Reading Roars!

BBC Berkshire is inviting readers to submit their magic moments from Reading FC’s sparkling first season in the Premiership (despite that the season isn’t over yet).

It’s a tricky one, but the “moment” I’d suggest has to be Reading’s recent comeback against Man United (who are excelling domestically and in Europe this season) at the Madejski. What a fight. Something that Roma were not able to achieve last night, in response to a similar onslaught.

Afterthought: it was an FA Cup, rather than league, game. Can we bend the rules a little?

I was eagerly looking forward to the Easter weekend clash beween Reading and Liverpool (less so the game with Charlton), who just a couple of days earlier had trounced a poor PSV in the Champions League. I admire the managerial minds of both Coppell and Benitez, both deeply immersed in the mechanics of the game and somewhat modest, too.

I dashed to The Turks, but alas they were broadcasting the rugby. I sped to the Three Guineas, past O’Neills, but again it was the oval, not round, ball that was on the big screen. I did catch the score, however, on a different monitor, and it was Rafa’s Reds, minus midfield maestro Xabi Alonso but with the magisterial Mascherano, who were ahead, through Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

Disappointed, I returned home and slumped in front of the computer, to follow the game online.
I was, naturally, delighted when Reading bounced back early in the second half, with Brynjar Gunnarsson whipping the ball into the goal from the right.

Unfortunately, Dirk Kuyt rose high in the 86th minute to score and restore Liverpool’s lead, all the way to the final whistle.

A pity, but still not a bad result for Reading against the 2005 European Champions.

As for goal footage, thank goodness for YouTube (despite the foreign commentary).

Recently, I launched a Reading-themed portal (I’m not a Reading addict, honest). Preferring to keep things simple, I named the portal, ahem, ReadingPortal.

Now, before you all rush to Google this site, I must warn you that it really isn’t that good (not enough time in the day, you see). So, the reason I’m writing this now is because I’m looking for someone who would like to work on this projectette with me, in partnership (shared revenues). The objective is to make this a highly popular portal with Reading Netizens (and, of course, advertisers/commercial partners).

If you’re interested, please contact me with a brief proposal. You can visit the site now (please excuse me while I duck behind the sofa).

Things are hotting up! The latin spirit will be making a return to Reading’s LV Lounge, located at 10-12 King St in the town centre (curiously, Google Maps places this venue in the heart of Stratfield Mortimer). Another big party will be held on 14 April (doors open at 8pm).

Entrance is a fiver, and for that you get a free Sangria and free Salsa for beginners (that Sangria should help calm your nerves, then).

The Sun has published a journal of a loyal England football follower (who has missed just 2 games in 7 years) based in Reading, care worker Simon Copson. The diary spans 6 days, commencing on Thursday 22 March, and presents Simon’s thoughts as a travelling fan.

Simon describes following England as a “drug addiction” (addicted to our national side? Yikes) and concludes, following the riveting Andorra game, that he’d:

love to see Steve Coppell doing the job but he’s far too intelligent to take it.

Quite. As was Scolari.

CCTV camera-crowded Reading is to develop talking cameras to tell off naughty troublemakers in the town centre. The cameras will, according to the Evening Post, use rap lyrics recorded by schoolkids and CCTV voyeurs will also be able to address miscreants directly.

A great idea, in my opinion, but rapping children may be too soft an approach. Will “Don’t be dim, put that litter in the bin!” work? Or “We’re watching you, you silly moo!”? Let’s act tough on offenders. Instead of big brotherly love, how about “You have 20 seconds to comply”, for example, or “Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?”. Well, they worked in the movies.

I’m not entirely in favour of an extension of the nanny state, but let’s not get too cuddly.

Many music aficionados are experiencing Glastonbury grief after failing to secure tickets for this year’s mega festival. However, weekend passes for the Reading Festival, otherwise known as Carling Weekend: Reading Festival 2007, are still available. Just thought I’d mention that.

Robbie Keane scored from the spot to condemn Reading FC to a 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon.

The penalty followed a harshly-judged handball incident in the box, with the ball unluckily striking new signing Greg Halford’s arm as it rebounded off Keane’s knee. Technically a penalty, but it was an involuntary action and really should have been waived by referee Alan Wiley.

Spurs climbed to 6th in the Premiership table and UEFA Cup territory. The Royals, disrespectfully described by The Mirror’s Mike Walters as the “M4 riff-raff“, are left looking still for their first win in two months.

After my Shehnai surprise, I discovered that the nearby Global Cafe was staging something similarly special. A couple of people were grilling something tasty outside the cafe, while a camera crew filmed an interview alongside with a chap in a suit.

As I have written before, I find Malaysian food extraordinary. Penang hawker food, with its Malay, Thai, Indian and Chinese influences, is magical. So when I saw that the London Street-based cafe was hosting a series of Taste of Malaysia buffets with live cultural performances beginning today, I got all tingly. After all, where else could I try this (especially with the closure of the Yellow River Cafe)? London, certainly, but anywhere local?

I’d arrived in time for the Lunch Buffet (12pm to 3pm; £8.50). A Dinner Buffet (£12) is held later in the day, from 7pm to 10pm.

Every seat inside was taken, alas (I really should have booked). I ordered a Coke (I was promised that when I return, they will make a Malaysian tea for me), and watched the live entertainment, two girls in traditional costume performing a traditional dance. They were very good. Quite mesmerising. Furthermore, the dancers were happy to appear with me in a photo, as you can see.

The girls will be back. Put these dates in your diary if you are interested:

• 15 April 2007
• 13 May 2007
• 27 May 2007

Tickets can be obtained either by phoning the Global Cafe, 0118 958 6692, or by snail mail: Global Cafe, 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS

Something was happening today at The Shehnai, half-way up London Street where the ill-fated Matrix club used to be. I was eager to find out what The Shehnai was exactly and what was taking place there (the human billboard wasn’t able to answer my question).

Removing my shoes at the entrance, I was greeted by the delightful Bhunum (now the spelling of this could well be wrong, so please excuse my ignorance), who agreed to show me inside.

Immediately, I was struck by the elegance of it all: the elegance of the colourfully-dressed visitors and the simplistic beauty of the venue (which at first glance looked like a 5 star hotel). I felt out of place, like someone arriving at a posh dinner party in Havaianas. Should I be here?, I thought. Not for the first time, I was joining a party without a ticket.

I cast my Timberlands to one side, contributing to the growing mass of footwear by the wall.

The long corridor where I was standing sparkled with a marble floor and imported Indian art, and led to a large white hall complete with modern bar (and champagne). A lone figure sat on a stage at the front of the hall against a starry backdrop, presiding over a Sikh ceremony to bless the venue. Rows of guests sat on the carpet.

 

I entered the hall – tentatively. Not wishing to cause offence, I’m always a tad nervous when I join religious ceremonies.

Somewhat generously, Bhunum asked if I wanted something to eat or drink, so we entered a crowded room by the entrance where there were tantalising Indian treats on offer. Meanwhile, guests continued to enter the building.

Bhunum explained that The Shehnai was a banqueting suite for special events like weddings and so forth (I later found out that a shehnai is a pipe used in weddings) opening today, that the bar was available for guests only and that the whole project took 9 months to develop. I drained my Chai.

Returning to the corridor, I was then told by somebody to return at a later date, as a religious ceremony was taking place. I was supposed to have my head covered. The end was nigh at The Shehnai. I thanked Bhunum for her time, slipped on my shoes and left the building, only to discover another cultural treat down the road…