173. Random 2009 Stuff

So, the great American stimulus bill of '09 has been signed, sealed and delivered by Congress. Mr Obama's first notable act to revive the ailing economy. More spending. That makes sense. When any decent text-book economist would tell you that savings is the bedrock of sustainable recovery and growth.

The economy will slowly heal, it always does, as it re-adjusts and corrects itself. Then people will once again prosper, and find news ways to create wealth. Then, we'd face this shit all over again. There's always shit to be created whenever people find new ways to make money for themselves. And everyone's complicit. From the bankers to the buyers, from the rating agencies to the regulators. The whole system is flawed and broken. That's why history will always repeat itself.

So be it. That's just how things go.

Anyway, the Oscars. Is it me, or was it kinda, well, lame? Besides Mr Jackman's commendable effort as host, the rest of it just seemed, strangely subdued and no moments of real drama (besides the late Heath Ledger's predictable win and a moving tribute by members of his family). There was a great bit from Steve Martin and Tina Fey though, and a wonderful montage tribute for the departed stars. Mickey Rourke should've nabbed Best Actor. No two ways about it. The Academy does indeed work in mysterious ways.

Flicks...

Well, I've managed to see a few so far, and the best have been The Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire. Both films couldn't be anymore different, but both are brilliant pieces of art that just re-inforce your belief in cinema after the usual turds that Hollywood dishes out.

Books...

World War Z by Max Brooks, best book I've read in recent months, which quite frankly hasn't been many. Stardust is another one, an oldie by goodie. You probably would've seen the film, but the book is so much better. More magical, and tinged with that deep sense of sadness that evokes Tolkien in some parts. Love it. World War Z is a barn-storming good read. Thrilling, horrific and absolutely epic in scope. Kinda reminds me of the joy I had while reading Stephen King's The Stand. It's the definitive take on the Zombie-holocaust genre. Good news is that it's being made into a flick by Brad Pitt's production company. Lukewarm news is that the director is the guy who did Quantum of Solace. Let's see if he can pull it off.

Ok, finally. Just a word of warning to you people out there. Make sure you cover your bare essentials when you sleep (wrapping yourself up like a mummy might help), cos you never know who's snapping pics of you in your unconscious state. Because of course being caught by a sneaker lover's phone camera while asleep automatically makes you a sexual deviant unqualified to serve in office. This is Malaysia after all. Where you can get caught pants down with a local celeb or blow your Mongolian lover to hell and still be the authority on all things moral and decent. You just gotta love this country.

172. The Blues

Ho-hum, here we are well into 2009. So what's new? Economic turmoil, conflict in the Middle East, war in Sri Lanka, greedy corporations asking for bail-outs, and closer to home, corrupt politicians and cops up to their usual shenanigans. Ahhh, it feels like 2008 all over again.

Thank God for the insanity of the EPL to keep the mind off things. Particularly Chelsea, oh beloved Blues. Out goes a respected World Cup winner, in comes a no-necked Dutchman with a liking for incessant barking and who happens to just look, ohhh, just a few marbles short of normal. And let's not forget about those eyes shall we, those mind-boggling looney eyes...

Truth be told, a crack pot who hears voices in his head might just be the remedy to jump start Chelsea's season again, giving much-deserved kicks up the backsides of those overpaid and lazy egos floating about the dressing room. Not talking about anyone in particular here, oh let's just say his name starts with a "D", and ends with "-rogba".

Ok, back to the nonsense of Scolari's sacking. So, let me get this straight. You hire a manager of international pedigree, pay him a King's ransom, promise him funds to breathe new life in an aging squad, more importantly, you promise him flair players to inject magic into a functional squad devoid of flair. So you get him a swashbuckling rightback and a little midfield magician who may just be past his prime a bit. It's fine, cause the crown jewel is on his way, he of the infinite stepovers, Robinho. Your new manager tells him how crucial this acquisition is. And you're confident that the deal will be done. So confident, in fact, that you start printing jerseys with his name before his current club actually agrees to a transfer. Talk about confidence. Heck, you're freaking Chelsea, and no one will get in your way.

Finally, when another club with even more millions hijack your bid, you refuse to pay a few million quid more for this crucial player. Brilliance, sheer brilliance.

This, when you paid 12 million for an average rightback, 24 million for a midget winger from Mancherster and...and this takes the cake...what was it, 17 million (including the settlement with Man U) for one Obi Mikel? Someone who's undoubtedly half the player Diarra is (a player sold for 2 million to Arsenal, and probably ten times more to Real Madrid).

Who is at the heart of this insanity? Which pea-brained retard would sanction such wretched decisions? Why, it's Peter Kenyon of course...transfer deal extraordinaire...remember how he cocked up the Ronaldinho to Man U deal a few years ago? Well, consistency is surely his forte. Please lord, let us be rid of this evil, forgive us the sins of the past (the sackings of Vialli and Scolari; the delay in tying up Zola's contract for another year, the signings of Borgarde, Wright-Philips, Obi Mikel, Kalou, del Horno; the sale of Robben). Rid us of this taint, that threatens to corrupt and lead us into the unending blight...

We need a new saviour, we need the magical no. 25 to return, and lead us once again into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey.





Would you trust this psycho to run your team?