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.

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.

Paul Scholes, A Reluctant Hero.

Many people today seem to associate Cristiano Ronaldo as the standing symbol of Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder has come a long way from his Sporting Lisbon days to be, without a doubt, one of the best attacking players football has ever known. Now however, what with all the tabloids and the media at his heels amidst the recent transfer rumors he's gained popular headlines with, it would seem that talent (genuine football talent) is restricted only to the pitches or YouTube videos and footballers, in general, are never lead-by example fellows.

In stark contrast, Salford-born Paul Scholes was relatively quiet when he first jumped on the Old Trafford bandwagon, and has never looked back since. The camera-shy midfielder has come to be known as a one-club man, along with fellow team-mate Ryan Giggs, having spent their entire professional careers at Manchester United. Without the youthful exuberance of his younger colleagues, Scholes instead chooses to dazzle the Old Trafford faithful with his unrivaled ball-control, immaculate passing and dazzling long distance goals.

Okay, I concede, so do many footballers. But what makes Scholesy stand-out from the rest is his ability to choose not to stand-out. While Ronaldo makes more headlines courting beautiful women while recovering from his ankle injury in Los Angeles, Scholes would've given anything to be back home with his family in Lancashire, out of sight and mind.

But he's on pre-season duty instead, fullfilling one of his commitments that comes with playing for arguably the most popular football club in the world. What most people see as an iconic cementation in football history as the best, the highest paid, and the most famous, Scholes is quickly to denounce.

“I can't say I can't wait to finish my career, but I'm looking forward to finishing and everything that goes with it,” he said. “The only thing I will definitely miss is the football."

After his spectacular 30-yard rocket against Barcelona, you'd have thought he'd at least stay on for the celebrations that United were advancing to their first Champions League Final in nine years. But this was not the case. Reporters were promptly disappointed that Scholes had eluded them once again. In a rare interview in the days that followed, he modestly concluded his goal was merely "a moment" in the match, though most would have admitted it meant much more. Having missed the Final in '99 due to suspension, how couldn't it?

I'll also go as far as to assume that not many, if any, could picture Scholesy in another jersey other than Manchester United's. He'd probably go as far as saying he was never offered the opportunity to join another club anyway, when odds are teams would have no chance of prying him away. Either that or he was really hush about all of them.

Paul Scholes is the epitome of a generation of footballer seemingly long gone. Diligent and hardworking, meek yet steadfast, humble and modest to the end.

"He scores goals galore,

he scores goals!

He scores goals galore,

he scores goals...

He's scores goals galore,

he scores goals!

Paul Scholes, he scores goals..."

Kudos to you, Ginger Prince, stalwart of Manchester.