One Ballsy Lady

It's a nice, sunny morning, so I shall talk about a whole different ball game - the General Elections!

Sylvia Lim is definitely one strong woman with balls.



Anyone who has been following the elections coverage in our local media (very lopsided as usual, where PAP gets like 80% of exposure time whilst the opposition is given the 'Hollywood severely-edited treatment' -- fast cut, blink-and-miss, no quotes), would probably have heard of the lady.

Currently leading the WP team against George Yeo and gang contesting for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia, Gomez (James Gomez) and co. are in good shape. The coffeeshop buzz is that Aljunied is prepped to be where the fiercest electoral competition lies.

Sylvia Lim - you can't fault her achievements man. Ex-police inspector, ex-lawyer, current lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic. She's extremely fluent, presents her ideas rationally with a clear line of thought. And, of course, she dares to shoot down the Men in White (MIW).

Here's her rebuttal at the MIW using promises of upgrading to pull votes - "It is a pressing problem for the nation. What message are you sending to people?....think of yourself, whether you're upgraded or not. Vote for the PAP for your self-interest, that's the message. And is this the message and the value we want for Singapore?"

I fear for Ms Lim though. Over the years, those who oppose the MIW fervently have not exactly gone through the best of days. Look at CSJ (fines, lawsuits, jailtime), look at JBJ (bankrupt), look at Steve Chia (so promising when he first emerged, then the nude photos scandals hit him), look at those who couldn't stay in Singapore anymore (yes, the exiles - shan't drop names here lest my blog kena banned...hahaa).

It's not an easy road ahead. Comments in the Young PAP forum directed at her are unpleasant and to a certain extent, chauvinistic; just to quote one: "Gosh, she should be making babies at home lah" (Sylvia Lim's single). Someone should really whack whoever made that remark.

Politics is dirty, but Ms Lim, do hang on, and pull through.

Hotties on the Pitch

I don't really have a fave country when it comes to the World Cup (of cos', if our national team does make it to the finals some day, the patriotism in me will be ignited and I'll scream 'S-I-N-G-A-P-O-R-E!' in a heartbeat)...but if I die die got to name one now, I guess i'll be rooting for Italy.

Very simply, it's because of...Francesco Totti.

I'm sure you all know which one is Totti in the picture. Wahaha.

Anyway, the drool-worthy hunk is back from a two-month injury (he's been out of action since Feb) and looks very likely to start for Italy come June, when they take on Ghana in their first World Cup tie.



Of course, he will be joined by fellow countryman, AC Milan's Alessandro Nesta then. By the way, Nesta, who whips up a mean defence, is also a hottie.



Comebacks are always delightful, so it was definitely good to hear that Geylang United FINALLY drew their sleague game (2-2 against Balestier Khalsa) after dunno how many consecutive losses...at least my dear Thai midfielder Rangsan Vivatchaichok won’t be carrying this grimacing, pained, 'suffering-from-toothache' expression anymore.

A draw is a good start to better things. I'm sure he's smiling tonight.

Ok, too much ogling for one night. I shall stop.

Cubs win, and Ping Pong!

I just read on Sleague website that the Young Lions defeated SAFFC 2-0! Whoa...way to go, our cubs! This also means SAF has lost 2 games in a row already (following last Sun's defeat to the afrikanos...), I think perhaps, the SAF people can consider getting some soldiers, no better still, lieutenants and marshalls to whip up their players' fitness levels...wahaha...anyway, SAF = army mah...all under one roof, might as well make use of the resources.

One player that certainly deserves attention in the Young Lions camp is this striker named Khairul Amri. Only 21, he's been scoring a lot of goals lately and everyone is kinda placing hopes on him to work his magic again on Sat, when the Young Lions meet Perlis.

That moment of celebration is the most beautiful, in my opinion. It’s the most natural unleashing of joy. Ahhh.

Was clearing out one of my cabinets earlier and came across some old photos. Taken back when I was on study exchange in China, and staying at the international students’ hostel. To digress a bit here, going on exchange is probably one of the best things that one must experience at least once in their lives – cos’ though ‘study exchange’ by name, there really isn’t much studying to do!

It’s basically the time when you can cheong till you drop, have flings, rendezvous, eh hem…and discover sides of yourself you never knew… I’m not saying I tried all of these ok, but gosh, yes, exchange does bring back plenty of memories.

One memory is of a bunch of us playing table tennis (or ping pong) at the sports hall inside our hostel. I know some of you guys are probably already going – wah leow, ping pong?! Such a sissy sport…– come on, when it’s a hot lazy afternoon and you’re in the country where ping pong is the favourite sporting hobby, there really isn’t much choice ya.

By the way, I must say, table tennis is fun. It was my ECA back in primary school so I knew the basics. But even if you don’t, it’s easy to pick up. To master, that’s the hard part. If it was, there would be so many Zhang Yi Nings around today.

Introducing Zhang Yi Ning – the world’s best table tennis female player at the moment. With her small eyes and small gin na face, she’s also a cutie, in her own special way. Hee.

Look at that look of mental concentration. So focused she’s biting her tongue.

If you don’t know Zhang, I’m sure there must be one ping pong player you know.

Forrest Gump! : )

One for the Women!

I think it's wonderful Chris Evert and the tennis gals are voicing out, standing up for their rights about the whole Wimbledon $$ issue...cos THIS is just totally unfair. There is seriously no reason why sportswomen should be paid less than sportsmen when it comes to prize money.

It's not as if the male tennis players had to do NS or something.

Anyway, a little about Chris Evert...she might not be the greatest female player in terms of skill, but she has this very seh demeanour and calm presence that made her stand out among her contemporaries then - Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King etc. (ok, I guess Evert is also the best-looking amongst them lah...haha)

Ok, sleepy...I shall end off by saying that Alan Shearer would be missed. Newcastle fans, don't be too sad...after all, it's been a great 10 years.

Good Night.

Baseball, Ichiro, and the flamboyant Flamingos

Over the weekend, while my dad and brother sacrificed beauty sleep to catch Liverpool defeating Chelsea in the English FA Cup semifinal (nothing new for football-crazy folks I guess, just a couple of grown men screaming their lungs out at the tv set -- of cos', hurling that occasional abuse at the opposing team; whether the team can actually hear their abuse is another thing), I did the unorthodox.

I...slept.

Yes, I slept and woke up pretty early the next morning, only to find myself indulging in potato couches' favourite hobby: channel-flipping. Anyway, ESPN was showing a live telecast of Major League baseball.

Baseball is one sport that I know so little about...I probably don't even know how the game fully works. For some odd reason, however, I adore baseball movies to bits. (Kevin Costner is great in them - Watch Field of Dreams and For Love of the Game...he's not an actor in those films, he is a baseball player.)

Back to the subject, that game I happened to chance upon was Baltimore Orioles up against the New York Mets. I was a bit disappointed becos' the only baseball player I know, Ichiro Suzuki, doesn't play for either team (he's part of the Seattle Marines), so no opportunity to see his suave, slightly scruffy, rugged countenance. Heh.

Ichiro Suzuki, as some of you will know, put Japan on the world sports map, together with footballer Hidetoshi Nakata. I think Nakata's a playboy, so I like Ichiro better.

Then, on Sunday night, I went to catch a S.League match at Choa Chu Kang stadium. (Not a bad place to pa tuo, acutally, hahaaa) I'm glad I went cos' that match turned out to be one of the biggest upsets this year - the new All-African team actually defeated traditional powerhouse SAFFC! Considering they were never the frontrunners, it's a really huge win for them.

This is their mascot - the flamboyant Flamingos.

You should have seen the african fans celebrating - with their bongo drums and non-stop cheering, singing and dancing. A pity I can't understand a single word they're singing - it's all French. But, as they say, happiness is in the eyes. And happiness is universal. I think Singaporeans should take a leaf from the afrikanos' spontaneity. Sometimes, the best cheers are not rehearsed dancesteps or memorised chants.

Instead, impulsiveness evokes the truest and most heartfelt emotions.

Fed Cup....and so many women

More tennis action...woo hoo! The Fed Cup is around the corner...and for starters, it'll be the Belgians, led by Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters, taking on the Russian challenge of Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova.

Coincidentally, the latter two are known to be...ermm...there's really no nicer way to put it - the 'plainer-Janes' among the bevy of recent Russian tennis beauties. Maria's not playing, exotic dark-haired Anastasia Myskina (triple hot! see for yourself here) is sitting out too...



Thus, no eye candy lor.

Anyway, on the other side, it'll be Amelie Mauresmo leading the French camp against the Italians (unfortunately, I can't think of a single prominent Italian player now).
Mauresmo is somewhat of an enigma, simply because she looks really...unconventional. Haha. Big broad shoulders and bulky mass; hey, in fact, she can easily pass off as...one fine-looking guy!

This is what I call her 'Lorenzo Lamas' look.

Happy Drunks Rulez

First things first, our Young Lions are through to the Msia FA Cup Semifinals, even though they lost 1-4 to Sarawak last night...well, I guess this home and away system thingee is very good. I figure for all future games, our Lions should always strive to win real big at home, go for the big score margins...then in away games, dropping a point or two doesn't matter one bit.

I dunno why but I feel like getting drunk tonight. Haha.

I remember the last few occasions when I got drunk, the situation got so bad my friends had to tell me what actually happened during that few hours when totally...lost it. Seriously, I would listen in horrors as they exclaim all animatedly - "Ahhh, you xiao zha bo, you threw that papaya in my face you know and puked all over my lap...yuckkkkss!"

Apparently, another trait I often exposed when the alcohol effect hits is getting all vulgar (otherwise, i'm a demure, nice girl-next-door most of the time...wahaha...yeah rite), expletives sprouting out of my mouth like water. I really wished someone could just videotape all that, so I don't have to rely on my imagination anymore.

Anyway, why I am talking about this...hehe...I guess because David James just popped into my mind. For the uninitiated, David James is one cool dude and goalkeeper...he used to be from Liverpool but is playing for Man City now.

Years ago, there was some scandal about him and some other player indulging in horrifying party ways, wreaking havoc and of cos', womanizing. It was all over the papers and it kinda affected his career a little...but ta da, he eventually escaped unscathed and now he's still in the EPL plying his trade and singing "I'm a Survivor".

That was back in the days when he was still...a handsome botak.



Which makes me wonder if all sports stars are hardcore party animals at heart. I think they are. And I think perhaps, they all have this unspoken policy, play hard (on the field, in the sports arena they belong to), play even harder when outside.

Someone wins, someone loses

It's Arsenal vs Villareal in the Champions League semis, & while half of the Singapore population will be rooting for the Gunners to win, my bets are on...Villareal.

Though Manuel Pellegrini's side just lost to Barcelona in the Spanish league, going by their wonderful track record against the English sides (zero losses in nine games...wow wow wow!), they should be able to take the game.

Plus - i think midfielder Javier Cajella (see below) has this goofy charm that is...mesmerising. Ok, hahaa, a bit out of point hor.



Anyway, closer to home...my friend just reminded me that our very own Young Lions are playing against Sarawak tonight in the Malaysian FA Cup! Not in Singapore though; away in Kuching...I have a hunch that they will perform superbly, cos' after all, the weather and environment over there is so similar to ours...guess there won't be any difficulties of adapting whatsoever.

Somehow, Singapore playing in this Msia FA Cup reminds me of the good ole' days of the Malaysian Cup and the Kallang Roar...oh my, I was still a kid back then! Time really does fly, doesn't it?

Fiery Spaniards and one lovely Belgian lass

When Conchita Martinez announced her retirement from the world of tennis, it didn't come as a surprise...I mean, the woman is 34 -- that's the usual age female tennis players decide to hang up their racquets (unless they're Anna Kournikova who infamously retired at like, 20plus without a single major title...but heck, she's probably sashaying & doing photoshoots and making tons of $$ right now).

Anyway, back to Conchita, not exactly a very memorable player on the court...Think she won one grand slam back in the early 90s and that's about it. She's one very hardworking player though, together with fiery Arantxa Sanchez. Yeah, come to think of it, the Spaniards all have that perpetual frowned, determined look. Women you cannot play play with.

My fave female player, on the other hand, won't be retiring anytime soon! She's been on a losing streak of late, though, crashing out in those small tournaments. Latest news - she just lost to Patty Schynder. Bleah :(



She's none other than Justine Henin-Hardenne - Gosh, don't you just lurrve the way she crunches her fist when she scores a point! Raw emotion at its best man. Don't understand why guys just pour all their attention on Russian Sala-pova...hey, Henin's pretty hot too. (at least better than those Williams sister rite...)

For her tender age of 23, she's done real superb - great pro career, undaunted by injuries, happily married. Aah, this is what I call Successful Woman.

Suave football lads make my day

For some reason, I've started to follow a bit of our local football league this year. (Thanks to a pal who gave me free tiks to one of the matches, u noe who u are) Before that, I must confess I know nuts about the scene here...yeah, i was the sort that would probably go - "oh, so u mean Fandi is not playing for the national team already...he's coach?!?" Wahaha.

Anyway, I've heard many people dissing the Sleague, making awful comparisons to the EPL or the Spanish La Liga like 'our one no standard lah', 'the action sooo slow'...blah blah blah...which are really unfair comments, i tell you.

The local league is seriously not that bad. Of cos', we can't expect it to rise to the ranks of EPL, but come on, it's our league after all. If we can forsake sleep in the wee hours to watch a bunch of big angmohs playing on tv (u lucky folks with cable), why not just drop by your friendly neighbourhood stadium sometime to catch a match?...something which moi did!

Ok, who am i kidding man...as much as it's for the football, at the same time, it's also these beautiful men that's making me sit up and pay attention to the sleague. I was fortunate enough to be able to get a photo with two -

This is Rangsan from Geylang...he's a cute Thai...though I heard Geylang's playing pretty badly now...got to buck up eh



And this guy here is Aleksandar Duric...he's a striker from SAF...as they say, the older men are, the more charming they get...



Obviously, I have no plans to let u see how I look! :)

Motivation is the Key

Hmm, let's see...what actually motivated me to start this:

1) Marat Safin, Marat Safin, Marat Safin! (non-stop ogling)

2) Twenty-two hot hunks running around and heating up the pitch


3) Michelle Wie striking that beautiful pose with her club (love that sexy butt view...erm...I mean, back view)


4) Man U vs Liverpool (u mean u don't take sides? are u Singaporean?)


5) Beach Volleyball babes and their super short skirts

Hahaha. I know I know, I sound so bisexual.