Not much happening

Since tomorrow is a holiday in Hong Kong (I think it is Labour Day) and the specialty I am currently attached to usually schedules its surgeries for Tuesday, there are very few patients to see. So I am off for the rest of the day.

Recently I sent out a mass email to everybody in my address book, saying I won't be sending out anymore mass emails (yes I know the irony of the situation, so don't point it out). Of course I will send a mass email if something important comes up, like pending deportation, wedding (very unlikely) or anything along similar lines. But for other updates I asked everybody to be referred to here, my blog.

There are reasons for why I am doing this:

1. Nobody has the time to read my emails. Whenever I send a mass email, it tends to be quite long, as the feedback has been. Since we are all busy, you can read my blog whenever you are free.
2. Nobody has the attention span to read my emails. I think this is more important than the first point. Thanks to instant messaging and MTV, I think the attention span for the young adult has decreased over the past years.
3. I fed up of reporting bad news. This seems be the case for all my emails. I just don't want people to feel desmodic whenever they see an email from me.

So hopefully this arrangement is better for everybody, you and me.

Bursting into tears

I'm a person who easily cries. Even when I was a small child, I used to cry at trivial things. I thought I was strange but it was most likely due to my depression manifesting itself.

Yet recently I haven't been crying a lot. I hadn't cried for nearly a year until today and I usually have a crying episode every two months. I am actually glad I cried today. It's something I can get out of the way since it felt like it was hanging there, waiting to happen.

What I wasn't glad about was when and where it happened. I was giving a case presentation to a doctor and was irritated when the doctor asked a question where I had already given an answer to. The doctor saw I was slightly annoyed and asked if there was something wrong with my question. Nearly a year's worth of frustation, depression and irritability toppled over and I said I thought the doctor was not giving a damn listening to me.

The doctor than clarified what the question meant and I felt guilty for accusing the doctor. That's when it all started, the waterworks. There are various stages of crying, that all people can related. The first stage is the glistening effect, when you eyes start to water. The second stage is the tearing effect, when you tears start to obscure your vision and you start to tear down the cheeks. The last stage is the crying stage, when actually physical noise comes out. I was trying not to let it get to the final stage but the doctor saw that something was wrong and was concerned that he/she (I won't elaborate on who it was, since it doesn't matter) had done something wrong.

At this point I could have said I suffered from depression and this was entirely natural phenomenon to me but I rather not have pity felt for me. I just loosely said the problem is not with you, I respect that you have taken time out to teach and I was wrong in scolding you and the problem is with me. But the waterworks still kept on coming. I was just really glad that I didn't get to the final stage of crying in front of the doctor.

I just hope it doesn't happen again in front of another doctor next week. I just don't have enough water in body for that many tears.

The power of prayer

I don't usually pray a lot but in the past few days, I have been asking God for help to get through the day and the willpower not to break down and cry. And I feel guilty about asking for these things.

Let me explain what I mean. I believe prayer is a person's chance to talk to God. When you start asking for things, it's selfish and you shouldn't be asking things from God. I don't even think asking for guidance or willpower should be asked for. If you really ask for something, it should be unselfish (i.e. not for you) - a cure for AIDS, an end to poverty, etc. Not for good examination results.

At times I really wish I could have reply for my prayers.

Two things...

Finally got broadband in my flat tonight, so I'm blogging right here from Kennedy Town! Woohoo! Don't know why that is exciting or why I have to use exclamation marks to express delight but who cares!

Anyway, two things I like to share since my last entry (about five hours ago). Firstly, I sat through a boring lecture about the short cases we might encounter during our Finals. The professor showed us a video of students doing their Surgical short cases in the Finals. And guess what? No I wasn't one of them but I did recognize two people who were shown. Firstly was my ex-friend, the wonderful bitch Dora. It is remarkable that she uses her flirting voice during the examination. The girl has no morals. The second person did fine (I keep her anonymous as I have nothing against the person).

The second thing I like to share was that I finally spotted another Nissan LaFesta. My dad bought one of these about a year ago and I never thought I would see another one until today. For those who don't know, the LaFesta is a small MPV which looks alright but is no Ferrari or Lambo. It actually is a good car since it is deceptively larger on the inside. But people tend to buy on reputation, so everybody in Hong Kong tends to buy Mercedes Benzes (is that even a word) and BMWs. If you are only going from A to B, maybe you need to take it down a notch.

Well have to go to dinner now, so finally I'll get that big entry I wanted to enter later.

Small, little deaths

I have recently moved into a flat with my mum, so she can help me get to classes. As we have not had Internet installed into our flat, I'm writing this before one of my classes in the library.

After nearly two days of the new Surgery clerkship, I'm tired but OK, I guess. But each time I see an old class peer (I can hardly call them 'mates') who has now graduated and is a house officer or resident, some small part inside of me dies. It's that sinking feeling you get in your chest, the 'what might have been' feeling that kills you inside. I know at some point it will send me over the cliff and I really hate for it to happen in an awkward situation, like in front of a doctor.

I know I should ignore it but I can't.

(Not) laughing at the professor's jokes

Went to the orientation meeting for my first rotation today. Got to meet the people I will be spending most of the rest of the year with. To be truthful, I'm not totally amoured with them. They seem to be your typical Hong Kong people. And that means I'm going to hate them. That's because the typical Hong Kong person is your ill-mannered, not-very-friendly, selfish person who I rather be roasting over an open fire than be acquaintenances with.

You can tell I really hate Hong Kong and its people, more so that Hitler hated the Jews. Only in this case it can be a bit more logical. I can find faults with people from other countries as well. The British are still class driven, the French are snobby whilst the Americans are arrogant and fat. But nothing doesn't boil my blood so much than Hong Kong people.

I have two points just to illustrate with you, after only spending an hour with them. Firstly I ask the group representative that I don't have the recent notes for some of the interactive tutorials and I was wondering if he knew where I could get a copy, either by burning a CD or downloading them. The blunt answer he gave was, "Sorry, I don't have a copy." A rather more tactful answer, which Hong Kong people still can't give, would have been, "Sorry, but I'll find out for you." No wonder there are TV adverts on the local channels asking people to change the habits (for the tourists).

The other point is the poor quality of humour they have. They were laughing at the professor's jokes today and the jokes were terrible. Trust me, they were worse than my dad's jokes and my dad does really have some awful jokes.

I tend to believe that Hong Kong people suffer from, what I call, "the Matrix phenomenon" named after the movie. They come to accept the reality around them, that nothing can get any better because this is as good as it gets. An ex-friend exemplifies this phenomenon exactly when she had to ask me "what is wrong with Hong Kong" and I had to give my reasons but still she didn't understand or accept my answers, like I was some lunatic at a mental asylum.

God help me for the next year, because I don't think anybody else can.

"Shooter" and haircut

Since today was my real last day of freedom, before I start having to get back to the grind of studying and classes, I went out today. Not a real biggie for most people but considering my condition, it's just amazing that I get any sunlight at all. If I had a job that let me work at home, I would rarely go out at all. I know that's unhealthy but the real world doesn't excite me and
I rather detest most of reality anyway.

So what did I do? From the title of this entry, you can gather that I went to watch the movie "Shooter" starring Mark Wahlberg and got my haircut. Yes, I know not very exciting but I hate going out, so it was very exciting for me.

As most who know me know, I was rather fanatical about movies. Not so nowadays, since I don't know much about Hollywood or current movie news, I don't know what is coming out and my enthusiasm has waned a bit, no make that a lot. But I still retain my critic skills when watch a movie. "Shooter" wasn't all that good - it was rather predictable and Mark Wahlberg was mumbling the whole way through the movie. Talk about bad sound! Just save your money and watch something else. I only went to watch because I have enormous respect for snipers. They have to pick a target metres away, taking into consideration curvature of the earth, wind and rather factors and not get detected. The only thing that I don't respect about snipers is that most of their targets are human.

After the predictable movie and watch young children trying to ice skate while feasting on McD's, I went to my usual barber for my usual haircut. I think everybody has their own barber that they trust, because hair is important for self-image. Screw it up and you got laughter behind your back for the next couple of months. I trust this guy since he knows how I want my hair. Plus the added bonus is that he supports the same football team I do (Arsenal, in case your wondering). We talk about the latest games, who would leave the club and any other business. The only thing I don't trust him with is my personal life. I still lie to him that I'm doing my internship and haven't told him the truth about me repeating my final year, cause I know he doesn't have the mental capacity to understand my depression. It is a sad fact that most Hong Kong people still have a stigma against psychiatric conditions.

Gosh I hate viruses

I don't know what goes through the sick minds of people who make computer viruses, worms and whatever malicious programs that us ordinary people hate. After having my laptop back for a few days, it has just been reinfected with a trojan horse and I'm trying to sort it out, spending hours trying to find the right solution, the right antivirus software and being frustrated at the same time.

Where is the justification in creating computer viruses? To test out computer security? Use a closed system where it doesn't affect the general population. Hate the companies who earn billions of dollars from computer software? Just attack, not the common man.

Just think about it - it just wastes time, money and valuable resources just dealing with this. I was thinking of a conspiracy theory that software companies produce these vicious beasts just so people will buy their products but since most programs are free nowadays, that has just muted my hypothesis.

Well hopefully I can kill this virus before I start classes again - have to hate to deal with this and I don't need it.

A new beginning

Finally my laptop has been repaired. Just a virus it turned out, instead some physical problems. It will take a few moments to get my settings back in order (I didn't back that up), re-install some programs and put my documents back in order (which I did back, thank goodness).

To update what I have done in the past few days, I haven't done much than study all day. I'm getting ready for my last chance at graduate with my medical degree. I think I need to tell you more but later on, when I'm ready.

Crash and burn

I won't be able to post as many entries into my blog for the next few days, seeing that my laptop's hard drive decided to crash and burn on me. Thankfully I was backing up my hard drive and haven't lost too many files. I managed to save my pornography.

I often wondered if companies intentionally do this, make products this bad just so we have to keep buying stuff. My laptop is only three and half years old and my previous laptop lasted much longer than that. I have always vowed that this would my last Microsoft powered laptop and I will switch over to Apple as soon as possible.

So once I finish recovering my hard drive I should be back in business.

Care and share

Not feeling great recently. The recent cold weather has given me a cold and a cough. Two thousand years of medicine and we still don't have a cure for the common cold! Have to make do with lots of hot ginger Coca-Cola (yes, you read that right).

I'm going to continue to rant about online community websites. There are good aspects about them - you can get to keep in touch with friends you have lost contact over the years. But there are so-called "friends" you don't want to get in contact with. You finally realize over the years that you have nothing in common, the only fact you have is that you went to school with them over ten years ago. If they didn't want to keep in contact with you, there must be a logical explanation and sometimes that reason is harsh.

For me, it probably is just the need to have friends, since I seem to have so few. I'm living in the past, where people regular contacted me. But most people live in the present, with friends they see every day and talk to, not to friends they had ten years ago.

If they were your true friends, you wouldn't need these websites to keep in touch. You would already have their contact details and would be exchange emails or phone calls regularly.

Against I'm just living in the past.

Too many community website

I'm taking a break from my usual "Dora is a bitch" bashing by complaining about something else - the online community websites.

Right now I have profiles at Bebo, Facebook, Friendster, Friends Reunited and MySpace. I think it is a good idea to have these sites but I just can't be bothered to have so many. I just can't be bothered in keeping my profiles up-to-date, with all the profiles and pictures needing to be kept current. Why can't we just have one site which perform all these functions? I just sorted the problem by just referring on each page that I have profiles on other community websites.

I hate weddings

The only major event that has happened to me, apart from the announcement that I can go back to school, is one of my closest friend's wedding. I was a bit apprehensive about this. It felt that I was losing a close friend, even though she has just married a great guy. I know they would want to spend more time together, which is less time than me. That last statement came out as selfish and that is correct. I wish I didn't feel this way but I do.

Another reason why I was apprehensive in turning up to the wedding is that I had to meet people I previously know and tell them I just turned out to be a huge failure in life. Even if it is your so-called friends have difficulty in reacting on what you say. Even though it is no fault of their own, I rather be not put in that situation. Let's just say some people handle it better than others. One person, Andrew Lai, was a prime example of how not to handle a person who is going through difficulties. He rather treated it like a piece of curious news rather than with an empathy. I'm just glad he's not a psychiatrist.

Two friends I wanted to avoid at the wedding, with specific instructions handed to the bride Evelyn telling her I do not want to be within ten feet of them, were Mercedes and Dora. Mercedes has just come elusive to me. She hardly writes or contacts me and it was through two other friends that I knew she came to Hong Kong to visit a few years ago. Even if she didn't have time to say hi, I would have like to known what she is doing. The fact that makes it worse is that I felt particularly close to her, as a true friend that I could count on. Now I just feel abandoned by somebody who has no remorse on what effect she has on other people.

Dora, on the other hand, is just Dora. She has no remorse. She is a manipulative, spoilt, self-centred bitch. In my next entry, I will probably elaborate on two incidents on why I view Dora the way I do.

So did I go to the wedding? Yes of course I did. I wanted to be happy for my friend plus I know I had to re-enter society, even though I hate it. But that's a story for next time

The final chance...

In a few weeks, I will embark on my final chance to graduate from this godforsaken place which is called the University of Hong Kong. I am somewhat apprehensive about my chances - I don't know if I can keep my emotions to myself, trying to contain them and not them overpower me. It seems I am on my own since I have few friends to help me. More than now I need them but every time I feel abandoned.

To update since the last time I have been on my blog, my psychiatrist advised me to take a rest. That meant no studying, something my parents found hard to accept and gradually tried to introduce me to other measures of occupying my time, like learning Chinese (which I found useless). Most of the time I was downloading TV programs that I have missed over the past few years. I was enjoying the likes of "The West Wing", which TVB Pearl decided to shove to a midnight time slot during its last two seasons for no apparent reason. I know only the most cultured can appreciate the writings of "The West Wing" and it was no ratings puller. "House MD" has also been downloaded and watched. I think one of my friends is right in saying that all they do is just diagnose a case a week but at least it is a more accurate reflection of a doctor's life than "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy" where it seems that all doctors do is have sex with each other plus look devlishly handsome/beautiful.

Since British shows are never broadcasted here, I have been catching up with my Doctor Who episodes. I know I am a science geek (I've been downloading Star Trek Voyager episodes as well) but I like the element of science and history with the sense of curiosity both shows have. Can't wait for the new series to start, which is tonight in UK.

I also like comedy panel shows from Britain. Since nobody seems to be uploading "Have I Got News For You" I've had to settle for "Mock the Week", which is hilarious. Both shows take a comedic view on the current affairs and news, with comedians providing the laughs. Not for the political-correct minded people.

The best show I have downloaded is QI. It stands for "Quite Interesting" and takes a comedic view on general knowledge quizzes. It stars the massive brain that is Stephen Fry and a range of British comedians, the best being Phill Jupitus and Dara O'Briain. It does contain British references but it is so funny, I keep watching it over again and again, plus the fact that you educate yourself at the same time as well.

Since my family is skint and stingy at the same time, I did some plastering. It is not as easy as it sounds and I have more respect for decorators and builders.

I have so much say on this blog, about friend's abandoning me, about being afraid of my future, about not able to face up to my friends since it will take me nine years finally to graduate but that will come at another date.

Taking a break.

It's been a long time since I have posted on my blog. I am taking a break from my studies so I can try to get better. I know this is the last time I can attempt Medicine but I really want this degree, after so much time and effort in.

I will post more when I can get enough motivation to do so. At least this is a start.

Not catching up with my Premiership team reviews.

Not doing well with my Premiership team reviews, since at times I cannot be bothered to write my blog. Eventually I will get round to all of them, so for those who are reading (which probably means no one). In this entry I will be writing about Middlesborough and Blackburn Rovers.

I was not in favour for Gareth Southgate being appointed manager of Boro. I am sure he will make a fine manger eventually but there are rules against appointing people with no qualifications. Forget about Steve McClaren being appointed England manager or Gareth Southgate doing his qualifications, there are reasons why these rules are in place - to stop dimwitted, famous ex-players being appointed without having a clue what to do. Why not appoint one of the former assistant to McClaren as a manager with Southgate being assistant.

Whatever manager was appointed, I still think Boro will struggle this season with a new manager and young players with relatively few experienced players recruited.

Positional review

GK: Mark Schwarzer, Brad Jones, Ross Turnbull, David Knight

A slew of keepers but keeping them happy will be difficult. I think Schwarzer and Jones will be the number one and two goalkeepers but Turnbull and Knight will have to move on if they want first team action or going out on loan will be another option.

RB: Stuart Parnaby, Anthony McMahon

Parnaby is one of the underrated right backs in this country. I think McClaren should consider Parnaby as an England right back. And the fact that McMahon is also very good, in the future he maybe considered for national duty.

LB: Emanuel Pogatetz, Andrew Taylor, Julio Arca

Getting Arca was a great boost for Southgate - a player who can play anywhere on the left flank and was considered one of the best players outside the Premier League. But letting Queudrue was a disappointing - probably the best left back in the league last season. But Boro still have enough quality players to fill this position

CB: Chris Riggott, Robert Huth, Jonathan Woodgate, Ugo Ehiogu, Andrew Davies, Matthew Bates, David Wheater

Probably Boro have the best young centre-backs in the country but having no experienced players in this position. That is the reason why they gambled on Huth and Woodgate. Even though they are relatively young and usually injured, they got experience at European and national level but massive amounts of talent.

RM: Gazieta Mendieta, Ray Parlour, James Morrison

This is one area that Southgate should improve during the next transfer window. Even though Mendieta, Parlour and Morrison are capable players, they are not true wingers and are better players in the middle of the park. They need some balance in the side and bringing in somebody with a bit of pace would be good. That would mean sacrificing somebody in this threesome and most likely it would Parlour, who is getting on a bit and probably should consider dropping down a division to continue his career.

LM: Stuart Downing, Adam Johnson

The best example of Boro's youth system, with two capable players in this position who could play in the first team and also in the England national team.

CM: George Boateng, Fabio Rochemback, Lee Cattermole

Another player would be needed in this position. Boateng and Rochemback are great players, whilst Cattermole is a capable player with bags of enthusiasm. They need another defensive player if Boateng becomes injured or suspended.

FW: Yakubu, Mark Viduka, Malcolm Christie, Massimo Maccarone

Another area that Southgate could impove on - not in the first pairing in Yakubu or Viduka but the quality of back could be improved upon. I think Christie should be given a chance but Maccarone should leave and go back to Italy.

I think this would a season of transition for Boro. If Boro can consolidate mid table, I think it would be a good season.

Now onto Blackburn...

After saving Rovers from relegation, getting them to sixth place last season was an incredible achievement for Hughes. But keeping the momentum would be the main test or last season could be seen as flash in the pan. What wouldn't have helped is changing the whole strike force. It would take an incredible amount of Hughes' management skills to maintain their progress. If they can do well in the cups and stay relative in the top half of the table, it would be a good season for the boys of Lancashire.

Positional review

GK: Brad Friedel, Peter Enckleman, Jason Brown

When Brown came in, Hughes was obviously thinking of the future. Eventually Friedel would go but for now, he is still one of the best keepers in the Premiership.

RB: Lucas Neill (Zurab Khizanishvili, Brett Emerton, Steven Reid)

Probably Hughes might consider bringing another right back, such as Danny Mills, but with Lucas Neill playing all the matches and with other players capable of playing at the number two, this is not a priority

LB: Michael Gray, Jay McEveley

Hughes has a conundrum here - Gray is good but not great whilsst McEveley has 'potential' but not enough experience. Eventually if Gray continues playing, McEveley may decide to leave Blackburn and this is not a good situation for Hughes.

CB: Andy Todd, Zurab Khizanishvili, Ryan Nelsen, Andre Ooijer, Stephane Henchoz, Dominic Matteo

With Henchoz just signing, Matteo is all but confirmed to leave Ewood Park despite his experience and versatility. But you have to wonder why he didn't do it early instead of having to rot away for another four months until the transfer window re-opens.

RM: Brett Emerton, David Bentley

See below.

LM: Morten Gamst Pedersen, Steven Reid

The two wide midfield positions do not need any recruitment, with enough capable players filling in the positions.

CM: Robbie Savage, Tugay, Aaron Mokoena (Steven Reid)

With Savage and Reid being the primary choice, perhaps Hughes might like to bring in another attacking central midfielder to give some balance.

FW: Jason Roberts, Benni McCarthy, Francis Jeffers, Paul Gallagher, Shabani Nonda

With a new complete forward line-up, this could be the area where Blackburn cock up this season. It would take time for a partnership to bear fruit, so it could be until mid season when Blackburn eventually start to produce the results they want to.

Like Middlesborough, a major shake up in the staff would mean Blackburn would be happy just finishing in the top half of the table and bring a good performance in the cup competitions.

Now that my shoulders are starting to ache now, I eventually have to go to bed and get up tomorrow.

Surprises

It will be no surprise to people that I am still struggling. I have only been to two days of classes out of a possible eight days. Probably now is the time to get help. Soon

Everybody loves an underdog. The team or person who seem inferiorly weaker on paper but happens to upstage the favourite is always well liked, because they don't rely on skill or strength or money but heart and courage. It appeals to most people because we are like that, not all of us are blessed with gifts or favours.

Two teams that have started the Premier League well are Portsmouth and Everton. And yes, I will be reviewing them now...

I am not a big fan of Harry Redknapp. He's not a big developer of youth. People said he played young players at West Ham United but he was forced to rely on the youth system because he had no finances. So no young players go through at Portsmouth (he was at Southampton for far too short a time to evaluate).

But he has had marvelous results at West Ham United and Portsmouth, despite having to buy bargain players plus free agents. He managed to keep Portsmouth and West Ham United in the Premier League despite being on the budget. Yet this season he has Russian mafia money to spend thanks to new investment (can't remember who the new owner is). Yet he has had trouble attracting good players to Portsmouth. It is the same predicament with Wigan, Bolton and Reading - despite being in the Premier League and having money to spend, the lack of pedigree and glamour around the club has failed to appeal to players. He has attracted some players but I think they won't improve that much.

Positional review

GK: David James, Dean Kiely, Jamie Ashdown

I didn't understand why Redknapp bought James when he had a better keeper in Kiely. James is dominant in the air and he is more prone to mistakes than any other keeper in the Premier League. It may cost Portsmouth points in the long run.

RB: Glen Johnson, Noe Pamarot (Linvoy Primus, Adrian Griffin)

I think signing Johnson was marvellous for Redknapp. I hate using the word 'potential' in football (it usually means they are young but not very good) but Johnson does have that. He has drive and the skill to become the next England right back but he needs discipline.

LB: Matthew Taylor, Adrian Griffin

Not a major department to invest in but getting Matthew Taylor to stay was the best part.

CB: Defan Stefanovic, Linvoy Primus, Sol Campbell, Andy O'Brien, Richard Duffy

Probably the world's oldest centre back pairing. Not investing or playing younger players will be very detrimental in the long run.

RM: Gary O'Neil, Roudolphe Douala

At least Harry Redknapp has bought what he need in Douala but I don't know about the quality of this player. O'Neil is great but he is better in central midfield.

LM: Ognjen Koroman

Another area Redknapp has invested in but maybe needs a back-up.

CM: Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes, David Thompson, Richard Hughes, Manuel Fernandes, Niko Kranjcar, Franck Songo'o (Gary O'Neil)

Lots of players in this position, so Redknapp won't have trouble picking players. Best player he invested in was Kranjcar, who performed admirably for Croatia at the World Cup.

FW: Andy Cole, Kanu, Lomana Lualua, Benjani Mwaruwari, Ivica Mornar

Following his own tradition, Redknapp has bought in Cole and Kanu - talented but elderly. They are great players but probably Redknapp should be investing in the future and not the present.

Portsmouth will improve slightly but depends if they want to invest in the present or for the future.


Now going to Everton, who have done very well in the transfer market. They may have paid a lot of money (Perhaps too much) but they have bought well and what they need. I think they have been going yo-yo in the past few years but they need stability now.

GK: Tim Howard, Richard Wright, Iain Turner

Getting Howard in must mean Wright probably will be going soon. I thought Wright would get the primary position but it seems Moyes is looking for a replacement.

RB: Tony Hibbert (Phillip Neville)

No need to invest here but maybe requires an secondary right-back

LB: Nuno Valente, Gary Naysmith, Alessandro Pistone (Phillip Neville)

Another area not needing investing but probably one player needs to go - probably Pistone.

CB: David Weir, Joleon Lescott, Joseph Yobo, Alan Stubbs

Lescott is a great signing, investing on youth and quality. Having Weir and Stubbs will help his development.

RM: Leon Osman, Simon Davies

Another area not needing investment.

LM: Andy van der Meyde (James McFadden)

Probably the worst transfer to happen to Everton was letting Kevin Kilbane, due to his quality plus his deputy is not that fit. It may mean McFadden will be playing more than usual.

CM: Phillip Neville, Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Lee Carsley

Another area not needing investment but Lee Carsley probably will go at the end of the season.

FW: James Beattie, Andrew Johnson, James McFadden

Probably won't need another forward, with two good youths coming through, but having Beattie and Johnson will be a good partnership.

Just getting what they needed was what Everton needed to do. Keeping the same nucleus is ideal and I think Everton will improve. They will win either one cup or finish top eight.

Haven't done much.

As usual, I haven't done much since coming back to the Surgery Specialty Clerkship. Went to classes on Monday and Tuesday but haven't been on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. I think the problem is just having to wake up to my parent's wake-up call. I think I need some independence and I shouldn't want to have to think about what my parent's think.

Another event that has occurred is the end of the transfer window, which will stop the ridiculous rumours of certain players going to certain clubs. In continuing my Premiership club previews, I am going to write about the club who did the surprise of the transfer deadline day - West Ham United - by signing World Cup stars Tevez & Mascherano. There are many conspiracy theories as to why these high profile players have shunned big European clubs to pick a small English club but I am one who won't speculate. I think it is a great buy for the club, which may see it now vying for the UEFA Cup and Champions' League spot for this season.

Postional review

GK: Roy Carroll, Robert Green, James Walker
It was ideal for Pardew to get Green. I'm not a big fan of Carroll, primarily he couldn't establish himself at Man Utd despite the incompetence of their various keepers. Also he dropped that clanger against Tottenham (everybody should know about that "goal"). At least Green has time to improve. Plus at least they have cover in Walker.

RB: John Pantsil, Tyrone Mears
Amazingly Pardew actually has done the logical thing after not having an adequate right back last season, by going out and getting not one but TWO right backs. I don't know about the quality of either player but Pantsil cannot be that bad if he was starting for his country at the World Cup.

LB: Paul Konchesky, George McCartney
It was not surprising that Clive Clarke left, considering the form of Konchesky (I don't think he was every dropped). But to replace Clarke with a higher profile player seems lunacy. I would have thought they would have got a player who could play at left back and wing (like Julio Arca).

CB: Anton Ferdinand, Danny Gabbidon, James Colllins, Christian Dailly, Jonathon Spector
This is one area Pardew may have strengthen in over the summer. Ferdinand is following in his older brother's footsteps whilst Gabbidon has adequately taken the step up from Football League to Premiership. Getting experienced cover would have been better than relying on Collins & Spector. They're investing into the future but this may cost them with the present results.

RM: Yossi Benayoun, Shawn Newton
Another area that Pardew should have invested. Benayoun and Etherington are great but Newton isn't, especially now that he is suspended for quite a while.

LM: Matthew Etherington
As I mentioned above, Pardew does not have enough cover. This has been proven now, with Etherington injured and asking Benayoun or Bowyer to cover for him.

CM: Hayden Mullins, Nigel Reo-Coker, Javier Mascherano, Lee Bowyer, Mark Noble
Now that Mascherano is here, how will Pardew will keep everybody happy? Mullins will be the most likely to lose his place and Noble will most likely leave later.

FW: Teddy Sheringham, Dean Ashton, Marlon Harewood, Carlton Cole, Bobby Zamora, Carlos Tevez
Another problem that Pardew will have here is keeping everybody happy. He already had two future English international in Ashton and Harewood whilst Cole, Sheringham and Zamora are adequate enough cover.

If Pardew can keep everybody happy, they are going to challenging not just for trophies but for Champions' League places.

More musings from my holiday.

As stated before, I'm not good at keeping up with my postings on my blog. My Premiership review of each club is way behind schedule and I haven't even written about my recent holiday. Now I have started a new clerkship (surgery), so it will be a while before I can catch up with things.

As I stated before, I was on holiday in Phuket & Bangkok (that's Thailand for those who failed geography) for ten days. I didn't deserve that holiday, especially after not going to classes in the medicine clerkship for three weeks but I needed it. One thing I would change is to go without my parents next time. I said that the last time I went with my parents on a holiday (that time was Tokyo) and I can never see why they can never guide themselves around. They will literally lose themselves in a toilet if given a chance.

Apart from that the holiday was fine. In Phuket, most of the time was spent sunbathing and swimming, whilst my dad hired a car for the first two days and drove us around (with me navigating as usual). One highlight was being able to shoot a .22 rifle like I did in school and also a Colt 9mm. Let's just say after shooting the 9mm, I now know how hard it is to shoot a weapon of any type.

Another highlight was getting a Thai massage for the first time. I had four in total over the whole trip. It is basically stretching the muscles, unlike the Swedish massage which is oil-based kneading of muscles. After the Thai massage I felt like steak after it had been tenderized.

After Phuket it was straight to Bangkok (although it suppose to have another name, which makes it the longest name in the world). We were there mainly for shopping but did spend one morning sight-seeing. I don't know how things are so cheap in Thailand but they are. I bought mainly DVDs, clothes and herbs & spices.

Bangkok would be an ideal holiday for my parents, only because they can muse about how much they saved. My parents literally get a buzz about how much they saved on anything. They will be literally saying, "This would cost so much in Hong Kong but here in Thailand it only cost this much. We would save this much." Most of the things they bought were dog accessories for their dogs.

I really don't have photos of the trip, since I didn't bring a camera and my dad was mainly taking the photos. Like a typical Hong Kong person, he photographed our hotel rooms!

Absence

If any of you have been wondering where I have been, not answering phone calls or emails, my apologies since I have been on holiday in Phuket & Bangkok since Sunday 13th August. I'll be catching up on my messages as soon as possible.