Expectations vs Reality...

In '500 Days of Summer', there is an interesting split-screen part which portrayed two very different situations at the same time. One showed what Tom expected; what he really really wanted to happen. The other showed what actually happened; as always, reality will bite you hard in the arse no matter how big you dream.

Life is not like how it is in the movies. But at least the split-screen part was right.
'You always want what you can't have, but you've got to try.' Even if you know things will never turn out right in the end? Even if you know you'll eventually fuck things up? I'm not being a pessimist here. I'm just being realistic.
People scoff and laugh their heads off when FAM set their targets for Malaysia to play in World Cup 2014. Is that being negative? I admit, I love my country and I belt out my full support for the boys in yellow wherever and whoever they play. But in reference to the 'target', please. BE REALISTIC.
Back to the issue being discussed. I want a happy life ahead of me. Who doesn't? Only right now, I don't see it coming soon. Heck, I don't see it coming at all. Quoting Carlos Luiz Zafon's words, 'when you doubt yourself even for a minute, you've lost that hope to carry on'.
Yes, I've lost all hope right now. Diri sendiri pun tak terjaga. Dah macam sampah. Macam mana nak jaga orang lain?
There is a hint of truth in that statement, harsh as it is. Expectations? No more. Time to get real. Fake plastic smile? Your service is greatly required right now. Hey ho. Let's go.

Crunch Time at the Kop

As all the hype goes, Man U travel to Ainfield to face Liverpool tomorrow and the devils head into the match with a hint of advantage over the recent lackluster form of their hosts. I am a fan of neither teams, but this fixture should not be missed for the neutrals.
I'm pretty sure most of us still remember the results of their last encounter. Man U successfully went on to lose(haha) 4-1 to the Reds in a scintillating performance by Captain Marvel and Co.
However, things aren't looking so good for the Kop faithful this time around. Man U, despite carving scrappy wins over lowly oppositions, are at least winning their games. Liverpool have unfortunately loss all four of their recent matches, but that is not their biggest problem. With Gerrard and Torres still doubtful to start because of injuries, the Reds actually pose a far lesser threat than when the two are available.
They may still have other attacking options in Kuyt, Babel and Benayoun, but let's just face it. Liverpool without Gerrard and Torres is just plain..well, plain. Even the big man Carragher seems to have lost his composure, thus the defensive errors in their back line leading to the recent losses.
BUT. We all know that anything can happen in football. And if Rafa's men can strike up another 'miracle' in front of the home crowd tomorrow, it would be the latest installment in the never-ending series of premiere league drama for this season. That's just what we love about football. Biar jela kalau national team or league kita quality macam hampeh. At least there is still entertainment in the many other football fields around us.

From 'Kid'ulthood to Adulthood...

Last weekend, I got back in touch with a long-lost cousin whom I've never met since we finished primary school. There was a lot of catching up to be done, although things were very much awkward at first as the only thing we had in common were the memories of our childhood days together.
As our little 'jejak kasih' program unfolded, I couldn't help but ask her the question.
'The boys. Are they yours?'
'Yes, of course. Eh. You didn't know?'
You bet I didn't. My cousin is now a single mother with two beautiful sons. I wasn't taken aback with the fact that she got married at the age of 18. I wasn't offended because I didn't know all these while. I was a little pissed when I found out that the jerk she married just went missing a couple of years back and I felt sorry for her and company.
But what really knocked my senses into me, was how she had managed to hold the edges and keep it together after all that she'd been through. I asked myself there and then, how would I fair in a situation like that?
People my age are generally regarded as 'young adults' and, as the term shows, we are expected to think, speak and act the way adults do. They don't give in to difficult times; they try to make the best out of it, be it having to work longer working hours or juggling two jobs at once. They are in total control of their emotions when things go bad somewhere(sparks may fly once in a while, but nobody's perfect). They will eventually turn out winners against life's challenging journey, and successfully pave a clear path for not only their future, but for their children as well.
I must admit, I still feel like I'm stuck in my teenage years. That transition of maturity and character seems to have not kicked in at full throttle, although the age suggests otherwise.
Do I fear for my future? Sometimes. Well, '30% sometimes'. The other 70%? Yours truly is usually spotted with friends, enjoying life and 'living it to the fullest' (quote here as the term is used to reflect irony).
On the verge of adulthood? Not quite. The time will come(hopefully soon) but right now, I'm at the peak of 'kid'ulthood.