I love my job as it allows me to meet many interesting people.
Over the 27 years that I have been a journalist, I have met many sports personalities, newsmakers, and even politicians.
Last Saturday, I met one of my heroes, Liverpool legend John Barnes.
Over the years, on the sports front, I have interviewed many Liverpool legends – Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler – just to name drop three – but there have been many, many more.
But the two I want to interview the most are Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher, as I named my kids after them – Owen and Carra.
I would have actually preferred to name my son Fowler, but the home minister said it was too uncommon for Malaysia.
Sadly, Owen left Liverpool months after my son was born, so, my first instinct was right!
I have also had the opportunity to interview many other sporting greats; ex-F1 driver Michael Schumacher and former squash player Jahangir Khan, dozens of badminton, tennis and hockey players – local and foreign – and been privileged to cover multi-sports events, such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and SEA Games.
But meeting Barnes, who was in town to celebrate Astro’s coverage of the new English Premier League season, was a treat as he is one of my favourite footballers.
His dribbling ability and eye for the perfect pass made him, Peter Beardsley, and John Aldridge, the stars of the 1987 team.
I remember watching the opening match of that season, in which Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-1.
Back then, we had to be happy with the highlights show, Big League Soccer, unlike now, where nearly every league and cup match is live.
Together, the trio helped Liverpool win the league in 1988, with Barnes winning another title in 1990. He also won the FA Cup in 1989 and 1992, and the League Cup in 1995.
There were also three Charity (now Community) Shield victories in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
Although he had arrived in Malaysia barely hours before the interview, Barnes was relaxed, and spent about an hour with the media, answering all sorts of questions.
He shared his insights about Liverpool (more on that next week on this website) and the other Premier League clubs.
He had also predicted a tough first game for Liverpool against Fulham, and he was right, as the Reds’ opening game of the new season ended 2-2.
Although I prefer to watch Liverpool games in the comfort of my home – I probably jinxed them last week by not sitting in my lucky chair – I could not pass off the opportunity to meet Barnes.
The man England fans voted as their national team’s greatest ever left-footed player will be in Malaysia more often, as will other footballing legends, now that travel restrictions have been lifted.
Lucky Astro subscribers may get a chance to meet their heroes. It will be a thrill.
DEATH RATE CONTINUES TO GO UP
Malaysia recorded 61 Covid-19 deaths in the past week, making it 36,070 fatalities. The last time Malaysia had more than 60 deaths was in the week of April 16-22 (85).
For the third consecutive week, there were more recoveries (28,098) than new cases (27,028).
That means 4,646,723 people have beaten the coronavirus. In total, there are 4,728,168 cases.
Worldwide, there are 594,302,611, and 6,452,358 fatalities.
SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE CHILDREN
Last Wednesday, a child ran across the road, right behind my car, just as I was reversing.
If I braked a nanosecond later, I would have knocked him down. His mum, who was buying drinks, did not seem bothered.
I was shaken up and sat in the car for over 10 minutes to compose myself.
A couple of years ago, as I was at a drive-through, a family came out of the fast-food joint. The children ran in front of my car as I was about to drive to the next counter.
I honked, as I was upset that I could have knocked one of the children down, but the parents gave me a deathly stare, as if I was in the wrong.
There was another lane to my left for cars that do not use the drive-through. If there had been an oncoming car, the driver would not be able to see the children.
Some people should not breed.
OOPS, SHE DID IT AGAIN
I thought my memory was horrible, but it looks like the home minister’s is worse than mine.
Twice this week, she arrived at the office only to realise that her laptop was at home.
I have forgotten my laptop several times, but I usually realise it before I am out of the house.
The home minister reckons her memory lapses are a lingering effect of Covid-19.
HOW TO MAKE FOCACCIA
This week’s recipe is a step-by-step guide to making focaccia. Enjoy.
HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU
Olivia Newton-John died on Monday, although her Malaysian fans woke up to the news on Tuesday. She was 73.
The British-born Australian starred in movies such as Grease, Xanadu, and Two Of A Kind, which reunited her with John Travolta.
The singer won four Grammy awards – Best Country Vocal Performance, Female (1973) for ‘Let Me Be There’, Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female (1974) for ‘I Honestly Love You’, and Video of the Year (1982) for ‘Physical’. She also earned another eight nominations.
Although she did not win Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, for ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ in 1978, that song ends this week’s Diary.
If you want to re-watch Newton-John in Grease, you can do so on Astro’s Ultrabox or on the AstroGo app.
Until next week, stay safe.
https://youtu.be/i52mlmJtyJQ
