Awesome day.

What a great day of football. Arsenal win the FA Cup. Atletico win La Liga.

All is not lost.

Word of the Day: Winners

Misfortunate.

A litany of misfortune yesterday (which I actually found quite funny):

1. My FIN test decided to call it halfway through yesterday. This unfortunate incident actually carried over to today, as I had to call the CA people and start doing it from where it left off.

2. My lunch came out last out of five people.

3. It was also very small.

4. It also didn't really taste that good.

5. I missed golf because nobody picked up their phone.

6. I paid $9 for parking, when Safeway had it for free.

7. There was no football on. Not sure if that's a Sunday thing or a Saturday thing. Whatever. Point being, it wasn't on.

On a happier note, most of that trail of destruction was counterbalanced by being in good company for the better part of the day, and, in the case of point 1, having awesome people help me through it.

Yep. Cool.

Word of the Day: Litany

Time lapse lifeography.

Unbelievably, it's already May. The fifth month of the year. Out of twelve months. Almost half way through.

Quite fortuitously, today, the 4th of May, is exactly two months since I started this job.

Feels like just yesterday when I was all like, where am I? Where am I supposed to be? What do I have to do next? Who do I talk to?

Quite a bit has happened since then. I'm on to my third client, learned a great deal, got most of my admin stuff under control, and I'm soon to enrol and begin my first CA subject. I've also gotten into Game of Thrones (so, like, I heard that winter is coming), Arsenal are a bit more on track than they were a few months ago, I've made a few friends, watched Iron Man 3 (good, good movie) and increased my hatred of public transport.

I'm enjoying it so far. There's been a few late ones, and a couple of people I didn't really get along with, but the great thing about audit is that these two variables generally don't persist for more than a few weeks.

Finishing late is usually attached to certain jobs. Likewise with people you don't get along with. Rotating jobs every few weeks lets me get away from both after a few weeks. Usually, anyway.

Even with the people I don't really get along with, I've sort of learned to not take it personally. I mean, some people make it personal, but I've just kind of tried to take the view that that's just how they are. Just not very personable. Or maybe it's the pressure from work. Anyway, I haven't had to work with a great deal of people like that. Maybe just a couple.

It's all a learning experience anyway. You learn to not be like that to someone when you're teaching them something. Also, angry/angsty feedback doesn't necessarily preclude it from being useful feedback. Just because someone pretty much labels you an idiot for stuffing something up, at least they've let you know that you've stuffed something up.

I'm also pretty pleased that the social calendar is picking up somewhat in the next couple of weeks. Kind of the storm before the storm. The social storm before the work storm. Or something.

Word of the Day: Thrones

Surprise Song Sunday: If I Had a Gun - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

Let me fly you to the moon

My eyes have always

Followed you across the room

Cos you're the only God that I

Will ever need.

-----------------

Just a few words on Arsenal's thumping 6-1 win against Southampton.

What a fantastic win. A weird/hopeful part of me was kind of expecting it, as Soton had seemed extremely shaky in their previous games. Marred a bit by the conceded goal, especially how stupid it was, and how keeping a clean sheet would've set a record, but one can't have everything in life. Just ask Liverpool fans. (I'm not entirely sure that dig at Liverpool made sense).

Podolski levitating in celebration following his thumping free kick and subsequent goal. Bonus Jenks in the background (Credit: goal.com)

More of the same please.

Word of the Day: Thumping

A win! A real, live, actual win!

And goals! Actual, sweet, sweet goals.

By scoring their first two goals of the season, and keeping their third clean sheet, Arsenal finally secured their first win. Some of the passing was excellent, and I was particularly impressed with the midfield trio. I think the defensive midfielder is overhyped. Having one would be good, but if you've got Arteta and Diaby, both of whom showed great defensive awareness, screening the back four, then having one isn't essential. Besides, you've got the added advantage of Arteta acting as a deep-lying playmaker.

While I was similarly impressed with Podolski's goal, I also found his work rate incredible. I think he made more tackles than Gibbs on the left hand side, and I almost always saw him pop up when needed at the back.

Podolski!

Credit: The Telegraph

Santi Cazorla looks more and more a bargain. Pace, passing, shooting, intelligence, two-footedness. Can't ask for much more.

It's pleasing to see the whole team look much more cohesive and organised, especially defensively.

Our lack of a back up striker is a bit of a worry though. I think Giroud will come good - his movement is exceptional - but should anything, touch wood, happen to him, we're relying on Podolski being drafted into the centre, or Chamakh. With the latter, 'relying' is used in the loosest sense of the word.

Anyway, good stuff. More of the same after the international break please.

Word of the Day: Pop

Surprise Song Sunday: Why Do You Let Me Stay Here - She & Him feat. Gordon Levitt-Joseph

I'm just sitting on the shelf.

Some semi-random, juxtaposing happy music feat. Joseph Gordon-Levitt. 

So how about that Arsenal last night ey? We didn't score, and of course it's because we're van Persieless, and not because Sunderland locked down with two banks of five. 

I don't really understand the whole van Persie thing. None of what he did makes much sense at all, but there you go. Footballers are strange beasts at the best of times, and when you flash some money at them, they just become downright weird. All I know is he's a jerk, and I believe that we can cope without him. 

Anyway, the game. Despite the draw, I like what I saw, Obviously I'd be a bit happier if we'd won, but I thought the team played well. Santi Cazorla looks the real deal, Gervinho looks a lot better than last season, and Podolski and Giroud provided good movement and could have scored a couple of times. 

What pleased me the most was a) how well we coped defensively without Alex Song and b) on a related note, how well the team pressed and tracked back. It was noticeable how many times we won the ball in the Sunderland half, which came from everyone pressing. It was particularly pleasing to see Arteta and Gervinho tracking back. Revolutionary idea, but I think if we can get two central midfielders tracking back when the opposition attack, we may not even need to buy an out-and-out defensive midfielder to replace Song. I mean, it's not like he was even that defensive to begin with, it's just he could defend a little bit when he could be bothered. 

However, despite the team looking alright, before the transfer window closes, you'd hope that the manager signs another midfielder and/or another striker. Especially a striker. We've essentially only got 1.5 strikers that are actually any good. 

Anyway, have yourselves a good Sunday. 

Word of the Day: Tracking

Banana rant.

So someone threw a banana at Gael Clichy while he was playing football a few days ago.

I thought people were over that by now. If you're going to be racist, at least be original or innovative about it. That's only about the 1,309,392,909.45th time that somebody's thrown a banana at a black football player.

In all seriousness though, I don't understand how people can do that sort of thing and not be disgusted with themselves. It's so small-minded and idiotic, and, as canvassed before, doesn't even get lols from people that are into that kind of stuff. Grow up, and stop acting like a five-year-old who has never seen someone with skin that is differently coloured to yours, and find some better hobbies.

Another not particularly incisive rant from Andrew Huang.

Word of the Day: Skin

It was a jolly good show, wot.

The Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games was fairly amazing.

Yes, I realise it was almost a week ago. What of it?

It was just an epic bombardment of English cultcha. Which I love.

English music, English people, English history, English literature, English language, James Bond and David Beckham (yeah, that's right, separate category for them). Love it all. And most of it was there. Except for the medievalness and stuff.

The pyrotechnics were also pretty amazing. The Olympic Rings dripping gold, the genius of the cauldron lighting, the fireworks spray. The lighting of the cauldron was a bit anti-climatic, however. I kind of didn't realise it was happening until the cauldron caught on fire.

Dripping fiah.

The only part that was really bad was the absence of any reference to Oasis. Like, what. At least they atoned by putting Paul McCartney and Arctic Monkeys in.

I also did really like the literary references though. Dickens, J. M. Barry, J. K. Rowling.

Conclusion: did not feel like a drag, creative, fresh, and full of stuff that I love. Good stuff.

So what of the Olympics themselves?

I'm kind of in the non-caring boat, uncaring away. I've taken a morbid curiosity in the controversies - you know, the alleged drug taking by Chinese swimmer, badminton game throwing - but apart from that, not much interest.

The whole Chinese swimmer thing is a farce. I think she's taken drug tests, etc. There's no need for all this slander and accusation. The Americans and the British should never have started it, the Chinese should never have responded in the way that they did.

The badminton involves the Chinese as well. This time, deservedly so. If you're going to throw the game, at least make it subtle. The manner in which they did it just smacks of sheer arrogance.

Not only do they want to throw the game, but they want to throw it in such a way that everybody knows that they're not trying. So they want the practical advantages of throwing a game, without losing any face. That's not the way it works. People pay and give up time to watch these games.

It's also arrogant because of the fact that they assume that both Chinese teams are a shoe-in for the final.

In sum, it's disrespectful to everyone. The paying public, the game, the Olympic spirit (not that I'm a big believer in that anyway).

So what am I actually going to watch? Maybe the football final. Not predictable at all, me.

Word of the Day: Jolly.

Krakow/Cracow/Crack Cow + van Persie.

Last night, I went drinking in Krakow. It sounds intense, and it probably was. Had a good beery, and went back home. Yeah, intense.

Today, we did a walking tour of Krakow, which I enjoyed immensely. It's a pretty, lively, and small city, full of stuff to see, do, and buy, all at immensely reasonable prices. So we wandered around, did a few mosques, Schindler's factory, and ended the day by buying a heap of stuff.

Today also made me realise that most people on this tour are essentially pretty cool people.

As of yet, I haven't had a massive Holocaust horror moment, which I guess is good and bad. I do, however, fully expect Auschwitz tomorrow to be pretty full on, both positively and negatively.

Looking forward to it.

Also, van Persie.

I cannot believe it. That's pretty much the zillionth captain to leave Arsenal now. I was always a bit doubtful about his character, as everything he said seemed a bit too PR, but now it's plain for all to see it's all about money.

The club has signed two quality players already, with more probably set to follow. What else could he want in the club's future except for higher wages?

Whatever. We'll move on. Cesc was much more fundamental to the whole functioning of the team, and we managed to cope without him (albeit labouriously at times). We've already signed two quality strikers who are now looking like van Persie's replacements. We're much more on the ball, so to speak, than the last transfer window.

I say sell him. To Man City, whatever. It doesn't even matter. He's a couple of seasons away from being on the decline. If they're willing to pay a zillion pounds for him, go for it I say.

However, I won't pretend I'm not very disappointed, and a little bit sad. He was a good player, a good captain, and scintillating to watch last season. Yes, he pretty much only performed for one full season, but the technique and beauty was always there. When all is said and done, it's still a shame that we couldn't hang on to him. But in Arsene we trust.

Word of the Day: Cow

Thank-you, KIG.

So of course, my last train ride (I think/hope) of this journey is delayed by an hour-and-a-half or something. And, of course, no announcements in English to tell me, or any non-Italian speakers (because I’m not selfish and all that) what’s going on. Thankfully, a nice girl who spoke both Italian and English fairly well (well, I assume she spoke Italian fluently – I’d obviously have no idea) kept me up to date and stuff. Thank-you, kindly Italian girl, even though you’ll probably never read this. Without you, I might still be stuck on Platform 10 or whatever it was, trying to figure out how to say “I don’t know what the hell’s going on, please help” in Italian.  

While on said train, I watched/listened to the football with a whole trainload of Italians (obviously). Absolutely hilarious and enlightening experience (the only positive to come out of the whole delay). From 20 years old to 80, the people were equally passionate, crowding around the few streaming iPads, exalting in the two goals at staggered intervals (one of the streams were about 2 minutes behind the other). They were absolutely loving it, especially the aforementioned kind Italian girl, who kept calling someone and asking for the score. Made me think that the only reason they were upset at the delayed train was because they were missing out on the game.

One of those weird, impromptu, interesting, money-can't-buy experiences. Some of the best experiences. I love them. More so when they happen not because of a delayed train.

Now, because Italy's thrashed Germany at the Euros, they are partaking in their traditional post-football-match-victory celebration, which sounds suspiciously like the honking of car horns. This is at midnight. About three hours after the victory. And it seems to get louder and louder.

Anyway, tomorrow afternoon, I'll join up with uni. On the one hand, I'm very, very relieved to have someone else look after the planning and talking and stuff. I'm so far over all that it's not even funny. On the other hand, I'll have to meet new people.

Actually, that's quite good. What am I even talking about?

Also, I wish Germany would've won. I like Germany. Most in-depth football commentary ever.

Word of the Day: Honking  

Suprise Song Sunday: Superstar - Usher

I'm your number one fan,

Give me your autograph,

Sign it right here on my heart.

Some vintage-ish, cheesy, sweet Usher to brighten up your Sunday. Assuming that your Sunday does, in fact, need brightening up. Or that it is possible to brighten up your Sunday at all.  

So, how about that Chelsea, eh? Plucky little Chelsea, with their fifty million pound substitute striker. Plucky little Chelsea, with their squad costing a bazillion pounds over seven years. Plucky little Chelsea, winning the Champions League. 

Seriously, how? How the hell did they win that thing? I mean, we beat these guys 5-3 earlier in the season for crying out loud. And we suck.

The silver lining is, of course, that Spurs lose their Champions League berth. But really, that's clutching at straws/trying really hard to find the silver lining/being a hardline optimist. I would much rather have seen Chelsea lose than Spurs not get their Champions League spot. In case you haven't been told, this makes them the first London club to win the Champions League. 

Oh. My. God. 

Also, there's so much wrong with their team and their captain. Just...everything about them. 

*Vomits*

It has to be said though, that Bayern Munich are absolute bottlers. Of the highest order. They were at home. They were, at least on paper, the superior side. They took 82 minutes to score against a, at the best of times, very mediocre Chelsea side, which, on the day, had an extremely patched-up defence. 

And then went on to concede the equaliser a couple of minutes later. 

And then miss a penalty in extra time. 

And then screw up the shootout. 

Football, I'm getting quite fed up with you and your crazy ways. 

But I'll be back for the Euros. 

Word of the Day: Bottler  

Friday night football talk.

Since when has football talk been exclusively on Friday night?

Never. But since I'm doing it now, it's gonna be on a Friday night.

Anyway.

We got third!

Which, I know, is not a trophy, but considering all our trials and tribulations this season - how badly we started, how we lost a bazillion players during the transfer window, how we went through roughly half the season with 0 fullbacks, how we have one (very, very good) striker - finishing behind only Man U (the greatest team that ever was, and ever will be, ever, or something) and Man City (they have unlimited money) is an amazing achievement. Finishing above Spurs is also pretty good too. Well done the Arsenal.

Now let's get van Persie up on this new contract and stuff.

A word on the last day of the season in general.

It was absolutely nuts. As if anxiously watching us hold on to third place, heart almost literally in my mouth, wasn't bad enough, there was the added bonus of seeing QPR 2-1 up against City upon the conclusion of our game.

Turn around, the commentators are saying that CIty had won the game 3-2.

Just like that, in pretty much two minutes of extra time, they had won the Premier League. Unbelievable.

And, I guess, that's why Aguero gets paid a trillion quid a week.

The whole day was just an amazing advertisement for football.

Champions League final to look forward to this weekend. Here's hoping that Bayern destroy Chelsea. Plucky little Chelsea, with their 50 million quid benched striker. Man, I hate them.

Word of the Day: Arsenal

Surprise Song Sunday: If I Had A Gun - Noel Gallagher

Let me fly you to the moon

My eyes have always 

Followed you around the room

'Cause you're the only

God that I will ever need

I'm holding on and waiting for the moment

To find me.

Kind of like Oasis, but different.

Just a few disparate points about Arsenal's loss draw against Norwich last night. 

• Why do we insist on flooding forward when we're 3-2 up in the last ten minutes? Or when we're 1-0 up in the first 60 seconds? Or any time we're in the lead? Is it really that hard to form two banks of four to hold on to the ball for a bit?
• I'd be mad if I were van Persie. You know, I'd be all like, what the hell, how many goals do I need to score so that the lead is big enough for you numpties to hold on to?
• This is the most upsetting result of the season. Actually. For what it means, and for how it came about. 
• Vermalaen is quite mediocre in his defensive positioning. However, the goal leakage is not just his fault. It's substantially the fault of a midfield that seems incredible reluctant to track back, even in situations when the defence is clearly being overrun. It seems like schoolboy football to me. You know, all glory to the goalscorers, who cares about the defenders and all that. 
• This was a mid-table team who, theoretically, had nothing to play for. Playing in our stadium. And they gave us a massive game. What is going on with that?
• Spurs are probably going to get third place now. Oh my. That's the best case scenario. Newcastle might even pip us. 
• I cannot believe all this.

Word of the Day: Gun

Who's minding the gap now?!

And so another weekend of football passes, and Arsenal find themselves now three points ahead of Spurs in third place. And to think, a few weeks ago, at the halfway mark in the match against Spurs, they were 13 points ahead.

I don't remember us winning a game this easily since Wigan last year. Or maybe it was West Brom. Someone starting with W, and not wearing orange. Good times.

Weather's starting to get a bit cold now. You know, just in case you hadn't noticed or something. So much so that I almost contracted a cold yesterday.

Apart from that, not much going on in my own life except for this thesis stuff sort of maybe starting to take shape. I shall continue to live vicariously through Arsenal for the time being.

Word of the Day: Ahead

What a win/loss

What a game today, and what a win.

Well, a loss really, in the grand scheme of things, but I'll take it as a win anyway, seeing as I'm such a positive person and all.

I had a funny feeling about this game yesterday. Funny, in that I had a feeling that Arsenal could actually have a crack at overturning the 4-0 deficit from the first leg.

We almost got there. 3-0 up, and

If it wasn't for this save:

who knows, we might even have made it into the next stage. No blame attached to Captain van Persie though. After all he's done this season, he couldn't be expected to never stuff up. But still, it was a little heartbreaking. 

The word that I saw bouncing around the most in the Twittersphere today when people were describing Arsenal was: 'Proud'. 

And proud is what the team should be, and proud is what I am. The team should be commended for having a real go at a very decent Milan team.

Onwards and upwards Gunners!

Word of the Day: Proud

We actually won!

And this time, the football failed to disappoint.

It's not very often that we get completely outplayed and still manage a win. Unlike Man United, we oftentimes seem to lack that particular capability.

But this was one of those magnificent times. Up against the ropes for the entire first half, and most of the second, two magical, sublime van Persie goals once again won the game.

And my, how important this win could be.

Chelsea managed to lose to West Brom, which means they're now three points behind in fifth. Spurs are only four points ahead of us now with a game in hand, and play Man United tonight.

Things are looking a little bit better now.

Hopefully Arteta's injury isn't too serious. Looked bad, with the oxygen mask and all.

Let's hope that this win heralds a good week coming up.

Word of the Day: Oftentimes

Escape from Monkey Island

"I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too." - Hugo Cabret

It's a little bit sad, but sometimes I look forward to football a bit too much, because it takes my mind off things that irk me.

It's a form of escapism, I guess. For 90 minutes, you can worry about whether your team is going to win or not instead of worrying about things that you can actually do something about, but won't.

As I say, a little bit sad.

Speaking of escapism, saw Hugo last night. Excellent film. Very photographic. I very much like films that look as though they're filmed by a photographer. Beautiful composition and scenery. Oh, and it was also very well acted, and very neatly cut out parts of the book that I didn't like much anyway.

For some bizarre reason, before I went in, I thought the film was an animated feature. No idea why. Maybe just the 3D, because in my mind, the only films that should be in 3D are cartoons.

In case you're wondering, it's not an animated feature.

So off to do a bit more reading (what else do I do these days), and to watch the football in a few hours. Come on you Gunners!

Word of the Day: Escapism

The Emphatic Return of King Henry

Not much time for a proper post today, so I'll keep it short.

Thierry Henry! It's been said elsewhere, but it's like it was scripted. Arsenal needed someone to lift them, to score the deciding goal against their old nemesis, Leeds, and, of course, Henry climbs off the bench, and scores one of his trademarks. Left channel, beautiful control, curls it around the keeper into the far post. As Arsene Wenger said, it was a very Henry angle.

If you haven't seen what I'm ranting and raving about, click here.

In case you haven't heard, this man was the reason I started following the Gunners all those years ago. To me, in his prime, he epitomised so many things that were beautiful about the game. Pace, skill, power, timing, teamwork, athleticism, goals. Ripping through teams as if they were paper, and he was some kind of paper...ripper. All done with seemingly very little effort. He's also a throwback to a team that was as good as good can be. I'd say that team would give the modern day Barcelona a run for their money. Ljungberg, Vieira, Pires, Campbell.

To see him return, and score the decisive goal in his first game back, is beyond unbelievable.

Trademark.

Although his facial hair is questionable, there was no doubt about the elation he felt at the goal. All in all, pure, undistilled, sheer awesome today. 

Also, started work yesterday. Been learning quite a bit, settling in, and all that. Still finding my feet a bit, but starting to feel a lot more comfortable. More about that anon I guess.

Word of the Day: Henry

My eyes have always, followed you, around the room

It's fascinating, and a little bit strange, that when I learn to play and/or sing a song, I seem to connect to it so much better than when I just passively listen to it.

I think it may have something to do with me actually actively feeling the lyrics and the music. It just all seems to mean so much more. I kind of start understanding the lyrics, and seeing all the little nuances and subtleties in the music.

This bout of reflection was brought about by me learning how to play 'If I Had A Gun' by Noel Gallagher earlier today.

The structure of the song, in tandem with the arrangement of the lyrics, is actually quite different and clever. Very subtle stuff going on.

I've heard the song quite a few times. I just never really actively absorbed.



On that note, some of my favourite lyricists:

• Noel Gallagher
• Chris Martin
• John Mayer
• Jay-Z

Coincidentally, they also write nice melodies (except, obviously, Jay). 

Their lyrics are very clever, subtle, and take a few listens to understand what's going on. I'd like to contrast them to, say, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Green Day, and Bruno Mars. While their songs may be ok (some more ok than others), their lyrics are somewhat plain and blunt. James Blunt. 

Back to real life. 

So yesterday, I went to see Victory play Gold Coast at the AAMI.

The stadium was quite impressive, but practical at the same time. Quite modern, but not ugly modern like Fed Square. The seats were much, much closer to the action than at the Etihad. Made for a much better viewing experience. 

The game itself was a thriller, but a bit disappointing from Victory's perspective. Any way you look at it, conceding two while being two up against the team that's propping up the bottom of the ladder is poor, even if you only have 10 men. Anyway, they got there in the end, which I guess is a positive. 

They also played a lot better than I expected they would. Very little hoofball, and they actually passed it along the ground. 

All in all, a pretty enjoyable afternoon out. 

Also, Arsenal drew with Fulham, and van Persie didn't score. Coincidence? Maybe. However, the winning streak and the scoring streak had to end sometime. I just wish it wasn't at the same time.

Word of the Day: Nuances

Feel like Chris Browning someone right about now

So I had a semi-bad day that doesn't have much prospect of getting better.

I was going to take it out of Chris Brown, he of the gold-Rolex-throwing fame, but decided against it, because that's already been done and dusted. The fact that he attempted to throw a Rolex that costs as much as my car 'to safety' because it was starting to come loose speaks volumes about him anyway.

Isn't he just the coolest guy evarrrr?!

Back to the topic at hand.

Today was semi-bad mostly because the seminar that I, and, to a certain extent, Danny, had been planning for the better part of the last three months ended up with three people attending. Three. Out of 21 people that had said they were attending on Facebook.

Yeah, I know it's Facebook. I understand that you should probably expect half the people listed as 'Attending' to actually attend. I just don't understand the people that had class, and said they were attending. I mean, clearly they had no intention to do so. Why they felt compelled to put themselves down as attending I'll never know. Many lessons learnt, and all that.

What sucked the most was that it was actually quite a good gig. Like, I was actually interested. It was a lot better than I originally expected it to be.

Oh well. It matters little now. I just would've liked for something that I put a bit of effort to come off.

On a (very) bright note, Arsenal signed a bazillion people last night! Almost literally. Probably most excited about Arteta, and most satisfied with Mertesacker. Hasn't quite sunk in yet. Not that I'm THAT happy about it, it's just hard to envision them in the jersey. Something to look forward to I guess.

Also, I finally got my copy of the deluxe edition of Watch the Throne. Incidentally, the first CD I've bought in almost a decade. Amazing record, just for the fact that Jay-Z and Kanye are up on it. More on that later.

Word of the Day: Rolex