Malta - Part 2

Nah, can't say I was there again. However, a couple of colleagues were there for a summit and brought back some pics for me to jealous of. *sigh*

Where was all the action last time? :-p



Did I ever relate the story of the only racial, or at least the only one I'm aware of, thing that happened to me on the island? I was walking back from the Dragonara toward the Radisson across the bay. It was around 10pm and I'd already had a few drinks for the road to keep me warm. All of a sudden a black car coming down the hill suddenly honks and someone yelled out something like "Ching chong chai!?".

I mean like, what the F*? Can't their snotty pig eyes see I'm part Japanese, part Native American, part Spanish, but not Chinese? Shooot! /action:shakes head left to right and back 

Movie: X-Men: Last Stand

Darn, I wish we'd stayed a bit longer to see the out-take clip with Charles coming back in the body of the brain-dead patient from earlier in the story. Hah! Time to get my copy of the DVD and store it for posterity. In fact, why not the previous movies too.

For those wondering if there's going to be a sequel, mostl definitely. The out-take sorta makes way for it including Magneto being able to move the chess piece. Hey, what was done was not a cure but to inhibit the mutant gene manifestation using DNA from Leech. That also means possibility of the body rejecting it in some way if gene bonding doesn't happen. I may just be talking my head off, but for those who would like to peruse the IMDB you'll see two-(2) movies coming out next year. *wink*

UPDATE: Manila Bans "The Da Vinci Code"

As an update, I did get to watch the DVC. Suckers :-)

Musings and Ramblings from a Baguio Native Far Away from Home: BROKEN NEWS: Manila Bans "The Da Vinci Code"

Universal Studios Hollywood

Once in a while its nice to go around and visit the sites. Well, since I'd promised Yna we'd go since the last time she was here -- now was the time as any.




Its the stage set for Wisteria Lane, now why does that ring a desperate bell ....





The tour wouldn't be complete without an eerie tour through this silent wreckage of war. It makes a world of difference knowing its just a set.

BROKEN NEWS: Manila Bans "The Da Vinci Code"

According to the INQ7 news clip it appears that the bunch of councilors in Metro Manila signed off the film showing ban on the 2nd premier day. Its still possible to watch the film elsewhere across the country though .... until the various cities follow suit.

Apparently the reason to do such is based on an obscure revised penal code stating "it is a crime to exhibit films which offend a religion".

-----------------

Alrighty then.

First and foremost, the book and movie is is a work of FICTION. Prior to the film showing there have even been lots and lots of other stories and investigations trying to prove and disprove the "claims" set forth in Dan Brown's book. Books and things like it have been around for a long time. It doesn't make sense to ban the movie and give it an R-18 rating when any kid on the block with 10-dollars (500 pesos) can either buy or BORROW the book from elsewhere. Granted, there are hopefully more readers than actual movie goers. I for one would rather hunker down and enjoy a nice read than to get spinned off space in a movie house (there are other times though when distraction is of merit).

Secondly, are we in a democracy or mobocracy? Why is it that through the claim of 80% of the Philippine population of some odd 84-million, that banning of anything is ever legitimized? Wake up and smell the roses somebody, the claim of the Philippines being Asia's bastion of Roman Catholicism isn't true anymore if other news is to be believed! Why then are films depicting torture of animals not banned? Why aren't films and photographs not banned if one were to be shamanistic? Why is gore depicted in almost all horror films not banned, not for religious reasons but for the sheer horror and offense to human kind?

You know, someone missed the boat here.

It is this spineless intrusion of religion into politics that has marred our country for so long. Whatever happened to the separation of Church and State? I miss the old Sin for his steadfastness indeed, but what of all the meddling and political grandstanding when it comes to election time? Can you blame Bro. Eddie for his piece? Can you blame the people of Manalo? Did anyone talk to the followers of Kalantiao?!

Go on ... let anyone here of no guilt cast the first stone! You filthy bunch of vipers.

lookOut the Window

If you've ever had someone really shy of taking self-pics and having to hide to take one first, well you'll get something like this.

Har har har har!!! 

Is it the alnos, alnus, anus - huh?

Its not what you think.

Growing up the house was surrounded by by pine trees and the all growing "alnos". Now, my late dad told me what it was and I've always thought it was spelled such. Years later (now) after reading up my friend Erwin's bio-blog just now, it made me start thinking about what my surroundings were.

The ALNUS is the scientific family of the alder tree. There are alot of different versions of it. My guess though is that in particular the one back home is actually of the order Alnus japonica and probably brought over by the Japanese occupation in the 1940's. Here's an image to make you remember -

 

A curiosity about the alder is of various legends and myths to it. Nice link for the curious here. 

TV: Stephen Chow favorites

Movie: God of Cookery (music video)


Movie: Shaolin Soccer (dance video)


What a trip!

Advice: Relationship Warning Signs

Something else from that last website, and some reflections on the message.

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, you could be in an abusive relationship, or your relationship could become abusive.

• do you feel nervous around your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner?
  
• do you have to be careful to control your behaviour to avoid their anger
  
• do you feel pressured by them when it comes to sex?
  
• are you scared of disagreeing with them?
  
• do they criticise you, or humiliate you in front of other people?
  
• are they always checking up or questioning you about what you do without them?
  
• do they repeatedly and wrongly accuse you of seeing or flirting with other people?
  
• do they tell you that if you changed they wouldn't abuse you?
  
• does their jealousy stop you from seeing friends or family?
  
• do they make you feel like you are wrong, stupid, crazy, or inadequate?
  
• have they ever scared you with violence or threatening behaviour?
  
• do you often do things to please them, rather than to please yourself?
  
• do they prevent you from going out or doing things you want to do?
  
• do you feel that, with them, nothing you do is ever good enough?
  
• do they say that they will kill or hurt themself if you break up with them?
  
• do they make excuses for their behaviour, for example, by saying it's because of alcohol or drugs, or because they can't control their temper, or that they were 'just joking'?

You might have answered 'yes' to some of these questions, but still think 'it's not that bad'. But feeling scared, humiliated, pressured or controlled is not the way you should feel in a relationship. You should feel loved, respected, and free to be yourself. Your feelings and safety are important.

People who are abusive will often make you feel like you are to blame for their behaviour. You might think that if you try and change to be more like what they want you to be, then the abuse will stop. But in a relationship, you should be able to feel ok just being yourself and doing what you want to do. What about what you want for yourself?

If you are in an abusive relationship, it is likely to get worse over time. But you can't make your boyfriend or girlfriend change their behaviour. They are the one who has to change their attitude and accept responsibility for abusing you, and not make excuses for their behaviour. If this does not happen and you want the violence to stop, then unfortunately, leaving them might be your only choice.

It's not your fault if you are being abused. You deserve to be treated with respect.


Well now, a point about that last line there.

With respect comes responsibility. Deserving respect comes from being able to give respect.

The golden rule:

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Remember?

Advice: Respect

Was it Aretha Franklin that sang the song? At any rate, heres something about respect snagged from elsewhere on the subject.

Respect Checklist

If you are in a relationship, you must be treated with respect, which means your boyfriend or girlfriend:

• is willing to compromise
  
• lets you feel comfortable being yourself
  
• is able to admit to being wrong
  
• tries to resolve conflict by talking honestly
  
• enables you to feel safe being with them
  
• respects your feelings, your opinions and your friends
  
• accepts you saying no to things you don't want to do
  
• accepts you changing your mind
  
• respects your wishes if you want to end the relationship

When someone loves you, you feel valued, respected and free to be yourself. You shouldn't be made to feel intimidated or controlled.

Alas, interesting that the most often top things to ague and fight about are things in the list. Something I heard while living in the States is another line though:

Your right ends where someone else's begins.

There's another Phil Collins song that also gives great advice. For a time it made me realize that for all the inadequacies that I felt, it wasn't only me:

Somewhere down the road, you’re gonna find a place
It seems so far, but it never is
You won’t need to stay, but you might lose your strength
On the way

Sometimes you may feel you’re the only one
Cos all the things you thought were safe, now they’re gone
But you won’t be alone, I’ll be here to carry you along
Watching you ’til all your work is done

When you find your heart, you’d better run with it
Cos when she comes along, she could be breaking it
No there’s nothing wrong, you’re learning to be strong
Don’t look back
She may soon be gone, no don’t look back
She’s not the only one, remember that

If your heart is beating fast, then you know she’s right
If you don’t know what to say, well, that’s all right
You don’t know what to do?
Remember she is just as scared as you

Don’t be shy, even when it hurts to say
Remember, you’re gonna get hurt someday, anyway
Then you must lift your head, keep it there
Remember what I said
I’ll always be with you don’t forget
Just look over your shoulder I’ll be there.

If you look behind you, I will be there.

RED: Yeah, the story of my life or a decade of it. In a few lines, SERENITY

BLUE: This is what I was saying, mentioned above.

GREEN: Now, this is probably more about work. One word, INTEGRITY

Advice: Do you need counselling?

I snagged this from the BBC, and it considers whether when is the right time.

All relationships go through difficult times - it's how you handle those times that makes the difference between staying together and splitting up.

When's the right time?

One thing's for sure: counsellors rarely hear the complaint "It's too early for our relationship!" More often, what they hear is: "We've tried everything - counselling is our last resort."

Far too many couples leave counselling until it's too late. By the time of their first appointment, years of bitterness and resentment have built up and the fear of being hurt blocks out any chance of change.

If you're experiencing any of the following, now is the time to consider counselling:

• When you talk to your partner, it feels as though you're hitting a brick wall.
  
• Your conversations just go round and round in never-ending circles.
  
• After you've talked, you feel frustrated and confused.
  
• You can't talk for more than a few minutes without it turning into a shouting match.
  
• You're afraid that if you bring up a certain subject, things will get even worse.
  
• There's nothing left to say.

And so, what can be said about the short list? I unfortunately have to agree, given my background of experience. In retrospect though, some part of us already knows about the list. We're all just stuck in denial most of the time.

So lets digress into denial for a bit....

I think there's a lack of resonsbility in one's actions. For all the inability to act it could result in even more denial. Its a vicious cycle. Sometimes though, to be endured.

Life, alas ....

TV: Watching "Tommy Lee Goes to College"

Man, this is hilarious.

Its the Univeristy of Nebraska campus.

• He takes a few classes like Engineering, Plant Life, and English Lit.
• Joins the band as a drummer, seems to suck, but redeems himself.
• Can't pass for the frat, some makes his own.

It may be retarded but I love it. But why?

Easy, it shows a few things about Tommy which endears him:

1. goes to college for himself and make Mom proud
2. is willing to re-learn skills
3. comes through just in the nick of time
4. easy going and focused after distractions
5. is a real person

What a champ. Tommy, dude you ROCK!

Best entertainment so far after waking up :-)

TV: Walking on Water

Surprisingly, though watching it just at the edge of consciousness it was a fun movie. The snippets I caught, the self revelation and honesty were superb. Yes, there is more to life than just violence and killing. All you have to do is look in the eyes of a babe, hold it in your arms, and feel the trust. Ah, if only life were just as simple!

Paraphrasing the Risen Lord, "it would be more difficult for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle than his camel"; and something about being children to truly enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Be as children, childlike .... not childish! :-)