gambitch - now available in blue

Saturday, October 14, 2006

I picked up this CD the other day for a Japanese television drama soundtrack. The show? Beautiful Life.

So I decided I'd be really bored and go hit the YouTube again. And here's what I pulled out of the hat this time.

Enjoy!

gambitch [ 11:04 PM]

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

After the incredibly oddly cute phenomenon known as Domo-kun, I now have another cute creature of Japanese origin on my "absolutely love 'em" list.

It's called... Nohohon Zoku.

What is Nohohon Zoku? It's this absolutely adorable thing that Japanese toy company Tomy came up with. They even have an official website dedicated to the product right here. Here, go click on that link and look at the lovely little fella.

Isn't he adorable?

Yes, I know I'm sort of squealing, and that kind of behaviour may not be regarded as being very appropriate for this dark-storm-cloud-type male. But I absolutely love the Nohohon Zoku! They're so cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!

It is said that looking at them for more than two seconds will help to relieve stress and make a person feel happier. Hey, it definitely works for me! But more than anything, the Nohohon Zoku are absolutely adorable! Hey, I'd wear a Nohohon Zoku T-shirt if someone told me it's available for sale! They're just too lovely to resist!

Now I guess I'd better end this post before I keep on squealing.

gambitch [ 9:57 PM]

Monday, October 09, 2006

From robust to refined inside two hours! That's a switch that may not be quite quick enough, but it probably encapsulates my day pretty well. Apart from the time when I was sleeping or working, of course.

First, the robust. After weeks upon weeks of no sporting activity of my own, no thanks to work conspiring to give me the most awkward of hours, I have finally managed to clock in for about an hour and a half of Sunday football. Yes, it's been quite a while, and the rustiness showed. I wasn't doing that great in the goalkeeping department, while my outfield work wasn't too good either. But I worked out a good sweat, and that's always nice.

The one thing I didn't like was the fact that, due to some rather smoky conditions, I couldn't breathe too well. But then, what's one to do about the weather?

Unfortunately, because of a previous engagement, I could not stay for the full length of the kickabout. No matter. I left happy enough, and in just under two hours, I was elsewhere in town, getting myself involved in some unique cultural activity. For the benefit of my international readership, I won't mention in detail what it was, because it's going to take too much explaining anyway.

Suffice to say, though, that I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the process, and that enjoyment was enhanced by the delight of seeing nine-year-olds getting involved too. The flame, it does pass on. Of course, these kids must remember that their studies are more important than their current interest in this sort of cultural activity. That's more for us more grown-up folk.

So now I'm home, physically tired from the football but mentally abuzz because it was a great day. May the new week keep up this positive vibe.

gambitch [ 12:05 AM]

Sunday, October 08, 2006

England played some of the worst football I could possibly remember seeing.

It's quite appalling how bad things can get for England. To be honest, I almost couldn't recognize them. Where's the engine room? And where's the brains?

I mean, no offence to Steve McClaren, because I don't necessarily think it is his fault that he lined up the players he did. But what is very distinctive about this England side is how it had no operational structure to it at all against Macedonia.

And oh goodness, it's Macedonia! Not some world-class opposition like Italy or Brazil. It's Macedonia! Ranked how many spots below England in the FIFA rankings chart, and having no star name who can compare to the men in white. Yet how they were allowed to look just as good as England! Or more correctly, how England looked so bad they were almost mistaken for Macedonia.

Seriously, where's the class?

You would have thought that a midfield pairing of Gerrard and Lampard would have come up with some semblance of creativity and power going forward, so that Rooney and Crouch could be set up for a couple of decent opportunities. Looks like they haven't quite got that part sorted out. Because I saw no organization in the middle, which meant pitifully few chances for the England team in the first half. They got a bit better in the second, but hardly enough to look like setting up an organized foray into the enemy box.

And then there was the defence. How did Macedonia even get opportunities to muster shots on goal? King, Terry and even Gary Neville were made to look rather beatable. I'd say they were lucky to eventually cram the Macedonians into missing out on real chances on goal. Because if they didn't, they could be cruelly punished, and they might well deserve that.

England need to improve on their play. But the first step to that is to improve on their thinking. They need to actually think, rather than carry on the kind of rushed football they seem to be playing against Macedonia. Players were too eager to get the ball away from themselves, they seem to have forgotten how to organize the play. That cannot continue.

Is there something McClaren can do about this? Well, maybe. But the real key agents are the players themselves. They've got to have their brains screwed back on when they face Croatia. Otherwise, they're going to get so royally messed up again, the Queen wouldn't recognize them.

gambitch [ 5:56 AM]