LOSING MY CONNECTION....

I just woke up to some ruckus and am surprised to find out that Tess is putting tiles in this little house of ours (if I could call it a house). So it seems I'll be offline for awhile again. Probably four days. And since everything is being moved out, I just have this last few minutes to type all this up.

Anyway, to all you readers out there (and I mean all three of you!), HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!


I rehashed this from my Everything Website node.

Remember the song "Losing My Religion" by REM? Well, that has been a real favorite of mine since it came out. The problem is, I really didn't know what it was all about. Two years ago, I decided to get to the bottom of it and what you see below is a translation, albeit a very liberal one.

Not sure if it's correct but the geist then is that "Losing My Religion" is about someone leaving his wife! And he's so confused on what's right and what's wrong that probably even his morals are all over the place. So confused that he's losing his religion.

So watchatink?


LOSING MY RELIGION

LOSING MY TRANSLATION

by REM

by jobert

Life is bigger
It's bigger than you

My world does not revolve around you

And you are not me

You don’t control me

The lengths that I will go to

You don’t know what I can do

The distance in your eyes

We have grown apart

Oh no I've said too much

I don’t want to tell you

I set it up

...but I want to

That's me in the corner

I want to hide it

That's me in the spotlight

I want to show it off

Losing my religion

I am so confused

Trying to keep up with you

I try to love you back

And I don't know if I can do it

…but it’s hard

Oh no I've said too much

I don’t want to tell you

I haven't said enough

…but I want to

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing

You seem happy

I think I thought I saw you try

Do you know what is happening between us?

Every whisper
Of every waking hour I'm
Choosing my confessions

Everyday, I want to tell you I love someone else

Trying to keep an eye on you

I try to be careful so you won’t know

Like a hurt lost and blinded fool

I don’t know what to do

Oh no I've said too much

Have you found out my secret?

I set it up

I want you to know

Consider this
The hint of the century

Can’t you see what’s happening?

Consider this
The slip that brought me
To my knees failed

Our marriage isn’t working

What if all these fantasies
Come flailing around

What if I tell you I love someone else?

Now I've said too much

I’ve said too much

I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing

You seem happy

I think I thought I saw you try

Do you know what is happening?

But that was just a dream

I haven’t told you yet

That was just a dream

I haven’t told you yet

Christmas Day in the Morning
by Pearl S. Buck

One mushy Christmas story that's guaranchristmasteed to make you really feel the "family of Christmas" (as my Gabbi would say).


(via Leaning Towards the Dark Side)

Kill Bill

Here's a link to an early draft of Kill Bill. The script covers both Volume I and Volume II. There are some changes to it but the geist of the story is still there.

That's if you can't wait to catch Volume II next year.

How To Give The Last-Minute Gift of Blog

"Okay, it's officially the last minute and you forgot to get your sister's roommate a gift. You're going to their holiday party tonight and you can't show up empty handed. What do you do? Fear not gentle bloggers, you'll have a great gift. The gift of blog..."

This sounds too kooky that it might work.

The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins

I have to just post this.

For LOTR fans out there. And Trekkies too...

You won't be disappointed. I promise you.

(via Leaning Towards the Dark Side)

MAY ALL OF YOU EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF THE HAPPY HOLIDAYS! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

from


I'll be back soon.

HOW MUCH DID IT COST YOUR TRUE LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS?

"Each year since 1984, PNC Advisors has provided a tongue-in-cheek economic analysis, based on the cost of the goods and services purchased by the True Love in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

... As part of its annual tradition, PNC Advisors also tabulates the “true cost of Christmas,” which is the total cost of all of the items in the famous carol, including all of the repetitions. The price tag for the 364 items this holiday season is $65,264, up from 2002’s true cost of $54,951..."

I'll settle for just the Nine Ladies Dancing...

CS Lewis book to become £62m film

"Fantasy book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is to be made into a movie, filmed in New Zealand...."

From Rivendell to Narnia. New Zealand is fast becoming THE Fantasy Land.

I've been trying to convince Lulu to pick up the book.

Real files lawsuit against Microsoft

"...Real said Microsoft's actions limited consumer choice, hurt competition, and cut sharply into Real's business. Among other things, the lawsuit accused Microsoft of using its monopoly power to limit how PC makers install competing media players while giving Windows users no choice over whether they get Microsoft's media player..."

It think Real is wrong. If they just got rid of their spyware, most people would probably use them.

Rise in Syphilis in San Francisco Tied to Internet

"...A closer look at data on 415 MSM who were diagnosed with early syphilis in 2002 revealed that Internet chat rooms and sex partner sites were the most common venues for meeting partners -- more common than bars, bathhouses, and sex clubs..."

Does that mean I need protection when I'm online?

It's Hemophillia. The answer is Hemophillia

I was at a KTV Tuesday night.

"We're having a beauty contest and we were wondering if you would be one of the judges." , The manager asked me. The contest would be the next night, Wednesday.

Hmmm... the thought of scantilly clad women parading up and down trying to catch my attention kind of piqued my interest. I said yes even before the manager got to finish his sentence. When I heard, "beauty contest", the word "yes" was already being relayed from my brain to my mouth.

"I will be a god unto them. Bow my subservient slaves. For I wield the power to cast who will be Miss KTV!" An image of me standing triumphant while a bevy of nubile nymphets grovelling at my feet flashed and etched itself permanently in my brain.

Well, that was until I got home and checked my email. EB with Jet, Belle, and Ghost will be on the same day!

NOOOOOOO!!!

What to do? What to do? I weighed the choices that I had. One, go to KTV and have GRO's trying to catch my attention. As well as a movie starlet dance almost naked on stage. Or two, go to EB and meet three of the most interesting people I have never met in real life. I almost had an aneurism just thinking about it.

Naturally, I chose the EB. Girls in KTVs would always be there. Judge or not. Aaaargh! If only I had a TARDIS! Then I would have no problem being in two places at one time. I felt I missed a lot calling up and saying no to the KTV.

I was mistaken.

The EB was one of the best times I have had this Christmas season. Funny how there wasn't even an awkward moment between us. Except of course whenever Jet and I would pause for a cigarette break. It was like a normal gathering of friends. We even had exchange gifts. We were talking and talking until it was already way past a normal person's bedtime.

It was great to see ghost and Belle discuss Philippine history. To hear Jet's stories about Singapore. And even think real hard what disease the Romanov's son had. I even got the chance to drivel about how Tess and I got together. It was a meeting that deserved a sequel. The only thing missing was cbs. We were even wondering who he really is and how old he is. Well, Jet seems to have a chance to meet him in person when she visits the USA.

Jet's gift would help me teach Lulu and Gabbi eat the oriental way. Ghost's will help me learn more about the Philippine Revolution. And Belle's would forever be at my desk to give me that extra push of inspiration and motivation whenever I feel I can't go on anymore. But most of all, I went home that night with three more friends that I can be truly proud of knowing and meeting.

I wonder if they're on Friendster?

Spider-Man Blog Templates

"For new bloggers on Blogger.com or LiveJournal, these styles and templates will get you off to a quick, fun start..."

Not just for new bloggers. Really cool official Spiderman 2 blog templates. If you want to sport a web tangling look, mozy on over here.

(via blogger.com)

New Zealand shuts down missile project

"The New Zealand government has moved aggressively to shut down this project -- and by using quite unscrupulous methods which appear to be in breach of the law."

Remember the DIY missile? The aim was to construct a cruise missile for under US$5000. If I'm not mistaken, most of the parts were bought on Ebay.

Now the NZ government came and shut down the project. Without due process as I understood it.

I think this is the missing chapter from the Return of the King movie; The Scouring of the Shire. Middle Earth, indeed.

How'd I go from listening to Suicidal Tendencies to listening to Frank Sinatra?

"...They go:
Me and your mom have been noticing lately that you've been having a lot of
problems, you've been going off for no reason and we're afraid you're gonna
hurt somebody, we're afraid you're gonna hurt yourself.
So we decided that it would be in your interest if we put you somewhere
where you could get the help that you need.
And I go:
Wait, what do you mean, what are you talking about, we decided!? My best
interest?! How can you know what's my best interest is? How can you say what
my best interest is? What are you trying to say, I'm crazy? When I went to
your schools, I went to your churches, I went to your institutional learning
facilities?! So how can you say I'm crazy.

They say they're gonna fix my brain
Alleviate my suffering and my pain
But by the time they fix my head
Mentally I'll be dead

I'm not crazy - institutionalized
You're the one who's crazy - institutionalized
You're driving me crazy - institutionalized

They stuck me in an institution
Said it was the only solution
To give me the needed professional help
To protect me from the enemy, myself..."

Institutionalized
Suicidal Tendencies


So, I'm throwing out some junk when I stumbled upon one of my old cassette tapes. I even remember where I bought it; Rough Trade in SFO. Can't exactly remeber where that store is but I think it's near the Moscone Center or something. Anyway, It's all moldy now but it does bring back memories. (Was I even capable of making memories that time?) I really like this song. Any of you remember this? It was during the punk rock era. It was like my unofficial anthem during my rebel years. Man! Wonder how I'd react if my kids start liking this song. Still, it's cool up to now. This is one of those songs you can call timeless. Really.

Now I feel like having a Pepsi. Just a Pepsi.

Hip-hop singer shocks Vatican

"US hip-hop singer Lauryn Hill stunned leading members of the Roman Catholic Church when she accused them of moral corruption, exploitation and abuse from the stage during a Christmas concert at the Vatican... An aide to Ruini, Bishop Rino Fisichella, described the singer's speech as "a rash outburst. An uneducated act showing a lack of respect for the place she was a guest and for those who invited her.""

It's funny that there was no report whether the Church would investigate or act on any of Ms. Hill's accusation. They all expect us to turn the other cheek, I guess.

America's Best Christian: Mrs. Betty Bowers.

"...Christian Advice and Republican Bush Politics from America's Most Saved Baptist"

She's so close to Jesus, He uses her birthday when He plays Lotto!

Raul Roco - The Wife Beater (?)

"I admit I don't personally know the Rocos. But I have talked to people who know them very well. I have talked to Roco's close relative who said that indeed the former senator and education secretary would beat up his wife during a spat... A couple of years ago, Sonia ran away from home and went to Baguio after she was reportedly beaten black and blue by Raul."

Don't you like election time when follies of candidates (public and private) are brought out in the open?

I had a chance to see him show a bit of his temper (that was on TV during the impeachment hearings). Based on that one instance, albeit justifiable at the time, the article may have a bit of truth in it.

Peter Pan's Home Page!

"...I should say that I'm 50, and I live in Tampa Florida.... Peter pan is definitely a boy, to me this character is perfectly asexual, and in his eternal childhood rejects the idea of growing up and leaving this behind."

Ack! I am speechless. Do check out his Fashion Page.

Garfield the Movie

Garfield.
Movie.
Bill Murray.
Teaser Trailer.
What else is there to say?

I. What is an Asian blog?

With the introduction of the Asian Weblog Awards, there seems to be a discussion going on whether what defines a blog as Asian. Is it the nationality of the blogger? Where the blog is being posted from? The subject of the blog? Or is it the perception (my personal choice) the reader gets from the blog?

Sinta puts it more clearly in her post. Using her blog as an example.

(via Lockload.com)


II. The Asian Weblog Awards

As for the Asian Weblog Awards, my only beef with that is that it's like a pseudo-friendster award. More friends, more votes. It's more about popularity than content. No offense but that's how it is. For example, Schadenfreude is a better blog than others nominated but has only two votes (one vote coming from me). I'm not saying that it's the one that's supposed to win. But if a blog is part of a clique of bloggers and one isn't. Well, the whole thing becomes skewed...

And that's regardless on which blog is better.

The Philippine Webby Awards pre-screens it's nominees before opening the categories for voting. The Philippine Blog Awards does that too. There's a reason for that. The AWA should have pre-screened too.

What Not to Do When You Blog

Simple rules on blogging (to some, I guess...). Well, I'm not sure if he has checked Philippine blogs since most if not all is in violation of Rule 2.

But then again, when did blogging ever have rules?

(via The J-Walk Blog)

Holy SpringWater Bottled Spring Water

"You may not be religious, and you may not even believe in heaven or hell, but if you have the choice between two quality spring waters, one that has been blessed, and one that has not been, then why in heaven's name would you even take the chance? ... and has been blessed by a Monk, a Catholic Priest, as well as Holy Shaman."

Holy Bottled Spring Water, Batman!

The Hobbit Trailer

"Before there was a Fellowship,
before the Two Towers united against Middle-Earth,
before the Return of a King.
There was 'The Hobbit'. "

Here's The Hobbit Teaser Trailer if Peter Jackson decides to make the film. It uses existing scenes from LOTR as well as other movies like Dragonslayer.

It's really convincing.

COOL DUDE!

My cousin Gerald just has an ad out. It's the Globe "May Flash Be With You" ad. Really proud of him.

I've been hankering to be a Jedi since Star Wars.

365 Excuses To Get Soused

Want to have a reason to drink? This site sites 365 reasons. One per day! Even lists what drink to have on that day.

Really useful for someone like me. Given my job, that is.

(via The Presurfer)

Which dictionary is the best?

"It can be a challenge to get at what sets a dictionary apart from its peers. First, you have to move beyond the marked family resemblance (thumb index tabs, speckled pages, and a preference for the name Webster), the swaggering jacket copy ('The most useful dictionary you can own,' 'The most up-to-date dictionary available,' 'America's favorite dictionary,' etc.), and the shrink-wrap put in place to encourage you and your grubby hands to judge a book by its cover alone..."

I haven't used a dictionary outside the computer in years. But then again, the feeling of perusing one is an experience in itself. Specially if you don't know how the word is spelled.

EARLY BREAKFAST

I woke up real early this morning. And I mean, real early.

So it's 3 a.m. and I have the munchies. It's the type of hunger that will only be satisfied with eating something specific. This time, it's steak. What's worse, I don't have steak in the house. Hell, I don't even have enough meat in the fridge to make one meatball. There was bacon and hotdogs but that wouldn't hit the spot.

So I fired up the computer and see if I can find something to stave off this hankering for a specific type of protein. I stumbled back to an old post regarding a Chili recipe. But it was obvious that MEAT was a problem. Can't make hotdog chili. Also, time was a factor. So chili was a no go. Made a mental note to make time next week for this recipe.

Then, I remembered! A Filipino Cooking & Recipes Journal. It won the Philippine Blog Awards for Most Informative Site. So I mozied (sp?) on there and guess what I saw as it's first post? French Toast. Well, Freedom Toast if you want to be dramatic. Me, it's all the same no matter what you call 'em.

Eggs, check. Milk, check. Bread, check. Sugar, check. Cinnamon Powder, ummm... sugar would do.

So at sometime past three, I prepared French Toast. This actually reminds me of a scene from Kramer vs. Kramer when Dustin Hoffman made French Toast. No toaster this time though.

I made a total of five pieces (supposed to be eight but I oversoaked one piece). Sprinkled sugar on them and ate them all. Yup, ate them all. I was really hungry. Plus the fact that I didn't want to leave any since we all know that old french toast isn't really appetizing. I also had a cup of Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate. I was stuffed.

And the kitchen was a mess. Tess and the maids were wondering if World War III happened when they saw the aftermath this morning.

Anyway, bottom line is, after all that, I still had the hankering for steak. It's actually driving me crazy. I'm not pregnant or anything to crave but Tess might...

Oh well, made a resolution that I will have steak tonight. If ever you pass by Bargo Malate around 11pm up and see someone in the bar having a steak or something like it, chances are, it's me.

The Starsky and Hutch Car

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! This brings back memories. Hey? Is Huggy Bear around?

The 1975 Ford Gran Torino. Restored and transformed into a "Starsky and Hutch" car. Now that is one cool ride. I remember this being my dream car to own at the time.

Well, that and the Batman Car from the TV series. Then KITT came.

Then the Daytona Spider (?) from Miami Vice.

Then the Testarossa.

Then the Batman Car from the 1st movie.

Then the... oh wait. I still don't have a car.

Friendster Quickly Gathering Foes

"Though it remains at the top of the online social networking heap, there are increasing rumblings that some of Friendster's earliest core users are unhappy with it. And now that they've found alternatives to the service, many are packing up and moving on...."

Well it seems problems are arising out of the popular website. It's funny though that in the Philippines, I'm not sure it's regarded here as a dating site. Here, it's more of a numbers thing. The goal seems to be to have as many friends as possible. Real or otherwise.

Ack! I can't even break forty.

BLUE

The subtle scent of coffee whaffed in the air as he entered the room.

It was one of those gentle December mornings where the bed's toasty warm and floor's ice cold. It was so peaceful that he could actually hear the morning come. He closed his eyes and savored it. All senses attuned to the beauty of that moment.

Then like a throbbing pain, a thought registered in his head; Work. Work. Work. Work. It jarred his mind to reality.

Shower. Change. Breakfast. Day in and day out, everything was routine. Except this morning, he can't shake that feeling. A feeling only described as being between a state of deja vous and a lucid dream. Everything seemed distant.

The color blue. Everything had a tinge of it. From the sunlight slowly peeking in, to the walls, even the shadows. Blue.

He slowly approached the door. For a moment, he hesitated. He looked back to his small apartment. Glancing at it for one more time, he began to realize that for one brief moment, a state of perfection was presented to him. Not quite consciously, he murmured, "Blue".

Then he opened the door and the heat of reality welcomed him.

Teacher tells kids Santa is 'make-believe'

"Sandra Jolly said her 6-year-old son's Christmas was spoiled when his teacher told the first-grade class Monday that 'Santa Claus is make-believe..."

Come to think about it, but as far as I know, my kids knew about that since the first time they heard about Santa.

How old were you when you found out Santa was make believe?

The New Battlestar Galactica

They're re-doing Battlestar Galactica. Edgar James Olmos is Commander Adama. But Starbuck and Boomer are women? Oh and when do the cylons look like a Victoria Secret model?

It does put a new spin to the Cylon quote; "By your command.".

City Of Angels

I stumbled upon this site. Man, I just felt a twinge of sadness. I mean real sincere sadness. It made me appreciate what I have in life right now. Just scroll a bit down, and you'll understand. Check the links too. Wonky Java site though.

Me... mushy... the first step in being old.

Choice Blogs

Seems the Blog statistics are coming up on a lot of sites lately. Well, to be different, I came upon PC Magazine's small list of choice blogs to visit. Do check 'em out.

(via The J-Walk Blog)

MY LIFE PAVED WITH SONG

"You're motoring
What's your price for flight
In finding mister right
You'll be alright tonight..."
- Night Ranger (Sister Christian)

I'm on an 80's retro binge right now. And it's not the new wave stuff. It's the OTHER ones. You know John Cougar Mellencamp, Bryan Adams, Huey Lewis, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, The Cars, etc. etc. For some reason I'm enjoying it immensely.

Tess got up and started listening. She gave me this quizzical look like have I eaten yet? The what's-with-Wang-Chung-blaring-out-the-speakers kind of look. Next thing you know she joined in but man! The songs! David Foster? Olivia Newton John? CHAKA KHAN??!? She is also on another side of the 80s binge.

"After All that we've been through,
It all comes down to me and you.
I guess it's meant to be,
Forever you and me, After All. .."

I played "After All" by Peter Cetera and Cher. That brought us memories together. That song just bombards me with thoughts of Tess. It wasn't our theme song (remember those?). Ours was really admittedly stupid. Even Tess would agree it's stupid. I mean, it was a really big hit then... It's an inside joke between us now. We''d laugh about it. And I mean laugh about it. You would too, if you knew.

Anyway, I can't wait for Lulu to listen to some Springsteen, and Mellencamp (during his "Cougar" years).

These songs just bring out memories.

I don't know if some people would relate but remember that 99.5 RT was probably the only station that would play Jack and Diane? Also, remember that daily contest that they had where a certain numbered caller would win a thousand bucks after playing a specified song? I know it's still done now somewhere but the late eighties and early nineties, RT was my choice.

Jack and Diane. That song is one of my top ten favorites. During my formative years working as a salesman in a clothing store, that song was always there inside my head. Until now, I remember stages in my life through song.

Musicmatch randomly is playing stuff and now it's Waters of March. Cool song.

Hmmm... what was my point anyway? Oh yeah, our theme song. It was Together Forever by Rick Astley.

Jive man, Jive.

Twisted Episode 7

Here's the mp3 of the Twisted episode I was on. Go check this thread for other mp3s of Twisted.

It felt good to do it one more time.

recently viewed

This is a blog of recently viewed movies. It covers around 80 movies arranged by year, country and genre.

Although the number of movies reviewed is sparse, the titles covered are interesting enough to take a gander at.

BBC: Get Writing

Everybody has a tale to tell. What's your story?

"Get Writing is a new service from BBC Learning which aims to help people get back into or start out in creative writing. It is not aimed at those who want to be professional writers, but certainly should help you improve your chances of getting published."

Unlike other writing sites, this one is more of a community. You can submit a work and see how other members would evaluate it and critque it. There are also advisors/mentors on hand to guide you on your creative process or writing project.

My Daughter's Blog

"Papa? How do you post pictures in your blog?", Lulu asked me last Sunday.

With nothing really to do, I showed her. We even demoed one as her post last Sunday. Funny, in the office, it's the Gap logo. Here at home, it's a green face. Anyway, I wrote the HTML code on a piece of paper, gave it to her and forgot about it.

Well, except when I saw monday's post!!!! Not really a typical image a nine year old would be posting, would it?

The Ring. That movie is now Lulu and Gabbi's favorite movie. They kept watching the Japanese version over and over again. Now that they got the english version, they watch one everyday too. I mean, they totally forgot about Spirited Away. And that movie they used to watch about twice a day on weekends.

The Ring. They are attracted to the movie. They not even scared or anything. It's more of fascination about Samara/Sadako and her "power". I wonder if they can power up my lotto ticket.

"Do you know that Samara is the voice of Lilo?", Lulu told me matter-of-factly.
"Lilo?"
"Yes, Lilo and Stitch. She's the voice of Lilo."
"Whoa."

Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban - Trailer

The New Harry Potter Trailer is up.

Something wicked this way comes.

Movie-Page.com

Great site about news about movies. Noteworthy is the Script Section.

Although that section is temporarily down since the 18th. It has scripts arranged alphabetically and presents multiple drafts of the movie. I saw early drafts of SEVEN there and the first one is way different from the final one. I mean, the first draft has Brad Pitt dead and Morgan Freeman becoming Wrath. Hope it goes up again. In lieu of it, a rough draft of The Italian Job is posted.

I'll keep checking it and post here once the Scripts Section is up again.

DIDN'T WIN. DANG IT.

Ack! Ack! Ack!

I didn't get to win the Blogger Award for most Informative Blog. I totally wanted to win that too.

Anyway, I thought I had a fighting chance there. The winning blog, A Filipino Cooking & Recipes Journal really deserves it and is more appropriate for Most Informative than mine. I mean, my content are just links to other sites. Not really original there.

Check out the other winners over at the Philippine Blog Awards 2003.

And so as not to say that only winners thank God, I am now thanking God for the opportunity of not winning the Philippine Blog Awards.

By the way, I changed the format of the blog a couple of days ago if any of you haven't noticed. I post a somewhat personal blog and add two sites of interest. Been getting clamors to blog more about me than the sites. Don't know why but some people think my life is INTERESTING.

FREE WEBHOSTING! AD FREE TOO!

Remember a couple of posts ago when I posted about free domains? There were two. One was Dotph. and the other was Dottk.

Now, there's free webhosting! For three years! 500mb Web Space, 5GB Bandwidth, 50 POP email addresses, etc.etc.

Well, there is a catch. You need a US address. But there is a way to it.

Make sure you have a relative in the US waiting for your call or text message. Get his or her mailing address and phone number.

1. Go to the site.
2. Fill in the registration form.
3. Upon completion, you will be asked to put in the phone number. Do so.
4. Make sure your friend/relative is on the phone to wait for the confirmation number.
5. Have him/her call/email/sms you the 4 digit code.
6. Check your email for your user name and password.
7. Enter it on the site and voila! Free Webhosting for three years!

Hurry up though, the promo expires next month.

Thanks to Nat for the heads up on this)

DEFINITELY TONIGHT

I'll be on Twisted tonight on NU107 at NINE pm. Last time, I thought that it was on at 10.

The show is also broadcast over the internet on www.NU107.com.