nothing could aptly describe. no one can rightly challenge. no soul could seemly defy. welcome to my world. where i make the rules and you stick by them.
About Me
- a name no longer mentioned
- Standing by, All the way. Here to help you through your day. Holding you up, When you are weak, Helping you find what it is you seek. Catching your tears, When you cry. Pulling you through when the tide is high. Absorbing your voice When you talk. Standing by when you learn to walk. Just being there, Through thick and thin, All just to say, you are my friend.
Friday, April 27, 2007
michelle and her senior
hey
why are u so common says:
harlow
why are u so common says:
why are u so common says:
how are u
why are u so common says:
?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
good
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
mugging
why are u so common says:
it has been almost 4 or 5 months haha
why are u so common says:
exams are over right
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
have a physio dist viva
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
any idea what happens there?
why are u so common says:
hmm when will it be?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
may 3rd
why are u so common says:
think they willl ask u qns from the exam paper
why are u so common says:
and ask u further in depth qns
why are u so common says:
physio ah
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
yah
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
i only got one
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
why are u so common says:
one wot?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
some ppl got all 3
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
viva
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
yeah
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
apparently they're quite generous this year, cos they invited 8 ppl to go for physio...
why are u so common says:
ic ic
why are u so common says:
hmm physio viva
why are u so common says:
i can ask my fren for u what they asked him
why are u so common says:
any specific qns u wanna ask
why are u so common says:
?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
prof hooi said that he will ask stuff like concentric and eccentric cardiac enlargement
why are u so common says:
u read up on that?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
but he mentioned that in passing during the tut
why are u so common says:
jusst do ya own research ?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
vaguely
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
ahah
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
is ganong enough?
why are u so common says:
yah
why are u so common says:
maybe just go online
why are u so common says:
think the info there are presented in a more friendly manner
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
true, but then have to be careful there, cos sometimes the web is quite misleading
why are u so common says:
but based on what u read
why are u so common says:
u shld be able to get soemthing and more from the web ba
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
true true
why are u so common says:
hmm wait a moment i try asking my fren
why are u so common says:
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
thanks
why are u so common says:
wats ya hp?
why are u so common says:
i kinda lost all ya numbers
why are u so common says:
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
90770089
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
that happens to me a lot
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
i think i still have your no though
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haah
why are u so common says:
haah ya when my fren replies
why are u so common says:
i can send to u
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
okie thanks
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
who's your friend?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
baorong?
why are u so common says:
hm joshua
why are u so common says:
and ningqi
why are u so common says:
u noe them?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
nope
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
i never heard of them...sorry
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
why are u so common says:
haha u asked her already isit?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
no
why are u so common says:
hopefully the other two can throw up more qns for ya reference
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
i dont actually know her personally
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
ahha
why are u so common says:
oic oic
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
thank them for me
why are u so common says:
haha very pretty i think
why are u so common says:
no prob
why are u so common says:
haha
why are u so common says:
and u have a four months hols ahead of u
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
but she was my direct senior at rj ,and she's so famous now
why are u so common says:
haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
ahha
why are u so common says:
smart pple usually are
why are u so common says:
we are at the same hosp
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
oh is it?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
where?
why are u so common says:
sgh
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
oh...
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
why are u so common says:
i also do not know her just by face hah
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says::
my sis works there!
why are u so common says:
it is interesting now
why are u so common says:
hmm how old is she
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
that's good
why are u so common says:
?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
she's 12 years older than me, she got married last year, remember?
why are u so common says:
ohyah
why are u so common says:
u had to attend her wedding
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
you make it sound like a chore1
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
!
why are u so common says:
during orientation right
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
yupyup
why are u so common says:
the age part i dont recall nbut yah i rem now
why are u so common says:
hmm
why are u so common says:
whats her name?
grace
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
she's at hematology
why are u so common says:
oic oic i am at the internal medicine wards
why are u so common says:
and one tues and thurs at surgery wards
why are u so common says:
very independent learning
why are u so common says:
haha though i have been very independent in my first two years haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
that sounds fun
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
ahha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
yeah
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
you mentioned
why are u so common says:
not going to sch made sure of that
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
why are u so common says:
hmm
why are u so common says:
u had attachments b4 right?
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
but you're still so good, so i guess it's ok
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
in jc
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
went to sgh
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
of course they treated us like little kids, cos we knew nuts
why are u so common says:
with respect and care i guess haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
a bit condescending
why are u so common says:
that might just be missing haa some times when u are a medical student
why are u so common says:
why are u so common says:
hmm that sounds familiar
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
i guess somethings they just cant break the habit
why are u so common says:
yah k once i get news from my frens i will inform u
why are u so common says:
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
thanks
why are u so common says:
i shall rest for the night haha
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
haha
why are u so common says:
a long day ahead and plenty of projects
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
that's wise
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
da mang ren
why are u so common says:
why are u so common says:
good nightsz
Michelle: Faces . . .Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .in an inhuman race . . . says:
i should probably sleep too...have to start mugging
Samantha and Jiaming
not playing poker tonight?
fruitjuice99:
nah
fruitjuice99: says:
losing money haha
fruitjuice99:
prefer to sleep
fruitjuice99: says:
wat abt u
gentlegrapes says:
haha
gentlegrapes says:
nahh i dont wanna be the only girl there
fruitjuice99 says:
not accompanying ya darling
fruitjuice99 says:
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm oic oi c
gentlegrapes says:
we had dinner..
fruitjuice99 says:
hows ya hosp? where ah
gentlegrapes says:
i went home when he left for poker
fruitjuice99 says:
ic ic
gentlegrapes says:
hmm NUH
fruitjuice99 says:
never call him and offer him support
fruitjuice99 says:
think he will be happy to hear ya voice now haha
fruitjuice99 says:
prob now he would have won a few ten of bucks
gentlegrapes says:
aiya.. he is not my darling.. i dont think he really treasures me much anw
fruitjuice99 says:
hmmm
gentlegrapes says:
yeah i think so.. he is qt good at poker right
gentlegrapes says:
haha
fruitjuice99 says:
maybe thats just his exterio
fruitjuice99 says:
the tough macho guy mah
gentlegrapes says:
haha exterior matters also what
fruitjuice99says:
fruitjuice99 says:
the time he spends with u
gentlegrapes says:
nahh.. i just think he wants to keep his options open
fruitjuice99 says:
take that away and he might not know what to do
gentlegrapes says:
pls..
fruitjuice99 says:
haha u are part of his life...
fruitjuice99 says:
hmmm
fruitjuice99 says:
hahaha
gentlegrapes says:
yah
fruitjuice99 says:
so insecure..
gentlegrapes says:
he told me tt once
gentlegrapessays:
really!
gentlegrapes says:
shhh dont tell anyone i said tt heh
fruitjuice99 says:
i must agree with u ... coz i actually have that sort of mentality haha
fruitjuice99 says:
but doesnt mean he has
fruitjuice99 says:
i used to anyway
gentlegrapes says:
what ? what sort of mentality?
fruitjuice99 says:
thinking that having a girl with me
fruitjuice99 says:
would be much beneficial
fruitjuice99 says:
hmmm
gentlegrapes says:
HAHAHA
fruitjuice99 says:
they are so useful
fruitjuice99 says:
all the little things they help u
fruitjuice99 says:
with
fruitjuice99 says:
the attention
gentlegrapes says:
phone calls
fruitjuice99 says:
and without commitments my options are open
gentlegrapes says:
when ure bored/tired/noone to talk to etc
fruitjuice99 says:
haha yah true
fruitjuice99 says:
someone to go out with
gentlegrapes says:
oei tts just evil k
fruitjuice99 says:
hmmm
gentlegrapes says:
givin us the wrong idea
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm but then hor
gentlegrapes says:
seriously.. i think i will be at the losing end
fruitjuice99 says:
the girl also wants the attention
fruitjuice99 says:
hmmm
gentlegrapes says:
heh left on the shelf
fruitjuice99 says:
u wouldnt be la
fruitjuice99 says:
guess within a year of declaring yaself independent ahah
fruitjuice99 says:
u will have at least 2 or 3 guys snapping at ya heels
gentlegrapes says:
no.. wait till u see me next time.. damn old and still a virgin
gentlegrapes says:
i'll just die
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm haha almost made a very evil comment
gentlegrapes says:
what
fruitjuice99 says:
haha but retracted it coz i think it will just piss u off haha
gentlegrapes says:
?
fruitjuice99 says:
the part abt virgin
gentlegrapes says:
haha no lah.. i dont get pissed
gentlegrapes says:
oei.. i am okay
fruitjuice99 says:
but of coz i can trust u
fruitjuice99 says:
:Ld
fruitjuice99 says:
hahah yah la
gentlegrapes says:
not sure abt him though.. i always ask him then he will be all evasive
gentlegrapes says:
hahahaa
fruitjuice99 says:
does it matter to u ?
fruitjuice99 says:
him being one
gentlegrapes says:
yeah.. i dont know.. maybe.. haha
fruitjuice99 says:
i also do not know
fruitjuice99 says:
he has always said he is
fruitjuice99 says:
gentlegrapes says:
if he has some kinda STD i better like not even go close to him
gentlegrapes says:
but look at his face
fruitjuice99 says:
of coz not
gentlegrapes says:
he has the "i'm not a virgin, im a porn star' face
fruitjuice99 says:
haha wat abt his face?
fruitjuice99 says:
hahahahaaha
fruitjuice99 says:
u actually made me laugh
gentlegrapes says:
yeah it;s true right
fruitjuice99 says:
haha hahahaha
fruitjuice99 says:
good one
gentlegrapes says:
and look at all his friendster photos
fruitjuice99 says:
ever told him that?
gentlegrapes says:
i always tell him tt
gentlegrapes says:
haha
fruitjuice99 says:
hmmm i dont look at guy's friendster
gentlegrapes says:
hahaha
fruitjuice99 says:
haha i prefer girls
fruitjuice99 says:
especially those with visible assets
gentlegrapes says:
anw i like ur msn nick
fruitjuice99 says:
why do u like it?
fruitjuice99 says:
haha
gentlegrapes says:
i dont know
fruitjuice99 says:
hahah
fruitjuice99 says:
gentlegrapes says:
visible assets
gentlegrapes says:
HAHAHA
fruitjuice99 says:
ani other thing u wanna rant abt? i always have an open ears
fruitjuice99 says:
ear
fruitjuice99 says:
or two
fruitjuice99 says:
haha
gentlegrapes says:
well.. how to tell if a guy is serious abt a relationship long term
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm my eyesight is not very good
gentlegrapes says:
but u guys are qt cruel really
fruitjuice99 says:
so i prefer something big
fruitjuice99 says:
so i wouldnt miss
gentlegrapessays:
HAHAHA
fruitjuice99 says:
it is true
fruitjuice99 says:
at least i also wonder abt u and him
fruitjuice99 says:
frankly
fruitjuice99 says:
coz of the lack of commitment
fruitjuice99 says:
haha but of coz the length of the time u guys have been sticking together
fruitjuice99 says:
more than a year? haha
fruitjuice99 says:
just made me revise my opinion
gentlegrapes says:
haha
gentlegrapessays:
but i feel like im at the losing end
fruitjuice99 says:
i know logically that guys who make girls wait for them
fruitjuice99 says:
are morally deficient.. haha
fruitjuice99 says:
but it is really nice...
gentlegrapes says:
even though im happy spending time to him..
fruitjuice99 says:
just like chocolate makes u fat
gentlegrapes says:
haha..
gentlegrapes says:
sigh i dont know leh..
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm u enjoy his company well...
fruitjuice99 says:
i guess that is the power of love
fruitjuice99 says:
u noe u can face rejection anytime
fruitjuice99 says:
bt u cant pull away
fruitjuice99 says:
coz there is hope
gentlegrapes says:
yeah but how long can this go on.. when he finds some new M1 to date?
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm but he doesnt have the chance..
fruitjuice99 says:
look at our our timetable is packed
gentlegrapes says:
sigh im damn scared of becomin a 40yrold virginnnn
fruitjuice99 says:
with luck
gentlegrapes says:
ok how abt NURSE
gentlegrapes says:
haha
fruitjuice99 says:
he will have no options..
fruitjuice99 says:
ohyah
fruitjuice99 says:
nurses
fruitjuice99 says:
will u accept infidelity?
gentlegrapes says:
no
gentlegrapes says:
it's okay.. i know he wont go for nurses lah..
gentlegrapes says:
haha actually i dont even know what is going on in his sneaky little mind
gentlegrapes says:
but im happy spending time with him.. guess tts all tt matters now right
fruitjuice99 says:
one time for sure is he doesnt sleep around
fruitjuice99 says:
i think so
fruitjuice99 says:
he is quite afraid of stbs
fruitjuice99 says:
stds
gentlegrapes says:
hopefully when he leaves me for his M1 someone else will find me..
gentlegrapes says:
hmm yeah.. im damn scared too
we're both qt scared of many things..
gentlegrapes says:
im influencing him to become more n more paranoid....
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm what is he scared of?
fruitjuice99 says:
and what are u scared of?
fruitjuice99 says:
i think guys treat girls like possessions
fruitjuice99 says:
it is fine if the thing is lyingthere
fruitjuice99 says:
u might not use it or cherish it
fruitjuice99 says:
but once someone tries to take it away
fruitjuice99 says:
ya jealousy will be stirred
fruitjuice99 says:
hmm
fruitjuice99 says:
my junior wanna ask
gentlegrapes says:
umm..
gentlegrapes says:
my friend Joshua
fruitjuice99 says:
care to help me msg him ?
gentlegrapes says:
sure
fruitjuice99says:
just ask him wat qns they asked him..
fruitjuice99 says:
thanks !
gentlegrapes says:
k k
gentlegrapes says:
i'll ask him now
gentlegrapessays:
he hasnt replied when he does i will forward the sms to u?
gentlegrapes says:
whats ur hp number
gentlegrapes says:
not sure if i have it
gentlegrapes says:
im goin to bathe now
Friday, April 20, 2007
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has today (Friday) spoken about José Mourinho's future and on-going player contract negotiations.
In an interview on Chelsea TV, which can be seen from 6.30pm, Kenyon gave the following answers to important questions:
Q: Peter, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding Chelsea recently?
A: There has, and I would like to be clear on one thing. We support José as manager and given the level of speculation, where we are now is an even bigger achievement.
Whatever you have read or heard, no lists of candidates have been drawn up, no one has been offered the job. So let's put that to bed straightaway.
José has a contract to 2010 and he wants to stay. We are not going to sack him, he has the club's support. That's the situation and we are agreed on it.
Q: Will this stop the speculation?
A: Hopefully it will and I think it should. As far as we are all concerned what is most important is that it is business as usual at Chelsea and putting all our energy into winning the three remaining trophies.
Q: And what about the situation re player contracts?
A: Every contract is unique, no two contracts are the same. Michael Essien, Wayne Bridge and Didier Drogba have all signed new deals. That's fantastic news for the future of Chelsea.
John Terry and Frank Lampard are not yet completed. That's football. What's important to remember about contract speculation is that there are only two definitive stages, when the discussions start and when they end, either with an agreement or with no agreement.
And at the moment we are in between those situations.
Again, I don't want anything to deflect us from our main goal, winning matches and trophies. And I think the players we have been talking to agree, both John and Frank have said similar.
Monday, April 16, 2007
The Phantom of the Opera
Leroux's original 1910 novel, is set in late 19th century Paris at the Opera Garnier (The Paris Opera aka The National Academy of Music), which was built between 1857 and 1874. During building, it became necessary to pump underground water from the foundation pit of the building, creating a huge subterranean lake. The employees claim that the opera house is haunted by a mysterious ghost who wreaks chaos and destruction when displeased. Erik, a horribly disfigured musical genius known as the "Phantom of the Opera" (Opera Ghost in the Mattos and Bair translation), uses this facade to send the managers of the Opera Garnier repeated threats of catastrophe should they not pay him a monthly salary of 20,000 francs and perpetually reserve Box Five for him at every show. This arrangement, unbroken during the many years of the manager's tenure, is abruptly terminated when two new proprietors, Armand Moncharmin and Firmin Richard, take over the opera house and refuse to give in to what they view as the empty threats, thinking that it is a practical joke by former managers.
Meanwhile, Erik has taken on a protégée, Christine Daaé. He explains to her that he is the "Angel of Music," a heavenly spirit sent by her dead father to help her, and proceeds to give her regular voice lessons through the wall of her remote dressing room. Under the tutelage of her new teacher, Christine makes rapid progress in her vocal studies and mysteriously achieves sudden prominence on stage when she is selected to replace the current prima donna Carlotta, whose act is sabotaged by the Phantom. Christine out-sings Carlotta in her featured debut and immediately wins the hearts of the audience, including that of her childhood sweetheart, Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny.
Erik becomes envious of Christine's relationship with Raoul and finally appears to her in person, wearing a mask to hide his features. He takes her to his dark world beneath the opera house. Christine quickly finds that there is nothing angelic about Erik; she learns with disappointment that he is "neither an angel nor a genius," only that he and the ghost are one and the same (and comes to know him as malicious, volatile, dangerous and somewhat bitter, yet also brilliant and pitiful). She is infuriated at having been deceived, and demands to be set free. Erik promises to release her after five days. After some awkward moments (dining by herself while he watches, being shown his room which looks like a death chamber, his bed a coffin...) Erik and Christine eventually begin a duet from Othello, and Christine rips off his mask, dying of curiosity. "If I live to be one hundred, I should always hear that superhuman cry of grief and rage which he uttered before that terrible sight reached my eyes," Christine later tells Raoul. The Phantom is furious at having his deformity exposed to someone who he thought could love him. He threatens to keep her in his lair forever, but later changes his mind. Christine is released, but only after promising to return by her own will and swearing never to give her love to anyone else. Christine does return out of pity and fear.
But Erik isn't the only one who is envious. After Christine's debut performance, Raoul overhears her succumbing to a tyrannical, disembodied voice in her dressing room (Erik). He becomes suspicious that another man is taking advantage of her innocent belief in an "Angel of Music" in order to seduce her. He starts spying on her in an attempt to find the mysterious seducer. Christine suddenly becomes aware of this and is very angry, but after Erik reveals himself to be the Ghost (and after Raoul's threat of suicide), she decides to tell Raoul, on the roof of the Opera Garnier, everything that has happened between her and Erik. The two of them plan to run away from Paris and the "horror of Erik".
Erik eavesdrops on their conversation, and comes up with another one of his ingenious plans of action. He abducts Christine from the stage during her final performance at the Opera Garnier as Margarita in Gounod's Faust, at the point where Christine, as Margarita, is appealing to the angels to carry her soul to heaven (the aria is best known as "Anges purs, anges radieux"). Raoul follows them down into the depths of the cavern beneath the opera house, and is guided to Erik's house by a character known as the Persian. Unfortunately for both of them, the route they take to Erik's house leads instead to a torture chamber (a catoptric cistula), where they are captured by Erik. Raoul and the Persian listen helplessly as Erik rages at Christine, accusing her of lying to him and betraying him. He threatens that should Christine not marry him, he will explode the Opera Garnier. Christine, already on the brink of suicide, sadly accepts his proposal at 11pm the next night, Erik's "deadline."
Eventually, Christine shows Erik genuine sympathy and displays her love for him by crying with him, not running away when he takes off his mask, and even kisses him on the forehead. This granted Erik a happiness he never thought possible. In despair, Erik releases Raoul and Christine and gives them his blessings to marry. He asks only that Christine come back after his death, and bury him with the ring he gave her. Erik dies three weeks after he lets Christine and Raoul go.
Right before his death, Erik delivers a dramatic monologue expressing his grief, in which he describes how Christine was the only woman to let him kiss her, his brief euphoria when she kissed him, his despair at having the love of his life betrothed to another, and his gratitude to the Persian Daroga Nadir, who once saved his life. This is the only part of the novel written in Erik's perspective. He dedicates his death to his beloved Christine Daaé.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Chelsea
Wed, 11th Apr 2007
Chelsea reached the semi-final of the Champions League in Valencia tonight with a last minute Michael Essien goal after Andriy Shevchenko had equalised Morientes' fist-half strike.
Essien was playing his first football for a month. Joe Cole played the whole of the second-half.
The early challenges brought early whistles, from the referee and from the hostile crowd. It took just two minutes for the third free-kick, Essien on Morientes, to lead to a player rolling over and over. Match winner Essien was booked and will be suspended from Chelsea's next European game.
Soon after Mikel seemed to trip Villa, and now he rolled over and over, and the referee waved play on, much to the anger of the home fans. The whistling grew more hostile.
Just as worrying, Mikel and Diarra were guilty of losing possession over-playing in their own half early on. Ballack saved Mikel and cleared, but Villa forced a corner from Diarra's error, the first of the game.
From Chelsea's first corner, won by Drogba after 11 minutes, the centre-forward collapsed holding his face as the ball came across. Again the referee waved play on.
From Chelsea's second corner, won after a good period of attacking, Carvalho's header was well won but off target.
Chelsea's third corner, won in the 20th minute came at a time when the home crowd had gone quiet with Chelsea's possession. Ballack rose to Lampard's outswinger and headed the first effort of the game on target, but it was an easy hold for Cañizares.
A minute later Ballack picked up Chelsea's second booking for a handball in the middle of the park. Furiously he claimed it was too high on his shoulder for a foul.
Chelsea might have been collecting the yellow cards, but Valencia were stocking up the fouls, and before the first half-hour was completed referee Vassaras had whistled up for the home team's 10th breach of the rules. He'd also had a strong word with captain Albelda and made it clear how he wanted the game conducted.
But in that 30th minute, Valencia came closest so far to scoring. Albelda fed Villa who had a run at Carvalho and cleverly squared the ball to the arriving Morientes whose left-footed shot bounced off Cech's right-hand post.
A minute later, Valencia were in front. Morientes slid in to meet Joaquín's cross with an excellent left-footed finish across Cech. Chelsea had played well, Valencia had produced cutting edge football.
Two minutes later Cole bravely blocked Morientes' angled drive following Villa's cross, again from the left.
Six minutes before half-time, another period of good attacking Chelsea play, during which the away side's fifth corner of the half was won, climaxed with a scintillating Drogba header from Cole's cross, but as the ball arrowed for the top corner Cañizares launched himself across goal to tip away and then grab it. This was a world class save.
Just before half-time Del Horno suffered Valencia's first booking for fouling Shevchenko from behind.
Come the interval it was clearly advantage Valencia. But Chelsea's requirement to stay in the competition hadn't changed: a goal had to be scored.
Joe Cole was introduced for the second-half and Mourinho switched to 4-3-3. Diarra was replaced, Essien going to right-back.
Immediately Chelsea's played sharper football, more one-touch, and looked livelier. Albelda was booked for arguing, and Drogba won a free-kick when fouled from behind again.
Lampard's ball into the area was cleared, Essien crossed it back in, Drogba won it but couldn't quite finish as Ayala blocked. Shevchenko, however, could. From one yard he made the aggregate score and away goals count level.
The players raced away to celebrate underneath the travelling Chelsea fans. It was only the second goal Valencia had conceded in five home Champions League games this season, the other being a Totti penalty for Roma.
Shevchenko's next action wasn't so productive. He lost the ball on the edge of Valencia's area, allowing them to break. Miguel raced forward deep into Chelsea's area and Mikel did well to shadow him and concede a corner which Cech caught.
But Chelsea began to asset authority. Ayala was booked after jumping with Drogba midway inside his own half. Unfortunately, Lampard again wasted the free-kick. Two minutes later Moretti followed for a trip on the same player.
Morientes left the park to huge acclaim midway through the second-half, replaced by Angulo. But it was Drogba who had the next shooting opportunity, regaining the ball after his own pass had been intercepted. His shot was too precise and Cañizares dropped on it easily.
Midfielder Albiol was stretchered away with 20 minutes left when he came off second best in a tackle with Lampard.
All the game now was in Valencia's half. Del Horno gave away a corner when under no pressure. Again, Lampard's kick wasn't his normal quality, and the counter was excellently defended by Mikel who got Chelsea attacking again.
If ever the old football 'law' that you have to score when on top was underlined it was now. Valencia won a corner, it wasn't cleared, and a collective sigh of Chelsea relief echoed as Angulo shot wide.
Cañizares pulled out an even better save than in the first-half when Ballack glided a header from Lampard's best set play so far - Valencia's 19th foul - in the 84th minute, and he somehow turned it up in the air and over the bar when diving across full-stretch to his left. His colleagues celebrated with him as if he had scored the winner.
But it was Essien who achieved that in the final minute. Good Joe Cole play on the left, a pas to Shevchenko on the right in space, Essien for the umpteenth time with phenomenal energy overlapped, the pass was good and the angled shot defeated the goalkeeper and Chelsea were in the semi-final of the Champions League.
You can't put this team down. Four trophies is still a possibility. Keep the faith.
Valencia (4-4-2) Canizares; Miguel, Ayala, Moretti, Del Horno; Joaquín, Albelda (c), Albiol (Viani 71), Villa; Silva, Morientes (Angulo 64).
Scorers Morientes (31).
Booked Del Horno (44), Albelda (50), Ayala (59), Moretti (61).
Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2) Cech; Diarra (J Cole h-t), Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel; Essien, Lampard (Makelele 90+2); Ballack; Shevchenko (Kalou 90+2), Drogba.
Scorers Shevchenko (51).
Booked Essien (2), Ballack (20).
By Neil Barnett