the reds against the lilywhites. . .

This weekend Tottenham take on Liverpool FC at Anfield.
Having spent three undergaduate years in that fine city, collected some lifelong friends and having family there too, I do have more than a passing acquaintance with LFC.
Like spurs, liverpool seem to have their glory days behind them. Unlike spurs however the interviening years haven't seen them sink too low. While tottenham have flirted with relegation and made a comfortable home in mid-table, Liverpool have regularly had european footy and pushed for champions league. As things stand now though, these two teams have both undergone big transformations, with the bigger changes coming for the white hart lane outfit.
There's the context for you, at the mo. L'pool have a host of returning players, having suffered terribly with injuries so far, they now have alot of choice. Tottenham on the other hand, have more injury problems going into saturdays match with stars like Jermain Defoe and Mido and Naybett out for the game.
On paper it looks like a liverpool win, they have home advantage and can field a better team right now, BUT, both these teams are unpredictable. On our day we can beat them, on their day they can beat anyone. I'm predicting a 2-1 to spurs thriller, but it could be a 4-0 slaughter if Benitez men decide they really want it.

COme On YoU spurs, prove the bookies wrong! BenJI, Henry, and any other Lpoo fans can comment and rub my face in it if we lose, aslong as you promise to come on here and give Martin Jol's youngsters credit if we play well.

Here's to a good game. I can't wait. Please Win, for the sake of the children. (my students will suffer if tottenham lose)

Hong Kong.

Don't quite know how to start this entry. I knew this city was important to my BBC (british born chinese) or near BBC friends back in the UK.

I have had the pleasure of catching up with a few UK chinese friends out here.Kalun and his sister Yan, Wai Yin, Wai Ling and Pak Kin,..James and Mike from SCCC, Esther and Sam, Dez and more. All quality people. Each of em I'm sure has a different relationship to this place. The thing i guess they might all have in common though is that they have a 'dynamic', not a 'static' relationship (like their parents) with HK, involving tension, and stress: It PULLS and it PUSHES on their identity: It says you're Chinese' and then says 'No you're not'

For me. . .
I'm just an English bloke. The city is making me into something a bit more complicated though. I know silky black hair and cheekbones are required to be chinese, but my patience has evaporated in the heat and my attitudes to things like family and money owe alot to HK. The result is that I feel a little bit as though there's a culture gap between me and my family back in the UK.
The uk is 'pulling' me too. I've become a footie fan, and once again because of contrast, had me UNchineseness highlighted in lots of ways. I don't have the familial respect or the avoidance of conflict or the thriftyness of my Local friends.

Here's the result: I push people out of the way on subway trains and shout rudely at Indian fella's trying to sell me suits. I sit patiently in 3 1/2 hour meetings in a language I can't understand. I eat like a pig. I dress like a . . . .mix between HK and UK and I work harder than most of my UK friends and less than most of my HK friends.

Nice post. Going round in circles, no useful conclusions. Better do some work before I sleep (chinese neil is telling me to do that) Then again, I might just watch a movie (UK neil said that)

Confessions of a Tottenham fan.

Since I upped sticks and settled on the far side of the sea, I have developed from someone who took only a passing interest in my team, a casual supporter, to a bit of an obsessive. Well maybe not that bad, but now I CARE.
Tottenham has become a significant part of my life here in Hong Kong. The fortunes of the club have become syncronised with my emotions to sutch an extent that my students might be forgiven for thinking I have a split personality:
When we win I am a very friendly teacher, willing to go the extra mile for even the most frustrating child. I'm inclusive, patient and put on all singing all dancing lessons that the students love, rich multi-media lessons, insightful and fun. Their faces manifest the deep joy I myself feel as Spurs crush hapless opposition and claim three points or a spot in the FA cup semi final.
But when we lose. . .as if tapping into some latent animal instinct warning them of danger, children scatter like dead leaves as I approach. Lightning is in my eyes, I spit fire and my voice is a thunder that shakes the school as I operate under a zero tolerance approach that Mayor Juliani would be proud of.

'Hey neil, that's not really fair is it?' I hear you ask. Well you're right, I couldn't agree more, it's very unfair. Tottenham should never ever lose.

Tonight we play Newcastle (dis)United. No fisty-cuffs please gentlemen.

Phew!

Few scares but the mighty Tottenham take three important points, goodnight. The children will be relieved. V. tired better sleep now. . .