Spurs double swoop

But where is the striker????

I don't really understand why Jol spends 8 million pounds for another midfielder in Jenas when he already has Emil Hallfredsson, Sean Davis, Edgar Davids, Pedro Mendes, Michael Brown, Andy Reid, Wayne Routledge, Michael Carrick, Johnnie Jackson, Teemu Tainio & Aaron Lennon?

We are still very short in the striking department!!! 8 million could get quite a decent striker??Then Jol went to sign this Polish striker - Grzegorz Rasiak (dunno how to proniun man) from Derby - don't know for how much? Though he scores 17 goals last season in the Championship League, but it is a different case in EPL, the defence is stronger, the keeper is quicker.

Hopefully, Jol knows what he is doing....
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Spurs make late snap for Polish striker

Tottenham have agreed terms with Derby for the signing of Polish international striker Grzegorz Rasiak.

The 26-year-old bagged 17 goals for County last season as he helped the Rams reach a play-off position.

The 6ft 3in forward has been capped 20 times by Poland and Spurs coach Martin Jol told the club's website: 'Rasiak is a tall target man, a hard working, honest player with a good goal scoring record.

'He is a regular in the Polish international side which leads (World Cup) qualifying Group 6 just above England and he scored two against Israel in their recent 3-2 victory.

'A lot is said about making the step up from the Championship to the Premiership, but (Dean) Ashton and (Darren) Bent have shown that for good players it is not such a big step.

'I believe he will do well for us and that he will be an asset to the squad.'

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Tottenham Hotspur have completed a transfer deadline day double swoop with the capture of England midfielder Jermaine Jenas, from Newcastle United, and South Korea defender Lee Young-pyo, from PSV Eindhoven.

Jenas was released from England duty on Tuesday to undergo a medical and ensure the switch was completed before the deadline.

A statement on Spurs official website read: 'We are delighted to announce the signing of England international Jermaine Jenas from Newcastle United.'

The 22-year-old had been tipped for a move away from St James' Park after admitting to manager Graeme Souness that playing for the Magpies was 'like living in a goldfish bowl'.

The two clubs have agreed an £7million fee for the England midfielder, who has signed a five-year contract with Spurs, and that money will go a long way to helping Newcastle fund the purchase of Michael Owen from Real Madrid.

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness wished Jenas all the best for his future career at White Hart Lane.

'I'm sorry to see him go,' he said. 'I enjoyed the 12 months I spent working with JJ. I'm sorry he didn't see his long-term future with us. We didn't want him to leave, but he's a big boy and it was his choice.

'He has made his decision, and everyone at this club from the chairman down wishes him all the best in his career at Tottenham Hotspur.'

Jenas will find midfield competition fierce at White Hart Lane, with Edgar Davids and Michael Carrick having started the season in top form.

Meanwhile, Lee signed a contract with Tottenham 'in the early hours of this morning,' according to his Seoul-based agent agent Chin Sung-won.

'As soon as Lee receives a work visa he will have an official ceremony to mark his joining the team,' Sung-won added.

The agent declined to give details of the terms of Lee's contract but South Korea's KBS TV news reported the transfer fee would be around £1.36 million.

Lee, 28, underwent a medical in the UK on Tuesday and was hailed by Spurs boss Martin Jol as 'a big thing for the club'.

'Lee has played at PSV for three years and was in the South Korea side which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup,' Jol added on the club's official website.

'He has played in the Champions League - reaching the semi-finals last season - and is the best left-back in Holland.

'A number of Italian clubs would have liked to have taken him and we are happy to have got him to our club. He is an attacking full-back and is a big star in Korea having achieved so much success in Europe.

'I am very happy he is coming to Spurs and very proud of it. Like Edgar Davids he has made the decision to come to Spurs and it is a big thing for the club.'

He is the second South Korean player to move to the Premier League after former PSV Eindhoven team mate Park Ji-sung joined Manchester United in June.

Lee and Park were signed for PSV by Guus Hiddink after the Dutchman led South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup.

The two Koreans helped PSV win the Dutch title and reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Lee would be a like-for-like replacement for Swedish full-back Erik Edman, who has agreed a three-year contract with Rennes, according to the French side.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have raised their offer for Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli to £3.4million, which if accepted could pave the way for Robbie Keane to join Everton.

Lucarelli was the leading scorer in Serie A last year with 24 goals and is considering a move to the Premiership.

The 29-year-old said that Livorno president Aldo Spinelli told him Tottenham's original offer was 'a joke' but that that the bid has now been improved.

Lucarelli said: 'Tottenham have increased that offer to euro;5million to let me go, that is five times what he (Spinelli) paid Torino for me.

'My instinct tells me to tell leave this club immediately but my heart pushes me to stay at Livorno.'

Reports suggest Keane is in talks over a move to Goodison Park after Everton boss David Moyes failed to convince Owen to turn down Newcastle.

New Spurs Shirt for Season 2005 - 2006

Personally, I like the blue one, because there is NO RED!!

Who do we really want?

Better decide soon before the transfer window closes on 31/8/05.

We badly need a striker .....don't think Carlton Cole is the one...

Lucarelli ponders future as Tottenham prepare bid




MILAN, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Italy striker Cristiano Lucarelli, top scorer in Serie A last season with 24 goals, wants to discuss his future with Livorno president Aldo Spinelli after being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Lucarelli also scored in the 2-1 opening-day victory over Lecce on Saturday.

Asked by Italy's Sky Sport about media reports of an approach from Tottenham, Livorno captain Lucarelli said: 'I can't deny there have been contacts.

'I need to talk face-to-face with president Spinelli as always.'

The Italian news agency ANSA said it had been told Spurs had made an offer of £2.73million for the former Torino and Lecce striker.

'Up until now I have not considered any offers of a move but now I am going to take 48 hours,' Lucarelli told ANSA.

Spinelli said Lucarelli would not be leaving Livorno. 'If he wanted to go he should have told me (before) the start of the season. Now, as long as I am here, he won't be going,' said Spinelli.

Chelsea misfit Cole linked with £2m Tottenham switch




Tottenham are set to make a £2million bid for Chelsea striker Carlton Cole as Mido was left pleading his innocence after his dismissal against the Blues.

The red card means centre-forward Mido now faces a ban of up to three matches, which could rule him out of league games against Liverpool and Aston Villa as well as the Carling Cup tie against Grimsby.

With Fredi Kanoute already sold, that increases the urgency in signing another powerful forward, with head coach Martin Jol preferring not to partner two livewire strikers such as Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe.

'That was the problem last season. When we didn't have Kanoute, we needed Mido. When Mido wasn't there, we used Kanoute. So that is a slight problem now,' revealed Jol.

Spurs were originally interested in Cole when they were seeking compensation for director of football Frank Arnesen's move to Stamford Bridge.

However, even though Cole has not been involved in the first team yet this season, Jose Mourinho was keen to keep the 21-year-old striker, who was on loan last season at Aston Villa, at the club.

Spurs are nevertheless poised to test Chelsea's resolve with a £2million bid, which may have to be raised if they are to have any success before the end of the transfer window in the next few days.

Jol has discounted a new move for Norwich's Dean Ashton.

'I read that we were furious at not getting Ashton but that's not true. We had the chance to take him and we didn't so you can't complain afterwards. He's doing well, like Darren Bent is doing well at Charlton,' he said.

Jol, who is also keen on midfielder Jermaine Jenas and left-back Lee Young-Pyo, was otherwise giving little away ahead of the final few days of the transfer window, observing that 'we have to keep quiet and you have to wait and see'.

Mido's red card at White Hart Lane for a forearm into the head of Asier del Horno has nevertheless reduced Spurs' attacking options, even though the Egypt international was close to tears as he left the pitch.

'I went for the ball. It's true that I went with my arm but I didn't want to hurt the guy so I put my hand between his head and my head to protect myself and to protect him,' he told BBC1's Match of the Day.

'If I didn't put my hand there, it would have been head against head.'

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: 'I questioned the referee at half-time and said 'did you send him off for an elbow?'

'He said that he sent him off for using excessive force in a tackle. Considering it wasn't even a tackle, that was a difficult one to swallow.'

Even when Spurs were reduced to 10 men and went a goal down against Chelsea, Jol preferred to keep Keane on the bench as he moved centre-back Michael Dawson into the attack in the final stages.

Asked about playing Keane and Defoe together, he added: 'If you play in Europe, it would work. You can build up and play through midfield.

'But in England, when they pressurise you, the goalkeeper may have to play long balls. Then it looks a bit silly when we play with two little strikers.'

The Spurs boss does not want Mido to lose his attacking instincts but is keen for him to control his aggression and avoid any more red cards.

'It's always difficult. I would have said it was a yellow card. It was maybe a bit enthusiastic and a bit dangerous as he came in from the side, but it was not intended to hurt somebody,' he said.

'I have talked to him already. I have said that being positive is a great quality but you can't exaggerate. He was going in with his whole body and sometimes you can only use one arm.

'With John Terry's challenge in the first minute, which was not even mentioned by the referee, you saw two arms going in, but he always does it in a controlled way - and Mido didn't.

'It was not the most clever thing to do to go in like that. Then again, I did the same when I was playing in England but I never got a booking!'

Look!! What Rob Styles has done to us before!!

ON SATURDAY 12TH APRIL, 2003 LEEDS UNITED 2 (1) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (2)

Spurs only drew this game after Referee Rob Styles Gave a penalty to Leeds and denied one for Spurs in the final minute when Davies was clearly taken out in the box. THE REF WAVED PLAY ON AT SPURS EXPENSE.

ON 17th AUGUST, 2003 BIRMINGHAM 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0
Referee Rob Styles Gave Birmingham a late penalty to win when Dunn clear dived in the box. Then Spurs manager criticized Rob Styles saying he has only awarded the penalty to make up for an injustice that happened against Birmingham in a pre-season game against Newcastle.

ON SUNDAY 13th MARCH, 2005 NEWCASTLE 1 SPURS 0
Rob Styles the referee disallowed Spurs a goal when there was no problem at all! He also turned away two penalty appeals that were clear cut. Strange decisions by so-called professional referee Rob Styles occur all over the pitch. I was at the ground and saw it - many Newcastle fans joked with us after the game that they also did not understand his action. Souness stated in the press that his team were lucky.

ON SATURDAY 27th AUGUST, 2005 TOTTENHAM 0 CHELSEA 2
Rob Styles sent off Spurs forward Mido for apparently using the arm although replays show that very little contact was made and that his arm had not been brought back nor had the player being elbowed on purpose. The offense which is often carried out by Drogba with no card shown at all was a yellow at worst. The card ruined the game for 36.000 supporters watching the game as well as everyone watching it at home. Essien earlier in the game was the last defender and made a professional foul on Davids? Somehow this was only given a yellow card? Rob Styles was seen joking, chatting and smiling with the Chelsea players through-out the game. Small pats on the back can be clearly seen by Rob Styles to several Chelsea players - if you take the time to look at the full coverage.

So the facts speak for themselves as shown above. Rob Styles is an un-professional referee who clearly has his favorite teams. His dislike of has cost us many points and had us knocked out the F.A Cup with his constant blunders. These constant anti-spurs biased decisions have not gone without notice but without the media picking up on this problem there is little hope that the F.A will take action or at least warn Sytles that his performances are being watched. Sir Alex Fergusson was one of the first managers to notice a problem with Styles and as a manager who is not affraid to voice his opinion has made his feelings clearly known.

We Lost to the Referee !

We lost.....not to Chelsea but to the referee's decision to flash the red card to Mido in the 25th min for a mid-air challenge....if he had got a yellow card and stayed on ....the outcome would have been very different....we were the better side before the red card.

Tottenham 0-2 Chelsea: Luck with the Champions

Chelsea - the self-confessed 'luck champions' last season - enjoyed more good fortune as their confident start to this campaign continued with a 2-0 win at Tottenham.

Up against a resurgent Tottenham side at White Hart Lane, the Blues benefited from striker Mido's dismissal for directing a forearm into Asier del Horno's head after just 24 minutes, swinging a previously tight game their way.

Del Horno then recovered to head their opening goal just before half-time, before Damien Duff's second was as lucky a strike as you can get, with the ball seemingly rebounding into the net off his arm.

Then again, as the golfer Gary Player once observed, 'the harder I work, the luckier I get', and this Chelsea team certainly make their own good fortune with their prodigious workrate and tenacious defending.

Spurs, albeit with 10 men for most of this game, rarely had a sight of goal, while only two excellent saves from Paul Robinson kept the scoreline down in the latter stages as the home side were forced to take risks.

Chelsea have therefore started the campaign with four victories and four clean sheets, representing an improvement even on last season, while their unbeaten league streak against Tottenham still dates back to 1990 - and all that without yet even being close to hitting top gear.
Spurs, who started the afternoon in second place, had created the early running, with Mido shooting wide, Michael Dawson flicking a header just past the upright and Jermain Defoe's snapshot flying straight into Petr Cech's arms.

Then again, the most interesting aspect was still the heavyweight central midfield battle between Edgar Davids and Michael Carrick up against Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Claude Makelele.

Indeed, Essien was fortunate that John Terry's covering presence saved him from a red card on 20 minutes when he tripped Davids on the edge of the penalty area, with the Dutchman bearing down on goal.

However, although Terry then headed a corner wastefully wide, Spurs' fortunes started to nosedive when Mido was dismissed following his clash with del Horno as he led with his forearm into a challenge.

That sparked a pushing match between a host of players as Mido, who seemed to be close to tears, took time to leave the pitch and Terry earned himself a booking.

There was an angry undercurrent entering the game, with referee Styles facing a battle to keep control, as Drogba then clashed with Paul Stalteri near the byline.

From the ensuing corner, Terry rose unchallenged to meet the ball but placed his header just wide of the upright, although it was not long before Chelsea took the lead.

Seven minutes before the interval Lampard delivered an inviting cross for del Horno to power his header past Robinson, against whom he also scored for Spain against England last November in Madrid.

Spurs were now up against it, playing a side with the best defence in the Premiership, and with Defoe left to battle up front on his own.

Although they won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area just before the break, Cech dived full-length to push Carrick's shot around the post before grasping the ensuing corner.

Spurs boss Martin Jol replaced Teemu Tainio with Aaron Lennon at the break and the young winger was immediately involved, firing one shot over the bar and then tripping as he tried to race past Terry on an exciting run.

However, Mourinho had rather more options than Spurs on the bench, with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Hernan Crespo both introduced, and the Argentina striker almost scored just seconds later, only to be denied by Robinson.

Although Chelsea have perfected the 1-0 victory, this time they doubled their lead, albeit rather fortunately when Duff met Wright-Phillips' cross with a mishit effort that bounced into the net, seemingly off his arm.

Robinson denied Crespo again in the final stages, but the result was beyond any doubt. Chelsea's title challenge is looking stronger than ever.

Jol unhappy with red card

Tottenham boss Martin Jol criticised referee Rob Styles' decision to send off striker Mido for a dangerous challenge after Chelsea had taken full advantage of their extra man to beat his side 2-0 and strengthen their Premiership lead.

Mido was almost in tears after being dismissed for an apparent forearm blow on Asier del Horno after just 24 minutes and was still proclaiming his innocence well after the final whistle.

Asked if Styles's decision was correct, Jol insisted: 'No, it wasn't. Mido was too enthusiastic and maybe it was a bit dangerous so you could have given him a yellow card, but instead it was a red card straight away.

'If a striker is coming from the flanks, you try to protect yourself, go in and be brave. In the first minute, John Terry went in with everything he had in the same situation [and nothing happened].

'Mido is still apologising to everyone and saying that he didn't do it with any intent. He has never elbowed anybody.''

But, while Jol believes another referee could have booked Mido but sent off Michael Essien for a professional foul on Edgar Davids that warranted only a yellow card, he will not be appealing to the Football Association.

'No, I don't think so. The explanation was that it was 'dangerous play', not even an elbow. We can't change anything anyway,'' he admitted.

'We did really well in the first 25 minutes and had the feeling we could do something, but the red card killed the game for us. It changed everything.'

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was delighted with his side, who now have four victories and four clean sheets behind them.

'Mido is the right man to say whether it was intentional or whether he wanted to hurt the player or not. It's something personal. Football players do things and then they're always unhappy with what they've done,'' said the Chelsea manager.

'The only thing I know is that there were two very tough challenges. One which led to a red card and the other a bit before with the same two players - Mido and Del Horno. Del Horno was hurt twice.

'Of course people will speak about 11 against 10 but sometimes the 11 players don't win.
'It's easy to do it if you do it properly. We had to play exactly the same and not try to beat them 4-0. It's not hockey, it's football. We played very seriously.

'We didn't attack much but I didn't want to. I just wanted to control the game and wait for the chances. When Martin Jol tried [defender] Michael Dawson at centre-forward, he opened the door for us to score another goal.''

We drew!

We were too cautious and rested 2 key players for the Saturday match with Chelsea.

Should have played full strength and get the 3 points.

Let's see if it is worthwhile. On with Chelsea...

Blackburn 0-0 Tottenham

Andy Todd found himself at the centre of a headbutting storm as Blackburn's season threatened to slip deeper into the disciplinary mire at Ewood Park following a goalless draw with Tottenham.

The Rovers defender clashed with Spurs' Andy Reid after 75 minutes in an off-the-ball incident which was missed by referee Dermot Gallagher and his assistants.

Replays appeared to show Todd aiming a butt at Reid, who was left sprawled on the ground - provoking a storm of protest from his team-mates who surrounded Gallagher.

To make matters worse for Rovers - fined £10,000 with £50,000 suspended for last season's disciplinary problems last week - they had Lucas Neill red-carded moments later for a two-footed lunge on Edgar Davids.

Before the late drama Rovers ought to have made Tottenham boss Martin Jol pay for his bizarre gamble on resting three star men with one eye on the weekend's big Barclays Premiership clash with Chelsea.

Davids, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick all started from the bench for Spurs - who knew another three points would be enough to lift them back to the top of the fledgling table.

Instead Rovers threatened to punish their opponents with the better chances throughout against a visiting side who looked shapeless and unthreatening, with Robbie Keane ploughing a lonely furrow up front.

In contrast, Rovers' rugged sole striker Shefki Kuqi was full of running as the home side immediately sought to impose themselves on the proceedings.

Brett Emerton had a shot blocked in the box by Anthony Gardner and the in-form Morten Gamst Pedersen almost took advantage of a mistake by Paul Stalteri in the eighth minute, dispossessing the defender on the goal line only for his cross to skate across the face of goal.

Spurs got forward well in patches, with Reid judged to have taken the ball out of play before crossing for Keane, whose shot was blocked anyway by Brad Friedel in the 10th minute.

Pedersen came close to converting another classy effort in the 14th minute, firing a left-footed free-kick just wide of Paul Robinson's left-hand post after Brown's foul on Steven Reid 25 yards out.

The visitors were clearly lacking Defoe's dynamism up front as Rovers continued to hold the upper-hand, coming close again when Pedersen stretched at the far post and just failed to meet a neat right-wing cross by Emerton.

Then Pedersen played back Todd's neat through-ball into the path of Reid who whacked a powerful effort just wide of target.

Michael Dawson received the first caution of the night for tripping a demonstrative Savage running towards goal, before the Welshman got up to fire his free-kick into the wall.

Spurs mustered their first shot moments later when Reid lofted a straightforward effort into Friedel's arms.

But Rovers continued to have the better chances and Kuqi should have done better after getting in behind Gardner on the half-hour to reach Pedersen's ball from the left.

The Finnish international slid in and sent his shot beyond the advancing Robinson and well wide of the keeper's right-hand post.

Rovers came even closer in the 39th minute when Tugay's free-kick from wide on the left was missed by both Ryan Nelsen and Andy Todd in front of goal with Robinson beaten.

The visitors were looking far from a team intent on regaining their place at the top of the league as they strained under the home side's attack and created precious little themselves.

After a dismal first eight minutes of the second half, Jol finally elected to inject some more ambition into his side, replacing Mido with Davids.

Rovers could hardly be faulted for their efforts, continuing to get forward well through Pedersen and forcing a succession of dangerous set-pieces.

Kuqi missed another fine chance in the 55th minute when he chested down a cross from Reid before poking his shot from 10 yards straight into Robinson's midriff.

Furious Kuqi was denied a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 70th minute after apparently being hauled over by Dawson, then moments later Erik Edman also escaped for his challenge on Emerton in the box.

Then came Todd's fiery moment which appears certain to earn him belated FA censure if he is found to have connected with Reid - and Neill's challenge which brought Rovers their second red card of the season.

• Jol bemoans Rovers tactics

Tottenham boss Martin Jol questioned the conduct of Blackburn defender Andy Todd after a fiery goalless draw at Ewood Park tonight.

Jol said his midfielder Andy Reid had 'a big lump on his forehead' after a 75th minute off-the-ball incident which was not seen by referee Dermot Gallagher and his assistants.

The pair clashed in the middle of the Spurs half with Todd appearing to aim a headbutt at Reid, who then collapsed to the floor in agony. Jol chose his words carefully after a game in which Lucas Neill was sent off for a late two-footed lunge on Edgar Davids.

The Dutchman said: 'Blackburn were very aggressive - the evidence is Andy Reid has a big lump on his forehead.

'You can see it on the television. Sometimes in games like this you get a bit excited and Todd was a bit excited, otherwise I cannot understand this sort of action.

'But it is difficult to talk about another team because that is the responsibility of the other manager.'

Rovers boss Mark Hughes insisted he was not been aware of the incident until he was made aware of it afterwards and would view television evidence and speak to Todd before apportioning blame.

Hughes said: 'I've got players with lumps as well but I'm not going to stand here and defend something I can't really pass comment on until I've seen the pictures and spoken to the boy.'

Nevertheless Hughes found himself defending his side from more disciplinary accusations again and admitted Neill deserved his second yellow card for his challenge on Davids.

Hughes added: 'It was an ill-advised challenge given he already had a yellow card.

'Lucas made a genuine attempt to get the ball but the momentum took him through the player and the guy ended up in a heap on the floor - if you've had one yellow you're likely to get another.'

Meanwhile Hughes admitted he was disappointed with just a point from a game his side largely dominated, adding: 'I think we were the better side for the whole evening and the only time we really came under pressure was the last 10 minutes when we were down to 10 men.'

Jol conceded that Blackburn were the better team but defended his decision to start with Davids, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick on the bench due to fitness concerns.

Jol added: 'Blackburn were better than we were so I think we can be satisfied with a point, but in the first half we did not play as well as we have before.'

Top of the Table!!

Yes, we are top after 2 wins out of 2 games and 4 goals none concealed...Good start....Enjoy while it last.

Tottenham 2-0 Middlesbrough

Jermain Defoe gave watching England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson another reminder of his clinical finishing skills as Tottenham maintained their unbeaten start to the new Barclays Premiership campaign with a 2-0 win.

Defoe's sensational 48th minute strike - his second of the season - lit up a gritty encounter at White Hart Lane.

Spurs, who have yet to concede a goal in two games, completed their victory when Mark Schwarzer allowed Mido's tame shot to squeeze under his body and into the net in the 75th minute.

It marked another satisfactory day at the office for boss Martin Jol, who had watched his side move swiftly into an attacking mode with debutant Edgar Davids forcibly making his mark.

The `Pitbull', as he is affectionately known within the game, was at his tigerish best in the first few minutes as Spurs looked for a quick opener.

It took Jol's side just three minutes to earn their first corner kick of the game, but they failed to capitalise on their advantage.

In the 10th minute Spurs defender Michael Dawson required treatment at the side of the pitch for a nosebleed which required a change of shirt before he could return to the action.

Middlesbrough had offered little in terms of attack, but in the 12th minute Stewart Downing left Paul Stalteri flagging as he progressed down the left flank and delivered a fine cross from the byline.

Sadly for the visitors, they were unable to find the necessary finish to compliment his handy work and Spurs cleared easily.

In the 17th minute Aiyegbeni Yakubu earned Boro a corner with a fine break from the halfway line which had Spurs under real pressure for the first time in the match.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink just failed to supply the finishing touch from the resultant corner as Spurs lived dangerously.

In the 20th minute a delightful through ball from Michael Carrick put Mido in the clear down the right flank and the Egyptian's cross was met by Davids, whose mistimed, yet spectacular, overhead kick fell into the grateful arms of Schwarzer.

In the 26th minute Spurs were unlucky not to take the lead when a well-worked move involving Davids and Teemu Tainio gave Carrick the chance to unleash a 30-yard shot which flew inches over the bar.

But it was a rare moment of quality in a first half that became bogged down in midfield mediocrity.

Defoe, largely anonymous in the opening half-hour, finally announced his intentions with a shot that was charged down by the Boro defence before it could trouble Schwarzer.

Davids, who was involved in most of Tottenham's early attempts, fired in a left-foot volley that Schwarzer took two attempts to hold on to as Spurs picked up the pace once again.

But Defoe made up for his lacklustre opening half by giving Tottenham the lead with a sensational strike three minutes after the break.

Defoe collected the ball midway inside Middlesbrough's half and as Boro captain Gareth Southgate continued to back-pedal, Defoe moved forward to leave Schwarzer helpless with a powerful 25-yard drive into the roof of the net.

The goal was the perfect booster for Spurs, who had struggled to impose themselves on their visitors in the opening period.

It was also a timely reminder to the watching Eriksson, who substituted the Spurs striker at half-time during their friendly defeat by Denmark in midweek.

Eriksson looked on impassively as Defoe turned to celebrate his goal - his second of the season - with his team-mates.

Five minutes later, though, Spurs had England goalkeeper and captain Paul Robinson to thank for preserving their lead when he dived to his left to tip a Downing free-kick around the post.

Boro had introduced Mark Viduka in place of Yakubu at the break, but it was Hasselbaink who again squandered a chance to level matters when he got clear of the Spurs defence in the 56th minute.

In the 66th minute one-time Tottenham target Downing had the chance to equalise, but after a clever one-two with Viduka, he burst into the area and fired his shot over the crossbar with just Robinson to beat.

To add insult to Boro's increasing frustration, Hasselbaink was yellow-carded for a foul on Erik Edman a minute later.

Tottenham were gifted a second goal in the 75th minute when Schwarzer allowed Mido's tame shot from the edge of the area to roll underneath his body and into the net.

Defoe was then replaced by Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane for the remaining 12 minutes.

Routledge injury blow

Martin Jol revealed that Wayne Routledge had been ruled out of action for up to two months after Tottenham hit the top of the Premiership for the first time in three years with a 2-0 win
over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.

Jol, refusing to get carried away by Spurs' flying start, was more concerned at losing Routledge's services.

'Our league position is not that important at this stage of the season,' he said. 'Why should you go mad after only two games?

'Getting a settled team is very important to us but now Wayne is going to be out for months, not weeks as we first thought.

'He has a stress fracture of the foot and the doctor has since spoken with us to confirm that it was worse than we first thought. He is out for up to two months now.'

However, Jol was more than pleased with striker Jermain Defoe and believes England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to substitute him at half-time against Denmark in midweek, worked in Tottenham's favour.

Jol said: 'We needed something special and Jermain gave us that something special. That's why he is the dangerman.

'Maybe it was not bad for us that he played only 45 minutes for England.'

The Dutch coach also paid tribute to Edgar Davids who played a pivotal midfield role in Tottenham's victory - secured with a soft second when Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer allowed Mido's soft shot to roll underneath his body.

'It was Edgar's first game for months and he was a hero,' said Jol. 'He was exactly what I had in mind. We will be better both mentally and physically because of him.

'In the second half we dropped off and they played well. We needed that second goal because they had two clear cut chances and in the end it could have been a draw.'

Jol's assessment was echoed by Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren who felt aggrieved that his side had not earned anything from the game.

McClaren fumed: 'I feel aggrieved and angry with the result. But football is about what happens in each penalty area.

'Mark Schwarzer made a mistake for their second goal but people were just as guilty at the other end. Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson pulled off two magnificent saves and I was pleased with the game as a whole.

'We have got to take that forward but I don't think there was much between both teams today and I expect both teams to be up at there at the end of the season.'

McClaren also felt that both Tottenham's England players, Robinson and Defoe, bounced back in style from the international defeat to the Danes - England's biggest setback under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

He added: 'I think you saw two England players who bounced back from the other night in Denmark. it was a case for us of getting to half-time without conceding and then taking it from there.

'I felt Mark Viduka came on at half-time and made a big difference but the second goal came at the wrong time for us. Mark (Schwarzer) made a mistake and he knows it but we had enough chances at the other end to have got something from the game.'

EPL Predicition 20 & 21 Aug 05

The biggest match this weekend will no doubt be the Chelsea - Arsenal encounter.

Essien may get a chance to play against their biggest opponent in the EPL. Arsenal will get the chance to take revenge of their lost in the Charity Shield. Should be an exciting match but don't expects too many goals.

Liverpool should stamp their mark all over Sunderland and we shall also see the debut of Edgar Davids in White Hart Lane.

EPL Predicition 20 & 21 Aug 05

Man Utd 2 1 Aston Villa
West Brom 1 1 Portsmouth
TOTTENHAM 2 1 Middlesbrough
Newcastle 1 1 West Ham
Liverpool 2 1 Sunderland
Charlton 2 0 Wigan
Blackburn 2 1 Fulham
Birmingham 1 1 Man City
Bolton 2 2 Everton
Chelsea 1 1 Arsenal

Project Superstar - The Finals 17 & 18 Aug 05

The best singers of the two nights of competition did not win their respective contests….

Both of them won the judges’ competition….but lost the popularity contest….

For the losers, all is not lost, 水上飘 may sign them up.


To JY, did this cause you to lose votes from your ladies' fan?




To WL,

也许
就是这样
曾少你的
你已在此处都得到


To XH

You have done well, most improved.


To KP

You got the appeal, work on your vocals.


Who will win on 1 Sep 05? I don't dare to fathom a guess....

I am very scare.....very very scare....

Another Dutch on his way to the Lane?

This will be very interesting if we get him.

Are we going for Total Football??


Jol targets Kuyt with Kanoute cash

Tottenham head coach Martin Jol insists he was right to sell Fredi Kanoute to Seville and plans to spend the £4.4million transfer fee on Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt.

Jol, who is left with three strikers just 12 days before the transfer window closes, revealed Kuyt as a possible target.

Kuyt, 25, scored 29 goals in Holland last season and has also been linked with a move to Liverpool.

'There are so many players on our list and Dirk Kuyt is one of them,' said Jol of the Holland international understood to be valued at £12million.

'Any Dutch coach abroad knows about Kuyt - he is a player that anyone would want in their team. But there is a difference between making an offer for a player and getting him.

'My list is very big. I was in my room today watching an 18-year-old player who is very good and I think most clubs will be scouting him.

'With Kanoute, if a club is prepared to pay the right price, we have to make a decision and we did.

'When I think about it I think we did well. We had money to spend anyway but now we have more.

'We might now be in a situation where we could buy a better player than Kanoute.

'You can play with three strikers but maybe Mido will be injured again. It's better to have four strikers.

'We could have had Dean Ashton last season but we went for Mido instead. I feel it would be a bit sloppy going back for him when we had the chance to sign him then.'

Jol confirmed Wayne Routledge will be out for two weeks after injuring his foot in last weekend's win against Portsmouth.

Routledge - a £2million signing from Crystal Palace this summer - has a stress fracture just below his ankle.

Jol is hopeful Holland midfielder Edgar Davids will make his debut against Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane on Saturday after missing the win at Fratton Park with a knee injury.

England's Worst Disaster

He should have known that David James has butter fingers. He should also know that he is called Calamity James, yet you still want to use him, and yet you warn the players of their performance!! Come on, if your goalkeeper does not have confidence, your defenders will suffer which led to the "forgetable" 7 mins...Please, please don't use James ANYMORE.

Luckily, it was just a friendly....He had it too good.

Updated: Aug. 17, 2005, 12:00 PM UK
Eriksson labels England loss a 'disaster'

Sven-Goran Eriksson has just over a fortnight to lift his side's morale and rectify their defensive failings against Denmark after the 'disaster' of England's biggest defeat in 25 years.

Eriksson's side take on Wales in a tricky World cup qualifier in Cardiff on September 3, followed by a game in Northern Ireland four days later.

Anything less than six points could surrender the advantage in their group to Poland, with the Swede admitting any repeat of last night's appalling second-half display, resulting in a 4-1 defeat, could put qualification in jeopardy.

'If we play football again like we did in the second half, we will not even qualify for the World Cup,' he conceded.

'It was very important to tell the squad that the second half was a disaster and why. I've done that and I will do it again in two weeks' time.

'Hopefully it is impossible to play as badly as that again. Our morale and confidence can't be any better because of it. But I promise we can't play that badly again.'

Eriksson can only hope this result will act as a wake-up call to some players who had maybe started to believe their own hype, with so such confidence having been expressed at the start of a World Cup season.

'If you should find some very little positives from this game then maybe that is it, but I'm not sure. I would have liked to win 4-1,' he said.

Eriksson can at least conclude England only fell apart after he made three defensive changes at half-time, with David James, Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher all brought on.

That trio saw their international futures damaged as England conceded three goals in six second-half minutes before also letting in a late fourth after Wayne Rooney had struck for the first time since the Euro 2004 finals.

However, while the likes of Gary Neville, John Terry and Paul Robinson will be back to face Wales, this friendly still exposed the lack of strength in depth within the squad.

It also raised further question-marks over Joe Cole's position on the left flank, as well as the partnership of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, with no natural holding midfielder to hold the team together.

Eriksson was powerless to stop the rot and delivered the most scathing verdict of his 54-match reign after the final whistle blew in Copenhagen.

'I'm angry and disappointed because the second half was a disaster and nothing else. I'm sorry for the fans who had travelled here,' he said.

'I won't try to defend it, even if we changed four players at half time. Even if we'd have changed 11, it still shouldn't have been like that.

'In the first half, we were very aggressive, worked hard for each other and helped each other out. We used the tactics we had prepared. In the second half, we were trying to play football for ourselves.

'Of course, I take responsibility. As England coach, you should expect that. It's my job to ensure that the team plays for 90 minutes. You can lose football games, but not in the way we lost the second half.'

England were still level at the break, with Thomas Sorensen having pulled off an excellent save from Jermain Defoe, while Rooney was the game's most positive influence.

However, the failings of James, who lost his England place after a blunder in Austria, were exposed again when he charged out of his area on 60 minutes and was caught out of position when Jon Dahl Tomasson crossed for Dennis Rommedahl to tap home.

Johnson then failed to stop Claus Jensen cutting back a dangerous cross and, even though Ashley Cole half-cleared the ball, it was headed back by Rommedahl for Tomasson to prod home from close range.

Substitute Michael Gravgaard headed a deflected third before Soren Larsen rounded off the rout following Rooney's consolation effort.

Thank you Kanoute

He scored 21 goals in 73 appearances for the club, could have been better.

Always like to see him cushion the ball and does his tricks.

May have angered the management for inisiting to go to the African Nations Cup last season and then lost his form.

Scored some brilliant goals for us though.

With only 3 (or may be 2, Keane, are you still with us?) strikers left, Jol must have lined up a good replacement. Another Dutch?????

Sevilla purchase Kanoute for £4.4million



Fredi Kanoute has no fears about adapting his game to the Spanish league after completing his £4.4million transfer to Sevilla from Tottenham.

The 27-year-old Mali international has agreed a four-year deal with the Primera Liga club, who recently sold striker Julio Baptista to Real Madrid.

'I aim to adapt to football here as quickly as possible and I don't think I will have any problems,' said Kanoute.

'What I will do now is work for the team. It's impossible to say how many goals I will score but I want to work for the team which is more important.'

Kanoute explained his decision to move to Spain despite reported late interest from Newcastle.

'I decided to come here because I knew the president, the director of sport and the coach all wanted me and that is very important.

'I like the Spanish championship and I think it is a very good chance for me.'

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido revealed the club had moved for Kanoute at the request of coach Juande Ramos.

He said: 'It was an operation that was undertaken at the wish of Juande Ramos, who asked for a player of Kanoute's characteristics.

'We have been working on this deal for a long time and it was agreed on Tuesday with the player. The deal is closed and so now is the squad.'

My EPL Predicition 13 & 14 Aug 05

Predicition 13 & 14 Aug 05

Home Away Results Pts
Everton 0 2 Man Utd 0-2 3
Aston Villa 2 1 Bolton 2-2 0
Fulham 1 2 Birmingham 0-0 0
Man City 1 1 West Brom 0-0 1
Portsmouth 0 2 Tottenham 0-2 3
Sunderland 0 1 Charlton 1-3 1
West Ham 1 1 Blackburn 3-1 0
Brough 1 2 Liverpool 0-0 0
Arsenal 2 1 Newcastle 2-0 1
Wigan 0 3 Chelsea 0-1 1
Total 10


Portsmouth 0-2 Tottenham: Spurs start on high

An Andy Griffin own goal paved the way for a 2-0 Tottenham victory over Portsmouth which was lit up by an electric display by England striker Jermain Defoe.

Pompey had looked comfortable until Egyptian striker Mido ran on to a Defoe through-ball in first-half stoppage time before letting Andy Griffin challenge him with a desperate sliding tackle.
Griffin's determination had unforeseen consequences as he took the ball not only away from Mido but also goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, who could only look on as the ball rolled past with just enough strength to cross the line.

Up until that point, Pompey had ruled the roost with their six new signings outshining Spurs, who had three new boys of their own but lacked the significant figures of Edgar Davids and Ledley King.

The visitors should still have gone ahead after just four minutes when another of their newcomers, Wayne Routledge, was left unattended in front of goal, but his shot was bravely stopped by Westerveld.

However, the former Liverpool keeper had no chance with Griffin's own goal and it was a breakthrough that improved Tottenham in ideas and mind.

They soon took control of the second half and Mido, in after Robbie Keane had pulled out injured, and Defoe combined again to give the England striker a 63rd-minute clincher.

A few minutes after a furious row between the pair in the penalty area when Mido's pass failed to get through, they were celebrating.

Defoe was on to a lovely through-ball quick as a flash and rounded Westerveld to slot the ball in.
Westerveld made a good first impression when he saved Wayne Routledge's close-range shot in only the fourth minute.

The Pompey crowd had their first chance to see a free-kick in their favour from Laurent Robert when Lomana LuaLua was finally awarded a free-kick - 30 yards out - for Teemu Tainio's terrier-like attentions, but the Frenchman chipped his effort straight into Paul Robinson's arms.

Gregory Vignal escaped cover down the left to run clear on LuaLua's pass in the 28th minute and sent in an excellent cross when challenged, but Mornar's stretch, under pressure, just could not make contact in front of goal.

Routledge fired wide for Spurs from a half-chance volley and Defoe had a low drive comfortably smothered by Westerveld, before another Tottenham new boy, defender Paul Stalteri, read the danger perfectly as Azar Karadas tried to get in at the other end on a John Viafara pass.

Another Pompey cross went begging when Robert, seizing on Vignal's pass, could not quite pick out a striker in the centre, but Spurs' defence were looking vulnerable to raids down the flanks and well-delivered crosses.

Tainio clumsily took out Vignal in the 37th minute, the latest of a string of offences by the debut-making Finn and, unsurprisingly, he was booked. Andy Reid later joined him.

Spurs were under pressure all right but that is when Pompey have been known to relax and it happened again when Tottenham stole the lead.

Pompey, to their credit, opened the second half with much zest, Vincent Pericard going on as substitute for Ivica Mornar in his first appearance for two years after knee trouble.

But with Robert making little impression on set-pieces and LuaLua seemingly running out of steam, you always suspected a Spurs revival.

Defoe led the way and could have had two more goals after his impressive strike but for splendid saves by Westerveld.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol was delighted to see his side make a winning start to the season with a fluke first goal and a Jermain Defoe special at Portsmouth.

It was Spurs' first win at Fratton Park in 39 years and Jol was impressed by the way his men ground out the three points.

'Although there was little between the two sides in the first half as soon as we were in front I was always confident,' he said. 'We had some players missing through injuries and looked a bit rusty at times but you cannot complain when you start with a win.

'Once we got in front we played some good football and could have had some more goals but this is only the first game and we would hope to take it on from here.

'It's an improvement on our away form last season and we've got to be happy with that.'

Portsmouth's French manager Alain Perrin saw his team fade after an encouraging start.

Perrin fielded six new signings in his starting line-up but admitted: 'They will need time to settle together. Surprisingly, I thought quite a few of them looked tired well before the end and I know a lot of them can do better than this.'

Although his compatriot Laurent Robert set a good example with his first-half performance, fellow newcomers John Viafara and Azar Karadas were big disappointments.

Perrin said: 'I still need three new players to complete this squad and my assistant and I will be looking closely at them next week when there are international matches.'

Planning for holidays

It's the time of the year again when I have to disappear from my office for a stretch of 7 working days....hiaz...

Should be a joy, but it is quite a problem for me.....where to disappear to ?????

Travelling?

Been to almost all the places that are with 5 hours flying time already.

May be should take a long trip to London to watch EPL.....good good good...



then again, I will probably end up at this place...



I have a democratic family....we will vote on such matters and I will probably be voted out...:(

Unless, I can swing the votes with these....

We will see.....

幸福其實就在你身邊

有一個人，他生前善良而且熱心助人，所以在他死後，昇上天堂，做了天使。

他當了天使後，仍時常到凡間幫助人，希望能感受到幸福的味道。

有一天，他遇見一個農夫，農夫的樣子非常煩惱，他向天使訴說︰「我家的水牛剛死了，沒牠幫忙犁田，那我怎能下田工作呢？」於是天使賜給他一隻健壯的水牛，農夫很高興，天使在他身上感受到幸福的味道。

又有一天，他遇見一個男人，男人非常沮喪，他向天使訴說︰「我的錢都被騙光了，沒有盤纏回鄉。」於是天使送給他銀兩做路費，男人很高興，天使在他身上感受到幸福的味道。

又一日，他遇見一個詩人，詩人年青、英俊、有才華而且富有，妻子貌美又溫柔，但他卻過得不快樂。

天使問他︰「你不快樂嗎？我能幫你嗎？」
詩人對天使說︰「我什麼也有，只欠一樣東西，你能夠給我嗎？」

天使回答說︰「可以。你要什麼我也可以給你。」
詩人直直的望著天使︰「我想要的是幸福。」
這下子把天使難倒了，天使想了想，說︰「我明白了。」
然後把詩人所擁有的都拿走。

天使拿走詩人的才華，毀去他的容貌，奪去他的財產，和他妻子的性命，天使做完這些事後，便離去了。

一個月後，天使再回到詩人的身邊，他那時餓得半死，衣衫襤褸地在躺在地上掙扎。於是，天使把他的一切還給他，然後，又離去了.

半個月後，天使再去看看詩人。這次，詩人摟著妻子，不住向天使道謝，因為，他得到幸福了。

你曾覺得孤獨？你嚐過幸福的味道？
孤寂、璀璨本就是形容詞，所有的形容詞都是比較的。
沒嘗過孤寂，又怎知何謂璀璨的人生？
孤寂又豈非人生之必經？

人很奇怪，每每要到了失去後，才懂得珍惜。
其實，幸褔早就放就在你的面前。
肚子餓壞的時候，有一碗熱騰騰的拉麵放在你眼前，幸福。
累得半死的時候，撲上軟軟的床，也是幸福。
哭得要命的時候，旁邊溫柔的遞來一張紙巾，更是幸福。
幸福本沒有絕對的定義，平常一些小事也往往能撼動你的心靈，
幸福與否，只在乎你的心怎麼看待。

朋友，你的心，充滿了幸福嗎？還是，溢滿了哀愁？
愉快的心情，敲你的心門時，你就該大大的開放你的心門，讓愉快與你同在。

~~與你分享~~
懂得保護 懂得珍惜
懂得把握 懂得即時
愛一個人一不定要擁有，
但擁有一個人就一定要去好好的愛她！

IQ Trivia

QUESTIONS

1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?

2. A woman shoots her husband Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?

3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?

4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!


SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ANSWERS
















ANSWERS

1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead !

2. The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it and hung it up to dry

3. Charcoal

4. Sure you can : Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow !

5. The letter "e", which is the most common letter in the English language, does not appear once in the entire long paragraph

The English Premier League 2005 - 2006

The English Premier League ("EPL") is finally here again, the games kick off tomorrow !!!

It has so far been a quiet pre-season amist the rush to sign new players.

Chelsea is still trying to sign Essien while every other team that is linked to signing Owen has denied that they are interested in him!!

This season will be the usual suspects - Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool & Arsenal will be fighting for the top 4 positions, while West Ham, Wigan, West Brom, Sunderland & Fulham will grind their teeth to aviod relegation. SPURS, Middlebrough, Everton & Bolton hoping to squeeze into Europe next season.

Team to watch - definitely Spurs!!! With their youthful squad and new "pitbull" in Edgar Davids, it will be very interesting to see us re-living the glorious days again.

Just to spice up the season, I will try predicting the results of every game.

Let the fun begins.............


My EPL Predicition 13 & 14 Aug 05

Home Away
Everton 0 vs. 2 Man Utd
Aston Villa 2 vs. 1 Bolton
Fulham 1 vs. 2 Birmingham
Man City 1 vs. 1 West Brom
Portsmouth 0 vs. 2 Tottenham
Sunderland 0 vs. 1 Charlton
West Ham 1 vs. 1 Blackburn
Middlesbrough 1 vs. 2 Liverpool
Arsenal 2 vs. 1 Newcastle
Wigan 0 vs. 3 Chelsea

今天七月初七 - 中国的情人节——七夕节

农历七月初七就是人们俗称的七夕节，也有人称之为“乞巧节”或“女儿节”，这是中国传统节日中最具浪漫色彩的一个节日，也是过去姑娘们最为重视的日子。

　 在晴朗的夏秋之夜，天上繁星闪耀，一道白茫茫的银河横贯南北，争河的东西两岸，各有一颗闪亮的星星，隔河相望，遥遥相对，那就是牵牛星和织女星。

　 七夕坐看牵牛织女星，是民间的习俗，相传，在每年的这个夜晚，是天上织女与牛郎在鹊桥相会之时。织女是一个美丽聪明、心灵手巧的仙女，凡间的妇女便在这一天晚上向她乞求智慧和巧艺，也少不了向她求赐美满姻缘，所以七月初七也被称为乞巧节。

　 人们传说在七夕的夜晚，抬头可以看到牛郎织女的银河相会，或在瓜果架下可偷听到两人在天上相会时的脉脉情话。

　 女孩们在这个充满浪漫气息的晚上，对着天空的朗朗明月，摆上时令瓜果，朝天祭拜，乞求天上的女神能赋予她们聪慧的心灵和灵巧的双手，让自己的针织女红技法娴熟，更乞求爱情婚姻的姻缘巧配。过去婚姻对于女性来说是决定一生幸福与否的终身大事，所以，世间无数的有情男女都会在这个晚上，夜静人深时刻，对着星空祈祷自己的姻缘美满。

七夕的由来

七夕乞巧，这个节日起源于汉代，东晋葛洪的《西京杂记》有“汉彩女常以七月七日穿七孔针于开襟楼，人俱习之”的记载，这便是我们于古代文献中所见到的最早的关于乞巧的记载。后来的唐宋诗词中，妇女乞巧也被屡屡提及，唐朝王建有诗说“阑珊星斗缀珠光，七夕宫娥乞巧忙”。据《开元天宝遗事》载：唐太宗与妃子每逢七夕在清宫夜宴，宫女们各自乞巧，这一习俗在民间也经久不衰，代代延续。

宋元之际，七夕乞巧相当隆重，京城中还设有专卖乞巧物品的市场，世人称为乞巧市。宋罗烨、金盈之辑《醉翁谈录》说：“七夕，潘楼前买卖乞巧物。自七月一日，车马嗔咽，至七夕前三日，车马不通行，相次壅遏，不复得出，至夜方散。”在这里，从乞巧市购买乞巧物的盛况，就可以推知当时七夕乞巧节的热闹景象。人们从七月初一就开始办置乞巧物品，乞巧市上车水马龙、人流如潮，到了临近七夕的时日、乞巧市上简直成了人的海洋，车马难行，观其风情，似乎不亚于最盛大的节日--春节，说明乞巧节是古人最为喜欢的节日之一。

牛郎织女的传说

七夕节始终和牛郎织女的传说相连，这是一个很美丽的，千古流传的爱情故事，成为我国四大民间爱情传说之一 。

相传在很早以前，南阳城西牛家庄里有个聪明．忠厚的小伙子，父母早亡，只好跟着哥哥嫂子度日，嫂子马氏为人狠毒，经常虐待他，逼他干很多的活，一年秋天，嫂子逼他去放牛，给他九头牛，却让他等有了十头牛时才能回家，牛郎无奈只好赶着牛出了村。

牛郎独自一人赶着牛进了山，在草深林密的山上，他坐在树下伤心，不知道何时才能赶着十头牛回家，这时，有位须发皆白的老人出现在他的面前，问他为何伤心，当得知他的遭遇后，笑着对他说：“别难过，在伏牛山里有一头病倒的老牛，你去好好喂养它，等老牛病好以后，你就可以赶着它回家了。

牛郎翻山越岭，走了很远的路，终于找到了那头有病的老牛，他看到老牛病得厉害，就去给老牛打来一捆捆草，一连喂了三天，老牛吃饱了，才抬起头告诉他：自己本是天上的灰牛大仙，因触犯了天规被贬下天来，摔坏了腿，无法动弹。自己的伤需要用百花的露水洗一个月才能好，牛郎不畏辛苦，细心地照料了老牛一个月，白天为老牛采花接露水治伤，晚上依偎在老年身边睡觉，到老牛病好后，牛郎高高兴兴赶着十头牛回了家。

回家后，嫂子对他仍旧不好，曾几次要加害他，都被老牛设法相救，嫂子最后恼羞成怒把牛郎赶出家门，牛郎只要了那头老牛相随。

一天，天上的织女和诸仙女一起下凡游戏，在河里洗澡，牛郎在老牛的帮助下认识了织女，二人互生情意，后来织女便偷偷下凡，来到人间，做了牛郎的妻子。织女还把从天上带来的天蚕分给大家，并教大家养蚕，抽丝，织出又光又亮的绸缎。

牛郎和织女结婚后，男耕女织，情深意重，他们生了一男一女两个孩子，一家人生活得很幸福。但是好景不长，这事很快便让天帝知道，王母娘娘亲自下凡来，强行把织女带回天上，恩爱夫妻被拆散。

牛郎上天无路，还是老牛告诉牛郎，在它死后，可以用它的皮做成鞋，穿着就可以上天。牛郎按照老牛的话做了，穿上牛皮做的鞋，拉着自己的儿女，一起腾云驾雾上天去追织女，眼见就要追到了，岂知王母娘娘拔下头上的金簪一挥，一道波涛汹涌的天河就出现了，牛郎和织女被隔在两岸，只能相对哭泣流泪。他们的忠贞爱情感动了喜鹊，千万只喜鹊飞来，搭成鹊桥，让牛郎织女走上鹊桥相会，王母娘娘对此也无奈，只好允许两人在每年七月七日于鹊桥相会。

后来，每到农历七月初七，相传牛郎织女鹊桥相会的日子，姑娘们就会来到花前月下，抬头仰望星空，寻找银河两边的牛郎星和织女星，希望能看到他们一年一度的相会，乞求上天能让自己能象织女那样心灵手巧，祈祷自己能有如意称心的美满婚姻，由此形成了七夕节。

牛郎织女传统版　　

织女是斗牛宫中第七位仙女，系玉帝之外孙女，俗称张七姐。

　　玉皇驾前金童奉旨前来向圣母借取温凉玉杯，正值圣母去了群仙台下棋；金童遇织女一见钟情，织女无心嫣然一笑。

　　圣母心血来潮，已知此事，认为虽有金童起意，但织女不应一笑留情。于是奏明玉帝，织女罚去河东云锦宫工织。金童则被贬下凡尘，到洛阳牛家庄牛员外家中，投生为员外续娶妻李氏之子，取名金郎。

　　后员外病死，李氏不久也殁。其嫂马氏遂执掌家务，不时将金郎以小故毒打。金郎受尽折磨，备受苦难生活。玉帝派金牛星下凡化作牛家黄牛与他相伴。金郎日间上山放牛，夜间在牛棚与牛同眠。

　　其兄金成察觉妻子欲害金郎，请母舅到来分析家产。金郎听黄牛的话，全部家财交由兄长执掌，只领耕牛一头，余只衣食而已。

　　再说织女被贬以后，一日正值大雪飞天，自叹“于工天宫我尚苦，贬下凡尘他更凄”。不断向云锦圣母倾诉衷肠。十三年后，云锦仙会同瑶池圣母上书玉帝，结果派太白金星下凡点悟。金郎服仙丹后，方知自己来历。

　　是夜，仙牛脱皮化为神将，与金郎随太白金星来到天河之西，恰遇织女。二人久别重逢，感念旧情。翌日，玉帝下旨封金牛星为护花护情使者，赐金童织女在天河西灵藻宫婚配团圆。

　　二人婚后终朝在宫盘恒，不去朝见瑶池圣母，触圣母之怒，告到玉帝跟前，玉帝震怒，罚金童永居天河之西天行宫内，派人看守；罚织女永居河东云锦宫内工织。

　　后来太白金星见河东、河西怨气交织，联同太白金星上了一本。玉帝终允二人每年七月七日相会一次，届时“自有乌鸦龙风之类联接天河之中”，云云。

牛郎与织女 七夕又相会

农历七月初七，这天是中国传统节日里最具浪漫色彩的“七夕节”，是传说中牛郎与织女一年一度在银河鹊桥相会的日子，该日也逐步演变为中国的情人节。因为，每到七夕有情人总会仰 望星空祈祷爱情忠贞不渝。

据天文专家介绍，牛郎与织女是民间一种叫法，其实在天文学上牛郎的中文名为河鼓二，而织女星称为织女一，它们分别是天鹰座和天琴座的一颗亮星，由于这两颗恒星肉眼清晰可见，又容易辨别所以在明代郑和下西洋时，就曾以织女星为航海的导航标志之一。

根据19世纪以来天文观测及测算结果，牛郎星距我们有16光年(1光年约等于 10万亿公里)，织女星距离我们26光年，两星之间相距16光年，即使牛郎给织女打个电话，织女也要等到16年后才能听到牛郎的声音。因此他们每年的“七七相会”，是根本不可能发生的。

　 传说中为何要将“七月初七”这一天算做牛郎织女的相会日呢？这是因为古人认为“七”是吉利数字，有圆满的意思。而且“七七”之夜，是月亮接近银河的时候，月亮的光辉也恰好能照在银河上，更便于人们观星。今夜用天文望远镜观看，会看到银河里密密麻麻的星群。而半个月亮的余晖洒向银河便成了人们想像的“鹊桥”

眼下，已进入初秋时节，晚间8时左右亮度零等的织女星首先出现爱天顶附近，随后在其偏南方向还有一颗一等星的牛郎星，在远离城市灯光的郊外，市民抬头仰望夜空会惊喜地发现，在两颗星的中间隔着一条横贯南北的白茫茫的天河（即银河），其中牛郎在河东，织女在河西，它们无言相望，颇有诗情画意。

What did the President say to the Guard of Honor?

President: How are you?

Guard: I am fine, Sir.

President: You not tired, huh?

Guard: Tired man, very siong, you only come here today, we all come here very weekend and pretend that you were here?

President: So, happy to see me, finally?

Guard: Yah, boy, can you quickly finish the parade, I want to see Rui Ern, lah.

President: Ok, ok, I also want to see Taufik.

Guard: Thank you, Sir.



President: Son, you look familiar?

Guard: Sir, I was here last year and you spoke to me.

President: Oh, I see. Why you here again? you sign extra huh?

Guard: No, Sir, no sign extra. Not enough tall guys in the army lah, so I kenna arrow again. But this is my last year, ORD in December.

President: This is my 6th NDP....may be 6 more to go....sign...

Guard: Good luck to you, Sir.

President: Yah...you lucky fellow..

NDP 2005

Caught these NDP 2005 images from the TV....



















When I was young, I wanted to be the guy that is standing on top of the "Red Bus"...very 威风 hor..

随遇而安

Charity Shield 2005 – Chelsea vs Arsenal

The new English Premier League (“EPL”) kicks off next week, as a traditional curtain raiser, the last season champion will take on the FA Cup winner in a Charity match.

This season, it will be Chelsea, the league champion, against Arsenal, the FA Cup Winner and last year’s runner-ups in the league. On all accounts, this should be a fiercely battled London Derby match. However, being the Charity Shield, both teams, at best will treat it as another pre-season warm-up match and avoid any injuries. Even though, the winner of the shield is often cursed and will end-up with nothing in the season, I believe the winner will gain a psychological advantage when the actual season kicks off on 13 Aug 05.

How will Arsenal manage without their inspirational captain, Viera, sold to Juventus for £13.75 m? Will new £10 m signing Helb fits into the vacated space in the center? Chelsea’s team are probably more settled down with Crespo returning from the loan spell with AC Milan to lead the attack. Rueben will still be the key to Chelsea’s continued success this season.

Being a Tottenham Hotspur fan, I hope that it will be an all-or-nothing battle between the two London clubs with key players picking up injuries that will plague them for the rest of the season. If there have to be a winner, let it be Chelsea, and please by a huge margin, 10-0 will be nice.

In reality, I believe it will be a draw, 1-1, with Lampard and Van Persie scoring the goal.

Can’t wait for the new season to start…..to see the new look Spurs gunning for glory this season…..


Post Notes: Chelsea won 2-1, though Arsenal had all the possession.

AXN

I love AXN.

They are showing CSI almost every day….All the 3 series of CSI – CSI, CSI Miami; CSI New York…

If you miss any one of them….you can catch them…yes all 3 of them on Sunday…starting from 12 noon and rerun at 9 pm….AND

AXN is showing LOST, 5 episodes back to back on Saturday from 12 noon, this is the last weekend though….

I know …I know…it is impossible to still down for 3 hrs or even 5 hrs to watch the whole show…..hey…have you heard of VHS or DVD-RW???

I taped them down and watch them over the weeknights.

It really saves me the trouble of watching one episode every week like what Ch 5 is showing every week.

:)

流水年华

Watched the Superstar Male 2nd semis last night.

It is quite obvious who is the judges’ choice for the male champion – Jun Yang.

He chose the right song, 流水年华, he sang well, good tempo and a very catchy tune credits to the person that re-arranged the song.

The song was sand by 刘文正 in the 70’s, an immensely popular song back then.

Jason, was a disaster, forget lyrics!!!!!!! He was clam enough to get back into the song though.

He sang a fast song - 热情的沙漠 by 欧阳菲菲, the only fast song…he wanted to be different…..his dancing was…..beyond words man…

I like the remix of the song.

Derrick….very very clever boy…..a chose a song where all the uncles and aunties will sing when they go Karaoke - 月亮代表我的心 by 邓丽君.

He sang well, for his age, he sang very well….the dark horse to upstage Jun Yang.

Lastly, Mr Wei Lian….. I almost fall off the chair when he sings the first note.

Wrong song man….. 草原之夜, this is a pop song competition, not a Fei Yu Qing song competition!!!! A difficult song to master.....worst performer in the eyes of the judges.

So who will be kicked out tonight????? My prediction is




Jun Yang
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safe.
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Derrick
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safe


Leaving Wei Lian and Jason…..who will make it??????
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Jason...will he put it off again??
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Wei Lian…...will his supporters put him into the next round??
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Who has more financial muscle to buy the votes????/.
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I think Jason will make it again…..


Again, this is not a singing contest…..

It is a popular vote contest…..

Thank you Wei Lian for your journey with us, showing us that you are no different to anyone of us…you pursue your dreams and he had your shot at your dream….

一元敲開了機遇大門

面對拒絕時，要多動一下腦筋

一位剛畢業的女大學生到一家公司應聘財務會計工作。

當面試時，因為公司想招聘具有豐富工作經驗的資深會計人員，所以女大學生立即遭到拒絕。

但她並沒有因此灰心離開，他誠懇的對主考官說：請再給我一次機會，讓我參加完筆試。」

主考官拗不過她，就讓她參加了筆試，結果，她很順利地通過了筆試。

最後，由人事經理親自覆試。

由於這位女大學生的筆試成績最好，所以人事經理對她頗有好感。

但是，女大學生說自己沒有工作經驗，唯一的會計經驗是在學校掌管過學生會財務，這讓人事經理有些失望，畢竟他們不需要的是有經驗的財務會計，不得已，人事經理只要對她說：今天就面試到這裡，如果有消息，我會打電話通知妳。

女大學生從座位上站了起來，向人事經理點了點頭，並從口袋裡掏出一元雙手遞給人事經理：
「不管我是否被錄用，都請您都給我打個電話。」

人事經理從來沒有見過這種情況，一下子呆住了，不過他很快回過神來問：「妳怎麼知道我們就不給沒有錄取的人打電話呢？」

「您剛才自己說了，有消息就打，那言下之意就是沒錄取就不打了。」

人事經理似乎對這個年輕的女大學生產生了濃厚的興趣，又問：「如果妳沒被錄取，我打電話的話，妳想知道些什麼呢？」

「請告訴我，在什麼地方我不能達到公司的要求，我在哪方面不夠好，我好改進。」

「那一元……」

還沒等人事經理說完，女大學生微笑的解釋說：「給沒有被錄取的人打電話不屬於公司的正常開支，所以應該由我來付電話費，請您一定打。」

人事經理馬上微笑的說：「請妳把一元收回。我不會打電話了，因為我現在就正式通知妳，妳被錄取了，明天就可以來上班。」

就這樣，女大學生用一元敲開了機遇大門。

啟示

一開始，女大學生就被拒絕，如果她沒有堅毅的性格，沒有誠信的表現，沒有敢於承擔責任的上進心，沒有公私分明的品德，她就不可能得到人事經理的認可。

她的一切表現，讓人事經理覺得她具備財務人員該有的品行，所以破例錄取了她。

當我們面對拒絕時，要多動一下腦筋。

不論我們要做什麼，都要把握出適當的分寸和尺度，一旦錯過了最好的時機，我們可能一無所得。

所以，不是所有的拒絕都把我們拒之千里之外，不是所有的拒絕都否認我們原本的能力和實力，
拒絕是在考驗我們，也在成熟我們的心志，甚至也在暗示我們有更大的峰迴路轉的機會。

The Realities of 7 + 7 + 7

Dating

7 weeks into courstship : I love U, I love U, I love U !!
7 months later : Of course I love U ( eyes glued to TV's sports channel ).
7 years later : GOD, if I didn't love you, then why the hell did I propose?

Back from Work

7 weeks after married : Honey, I'm home.
7 months later : BACK!!
7 years later : What did your mom cook for us today??

Gifts

7 week into marriage : Honey, I really hope you liked this ring.
7 months later : I bought you a painting. It would fit the motif in our living room. 7 years later : Here's the money. Go buy yourself something.

Phone Ringing

7 weeks after married : Baby, somebody wants you on the phone.
7 months later : Here, for you.
7 years later : PHONE RINGING !!

Cooking

7 weeks into marriage : I never knew food could taste so good!
7 months later : What are we having for dinner tonight?
7 years later : AGAIN the same !?

Apology

7 weeks into marriage : Honey muffin, don't you worry, Ill never hold this against you.
7 months later : Watch out! Don't do it again.
7 years later : What do you not understand about what I just said, huh ??

New Dress

7 weeks : Oh my God, you look like an angel in that dress !
7 months : You bought a new dress again ??
7 years : How much did THAT cost me ?

Planning for vacation

7 weeks : How do 2 weeks in Vienna or anywhere sound to you?
7 months : What's so bad about going to Istanbul using a budget airline?
7 years : Travel? What's so bad about staying home ??

TV

7 weeks : Baby, what would you like us to watch tonight ?
7 months : I like this movie you chose.
7 years : I'm going to watch ESPN, if you're not in the mood, go to bed. I can stay up by myself.

木梳賣給和尚

有一家營運相當好的大公司，為擴大經營規模，決定高薪招聘業務主管。

廣告一打出來，報名者雲集。面對眾多應聘者，招聘主試者說﹕“ 相馬不如賽馬，為了能選拔出高素質的人才，我們出一道實踐性的試題﹕就是想辦法把木梳賣給和尚。”

絕大多數應聘者感到困惑不解，甚至憤怒﹕出家人要木梳何用？這不明擺著拿人開玩笑嗎？於是紛紛拂袖而去, 最後只剩下三個應聘者﹕甲、乙和丙。

主試者交待﹕“ 以十日為限，屆時向我彙報銷售成果。”十天一到。主試者問甲﹕“ 賣出多少把？” 答﹕“ 1把。” “ 怎麼賣的？”甲講述了歷盡的辛苦，遊說和尚應當買把梳子，無甚效果，還慘遭和尚的責罵，好在下山途中遇到一個小和尚一邊曬太陽，一邊使勁撓著頭皮。甲靈機一動，遞上木梳，小和尚用後滿心歡喜，於是買下一把。

主試者問乙﹕“ 賣出多少把？” 答﹕“ 10把。” “ 怎麼賣的？”乙說他去 了一座名山古寺，由於山高風大，進香者的頭髮都被吹亂了，他找到寺院 的住持說﹕“ 蓬頭垢面是對佛的不敬。應在每座廟的香案前放把木梳，供善男信女梳理鬢髮。” 住持採納了他的建議。那山有十座廟，於是買下了10把木梳。

主試者問丙﹕“ 賣出多少把？” 答﹕“ 1000把。”主試者驚問﹕“ 怎麼賣的？”丙說他到一個頗具盛名、香火極旺的深山寶剎，朝聖者、施主絡繹不絕。丙對住持說﹕“ 凡來進香參觀者，多有一顆虔誠之心，寶剎應有所回贈， 以做紀念，保佑其平安吉祥，鼓勵其多做善事。我有一批木梳，您的書法超群，可刻上‘ 積善梳 ’三個字，便可做贈品。” 住持大喜，立即買下1000 把木梳。得到“ 積善梳 ”的施主與香客也很是高興，一傳十、十傳百，朝聖者更多，香火更旺。

心田小語﹕ 把木梳賣給和尚，聽起來真有些匪夷所思，但在別人認為不可能的地方開發出新的市場來，那才是真正的業務高手。 不同的思維，將引領著不同的作法，導致不同的結果。