I am home! It's been 8 months abroad and I am happy to be back for the next 3. Still trying to finish up my post of Debt but I'll do a much easier topic to write on, football of course. It's been a tough November for Arsenal, we were almost winless at home.
Are the signs good? It's been very mixed...very indeed. We should have qualified for the knockout stages in the Champion's League a couple of matches ago and but we are needing a final game to progress. Our games against Shakhtar and Braga have been disappointing and it has done us no favours. We are likely to end up 2nd which technically is not a favourable position. On the League front, we had 2 big away wins against Wolves and Everton, which at that time was a big step forward after the unexpected defeat to Newcastle. But after that was a very hard to swollow defeat to great foes Spurs. Being an Arsenal fan, there's no worst team to lose to other than Spurs. We have had an impressive streak of unbeaten games against Spurs over the years but to finally surrender it under such circumstance (being 2-0 up) was really hard to take. It was huge London derby where we could have been top of the table that day, but unfortunately Spurs had the better half and outscored our first half heroics. It was a day that also saw the return of Gallas which had a hostile reception as well as Spurs announcing their intent on make a challenge for the title. With the likes of Defoe, Bale, Van der Vaart and Modric, Spurs made the most of their very talented attacking artillery and made the comeback. We Gooners would need to live with this defeat and the fact our bitter rivals may be finally showing they mean business after years of unfulfilled promises (overtaking Arsenal). I personally admit I could see Spurs progress since last season when they beat Chelsea and brought the title race all the way to the final day. They then qualified for the Champion's League and now they have even qualified for the next phase.
Now a critical analysis of the team. The defence remains the biggest worry for the team. We have kept very few clean sheets and conceded some silly goals. Goalkeeping hasn't been impressive either and for me it is an unsolved problem since the start of the season. As much as I would like to think Almunia or Fabianski is good enough to stand in goal, they certainly have made too many costly errors. Fabianski has shown he is a good shop stopper but he really struggles dealing with crosses and physically tall attackers. I am still adamant we need a better keeper. Djourou, Squillaci and Koscielny has shown promise in some of their appearances, but there's still room for improvement and hopefully that learning curve is not going to cost us more points. More clean sheets is the very next priority.
For the midfield positions, Nasri, Wilshere and Song has been outstanding so far. Nasri is having his best season so far, is scoring goals and making a big impact in games. Wilshere has done some deputising in the place of Fabregas which probably is the most important position for Arsenal. With Cesc struggling with various niggling injuries and threat of playing too many games, this has limited his appearances. Wilshere has stepped up big time for the team, he passing and plays has been really outstanding. Looks like the three match ban has made him an even better player! Song is going to be a sought after player with his performances these days. He not only does the defensive work, he sets up attacks and even scores some goals. Walcott and Denilson has only started to come back their injuries and hopefully things will pick up in December. Arshavin has been a major disappointment this season, he has scored some goals but overall he has only been a shadow of the player he really is. But, he did show a good display against Villa and was the player on that day, a sign of improvement? Cesc and Diaby look to spend the next few weeks on the sidelines, we need to step up in a very important December.
Chamakh has ruled in the scoring department. With Bendtner and Van Persie only just returning from injury, Chamakh has taken on the responsibility and what a debut season he is having. Chamakh's height and speed has really contributed to many of his goals. Plus giving "200 percent"will inevitably bring more goals.
There's an extremely important final game for the CL group stage coming, plus a visit to Old Trafford and a home game against Chelsea in the upcoming fixtures. It's going to be a hectic fixtures list in January as well. Let's move to the next gear Gunners!
~deyao~
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Taylor Swift: Journey to Fearless 3 hour Special
I just completed the 3 hour special about Taylor Swift's journey and her tour. I still got a final exam paper coming up but I don't want to wait any longer because I might not be writing this if I postponed it.
The special mainly showed how she went on tour and the back scenes on how she made it happen. I've watched many documentaries and read tons about her, but watching one of her concerts remain on the "waiting list". It may not happen soon but the 3 hour special was a wonderful insight on her tour which lasted about 15 months. Her journey is something looked upon millions across America and the world. Her lyrics are 'embedded' in people and it simply shows her song's impact on her listeners. It was another tremendous story about a talented musician trying to make it into the music business.
In the beginning, it showed how she convinced her family to move to Nashville to pursue her music dreams. At an age of 11, somehow she did it and credit to her parents for giving her the opportunity to. Ironically, she got spotted in the same venue where her idol Faith Hill also got noticed. Some humour to the story. After she played in that venue (a cafe), a man walked up to her, asking her to be part of his record label. At the time, she was with a big record label but they were seemingly unwilling to offer her a record anytime soon because she was just 14 or 15. He contacted her a few days later and said. "There are good news and bad news. The good news is I want you on my record label.The bad news is.... I don't have a record label yet". And it was sort of destiny, Taylor had such a bright future ahead and this guy saw it in her, the rest is history.The then little known Big Machine Records has now got Taylor Swift selling millions of copies for them. What a story. Introducing Scott Borchetta.
And more recently, Taylor again mentioned how Big Machine Records gave her the freedom of doing whatever she liked on her new album and how she was very proud to be representing them. Obvious reasons why they trust her, she sells half a million copies on the first week.
The special also included full length performances for her concert in Houston. The first hour had You Belong With Me, Tim McGraw, Fifteen,Teardrops On My Guitar and Our Song. The second, Today Was A Fairytale, Love Story, Hey Stephen and Tell Me Why. The third, Fearless, Forever And Always, Picture To Burn and Shouldve Said No. I was pretty thrilled to be seeing the inside of a Taylor Swift concert. I must say she sounds a lot better than many of her performances on awards and tv shows. It's just an incredible experience for people who attended her concert.
Taylor's efforts in the making her concert possible was also just wonderful to watch. How she chose her dancers, designed her stage, customised the effects and arrangement and most importantly how she made her fans feel that more important to her. There's a lot to mention. Go watch it to find out.
Her band and her mother's influence and support was another key involvement in Taylor's career. Her mother was every supportive of what she does and follows her on the road to all of her shows. And like how Andrea (her mum) says, not many people Taylor's age would want to hang out with their mums, but luckily her daughter does. It sets an inspiring example for teens today and Taylor should be extremely proud. She has the coolest people in her band as well and the intimacy of the band was something people could only wish for. Each and every one of them are special in their own way and they are like family to Taylor. It is closest thing to a fairytale for an artist, working with people who actually are your most important people in life.There was a moment in their last show where she said "I trust you..".Again showing how far they've come.
There are not many people I admire in life and particularly not anyone younger than me. But hats off to Taylor, she has become an idol for millions of people and setting the best example for them. She has won Grammy awards at the age of 20 and there will be no stopping her doing more. Speak Now is a just a fabulous album I can't wait to write a review about soon. Ending with some promo pictures and video from the special.
Taylor Swift's 'Journey to Fearless' on The Hub
Taylor Swift | Myspace Music Videos
~deyao~
The special mainly showed how she went on tour and the back scenes on how she made it happen. I've watched many documentaries and read tons about her, but watching one of her concerts remain on the "waiting list". It may not happen soon but the 3 hour special was a wonderful insight on her tour which lasted about 15 months. Her journey is something looked upon millions across America and the world. Her lyrics are 'embedded' in people and it simply shows her song's impact on her listeners. It was another tremendous story about a talented musician trying to make it into the music business.
In the beginning, it showed how she convinced her family to move to Nashville to pursue her music dreams. At an age of 11, somehow she did it and credit to her parents for giving her the opportunity to. Ironically, she got spotted in the same venue where her idol Faith Hill also got noticed. Some humour to the story. After she played in that venue (a cafe), a man walked up to her, asking her to be part of his record label. At the time, she was with a big record label but they were seemingly unwilling to offer her a record anytime soon because she was just 14 or 15. He contacted her a few days later and said. "There are good news and bad news. The good news is I want you on my record label.The bad news is.... I don't have a record label yet". And it was sort of destiny, Taylor had such a bright future ahead and this guy saw it in her, the rest is history.The then little known Big Machine Records has now got Taylor Swift selling millions of copies for them. What a story. Introducing Scott Borchetta.
And more recently, Taylor again mentioned how Big Machine Records gave her the freedom of doing whatever she liked on her new album and how she was very proud to be representing them. Obvious reasons why they trust her, she sells half a million copies on the first week.
The special also included full length performances for her concert in Houston. The first hour had You Belong With Me, Tim McGraw, Fifteen,Teardrops On My Guitar and Our Song. The second, Today Was A Fairytale, Love Story, Hey Stephen and Tell Me Why. The third, Fearless, Forever And Always, Picture To Burn and Shouldve Said No. I was pretty thrilled to be seeing the inside of a Taylor Swift concert. I must say she sounds a lot better than many of her performances on awards and tv shows. It's just an incredible experience for people who attended her concert.
Taylor's efforts in the making her concert possible was also just wonderful to watch. How she chose her dancers, designed her stage, customised the effects and arrangement and most importantly how she made her fans feel that more important to her. There's a lot to mention. Go watch it to find out.
Her band and her mother's influence and support was another key involvement in Taylor's career. Her mother was every supportive of what she does and follows her on the road to all of her shows. And like how Andrea (her mum) says, not many people Taylor's age would want to hang out with their mums, but luckily her daughter does. It sets an inspiring example for teens today and Taylor should be extremely proud. She has the coolest people in her band as well and the intimacy of the band was something people could only wish for. Each and every one of them are special in their own way and they are like family to Taylor. It is closest thing to a fairytale for an artist, working with people who actually are your most important people in life.There was a moment in their last show where she said "I trust you..".Again showing how far they've come.
There are not many people I admire in life and particularly not anyone younger than me. But hats off to Taylor, she has become an idol for millions of people and setting the best example for them. She has won Grammy awards at the age of 20 and there will be no stopping her doing more. Speak Now is a just a fabulous album I can't wait to write a review about soon. Ending with some promo pictures and video from the special.
Taylor Swift's 'Journey to Fearless' on The Hub
Taylor Swift | Myspace Music Videos
~deyao~
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