RIFLE RANGE BOY

Everybody has their own whims and fancies. We all have their idiosyncrasies. Somehow deep inside, we feel that we got to where we are because of what and how we did it. We must have done something right. That gives us the assurance that all things in life would turn out the way we want if it were done that particular way. And it would definitely turn sour if it were not done so. We all have our superstitions, and it gives us the conviction that everything will be alright if performed in such ritualistic manner. Nobody knows or can explain the sciences behind such an endeavour, but we do it anyway. What if something goes wrong? The stakes are too high to risk to engage in such a gamble. I was in the company of some friends. We had decided to finally meet up after numerous failed attempts to get together due to pressing work engagements. What better time and place to meet than at a local sports’ restaurant with a giant screen display of the week’s big English League football game. The ...

There is a reason why traditionally games started and ended with a handshake between two 'warring' factions who are out for each other's jugular during the games but will be having drinks again afterwards. This is known gentlemanly conduct. What happens on the pitch is left on the pitch! Times changed. People came out of conquest of war mode and natives gained independence. Man's unquenchable inner desire to kill and dominate is steered towards games which promise equal footing of action and gore. Suddenly, games especially football (soccer) became too big for its own good. Along came creatures likes publicity and public relations managers who promise the sky and the moon to take the game to dizzying heights who scaled out of thin air. And 'poof' came the vultures in the form telecommunications whiz to bring the players to everybody's living room. And the hyenas of briefcase lawyers who were anything but brief in their circumlocutory lecture about ensuring...

As the Tamils have a proverb for a situation like this, 'Like a bear attending Lord Shiva's prayer', I do not know what this retard of a  fan (aren't they all?) - and they call us "Live-a-fool" - was thinking he bulldozed into the sea of red worshipers of Liverpool team. The Kops fans are too level-headed to ridicule the mentally challenged. Anyway, welcome Liverpudlians to Malaysia. The Liverpool team is made up everyone else but hardly any Liverpudlians anyway but they play in the Merseyside they become Liverpudlians, right?. From The Star, 16th July 2011.... PETALING JAYA: A Manchester United fan pushed his luck a little too far when he showed up at the Liverpool training session at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil wearing the Red Devils kit.  Liverpool fans saw red and he was lucky to get away with only losing his shirt. Raging hell-raisers: (From top to bottom) The young man is spotted sporting the jersey, prompting Kopites to force him to st...