keeping it real: a journey of a thousand mile begin with a step

‘Borrowed’ the above graphic from somewhere, but for the life of me, I can’t recall where. So I’m terribly sorry I can’t credit it to anyone. But I think congratulations is due to the alternative movement. However, please bear in mind that this is just the beginning of a long and arduous journey. The people will keep a balance scorecard on your performance. If you don’t deliver, please don’t blame us when you are REMOVED from your present post. If we wanted inept and pompous assemblymen (and women), we’d picked those from the national front. Cast aside political ideologues and start concentrating in delivering what the people want. You are given a chance, and make sure you don’t screw it up bad. Build up your strength and never waver to intimidations and temptations. Remember, we are watching.

 

keeping it real: vote for change, uols!

As I was walking down the narrow corridor of a government hospital in KL this afternoon, I saw this chirpy attendant fella walking in front of me, waving to his friends he met along the way.

What kicked in was his cheery advice to his friends: “Esok jangan lupa undi BN! Lepas tu baru Barang Naik.” (Tomorrow don’t forget to vote for BN (Barang Naik: Escalating product prices).

Such subtlety in a single sentence!

You know, I’m sick and tired of the present government making promises that they can’t keep. I’m sick and tired of the crime index spiraling heavenwards. I’m sick and tired of the constant traffic jams and the government’s nonchalant approach to it. I’m sick and tired of the government’s lackluster image in the international scene. And most of all, I’m sick and tired of all those Corridors!

For what it’s worth, they are hell bent in taking back Kelantan into their bosom. At all cost, I dare say. Which reminds me that recently, the prodigal Son-In-Law (SIL) launched a scathing campaign against the present state government in Kelantan, proclaiming 18 years of under development is long enough.

My take is this. 50 years of under achievement is even longer! Enough is enough, I say.

Vote for change!

 

keeping it real: wake up and smell the rose, avram!

I’m never one to gloat.

That I leave to those ignoramous fans of ManUre .

But yesterday’s Carling Cup final victory of my team against the billionaires of Chelsea is a fitting tribute to a brilliant master tactician, and the indomitable spirit of the players. It’s a scrappy match, I know. And some of you would even say, it’s the what cup? It’s probably insignificant to you ManUres out there, but to us fellas who are thirsty for success, I really do hope that this is just the beginning of better things to come. I hope we will build on this success and strive for more. The Spurs board owes it to us, the fans.

Have a read at this:

Spurs win a triumph for bold approach

by Phil McNulty – BBC Sport 24 February 2008

Spurs boss Juande Ramos and his triumphant players demonstrated the power of positive thinking with a Carling Cup final victory that was richly deserved.

Chelsea were scrappy, negative and stuck in their shell apart from the last 15 minutes, when Spurs were finally spooked by the notion that they might actually claim the trophy.

Spurs, in sharp contrast, were vibrant and set about Chelsea in a manner that suggested they were not going to die wondering what might have been.

Almost from Juliano Belletti’s calamitous first touch that presented a chance to Robbie Keane, Spurs were the team with the intent, the ideas and the drive.

If the attitudes of the teams reflected their managers, Ramos comfortably outmanoeuvred the inertia of Avram Grant.

Chelsea, the team and their supporters, were subdued throughout and it was only a basic fighting instinct of players such as Petr Cech, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho that kept them in the game until extra-time.

Grant claimed there was a period before and after half-time when Chelsea dominated.

I have to confess I must have missed that portion of the game because all I saw was a team that was a shadow of the winning machine forged under Jose Mourinho.

Spurs, with Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King a formidable foundation, were urgent, if not always inspired.

Steed Malbranque and Aaron Lennon were busy, while Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane were always threatening.

Didier Zokora should have prevented the need for extra-time, but the anxious wait appeared to make the win even sweeter for the Spurs hordes, who provided the sort of backing their team deserved.

Ramos has beefed up this Spurs side and made them contenders by making the signing Martin Jol should have made in the summer – namely a defensive commander such as Woodgate.

He was magnificent, and with the winning goal to add to his defensive display, it was the perfect day for this talented, but injury-plagued individual.

Chelsea were simply not good enough. They never got on top of the game and inspiration from Grant and his henchman Henk ten Cate was in short supply from the touchline.

Didier Drogba may be an almighty pain with his theatrics and his finger-wagging, but at least he turned up and had go – unlike some others.

Frank Lampard looked way off the pace, and it was a surprise when he was left on and Michael Essien removed from the action.

And for Grant to complain about refereeing, including what he clearly regarded as the unhelpful and rather inconvenient timing of the final whistle, was both churlish and self-deluding.

Spurs have come a long way since the accident-prone days of early season under Jol.

A defence that resembled little more than an open goal was defiance itself in a frantic finish, while the much-criticised keeper Paul Robinson made up for questionable positioning on Drogba’s goal with fine saves from Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou.

Some say the Carling Cup is a lesser trophy – don’t tell that to the Spurs fans, players and officials as they celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

This can be the starting point for big things under a manager in Ramos who is positive, tactically aware and has a very happy knack of winning trophies.

It is onwards and upwards for Spurs – we must wait to see if it is the same for Grant after this damaging defeat.