Like A Teapot

I don't know about others, but I am eager to find out how the Irish vote in the next 24 hours on the Lisbon Treaty. I hope, in sympathy with the Irish diplomats who have worked hard on behalf of their government, the result of the national referendum would be a yes. But if it is a no, things would be a lot more interesting, for me as an observer, and for Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkorzy as players, hehe. The tough German cookie has worked her butt off since last year to ensure a positive legacy developed during Germany's EU presidency. And an ambitious Sarkozy would have to pick up a hot potato with his teeth when France assumes EU Presidency on July 1, should the Irish say no. Today's event in Ireland is like slipping fire ants under Sarkozy's jockeys and he can do nothing about it.

Germany just won the Women's World Cup final in Shanghai, beating Brazil 2-0. Presently, the CBC is running the game's highlights while awaiting for the award presentation.

I am very impressed with the quality of the match. It is no less exciting than the best of men's games. The players have great skills and look good as girls, slender and healthy, unlike some Chinese players who are like tomboys.

I have concluded that in soccer any time you have a South American team playing, the match is a lot more intense and exciting. I just love the South American style. The Brazilians lost largely because they had little time for preparation. Their best player had been playing in Sweden. She is very talented but missed a good opportunity (penalty kick) in the second half of the game which, in the words of a CBC commentator, the Germans ruled and eclipsed.

The German stiker and goal keeper were just brilliant in this game. Their coach, a slim woman, is incredibly cool. I am glad for her and all the German fans on site. I am also glad for China who has successfully hosted the event.

We're leaving together
But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back
To earth, who can tell
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground
Will things ever be the same again

It's the final countdown

We're heading for Venus and still we stand tall
Cause maybe they've seen us and welcome us all
With so many light years to go and things to be found
I'm sure that we'll all miss her so

It's the final countdown

Depressing days. The sky is grey. It's been raining for two days. Access to My Opera blogs from mainland China has been blocked for a week.

When I first signed up here, I was struck by the number of Chinese bloggers in this community. My instinct told me that something unpleasant would happen sooner or later. You see, Chinese Internet rules require bloggers to use their real names when setting up an account with a hosting site.

There is a reason why, back in Februray, I had wished the German film "The Lives of Others" could win an Oscar and rejoiced when it did. It was later reported that the film was banned in mainland China and that some well-informed Chinese traveled to Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year to see the film, while others used other means.

There is a reason why there was once a time when the English language and Rock-n-Roll hits were the most beautiful things in the world to me.

"The Final Countdown" was a smashing hit released by the Swedish rock group Europe in 1986. I recorded it from the radio channels of Hong Kong, which had not long before been unjammed by the government due to its pursuit of a new open door policy. I played the song again and again to help release the anger and frustration in my chest.

I knew I was going away no matter what.

For a long time I didn't know that I had some Dutch heritage in my blood, which probably explains why I had a hard time conforming and putting up shit. I was, however, keenly aware that there were other ways of living. English, I studied hard. Rock-n-roll hit songs, I would shout along once I obtained a copy and figured out the lyrics. But a passport was hard to come by, so was the all important visa stamp.

Heavy memory. Hard times.