50-60,000 packing the stadiums for a Malaysia Cup match. Why?

There were rivalry, stars and legends, there was success, therefore there was huge interest and there was euphoria. Young people started picking up the sports as they wanted to play soccer like Quah Kim Song and Mohamed Noh or play squash like Zainal Abideen. Squash courts were opening up everywhere from Kampong Java to Kallang and they were always packed. In soccer, we had the golden and crazy years when the late and legendary Uncle Choo Seng Quee brought home the Malaysia Cup after 12 long years. Besides the Lions we had the Cubs, the under-21 and we have even started the Merlion Cup and Lion City Cup where the under-16 tournament became officially taken up by FIFA as the under-16 World Cup today.

We won the Malaysia Cup again under Jita Singh in 1980 (Leong Kok Fann scored, Mokhtar Dahari equalized and Fandi Ahmed got the winner) and then later in 1994 with our Dream Team where Fandi Ahmed, V. Sundramoorthy and Abbas Saad gave the biggest victory over Pahang and then it seemed we walked in the desert for 40 years. What happened? Let us explore.

Current Team

Douglas Moore brought us success in the Malaysia Cup before we pulled out then Barry Whitbread got us the Tiger Cup in 1998 at Hanoi. Raddy Avramovic got us further at the international stage where we got into the later round or Pre-World Cup qualifiers and we became Asean Champions in 2005. In 2007, we won the Asean Cup again and were unbeaten for 15 matches in the series since 2004. We could now beat Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. We could even draw with Australia and beat Kuwait 2-0. We advance to the third round or pre-World Cup for the first time. Raddy is a miracle worker if you see our limited talent pool. We do have some good players like Khairul Amri and Noh Alam Shah. We have a few talented young players like Izwan Mahbud and Sufawan Baharuddin. We have a few localised foreign help like Daniel Bennett (33), Shi Jiaya (28), Mustafic (30), Qiu Li (30) and Aleksandar Duric (41).

This team and players did well but in the recently almost concluded qualifiers, what I have seen left much to be desired. We have certainly dropped several notches. Our performances were pathetic. It certainly was not easy. We need bold thinking, bold ideas and bold decisions. Every fraternity involved in soccer has to pay a part.

Passionate Leaders

We had great and passionate leaders when N. Ganesan (1974-1981) was the FAS Chairman, the late Uncle Choo Seng Quee was the coach and then later when Patrick Ang was Team Manager.

Youngsters

Today's youngsters are a different kettle of fish. In the old days soccer was still a relatively cheaper sports to play. Today, there are many more sports, games and lifestyle that young people can choose from. How do we get them interested in playing soccer? Even when they do, they may give it up to choose books unless they and their parents know soccer can provide a future. With a shorter life span with a career in sport, what can they do after their playing days are over or when they break a leg? Like in all sports, we have to start young. We don't even know their talents when they do not participate.

Chinese Players

Unfortunately, the Chinese population at large are only betting and watching soccer some times. Too few are playing the game. Few Chinese parents wish for their sons to be a footballer. Yet, more than 70% of our population is Chinese. This talent pool remains largely untapped. It is nothing racial about it. I believe many Chinese parents have dissuaded their children from it. In the past, we have our many Chinese players such as:

Lee Bee Seng, Lim Chiew Peng, David Lee, Edmund Lee, Patrick Wee, Lee Kok Seng, Matthew Chin, Quah Kim Siak, Lim Teng Sai, Robert Sim, Lim Tien Jit, Lim Tang Boon, Au-Yeong Pak Kuan, Lim Tong Hai, Seak Poh Leong, Leong Kok Fann, Lee Man Hon,

Quah Kim Swee, Quah Kim Lye, Quah Kim Song, Ho Kwang Hock, Don Ang, Toh Choon Ming, Tay Peng Kee, Wong Kok Choy, Steven Tan and even Eurasian players - Eric Paine, Brian Rozario, Brian Batchelor, Jeffrey and Lazaroo.

Even Fandi Ahmad has made the same observation.

Icons And Stars

Farrer Park was iconic as it was the birth place of Singapore soccer just as the KK Hospital saw many babies delivered. While Jalan Besar is also as historical, it is more an official place for matches unlike Farrer Park. To be successful and to attract more fans, you will need to have stars. Players who are really very good and those with great personality and skills. Young players will have their favourite stars to emulate.

Build on success

When we achieve success with a team that won the Malaysia Cup or the Tiger Cup or Asean Championship, we need to build on that success and create an euphoria. Get folks interested and create a buzz from school boys playing soccer to the fans. We need to keep core teams at each eage group as feeder squads.

Philosophy

We need to decide what is our soccer philosophy. Soccer is a team game and a contact sport. Can we match with the Europeans playing to their style? Can we match the Koreans, the Arabs, the Chinese in speed and physique even within Asia? Or what should we do? I say let's go Latin. Latin teams and players has guile, are smaller in built but quick to turn and can create space even in tight situation and they are skillful. Look at Brazil, Argentina and even Uruguay. Uruguay has a small population of only 3.5 million and they were in the semi-finals of the last World Cup. Look at Argentina's Higuain, Aguero, Messi. Look at the Spanish - Xavi, Iniesta and Villa. Barcelona took a long time to come to where they are now. Mind you, Santos are the Brazilian and Latin Champions. Neymar hardly had a look at the ball. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk-EvJ1dFM4

Lion City Cup

Our Lion City Cubs gave the big boys of Juventus, Newcastle, Flamenco and Everton a run for their money. Why can't we do the same as we grow up? Too much distraction. Keep the team together.

Competition

Obviously some players think they are stars when they are not. That is due of lack of competition. When a player of Cesc Fabregas when playing for Spain can only sit on the bench, you know the quality of the squad.

Ex Players

Get ex players involved. If I talked to people about Quah Kim Lye, Kim Song or Mat Noh and Zainal Abideen, Lim Teng Sai, Robert Sim, S. Rajagopal or Syed Mutalib today nobody knew them especially when they are younger than me. We know Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney better. When players are popular they should get involved with the community.

S-League

Without promotion and relegation, it is difficult for teams to fight harder to stay alive. May be we are a small nation but it may be essential. Foreign players must be outstanding and of higher quality. S-League teams should bond with the community. In Europe, they have their soccer teams of players visiting hospitals and doing charitable works and to connect with the people. In the old days, younger players like Paul Gascoigne has to polish the boots of Kevin Keegan at Newcastle. They also gave away apprenticeship to youngsters. Matches played on dates and timing that clashed with EPL live games will be a problem. How to avoid it?

Fighting Spirit

Of course it is about winning. Everybody loves a winning team but more than winning, everybody loves a fighting team. Your team can go down 3-0 to a much stronger team but when they fought till the end and to the final whistle, that is when your fans will applaud you. It is never over till the fat lady sings. Remember, it is not the size of the dogs in the fight but it is all about the size of the fight in the dogs. Inculcate this in all the teams and I assure you that you will never let your fans down.

Malaysia Cup

Come January, we are returning to the Malaysia Cup. Lions XII will be our team name. The Malaysia Cup provides natural rivalry like no other. It is like a derby with every team. Even the travelling gets real. Can the profile be raised after such a long time? It can only get better and very much depends on the team's exploits. Show the fans your mettle and they shall return. May be even snowball in the future and what a great spectacle it will be when the new stadium is ready and it becomes the home of the Lion again. Kallang will roar again!

Coaches

We will definitely need to groom local coaches. We used to have more of them - Choo Seng Quee, Jita Singh, Seak Poh Leong, Robin Chan. At the end of the day, you have to look at England today. Spain, Italy, France and Germany seem to have more than England where even the national coach is foreign.

Players

Players mustn't think they are stars. If there is serious competition for places they may not even be selected. You are as good as your last game. David Beckham despite his fame and riches is always the first to arrive for training and the last to leave. Learn the right habits and get the basics right. Players must take responsibility and always ask for the ball . They are often too static - passing the ball then standing still. There must be greater movement - pass and move into another position to receive again. Singapore's play is too one dimensional.

I have seen national players running back to the centre circle in the direction of their own goal without looking at the ball and also when defending corner kicks running back to the penalty box. Your eyes must always be on the ball. Run backwards facing the ball if you must.

I wish Singapore Soccer all the best and hope that one day soon we will return to our true greatness! For this to happen, all fraternity must pull together as one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbxPnq8OZqs&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL333F9B9FAE250F8F

Christmas - Before And After

2011-12-26T23:04:00.000+08:00

Christmas, so what did I do? We had a small family celebration at Costa Sands @ Pasir Ris. This one is better than the Downtown East in my humble opinion. When having a little break, we walked down to e-hub Downtown East to visit the lovely pond with big fish like Pacu.

There was this huge tent and it looked like was in the Arabian or Mongolian desserts or some kind of mother ship to take you away. Big departmental stores held their sales there.

We did the turkey on the eve of Christmas eve.

Then we hammed it in. Fabulous!

I tried to be conservative.

Then I added beef to my plate.

Certain food has to be consumed with some fats.

We did dancing like para para, volleyball, javelin, long jump and various other sports using the X-Box Kinetics. Young and old can do it.

On the actual Christmas Eve, I visited the House of Red Rock. I had - one beer. Ahem.

And collected some bottle caps.

On Christmas Day, I was invited to the Indoor Stadium for a special service. It was packed to the brim. It harks back to the old days: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God"- John 1:1.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of The One and Only, who came from the Father, full of Grace and Truth. John 1: 14.

Luke 2: 8-14:

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpgaWm2pnNs

There was great teaching. Leviticus 17: 14:

"For it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off."

This reminds me and is easily accepted that all men are sinners. It is common for example for people to tell small lies. Simple white lies. Then in order to cover up the simple small lies, they have to create more and bigger lies to cover those smaller ones and so on. Another simple reason is that all children lie no matter and you do not need to teach them to. It comes naturally. It is human nature. I know sometimes you lie to me too when I ask you for golf and then lie to the wife when playing golf.

Then there are many of us who are unhappy because we feel unfairly dealt with. I am quite sure Adam would be trouble if we do get to heaven. Because of him, we suffer but we do not see the redemption in Christ like we always cry over spilled milk or the double bogey at the last hole. So why are we liable? It is in the blood! The DNA. Just the same as how your children will take after you. If your business HQ fails, the rest falters even if you are currently making money elsewhere. If our grandfathers died at the age of 10, we wouldn't be here. Now, is that fair too? Drain a man of his blood and he is gone. It's all in the blood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzayuZuKP7E

I enjoyed the very good drama too. It was touching. I prayed and asked for His blessings. For you and me because in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, there are people out there who are feeling lonely, empty and lost. Others may be searching for answers or seeking to find the meaning of life.

In the evening, we have another family celebration at the lovely home of the host with the most. Merry Christmas!

Mistletoe and Christmas pine.

The famous Christmas flowers "Poinsettias"

Log cake anyone? But the chocolate and banana cakes baked by the host was awesome.

Local Christmas parties has a East meets West flavour which is lovely.

Presents everywhere. Sometimes, it is a headache choosing gifts for loved ones and friends.

Here is the Guru at his altar where folks pay homage with gifts. Haha, the truth be told. I was simply lazing like what a python would do after swallowing a goat and since there was a photo opportunity, might as well pose.

.....and just mucking around.

This was the greatest joy on Boxing Day when we visited a friend and his family welcoming the bundle of joy. Children are the wonders of life and a testimony to the miracle of life. A gift from God for our temporary care. Those who abuse children also abuse me and the rest of humanity.

It made my day sharing the joy of a friend and his family!

EPL Game Week 18

2011-12-25T01:07:00.000+08:00

This is the only time you are at the better end of a stick as you are on holiday or partying and resting while the EPL and the players have to work. This is the crucial period of the EPL for those trying to win the title as well as those who are fighting for survival. It is also why it is the toughest league in the world. Strange things are beginning to happen from the last matches and Oman became the 98th country to have visited my blog.

Chelsea v Fulham - While Chelsea has lots of experience winning the league title they have never won the European title nor has it the experience handling a situation they are facing now and their title hope is fast fading and this being a London derby makes things tougher. Fortunately, they are playing at Stamford Bridge where a normally good Fulham became lame and lost 0-5 at home to Manchester United, a very surprising result but credit to the Red Devils. Can Chelsea beat Fulham when they couldn't beat Wigan? 2-1 with Sturridge to score for the home team and Clint Dempsey for the away team.

Bolton v Newcastle - Bolton is having a wrecked season but gave themselves a lifeline when they surprised Blackburn with an away 2-1 win. Is this the start of their revival that will lead to eventual survival especially with the imminent sale of Gary Cahill? Newcastle was impregnable and was unbeaten for sometime but suddenly found themselves unable to win for so many games even going down 2-3 to WBA at home. Is this the beginning of their decline? Djemba Ba could do no wrong and scored a brace and you can count on him to add to his tally of 13 for the season. 2-2.

Liverpool v Blackburn - Liverpool has been limping recently and they could not even win at Wigan. Blackburn is in serious trouble after losing 1-2 to Bolton at home. Meantime do you think the 8 match ban on Suarez was a fair one? Why didn't they make public their findings? Racism should never be condone but how do you decide when it is your word against my word. There's no excuse if Suarez did wrong but in today's world there is a lot going on in political correctness. Did they take into consideration cultural differences. I want you to watch this clip to understand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeQ_IVwQvdQ

Liverpool must absolutely win this one even without Suarez but if Suarez plays then he would score and can Andy Carroll step forward and combine with Craig Bellamy to conjure the goals? 2-0.

Manchester United v Wigan - Wigan is on the up and it bodes well for their revival and survival after they held both Chelsea and Liverpool. The problem is that Man U's form has returned. Not many can go to Fulham's Craven Cottage and win 5-0 so it spoke volume on Man U's way of doing things. 2-0 to the Devils but it can get tricky.

Sunderland v Everton - Martin O'Neill has done his magic. The Black Cats are pouncing again. Everton is all about work ethics. Their 1-0 win over Swansea showed. This will in all probability be a close win either way or to me more likely a draw. 1-1.

WBA v Manchester City - Roy Hodgson has done a really good job at WBA for they put three past Newcastle at St. James Park. City would be a much sterner test as they whacked Stoke 3-0. Can City march on? 0-2 to the Sky Blues but beware Roy Hodgson and WBA, they are really quite good as a bottom half team.

Stoke v Villa - Stoke was torn apart by Man City while Villa lost to Arsenal. This game looks like a draw all over. 1-1. Stoke need Matthew Etherington to come alive again.

Arsenal v Wolves - Wolves gained a precious point when they held Norwich - the best of the weaker teams. Arsenal will be rampant and Robbie van Persie needed two more goals in two games to erase Alan Shearer's record. Maybe he could score both in this one game? 2-0.

Swansea v QPR - Both teams are about equal. QPR held the big boys earlier on but has since been slipping away. They have last lost 2-3 to Sunderland at home while Swansea lost 0-1 to Everton at Goodison Park. Swansea could ace this one but I think it will be more like draw. 2-2.

Norwich v Tottenham - Norwich were held 2-2 by Wolves while Tottenham held Chelsea 1-1. Though it is an away game for Tottenham, they may be too strong for Norwich. Losing Rafael Van der Vaart can affect Tottenham though. 1-2.

So This Is Christmas?

2011-12-20T00:39:00.000+08:00

Dear Leader has died. When someone informed me about it and later another which was more specific - that he died on a train, I thought Dear Leader was in Singapore. When I watched the news in the evening, the unabashed outpouring of grief was like nothing I have ever seen before. This was not quiet tears in mourning. Even when you put together the deaths of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson and the Busby Babes you would not have seen such a spectacle.

I am not suggesting that the mourners from soldiers to factory workers and peasants had their pictures taken while facing a firing squad or there was money to be made but even the most beloved person on planet earth has his detractors no matter how great he was. The unison and great pain felt by the North Korean people suggested that the emotions were misplaced. Dear Leader has been chomping on Cuban cigars, fine wine and Hollywood movies, etc. while his people suffered. Only when they stomped Gaddafi's compound did they realise who he was and what he was doing. Now that Kim Jong Il is gone, it has become more tricky. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. See a Mr. Brown parody on a youth on youtube combined with social issues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKh4nmzE5SE&sns=fb

Contrastingly, our very own Teresa Hsu who went on to a better place at 113 was the most amazing person you will ever know. I rate her greater than any other persons living or dead anywhere. She went away quietly and without fanfare. I don't have to tell you what she has given and nothing received. Everything she had, money, energy and love, she gave it all. Her love for her fellow humans knew no bounds. RIP, Mdm Teresa! Respect!

I know a church in Hougang, they raised money to help foreign workers who were injured or sick and dumped by their employers and have no money, no where to go and no one to turn to. They have also held a simple gala dinner to honour other foreign workers and constantly involved in the community helping fellow Singaporeans who are poor, aged, sick and whatever. This is very good and admirable. Action speaks louder than words.

So this is Christmas? And what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun. And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun.... I want you to listen to John Lennon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Vfp48laS8

and Sarah McLachlan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyJOh9DrH0c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUOJwDSfMLo (Sarah McLachlan)

It is one of the best Christmas songs. Simple and succinct. Peace not war. Love not hate. Friends not foes. Life not death. At the blink of an eye, 2011 is almost over. There is still so much to do, so much to achieve, so much work to do and so much yet to be done.

While you party away, do not forget the real meaning of Christmas. Please see my previous article on it:

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas.html

Yet in our modern city life, there are just too much noises. Not just real noises as in sound but you are bombarded with noises in billboards and advertisements and you frequently face overwhelming data and information from all media. Everyone has 24 hours but it is never enough. In the old days, when God spoke, you could hear him. Modern city dwellers are too far away and in the hustle and bustle of life are hearing without listening. Listen to the genius of Simon and Garfunkel with the Sound of Silence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZGWQauQOAQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsX03LOMhI

In biblical times, servants and prophets of God like Moses and Elijah often go to a secluded desert for God to speak to them. To catch God's whisper, you have to be still, you will have to seek a place of stillness so that all disruptions in your human thoughts are emptied. This is the only way a person can free oneself from fleeting moments of thoughts and worldly cares which are constantly pounding our minds and only in so doing, can we experience unity of our inner self. In other words, a complete sense of calm and total freedom from distractions. Alright, how many of us can achieve this? Yes, I am talking about you. Listen to Don Moen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHV_uEGSTXA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVEpFTm92_o

Sometimes in life, we may hit a dry patch and when the dry patch got bigger it becomes a desert. All sand and nothing else, dry and weary. You hope to find an oasis then you saw pretty ladies in bikini selling ice-creams and beer but when you got there they were merely mirages. You crawl across the desert floor amid searing heat looking for water and you meet a crocodile in the middle of the desert coming from the other direction looking for water too and you begin to think that it is better to be a horse with no name. (Here's America):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSAJ0l4OBHM

At other times, you need to find yourself in a desert situation before we take stock or learn a lesson. It is just like playing golf, you have a wide fairway and you hit your shot into a single tree. This is just like driving your car in a desert and you crash into a tree.

Whatever it is, get yourself aligned this Christmas. Slowdown if you had been going like a runaway train going off the tracks or a over-ran train jammed on the tracks or we may run aground. Be with the family, spend special time with your children, your other half, your friends and family members. Make that phone call. Forgive everyone. Ask for forgiveness. Do something for some one. Christmas is all about love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRtvqT_wMeY&ob=av2e

Love

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYc6Sl9zH3c (It's Your Blood)

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always persevere. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 1-5, 7, 8a.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13: 13.

Be Magnified!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpPTjHpIIOw&feature=related

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Here is Darlene Zschech and Hillsong with :

Mighty To Save: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ

I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y7aus-UL_4&feature=related

Worthy Is The Lamb:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4CCLnmf1Q&feature=related

Show your love and kindness always. Have God's peace! Geoffrey means God's peace. Have a bit of me, that when you have peace within your own being, it radiates out into the world. The world becomes a more peaceful place - one person at a time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1AGDZobZio

Don't wait for Christmas to do things. I wish all my readers and friends a very Merry Christmas! May God Bless you and your family with good health, great peace, abundant happiness, unspeakable joy and overflowing love! Love conquers all!