The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 5,400 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 9 years to get that many views.
I have dreams. I have ambitions. I am about to embark on a scary and intimidating, yet exciting adventure that promises to change my life. Jeremiah 17:7 says, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” I trust in the Lord and seek His counsel. A friend has given me a Word from the Lord and I want to put it up here publicly, not only for reference and confirmation, but also to come back and look upon during the times when all does not seem to be going the way I envisioned. Psalm 30:5, “… weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Here is that Word.
New fountains are opening up for you, says the Lord. Fountains of provision and breakthrough. Fountains of life and hope. Fountains of growth and new knowledge. I am the Source and Origin of these overflowing fountains, says the Lord. All things that are beautiful and good come from Me. I am the Creator and Anchor of your life and abundance. You drink and drink and drink every second at my fountain, says the Lord.
Thank you, Jesus. I receive it. Open the floodgates of Heaven! Amen.
I love selecting a Dream XI at the end of a major tournament. The joy of trying to pick the best player in each position is something I look forward to. It seems that the days of 4-4-2 are over unless you are England. Most managers at the 2012 European Championships employed a 4-3-3 or a variation thereof. Joachim Low set Germany up in a 4-2-3-1 while Vicente Del Bosque’s Spain employed a 4-3-2-1 with Cesc Fabregas playing what has become known as the ‘False Nine’. Cesare Prandelli, who deserves all the plaudits for transforming Italy from a ultra-defensive, safety-first team to a side that looked to get forward, made use of a 4-4-2 diamond formation – something rarely seen.
If I was to suddenly become European and be put in charge of a European All-Star XI based on Euro 2012 performances for an Inter-Continental battle against South America, then I would choose the following players and set them up in my favourite 4-3-1-2 style. Feel free to disagree.
GOALKEEPER: IKER CASILLAS (SPAIN)
Buffon was good, Neuer was good, but Casillas was great.
WING BACKS: BRUNO ALVES (PORTUGAL) & PHILIPP LAHM (GERMANY)
I felt I had to find a place for a Portuguese player in this side. Roanldo doesn’t make the side and neither does Moutinho. That said I rated Alves as the top right back in the competition anyway. As for Lahm, he remains the world’s premier left back in my view.
CENTRE BACKS: SERGIO RAMOS (SPAIN) & GERARD PIQUE (SPAIN)
Spain had the best defence at the tournament. I may have been tempted to substitute Pique for Hummels but why break up a great combination?
MIDFIELD ANCHOR: ANDREA PIRLO (ITALY)
Probably the player of the tournament. No motivation required.
CREATIVE MIDFIELDERS: BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER (GERMANY) & ANDRES INIESTA (SPAIN)
Some may question Schweinsteiger’s inclusion ahead of Xavi and/or Moutinho but for me he was superb in this tournament. As for Iniesta he is right up there with Pirlo for player of the tournament. I loved his showing at the Euro’s.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER/FORWARD: CESC FABREGAS (SPAIN)
Del Bosque used him as a ‘false nine’. I want to use him just behind two real nines and give him the creative freedom to join the attack as he sees fit. He is a special player.
STRIKERS: MARIO GOMEZ (GERMANY) & MARIO BALOTELLI (ITALY)
I’ve never rated Gomez. I remain ambivalent but based purely on his showing at Euro 2012 he makes this side. He scored some great goals and to be fair to him, I remain unconvinced that Germany’s short passing and game of running into spaces complements his own style. As for Balotelli, well based on the semi-final performance alone he makes the XI. He had a good tournament and is deserving of his place.
Warm greetings once more.
There were several topics to discuss this week so I am going to keep it rather general. As I write this I have no idea whether Rafael Nadal will defend his Roland Garros title or not. I hope he does. To me Novak Djokovic has been a source of great irritation. Why? Because I want to see the Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry be everything the fans want it to be. Because of Nole, the tennis world has been robbed of the final they all want to see. I am perfectly aware that that is the most subjective, and some would say ignorant thing , I have ever said. I apologise for letting my emotions get in the way.
On the topic of who is the greatest ever, it is something I have given great consideration to. I grew up as a Pete Sampras fan so I was not too thrilled when Federer broke the American’s Grand Slam record. There are those that say Sampras played in a tougher era featuring the likes of Jim Courier, Boris Becker, Michael Chang and Andre Agassi among others. They argue Federer has had little competition outside of Nadal.
For me it comes down to this. Federer has a Roland Garros title and the only reason he does not have three or four is because Nadal is around. Sampras never even came close. The other standout statistic for me is this: Roger Federer reached 23 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals. If that is not consistency at the highest level over an extended period then nothing is. I am not even talking about his grace on court, his technique or his actual tennis abilities … purely on statistics Roger Federer has to be the greatest tennis player of all time.
He lacks an Olympic gold medal though. Something Nadal has. However, there is a great argument for why tennis should even be at the Olympic Games. The Games represent the pinnacle of sport. Therefore nothing should eclipse winning a gold medal. But I doubt that medal, won in a best-of-three set tournament, surpasses a Wimbledon, Roland Garros, US or Australian Open crown.
Not that I will be complaining about tennis at the Olympics. It remains one of my favourite sports and I will actually be in London for the 2012 Games. I have every intention of popping past the Wimbledon courts to watch some Olympic Tennis Tournament action.
I find that I am being asked on a daily basis when I will be leaving for the Games. At first it was cool but now it is actually somewhat irritating. A little bit of research would reveal that the Games start at the end of July. So why would you be asking me this question in March? As if the flight to the British capital is imminent.
Well it is now. I have just over six weeks to go before what is going to be the trip of a lifetime. There are those who issue warnings of caution by pointing out that it is going to be a lot of hard work. To that I say this: My job is generally hard work. I love my job. I am being sent to London to cover the Olympic Games. I expect it to be hard work. Why on earth would I complain about the opportunity of a lifetime? I am glad it is going to be hard work. It means I get to do more of my job.
Before I light the flame on my own scenario, I must say that I promise to take lots of pictures and I am grateful to God for making this trip possible and to my employers for selecting me to go. My promise, while I am there doing my job, is to be faster, higher and stronger than ever before.
Stay blessed.
Warm greetings once more.
My favourite football tournament outside of the World Cup kicks off this Friday – The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship or just simply Euro 2012.
My first Euro came in 1996 when England hosted. I had read up on the previous Euro’s, most notably Denmark’s shock triumph at Euro 92. Given that I have no allegiance to any country other than South Africa I tend to pick and choose my team for a Euro, Copa America or World Cup based on what the teams are like at the time.
In 1996 I was an England supporter. It had everything to do with them having Alan Shearer. Gareth Southgate missed a penalty in a shootout loss to Germany and Shearer was the top scorer as the Germans took the trophy.
The Netherlands were my darlings for Euro 2000. A midfield comprising Boudewijn Zenden, Marc Overmars, Ronald De Boer and Edgar Davids was something to behold and how could I not mention the sensational Patrick Kluivert up front? My favourite moment was when the Dutch beat France in the group stage. But then Ronald’s brother Frank AND Kluivert missed penalties in the semifinal before eventually exiting to Italy. This was the beginning of my dislike of the Azzurri. In the other semifinal Portugal went from pretty to pitiful as Abel Xavier disgraced himself against the French who would go on to win the tournament.
Four years later and I was backing the Portuguese on home turf; the third Euro in a row that I was backing the hosts. Nuno Gomes, Ricardo Carvalho, Rui Costa, Luis Figo and a very young Cristiano Ronaldo dazzled after an opening game slip-up against Greece. The two sides were destined to meet again in the final. Surely this time the hosts would win, right? Wrong. The Greeks rocked up in Iberia and employed the most defensive, negative and direct strategy that Stoke City aspire to. I call this anti-football. When Angelos Charisteas scored on 57 minutes I turned to my mate and glumly said, “That’s the winning goal.” He looked at me mortified and said, “I know.” It didn’t matter that there were 33 minutes left. You just knew the Hellenic Republic would win 1-0. Eight years on and I am still bitter. For the record I thought the Czech Republic played the best football at the tournament.
Four years ago in Switzerland and Austria I was endorsing the Germany ticket. I had become a big fan of the Mannschaft when they hosted the world cup two years earlier. Jürgen Klinsmann had turned them into an attacking unit and Joachim Löw was continuing the good work. While the Germans were good and reached the final, Spain, with the likes of Fernando Torres, David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Iker Casillas were just too good and deservingly won the competition.
In 2012 I will once again be backing Löw’s side. Here is my crystal ball look at Euro 2012.
Group A:
Easily the most open of the four groups in my view. I am going to tip Russia as the highest-ranked of the four sides to go through. Host nations traditionally do well and I’m willing to pick Poland to qualify for the quarterfinals in spite of being the lowest-ranked team at the tournament. Greece and the Czech Republic to exit.
Group B:
At a Euro all four groups could be a group of death. This one could qualify as the toughest of them all. When you’re ranked 7th in a 16-team competition you’d fancy a quarterfinal berth. Sadly for Denmark they pulled Europe’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th-ranked nations; Germany, Holland and Portugal respectively. While on paper it looks extremely difficult to call, for me it is quite easy. Germany first and Netherlands second.
Group C:
Defending champions, world champions and number one Fifa-ranked side Spain headline this pool. In spite of being ranked lower than Croatia in the rankings I fancy the Azzurri to go through ahead of the Croats, but behind La Roja. Republic of Ireland to go home early.
Group D:
England are Fifa’s highest-ranked team in this group. Roy Hodgson’s side will also bomb out in this group. I predict a resurgent France to take this group. Laurent Blanc has done a fantastic job with Les Bleus. As co-hosts I’ll grant Ukraine a quarterfinal berth. As for Sweden … well I can’t wait to see who wears the away kit when they play the joint-hosts.
Thus my quarterfinal line-up looks as follows:
Russia vs Netherlands, Germany vs Poland, Spain vs Ukraine, France vs Italy.
I expect the Dutch to avenge their Euro 08 last eight exit at the hands of the Russians. Germany to overcome the Poles, Spain to do the same to the Ukrainians and France to be too good for the Italians.
Semifinals:
Netherlands vs Spain, Germany vs France.
This is where it’s all about hunger. Spain’s players have won everything. The Dutch want revenge for the 2010 World Cup final and I’m tipping the men in orange to do it.
A semifinal represents an excellent showing for the French, who beat Germany recently in a friendly but this is the real McCoy. Farewell France.
Final:
Netherlands vs Germany.
Who wants it more? Germany were third in 2006, second in 2008, third in 2010 and will be first in 2012. As for the Dutch, well they will once again be nearly men Netherlands.
Stay blessed.
Warm greetings once more.
I want to have some fun this week with a popular South African debate. Cape Town versus Johannesburg. Which city is the greatest?
Having lived in the Mother City for the best part of 26 years and now having been in the city of gold for more than 3 years I would like to think I am in a decent position to give a fairly objective viewpoint.
Now when I moved to Joburg I was criticized in the aftermath for coming across as having a pro-Jozi/anti-Cape attitude. This is a misinterpretation. Most will agree that a positive mental attitude is key in life. With that in mind, how could I have moved to a new city and adopted a negative attitude towards it? That would be counter-productive, would it not?
I embraced my new location with as much positivity as I could and was keen to explore it as best I could. I want to add that I firmly believe that every place (even Pitsonderwater) has its pros and cons. Okay, maybe Pitsonderwater is the exception!
What is great about Cape Town? Well I do not care what anyone says, good luck to you if you are trying to beat that place for scenery and yes, I am going to mention the mountain. I think evergreen zones are just naturally pretty as it is but the Cape has a certain allure about it. It is spectacular from any position you may find yourself on the peninsula and quite frankly I cannot find the words to do its breathtaking beauty justice.
From a tourist and lifestyle perspective there is plenty to do. Whether you desire an outdoor lifestyle in the form of surfing, hiking or jogging it can be done. If you are into wining and dining the city is also for you. All in all a pretty good package I would say.
How about Johannesburg? Well I believe this city has surprised me. The amazing friendliness of its residents makes up for the virtually non-existent scenery. Expect to be greeted with a, “Hello, how are you?” at petrol stations and supermarket tills throughout the city. Plant millions of trees and you have the world’s largest man-made forest that surrounds the city’s many fine restaurants, admittedly mainly franchises but nonetheless. And yes there are tourist attractions in Jozi too. They mainly deal in wild animal reserves and bushveld experiences. For the record, a Highveld sunset, while not a seaside sunset, has its own charm.
Further to that the city’s climate is superb save for the winter months. There is very little in the way of unpredictability. It rains in summer and you generally know when it’s coming too. Oh and those thunderstorms are rather spectacular too.
On the negative, Cape Town’s climate sucks. That said the hot summer temperatures and persistent winter drizzle is bearable. It is just that wind! Did I mention that wind is almost non-existent in Johannesburg?
I am going to talk about Johannesburg’s crime so it is only right to mention the Cape’s gangsterism and drugs problems. However that is where I have to end the Cape’s cons column.
Now for Johannesburg. Firstly crime is high in Africa’s economic hub. That said I have yet to experience it. I drive with my window down in summer. Winters are severe. I never owned gloves, beanies and scarves in Cape Town and I have to tell you that an electric blanket is essential on the survival list.
And what I am about to write might just be the deal breaker. When it rains, robots trip up and potholes occur. I can deal with that but it just takes forever and a day for these things to be fixed – and it is usually the same robots that break and the same potholes that reemerge.
If this comparison was a straight political shootout then the Cape would come up trumps. But it is not. It is a little more than just that. So which city wins my affection?
I love living in Johannesburg but Cape Town will always be my home.
Stay blessed.
Dear Alan Pardew.
I apologise. For everything.
When you were appointed to the post of Newcastle United manager in December 2010 I was most unimpressed. Your predecessor, Chris Hughton had done a superb job in bringing the club back up from the Championship and had done reasonably well at establishing them in the middle of the table. I believed his dismissal was not only a poor call by owner Mike Ashley, but downright disgusting.
I know that you had nothing to do with that but as his successor you were immediately in the firing line of the supporters. I was among the vocal group who questioned your credentials. Looking at your history, I saw a man who had won promotion with Reading and West Ham United, relegated Charlton Athletic and won a Paint Trophy with Southampton.
You earned full marks for your handling of the situation when you said, “I’m not a Geordie of course, but I’m a football person with a love of the game and I can assure you I bring great drive, desire and commitment to the job. Chris Hughton did a great job last season, guiding the club back to the Premier League, and he continued that good work this season. It is my aim to build on that now and take this club forward.”
Equally impressive was your acknowledgement that you would face a battle to win over players and supporters. You also did well in saying that Newcastle is, “one of the top five clubs in England. It’s a daunting prospect but something I couldn’t turn down.”
Of course these well-placed remarks hardly won me over. Nor did it many thousands of other Toon foot soldiers. It was also a very clever move on your part to bring in John Carver, the man who worked as assistant to Sir Bobby Robson. The side finished the season in more or less the same position as it was in when you arrived so my feelings toward you hardly changed.
At the beginning of the campaign I said if we could emulate that 12th place you would have done well. BBC soothsayer Mark Lawrenson predicted a 15th-place finish. There were even those who forecast relegation.
Our summer signings hardly inspired much confidence. The players recruited were mainly from Ligue 1 and the offloading of our better players like Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan fueled those who had already been writing on the wall. I feared the worst.
Well didn’t you prove me (and thousands of others) wrong?
Not only can these Frenchies play, but you went and found us two Senegalese strikers that can score goals from anywhere on the park. The Magpies play an attractive brand of football, are solid at the back and possess a goal threat as good as any in the English Premier League.
You have led the Toon to their highest finish in 8 years. Let me rephrase that. You have overseen the club’s most successful season since Sir Bobby Robson was in charge. Your Manager of the Season accolade was well-deserved. Congratulations! Even the Geordie fans have been won over. They’re chanting, “There’s only one Alan Pardew” at games.
Once again I want to ask you to please forgive me for all the nasty things I said about you. Thank you for what you have done for my beloved club. For years my friends have been laughing at me and mocking me. But nobody was laughing this season. I wish you all of the best as you continue to lead this wonderful football club to more success next season and beyond.
I wanted to make a few suggestions for transfer targets and strategies, particular at away games, but hey, what do I know?
Once again, congratulations on your achievements. You have taken the club forward as you said you would aim to do and we’re back in the top five; where you said we belong! I agree with my fellow Toon Army foot soldiers – there is only Alan Pardew!
Best regards,
Peter Stemmet
Hi friend.
I might get slated for what I am about to write but here goes anyway.
Last week there was the massive controversy about the white model who tweeted the K-word in an act of racial fury.
Not long afterwards a black person tweeted that the call of Peter Mokaba to “kill the boer” should have been heeded and thus this kind of situation would have been avoided.
Both these people have been condemned almost universally.
While I agree that there is no place for racism in society, I want to add that there is also no place for absolute condemnation.
Both these people have made very poor judgement calls and instead of condemning them and wishing them to burn in hell (as so many have done) I believe the way forward is to simply forgive them.
Why?
Well I believe that everyone desires to be a good citizen. My heart’s desire is to be a mighty man of God. How will I ever be this if I tell people my wish is for them to burn in hell?
I take the Lord’s example. Remember how the Pharisees came to Jesus with the woman who was caught in the act of adultery? Jesus turned around to them and said, “Let he without sin cast the first stone.”
Let’s apply that here. These two people have sinned. No doubt about that, but let he without sin cast the first stone.
Jesus then turned to the woman and said, “Go and sin no more.” Notice the amazing grace He showed. If that is the way of the Lord, then who are we to condemn?
Now I know that you are not necessarily a Christian so if you don’t share my beliefs I would like to throw this at you.
Since this is a South African incident should we not look to the example of our first democratic president Nelson Mandela?
Madiba walked out of jail after being imprisoned for 27 years and instead of declaring war (read throwing stones) he forgave unconditionally.
God bless you and thank you for reading my post.
Hello my friend.
It is of no use telling you of something that I believe in if I have no proof of it actually working right? Especially if I’m asking you to trust in what I’m telling you. Please read on …
During the 2008 recession I got into some trouble with debt. The result has been a few years now of debt collectors calling me asking me when I plan on paying. The fact of the matter is that I just did not have the kinds of money that they were asking for. After a while I realised that I could not do it by myself and I handed it over to God. I told Him that I can’t but I know He can.
I trusted in His divine intervention and stayed in faith. Days, weeks, months and even years went by but I stayed in faith still fielding those horrible phone calls.
Then one day in November of last year I received a call. “Mister Stemmet?” “Yes?” The caller went on to explain he was from the bank and it was in connection with an overdraft of mine some R20 000 in arrears. I got that sinking feeling again but before I could say anything he told me that they would like to make me an offer: If I paid R4 600 they would write the remaining debt off and settle the account!
I had R4 600 to do this. I paid it and that was the end of that. But before I did any of that I shouted out, “Thank you, Jesus!”
I don’t know about you but I’ve never heard of a bank that writes off more than 75% of your debt. It could only have been God. Praise His holy name!
My friend I hope that this small story of mine inspires you to also stay in faith as we move forward in this new financial year to become debt-free by doing all that God expects of us – trusting in Him!
Hallelujah!
Hello again my friend.
Today is the final day of our look at why the devil’s days are numbered. He has no power over you so it’s best you begin to declare the victory that Jesus has already earned for you.
Let’s look at John 10:10 where Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Do you see that when you are losing stuff, when bad things are coming it is as a result of the thief (the accuser, the devil) who is at play. Instead turn your eyes upon Jesus and confess away your debt. Begin to enjoy your life more abundantly!
My final verse comes from Proverbs 6:31. Again, if you have had a loss, if you are in debt then I want you to start feeling excitement. Why? Well let’s read the passage and then you’ll see why – “But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.”
Hallelujah!
The next time you hear the devil talking to you feel free to stop him right there and ask him whether or not he has come to restore you sevenfold?
You might want to start shouting with me right now, “Devil, give my stuff back! In Jesus’s name!”
God bless you my friend.
