A day of sports

A great day of F1, Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at SPA, the best GP on the circuit. It wasn't without base as I was literally glued to the telly from the gun with multiple overtaking, assisted with the super high speeds through the best 'corner' in F1, Eau Rouge, leading up camel straight with 23.5seconds of full throttle. Yes, 23.5 seconds of putting pedal to the metal in a 800bhp 600kg car. Imagine that!! A switching on of DRS and burst of KERS and one can overtake relatively easily. The glue to the TV came off suddenly on the 15th' minute mark as Steve Slater (Star Sports, ESPN commentator) announced that it was time for a break. I literally shouted at the TV a bit 'OUI!!!!'. F1 is one of the sillier sports which has commercials during a 'live' coverage! Imagine that during a BPL match. During the late 90s, F1 was shown on 'Sports City' and the televised F1 was WITHOUT commercials and at the end of the race, the interviews of the drivers were show immediately! (not like now where one needs to wait ~15mins). Enough of ramblings, it was a great race, one where tyre preservation, timing of pit stops and general strategy were important. There're rumours where in future, the Belgian and French GP would alternate like that the Japanese GP is alternating between Suzuka and Fuji speedway. Economics and money getting in the way of great racing action!!

SPA ROCKS!!! *mission to self: To go to SPA one day and watch F1 at the Eau Rouge corner!

The saturday was made memorable with a superb trashing of Arsenal by arch-rivals Manchester United. I'm not a BPL fan but Man U vs Arsenal usually turns up great matches. And watching it on FULL HD via Mio Stadium and a 42" telly was really really soothing on the eyes. Man U had great showing by Rooney and Ashley Young (whom between turn curled in 5 beautiful goals behind the hapless Arsenal defense). Wait, there was no defense, where one is called if the back line was cohesive. Arsenal's 7 non-usual starters look out of sorts and were seen without ideas. Van persie and Walcott had no fire in their eyes and looked plain 'sian' to even play. It was a simply a slaughter house in the Theater of Dreams, the worst showing of Arsenal in it's 115 years with a 2-8 trashing by Man U.

What a memorable day of sports!

Birthday wines!!

It was one of the great dinners, and I had the chance to celebrate with Willy whose birthday was just 10 days apart. Everything worked out nicely, with great wines, company and fantastic food from Imperial Treasure. Cake was from Laurent Bernard, nice blackforest but not the authentic ones which remains elusive! More of the wines commentary on my wine blog at http://whoisdionysus.blogspot.com. And not one who likes to be in front of the camera, I'd prefer to post images with friends at my facebook.

The Cranberries - fulfilment to the MAX

It was a dream come true. I've 'grown up' listening to The Cranberries, learning many of the songs I've grown to play on the guitar back in Junior College days. Songs such as Zombie, Ode to my family, Linger were absolute classics. The chords were simple enough for beginners to pickup, melody was simple and yet not the conventional American pop. The Cranberries had records to the tune of the struggles of the Irish against persecution. I continued playing hits from Cranberries during National Service (At MDC) and our Sab-0 (zero) band during my University days.

In 2003, I did an student exchange in Belfast, and The Cranberries had a concert there but I missed it!! (Due to lack of funds, and non of the Singaporean mates wanted to watch), In July 2011, there was a TV ad which promoted The Cranberries, LIVE in Singapore on the 1st August. So this time, 8 years later, I just HAD to attend the concert. The missed concert of 2003 has been lingering in my mind, as they would have been at their prime and the venue was of that a small hall with possibly no seating (Imagine how it would have rocked!!!).

So when the lights dimmed at 830pm, and the band pumped out a string of his like "Hollywood, I can't be with you, Dreaming my dreams", it was a 'moment' that took my breath away, literally a life time of 'anticipation' and 'fulfilment' was felt. Now I understand why some fans (especially young nubile teens) will fall flat over their idols. I've realised that The Cranberries has touched me no other band has!

The rocking went on, Dolores showed signs of aging though her voice was a strong and crystal clear as any of their 5 albums so far. The 'du-du-du' of several songs including Ode to my family was airy and pitch perfect.

The hits kept on coming, Zombie, When you're Gone, I practically knew every single song which they performed!! The fastest song they played was Salvation, though I'd like to hear them play Forever Yellow Skies 'live' (A practically 2-chord song!! with slamming drums...great for moshing). After a short break with Zombie, The Cranberries came back with another slew of hits Free to decide, Promises and finally one of their biggest hits, Dreams as a fitting Finale!

Thank you The Cranberries for the music!!!