Daily Neil.

2006-12-22T16:29:00.000+08:00

Well 'prayed' Jermain.
He may look like a north london wide boy with his diamond stud and gap toothed grin, but you have to admit Jermain Defoe showed alot of character over his England exclusion and the fact that he's not the only star at Tottenham. You may or may not know, I am a Christian (a screwed up one, but a thankful struggling one) and to read that this particular young premiership millionaire is one too is pretty good.

Taken from the BBC website:///

Prayer helped Defoe bounce back

Watch the full interview... Football FocusSat 23 Dec, from 1210 GMT

Tottenham's Jermain Defoe has revealed how his Christianity helped heal his disappointment at not being part of England's World Cup squad last summer.
Defoe was on standby but flew back from Germany before the tournament began.
He told Football Focus: "I've always been a religious person, and I try to think that every disappointment might just be a blessing in disguise.
"I thought it was not meant to be, that I should keep positive, keep praying and hopefully my time will come."
The 24-year-old striker has bounced back from the disappointment to score 10 goals for Tottenham so far this season.
And Defoe added: "I pray every day. In the mornings and, before I go to bed. I think it's important to pray not just when things are going bad.
"When things are going bad, it's easy to pray and ask God to help you out, but it's also important to pray when things are going well and show your appreciation.
"I think my faith is important. Being young as well, sometimes it's difficult, but I've got a good family behind me as well."

2006-12-17T11:00:00.000+08:00

Who's the fat ref in the tottenham strip?! This was moments before the heavens opened and we were all drenched. Intellect House against Trust House, junior forms.

2006-12-17T10:27:00.000+08:00

. . . . ...........Aline Rosa Thomas, 1908 - 2006

I said earlier that I might write a quick tribute to my Granny. So, here it is. I think these photos of her, taken about 80 years ago, do show how graceful and gracious a person she was. She was always loving, even to the point when Karen and I were teens that we felt a bit coddled. She had a wicked sense of humour too. She had a library of funny stories for every occasion. As I knew her, she was a beautiful old lady with sparkling blue eyes and rosy cheecks - all hairnets and the smell of soap - but before that she was the daughter of a village clergyman, wife of an army officer in East Africa, and a mother to two boys and a girl in the English New Forest. When I feel the red mist coming, I'll try to think about her. Once again, goodnight granny.

2006-12-03T10:13:00.000+08:00

The * Red * Mist

I've posted on this topic before, but lately I've noticed my normal emotional state has become 'slightly angry' and its getting easier and easier for me to see the 'red mist' in all kinds of situations.

I wake up and already feel angry. If the wrong lift comes first in the morning, if the staff in the Lobby open the door too slowly, if anyone cuts me off or walks too slowly on the street, if people leave gaps when they queue for a minibus so that the end of the queue has to trail out further into the street, when the club house staff, where I live, aren't polite, when people block the aisle with their shopping trolley, when people allow their kids to disturb others all send my blood pressure up. . (now its 90 over 140, with a resting pulse of 40 - 50 bpm)

Then there's work, people inventing next day deadlines that didn't exist before, people expecting me to understand Chinese circulars and memo's, having to sit through 4 hour meetings in the evening in Chinese. Working with colleagues who are constantly stressed too (All the staff are in small prayer groups that meet once a week or so and every time my group meets people are in tears) Only having junk food available at work, and then there are some of the mad things the students do . . . and the actual pressure of the work itself.

Then there's the complexity of the offers and deals you have to cope with when trying to buy something as simple as a meal. . . (this is a slight exaggeration)

Assistant: 'If two people buy the tea-set before 12 (without lemon tea)and bring your ID cards and a voucher then both countersign and finish your meal within 45 minutes then for the next 3 visits in October you can have a two percent discount on any dessert that doesn't include chocolate.'

Gwei Lo Thomas: 'Please, I am just a simple Englishman, I just want a cup of coffee.'

Assistant: 'Oh right, you want coffee? will that be a Arabic, Brazillian, Late, ground coffee, fruit coffee , Mocha, iced, espresso, cappucino, filtered, instant, this blend, that blend . . . you know if you buy two coffees before 6pm and drink them on your head while singing 'I'm a little tea-pot', you can get a stamp to stink on your bum, when you get 5 million stamps you will be elligable for a prize draw.'.

Gwei Lo Thomas: 'I see, um. . . ok, then. . . may I have a glass of water please'

Assistant: 'No water, water is free'

Gwei Lo Thomas: 'Oh. . . . umm so do you have water?'

Assistant: 'no water, water is free'

Gwei Lo Thomas: ' So do you have some water, that is free, that you can give to me?'

Assistant: ' Yes, do you want still, sparkling, Spring water, distilled, mineral, flavoured, fortified, Perrier, Hot, warm, cold, very cold, quite warm, hot with a little warm bit near the top, room temperature, body temperature, . . . '

Gwei Lo Thomas: ' . . . . . . ok then. . . . . I'd like a blend of waters drawn from the icey crusts of the moons that orbit Jupiter, filtered through a thousand layers of differnt coloured silks, evaporated and recondensed as snow over the Alps please'

Assistant: ' With ice and lemon?'

Gwei Lo Thomas: ' Gooosfrabaaaahhh.

But I can take it. I won't retire here thats for sure, but I still like the fight at the moment. . . God bless Hong Kong and stop me from losing my rag every day. Amen.

2006-11-15T11:59:00.000+08:00

The Lonely Life of a Football Fan.
I dont know for sure but, from where I'm sitting, Tottenham are the cruellest team to support. They're a club in the habbit of building and demolishing expectations on a season by season basis. The triumph against Chealski has ben followed by an abject desplay against Watford. Atleast we aren't the only underperformers this season.

2006-11-07T13:00:00.000+08:00

Robbie Keane Leaves Ferreira on his bum.

Tottenham Hotspur 2. Chelsea 1.
I couldnt let the week pass without a quick post on a historic game for the club I support. Spurs last took 3 points from Chelsea 16 years ago and it is a small indication of the progress made under Martin Jol that, with both teams playing well, we came out on top. The first twenty five minutes were all Chelsea, and as I watched Makalele hit a sweeet volley past Paul Robinson, I admit I turned the TV off and thought 'OK, that's it then'
Luckily I had the courage to turn the TV back on.
But the players had another idea, and two goals, a red card and 30 minutes later the club had finally beaten an in form top 4 side. It was a great game to watch.

Re the decisions: Terry wrestled Ledley King to the ground and had a set too with Chimbonda and deserved to go off. Lampard tackled like a Shao Lin Monk and the whistle had gone before Drogba scored his second. So the referee was spot on IMHO.

On its own, I know this doesnt mean much unless it is built on, but it is a step foreward. I dont believe there is a premiership glass ceiling and that the top 4 will always be the top 4. Call me a heretic if you want to. But I think Liverpool and Arsenal are not 'as' safe now, as they were this time last week.

WELL DONE SPURS!

2006-11-01T18:27:00.000+08:00

Writing-Writing-Writing.
GRAMMAR QUESTION: Do you think this title is a straight noun or an abstract gerund noun, or even the present continuous form of the verb?

If you read it first as a gerund then you might be one of the people who fancy themselves to be 'a writer'. Would you like to be? Do you think you already are? If a writer earns their living from writing then I guess publishing our blogs every week or so doesnt make us writers. That said, there are some bloggers who do write with a bit of craft. PLease look at my links list....especially Nora.

Here's what waits for you if you want to earn a living writing books.
The market for every genre is flooded. The market is a market; if it doesnt appeal to a demographic that buys, then it doesn't get published. You need an agent to match you with a publisher and you will be rejected by many publishers. You can't only write what you enjoy writing - It is the opposite of writing for pleasure. You must be an artisan, untill you earn enough money to be an 'artist'.

I'm 32 now. I'll be 33 soon (suck it up Kalun) and while I spent my twenties writing selfish unsellable chapters now and again and forcing my good friends to read them and say nice things, I'm starting to feel like my eyes are wide open enough to try to write a novel...

So I'm going to seriously try. I want to have good motives. I want to have a realistic approach to it. I'm going to try to take an hour or two a day and force myself to sit in front of my PC and get from the beginning to an end of a novel. I've tried and failed before, but I feel a bit more grown up now than I was in my twenties. Lets see what happens. I'll report back in six months.

The Honesty of Children

2006-10-13T12:32:00.000+08:00

Lunch hour at work, its friday, no more lessons...just some speech festival coaching, so I am flouting the unspoken law that reads

Thou shalt not do anything for yourself at work.

....and I have decided to rattle off some stream of conciousness during my nine to five (7 to 7 for me actaully) Because its at work though, I think it might end up as 'steam' of conciousness what with the frantic faffing about in this staffroom at lunchtime. Over the weekend I'll try best to write something really good, some 'cream' of conciousness. Do you like 'cream' puns..?

A week or so ago I asked my youngest class - 12 yr olds - to describe me for a short homework. They are sweet, charming, and eager to please teacher, or so I thought. My armour plated ego hasnt recovered yet.

Apparently I am a - half breed clown with funny Chinese and an arse like a hill. -

The honesty of children is terrifying.

2006-09-30T14:43:00.000+08:00

Wont flatter myself by appologising to a 'readership', just a quick 'pardonnez moi' to the friends and family who have dropped by this page only to be disappointed over the last few months. Busy lah.

I had a quick UK visit over summer and it is starting to become a bit routine already. I still enjoy the feeling of 'culture bump' though. The P's and Q's don't come naturally to me now and I found myself offending bus drivers, shop assistants and anyone who expected me to hold a door open. What fun! British people are great 'tutters'

It was interesting to see how people had grown in the two years since I was there. My sister's kids especially.

I cant figure out how to add a picture its been so long. . .

write more once I've figured it out. . .

2006-07-19T20:05:00.000+08:00

If you dont know him already, may I introduce you to a London boy called Jermain. He's 23 years old and plays football in the team that finished 5th... last year... The new season is coming...Audere est facere!

Maybe I can take two more years after all.

2006-07-04T23:41:00.000+08:00

A Gallery of my form 5 students. The enjoyable side of the job is the friendships that can happen.

Taken At their graduation dinner. Smart people.
The main group with class 5D. Click on images to see the full size one.

You see how well matched the British and Chinese senses of humour are?

2006-07-02T02:35:00.000+08:00

The Beckham/Eriksson era has ended in failure.
I like David Beckham but he shouldnt have been starting. The squad selection of S.G.E. was the main reason for England not going further. He will get some serious criticism in the papers. Rightfully so. Why was Walcott there? Why was Jenas there? Why wasn't Defoe there?

2006-06-23T14:55:00.000+08:00

FUN'eral tea with, from left to right: Steve, my sister's boyfriend. Karen, my sister. Barbie, my dad's cousin, making her my...? Angela, my aunt, Me, with my dad stood behind. Nigel, my uncle. John a long standing friend of the family.
About 30 people attended. My eulogy was fine. At was a privelage to speak at the funeral of 98 year old woman who had done so much. When I get some old photo's of her scanned, I might do a tribute post over the summer.
OK, Its all done with now. Back in HK, got a stack of work waiting for me.

2006-06-08T17:46:00.000+08:00

Death is common. But grief, coming as it does from the loss of a relationship, can be very particular.

Like Henry and like Esther, I had a very special Granny. Aline Rosa Thomas died two days ago aged 98, and she will be deeply missed. She was the best of the Thomas's. Unconditionally kind and more loving than anyone else I knew. My sister and I lived with her as young kids, and then again as teenagers.

She came from a different era, marrying an army officer and having children more than 60 years ago in East Africa. She was the daughter of a village clergyman and was for many years the only Christian Thomas. Now that honour might be mine, if it is, I hope it doesnt last.

Goodnight Dear Granny. X

I'll go back for the funeral, then be back out here in the space of four days.

2006-05-27T21:29:00.000+08:00

My pick of the hilarious Eurovision Song Contestants is SLOVENIA's Anzej Dezan. If you want a laugh go: http://www.eurovision.tv/english/index.htm

Then the Multi-media Lounge and enjoy the camp-uplifting euro-disco-pouty-posy nonsense! Sweden and Slovenia are my favourites! The winner (Finland) is absolute poo poo and the United Kingdom entry is a white man in his thirties doing a rap. I am a white man in his thirties, and we DONT rap. I do miss watching it live!!

2006-05-17T23:03:00.000+08:00

Dimitar Berbatov. Tottenham's new Bulgarian hitman. Does this mean 'no' to Mido? Is Jermain off? The season has ended, the wheeler-dealing in players has already started. This one cost almost 11 million English pounds.
The new shirt looks nice, but I am not happy with our new sponsor being a 'gaming' company. I respect the Glazers for turning Mansion down.

2006-05-15T21:31:00.000+08:00

While the eye of the storm is still about 800km away, the skirts of Chanchu are tickling the south China coast and, looking out of my window, I can see the palm trees have just started to wave at me.

Yes, I know its childish. Anyone reading this may well shake their head and smile but anticipating and enjoying a good storm has always been alot of fun. I used to love my curtains flashing ultraviolet..then silence..then. . .the deepest biggest sound most people ever hear. Thunder. Thunderstorms used to give me a mix of 'creature feeling' and thrill to revel in.
The thunderstorms here are a bit different. Often happening without rain, sometimes lightning without any thunder too.. The building where I live has been struck only once while I was at home. There was no crackling crescendo that you usually hear, just one huge echoless bang, followed by fire alarms. There was no fire.

But there is something very very physical about a close pass from a Typhoon. The wind is just more physical and well, the wind is actually intimidating. In the UK, there are gales that you can lean into. Maybe the door will be yanked open or slammed shut.. . . . .but a couple of years ago I went out in a Typhoon called Imbudo, just so I could call my family. The wind, in gusts, did surprise me and even in my most childish adventurous mood, I looked at and thought "If I step into that, then I know that it will knock me down." I could see the water spray moving over the pavement so quickly that I knew it was much stronger than I was.

2006-05-13T13:00:00.000+08:00

The first Typhoon of the 2006 season is hooking its way into the South Chin Sea. Its a severe tropical storm at the moment, but when it gets out into open water its predicted to build into a Typhoon (hurricaine)

I can remember when Typhoon Imbudo passed in 2003 or 4. It had a double eye wall and passed pretty much overhead. It really is something. The wind falls off, then there's stillness for 10 minutes, then you're hit from the opposite direction increadible violent wind. Nothing like it in the UK, although I was in Brighton when it had its only tornado!!

Places like Japan and HK rarely suffer casualties.There's a warning system and buildings are well built (mostly)

The models predict landfall somewhere close to HK for this one, called Chanchu. I am starting to get excited already. Silly I know.

2006-05-12T23:00:00.000+08:00

Britain, Britain, Britain.
I will be there soon. I am at home in HK now, It's half past Johnathan, and I'm just thinking about what I'll be doing for two weeks july august time, back in the bosom of my ancestors. Not literally of course although I may well be embraced on account of the fact I havent been back for two years.

. There is cornish pasty, mush peas and fat soggy chips waiting for me.
I'll be national expressing my way up and down smelling fresh air and drinking real milk as I go and look around at the hundreds of whitefolks, feeling chinese.
I'll go walking through Lady Cannings Pine plantation just outside sheffield, accross Burbage Moor to Fox house, Have a Drink and catch the bus down Ecclesall Road south, back into sheffield.
I'll Sit in the Lady Chapel in the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool and Pray.
I'll sit in the Crypt of the Sheffield Anglican Cathedral and pray a bit more.
I'll walk along the promenade in Brighton, smell the Ozone, listen to the sea gulls.
I'm going to pick the bogeys out my cat's nose.
I'm going to play fight with my brother.
I'm going to go to Sheffield Chinese Christian Church and see who I can recognise.
I'm going stay with my best friend in Manchester.
I'm going to catch up with some dear brothers and sister in different parts of the country.
I'm going to go the Spurs Shop and White Heart lane to catch a pre season friendly.
I'm going to see my sister's two year old!
I'm going to see cousins, uncles and aunties, aswell as grandparents.
I'm going to visit my mum and get covered in animal hairs.

Then I'm going to come back to HK and start a new contract.

2006-05-07T23:50:00.000+08:00

Well, its over.

The 2005-06 season finishes with some disappointment and controversy for Tottenham. Our food poisoned team didn't manage to do better than Arsenal in their last game. We finish 5th, after being 4th for 6 months.

Its only hard to take because its Arsenal, and West Ham that have ended our Champion's league dream. Two London teams taking great pleasure in forcing another London team out of the Top four.

Oh well, never mind. yuwafer cup next year.

Well done Tottenham.

2006-05-02T18:24:00.000+08:00

The Death of a Baby.
There has to be no greater affront to ideas of a benevolent God than the death of a baby right?
One of the sweetest most gentle spirited sisters in Christ that I have ever had the pleasure of fellowship with has just lost her baby. The Child died shortly before being delivered.

Christianity offers no rationale for sutch events. There is no past life to account for 'punishment' in this. Our God is not vengeful in the Islamic sense and for Christians there are no Ghosts or evil spirits to blame.

On the face of it, it looks like your average Christian has to juggle three mutually exclusive 'facts'

1. God loves people.
2. God is all powerful.
3. The innocent suffer.

Plain logic says any two of these facts can be sustained if we exclude the remaining one. If God loves people and the innocent suffer (facts 1 and 3) then God is not powerful enough to interviene (bye bye fact 2). If God Loves people and God is all powerful (1 and 2) then we must blind ourselves to the suffering Children of the world (adios fact 3)... right?

BUT>>>

I take so much comfort and my faith is stronger because of this apparent flaw in the Christian world view!

Unlike the other major religions of the world Christianty doesnt attempt to rationalise things like the concentration camps of Eastern Europe or the brutality of African conflict or the death of my friends baby.

We are offered no neat explanation, Instead, we go back to a rocky hill outside Jerusalem, where God himself took the very worst that the world had to offer and chose to suffer with us.
Resolution will come one day, but untill then the man who was God stands foursquare with us as a shield against hopelesness and as a fellow sufferer. . . . God suffers with us.

Its enough for me.

2006-04-23T20:30:00.000+08:00

Henry greeting Carrick in traditional French style...

Any caption Dez? Only two games left and I promise not to bore readers with too many more posts like these...

2006-04-22T12:00:00.000+08:00

Its just a game. . .

...But ever since the 'woolwich arsenal' bribed their way into the 1st devision, the animosity between Highbury and N17 has been a big feauture on the landscape of English football.
The game itself looks like a banker for Arsenal: Its the last Derby at Highbury, if they win it means 4th place and Tottenham have Ledley King, Edgar Davids and a bunch of other Key players injured. But as a famouse Spurs player once said, football is a "funny old game"

If Spurs win, I will stand naked infront of the floor to ceiling plate glass window of my 21st floor apartment and sing all of Chaz and Dave's greatest hits.
If Spurs draw, I will pay all my bills and go to the gym.
If we lose, I will shrug my shoulders and look forward to yuafer cup football next year.

H O L Y P L A C E S

2006-04-17T13:34:00.000+08:00

Living in an entirely 'human designed' environment, its refreshing to wander along one of the 'accidental' spaces between buildings called 'alleys'. The only unplanned parts of a city like HK. I think that makes them special and somehow spiritually interesting.
I've had the pleasure of experiencing my mate Yan's Church a couple of times now. While the atmosphere is a bit too relentless for an old fart like me, it really is a euphoric inspirational place with high class music. The pastor is a young cool guy and Yan is going on a mission to the Phillipians very soon! Can you see Yan in this pic?
My church, St. Andrews is an Evangelical Anglican Church. A mixture of England and Heaven. Lately we are being invaded though by Australians. I say!

Being half African (my dad was born in Kenya), I have the dark rhythms of the mombassa jungle in my blood. Every other Sunday I play and sing with a Church band.

2006-03-29T17:05:00.000+08:00

Pics. for my dad. He, like me is a THFC fan.

Going Home.
Not for good, but this summer I'll be back in England and I'm looking forward to it. By the time I get back July-ish, It'll be over two years since I last set foot in dear old England. My sister has a daughter who I've only seen once and my granny is 98 so I have some family catching up to do. I wonder about the other nomads: Dez, Bert, those with family far away, you think two years is too long without going back?
You'll notice I'm sporting this season's shirt with Mickie Carrick's name and number. Although he played pretty pants against West brom the other day, he really is growing into the role he's been given at the HUB of a great midfield.
Finally and most importantly, a prayer request: Windy is, right now, along with Church friends, in Hu Bei on a mission trip. Please remember that before God. Please pray the Kingdom gets bigger, and the missionaries get blessed too.

2006-03-21T11:50:00.000+08:00

Martin Jol:
The flying dutchman. Are you going to tell him he can't have the last Champion's League spot or shall I?

2006-03-11T23:11:00.000+08:00

GUTTED. Football is a cruel game.

2006-03-07T19:45:00.000+08:00

Interesting educational movie from post war USA.

Are you a ''careful observer'' ?

http://filmstripinternational.com/filmstrips.php?filmstrip=despotism

Where does your home country rate on the ''despotism scale''?

My favourite part is about 7 mins into the clip. I bet this lady is the most hideous teacher you ever saw! (shiver)

If you prefer something funny:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=322198393944213214

2006-03-01T19:19:00.000+08:00

Look at this silly guy. Taken by one of my best students its of me trying to look wryly amused and teacherly. The truth is I was considering how many more years I can reasonably take. Look into my eyes....can you tell?

Today I enjoyed a real bellow at a form two class that was being noisy outside my classroom. I enjoy the occasions where I get the chance to fill my lungs and stun a group of teens into silence.

"How dare you disturb my listening exercise!?...Walk silently up the stairs NOW!"

Luckily my voice didn't crack. When that happens, when I slip accidentally into a girlie falcetto mid way through a powerplay, there is no coming back. All authority is gone and you have to recover by laughing with the kids.. . . . .But there's a little dictator in everyone and being a secondary school teacher gives my Hitler complex plenty of exercise. Today it worked nicely.

My blood pressure: 88/129
resting pulse: 49 bpm.

better watch that temper Mr Thomas.

2006-02-18T10:38:00.000+08:00

New signings. Hossam Ghaly with his Egyptian Brother Mido above, and below: Danny Murphy who finally did the right thing and came to Tottenham, chatting to Sven's right hand man. Any captions this time Dez?
I wonder what warning signs a christian should look for, that might tell him when a healthy interest tips over into obsession. If I look at my blog and compare it with my fellow's - I do start to wonder...

Berthan for example writes some very edifying thoughtful stuff and encourages the youth that read his blog. Dez, mixes humour with family life very nicely. Yan's blog serves a very important purpose, keeping distant friends and family up to date aswell as giving her a space to think and ask advice. Nora's blog, called 'the book of...' is an entertainingly written evangelical/personal page well worth a look.....

....and here am I having to consciously stop myself from writing about football all the time! I wasn't like this in England!

This weekend, Wigan at home.....

quick footie post...

2006-02-09T17:37:00.000+08:00

In Defence of Mido...

Much has been made in the British press of the flair up between Mido and the Egyptian Coach Sheheta after the African Nation's semi-final. The general tone of the coverage seems to be quite condemnatory of Mido. But I recon its six of one and half a dozen of the other. If you watch the footage it's the coach who faces of, spitting and gesticulating, red faced infront of the young Tottenham striker. Mido looks quite calm compared to the supposedly more mature coach.

I agree, its out of order to question a coach's decision on the touch-line, but the whole thing has been blown out of all proportion. I also think the argument was the result of bad man management, and not necessarily Mido's lack of control.

Look at his progress at Tottenham. He's been substituted many times by Jol, with no problems. He's been openly chriticised by jol for his weight when he first arrived..his response was, to train harder and get fit. Does that sound like he has no control of his emotions?

My conclusion is...OK, Mido made a mistake but Sheheta went banana's and handled it terribly. The Egyptian FA has grossly overeacted with a six month international ban. . . .Tottenham benefit.

2006-02-03T11:54:00.000+08:00

Quick snapshot.
Mental:
Just trying to psyche myself up for the return to work after the new year break. That and coming to terms with another two years in this job are my preoccupations at the mo. Obsessing a bit about Tottenham as usual but never mind. Also pondering some serious personal issues.

Physical:
Been going to the gym more often lately and, importantly not just wandering around watching TV once there. Meeting and eating and comparing bellies with Bert, Sam and Kiet recently was a good spur. My present stats: 5 foot 7 inches. 160 lbs. are OK, if it isnt made up of flab.

Spiritual:
Enjoying my worship times, but really tepid in other areas. Lots to resolve.

2006-01-23T19:04:00.000+08:00

SPORT, SPORT, SPORT

I read somewhere recently that part of the football attraction is that its more unpredictable than other sports. Lists are always fun.....

My Favourite 5 sports to watch:
1. Football (soccer) Because I love my team...
2. Curling. (really funny to watch and has the wonderous laws of physics on display.)
3. Crown green bowling. (Newtonian physics baby)
4. Volleyball. (Real team game)
5. Snooker. (psychological battle)

My Least favourote 5 sports to watch:
1. Golf. (did you know there are 238 divvets on the surface of a golf ball? Exciting....huh.)
2. WWF. (50% soap opera, 50% circus, 50% morality play.)
3. Tennis. (the modern players have no charisma! I want Ivan (the terminator) Lendl against Bjorn (underwear king) Borg.
4. Formula 1 racing. (round, and round, and round, and round...)
5. Cricket. (even after three days, you cant tell who's winning.)

what about you? This is not only for the fella's.

2006-01-11T16:53:00.000+08:00

Here are some examples of mad and bad use of English from Japan. Hong Kong does NOT suffer from such hilarious rubbish. The English standard here is good. I had to share a few of the funnier ones I saw on a website called engrish.com. Man....I nearly fell of my chair. Enjoy.

So...what are you trying to say?

Testicle = small test?

ANY English words, when printed on clothing, become cool.

Lets ride on the rainbow of DEATH

2006-01-05T16:32:00.000+08:00

WHAT DID YOU DO AT CHRISTMAS? CHRISTMAS AT CARMEL
Taking initiative and taking responsibility are two things that arent easy for me to take. . . .Christmas saw the English Club running some school festivities. Here we are, waiting for a parachute with money in it to fly down from one of the school's balconies, before we tried to throw little gifts back up.

*******

2006-01-02T10:21:00.000+08:00

ON THE WAY BACK. . . (finally)
Tottenham are 4th place in a league of 20 teams, Just Man.U. L.pool. Chlski ahead of us. Real progress for the youngest team in the prem.
I know what you're thinking. . .Beating Newcastle at home is no big deal these days, maybe so but the results this season and the way the club is being managed and the PROSPECTS in the squad are all great. (apart from the performance against brom.)
I, and the manager according to interviews, will be very happy with European qualification his season. Two big tests coming for the young heroes : Man city away, then Liverpool away on my birthday...COYS!

2005-12-26T11:52:00.000+08:00

-thank God-

Do you ever have moments when, going about your daily bussiness, you suddenly find yourself taken short, thinking something like - here I am, . . a man, walking about under the sky. . . .doing things.-

The cool weather in HK lately has been making for some stunning skies. Today, a thin sheet of 'goosewing' clouds (my granny calls them) is thick enough to take the bite off the sun and circle it with a faint rainbow. Nearer the horizon is a broad strip of the kind of deep blue that reminds you that your home is in heaven, and I'm having one of these 'moments' stretched out into a day. Just listening to music, enjoying the creature feeling.

I know a person who, while not a Christian (i think) is living within the boundaries of God's grace because she sometimes tells me things that surprise me, make my heart jump and a 'thank God' almost burst out of my mouth.
I am a seriously terrible Christian, but as a walk around under the sky today, I think I know that He's in the bussiness of rescuing people and will resolve even the most Godless mess we can get ourselves in.

Thank God. Thank God.

2005-12-20T19:58:00.000+08:00

Sunset from the staffroom

As I fall through my front door after a fifteen hour day, drunk with fatigue, put the goons on my computer, change into my jim jams, look in the fridge for scallops and broccolli, look in the dictionary to check the spelling of broccoli, have a quick session on the porcelin throne, look in the dictionary to check the spelling of porcelain and start to pick the skin off my toes, I realise its time to end this sentence.

Very tired, but thankful to be on the brink of my Christmas holiday. Its time for me to spend a day enjoying the anticipation of the holiday, before it actually starts on Thurday.

Its a real battle not falling asleep whenever I get home. Anything soft in my flat that can support my body weight has been a bed to me and my evenings dissappear regularly that way.

When I come home my speech is slurred, my co-ordination is gone and my face is numb but.. . . .
Part of me is really enjoying the feeling of pushing against something hard, existentially speaking I mean. Its good exercise for the psyche to struggle in your life. When part of you hurts feels, numb or itches you squeeze or rub itright ?! Thats my Hong Kong life! I'm like a bear with an itchy bum, who just found the gnarliest, thorniest old tree in the forest and has just started to work that booty!

I'm considering another two year contract. Do I want two more years? Do I have any choice?

Happy Christmas! I'm OK though. HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

2005-11-21T21:30:00.000+08:00

My buddy Hilda and I taken at our friend Martin's wedding reception. Hilda is a fine drummer and the evening was a great chance for us, along with a gang of other musicians to play some more funky christian songs to a a very mixed audience (martin's idea).
It was especially good for me as the reception was held at the Hong Kong Jockey club in Sha Tin. You may know I'm not a big fan of gambling. . .... . .but wait. . . . I don't want to sound like a puritan or self rightious! . . . . I know lots of people can control themselves and enjoy a 'flutter' now and again (?) Its just that the horses did alot of damage to my dad's life and was a big part in my parent's devorce and subsequent financial troubles. Along with that, alot of my Chinese friends have a family member or two spending too much time and money fretting over a roulette wheel or a horse race.
It was good to fill sutch a normally miserable, desparate place with something good for a few hours.

2005-10-29T22:25:00.000+08:00

I fiery encounter between old enemies and, with the development of Tottenham, rivals once again. We dominated the first half, they recovered and threatened in the second.

2005-10-27T20:06:00.000+08:00

Below some pictures of my day today. I had a couple of form five lessons, then a form 1 lesson before lunch, then deskwork till about 6, then left. My job is ok, when there isn't too much to do.

2005-10-27T20:03:00.000+08:00

the place where i spend most days... messy, taken today.

2005-10-27T19:49:00.000+08:00

Hong Kong girlz, intelligent, confident, funny, destined for success.

2005-10-27T19:48:00.000+08:00

Hong Kong Boyz, Form 5, smart, big, funny, destined for success.

2005-10-14T18:18:00.000+08:00

. . .actually its only the shirt I am wearing coupled with a long standing posture problem and the Lord of the Rings-esque false perspective that combine to make my look like a FAAAT GGIAANT!! in this picture.

2005-10-14T18:06:00.000+08:00

Don't want to bow my own trumpet but...Being a Secondary School Teacher means being a : Clown, Security Guard/Policeman, Logistician, Accountant, Statistician, Entertainer, Subject Expert, Examiner, Social Worker, Dictator, Public Speaker, Public Relations Officer, Archivist, Manager, Sports Coach, Committee Chair, Educationalist, Nurse and Designer. It is however, sometimes fun. As the NET teacher at my school, one of my duties is to be a crazy 'gwei lo' too. The students in the picture range from 13 yrs old to 21 yrs old and the teacher on the right is Ms. Chee my Eurasian colleague.

2005-10-08T21:50:00.000+08:00

another Hong Kong street story.

In the tourist areas of this fair city you're certain to find Asian blokes (pakistani and Indian) offering passing soft targets (white people) 'rolex watches' and 'costom taylored suits'. Usually I can summon a smile and have even exchanged a bit of banter as I politely refuse and re-refuse untill I get out of range.

Today I was extra tired after a demanding week at school and I was being followed down the street by one of these chaps.

He was sticking quite close to me, I was ignoring him as he tried every trick his experience had taught him might get a response and he was sticking quite close. As he reached his last all or nothing tactic of injecting some serious urgency into his voice. . .

"Just take a look sir, sir, excuse me, excuse me, take my card, please take my card, sir, sir....just take a look sir, sir, have you seen...best prices, sir! just take a look!"

. . .I found myself turning on him, backing him up and shouting in his face! I said "NO! OK!...NNOOo, NO!!"

He Looked a bit shocked.

I felt a bit ashamed.

I kept walking.

2005-10-01T16:06:00.000+08:00

Just watched an interesting documentry about
l o v e.

Interpersonal love. It talked about three phazes.

1. Physical attraction, lust for want of a better word, an instant feeling based on smell, voice, appearance, social characteristics. So ladeez! what is it about a fellow that makes you say WOW!?

2. Romantic feelings, a rich imaginative, chemically powerful phaze. Described as a dopamine based addictive madness on the show! Gentlemen, are you as romantic as the ladies?

3. The most lasting Connection of familliarity and dependence and long term connectedness.

My long suffering love-ees well know that I'm a bit dysfunctional in this department. So help me out. What is love for you?

ARE YOU IN LOVE? What's it like?

I would love it if totteham beat charlton tonight!

2005-09-27T14:51:00.000+08:00

Caption Dez? Jermain Defoe and martin Jol enjoy a quick dance on the sidelines after holding on to a 1-0 win over Fulham.

2005-09-24T13:38:00.000+08:00

A couple of cyclonic storms in the South China Sea. The larger one, on the left is affecting Hong Kong right now. When in this part of the world, the worst storms are alled Typhoons, Damrey has only reached evere Tropical Storm status. Thats a level below Typhoon, which is the same as a Hurricaine in the western Hemispere. I justwent for a quick walk on the coast...FUN!!! I could lean at a very steep angle without falling. And watch the wind beat spray off the surface of the sea and whip it accross the water at close to a hundren kmph.....into my baby-soft face. I just came back inside and I look like Charlton Heston after God gave him the Ten Commandments!

2005-09-21T20:21:00.000+08:00

A solitary spurs fan wanders along the south china coast, unable to take on board the shock news of his teams defeat at the hands of the mighty. . . . . . GRIMSBY TOWN (league 2) Why oh why oh why oh...HOW!? (I know how, no need to tell me)

The worst job in the world. ..

2005-09-19T18:12:00.000+08:00

Today I was walking around in Tsim Sha Tsui, on my way to Admiralty to my fvourite supermarket. The temparature was hovering around thirty, the relative humidity was in the ninetees, and some serious direct sunlight had begun to turn my natural pastyness into lobster.
Folks were, as they do in HK, walk/running down the street in a steady sweaty buzzing river of blank faces. I was one of the blank faces, earphones in, ipod playing something agressive to help me compete with the crowds when . . . . .I realised what the worst job in the world was.

Can you guess? . . .

being ignored and buffeted by the tide of business people and teenagers was a man dressed up as a large root vegetable. I think it was an onion, or turnip, it could have been a suede. His mission was to hand out leaflets promoting a new fresh food shop.

I was brought up short by the pathos of what I was seeing. He was truly a tragic figure. I can only imagine the physical torture he was enduring but each refusal, each time someone pointedly ignored his attampt to smile and give them a leaflet, it must have been a hammer-blow to what was left of his ego.

That was the closest an onion has come to making my cry. I hope he's got his feet up now, in an airconned room somewhere, sipping a wheatgrass and aloevera juice smoothy, listening to his favourite music. I respect you onion-man.

2005-09-11T10:57:00.000+08:00

Liverpool and Tottenham always seem to have good games. New signng Lee (pictured) looks a great player.

2005-09-09T23:36:00.000+08:00

why not double click on the image a play 'spot the white boy' Been back at school a week or so now. exhausted already.

2005-08-28T12:11:00.000+08:00

Robinson tells drogba what he thinks of him after after being kicked by him. Chelsea got away with alot. We got away with nothing.

A Blow?

2005-08-28T11:49:00.000+08:00

Last night Tottenham lost to Chelsea. Half of you have pushed the mouse over to the favourites list in disgust. I know there are only 2 or three readers who care about footie.
Mido, harshly sent off. Jose, Jol and the players involved, agree in that respect. The decisions that followed from Rob Styles, the 'referee' favoured the bigger club time after time. Essien deserved a red for up-ending Davids. Andy Ried penalised for nothing....Feeling quite frustrated. I'm not a petty person, but thats the way it was. We were winning in terms of chances and posession up to that point. Then the red, then the game was over. 10 men against 11, and the ref, despite a comeback in the second half. It was over.
HOWEVER, things are still looking up at N17. Encouraging, but frustrating.
OK,gotta forget it now and think about more important things. Work and Church.

2005-08-03T10:17:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 9. Relaxing in the park.

2005-08-03T10:15:00.000+08:00

Beijing 8. Mother and son.

2005-08-03T10:13:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 7. History speaks loudly in Beijing. (they were empty!) Taken at a ruined temple.

2005-08-03T10:10:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 6. According to my friend, the oldest bridge of its type in China. Hmmmm.

2005-08-03T10:08:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 5. The Olympics..are you going?

2005-08-03T10:01:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 4. The city in the distance.

2005-08-03T10:00:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 3. Beijing buddy.

2005-08-03T09:58:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 2. Walking in the hills

2005-08-03T09:57:00.000+08:00

BEIJING 1. hutong life is slow and peaceful

One country, two worlds.

2005-08-03T09:12:00.000+08:00

After a 5 year gap I was suprised to see so much hadn't changed with the city. Still a huge, hot ,dusty grid of roads. Still full of pirated stuff. The whole point of the trip was to get to eat a meal and spend time with some of my old students:
They where around 17 years old when I was their teacher, and to sit down 6 years later with a table full of smoking beer drinking beijingers in their twenties was something. Plenty of 'hot' 'salty' BJ cuisine, lots of shouting, joking and toasting. I was slightly drunk by the end.
I filled my 4 days with walks in parks, up and down mountains, through hutongs and along the wide straight roads in the city centre, I walked more there than I ever do in HK and it was very good. I've forgot how much I enjoy walking.
I think once you get past the seedy froth of street level bussiness that feeds on innocent tourists, make good friends with a beijinger or two, then the city becomes a different place. Beijingers speak directly and laugh easily, and really do love their friends.
Hong Kong People are more confident, a thousand times more experienced and know whats what in the world. But BJingers are innocent and have imagination. One country, two systems? more like one country two worlds.

Good to be back in civilisation! Sad to leave the 'wild north' with some good friends.

Quick Prediction...sticking my neck out

2005-07-27T15:16:00.000+08:00

RB:Kelly (pamarot) LB: Stalteri/Edman. CB: KIng,Dawson (gardner,davenport).
Central Midfield: Edgar Davids, Micheal Carrick (Mendes, Tainio)
Left Wing: Zeigler/Reid. Right Wing: Routledge (lennon)
Centre Forward: Mido, Defoe (Keane, Kanoute)
GK Robinson (Cerny)

Is this a 5th place team?

1st: Chelsea, 2nd: Manyoo, 3rd: Liverpool. 4th: Arsenil. 5th: Tottenham.

2005-07-24T22:20:00.000+08:00

We Won! I Know, its only the 'peace cup' but we beat the French Champions and Lyon, and won over the likes of PSV and Boca Juniors and Real Sociedad. This is YOUNG and Talented team. Just the beginning. . . for the new tottenham.

2005-07-22T18:12:00.000+08:00

The next generation of Tottenham legends: Mido, Defoe pictured. I want to go on record, and publicly say that I am optimistic about the future. Its not the irrational hope that spurs fans feel before every season, only to be broken hearted by January. This time, finally I can say its different. For the first time in maybe 10-15 years other teams don't want to play us.

Train to Bei jng. . .

2005-07-22T17:26:00.000+08:00

I'll be making a short trip north to Beijing. I'll be going by train, so 25 hours there and 25 hours back. Stay in the centre of town and try to catch up with as many old friends as possible.
I must admit it'll be a welcome change of scenery for me. A chance to get out of one big city, plough my way north through lots of interesting places and then pull up in another very different city. Swapping glass for concrete. Swappin grime and carbon monoxide for dust and sulphur. Its healthier to have a variety in polution too.

It'll feel strange to be back there. It was a special year 1999 to 2000 in that crazy place. I definitely had a good time. HK is all about work and money, BJ felt a bit like the wild west.

I'll be catching up wit lots of old students. all in their twenties now. so a day to gettere, 3 days there, and a day back home to HK . Home to HK. Still have a slight buzz when I say that. HK, BJ both important places for me.

holiday...

2005-07-19T21:12:00.000+08:00

Imagine the word spoken in the same way 'water' would be spoken by a man who just crossed a desert.
what a year.
I'm in shock.
I'm not used to it.
Failure is not an option!
its a . . . .?

belly up, back to the wall, shoulder to the wheel, facing the music, and ducking and diving all at once. No wonder I'm tired.

bit numb, need to adjust to the holiday. H O L I D A Y. I Lady ho, Lay hid O, Ha doily!. . . .ok, better find something constructive to do....

People I Admire part 1

2005-07-12T09:25:00.000+08:00

I've never been a hero worshipper. Being on such intimate terms with my own weaknesses makes me suspicious of people generally and I know I can be a bit of a scrooge. 'Know Thyself' is far more estimable as a dictum than 'Look on the bright side' in my book. I like to think I'm a realist, but I'm sure I slip into pessimism sometimes.
That being the case, any praise I give must be richly deserved and sincerely meant! so there are a few people who I want to point at and say, look at her/him, he's/she's pretty good. In no particular order.

Top of my list: Windy.
Simply put, I've never met anyone more giving. I would not have survived here without her help.She does so much for me that if I listed everything I would pass my 5 Gazillion terrabyte limit. She always reminds me whats important and shows alot of care and effort for very little in return. Very Christ-like. She is great. An example to me.

Dez.
A good bloke. I feel refreshed everytime I communicate with this man. Although he supports the wrong football team, I know nobody who's opinion of the game I respect more. A good hearted, honest man. In fact Dez. the biggest complement I can give you is that you're the male version of Sarah Shum with less skill in making desert, a bit more down to earth too! (sorry sarah!) What a father you must be.

Yan.
Her brothers, Kalun and Nick, two retiring artistically inclined, sensitive guys, much like myself, . . its not difficult to see who wore the trousers in the Lau household. Yan is the ultimate fun gallery/museum buddy and has sutch a great mix of integrity and brains that makes her the uber conversationalist too. Oh, and she's a good friend. What a craftsman God is to carve out Yan.

Bert.
As a baby Christian, God used Bert, maybe without him realising, to force me to address some dodgy areas of my life. He remains as the closest thing to a hero that I'll ever have. Thanks Bro. I havent laughed as much as I laughed with you and Adrian. Our jokes were dumb, but we regularly fell off our chairs in topic meetings with laughing. x.

Kaz, my sister.
The only person who I spent my whole childhood with. A fantastic daughter, an increadible mother and a great sister. . . . .and wait for it, my friend too. Very smart, strong and funny. Caring and kind and a better person than me in many, many ways. I'm blessed and thankful when I think about Kaz. Here are some Kazthoughts: **She'd leave going to the toilet to the ultimate last second and then try to walk upstairs with her legs crossed.** (aged 3 to 5) Do you still do that smazzer? **she'd bother me with amazing chat when we shared a room and I was trying to sleep (terry wogan time, story time, what else?! )**
She has had some funny hair styles too, remember the AfroKaz. I would like to see afrokaz again.
God bless Kaz.

The sun rises and sets, the seasons come and go, and people blow each other to pieces.. .

2005-07-08T10:49:00.000+08:00

. . .Some things don't seem to change.

At the end of the year I have to be jolly and willing to make a fool of myself at school for events like the Form 5 graduation dinner, the end of year fair and shows and all kinds of fun activities we have to end the year. I have to smile in lots of photos and sing funny songs and party with the kids but I find myself having to act a bit as I don't feel too jolly, I feel quite.....serious.

When the kids were killed in the school at Beslan in Russia, I was similarly impressed. They're quite special when you really consider events like this. The twin towers was perhaps in a different league to Beslan and London, it was powerfully symbolic and there were more deaths. I suppose whether its commuters, bussinessmen and women, or pre-schoolers, the result is the same. Pure tragedy.

Mad events like these seem to be coming thick and fast these days, bit of a gut-punch for the humanists. 'People can easily regulary, continually disregard the suffering and death of other people' POW! .. . .one. . . two. . . .three. . . .you're out! End of debate.

The Christian doesn't try to fully explain sutch madness. We can talk about free will but in the end, in the face of everything we just have to point to the cross and say. He took it too, he suffered the worst the world had to offer. He was in the classroom when the kids were slaughtered, he was looking out of the 70th floor window as a maniac steered a plain into the building, he was on the train when the lights went out, he was on the cross.

God forgive us.

Different type of entry. . .

2005-07-03T09:51:00.000+08:00

A quick mostly factual update for interested friends and family.
I'm sat not wearing a great deal waiting for my latest mail order acquisition to dry so I can wear it. Bought from tyhe 'Spurs Online Store' its a T-shirt'
About 10 days from end of duties at school now. Just have a few meetings to go to with reports to submit at them, a few more lessons to teach and some end of term activities. Some loose ends in the administration department too. Still have a bit of pressure.
Today, Sunday, I will go to school for a few hours and force myself to do some work that needs doing before school tomorrow. I have my last double lesson of the academic year tomorrow. It has been my toughest year here yet. I hope next year is easier.
Today, after working I will go to St. Andrews Church in Tsim Sha Tsui aiming to be there around 4pm for music rehersal. I sing and play alternate weeks for the evening service. I should get back home at about 9pm, get my bag and clothes read to leave in the morning. School starts at 7:30 to 7:45, better get off and start it all.

Hong Kong People. A poem.

2005-07-01T11:14:00.000+08:00

The deepest people, who tread carefully and eat well.
Three years here has taught me that maybe they smell,
The roses less often than maybe they aught.
We plough the ground with our eyes and work without thought.

But I aspire to acquire sutch a delicate face,
Petal-lipped, almond-eyed, moon-faced race!
But instead of good looks I've acquired with ease,
A bullet-proof soul, my heart is Chinese.

None stronger, non deeper though not as high or as broad,
With a chest thats a cannon and a mouth thats a sword.
With true love till I die I offer a toast.
To the country and people Mr.Thomas loves most.

Go on now, go. Walk out the door...

2005-06-25T14:15:00.000+08:00

...Don't turn around now, cos' your not welcome anymore.

Finally its looks to be over. Sweet Frank Arneson will be allowed to go, but with 'gardening leave' to serve on his Tottenham contract, and a hefty 10 or so million quid for Martin Jol to play with coming from Chel$ki.

If you're thinking that we are as bad as them? Permit me to make the following defence:

Dodge needs a new sherrif.
Untill the small town of Premiership does get a Sherrif with some guts along with a hanging judge, Villains like the Chel$ki gang are going to continue to force the good townsfolk to take the law into their own hands.

Reflective slightly sad boy plays football in the rain.

2005-06-14T19:53:00.000+08:00

Boulder-black clouds tumbled inland, the tops of the tallest buildings ploughing and gouging them as they passed low overhead. Every few seconds, brilliant vermillion cracks bridged the gap between the sky and the ground and thunder shook them both. The thunder didn't rumble, the lightning was so close that it was an instant deafening explosion.
I was standing in the goalmouth, ignoring the pummeling, driving rain. I squinted out at the rank of form 7 boys. One lone teacher, outnumbered, friendless, against the elements, bracing myself for attack.
With sickening speed the largest boy made a run to my left, 'how could sutch a fatty fat fat run so fast??' I barely had time for these thoughts to form in my mind when he struck the ball squarely and cleanly slightly on the bounce and sent it fizzing inches above the waterlogged concrete towards my low right.
With the instincts of a powerful jungle cat my footwork shifted, everything slowed down to a fraction of normal speed and I saw the leather cannonball scattering raindrops into a tunnel shaped wave as it span towards me. There was instant silence and I could see myself, face set in grim determination, lit starkly by a finger of lightning that had struck a tower next to the pitch.
'Noooooooooooooooooooooooo (breath) ooooooooooooooooo'
With the reflexes of the death-dealing desert Cobra I dived (dove?) righ, hurling myself into the path of the thunderbolt shot, straining every sinew to reach it, my body flying parrallel to the ground for fully 18 feet (this is Hong Kong, normal people can do that here), no thought for the fact that my momentum would surely carry me on, straight into the steel upright that formed the right hand post. HE MUST NOT SCORE!
'Nooooooooooooooooooooo'

Paul Robinson is my HERO! a Tottenham legend after 1 year.

Today I played footie with some old students in a violent thunderstorm. It was a great way to release after having to say goodbye, again, to my oldest friend as she went back to England.

Frank Arnesen, latest in a growing list.

2005-06-05T12:02:00.000+08:00

Chelsea are after 50% of Tottenham's dream team. Our Danish Director of Football, famous for spotting new talent and (up to now) respected the world over has been 'tapped up' and it looks like he wants to go, not surprisingly.
With the Malcolm Glazer affair, Cole-gate, Abramovic's rise with claims that Chelsea have 'bought' their title, and now this. Add this to a season with some on the pitch 'incidents' and I must admit to feeling a bit jaded about the game in general.

The team I love has made big progress nevertheless: Out of a league of 20 teams. . .

Only Arsenal scored more goals at home.
Only Chelsea and ...one other team, have shipped fewer goals away.

If we hadn't had our 6 game losing streak when Santini left we'd have got into europe via the league with points to spare, and finished above Liverpool who, as we know, are the greatest team in the universe. (sorry Henry, ho ho ;-)

(we're half way there!)

I'm not going to say we're the best team in the world yet. But if we can get away from the lies and greed for money in the papers then such a young talented british team are bound to achieve something very soon.

Chelsea's money is starting to overbalance the topflight game in this country. Add that to an apparent lack of morals in the Stamford Bridge management team. What about the future?

Many Me! (scroll down for pictures)

2005-06-01T20:51:00.000+08:00

We're all complicated, and I thought, while messing around with my webcam, that I might in a very simple way make a tryptich (spell?) gallery type thing showing three aspects of a person's character.

Not sure if it will attract posts. Just funny to look at and food for thought. Do you have the same experience of being different people at different times? I hope I'm not becoming Bi-polar! I mean just wanting to listen to Radio Head one Minute and Praise Music the next.

I can't wait to get to heaven, then I can resolve myself into what God intended!

2005-06-01T20:49:00.000+08:00

The Good. I Love God and God loves me. That makes me good. I'm not a good person because of anything I can do. I'm forgiven, and that makes me good. Thanks God.

2005-06-01T20:47:00.000+08:00

the bad, I have done bad things. There's part of me that is Godless. Forgive me but I can be very bad.

2005-06-01T20:46:00.000+08:00

..and the ugly. I Lose my temper, I lose touch with myself and with God. I can become an idiot quite quickly.

Tottenham? Yes, Tottenham. Do you know about them? They are good.

2005-06-01T15:53:00.000+08:00

I want to talk about Tottenham. Rewarding myself for working so hard lately.

The biggest clubs in england are Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea.

Group two Includes teams like Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.

I hasten to add that the team I love, of the six mentioned above, has been the worst performer for more than 10 years by a long way. (what a confusing sentence!) But, for the first time in a long time there is ambition at white hart lane.

MANAGEMENT:
Martin Jol is a great manager. I already know that mutch. Warm, Hard and Smart. Thats all you need!
Some of the premiership managers are damaged goods as far as I can see. I ask myself who would I like to get stuck in a lift with out of the 20 prem. managers, and Benitez is too cerebral and a bit shy. Moyes is stroppy and arrogant, his success this year is accidental if you ask me. I respect Souness, I think he's bit off more than he can chew with NUFC tho. I like Robson, but he's not stable, Mourino is like a roman emperor crossed with a clown, Fergie needs to relax and Arsene Wenger can be a bit bitchie. Alan Curbishley is not hard enough, Chris coleman looks depressed. Mclaren is solid enough but a negative tactician. Stuart Pierce could be special. In amoungst that lot Martin Jol looks promising, thats all I'm trying to say.

THE SQUAD:
Young and British and wait for it......pretty good.
This summer looks like bringing more changes to an already unrecognisable squad. Mendes, Keane, Brown, Gardner may leave. Simon Davies (one of my favourite players) has gone to Everton but We have midfielders like Teemu Tainio (who!?, actually he's a good utility player from ..erm..another country) D'Allessandro (argentine and a top class playmaker) even Louis Figo and David Beckham as serious prospects?!!
Wayne Routledge is coming, Andrew Johnson might be too as Palace sink. This is just the tip of an iceberg of wheeler dealing done by the jedi master Frank Arnesen.

Players I Love: Micheal Carrick, Fredi Kanoute, Paul Robinson, Micheal Dawson, Andy Reid, Reto Zeigler, Eric Edman, Mido, Defoe, King, Stephen Kelly, Radek Cerny.

Players I think are nothing special: Micheal Brown, Timothee Atooooba.

Dear Santa, Please give us some good speedy skillful wingers. A striker to replace Robbie Keane who is going to Celtic or Newcastle. A world class midfielder to lift out Tottenham Youngsters and inspire them alongside the soon to be great Micheal Carrick.

Its a brand new team, with a blumin good manager, a smart connected director of football and a bearable chairman. At last, I can be proud of my team again.

Premiership next year:

1: Chelsea.
2: Manchester United.
3: Arsenal.
4: Liverpool.
5: Tottenham.
6: Man.City.
7: Middlesbro.
8: Bolton.
9: Aston Villa.
10: Newcastle United.

I think Charlton are going to struggle. Danny Murphy, you chose the wrong club.

Personality- I have got one.

2005-05-22T11:28:00.000+08:00

Tests like this one are just a bit of fun, a way to waste half an hour, but they can be thought provoking too. Why don't ya'll take a test too and we can all light heartedly compare?

Extraversion46%.
Stability73% (mr. reliable!)
Orderliness43% (should be lower)
Empathy56%
Interdependence36% (I am an island)
Intellectual76% (with a university)
Mystical70% (what the heck is this?)
Artistic76%
Religious83% (I hate this word)
Hedonism23% (should be higher)
Materialism70% (guilty)
Narcissism36% (true)
Adventurousness43% (true)
Work ethic 30% (a bit higher!)
Self absorbed 36% (maybe shud b higher)
Conflict seeking56%
Need to dominate50%
Romantic10% (oh dear)
Avoidant76% (I don't want to talk about it)
Anti-authority56%
Wealth43% (hopefully higher)
Dependency30%
Change averse70% (surprising, but true)
Cautiousness56% (maybe shud b higher)
Individuality 16% (they mean self image)
Sexuality ***sensored***
Peter pan complex50% (???)
Physical security43% (I think they mean the need for..)
Food indulgent63% (I don't indulge food)
Histrionic30% (cool and calm)
Paranoia63% (untrusting, maybe)
Vanity56% (darn)
Hypersensitivity30%

http://similarminds.com

I think the above stats are about 70% accurate.

Lish and Josh (good idea tuan) tribute.

2005-05-19T20:53:00.000+08:00

Would just like to briefly give God credit for two of the nicest people I know. Nice is a bland word and doesn't do them justice. Let me try again:
Try to imagine a guy who somehow embodies personal authority with real modesty and intelligence and playfulness. Now try to imagine a woman with the same personal authority, along with a godly lovely empathetic spirit and the same sense of humour. God truly is a quality craftsman. God, bless their union! Give them a life that overflows with blessing! Amen!!!!

Beautiful Bodies and English Culture.

2005-05-18T08:09:00.000+08:00

Are you happy with your appearance?
How important is it for you to look good?
Do you spend time and money on trying to look better?

Today, Neil takes an irreverent, off centre, out of the box, almost hilarious look at the thorny issue of **'self image'**. In order to maintain some personal distance and detatchment, he has chosen to write entirely in the 'third person'

Well, its certainly true, neil has gained a few pounds since washing up in the fragrant harbour. Siu mai + fish balls + fatty sushi, devided by desk job = love handles. Here are the cold statistics:
Before: weight=140lbs (10stone) waist=30ins.
Now: 160lbs (11 3/4 stone) waist =35ins.

The preocupation out here with looking good has not left him unaffected however and, as a representative of the caucasian peoples of the world, he has been trying to build up his muscles. Come on Sam, catch up mate! (hoho)

Neil wonders about how others feel on this topic. He is aware that, in the past, some have accused him of being vain and would like to scotch this slander once and for all by reminding people that he is merely following in the English tradition of making fun of himself. Self-satire is at the heart of what it is to be English! The world might laugh at the English, but not as much as the English themselves do. Its the only way we have left of feeling superior.

As many of you know, Neil is a traditionally pasty skinned English guy, disarming, loyal, sometimes charming, usually fake with an undercurrent of something nasty.
Most white English people certainly admire the golden skinned and shiny haired Chinese. He admired the white teeth, white socks and perfect fingernails of his BBC friends as a teenager and freely admits that the personal hygiene habits of Hong Kong Chinese families are way ahead of anything dreamed of by the 'one bath a week' brits. White people are dirty!

Neil doesn't want to get offensive, so he's going to stop here.

The fat lady. . .

2005-05-15T10:13:00.000+08:00

. . .has not yet sung, both for the four teams at the bottom of the table, and for the 3 teams that still have a chance at 7th. She might not have sung yet, but, for my beloved Tottenham, she's gargling and practising her scales. The scenario we need to qualify is unlikely to come about. Not impossible, but unlikely. Manchester city must win, narrowly, and Spurs must win by a margin greater than that of Man C. to the tune of 2 goals.
e.g: Mancity 1, Middlesbro 0. Tottenham 3, Blackburn 0. Could happen.

Coming into the time of year when I get to play host to visiting friends here at my "luxury" apartment. I think Tuan, Sam and family, but first my amiga numero uno Wai Yin might all honour me with a brief stay this summer. I enjoy hosting. Since I've been here, Mike and james, Esther and Sam, Waiyin and Pak Kin, My dad and sis., Daniel from sheffield, a friend called Peony that some of you know, and one or two others ? have stayed and it is certainly something I enjoy...(if it doesn't last for too long!) I know this city is quite expensive to stay in.

I have a mountain of marking that I MUST do before Tuesday so. . .Here's hoping that the scenario comes true, bye for now dear friends.

Inter school debate.

2005-05-11T21:19:00.000+08:00

Lately I've had the chance to improve as judge in debating competitions as it seems to be the season here for that kind of thing. Just got Back from a friendly debate between Carmel (my school) and Pui Ching. It was fun but the other judges didn't have much idea how to judge and instead of measuring the quality of ideas, the strength of the rebuttals and the quality of the students reasoning against each other, they judged on the 'force' (volume and vehemence) of the students delivery.
Carmel's team sited better examples, followed relevant and solid lines of reasoning, and to my mind won the debate. However, what we failed to take into account was poor judging. My two colleagues on the panel of three judges, were impressed not by any of the above, rather they awarded marks according to how much saliva and melodramatic gesturing the speaker could throw out. Deary me.

Just bought a loaf of my favourite bread, a box of sushi and some chocolate milk. So, supper then bed. One last comment. . . . .

While sometimes I look around HK and curl my lip as though I was better, whisper something like 'this place has no soul, its just the mess left over by people getting rich' under my breath; I then go and have days like today watching my students show how darn good hearted they are. There are lots of good people here. I should never ever be proud.

Another debate on Friday. Hmmm.

Oh Gosh.

2005-05-08T20:44:00.000+08:00

Well, Tottenham lost. We weren't at our best and we lost, leaving us with only an outside chance of qualification for Eurpoean football. That said this season has been a quantum leap ahead for Spurs nevertheless. Such a disrupted season, and we come within an inch of sutch a big achievement! Things are still looking up!!!
Only arsenil have scored more goals at home, and only a couple of teams have conceded less away. That speaks for itself!
A season of team building and groundwork, its still all good.

Monday tomorrow. Goodness.

Working life. Could do with:

More space,

More time,

Summer holiday in 2 months.

Book inspection this week.

Better have a bath and a shave.

Did anyone vote? I'm basically happy with the result.

Happy mother's day mam.

Tonight's game and some other bits.

2005-05-07T08:25:00.000+08:00

Tottenham Vs. Middlesbro' . .Youth against experience, it's all in the balance.

This year the premiership end of season has so many interesting games to watch: The relegation battle ( hope west brom stay up ) then there's the euro spot, (naturally hope Spurs pip Man City, Aston Villa and M'bro. for that one) then theres the Champions league spot between Everton and L'pool, ( no preference there ) then there's the second place battle between Manu and Arsenil. (can't bring myself to wish victory on either team ;-p )

Got to go to the hospital today for an "emergency" eye examination. Then Church in the evening, where I'll be howling into a mic. and pounding on my conga's for two hours. (worship team) Then there's the game. So when do I do the marking?

Friends.

2005-05-04T18:39:00.000+08:00

Well, truly I should thank God for friends. A Good friend with good news, or a kind word is probably the best thing in life. The companionship of someone who has your best interests at heart is quite amazing when you think about it.
I should thank those dear friends who so caringly responded to the below post. I'm ok, I'm not distressed, I'm just noticing a bit of a character shift. My 'disposition' is becoming less patient, less concerned for others, less interested. Maybe that's just getting old!? (?) . . .maybe not.

I have a few friendships that stand out in my life. The deepest ones also have an element of tension in them, and a history with a share of conflict. Its difficult to be close to anyone without bumping up against them sometimes I s'pose. I think often, friends are people who struggle together, not against but with each other, and there's something sacred about that. It's like wrestling and hugging are almost the same.

My longest standing friend is a Girl I'll call Wai.
She's 10 days younger than me and we've known each other for 23 years ish, having first swapped gifts and played 'tiggie off ground' and 'what time is it Mr. wolf' at the age of about 7 in a Sheffield junior school.
We've travelled through the years always feeling the gravitational pull of the other person (sometimes strongly, sometimes weakly). We've sometimes spun away from each other and been distant almost to the point of losing touch, sometimes crashed into each other and rowed but, like two planets in a crazy orbit, or a binary star, we have always been connected.
I'm not romantic or sentimental enough anymore to say we will always be friends. I know she and I are not special people. I don't think her qualities put her above others and I know I am not faithful enough to claim I'll always be there for her. Always is a stupid word. What I can talk about is now. Right now, I can't imagine not being her friend.

So, to all my friends, and to anyone who has friends, CHEERS. and God keep you.

Phew, a bit personal, but you're welcome to read.

2005-05-01T14:14:00.000+08:00

even though tonight brings an exciting game, and tomorrow is a holiday, and God forgives, I have a heavy heart at the moment. I can't say why.

At the moment I am marking books and getting ready for the evening service at St. Andrew's Church, home to my spiritual family since I moved here. Its an Anglican Church and I was confirmed as a member of the Anglican communion about a year ago. Bishop Thomas See put his hands on my head and prayed.
I get alot of blessing and help there. I serve in the worship team playing the Congas, the guitar and singing harmonies for the worship leader as part of the Backing band. Quite funky music sometimes and I always look forward to that.
I also sometimes go to midweek meetings of a meditative prayer group, where we all stumble into the 100 year old gothic building after slaving at work and quietly pray for a few hours. An then there's a home group, we gather at the vicarage and study, pray, sing then eat. I've really let the midweek things slide though and am finding it hard to get to Church on Sunday too.

I know I'm becoming quite cold hearted. I can't blame Hong Kong, or work, or anything else, I just feel like something is slipping away from me a bit. I'm settling into a chilly indifference to most of the things that my friends and family value. The only thing I feel motivated to do is simplify and streamline my life as much as possible.

I'm doing many deeply stupid things, regularly, and can't seems to do what I know I should be doing. I know this is the common experience of all people, especially Christians, who have Jesus as a standard. But I'm losing sight of the standard and my tempariture is cooling to match the level of my surroundings. Gosh.

OK, back to my books.

Reyes, what kind of a name is Reyes?

2005-04-26T13:08:00.000+08:00

Another entertaining game, and as glory has traditionally come before success at Tottenham I feel very positive. Against an admittedly majestic arsenil, we looked good too,. On occasion we even outpassed the kings of passing and at the end, they were hanging on.
However I take nothing away from them, they deserved the win.

You know I don't think we underestimated them, it's just they were alot better than we thought, and anyway, football is footbal, if it weren't, it wouldn't be the game it is.

london derby.

2005-04-24T15:50:00.000+08:00

another quick football post I'm afraid.
Two circumstances add a special significance to Monday's game. The first is the fact that if Tottenham can turn its poor record agains the gunners on its head and win, then it will seal arsenal's failure to keep its premiership title.
Ther second is the fact that if we can get 3 points and jump back into 7th place, we will be in a UEFA cup place for the first time in ages.
SO, am I going to get up at 3am on Monday to watch the game?. . . . .

Those who can, teach. . .

2005-04-21T19:53:00.000+08:00

Teachers no longer rank alongside lawyers and doctors on the professional ladder,(rightfully so perhaps) and in the UK at least, they have a bit of a reputation as moaning coffee drinkers who lacked the ambition to achieve distinction in their chosen field. Hmmmm. The most hurtful insults always have an element of truth in them. But that picture is at best, incomplete.
It was never my ambition to teach. I don't know about my dad,(a teacher for 30 years) but I sort of allowed myself to fall into it. Its a secure job and despite the fact that, at present the whole profession is groaning under the weight of impossible levels of accountability, it is potentially very rewarding.
I enjoy the performance part of the job and I take great pleasure in the spontaneous, all singing and dancing cabaret lessons in which I lose myself, like an actor, in a creative moment with the kids. We do give each other alot of pleasure: Today, I got carried away acting out a scenario in which I was being rescued from a burning building by one of the students. The student(as I played him) shouted "don't die Thomas, don't die!" as I gave over-dramatic CPR to a pile of exercise books.
Then there's the discipline, (starting to enjoy this now) using only the force of your personality and the threat of detention class, to control a crown of yunguns, takes skill my friends! I have had some nightmare learning experiences in UK as I cut my teeth in some of the toughest schools in Sheffield.
Then there's the monotony of marking and the administration of record keeping, calculation, statistics and target meeting and setting. Did you have to do all this dad?
Then there's audits and inspections from peers and government, then theres materials design, then theres the deadlines (some useful, some not)
Then theres the pressure from exams...especially here in HK, it is intense.
Then there's the fact that while parents, children, teachers, administrators, government on the face of it have the same goals at heart, they often disagree, or partly conflict as to how those goals can be achieved. All makes for a healthy dose of work related stress.

but. . .

I can't think of another job where, on your birthday you get three cakes and so many gifts, or true respect and deference from hundreds of teens. And then deep gratitude from ex students and the friendship that come from that. Teaching CAN be the best job in the world. Not many people come and visit the doctor that operated on them.

Evolution. . . yes or no?

2005-04-19T19:06:00.000+08:00

Over the last fifty or so years scientists have sketched out a plausable chain of events between a 'Big Bang' and the life and civilisation on Earth.
There are still some missing links in that chain. The proto-chemistry that somehow overcame the Amino acid-Protien, chicken and egg problem (you need one to make the other, and both to make replicating molecules like RNA and DNA) and then there's protein folding, and on the macro scale the apparent reverse entropy of evolution, well, there's still alot to sort out before we can follow the chain back to the Bang.
I want to ask my thoughtful friends around the world how they feel about evolution and it's decendants: evolutionary psychology and even evolutionary sociology. Is it reasonable for me to call myself an evolutionary creationist? Am I retreating like a coward or is it the only reasonable position left in a world with unreasoning zealots on both sides of the debate.
I think the evidence for evolution taking place is hard to deny now. I don't think it can account for a great deal however and am starting to explore the idea of 'steered evolution' a process that isn't mindless, but was started and steered, by God, with Humanity as the target.
Then there's a chain of reasoning that would then force me to take the Garden of Eden story as at least partly figurative. And the 6 days of Genesis is periods etc.
Where do you all stand on this key issue? soooo many 'chains' of reasoning!

Just got back from playing football, am muddy sunburned and bruised, but happy.
God bless you.

Forgive me for complaining. . .

2005-04-18T21:33:00.000+08:00

One of the most striking culture differences between UK and HK is the attitude to work. I have just finished a 14 hour working day and that is, I'm heartbroken to admit, nothing unusual. My co-teachers at school are, as far as possible, very sympathetic to one another, and there is a good support network of teachers helping teachers that might have alot to do with Carmel being a Christian school.
The point is that it is expected that work takes precident over other areas of people's lives here. Whereas in the UK, meetings would be avoided unless their is a clear need with a clear objective in mind. Meetings are routinely scheduled outside normal working hours. These meetings are long, 3 to 4 hours, conducted in chinese and I am left frustrated and exhausted and angry afterwards. Nobody is to blame, it is just an example of my selfish British culture really having a hard time with the amount of sacrifice people make here.

I can do the job. But working chinese style does my head in sometimes. I can't accept sacrificing my health or wellbeing for a job. My colleagues do this regularly. It is normal for people to work while sick! to spend evenings at school, nights sometimes. My record working day is 20 hrs (my own fault) 7:30 am to 3:30 am. Tonight I left school at 9:30pm, I'll be back at 7:30 am. I have work to do before I go back too. You can see why a lazy western bloke might complain.

I want to be clear that I am not complaining about the people I work with. I have true admiration for Louisa, Ellen, Ronica, Maria, Grace and the whole English department. We are like a family. I just want to complain about the system. Its a struggle sometimes. Thanks for reading.

2:2. . . pure nerve wracking entertainment.

2005-04-17T00:28:00.000+08:00

Emotionally exhausted. good game, Liverpool really look dangerous. We had a threat too and took the lead twice. Gerrard missed a pen. (hmm). Goal of the season from Erik (the viking) Edman. All round entertaining game. Well done Tottenham.
We have to win all our home games and get the odd point away to hold onto 7th and play eurofootie next season.
Any pundits out there care to comment on How you see Tottenham's prospects and their present team? (dez..?)

the reds against the lilywhites. . .

2005-04-15T21:10:00.000+08:00

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.

2005-04-12T00:22:00.000+08:00

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)