Saturday, April 17, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
I Have Already Voted!
Yesterday I cast my vote for the national elections in the Philippines via OAV, or Overseas Absentee Voting here at the new building of the Jeddah consulate. The voting process was very easy, there's not a lot of people who voted that day, so there's no queue.
Before I proceeded to the polling precinct, I searched first for my name in the list of voters, this is to make sure that I am really a registered voter in Jeddah. While searching for my name, a man came up to me and tried to help find my name, which I thought a gesture of kindness, but then after I found my name and my sequence number, he secretly showed me a piece of paper with a name of a candidate from his hand, perhaps a senate candidate or a party list candidate which I didn't quite read.
After searching for my name and sequence number, I went straight to a small room where the actual voting takes place. The 2 members of the BEI (Board of Election Inspectors) who take charge of the precinct asked my name, sequence number and my ID. After checking, they gave me an empty folded ballot. It only took me less than 10 minutes to vote for president, vice president, 12 senators and a party list group. After I completed writing my candidates on the ballot, I dropped it inside a small brown paper box (and posing for the camera while doing it. lol!).
It was a great experience. That was my first time to vote outside the Philippines and only my second to vote in any elections. I've done my part. I really feel that I've fulfilled one of my duties to my country, I just hope that everything turns out the way it should be.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
I'm Reading: The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz
The 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" starring Judy Garland and was directed by Victor Fleming is one of my favorite films of all time. I can't remember how many times I've watched the film. One of my favorite scenes was when Dorothy and the Scare Crow purposely angered the apple trees so that they may throw apples on them because they were hungry, that's the part before they discovered the motionless Tin Woodman.
The film as we all know it, was adapted from the children's classic "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L.Frank Baum, which was first published in 1900. The other day, I just finished reading the book which I bought from a local bookstore here in Jeddah. I know it sounds funny, but it was my first time to read it, and I was so amazed on how different it was from the 1939 film.
While I was reading the book, I was shocked to learn that there were no Ruby shoes, instead, a pair of Silver shoes, then I told myself that maybe I was reading the wrong book or maybe they'd made mistakes with the printing of the book or something. I felt so stupid, I mean the book was over a century old and it's only now I found out about the shoes.
There's a lot of chapters on the book that was not included in the film, like chapter 9, entitled 'The Queen of the Field Mice', which I was shocked to learn that even if the Tin man believes that it's wrong to kill pretty, harmless creatures, (like the field mice), he didn't think twice to chop off the head of the wildcat. In chapter 12, entitled 'The Search for the Wicked Witch', the Tin man again demonstrated his murderous instinct, by chopping off the head of the wolves, but of course he did that to save his friends. Hhmm...maybe the Tin man was hiding some dark secrets?
Another chapter in the book that didn't make it in the film was chapter 20, 'The Dainty China Country', where Dorothy and her friends passed while going to the country of the Quadlings in the south. In the 'Dainty China Country', everything is made of china from animals, to houses, trees and even the people there. They (Dainty China people) have to be very careful in moving because they may easily break.
Chapter 22, 'The Country of the Quadlings' is another chapter that didn't quite make it in the film. This is the place where Glinda, the good witch of the south lives, where the bridges, fences and all houses were painted bright red.
Aside from those chapters, there are also a lot of characters that was not in the film, like the Kalidahs, monstrous beasts with bodies like bears, and heads like tigers, living in the big dark forest that they passed while on the road to the Emerald City. Scary creatures! Another characters in the book that are not in the film are the Hammer Heads, they are short and stout and have big heads, which were flat at the top and supported by a thick neck full of wrinkles and they do not have arms. And the queen of the field mice, a very important character that was not on the film. Without the field mice, the cowardly lion would have surely died in the deadly poppy field.
So far, those are the 'discrepancies' that I've noticed between the book and the famous 1939 film. Although while reading the book, I didn't read about the horse of different colors and the funny apple throwing apple trees. In the film, I've noticed that they mixed everything up, like the good witch Glinda, who's supposed to be in the south, and the flying monkeys that follow the every command by whoever possesses the Golden Cap. I recommend that you read the book, so that you'll understand fully some of the scenes and the history of the characters in the film. Both the book and the film are just amazing!
The Wicked Witch Of The East (And Of The Far East)
I honestly believe that something similar to this will soon happen in the Philippines, but not as a house falling on the wicked president but of different kind. Gloria, or I must say, the wicked witch of the Far East, has done a lot of bad things against the Filipino people, and her life will not be enough to compensate them. I shouldn't be speaking of such bad things, but I can't help it. Her time will surely come, and maybe when that time comes, we can all sing joyously, "ding dong, the witch is dead, the wicked witch is dead!"
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thumbs Up: " Window Seat" (Strip Down!) Video by Erykah Badu
For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com
Trivia: The blue letters coming out of her head in the video, form the word "GROUPTHINK"
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Meteorite Or Meteor-Wrong?
More than 2 years ago, while we, (my colleague and I) were having our break at the side of the desert highway of our travel from Yanbu to Jeddah, I spotted a weird looking rock. I immediately picked it up, and I couldn't figure out what kind of rock it was, but then I thought that it might be a meteorite because the surface of the rock looks like it was melted, which can only happen when a meteorite entered the earth's atmosphere.
So I kept it inside my bag together with my things, and when we arrived home, I used it as a bookholder (or whatchamacallit), until just the other day, I decided to look it up in the internet to make sure if it is really a meteorite or a meteor-wrong, well that's how the expert call it if it's not a meteorite.
A lot of sites came out when I searched for "Meteorite Identification". I tried different sites but the Meteorite Market was the best. There was 1 to 8 steps to really know if the rock I found is a meteorite. It actually starts at step #2, but I started at step #3 because step #2 is for those people who saw the rock fell from the sky, and I didn't see it fell. The rock passed easily on step #3 and #4 but when I get to # 5, which is about the magnetism of the rock, it failed. My rock did not attract a magnet, so it ends there.
90% of all meteorites, whether it's Stone Meteorite, Iron Meteorite or Stony-Iron Meteorite, should attract a magnet because of its metal contents. The metal contents of the meteorite is also the reason why the color of meteorites are black to brown, and the brown color on the surface is rust.
To tell you the truth, I was so disappointed at the result of the test, I really thought I have a real meteorite in my hand. Anyway I will still keep it as a souvenir from my trip, and who knows, it might still be a meteorite, remember it says 90% of all meteorites are magnetic, and not 100%.
I just have to open my eyes a little bit wider when I'm in the desert. I still do not know when our next trip will be, it'll be very exciting!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
I Like Noynoy, But I don't Like Kris!
This coming Philippine presidential election 2010, I will vote for Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino lll. I will vote for him because I honestly believe that he is the best of all of the presidential candidates, and I also believe that he has the capability, and the will to eradicate corruption in the government. He is the kind of person who will do the right thing, because he is honest and God fearing. I will still vote for Noynoy even if Kris Aquino vomits green goo and talks dirty while her head spins around in circles, (like Linda Blair on "The Exorcist"), live on the The Buzz.
I do not hate Kris, I actually understand her why she acts the way she does. She is living the life of a princess ever since she was born for God's sake! She's the youngest of all her siblings, that already explains everything, aside from the fact that her family is one of the richest and one of the most powerful political clans in the country, she one of the highest paid actresses in Philippine showbiz. Her father, a former Senator and a hero, her mother the former president of Philippines and now being considered for sainthood.
Most people believe that she is the reason why the popularity of Noynoy is sliding in the recent polls. She and most of the people around her repeatedly said that showbiz and politics are two different things, and that she is not the one dragging Noynoy's popularity down, but to me personally, she is the culprit.
Last Sunday's episode of the "The Buzz" was another display of Kris' bad and insensitive attitude, this time towards Ruffa Guittierez. I don't know if she's aware that she's hurting other people's feelings, she's so insensitive sometimes. Poor Ruffa, with all her beauty and intelligence, she doesn't deserve to be treated like a door mat. After the incident, Ruffa's mom talked to the press and urged people not to vote for Noynoy, (another point for Krissy!). Incidents like this would make some people think twice in voting for Noynoy, you can't blame them, because they are thinking that if Kris' attitude is like this, then what more if her brother wins the presidential election?
For the sake of her brother's campaign and for the people who truly believe in Noynoy, she should learn to shut her mouth sometimes and not jeopardize Noynoy's bid for the presidency. She should listen to people sometimes, even if those people are saying something bad to her. To her families and friends, tell her the truth even if it will hurt her. What's the use of Boy's imaginary mirror if he's not going to use it? He shouldn't just nod his head and say, Yes Krissy!
My reasons why I don't like Kris Aquino. (Based on my observation on TV).
She lacks humility.
She intimidates people.
She makes other people feel small.
She's conceited.
She's narcissist and self-centered.
She's insincere.
She's insensitive.
Maybe she's different in person, or maybe I could have been wrong about her, but this is how most of the people perceive her, judging from what they see on the television. Even the way she talks annoys me, she talks like a teenage girl from the movie "Mean Girls". And she's so totally opposite Oprah, contrary to what she thought of herself. She lacks sincerity, she's nowhere close to the great "O".
I love Noynoy, and I want him to win this election. I wish she would not do another crazy thing that would harm her brother's campaign. She's an intelligent and successful woman already, she doesn't need to do acrobatics to be noticed. She already has it.
Related: Annabelle Pulls Ruffa Off The Buzz
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Hooked On LEDISI
While cruising Billboard R&B/Hip-hop chart a month ago, I happened to come across an amazing song called "Going Thru Changes" by Ledisi, and I listened to the short clip of the song there, and I really love the song. To be honest, that was the first time I heard about the singer. Her vocals in the song just blew me away, and so now I'm kinda hooked on her. Her musical style resembles that of the Neo-soul singer Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, great singers that I really admire. Although their music are not that similar to those great R&B singers that I mentioned in the first paragraph, the style of Ledisi, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott are a little Jazzy yet soulful, the style is often called Neo-soul.
Anyway, I try to find more information about Ledisi and her songs. I found out that she's actually new to R&B and she's originally a Jazz singer, and she loves the great Ella Fitgerald, and this is very evident in her songs "Round Midnight" and "Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue" from her previous album. Apparently she's been around for quite sometime now. She was recently nominated for Best R&B Female Peformance, and her latest album 'Turn Me Loose', for Best R&B Album in the 2010 Grammy.
I recently became a fan on her Facebook page and followed her blog. I don't know, her songs just speak to me and aside from her music, I can tell that she's a great person. She seems to be a nice and kind-hearted person, her smile seems to be full of sincerity. I recently watched her performance in the 'BET 10th Year Celebration of Gospel' via her FB page with Kelly Price singing Gospel, and wow, what a performance that was!
I'll be looking forward to more of her amazing music and you should too! And one more thing, she's also a Sade fan, a great Neo-Soul artist!
Her Official Website: LEDISI
Friday, February 12, 2010
Excited For Sadé!
Sometimes the smallest of things can really make you happy. I just found out on Billboard, that next week, the latest album of the band Sadé, 'Soldier Of Love' will take on the number one slot of the Billboard 200 album chart with a projected sale of 375,000 to 400,000 units.I can't believe it, after 10 years of hibernation. I really thought that they are gone for good, until late last year when they released the single "Soldier Of Love", (which is also the name of their latest album), then I realized that they are really making a big comeback.
The song is out of this world, in my opinion. With the rolling drum beats, one can imagine a soldier marching to battle. The lyrics is equally incredible:
"I've lost the use of my heart, but I'm still alive. Still looking for the life. The endless pool on the other side, It's a wild wild west, I'm doing my best. / I'm at the borderline of my faith, I'm at the hinterland of my devotion, In the frontline of this battle of mine. But I'm still alive."
I've known Sadé's music since the 80's but I never realized that I was this crazy about them until around just 4 years ago. Ever since I heard their song "Smooth Operator" on the radio, I was so mesmerized by Sadé Adu's vocal style and of her sexy, smokey contralto voice.
Their new single is currently number 1 on the Billboard Jazz chart, number 10 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-hop chart and number 80 on Bilboard Hot 100. The album 'Soldier Of Love' is only their 6th studio album. I can't wait to get their latest album!
I had a chance to listen to most of the tracks of their latest album in You Tube. And it seems to me that the whole album revolves around western or country theme, like the track, "Long Hard Road", "The Safest Place", "Bring Me Home", "The Moon And The Sky", and "Morning Bird". Some of the tracks even have a country music quality to them, like "Be That Easy" and "In Another Time".
Aside from the title track, some of my favorites are "Skin" and of course "Babyfather", which I think is a little weird because it seems to have a Jamaican tune to it, a bit different with the rest of the tracks, but somehow it is still related. The song features Sadé Adu's daughter singing at the background. In general, I think the album has a lingering air of sadness, sincerity and love in it. And it's amazingly beautiful.
I've known Sadé's music since the 80's but I never realized that I was this crazy about them until around just 4 years ago. Ever since I heard their song "Smooth Operator" on the radio, I was so mesmerized by Sadé Adu's vocal style and of her sexy, smokey contralto voice.
One of the lines from the song goes; "Diamond life. Lover boy. We move in space with minimum waste, and maximum joy...", together with a samba sounding beat, the song was just amazing. The song was from the album 'Diamond Life'.
The first ever album of Sadé that I bought and may I also say one of my favorites was 'Love Deluxe' . The album was released in 1992. The photo of the lead singer Sadé Adu on the upper left of this post was the cover of the album. My most favorite songs in the album was "No Ordinary Love", "Feel No Pain" and "Pearls", although the other songs in the album were all fantastic.
Here's a short line from the song "Pearls", "She cries to the heaven above, there is a stone in my heart, she lives a life she didn't choose, and it hurts like brand new shoes. Hurts like brand new shoes."
I also have their 'Lovers Live' DVD. It was so great to see Sade doing her best, live. When I had my vacation last year, I remember playing that DVD over and over again while having a couple of beer and chicharones in front of the TV. Wow, That was great!
Their new single is currently number 1 on the Billboard Jazz chart, number 10 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-hop chart and number 80 on Bilboard Hot 100. The album 'Soldier Of Love' is only their 6th studio album. I can't wait to get their latest album!
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