On Route

So the short trip from Penang was smooth. Its been ten years since my last time on an airplane. I was looking through the window like some small kid (or would you prefer the word "sakai") anticipating lift-off and jumping in joy. Ok, cut the jumping, the only thing jumping is my heart.

My departure was so mysterious that only 3 people waved goodbye in Penang. Kinda low-key. And I am not complaining. Afterall, its just 4 months. Meh.

In a few hours time, it will be another take-off. An international one this time. So while anticipating flying international, I will dread through the 3 hours with some crap courtesy of KLIA wifi and a pasar-like McDs.

To my friends and families, Hasta La Vista.
To UK and England, prepare thy land for my invasion.

Finn-ishing on a High Note

Come this Sunday, it will probably be the last of appearance of what Anfield had seen as one of the best defenders in the modern game. Sami Hyypia, the Finn, will finish his career at Liverpool as a reliable, consistent and dedicated stalwart in a distinguished career span of 10 years at Anfield.

















When he came in back in 1999, people were all asking the same question: "Sami who?" Bought from Dutch outfit Willem II for a mere 2.6 mil pounds, he had so far surpassed that value. Looking at the current squad of Liverpool, he was now the only survivor of former manager Gerard Houllier's buys. And what a buy he is. Forming the undisputed partnership with former reds defender, Stephan Henchoz and then the current vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, he has propelled, albeit almost unnoticed and stealthy dedicated performance, Liverpool to many trophies, including the famous Treble in 2001 and 2005 Champions League throphy.













In his younger days.















Eyes on the Cup. He got it after putting in a magnificent performance.

Apart from his formidable defending, he is also an advantage in providing goals in from corners. A great asset with commanding aerial ability and good reading of the game. It is no surprise that he helped Liverpool to so many clean sheets and sometimes deciding goals in critical matches.

A "legend", a "perfect professional", a "magnificent servant". All these tags and tributes cannot describe enough of his service for the Reds. In fact, he has been one of the most inspiring imports and one of the greatest players that had donned the red shirt.

Plug-ish

Apparently, its a relief for Malaysians in UK. Not so anymore in Europe (and a large chunk of the world), at least in terms of plugs. As for the volts, it is pretty much the same.

Check out this website for the electricity in Europe.

Picture courtesy of Unplggd via Gizmodo.

We Are Close

Liverpool had a great season, undoubtedly. Undoubtedly too, ManU got a better one, but that's not the point here.

For the past few seasons, the Reds conceded their title challenge usually when February dawns. This time around, we made it to the final second game and keep our bitter rivals sweating over. The Reds are no pushovers either, conjuring up a double combo victory against them, one of them a empathetic 4-1 away win, to give them a run of their money.


















Then again, its not enough. We will always look back to the what ifs. What if Liverpool had gained victory against weaker sides like Hull, Wigan and Tottenham. What if Torres and Gerrard are fit throughout the season. What if Rafa Benitez did not go berserk and decided to verbally attack Fergie. What if...ok...they are many of them in hindsight, so we shall not go there.

Those said, Liverpool should look back this season and congratulate themselves for the improvement they've made. We have a FWA Footballer of the Year in our team. Step up Stevie G. People had always said that Liverpool is a two men team, consisting of Gerrard and Torres. In my POV, that is so not true. We have squad players with their reown abilites. Kuyt's tireless run, Masch's relentless battling, Carra's defending, Xabi's pinpoint passes and among others. In truth, there are so much quality. Ok, maybe we do not have enough depth on the bench, which probably is a factor that seperates us from ManU, but they are a better team with larger resources. Perhaps there is some fine tuning needed there.




















Gerrard: Fulcrum of Liverpool

This gratifying season has its feel-good factors, including the 4-0 crushing of Real Madrid, a better goal differences in the league, Steven Gerrard at his best, the 3-2 comeback vs Manchester City and of course the forementioned ManU match. Significantly, there are more entertaining football this time around compared to previous season. More free-flow football, more gasping creativity and most importantly, more goals.
















Crushing Real Madrid is no small feat.

Next season, the Reds are definitely going to be better. I will be there to make sure that. XD

After 4 Seasons

After 4 years of acquaintance, the Prison Break producers decided that it is time to end it. Seriously, I think it should finish the story already. The title itself was kinda irrelevant for the 4th season theme.

Beware: *Spoilers ahead!*

Show/Hide if you want to really know (or already knew) the ultimate ending.

Overall, it has a good ending. The story was well-buried (hint!). No major loose ends and no suggested hidden story.

I love PB. Thanks for the interesting 4 years ride of excitement and suspense.

So They Decided to Build This

Hmm...






















I don't know. What do you think? Deviance? Creativity? Try to stand out? And they are saying that there are too much poverty in the state.

Prognosis

Me: What are my chances of doing sports in the future?
Sf: The best advice is well... not to do anymore.
Me: o.O
Sf: Of course if you persisted, the consequences are at your own risk. More prone to injuries, bone spurs and bowed legged...
Me: Er....does operation help?
Sf: It helps......to paralyze you.

T.T

Typical

Look familiar?

























Courtesy of PhD Comics

Exactly.
Typical and not to my surprise, universal.

Thanks For The Memories

Sigh. Finally, I am moving back to Penang. Semi-permanently. I don't really miss KL honestly. Just the people there. The very people that I have met and become friends and going through ups and downs with.

So it seems the four years of acquaintance will end there. I have not the slightest idea when I will be back. But the possibility is of course high. So, be prepared when I popped up in front of your house.

I am a noobie at giving testimonials to people, so all I want to express is my gratitude to whom it may be concerned.

Thanks for the memories. XOXO

Hot Prospect?

Is psychology now the fad or is it finally getting the very much needed attention and promotion? Apparently, the field seems to be playing a prominent role in many of the series shown nowadays.

Obviously, there are series that dedicated their theme to the field...


















Criminal Minds and Lie To Me exploits the various elements of psychology.

Then somehow I noticed a lot of series, especially police procedural shows hires psychology related personnel to aid investigations. Say....






























Dr Sweets (Bones), Patrick Jane (The Mentalist), Dr. Mallard (NCIS), Nate Getz (NCIS: Legend)in one way or another established influence in their respective series.

So, the situation that interest me is: Are psychologists such prominent figures nowadays? To what degree is their influence upon decision-making and "getting things done"?

TV gives a plausible picture of what they can do. In reality, do they?

Michael O-Who?

When Michael Owen decided to bail out after Rafael Benitez took reign in 2004, he thought that he was ready to move on and have a glittering career elsewhere and become a legendary striker. Not that he was short of confidence and resume to back that. 118 goals in 216 appearances for Liverpool is a helluva return for a striker. Many of the fans, me included, was disappointed at his decision.

5 years from now, Owen found himself in a relegation threaten club and not being in the first eleven. Alan Shearer, his former England partner and now his manager decided that he warm the bench against his old club. Injury prone and not scoring for 4 months now, he is a forlorn figure in the world of football.























Owen: Yo Stevie, would ya mind putting some gud words in front of Rafa for me? I think I need to come back here. Desperately. Please?

The usual reception for former Liverpool players who served them well are warm applauses and chants for their contribution. Owen got none of that. In fact, he barely even leaves the bench for warm ups. Probably got scared of the fans taunting him: "Where were you in Istanbul?" (Note: Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 in Istanbul, one year after Owen's departure.)

Such was the degree of obscurity of a teenage protege that once strutted the Anfield ground in free-flow goal scoring spirit. In a harsher tone, its probably what he deserved for deserting the club he loves in the first place.