My sentiment exactly...
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Monday, August 23, 2004
(5-3) Smoking Gunners!
I never thought I'd hear myself say this - so I am writing this down... this Manchester United fan believes Arsenal are the real thing! Remember the all conquering United of the 90's and the glory days at Merseyside? Those teams never knew when to give up and on most occasions... they proved to be right. Arsene Wenger has put together not only a team system that works, he has assembled a group of young men who have the mentality of champions!
This is the attitude that Roy Keane has been trying to drum into the likes of Fletcher, Bellion, Ronaldo and the greener half of Old Trafford. Regretfully, it's currently to be found in London - not the glitzy blue uptown, but the red hot Highbury way.
Now this does not mean we are throwing in the towel... because really, it ain't even time for an early bath. With the likes of RVN, Saha, Rio Ferdinand and one (albeit unproven - at least in the EPL) Argentinian (and I really don't mean Mr Veron) soon to return, I would say Fergie has reason to be hopeful - just not ultra confident as before.
Throw in the riches of Mr Abromovich and the wily signings of Rafa, the new boss of the Kop, I take comfort in knowing that at least we are in the top 4 of England. And unless the brass at Old Trafford are willing to loosen the strained purse strings and bring in the likes of Rooney and Nedved for example, we may just strain to qualify for next year's Champions League and that would be a real shame...
This is the attitude that Roy Keane has been trying to drum into the likes of Fletcher, Bellion, Ronaldo and the greener half of Old Trafford. Regretfully, it's currently to be found in London - not the glitzy blue uptown, but the red hot Highbury way.
Now this does not mean we are throwing in the towel... because really, it ain't even time for an early bath. With the likes of RVN, Saha, Rio Ferdinand and one (albeit unproven - at least in the EPL) Argentinian (and I really don't mean Mr Veron) soon to return, I would say Fergie has reason to be hopeful - just not ultra confident as before.
Throw in the riches of Mr Abromovich and the wily signings of Rafa, the new boss of the Kop, I take comfort in knowing that at least we are in the top 4 of England. And unless the brass at Old Trafford are willing to loosen the strained purse strings and bring in the likes of Rooney and Nedved for example, we may just strain to qualify for next year's Champions League and that would be a real shame...
Friday, August 13, 2004
POLITICally Correct Nursery Rhymes
Something I picked out from one of the comments on Jeff Ooi's blog:
Kepong Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
Kepong Bridge is falling down,
My fair Samy.
Take a gag and shut us up,
Shut us up, shut us up.
Take a gag and shut us up,
My fair Samy.
How will we build it up,
Build it up, build it up?
How will we build it up again,
My fair Samy?
Build it up with tax and toll,
Tax and toll, tax and toll.
Build it up with tax and toll,
My fair Samy.
Roads and bridges bend and break,
Bend and break, bend and break.
Roads and bridges bend and break,
My fair Samy.
Blame it on an Act of God,
Act of God, Act of God.
Blame it on an Act of God,
My fair Samy.
Rocks and blames will wash away,
Wash away, wash away.
Rocks and blames will wash away,
My fair Samy.
Kepong Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
Kepong Bridge is falling down,
My fair Samy.
Take a gag and shut us up,
Shut us up, shut us up.
Take a gag and shut us up,
My fair Samy.
How will we build it up,
Build it up, build it up?
How will we build it up again,
My fair Samy?
Build it up with tax and toll,
Tax and toll, tax and toll.
Build it up with tax and toll,
My fair Samy.
Roads and bridges bend and break,
Bend and break, bend and break.
Roads and bridges bend and break,
My fair Samy.
Blame it on an Act of God,
Act of God, Act of God.
Blame it on an Act of God,
My fair Samy.
Rocks and blames will wash away,
Wash away, wash away.
Rocks and blames will wash away,
My fair Samy.
Friday, August 06, 2004
MyKad - Is Nothing Sacred Anymore?
The Star reports that a Man with fake MyKad was held after Police doubted the validity of his card based on his strong Indonesian accent. First and foremost, applause for the officer concerned who demonstrated the surprising skill of thought... but that's another tale another time.
I have often held the conviction that having a single multi-purpose card to store all our information is akin to putting all our proverbial eggs into one basket. The fact that Police uncovered what was described as a very good fake MyKad hardly brings joy of vindiction to me. This is because before the end of next year, I too would be compelled to comply with this e-Government initiative.
Believe me, I am all for progressive Malaysia - but at a pace and road map that is thoughtful and mindful of ALL the pitfalls along the way. Yes, I understand that at the moment, we are given the option of minimizing the amount of information made available on the MyKad - but to the uninitiated, who's ringing the alarm bells? A 60 year-old man would certainly like the idea of having everything on one card - it is simply one of the more acceptable methods of having a lighter wallet! And while he is at it, why not add RM 500 to the MEPS cash component? But hold on... what happens when the forgers finally learn how to rewrite the data on the MyKad... who will bear the risk of loss? Last I heard, losing your MEPS cash card is akin to losing your wallet - too bad!
Next, what is the integrity of data found in the MyKad? Could someone with a medical history of illness "remedy" his health by manipulating data on the card for insurance purposes? What about the use of the same data as evidence in the court of Law? Can the data be tampered to provide or negate an alibi? As far as this matter is discuss, MyFears regarding the MyKad far exceeds MyAppreciation for it!
I have often held the conviction that having a single multi-purpose card to store all our information is akin to putting all our proverbial eggs into one basket. The fact that Police uncovered what was described as a very good fake MyKad hardly brings joy of vindiction to me. This is because before the end of next year, I too would be compelled to comply with this e-Government initiative.
Believe me, I am all for progressive Malaysia - but at a pace and road map that is thoughtful and mindful of ALL the pitfalls along the way. Yes, I understand that at the moment, we are given the option of minimizing the amount of information made available on the MyKad - but to the uninitiated, who's ringing the alarm bells? A 60 year-old man would certainly like the idea of having everything on one card - it is simply one of the more acceptable methods of having a lighter wallet! And while he is at it, why not add RM 500 to the MEPS cash component? But hold on... what happens when the forgers finally learn how to rewrite the data on the MyKad... who will bear the risk of loss? Last I heard, losing your MEPS cash card is akin to losing your wallet - too bad!
Next, what is the integrity of data found in the MyKad? Could someone with a medical history of illness "remedy" his health by manipulating data on the card for insurance purposes? What about the use of the same data as evidence in the court of Law? Can the data be tampered to provide or negate an alibi? As far as this matter is discuss, MyFears regarding the MyKad far exceeds MyAppreciation for it!
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Alex's Lemonade Stand
CNN.com reported the death of Alexandra Scott, of Wynnewood USA, the 8 year old cancer patient who set-up a lemonade store to raise money for cancer research. My heart weeps, though not necessarily out of sorrow...In a wicked world of selfish intentions, Alex's Lemonade Stand became a stark reminder, not of our mortality... but our humanity.
Out of the mouths of babes come pearls of wisdom, and out of the deeds of this child, I hope comes a reflection of hope, goodness and ultimately love. As the moment of her passing drew near, she heaved a big sigh and went to sleep and I believe to open her eyes in front of heaven's gates.
I have heard people referring to such lives as a breath of fresh air, or a shower of goodness in a parched land. I would like to think that her life and testimony left an indelible mark on the hearts of people who took some time to ponder on the real significance of Alex's Lemonade Stand. The statisticians would probably refer to the $700,000 milestone she raised - or the $1,000,000 that Volvo pledged to fulfill. The romantics would melodramatize her passing into sainthood. Whichever way you look at it, a shining example shone into our lives - whether you actually bought a cup of lemonade or read about the marvelous stand.
One such light shone into my life. At some point in my life, I wanted to be a cancer surgeon in order to fight the scourge that took mummy's life. It's been 23 years now, and I hardly made a squeak, much less a stand for her. Alex is a stark reminder of nobler times in my life and I hope a resonating conscience for those of us too busy to make life and love count.
Lastly, cancer is not the undefeatable foe it is made out to be. Nor is AIDS. Truth be told, $1,000,000 is hardly enough to fund research in any significant measure. But 1,000,000 people working side by side, hand in hand and heart to heart, with a noble cause will surely honor the lives of people like Alex and make a difference that truly matters.
Out of the mouths of babes come pearls of wisdom, and out of the deeds of this child, I hope comes a reflection of hope, goodness and ultimately love. As the moment of her passing drew near, she heaved a big sigh and went to sleep and I believe to open her eyes in front of heaven's gates.
I have heard people referring to such lives as a breath of fresh air, or a shower of goodness in a parched land. I would like to think that her life and testimony left an indelible mark on the hearts of people who took some time to ponder on the real significance of Alex's Lemonade Stand. The statisticians would probably refer to the $700,000 milestone she raised - or the $1,000,000 that Volvo pledged to fulfill. The romantics would melodramatize her passing into sainthood. Whichever way you look at it, a shining example shone into our lives - whether you actually bought a cup of lemonade or read about the marvelous stand.
One such light shone into my life. At some point in my life, I wanted to be a cancer surgeon in order to fight the scourge that took mummy's life. It's been 23 years now, and I hardly made a squeak, much less a stand for her. Alex is a stark reminder of nobler times in my life and I hope a resonating conscience for those of us too busy to make life and love count.
Lastly, cancer is not the undefeatable foe it is made out to be. Nor is AIDS. Truth be told, $1,000,000 is hardly enough to fund research in any significant measure. But 1,000,000 people working side by side, hand in hand and heart to heart, with a noble cause will surely honor the lives of people like Alex and make a difference that truly matters.
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