A Little Wisdom Goes A Long Way.

Well, it's true. The following excerpt (or should I say, ENTRY) was written by Markus on the 22nd of May 2008, a day after Manchester United wrested the European Cup from Chelsea's bumbling fingers. So fitting was this entry, I decided to give it a re-post. Glad we at very least supported the same club.

THE SUM OF THINGS by Markus Ng

“God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,

courage to change the things that should be changed,

and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.”

Reinhold Niebuhr

The journey of life here on earth is indeed the sum of every single decision we make; to go, to fight, to befriend, to love, to surrender. And yet, it’s so much more. Right now, I choose to surrender. Tomorrow, I fight.

It's not over yet, so I'm gonna keep moving forward. Some things I can change.

Some things, you simply can't.

Well done ManU! To all my Chelsea friends out there, I think you need more wisdom. ;)

End quote.

Your philosophies, words of wisdom and sarcasm will be sorely missed. Go rest now.

Is It Valentine's Yet?

'Cause frankly speaking, I can't wait. :)

1 day, 7 hours and 46 minutes to go... Is that right, 46 minutes.. :S

My Man Markus.

The day's entry comes in the form of a tribute to a friend who went before his time. It also comes a day late, which I am regrettably sorry for, as I am still at a loss for words. I could have never guessed that you'd be laid to rest before any of us, as we were the ones with the many vices. From high-school, I knew you to be a mild-mannered, reverent, inspirational and talented individual. My man, Markus.

We'll always wonder why you had to say goodbye so soon. You were someone we needed here still: to guide, to reform, to look up to and follow suit.

"But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - JRR Tolkien

And you did a whole lotta good with your time, mate. And for that, you've been bountifully rewarded. Pray we're shown the way just like you were, and um.. maybe put in a good word or two for me with The Gaffer? The whole CF epic would do nicely, thanks. :)

It saddens me so to know we'll have to put off our next futsal session for the meantime, but I'll bet the grass, or should I say turf, is way greener on the other side. It was truly an honor having met you, Markus. Godspeed.

Markus Ng - Strife

Fwoosh~

Okay, I realize my last post was about 4 months ago, but that doesn't mean that I update per annum. There's been a rush of To Do's at work, but mostly it's just due to being lazy. Nothing much has happened within that time frame anyway: poker home games, weekend futsal, EPL, WSOP final table in which Peter Eastgate won 9 million smackeroos, EPL, intern Elton Jane coming and going, more poker home games and EPL, year-end PD trip plus DUSOP main event in which Small B won but was eventually owed his winnings, Elton Jane's grand theft auto experience, the opening of Big B's 2nd Capri outlet in Uptown, Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States hand-in-hand with the change of power of DUSOP's president, more EPL concurrent with the event of Manchester United taking over Liverpool at the top of the league standings (hammering Chelsea in the process), CNY hometown visit, the purchase of new shoes, memorable poker bad beats, more late EPL match-ups and of course, poker. NOT FORGETTING the occasional dinner, 'quality time', and shopping sprees with Jo, to be added in between. :)

Okay, so there were many things you've missed. SORRAY.

But in all honesty though, it's much less of a hassle if I update this way.

Hip And Soulful Storytelling.

K'naan - In The Beginning

So...

In the beginning, there was a hum

From a poet whose pulse fell,

DRUM DRUM DRUM.

He would perform prayers and all

'Til one day he heard a voice call,

"COME, COME, COME."

Suspicious, he moved with vicious caution.

Dismisses, he thinks he's a little off.

People get held back

By the voice inside 'em.

The voice said, "I'm poised to speak inside you.

Rejoice and please let me invite you

To evil, greed and lies too."

Confused and dazed, he moved in ways

And soon became a coon and

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

And 'knock' on his door,

His lord is no more.

And 'knock' on his door,

His soul is no more.

That was at the beginning.

As the story goes on...

So...

The poet's got a proposal,

He would always hope but never know

What it feels

To be free.

He would be the frozen;

Imposed as the chosen on all those opposing

But he would be greedy.

That's got him there;

He's power-hungry and proud too.

People don't care,

People just scared.

People don't care;

People, just pray.

That was at the beginning.

There was a hum,

And things change...

They say it's better to light a candle than to curse the dark.

In the eyes of the youth there are question marks

Like freedom.

Freedom for the mind and soul;

We don't see them.

See them for their worth at all;

That's why we lead 'em.

Lead 'em to these wars and what is it we feed 'em.

Feed 'em our impurities and who it is we treat 'em.

Treat 'em like the enemy;

Humanity will need 'em.

Need them like the blood we spill and where freedom?

Freedom for the hearts we fill;

We mislead 'em.

They hunger for the love we give

But we cheat them.

The cops beat him when all he wants is his freedom.

So they defeat him.

Whatever spirit he's got:

Beaten.

And they teach him the rest of the world don't need him.

And he believes it's a disease that he's heathen.

Put up your fists if all you want is freedom.

Put up your fists if all you want is...

That was in the beginning.

And things change...

And we keep holding on,

And we keep being strong.

And we keep going on

And on and on and on...

Berbatov's A Friggin' Red!

And about time, too. After our unconvincing opener against Newcastle and failure at adding another trophy to the cabinet with our defeat to Zenit St. Petersburg, it's only fitting we bolster our attacking options.

So, after months of seemingly endless speculation, Dimitar Berbatov signs for Manchester United for an estimated fee of £31 million, on the last day of the transfer window.

The picture's authentic, folks.

Oh, how I'd hate to be Liverpool next weekend.

An Obese Bundle Of Annoyance.

No, I'm not talking about little kids, or newborn pets or whatnot. I am talking, however, about a temporary staff who happens to be working in the very office I'm situated in, and she sits 2 GODDAMNED CUBICLES away.

I understand now why many 9-5ers choose to vent their frustration in their blogs: SHE'S SO BLOODY NOISY. Now I'm sure that's not really the case, but SHE REALLY FRIGGIN' IS. She brings new definition to the term 'Squawk Box', and I'm sure if given the chance, she would take Becky Quick's anchor position in a jiffy. Worst of all, besides the fact she can't shut it, she speaks in an American accent (authentic, I made a bet with my colleague) so she really sounds like a genuine dumb blonde. What with our Malaysian culture in the mix. Lahs and mahs and mah chee byes.

Every morning, as I enter the haven that is my workplace, she greets me with a squeaky, fever high-pitched, "Hi Scotty!" I just cringe and return her a look of what I think a person who has just stepped in dog doo would look like and hope to God it passes off as a smile. 'Cause if it doesn't, she goes, "Why the funny face?" DO PEOPLE WHO TREAD ON DOG SHIT GIVE YOU A FUNNY LOOK? I DON'T THINK SO.

For crying out loud, we don't give two shits about whether you can speak like, 12 different languages (yeah, she can), we don't care if you've seen people fatter than you, or whether you dislike taugeh. We certainly wouldn't bother you (or be bothered) if you've "gone insane" and would rather commit suicide than hear your experiences in a public shower in Sweden (or was it Switzerland) again.

Well, ME at least.

Rumor has it she'll be working here another 2 weeks. After that, hopefully, she'll manage to heave her big behind out the door and leave us be.

I guess I've held up this entry for as long as I could. I've had it being nice.