London Through The Eyes Of An Outsider

Downtown London

Whenever I mentioned to my friends that I was going to Canada for college there were mixed emotions that came through: some happy, some sad, some couldn’t care less. When I replied “London” when asked which part of Canada, 99% were stumped. “London? In Canada? You’re joking right?” was the usual monotonous reply. Things said and done, it’s almost a month since I left home. It’s almost a month that I have been living on my own, independent. And I must say it’s been one heck of an experience.

                London, Ontario is unlike London, England. Why you ask? It’s a simple answer but one that needs to be experienced properly. London, Ontario is a small little city with a population of a little under half a million, situated midway between Detroit (in the American state of Michigan) and the city of Toronto. Yet, this city is home to two major educational institutions in Ontario: Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario. Now, as I’ve already mentioned, I’ve been here just about a month and yet I’ve already set foot on places like Covent Garden, Highbury and Oxford Avenue, Trafalgar Street and so on. The early settlers here sure did love their old dainty city of London. Interestingly enough, I read somewhere that it was intended that London, Ontario be made the capital of Canada but the Queen thought otherwise. Probably it was a wise decision, for if it were the capital, it’d be a lot noisier.

                It’s been homely, to say the least. The place I’m staying, the college and the new people I’m meeting on a regular basis. They all make the extra effort that the only International student in the Broadcast Journalism program feels at home. It’s quite flattering I tell you. (If you’re one of these people reading this, it’s the only reason why I haven’t mentioned the possibility of me taking advantage of it someday!) Interestingly enough, this small city plays gracious host to some of the biggest events in Canada – a WWE show (which interests me not), a TIESTO concert, a Kings of Leon concert, Avril Lavigne, Colbie Calliat and more hockey than I ever could have imagined. I can see some of you preparing to wring my neck and that is the risk I am willing to take. It’s a beautiful place, London, and it’s where I am for at least the next two years.

Photo Credits: http://beloveserve.com/?category_name=uncategorized&paged=2

From The Heart Of A United Fan...

Sir Alex Ferguson with the great Sir Matt Busby

I've been a Manchester United fan all my life and believe me when I say it; no feeling comes close to matching the United way of life. A club seen by rival fans (and even some so-called 'fans') as a bully, I've seen more fake United fans, who support the club only because they're successful, than true ones. Jealously, that's all I can say. Manchester United are a club with as humble a background as any (not one with dogs biting people in a pub). In the early and middle 19th century, North Road in Manchester was off everybody's compasses, but in 1878 it was at the very epicenter of change. A mere thirty years previously this part of Manchester was nothing but open heathlands stretching to the Pennines. It was in these grim surroundings that Newton Heath LYR FC (renamed Manchester United in 1902) was born - The club of Taylor, Edwards and Colman, of Best, Law and Charlton, of Cantona, Beckham and Giggs. Newton Heath initially comprised of railway men from all over Britain and was soon Manchester's most successful club. All ties with the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway officials, who refused to fund the clubs developmental projects, were soon severed. What's more when the Football League decided to split into two divisions, Newton Heath were placed in the first division with Ardwick Association FC (later renamed Manchester City, who last won a trophy in 1976) placed in Division Two. Today even though North Road in Manchester is a bustling district, there is not a sign anywhere which indicates that the world's greatest sporting franchise had its roots there.

From the humble beginnings in 1878 to the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, From financial trouble in the early 1900's to European Glory in 1968. From relegation to Division Two in 1974, to becoming World Champions in 2008, we've witnessed both sweet and bittersweet memories. We've seen both glory and relegation albeit the former was more abundant.

The story of Manchester United is largely the story of three men and their title winning teams - the late Ernest Magnall, the late, great Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager since November 1986. These three men led United to their Eighteen (now Nineteen) League Titles and eight of their eleven FA Cups. (Both of which are records; United used to share the League record with Liverpool, but have now surpassed them)

Manchester United was right up there with the best in the world the most famous team being the title winning side of 1955/56 and 1956/57. The Busby Babes as they were called were like the Arsenal of today only much better. Fortune seemed to favour the youthful side until that ill-fated day, the 6th of February 1958, when eight players were killed after the team aeroplane failed to take off and crashed at Munich Airport. "Manchester United had become more than just a football team." so said the Manchester News Chronicle. For the players who died, their reputation was forever secured. They died young and carefree, about to conquer the world. The tragedy at Munich was the reason why several people began to follow the club out of sympathy. What added to the poignancy of the loss was the comeback. Manchester United didn't die in the slush of Munich. They were resurrected like a phoenix. With upper lips stiffened, chins raised and backs braced they rebuilt and recovered. Manchester United did not concede defeat. A heavily patched up team made it to the FA Cup final that year only to lose to a Nat Lofthouse inspired Bolton.

A decade after Munich, having reassembled the team, Sir Matt Busby won the Holy Grail - the European Cup. Sir Matt, together with Munich survivors Bill Foulkes and one (Sir) Bobby Charlton, united in bittersweet triumph in memory of fallen friends and colleagues. United were kings of Europe at last, the first team from England and the second from Britain. It was during this renaissance that the world was introduced to the King Of Old Trafford, Denis Law who racked up 237 goals in 404 games. Charlton, Law and Belfast boy wonder, George Best formed the famous United Trinity that entertained fans for years.

Manchester United are the Premier League era's most successful team and are amongst the seven teams that have never been relegated during the same period. Twelve Premier Leagues, Four FA Cups, Three League Cups, Two European Cups, A Club World Cup, An Intercontinental Cup and Eight Community Shields all made their way to Old Trafford during this short time.

The dawn of the Premier League saw the arrival of Eric Cantona for a princely sum of £1.2million. The second King of the Old Trafford led his army of youngsters amongst them David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, the 'Ginger Prince' Paul Scholes and brothers Gary and Phil Neville. Quoth Liverpool legend Alan Hansen, "You'll never win anything with kids." I bet he  eats his own words year after year.

Nothing can or will ever come close to 1998/99 season, the treble year. United were champions of England and Europe as well as winners of the FA Cup and no one will ever win the European Cup in such dramatic fashion again! United had ended the millennium as World Champions after lifting the Intercontinental Cup, truly those were happy times.

The last couple of years have been fabulous. From recapturing the Premier League in 2006/07 after three years of near misses to John Terry's famous slip in Moscow in 2008 which handed us our third European Cup, from the departure of Ronaldo to the arrival of Chicharito, who at the time of writing had scored sixteen in his debut season.

There is a buzz in the hearts of United fans like me. The feeling that something big is on the cards, something quite similar to 1998/99. Needless to say the Glazers must go and take all their debts with them. There is no room in United's heritage for people like them. Instead of helping the club, the Glazer family is slowly ruining the club, propelling us to a debt close to £1billion; something that has to be done away with. Change is required; it's high time we fans protest. With a talented crop of youngsters coming through the ranks along with the charisma and presence of players: Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Vidic to name a few, the future of the club looks bright as ever. It's an exciting time to be a United Fan and I for one can't wait to see what the future has in store.

All together now: "Glory Glory Man United

                                  And the Reds go marching on and on....."

Photo Credits: http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_sow_experts__10/ept_sports_sow_experts-847369891-1279229903.jpg?ymPPRdDDj4l_PeSQ

Anthem For The Soldiers

Why should we men fight in battle?

When we have our own daughters and sons.

Without our families and their everlasting cackle,

At our last good meal before we run.

No fun and games, no cowries or bells,

No women to hold, No wedding choir

Only guns and armour, knives and shells

No call from mother from gay Shropshire.

Upon taking a bullet we tend to fall,

Not with loved ones but all alone.

Left alone to rot down to the bone

O, If only we hadn’t answered the call.

Why O Why did we choose to fight?

When we knew we wouldn’t see dawn’s new light!

Remembering every man, woman and child who laid down his/her life for his country. 

Photo Credit: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDRoH7d21Ec/TePLymzRM7I/AAAAAAAAEQU/zfqbEjGZ1eQ/s1600/soldiers_funeral_rumb_2.jpg

The Death Of Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger reacts after watching his side self destruct against Manchester United at Old Trafford, August 28th 2011

It came as a massive shock to me the day I read the way Arsenal were demolished at Old Trafford by a young and rather fresh Manchester United side. There was no contest in the game, or so I felt after watching the repeat telecast online. Manchester United were ruthless in almost every sphere of that particular encounter, and all Arsene Wenger could do was sit and stare at the score board wondering what might have been!

True you will accuse me of praising Manchester United a lot, but that is what the outcome was. Wenger was sorry, Arsenal refunded the fans that came all the way to watch the demolition unfold and Sir Alex was in no mood to celebrate: showing his respect for Arsene Wenger and all that he has achieved with Arsenal Football Club. The aftermath was simple or so one thought. The backline for the Gunners simply collapsed. You might argue that Arsenal were short on players and I totally accept that fact but you cannot forget that Manchester United had key players missing too - Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Rafael, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick were all missing.

Anyway, the whole point of writing this piece was not to gloat or point fingers at Arsenal. I write this because I feel that Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy has been influenced by want not be desire. He isn’t signing someone like Per Mertesacker or Mikel Arteta because he eyed them for ages, he is doing so to try and save his face. That, ladies and gentlemen is not the Arsenal FC that I grew up to respect. That is not the Arsenal was of doing things. Believe it or not, I had tremendous respect for Arsenal legends like Tony Adams, Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp (who to this day remains my favourite Arsenal player of all time). I recall reading British football history and the way one late Herbert Chapman reinvigorated Arsenal into one of the early top teams in the country. That is the Arsenal I grew up to respect! I may not be a diehard Gunner but that’s just the way I see things. You may find fault with me or find some minute reason or point that I make to debate on, but that is the way football is.

I could hope Arsene Wenger had some way of reading this particular paragraph. I write this article very close from Highbury street in North London, Ontario, Canada and every time is see the street signs I am reminded of the great Arsenal side of 2003-04, the team that everyone feared and the team I had the utmost respect for. Every time I hear about some trauma at Arsenal it does pain me and a lot of football fans for Arsenal is a team that belongs at the top, competing with the other teams that stake their claim there. Don’t be like City, they just buy their success.

I end, as a diehard United fan, I say it out loud in unison with Arsenal fans:

        “In Arsene We Trust”

Photo Credit: http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PA-11477626.jpg

'Arson'al

Arsenal Arsenal the team is so gay,
Do I have anything more to say?
Run by a manager with the same name,

Who just loves to play the blame game.

‘Arson’ Wenger is the man with the fire;

He leaves his team in a punctured tyre.

Loves to buy all players French,

And then he goes and lives in a trench.

Captained by a young Spanish – Fabregas

His name sounds cheap, its ‘Fabrics-ass’.

Swerve to the left and cross to the right,

The young guns are not very bright.

The Gunners, The Gunners, The Gunners are gunning,

Lets play ball and leave them running.

Last won a trophy in twenty-o-five;

Their title hopes have been cut with a knife.

The team was lethal at Highbury,

The Gunners have lost all their glory.

Arsenal Arsenal the team is so gay,

Do I have anything more to say?

Photo Credit:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgN71Biv3e2Wg_5dqQDcknAW5mTPrzMyjGckki_m7fal3IiPEYP1_ViUkXDOyt_5BiX19sCCcSgZqyFO7EiQlqhKVHL1dG6lZePX-V8cynz74f32l77o09MvTOJ8YDSpLjh_GCnSAhU/s1600/aken217l.jpg

I'm Going To Miss

Don Bosco School, Park Circus

I'm going to miss my school

I'm going to miss my classroom

I'm going to miss those unforgettable moments in XII A

I'm going to miss THAT telephone

I'm going to miss the quarrels we had in class

I'm going to miss the school canteen a lot

I'm going to miss those 'free' math classes

I'm going to miss playing football daily

I'm going to miss bunking class in the loos

I'm going to miss all those council meetings

I'm going to miss all the Bosco fest work

I'm going to miss organising Bosco fest

I'm going to miss that quaint cyber cafe

I'm going to miss the randomness in the chemistry and physics labs

I'm going to miss borrowing stationery and conveniently forgetting to return it

I'm going to miss laughing uncontrollably

I'm going to miss skipping lines in the canteen

I'm going to miss yelling at the guards of the adjacent complex to return our football

I'm going to miss dodging my friends when I had food in my hand

I'm going to miss guys giving me back my empty tiffin box during class hours

I'm going to miss writing football squads in every notebook

I'm going to miss teasing juniors at times

I'm going to miss taking the trip of people

I'm going to miss KC and associates

I'm going to miss conveniently bunking Hindi classes

I'm going to miss all the house rivalry

I'm going to miss sports day

I'm going to miss marching once every two years

I'm going to miss strolling on the school corridors during school hours looking busy

I'm going to miss English classes and those video clips

I'm going to miss playing musical chairs daily

I'm going to miss emceeing Bosco Fest

I'm going to miss quizzing with the best in the city

I'm going to miss debating in school

I'm going to miss the fun at school fests

I'm going to miss Bosco Edit and the chance to defend my gold medal

I'm going to miss my Xuberance Trophy

I'm going to miss those failed moments of laughter

I'm going to miss the student council

I'm going to miss the school authorities

I'm going to miss doodling during literature classes

I'm going to miss drawing race tracks on the desks during the Hindi classes I attended

I'm going to miss entering exam halls knowing absolutely nothing

I'm going to miss 'studying' chemistry

I'm going to miss dancing on stage

I'm going to miss punishing boys for talking

I'm going to miss playing football in class

I'm going to miss begging boys to make house charts for the house board

I'm going to miss delegating orders to other people

I'm going to miss that boring paint job on the walls

I'm going to miss trying to beatbox on the last day

I'm going to miss class assemblies

I'm going to miss sleeping in class

I'm going to miss the all you can eat buffet in class

I'm going to miss the very last VALUE EDUCATION exam

I'm going to miss last minute cramming before exams

I'm going to miss asking people 'how much have you NOT studied' I'm going to miss laughing after getting answer scripts back

I'm going to miss Tanumoy's reaction after he won the inter house relay

I'm going to miss the nonsense we did during those boring retreats I'm going to miss my teachers, especially the funny ones

I'm going to miss Mr. and Mrs. Laboratory

I'm going to miss the science exhibition and the last ditch attempt to get a working model to actually work

I'm going to miss that horrible lunch we got on our batch party in school

I'm going to miss dancing in the auditorium while "munni got badnaamed"

I'm going to miss the game where we beat the school football team I'm going to miss the post sports day council craziness

I'm going to miss all that Cadbury silk and Frooti we gobbled up greedily

I'm going to miss my ESE brother

I'm going to miss putting on that uniform every morning

I'm going to miss roadhouse blues

I'm going to miss all our stupid lame and hilarious nicknames

I'm going to miss all this and a lot more

I'm going to miss everything about my alma mater

I'm going to miss DON BOSCO SCHOOL PARK CIRCUS...

Wizzie Dee Exclusive

Alexander "Wizzie Dee" Wallace

Q1) You're real name, Alexander Wallace, doesn't sound Swedish. So how come you're based in Sweden?

You're completely right. My name is Alexander Wallace and it's american. I moved to Sweden at the age of six, with my parents. My grandparents descended from Sweden to America in the 40's right before world war two, and then in the 90's they decided to move back to Sweden. That's why they moved back and also how Wallace became Swedish.

Q2) Tell us a bit more about your childhood.
Yeah. As I told you I was born in The States. I lived in Miami (Lauderdale), until I turned 6 years old. After I'd turn 6 we moved to Sweden and bought a house in the northern parts of the country. It's really a big difference from Miami, especially the climate. Miami is big, hot and sunny and I moved to a small town that's called Örnsköldsvik. A life of cold and long winters and not that hot summers. As I said it's a small town and that's where I grew up. With my two parents and a younger brother twenty kilometers outside the city, by the coast in a small village with only 2000 inhabitants.

Q3) How did you come to pick the name Wizzie Dee?
Well, it's actually a nickname to my nickname. I used to be called 'Wizdom' because of my lyrics. But in the beginning of my career I realized that there was many rappers out there who were sharing the same artistic name as me. So I simply decided to change it to a more personal level and took the nickname my friends gave me. 'Wizzie Dee'.

Q4) Who do you look up to for inspiration?

Who I look up to. I don't think I look up to any living person to be perfectly honest. I get my inspiration from real life experiences. So the answer to that question would change each day.

Q5) Do you honestly feel that with the advent of people like Lady GaGa and Justin Bieber that the rap industry is slowly fading away since more and more people are taking to pop now a days?

The rap industry is not what it used to be, that's for sure. But I think that it is what you make out of it. There is some points that you'll need to understand though. People want new things, people want to leave the sound of the 90's behind (I'm talking about the big mass, love to all you old school hip hop heads out there). Therefor it's important to use your creativity in a good way. You've got to have plans, goals, and a great product. I would never drop rap and start doing pop, but I could use influences in my rap that I now works for other artists. That's how you grow the scene and make the definition of 'Hip Hop' bigger.

Q6) Apart from rapping what else do you enjoy doing?

My life is mostly about the music. It takes a great amount of time. But outside that I'm still in school and also I play football, or soccer if you prefer that. 

Q7) If you were given an option to sing a duet with any artist, who would you pick?

Sing a duet, haha. I don't really know. But if we're talking about a artist that I would like to feature a track with, it would be... Yelawolf. I think. If I could chose a person that ain't alive I would probably chose some old Swedish singer like Cornelis Vreeswijk.

Q8) Since I'm sure not many people have heard about you just yet, how do you propose to let the world know that Wizzie Dee is here to stay?

Well. By listening to my music of course. I'll release a mixtape this summer and those who takes a listen to that will understand. I'll be dropping bombs.

Q9) If you weren't  a rapper, what would you become?

I find that hard to think about. But I think that I would probably be just a 'normal' student. Music is pretty much all that I think about and has been since I was like five years old.

Q10) What advice do you have for people looking at careers in the rap industry? How difficult was it for you to get to the position you find yourself in?

My biggest advice is to be yourself, but also to be different from the big mass. Express yourself in ways that haven't been done before. I've been working for approximately 5 years to reach this level. If you talk to labels and people that have been in the music business for a long time they would say that it takes about 10 years to develop an artist. 

Q11) One thing that no one really knows about you?

That's a hard question. I'm very open about myself and my personality. I don't really know what to say.

Q12) One thing you wished no one knew about?

Nothing actually. I've got nothing to hide.

Q13) What is your favourite holiday destination/city you performed in?

I've been performing around Germany. The place I liked the most was at a sold out club in Berlin. I haven't played in The States yet but I hope to get there soon.

Q14) Do you have any plans on a tour sometime soon?

I'm planing a tour in Sweden from August to November. And after that I'm planning to work on my first real album.

Q15)  According to you, what is your favourite song that you've performed.

The favorite song is on my mixtape and it's called 'The Underdogs'. The mixtape will be released in August so you'll have to wait for it a few months.

Q16) Where can we get to download/buy your mix tapes?

It will be to downloadable from my site www.wizziedee.com

Check out Wizzie Dee on:

Twitter: twitter.com/wizziedee

facebook: facebook.com/thewizziedee

Blog: www.wizziedee.com


Photo Credit: Wizzie Dee https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9mihy6wuei3WmtTto-mkQqE-ZKTN8ZRDFIVoIK8_fKRjJAAFl4JEzvZdKTa-RAGEVR85tR4G4he3xdXlxfSwIlX7pVKi3y7Oq4OHOoGjv6-dlFd7i142h33ri5YvoS2moSR3EiSxiXU/s1600/twitterback.jpg