Album Review: Friday Night in San Francisco

Guitar Trio of Al Di Meola - John McLaughlin - Paco de Lucia

It was about a couple of months ago when a friend sent me the first title of this album: Mediterranean Sundance – Rio Ancho which was posted on Youtube, thanks to some kind user.

And after listening to an album like this, I feel like I’ve never really listened to any music until now. Right off the bat, if I have to rate this album for guitar-playing… 6 on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest rating).

A qualitative description would involve using the words ‘unbelievable’… atleast for me!

In terms of timing, skill and chemistry, I doubt you will find too many artistes whose talent can match the three guitar-players namely Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia… once you listen to the album.

The tracks in the album include:

1) Mediterranean Sundance – Rio Ancho

2) Short Tales of the Black Forest

3) Frevo Rasgardo

4) Fantasia Suite

5) Guardian Angel

It’s one thing if you’re a guitar player and can pretentiously critique this album, but it’s another if you are a guitar player and can’t! That’s really how I see this album… a masterpiece made by guitar virtuosos of a generation that have never really aged in a genre of music that is of the avant-garde variety, one that you can never put your finger on.

But just as music is a universal language, it also transcends time and space… and from considering John Petrucci as my foremost guitar-hero… now it’s time to turn back time to some of the greats in the recent past.

Although this album was made in 1980 at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco, I feel like it will remain as fresh as ever for flamenco and jazz affencionados alike.

For starters, watch this video which is a revised version of the first song in the album and you’ll understand what I mean:

Trust me, this will be an experience which will not only be uplifting but is a must-have for anyone who loves instrumental music of the Acoustic Alchemy genre. Enjoy!

UEFA Cup 2009 victory: Barca realizes the ‘treble crown’ dream

The Man of the Moment: Josep Guardiola

Josep Guardiola… the youngest club manager to win the Copa Del Rey… the Spanish Primera Liga… and as of an hour ago… the UEFA Cup by virtue of a fantastic performance by the Catalan team, Barcelona FC… and all in the FIRST YEAR of his taking up the role.

What a match it was! Manchester United were completely outclassed in every department of the game. [SIGH]… some of us found the results rather predictable despite the hype around the effervescent Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo and English football.

Watching Andrea Bocelli and the manificent performance by the dance troupe set the stage for the final in Rome in resplendent style.

If that wasn’t enough, the Manchester United players had to wear white jerseys for a match like this… enough to have the Barca players see ‘red’. Pardon the deja vu superstitious side of me…

Manchester United seemed to get going at the beginning of the game, but Samuel E’to took pushed the Man Utd. players to the wall by scoring a fantastic goal in the 10th minute beating Van De Sar with a simple placement at the corner of the net, after beating one player.

With Alex Ferguson and his coaches chewing their bubblegum with the veracity that matches cows chewing cud, one could hardly expect a Man Utd. revival. Ronaldo, Scholes, Rooney and basically everyone else didn’t have the ball in possession (and if they did.. didn’t keep it for very long) and most of all, seemed as if they didn’t have a clue.

Iniesta & Xavi (playing midfield) ensured that the ‘red devils’ didn’t get very far.

Ronaldo played like a schoolboy fouling Puyol repeatedly… and the English commentators could not stop talking about Manchester United when the game was completely controlled by the Catalan side. Typical, isn’t it… the English think they’re the best… I didn’t even hear one word of appreciation for Barcelona throughout the damn game! ’tis the tragedy of English football… they can’t lose gracefully! It’s only a game, you know! This reminded me of the commentary team during the 2006 Champions League Final which had Barca against Arsenal. Wonder if they were the same chaps… whine whine whine! crib…crib…crib! Shades of Chelsea, I guess…

But on to brighter things… Lionel Messi swore that he would avenge last year’s semifinal defeat… and with the assistance of a beautiful pass by Xavi (who was fantastic throughout the game, BTW)… closed the game for Barcelona FC to win the UEFA Champions League final without any fuss leavin the Englishmen with no reply whatsoever.

Final Score: Barcelona (2) – Manchester United (0)

A couple of observations and thoughts about the match experience during the game:

1) Man Utd. lost the game in the first 10 minutes. No doubt about that! It was unfortunate to see such a one-sided final… the yellow cards, fouls and frustration showed! A sorry performance… Man Utd… we expected better (and a tough fight) from you…

2) Ronaldo was a complete dissappointment in comparison to Messi… so much for being FIFA player of the year…huh? And has a fuck-all attitude to go with it… sore loser!

4) The Sky Sports commentators were complete biased jackasses… and how I grinned hearing them trying to be upbeat and positive in the face of Man Utd’s imminent (and dare I say, obvious) loss!

5) Joan La Porta hugged Pep Guardiola during the ceremony… and one must wonder how much he thanks his lucky stars for giving Pep the opportunity to coach the senior side. There will be no vote-of-no-confidence from here on… Mr. President! Your era of dominance at the helm of the Catalan club has no competitors or detractors from here on… you are on top!

Finally, Barcelona have stamped their authority in Europe by achieving the triple crown after tonight… and one wonders, if this dream streak will continue into the next season as well.

That remains to be seen, but for now… the UEFA Champions League Cup will make its way to the Camp Nou… home of Barcelona FC… along with its players and supporters feeling gratified after a season of really tough football!

So just before you go, here’s a selection of goals by both teams en route to the finals:

Go Barca!

Susan Boyle: Why music is essentially ’skin deep’…

Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.

This Quote is taken from an interview with Susan Boyle for the Washington Post.

Now I’m sure that most of us know who she is, and you know what… she’s no Lita Ford, Madonna or Lady Ga-Ga… but I like her. A breath of fresh air, I might add! Old Skool, baby… and it still rules!

My reason for is her acceptance of the way people viewed her, yet going through with it and passing the test with flying colors, while stumping the industry pundits, moguls and what not. And if these words reek of unholy glee… well, it suits the occasion!

All of this is rather inspiring, to say the least! Yes, and to see Simon Cowell’s jaw just drop along with the who’s who of the music industry was just priceless!

Here… take a look at what happened when she sang ‘I dreamed a dream’:

And right after that, I watched this Hollywood gossip show where a certain columnist suggested that all this hype over the 47 year old would last for another two weeks. Another two weeks! Get your head checked, jackass. This is mainstream music… and she won’t be forgotten especially when you ‘turn people’s heads’ like that. Most people seated in that audience or at home watching their television sets will never forget this elderly woman who came on stage with all the other participants almost half her age, and blew them all away. No cheap thrills, no frills… I just love the way she walked in, did her part minus the excesses… and exited with grace and her head held high. I don’t mind stating the obvious here: A genuine, warm-hearted and a gem of a person… at least at first impression. (She’s hardly the kinds you’d expect getting involved in a sex scandal or in a tax evasion law suit)

I’ve always been critical of the music industry with the crap they’ve been coming out with for sometime now, partly due to being influenced by these whiny artists who want a bigger piece of the pie [how much is enough, really?] and in being unwilling to replace music [Read: memories] that I grew up with. But I’m beginning to see things a bit differently… and have accepted that change!

Daughtry, David Cook, Michelle Branch, Coldplay, Hinder, Nickelback, Jason Mraz are some of the nu-artists that I listen to on a daily basis as compared to the old stuff that I’ve been listening to for sometime now. And which brings me to some of the contestants on American Idol this year are just fantastic! They’ve really raised the bar a couple of notches… the one performance that I recall was one of these guys using classical instruments as accompaniment to play a cover of The Fray’s “You Found Me”.

And I just sat there and thought: BEAU-TI-FUL! Great job! You’re on your way… nothing but nice words for you, my man… nothing but words of appreciation!

And come to think, they’ve all started somewhere… Susan Boyle, some 35 years ago… and you can too, if you believe in your talent and most importantly, in yourself! It doesn’t matter how Susan Boyle-ish you might be, you just never know where Life will take you. Why not?

And for that cynical columnist, I have this sneaky suspicion that he was preoccupied with the latest scoop on genetic freak breeder a.k.a the Octomom.

Generic semen… Er… good music, anyone?

Swine Flu: Just a Pink Floyd dilemma?

I’m really shocked by Bill Maher’s behavior in laughing at this Level 5 status that the WHO has declared in regards to ‘swine flu’, especially since he’s the one who enjoys making Orwellian-like remarks and references [Read: Animal Farm] with a singular purpose to blame government and politics for all our personal tragedies and disappointments. I’d understand if it was the previous government… but not this one, for crying out loud!

And since staying grounded is a much desired quality that I possess in abundance, I would like to add the rather obvious fact that I am NOT a certified wellness maintenance specialist [aargh, these euphemisms] and have no Mother Teresa- like delusions that in putting down 5 tips to prevent Swine Influenza in a space of 500 plus words would lead us into the promised land of health, peace and prosperity. I’d like to leave that business to the anally-retentive Virgo-types who just have to spend every waking moment obsessing about their (and everyone else’s) health! Yet I acknowledge that ‘swine flu’ is something to watch out for. And that responsibility lies with us!

But more important things first: Are all Libertarians Pink Floyd fans or vice-versa?

Since I don’t enjoy writing in the explanatory mode, maybe Pink Floyd’s track titled “Pigs (Three Different Ones)” from their concept album ‘Animals’ should give you the answers to Life’s most pressing questions.

OK… I hope you didn’t take me seriously there. But amongst all this, I hope you did notice a swine that flew. Haha.

OK…enough goofing around for now.

Another pertinent question (since we’re talking about Libertarianism here), do you think the government is taking care of this?

Yes, of course. I think they’re human too and just as susceptible to the flu. So I assume they’d want to find a resolution to this state of a ‘pandemic’ that can take them down unless not controlled as soon as possible. Not unless you’re a conspiracy theory freak!

But there are a couple of things that you just have to do in order to eliminate any probability of contracting swine flu or for that matter any other flu. And this brings us to the practical segment of this write-up apart from the philosophical and rather confusing questions that have been presented so far.

Since, swine flu is respiratory disease that has reached a point where it can be transmitted from human-to-human (as opposed to pig-to-human), the chances of you contracting the illness are much greater. But as you will see, the pointers mentioned are rather simple to follow and don’t need the knowledge or the workspace vocabulary of a rocket-scientist!

1. Wash your hands and don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth until you do so

Since any flu is transmitted by coming into contact with another person’s mucus (mostly with your hands), and then bringing it into contact with your face, you’ll prevent it by washing your hands regularly well before you touch your face.

2. Fortifying your immune system

In building your immune system by maintaining a healthy diet, exercise as well as getting a good night’s rest, you can reduce the chances of getting the flu. It’s as simple as that.

3. Wear a respiratory mask

In normal circumstances, it might seem a bit obsessive but considering the times that we’re in and the relatively poor knowledge that doctors have about this recent development, it would be wise to wear one when leaving your place.

4. Avoid contact with people who are sick or just stay home if you have contracted the flu

As the chances of you getting the flu are maximum especially when you’re around people who have the flu and are sneezing or coughing as a result of it, it’s best to maintain a distance and if need be, quarantine yourself as well. If you are sick, then avoid public places where you can infect other people and stay at home and focus on finding a cure by consulting your physician.

5. Cook your pork well

Very importantly for people who cannot do without pork, cook it above a temperature of 80 Fahrenheit to ensure that the germs are killed. And don’t eat roasted pork! Period.

So, in summation… be happy if you haven’t been afflicted with the swine flu and stay out of reach… and if you have, you don’t need to be generous about ‘spreading the love’. More than the government doing what they have to, realigning your personal sense of responsibility and duty to yourself is not being obsessive but just having common sense… So don’t laugh at this serious issue, that’s being pig-headed… and take the right precautions so that you don’t have to quarantine yourself or face any respiratory complications in the future!!!

75 unforgettable bands who stand out and why…

Can you spot 75 bands in this visual?

I’ve always had this childlike fascination for progressive rock bands like Rush, Dream Theater and Queensryche. Operation Mindcrime, Images and Words, Different Stages are albums that are ‘timeless’ for me.

So what do these guys have in common?

They’ve been playing together for decades now, apart from the one-hit wonder bands that you’d miss if you probably needed to sneeze. In contrast, another complicated example is Guns ‘N Roses whose groundbreaking music was nothing short of a revolution and they lasted together for about a decade… and well, have taken another decade to get over it. And we all know that the ‘magic’ is lost in the ego clashes, the mindless yammering about who was right or wrong as well as the contractual obligations that continue till this day.

But who lost out the most?

The fans, of course… but do you think these guys care?

Hardly.

Another classic case was the David ‘Diamond’ Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen rivalry… their replacement vocalist Sammy Hagar has come and gone… Gary Cherone didn’t quite make the cut either… and time and time again, the lessons learnt by so many bands in the past haven’t been understood and avoided! Well, with arrogance in their talent comes stupidity and I guess, that’s what makes these guys so appealing, which also involves the ‘shoot yourself in the foot’ syndrome. And somewhere ‘Down under’, Darwin turns in his grave yet again.

Yet if we go back to the three bands mentioned earlier, these guys knew that they had something really special! It’s what they call ‘chemistry’, and no, we’re not talking ‘girlie’ stuff here. They had this ability to gel together and create music that redefines the boundaries in their respective genres. And in my opinion, that was what it was about… the music!

This music video otherwise known as Van Halen’s Jump is a classic example of what I mean by chemistry (and biology):

I recently watched a band bio video of Aerosmith… and of course, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry definitely don’t need an introduction. Ironically, Aerosmith went down the Guns ‘N Roses path that most egomaniacal, bloviating musicians take, with childish behavior that suggest a complete dissociation from reality. And of course, it took them a while before they realized that they had completely lost sight of the reason why they were together in the first place. And then came ‘Walk this way’ with Run DMC which gave them their second wind, so to speak. And it’s been ‘amazing’ ever since…

Another interesting band: U2. These are guys who aren’t necessarily as talented as the lot mentioned above, but they really stuck together whether in the music or the fishing business. The music made before and after the fishing expedition, if you will, will always remain special for folks like us who grew up on U2. When they’re together, it’s ‘magic’. Nothing or no one else will do!

What I’m trying to say is that what makes a ‘band’, are all its members who play an integral part in the making it what it is. Not just one guy. That’s why you have the classification of ‘artists’ to make that distinction.

The 80s have come and gone… so have the 90s… and now we’re in the New Millenium. Yet Dream Theater, Rush, Queensryche, Aerosmith carry on making the music they love the most, with the people who bring their talents like no other.

History might be a bit boring as a subject in school, but its primary objective is to prevent you from making the same mistakes again. And sadly, most of us haven’t quite understood that yet!

As for me, as stated rather unpretentiously in this piece, talent and chemistry is pointless without the teamwork and commitment that is imperative in ‘making it happen’. When a band possesses these qualities, it’s only then do they leave their mark on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or most importantly, in the hearts of their fans. Histronics and tantrums serve no purpose for the greater good. For its not important as to how fast you can go, but how far actually!

Well, it’s all about keeping the magic alive… not just for the money, fame and the groupies… but for the music!

And by the way, if you haven’t got all the answers to the 75 puzzle, here’s a link that has the answers: 75bandsanswers

Happy sleuthing!

Barack Obama: 44th President of the United States

While working with a company called MOKA in 2007, my boss asked me to work on a ’small’ project that involved promoting Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign in the United States.

Apart from not knowing who Barack Obama was, didn’t care about politics whether Indian or American and most of all, found the person’s name rather QUIRKY.

The only thing that came to mind about American politics was the stand-up comedian, Frank Caliendo’s imitation of George Bush which was deprecating and cynical to a large extent but was really funny and clever… thanks to a good time spent keenly observing the President.

People often express their deepest emotions through humor. And it left me with a feeling that there was a serious divide amongst the American People… very bipartisan in nature… which Obama was very vocal about…

Here’s the video of Frank Caliendo’s impression of George Bush:

And so in order to complete the project, excerpts from Barack Obama’s bestseller, The Audacity of Hope had to selected and so, in order to do that the entire book had to be read.

My first impression was, another politician’s boring autobiography! Well, but once into the second chapter… it was like… Wow!

To cut a long story short, the book was read and the project finished but my company didn’t get the contract it wanted.

But in reading that book told me that there is always hope no matter what. That really spoke to my heart on a personal level. It touched me like no other book has. The man is obviously gifted both intellectually and rhetorically speaking, and what makes him so remarkable is that he exudes honesty and a calm sense of dignity in talking about politics, his personal life and his vision which I gleaned from the book.

The man has the “stuff” that legends are made of. For one’s values determine the course of his/ her life.

And in watching the U.S Marine band playing ‘Hail to the Chief’ at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C at the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2009 where Barack Obama was sworn in as President, it was obvious that this was the first step to an America that we’ve always known and loved. Perhaps, this is the America that George Carlin wanted! Who knows?

As the 44th President of the United States was asked to repeat the words: I, Barack Hussain Obama… an excerpt from his book about how people were wary of affiliating themselves with him as his name Obama rhymed with Osama of the notorious 9/11 episode came to mind.

This man has risen above his challenges against all odds and the country’s circumstances to take charge of America’s destiny as the forty-fourth President of the United States.

A couple of things that really caught my attention was that he changed the way fund raising for election campaigns have been run by only accepting small donations from individuals as well as his clever use of the Internet in the campaign efforts.

The old principle of ‘Divide and Rule’ is gone. His emphasis for a change in spirit by showing unity in diversity is not just empty talk but he has demonstrated that ever since he was a Senator by working with both Democrats and Republicans, or trying to bridge the existing gap between these parties. The account of the state of politics is mentioned with numerous examples in his book, The Audacity of Hope.

It’s time that everyone worked together to build a better tomorrow. For a real change and a complete transformation of the United States at both the individual and the collective level.

Here’s an inspiring part from his Inaugural Speech, that has inspired the millions around us even more than ever:

“So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”

BRAVO… President Obama! It is hope and virtue that defines the human spirit and that can only reveal a new way forward.

A new and brighter day has indeed dawned for America and its choices. And Barack Obama is the first one towards a better tomorrow.

In closing, here’s the President Barack Hussein Obama’s Inaugural Speech dated January 20,2009:

The Art of Radical Thought: Leadership in a nutshell, maybe…

I recently watched the last HBO special of George Carlin ‘It’s Bad for Ya’ where the made a passing mention of ‘Leadership Camp’ in his list of raves and rants and raised a pivotal question in my mind:

So, what is ‘leadership’? Can it be taught at camp or by seeking admission into a plethora of management courses that a million universities offer in the mode of distance or full-time education? Or is it something that comes ‘naturally’?

Questions, questions, questions… answers to which one can hardly take the dichotomous Yes/ No approach leaving you with more questions than ever… where every school of thought interprets & dishes out their uniquely, canned version of leadership, delivered either through a training session, a seminar or conference.

Personally, I’ve sat through some of them… have read a series of ‘How-to’ books… and have conducted a couple of sessions related to ‘leadership’…

But as I mentioned earlier, it has only led to more questions… which has brought me back to square one…

So, what is ‘leadership’?

Leadership is all about ‘radical thought’. Period!

So, your next question might be: How can it be as simple as that? Please feel free to substantiate your unique, ‘canned’ version of ‘leadership’…

And I gladly will…

Humanity has taken giant leaps in technology, spirituality, politics and psychology over the last century… now how did this happen?

Very simply, because of people who were ‘ahead of their time’…

Call them pioneers if you will… they were leaders who commanded absolute mastery over their respective fields… and were more than willing to push the envelope… and their fields to greater heights…

To press forward… and that only comes from radical thought… the ability to look into the future…

Interestingly, when I attended a session on Leading the AOL Way… a comparison between leaders and managers were made… and if we look at both these words… a manager’s role is to control a situation or system that requires stability and in my opinion, supports a degree of stagnancy… but the word ‘leader’ is indicative of direction…

In this day and age, there is no place for stagnancy… everyone is looking for bigger, better and more… and this is true of the “corporate jungle” that we are a part of… some cynically call it the “rat race”… just so that we can stay ahead…

And real leaders aspire to more than just that…

And how?

Radical & in most cases, controversial thought that demonstrates a paradigm shift in thinking, saying and doing… with the ‘leader’ showing us the way…

The actual meaning of a ‘paradigm shift’ is a complete 180-degree turn from what is being done now to something that is more suited to a better future… even if you have to discard integral elements of a particular school of thought that is widely accepted… and take an alternative approach… in a completely different direction…

This takes guts… but as the saying goes ‘No Guts, no glory’…

Read what John Kenneth Galbraith has to say about ‘conventional wisdom… and you’ll see what I mean…

To me, this is ‘leadership’ in a nutshell…

The ability to look into the future [vision, so to speak]… and take your people there from start to finish… to much much more than just bigger and better… with a dogmatically stubborn conviction that the race to perfection has no finish line…

For, where there is no vision, the people [read: employees, followers, you name it] perish [Proverbs 29:18]

So, what’s your ‘radical thought’ quotient?

Preparing your college essays for graduate school…

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Albert Einstein once quoted: “Education is what remains when one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”

And with that philosophical musing, let’s get back to the real world where the rule of thumb is the more education you possess (regardless of whether you’ve forgotten what you’ve studied) the potential of living a comfortable life is guaranteed, realistically.

Numerous studies have shown that college graduates make more money than high school graduates. Yes, for their efforts of taking the test (perhaps the GMAT/ GRE), preparing the college admission essays and so on and so forth. But that’s not all! Apart from monetary incentives, the social incentive is also heartening for those who put their time and efforts into education. Very simply, it means that you not only find yourself a career which is distinctly related to how you see yourself i.e. self-worth but also garner respect (and perhaps, adulation) from your peers and elders for having a scholarly abbreviation right next to your name and on your business card, perhaps.

That’s the life we all dream about, yet the road to getting there can be tough but well-earned. And an integral element of gaining admission into college is writing out the college admission essays really well.

As far as any college aspirant knows, there are three documents that have to be written out as a part of the admission requirements.

The statement of purpose normally consists of 1000 to 1500 words and should provide a snapshot of your life experience either professionally or academically, why you intend to pursue this course at this particular institution and how it fits into your long-term and short term goals. Since clarity is encouraged, the aspiring student should also elicit their interests (apart from their academic affiliations), how you intend to contribute to your classmates in learning and to the various clubs and groups in college.

And it is not only what you write in this document that matters but also your choice of words and the tone that counts for a lot. The statement should be a clear and logical ‘reflection’ of who you are, what you want to do and where you want to be while portraying a healthy sense of narcissism.

In some cases, student tend to overdo it by making tall and exaggerated claims about one’s personality/ achievements or by stating goals that aren’t measurable and achievable. This should be avoided at all costs.

The college admission essays are next and require you to answer simple questions about different aspects of your professional or personal life with the expectations of your ability to intellectualize and perhaps idealize, in a concise and understandable manner. The essays have a strict word limit of about 200 to 500 words, depending on which college and course you decide to attend.

Here is an example of a question:

“Please provide a detailed example from your professional experience related to one of the following topic areas: a) risk-taking; b) teamwork; c) failure; or d) innovation. Please be sure to clearly indicate which topic area you are addressing.”

Finally, recommendation letters are also important to your college admission portfolio which requires a statement of support from your closest professional/ academic mentors. You might not have to write out this document (as your mentor will have to draft it out) but it is preferred that you proofread (not tamper with) the document before sending it out.

In summation, your college admission essays are important in the candidate selection process. In addition, depending on how you present yourself in writing will help you stand out in a crowd and hopefully take you one step closer to a fulfilling and promising career.

Barcelona’s double-crown: What a ride it’s been!

May 24, 2009 was the day when despite a 0-1  loss to Osasuna, Barcelona FC was crowned Spanish First Division football champions.

Although, most football enthusiasts knew the results halfway through the season with their scorecard reading 50 points out a maximum of 57 points.

The season has been like a dream for Barca fans throughout the world, and what a ride it’s been.

And if anyone doubted their footballing supremacy, they were put to rest after the rout of their arch-rivals, Real Madrid by 6 goals to 2 (popularly known as ‘El Classico’).

Yet what stamped their dominance in Spanish football was the Copa Del Rey finals at the Mestalla with Barcelona trouncing Athletic Bilbao by four goals to one. A memorable match for fans everywhere!

But it’s not over as yet, as the final frontier remains: the UEFA Champions League final on May 27, 2009 in the beautiful city of Paris against Manchester United. Yes, to play the very team that dashed their Champions League Cup hopes last year in the semis.

After barely making the finals at Stamford Bridge against the home-side, Chelsea… thanks to an amazing goal by Andres Iniesta, this has the making of a ‘dream final’ alright!

So, we’ve got two more days to see whether Barca gets the treble crown that Joan LaPorta has been aspiring towards… and ninety minutes of football heaven that will turn out to be a real humdinger for all the football fans, regardless of whose side they’re on! And Pep Guardiola won’t hesitate to come out all guns blazing…

And in being a true Barca fan, maybe we can see the celebrations of 2006 yet again (only with Thierry Henry playing for Barca this time):

Go Barca!

Barcelona Vs. Chelsea: The circus-act at Stamford…

Barcelona has always held special memories for me while growing up during the pre-Frank Riijkard era until now. Players like Ronaldinho, Deco, Rivaldo,  Luis Figo and Edgar Davids have really kept the Barca flag flying high always. Those were the days… man!

And most of them left during and shortly after the Riijkard era but this club always knows how to come up with fresh stars over and over again. Samuel E’to, Thierry Henry and the successor to Maradona’s dominance in the football world, Lionel Messi.

Personally speaking, I really like the coach, Pep Guardiola who has brought a lot to the Barcelona game.

Well, with the triple crown almost under his belt consisting of the Primera Liga, the Copa Del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. As we all know, the Copa Del Rey was won by Barcelona by virtue of a 4-1 humiliating defeat of Athletico Bilbao.

Yet the Stamford Bridge second leg of the UEFA semi-final still remains fresh in my mind.

So typical of English football! Winning is everything with the emphasis on strength, speed and results. Football played like rugby. Not that I have a problem with winning or rugby… but if you watch the way the ‘blaugrana’ play their game… it is reflective of the term ‘the beautiful game’. Something missing in English teams, you think!

Watching Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack go nuts during (and after) that semi-final was reflective of the manner in which the English Premier League really is, as a football competition. Drunken hooligans who don’t have the balls to accept that the other team was a better one while throwing tantrums like school-boys who just have to have their way… by crying ‘Foul’… this didn’t happen… the referee was a cheat… and the most ridiculous accusation of all: UEFA didn’t want a repeat of last year’s finals!

Well, with Drogba diving around like he did… how can you expect to get a penalty? Classic case of the boy crying wolf…

That night was an utter disgrace to the game regardless of who won, thanks to the antics of Didier Drogba on and off the field… and who should taught a lesson for this audacity!

Of course, the gurus played down the disgusting post-game debacle  as his merely being emotional and to which I think: Who gives a fuck! Learn to lose first… and then perhaps, you’ll win sometime around!

If we have to look at their game-plan… sorry, what game-plan are we talking about here! For the last 45-55 minutes, they were busy defending their own half from Barcelona’s offensive onslaught! If you ask me, that’s the mindset and game-plan of a losing side!

In appreciation of Barcelona, they stuck to their game-plan and kept the ball in possession regardless of the chances not materializing! And not a word of complaint, when Eric Abidal was sent off for no fault of his… thanks to a dive from Nicholas Anelka. That’s typical of Spanish football!

They kept their cool… unlike their opposition. Well, and this brings me to the link between psychology and the game!

Most sporting clubs (in any sport) place great emphasis in psyching their teams to victory! I think it’s a matter of personal and team confidence, really.

Barcelona knew they’ll win… hence, they WON… and Chelsea thought they would win, so they didn’t!

That’s what makes the difference… and ironically, their game-plan, team body-language and this constant appealing for penalities really ‘gave it away’… what a pity!

In an interview with Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, he pointed out that they had a similar decision go against them during the previous year, but they didn’t turn it into a ‘circus’ like Chelsea and their players did! Well said Arsene!

Honestly, it’s being very unrealistic to expect to win every time… and in setting such expectations, one does set themselves up for heartbreak, dissappointment and a barrage of negative emotions that we can do without.

Perhaps, a dose of Stoicism can help here and maybe a year away from the UEFA Championship will help them put things in perspective… yet honestly, who cares whether Chelsea plays the UEFA competition next year! Only Chelsea does, I suppose!

We can do without sides like these… as there are so many talented clubs who are more than willing to play with the best in Europe and lose like gentlemen! And Guus Hiddink by not taking immediate action in restraining Drogba showed his maturity and class as a coach!

See, it’s like this! Barcelona are the BEST team in Europe because they play the game well while enjoying it too… and come May 27, 2009 regardless of whether they win or lose against Man. Utd, it will be a final that will be remembered in the years to come!

Go Barca!