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When Muscles go Creak

Woke up to an aching body, which I haven’t had in a while. Accummulated some bumps and scrapes from having to work the whole 11 hours at the fish shop yesterday. Not that I mind it anyway, at least I can feel my body protesting, which makes me feel alive.

Been self motivational in getting things done lately. Heh, there are multiple to do lists on my phone and desktop but fewer excuses to procrastinate on the job. Not having too high expectations of my output these days, but at least I can live with my own conscience as I do put in the actual effort.

Just recently acquired Guild Wars. First stumbled upon it over the Internet around 6 months ago, then heard my brother mention it a bit while I was home earlier in the year. It’s one of the truly affordable online multiplayer games as there are no monthly subscription fees. Gameplay has been promising so far as the learning curve isn’t too steep, although I’m a little jaded with games (not that I’ve played too many, just that I’ve played too many similar ones). One of the things that drew me to this game was that you didn’t have to spend insane amounts of time on it to keep up with everyone else. Heh, this is true especially when I have to compete with Ken at levelling up. The guy is an avid gamer, definitely crossing the addiction threshold at times. Heh. At least now he has other work that will occupy him enough for me to catch up on certain quests.

Well, life is less talk more action these days. Got a long day ahead, time to start moving.

Against All Odds

Liverpool FC, 5th time European Champions.

They nearly did not qualify for Champion’s League football. Juventus were the favourites to beat them, so were Chelsea. When they reached the finals, there was a glimmer of hope that they’d beat AC Milan, who had one of the most experienced teams for a Champion’s League final and medal. All that faded to nothing when Liverpool were 3 – 0 down at Istanbul during half time.

Heh, was at Ken’s place watching the match, and his friends were just arriving at the lobby of his apartment. They were Liverpool fans and I kidded that AC Milan would score a goal while they rode the lift up. I sat in disbelief as that prediction came through after only 30 seconds into the game. The match continued and AC Milan dominated. Liverpool’s solid defence against Chelsea seemed to crumble against AC Milan, offering them too much space in midfield. So came 3 wonderful goals from the Italian side.

At 3 – 0 down, we thought that the match was decided and decided to go have breakfast. Went to Mcdonalds for takeaway. Came back to see Alonso score the rebound penalty. Heh, I thought the score was now 3 – 1, until I heard the commentator mention that Liverpool were now LEVEL with Milan. All of us sat in disbelief as we continued watching as the 3 goals in 7 minutes by Liverpool sank in. Rafael Benitez must have gave a rousing speech during half time as the current Liverpool side was a totally different team as they fought for possession and made attempts at goal. The manager had made a sound tactical change with a substitution and Liverpool were now more creative in midfield.

The match carried on into extra time with a super double save from Dudek (heh, my friends’ heartbeats would stop for a split second everytime the ball whizzed passed the goal post as Dudek was infamous for fumbling balls) to keep Liverpool in the game. After 120 minutes of passing the ball, it came down to deciding the game with penalties.

In reality, I dread penalties as they are an unfair decider to a game. However, such is soccer where things rarely go as predicted with Liverpool actually coming back from 3 goals down, it was quite amazing and I was still in disbelief when Milan’s players took the first spot kick. It was a miss! Followed by a fine save by Dudek against the second kicker for Milan. The spot kicks were at 3 – 2, advantage Liverpool as Riise’s kick was saved by Dida. Heh, they decide to keep us in suspense until the very last minute. So it was Shevchenko, who took the winning kick against Juventus two years ago in the same stage of the tournament, who would take the deciding goal. Dudek did not flinch as he saved the ball (which I thought Shevchenko would not miss) and Liverpool will go down in history as the winners who were written off so early in the competition. Being 5 times champions of the European cup, they get to keep this cup as a trophy.

It was a most spectacular match from beginning to end. Rafael Benitez is now a legendary manager, having achieved so much in just one year at the helm of Liverpool. It was totally unbelievable, for a team that is only 5th in the Premiership, to win against giants in Champion’s League football. Heh, still stunned from the match. Now it’s whether UEFA will let up and offer Liverpool a chance to defend their title next year, as only the top 4 in their respective leagues are given the opportunity to play at such an elite stage.

We’ll know next season.

Upbeat

Seek, and you shall find. Heh, or so the saying goes.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of asking questions. Have had quite a bit of help from people regarding job applications these few days. Right now, it’s just keeping the pace of things and getting things done. I think at times I give up too easily on the inside, as other people have related more dire circumstances for longer durations to me and have pulled through. I have more favourable conditions surrounding me and need to smack myself left, right and centre at times to get a move along. I am very grateful for the help and advice that’s been rendered to me thus far.

Replaced a guitar string that has been broken since the new year. Played some tunes and found out how much I’ve declined in technique over the years of not practising. Heh, had gained so many other interests and hobbies over the last few years, and some things are easier to decipher on my own than others. I like my music, but I am a person who has no rhythm whatsoever, which makes it a pain when it comes to performing notes from scoresheets as I have no idea whether I’m doing it right or not. I’m really impressed with those great composers like Bach (especially him) who can play separate timings on both his right and left hands seamlessly. You just have to listen to some of his tunes and they feel like you’re trying to swallow a fishbone when you attempt his pieces (I gather this from listening to his music, in no way can I perform anything he has composed).

In life, I guess one needs to be patient and humble, but still confident about his/her own abilities so that you don’t give up on anything without even trying. At the end of it all (if there is an end), you can always claim that you’ve tried your best.