12 June 2006

12 June 2006

I thought of posting something on this particular date. But didn’t manage it in the end. Ah, well. Anyway, here it is.

The date that turned me 28.

Good number, 28. Heh. Well, as long as the number keeps on going, it tells you you’re alive. It’s just up to you to make it LIVE!..

It was probably the best birthday I've had in a long time. The whole day I was showered with wishes and gifts from kind people who were thoughtful enough to remember.

Even Dude wished me at 0630 hrs just before I stepped into the bathroom to get ready for work. Yeah, had fun with that.

A friend wanted to take me out that night, but as it turns out, my mum cooked something and so did my sister. So celebrated minimally, but meaningfully at home with my family instead. Then, because ‘celebration’ at home was mostly dinner, it ended early.

Recalling the two slices of cake I had after lunch (well I shared the cakes with two colleagues of mine), Secret Recipe’s Apple Crumble Cheesecake (gorgeous stuff!) and the Oreo Cheesecake (delicious!) – I decided to go to the gym.

My card won’t let me pass the entrance at Fitness First, then the Receptionists called out, “Happy Birthday, Reality!”

I managed a surprise look(I kind of anticipated this kind of thing) and said my thanks with a big smile. And then I tredged on the tread mill. Well, before that I achieved 20 minutes on the cross runner. Before, I was only able to do like, 5 minutes without supervision. If the trainer was there, he’d make me do 10 minutes! It’d threat to kill me, it would!. But now I manage 15 minutes on average and of late I’ve been doing 20 minutes.

So, kudos to me!.. hahaha!!

All the while I was exercising, I was watching the World Cup 2006, and it was Japan vs Australia that time. So it was 30 minutes on the tread mill at a 5.5 km per hour speed and another 30 minutes on the bicycle before I quit the gym and headed home with a broken heart.

Japan could have done better. To their credit they scored the first goal in the first hald of the game. They were holding strong right up to the last 10 minutes when Australia managed to get 3 goals past. No, not one, not two…but THREE goals.

Aiyoo.

I thought the mistake on the first goal was for Japan’s goalie to leaave his post to block the ball when so many defenders were already lining up in front of the goal, thus leaving the goal open and unprotected.

Defenseless.

Rendered the efforts of the 1st half, then ¾ of the 2nd half completely useless. I thought the goalie was being over confident and cocky to have stepped up and went after the ball ahead of his area (though still permissable for a goalie) to join the line of the defenders which was completely unnecessary.

Well, nevermind that. The game has passed. However, I still respected the way Japan played the game. The way they kept the ball between their feet all the time while running, how they are always in position, at all times, there would be at least one player at one corner of the field, nevermind where the action was at the time, the way some of the players kicked the ball to the back as he runs forward. Awesome. Well, I know this talent is not unique to the Japan Squad, but still.

I made sure I slept soon after I showered because I was going to get up again at 0300 hrs for the match between Italy and Ghana. Good game.

Italy played well. Ghana was very strong it was almost scary to watch. Kaka did very well scoring the goal when he did especially when he’s such a young player and all.

The best part of the Italian Squad is their players. Manuele Blasi in particular. For his part in an ad for Dolce & Gabbana. Hahaha..

Yes, people. Football is indeed a beautiful game. But perhaps, the meaning of ‘beautiful’ here is different for the men as it is for the women.

Below is the ad in question. Manuele Blasi for those who doesn’t know is the one with the crew cut. First person from the right..