"My heart is broken... there's nothing to break" - Robbie Williams

The wheels made contact with the tarmac as the sizzling sun hangs majestically under the Bangkok sky. As I took a deep breath, a stench most foul, reeked across the cabin and greeted me in all its grandeur. In no time at all, someone barfed. It was only a 2 hour flight. Geez…

I was absolutely astounded by this city. Cited for all its cheap stuff and prostitutes, it begged to differ as it was much more than that. The traffic was un-orderly, vehicles just whiz by each other in-between lanes and pedestrians. Erected amongst the boulevard of traffic were advertisement boards. Not just one or two, hundreds of them.

"My heart is broken... there's nothing to break" - Robbie Williams

After a long day’s visit to my client’s factory, I took it upon myself to unwind a little… A drink or two won’t hurt. I decided to make my way to the nearest pub on the last night of my escapade in Thailand.

CM2 is located at the basement of Novotel in Siam Square. It was 9pm (Singapore time) and the place was deserted. Apart from a couple of Red necks playing pool at a table on the far end, the place was only jam-packed with the music blaring from the speakers. I ordered my usual, took a seat in the corner of the room and waited for the venue to populate. So that I could begin my usual clubbing activity – People watch.

Colonization commenced at about 10-ish. And I realized one very significant statistic, men were outnumbered. I was overawed as I panned my vision across the dance floor only to my amazement that there were gorgeous women all around. They were not sprinkled across the club, they were packed into it.

What the heck, I established eye contact with a “miss universe contestant” lookalike. And soon enough, we were talking.

“Where’re u from?” I casually asked
“Columbia” said she
“What’re u doin’ here? Shopping?”
“For work”
“What do you do for a living?”
“I have sex in exchange for money”

My mind just went dead. What on earth is such a beautiful specimen of a woman selling herself here? She offered her services to me and I tried to change the topic. My inquisitive mind, however, succumbed.

From my enqueries, I realized that all the women there were “working”. Latino Americans, Russians and locals alike. With my mouth still agape, I thanked her for her time and left the table.

I stood at another area recollecting my thoughts and tried to straighten my thoughts up. The liquor was cheap so I was able to afford more than usual. Then, I saw her. It will forever be etched in my mind. The local looked so much like her, my ex. They were like carbon copies.

How would one’s life get any worse? Traveling across two borders and into another time zone, I still managed to bump into someone resembling her.
Was I suffering the after effects from the alcohol?
Was it a reality or just another pathetic hallucination from my overactive mind?

Go figure

"Someone said, 'football is more important than life and death to you' and I said, 'Listen, it's more important than that'." - Bill Shankly

After a month of late nights, drowsy afternoons and spousal negligence, the concluding saga of one of world’s greatest spectacle pitted French Flair against Italian Steel. Arguably one of the maestros of football in the past decade, Zinedine Zidane led the Les Blues out onto the pitch for one last time.

Zizou struck a chord of brilliance when France eliminated the Spanish and also taught the cocky Brazilians how to play football in the semis. He takes to the field and will try to bring the Cup home for the second time in the history of French football, thereby etching his existence in the annals of modern football.

With the paparazzi all over the Italians regarding the corruption scandals involving several top teams from the Serie A, the players were relived when the press turned their attention to the French after their triumphant feat against tournament favorites, Brazil.

The team is oozing talent from its noses, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vierra, David Trezeguet, Franck Ribery, Claude Makelele, Fabian Barthez, just to roll a few off my tongue. However impressive the roster seems, the French still assembled the team around Zidane.
That, in my humble opinion, wrecked the dreams of millions wanting to see one of the most celebrated sons of football lifting the trophy to conclude his career.

The Azzuris, on the other hand, have simplified the tactics of football. Managers and coaches all over the globe have herald different formations, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1, 4-2-2-2 and 3-2-3-2, just to name a few. For generations, the Italians have practiced the catenaccio.

Loosely translated in Italian as “Door Bolt”, the catenaccio places emphasis on defence. This, in turn, resulted in the ability to groom world-class defenders. The solidity of the Azzuri back line was unparalleled. Undoubtedly the best custodian in Germany 2006, Gianluigi Buffon show why he was the world’s best; conceding only two in the entire competition- an own goal and a penalty from Zidane in the Final.

And one would ponder on how to go about beating this magnificent Goalkeeper; one has to wonder how to breach the watertight defence first. Marshaled brilliantly by the player of the tournament, Fabio Cannavaro adopts a no nonsense attitude. With Gennaro Gattusso giving the defence more than ample cover from midfield, one really has to think thrice on how to “Unbolt the Door”

"Someone said, 'football is more important than life and death to you' and I said, 'Listen, it's more important than that'." - Bill Shankly

Before the world cup started, stars like Ronaldhino, Kaka and Ronaldo were tipped to shine. Now, basking in the arms of glory are not the gold of Brazil but the blue of Italy. Here's my take on the best in Germany 2006.

"My heart is as frail as a dove, and my spirit weak as a rose, see my sorrow feel my pain.." The Afters

The Fallen Paladin
Tread the lonely path on a winter’s night
Sense the solitude in thy kingdom’s light
Praise the treacherous mind of thee
May the Gods in heaven, hear this plea

The gorgeous setting of a burning sun
War rages on, till thy kingdom come
A rich blend of tears and sorrows
Amidst the ruthless shower of callous arrows

Freedom has its own harsh days
Love has many a pleasant phase
Taste the snow for it’s bittersweet
Kiss the earth, as your knees get weak

The fallen paladin standing tall
Amongst the lush trees, hills
And the cold, stonewall

Swords fall, as hands of time begins to stall
An empty throne beckons
As thy heart welcomes all

The fallen paladin standing tall
May thy heart welcome all