'The Simple thngs in Life'Written by mark.j.stevens
’The Simple Things in Life’ By Mark J Stevens©Every now and then something happens in our lives that make’s us feel very unique within ourselves, in my case this was watching a football match. This was a very important game for me to watch as it was team that I have supported for so long! In fact all my life I have been a Liverpool FC supporter, I have seen some great times and not so great times especially in last few years. Yes! We won three trophies in one particular season and that was great but even then there was still something missing. With history of this great football club Liverpool FC has best record when it comes to winning English League. They have won European Cup more times than any other British Football team and on this day May 25th 2005 they found themselves with another golden opportunity of clinching this wonderful Cup with big ears, now called Champions League trophy. So there I was anticipating this match which had elements of being a classic football spectacular. In one corner you had mighty team from Italy, AC MILAN. With a star studied team of great soccer professionals from Paolo Maldini, Andriy Shevchenko and talented new Brazilian play maker Kaka. In other corner you had my team Liverpool, who somehow with an awful Premiership league campaign behind them where they could only finish fifth behind their city rivals Everton and miss out on an Automatic Champions League place for following season but Inspired by two scousers, club captain Steven Gerrard and irrepressible Jamie Carragher through out season, found themselves in most lucrative football match in world football. It was a dream not only for players but for all Liverpool fans all around world to see this great football club back where it belonged, at top of ladder in world football. So on this night two great teams steeped in history battled for a place in history. Going back to my day I rang a very good friend of mine and asked her if she wanted to watch game with me at a local bar...she said, yes! It was to be her first time watching a game like this and she was very excited by it all because everyone was talking about it…so we met up and walked down to bar. As we entered we could see that place was streaming with Liverpool fans but you did have odd Milan fan or two hiding and keeping a low profile in corner of bar. So we found a nice spot to get a good view of game and ordered some beers. You could feel Anticipation of it all by look of Liverpool fans in bar, some where very cheerful! Others looked just happy to be there. I was calm from outside but on inside I was a mess. The big screens on walls which seemed bigger than they actually were had everyone’s attention, even some of bar staff would have a little peak at screens, place was buzzing. My friend took out her cigarettes and lit up one, she was lucky to have that comfort, all I wanted at that moment was my beer to arrive and game to start. Then as we watched Players came out, there was a loud cheer from bar crowd and one set of lads starting to sing ‘You’ll never walk alone’. I started to feel a little better and starting to sing along with them but only in my head. Then game started and all I was thinking was that we must try to put as much pressure on Milan players from get go. Then we gave away an early free-kick but at that moment our beers arrived and girl who brought it to us took my attention for a second or two and in that moment Milan had scored a goal…There was a hush of silence now from bar and as I looked around I could see people in total shock at what had just happened. Me I was thinking that stupid left back of ours Djimi Traore is an awful player and not fit to wear Liverpool shirt. My friend tried to give me some moral support by smiling and saying, don’t worry I still think Liverpool will win…I just looked sternly towards screen with distain. The game was all Milan’s; they were winning all tackles, getting free-kicks in dangerous places. The Liverpool players look tired, unsure and beaten almost, it was not a pretty sight; they were chasing shadows it seemed. I just kept looking around bar trying to ignore just what was happening and then it got worst. What looked like a penalty to Liverpool was denied and within seconds Milan broke away and scored. Then just before half time break Milan broke away once more and scored a third, by now everyone in bar was silent and stunned but odd Milan fans I mentioned earlier were singing away happily in corner. I was gutted! I look at my friend and said, lets go… She looked at me and said, Ok! And as we walked out I looked back and glanced at my fellow supporters and hoped that Liverpool would not be embarrassed and come out in second half and show some heart. As we walked home to my house I told my friend that I would cook for her and that we could watch rest of game at my place. We arrived at my home just as second half was about to start, I turned on TV and then took out a bottle of red wine, opened it and poured two large glasses and gave one to my friend. She sat down and suddenly said, you know what Mark, ‘It’s never over until fat lady sings’. I think Liverpool can still make a come back and win she added. I just looked at her again thinking this girl knows nothing about football because if she did she would know that Milan would never give away three goals to a team that they have just outplayed for 45 minutes and with their defensive nature it would be totally impossible for Liverpool to make a comeback. So I smiled at her and told her to drink her wine while I prepared dinner. As I was cutting vegetables in my kitchen, I could hear her shouting at TV, which was strange because she did not do this in Bar. So I took a little peak for myself and noticed that Liverpool had made some changes, The German midfielder Dietmar Hamann was now on pitch and this gave me some hope that Liverpool could keep score decent at least. But what it also did as well was make Steven Gerrard free to roam and move forward.
| | Mini Moto Madness!Written by Matt Tong
Mini Motos have been around in UK for around ten years now. The first bikes we’re cobbled together with parts that were already available. Small 2 stroke engines, mainly from garden machinery, were used. This type of engine is still used today for a few models and is referred to as an ‘industrial’ engine. But now mini moto has been given an overhaul and has taken off in popularity.Mini Motos are true miniatures of their larger Super bike cousins. All of details that go into high performance motorcycles of today are scaled down. The slick tires, race replica bodywork and “super bike” colours are all present. Although usually only 15 to 18 inches in height and weighing 35 to 55 pounds, it can be difficult to tell they’re not full size when looking at them from a distance. The exactness of detail adds to their 'coolness' and is most certainly what has raised them to such heights of popularity. Although beautiful, Mini Motos go well beyond being mere exquisite scale models. Advanced engineering has catapulted them to high-performance levels at only slightly outrageous prices. European companies like Blata and Polini sell units for £1200-£2000 but less expensive and arguably less reliable ones are made by Chinese manufacturers and cost £180-£400. Most models have two-stroke, 47cc engines, which run on a combination of petrol and two stroke oil. Despite awkward-looking position it takes to mount one, they are a sheer joy to ride. The short wheelbase and overall low weight give them a lightning-fast turn and thrill of riding so fast and so close to terra firma is indeed intoxicating. Safety measures are a must when riding Mini Motos. Gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, a leather suit and a helmet should all be worn for each and every ride. Without them, road rash is quite likely and worse injuries are possible.
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