One of my favorite songs of all time =)

Moonlight

Performed by Sting and The Police;Written by john williams, alan bergman and marilyn bergman In the moonlight When the shadows play When the thought of what could happen Takes your breath away Sighs and whispers Quiet laughter in the air Unspoken invitations everywhere In the moonlight All the words you say Make it relatively easy To be swept away In the half-light Can we trust the way we feel Can we be sure that anything is real? Stars keep secrets as they wander indiscretely While the echoes of a song go drifting by We must be careful not to lose our way completely Or the magic that we seek here We can’t be sure will be here In the morning With the moon away And if in each other’s arms Is where we’re meant to stay In the love light When our eyes have grown accustomed to the daylight We’ll see what waits for us to share For all the things we’ve dreamed of in the moonlight Will be there

Tonight I can write the saddest lines (Pablo Neruda)

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche. Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche. Escribir, por ejemplo : 'La noche está estrellada, y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos'. El viento de la noche gira en el cielo y canta. Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche. Yo la quise, y a veces ella también me quiso. En las noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos. La besé tantas veces bajo el cielo infinito. Ella me quiso, a veces yo también la quería. Cómo no haber amado sus grandes ojos fijos. Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche. Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido. Oir la noche immensa, más inmensa sin ella. Y el verso cae al alma como al pasto el rocío. Qué importa que mi amor no pudiera guardarla. La noche está estrellada y ella no está conmigo. Eso es todo. A lo lejos alguien canta. A lo lejos. Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido. Como para acercarla mi mirada la busca. Mi corazón la busca, y ella no está conmigo. La misma noche que hace blanquear los mismos arboles. Nosotros, los de entonces, ya no somos los mismos. Ya no la quiero, es cierto pero cuánto la quise. Mi voz buscaba el viento para tocar su oído. De otro. Será de otro. Como antes de mis besos. Su voz, su cuerpo claro. Sus ojos infinitos. Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero tal vez la quiero. Es tan corto al amor, y es tan largo el olvido. Porque en noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos, mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido. Aunque ésta sea el último dolor que ella me causa, y éstos sean los últimos versos que yo le escribo.   Tonight I can write the saddest lines

Tonight I can write the saddest lines. Write, for example,'The night is shattered and the blue stars shiver in the distance.' The night wind revolves in the sky and sings. Tonight I can write the saddest lines. I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too. Through nights like this one I held her in my arms I kissed her again and again under the endless sky. She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too. How could one not have loved her great still eyes. Tonight I can write the saddest lines. To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her. To hear the immense night, still more immense without her. And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture. What does it matter that my love could not keep her. The night is shattered and she is not with me. This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance. My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her. My sight searches for her as though to go to her. My heart looks for her, and she is not with me. The same night whitening the same trees. We, of that time, are no longer the same. I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her. My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing. Another's. She will be another's. Like my kisses before. Her voide. Her bright body. Her inifinite eyes. I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her. Love is so short, forgetting is so long. Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms my sould is not satisfied that it has lost her. Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer and these the last verses that I write for her. Pablo Neruda

Former Indonesian president Suharto died over the weekend. I was going to post a Reuters article, but it wouldn't publish. Oh well. My blog is beginning to resemble an obituary anyway. On that particular incident (Suharto dying), I decline to comment. I'm horrifically allergic to politics. Well, save for the current US presidential race. I have to say, the scene's pretty interesting. Without even considering the Democrat v. Republican angle, choosing from among Obama, Clinton, Edwards has got to be tough. I wonder when choosing the next president in this country is going to require choosing from among such a sparkling platter.

On a different note, Daimler is developing a car whose back seats may be adjusted such that people can face each other. Added plus: a sushi bar. It's still in its test phase though. I'm not sure if their big bosses have given the final nod yet.

Lately, I've been so fixated on all the crime and forensics shows on the crime suspense channel. It's all so blood and gore and detective work and intrigue. I love it. Hehe!

On a closer-to-home note, yay, suweldo is just around the corner!!! Nwy, if I actually had the luxury of buying all the books I want, these are some of the ones I'm interested in at the moment. Oh by the way, my birthday's coming up, so just in case you don't know what to get me, pick away. Hehe! These are all available at A Different Bookstore. Incidentally, all 2007 inventory there is on sale til the end of February. And lucky me, I get a 25% discout. Woopeedoo. So if you intend to get me one of these for my birthday, let me know, I'll lend you my discount card. =p

Check out adifferentbookstore.com for details. =)

Another one bites the dust. And other stuff.

Former Indonesian president Suharto died over the weekend. I was going to post a Reuters article, but it wouldn't publish. Oh well. My blog is beginning to resemble an obituary anyway. On that particular incident (Suharto dying), I decline to comment. I'm horrifically allergic to politics. Well, save for the current US presidential race. I have to say, the scene's pretty interesting. Without even considering the Democrat v. Republican angle, choosing from among Obama, Clinton, Edwards has got to be tough. I wonder when choosing the next president in this country is going to require choosing from among such a sparkling platter.

On a different note, Daimler is developing a car whose back seats may be adjusted such that people can face each other. Added plus: a sushi bar. It's still in its test phase though. I'm not sure if their big bosses have given the final nod yet.

Lately, I've been so fixated on all the crime and forensics shows on the crime suspense channel. It's all so blood and gore and detective work and intrigue. I love it. Hehe!

On a closer-to-home note, yay, suweldo is just around the corner!!! Nwy, if I actually had the luxury of buying all the books I want, these are some of the ones I'm interested in at the moment. (Darn. Why won't anything publish?!!) Oh by the way, my birthday's coming up, so just in case you don't know what to get me, pick away. Hehe! These are all available at A Different Bookstore. Incidentally, all 2007 inventory there is on sale til the end of February. And lucky me, I get a 25% discout. Woopeedoo. So if you intend to get me one of these for my birthday, let me know, I'll lend you my discount card. =p

Check out adifferentbookstore.com for details. =)

On Jonathan Brandis

Actor Brandis Committed Suicide

Coroner's Office Reports The 27-Year-Old Hung Himself

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25, 2003

Teen idol Jonathan Brandis died November 12. (BOP Magazine)

(CBS/AP) The death of 27-year-old actor Jonathan Brandis, who starred in two seasons of Steven Spielberg's "SeaQuest DSV," was a suicide, the county coroner's office said Monday.

Brandis, who died Nov. 12, hung himself, the coroner said.

Police said a friend of Brandis called 911 from the actor's apartment just before midnight on Nov. 11 to report Brandis had attempted suicide. Paramedics transported Brandis to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but he died the next day, police Detective Gene Parshall said.

Brandis started his career in commercials and on television, landing a recurring role on the soap "One Life to Live" at age 6. He also made guest appearances on "L.A. Law," "Who's the Boss?" and "Murder, She Wrote."

His film credits included the starring role in 1991's "The Neverending Story 2: The Next Chapter," the Rodney Dangerfield comedy "Ladybugs," the martial arts comedy "Sidekicks" with Chuck Norris and a small part in the 2002 film "Hart's War," starring Bruce Willis.

Brandis also starred as crew member Lucas Wolenczek in the underwater sci-fi series "SeaQuest DSV," a role that garnered him a Young Artists Award in 1993 and helped turn him into a teen idol. At one point, he was getting 4,000 fan letters a week -- and he was voted "Number-One Dreamboat" by "Tiger Beat" magazine.

Other film work included Ang Lee's 1999 "Ride with the Devil," and the coming-of-age comedy "Outside Providence," the same year.

©MMIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Actor Heath Ledger dies at 28

Shit. First Jonathan Brandis. Then Brad Renfro. Then Heath Ledger. Leche. Bakit hindi na lang mga pangit ang mamatay. It's so sad...

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

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday of a possible drug overdose in a Lower Manhattan apartment, the New York Police Department said.

Heath Ledger was unresponsive when a housekeeper found him in a Manhattan apartment Tuesday.

The Academy Award-nominated actor was 28.

Ledger was found naked and unresponsive, facedown on the floor at the foot of his bed by a housekeeper trying to wake him for an appointment with a masseuse, said police spokesman Paul Browne.

"Pills were found in the vicinity of the bed," he told CNN.

"This is being looked at as a possible overdose, but that is not confirmed yet."

Browne later told reporters some prescription medications were found in the room, including sleeping pills.

But he stressed police have made no determination of the cause of Ledger's death -- that would be done by the medical examiner.

He said the pills were not "scattered about."

No note was found and there was no indication of foul play, Browne said. Ledger was found at about 3 p.m., and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel about 3:30 p.m.

A crowd of onlookers, photographers and reporters gathered outside the apartment building after news of Ledger's death was reported. Police officers were guarding the doors.

Browne said he did not know how long Ledger had been renting the apartment, which he said took up the entire fourth floor.

An autopsy would be conducted on Wednesday, said Ellen Borakove, spokeswoman for the New York City medical examiner's office.

Ledger's family called his death "very tragic, untimely and accidental."

"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life, but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him," his father said.

"He was a down-to-earth, generous, kindhearted, life-loving, unselfish individual extremely inspirational to many."

Hollywood reacts

Condolences began pouring in from Ledger's friends and co-stars.

"I had such great hope for him," said Mel Gibson, who played Ledger's father in "The Patriot," in a statement.

"He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

Actress Nicole Kidman, a fellow Australian and close friend of Ledger's, said in a statement, "What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family."

At the time of his death, Ledger had just finished playing the villain The Joker in "The Dark Knight," the latest installment in the Batman series. The film is to open in July.

Ledger was born in Perth, Australia, and named Heathcliff Andrew after the main characters of Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." He began acting at a local theater as a child.

Ledger's first American film was the teen comedy "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999, and he immediately attracted attention from Hollywood. He passed up several scripts before taking a role in the Revolutionary War drama "The Patriot" in 2000 and "A Knight's Tale" in 2001. He also played a supporting role in "Monster's Ball," among other films.

"In a way I was spoon-fed a career," he told the Glasgow Herald in 2005. "It was fully manufactured by a studio that believed it could put me on their posters and turn me into a product. ... I hadn't figured out properly how to act, and all of a sudden I was being thrown into these lead roles."

Controversial role

But Ledger was perhaps best known for his 2005 portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain," about two cowboys who had a secret romantic relationship. The role earned him an Oscar nomination.

"I felt that choices were being made for me, so I feel this has been my time now to find the good stories and test myself," Ledger told the Glasgow Herald in the 2005 interview. "It has been an interesting year, where I finally have a sense of accomplishment."

Asked how he felt about filming love scenes with another man, Ledger said he and his co-star Jake Gyllenhaal simply focused on their roles.

"We can't say that we weren't nervous about it," Ledger told Oprah Winfrey in 2006. "But once the first take was over, it's like, 'OK. So what? It's kissing another human being. How are we going to finish this scene? Let's get on with it and let's get out of here.' "

In a written statement, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it mourns Ledger's death, adding that his portrayal of Del Mar "changed hearts and minds in immeasurable ways."

Ledger has a daughter, Matilda Rose, born in 2005 to his then-girlfriend, Michelle Williams, who played his on-screen wife, Alma, in "Brokeback Mountain." The couple have since separated.

"He was just so respected in the industry," said Kim Serafin, senior editor of In Touch Weekly.

"It's just horribly tragic. He was just a fine actor and a good person, so this is horribly sad and very unexpected."

CNN's Deb Feyerick, Susan Chun, Miguel Susana and Eden Pontz contributed to this story.

Nostalgia stimuli

While we were at today's MCLE session, Rowena, Gail, Mondy and I compiled a list of fun / funny / hilarious past trends. Feel free to add on:

• hoodie shirts
• army boots
• sundress + white shirt + army boots
• mickey mouse watches
• chunky heels
• mini backpacks
• flared pants
• orange & green
• Mobiline
• Extelcom
• Alanis Morisette
• Backstreet Boys
• Donna Lewis
• Color Me Badd
• All 4 One
• Damage
• red sleeveless turtlenecks
• Counting Crows
• Hootie and the Blowfish
• Blur
• Oasis
• Robee name stickers
• Korean / Japanese and/or floral and/or scented stationery sets
• Bensia pens
• Sanrio
• That's Entertainment
• Ang TV
• Sheryl-Romnick
• TGIS
• Angelu-Bobby
• Jolina-Marvin
• Beverly Hills 90210
• Jason Priestley
• Luke Perry
• Shannen Doherty
• Jennie Garth
• Ian Ziering
• Brian Austin Green
• Tori Spelling
• The Smurfs
• Voltes V
• Daimos
• My Little Pony
• Tintin
• Gem and the Holograms
• Sticker books
• Batibot
• Sesame Street (before Elmo became THE puppet)
• Tropang Trumpo
• Mighty Kid
• American Gladiator
• Tretorn
• Giordano Classics
• Giordano
• pagers
• shoulder pads
• spraynet bangs
• Rainbow Brite
• platform shoes
• Transformers
• GI Joe
• She-ra
• He-man
• Ewoks
• Alf
• The Dummy
• My Mom's a Werewolf
• David Duchovny
• Jonathan Brandis (RIP)
• Brad Renfro (RIP)
• Armageddon
• analog celphones
• 5110-3210-6110-6150-7210-5110i-3330
• tex (how is it spelled anyway?)
• pog
• jolen
• Tetris
• Game and Watch
• Speak and Spell
• Nintendo Family Computer
• Galaga
• Super Mario
• Donkey Kong
• Legend of Kage
• Circus Charlie
• Betamax
• VHS
• casette tapes
• Universal Motion Dancers
• Wowie de Guzman
• Bojo Molina
• radio dedications
• Pepsi 349 scam
• chunky cloth headbands
• Tamagochi
• sunflower hats
• LARGE Pop-Swatch
• Lisa Frank stationery and stickers
• Archie comics
• St. Michael's socks
• Jungle Juice
• Glico's
• Trapper Keeper
• Sweet Valley (Kids, Twins and Friends, The Unicorns, High, University)
• Anne Geddes pictures/postcards
• Sweet Dreams
• Mills and Boon
• trashy novels
• United Colors of Benetton
• Birks
• Tweety Bird and Sylvester
• Mars
• Club V / VBar / Embassy
• Ever After - Bonnie Bailey
• French twist / inverted ponygail using (see Gail's drawing)
• John en Marsha
• Buddy en Sol
• Perfect Strangers
• Ghostbusters
• Captain Planet
• Nenuco
• Angel's Breath
• Atari
• Nenuco Chips
• Melrose Place
• SST (Salo Salo Together)
• Dale Villar
• Chibugan Na
• Lunch Date
• Eye to Eye
• Sa / Sang Linggo nAPO Sila
• Valiente
• Annaluna
• Lady Lee
• Aiza Seguerra as a girl
• Little Miss Philippines
• Calendar Girls
• MTB
• Gino Padilla
• Chedie Guevarra
• Smokey Mountain
• Jeffrey Hidalgo
• Geneva Cruz
• Kuwarta o Kahon
• GMA Supershow
• Kuya Pepe
• Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata
• Palibhasa Lalaki
• Teysi ng Tahanan
• Rustom as a boy
• Rustom-Carmina
• Aga-Aiko
• May Minamahal
• trolls
• Gift Gate
• Popeye
• Blue Magic
• Papemelroti
• shawarma
• Chuckie Dreyfus
• East 17
• Shaider
• Bioman
• Masked Rider Black
• Sailor Moon
• Masked Man
• Ultraman
• Gimik
• G-mik
• Heart Evangelista
• Red Sternberg
• Raven Villanueva
• Michael Flores
• Gio, Guila and Luigi Alvarez
• Lindsay Custodio
• Sushmita Sen
• Dayanara Torres
• Michelle Van Eimeren
• Viveka Babajee
• the slinky
• the thing you slap onto your wrist into a bracelet of sorts
• Coney Island
• Tivoli icecream things
• Kisses
• that thing you get with Chickadees that you're supposed to dunk in water so it will grow
• Home Along Da Riles
• Coleman

2008 Holidays (RA 9492) Woopeedoo!!!

Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Thirteenth Congress Third Regular Session Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of July, two thousand and six. ___o0o___ [ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9492 ] AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 26, CHAPTER 7, BOOK I OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 26, Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days. – (1) Unless otherwise modified by law, and or proclamation, the following regular holidays and special days shall be observed in the country: Regular Holidays New year’s Day - January 1 Maundy Thursday - Movable date Good Friday - Movable date Eidul Fitr - Movable date Araw ng Kagitingan - Monday nearest April 9 (Bataaan and Corregidor Day) Labor Day - Monday nearest May 1 Independence Day - Monday nearest June 12 National Heroes Day - Last Monday of August Bonifacio Day - Monday nearest November 30 Christmas Day - December 25 Rizal Day - Monday nearest December 30 b) Nationwide Special Holidays: Ninoy Aquino Day - Monday nearest August 21 All Saints Day - November 1 Last Day of the Year - December 31 In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of the week. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday that follows: Provided, That for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation, at least six months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a nonworking day: Provided, however, The Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao." SEC. 2. All laws, orders, presidential issuances, rules and regulations or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. Approved, (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR. (Sgd.) MANNY VILLAR Speaker of the House of Representatives President of the Senate This Act which originated in the Senate was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 30, 2007 and February 7, 2007, respectively. (Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO (Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES Secretary General House of Representatives Secretary of the Senate Approved: July 25, 2007 (Sgd.)GLORIA MACAPAGAL – ARROYO President of the Philippines

Download RA No. 9492 .doc file AND AS INTERPRETED... (from forwarded UP-BAA 2002 egroup email c/o Rowena) Note to Self: Revise calendar.

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING!!! The Official List of Philippine Holidays for 2008read up on Republic Act No. 9492!!!

LONG WEEKEND!!!! Tuesday, January 1 New Year's Day

LONG WEEKEND!!!! Monday, February 25 EDSA Revolution Anniversary
(baka hindi i-declare, GMA loves to piss off the Aquinos these days)

LONG LONG HOLY WEEKEND!!!!
March 20 Maundy Thursday
March 21 Good Friday
March 22 Black Saturday
March 23 Easter Sunday

LONG WEEKEND!!!! Monday, April 7 Araw ng Kagitingan
(in lieu of April 9)

LONG WEEKEND!!!! Monday, May 5 Labor Day
(in lieu of May 1)

LONG WEEKEND!!!! Monday, June 16 Independence Day
(in lieu of June 12)

LONG WEEKEND!!!! Monday, August 25 Ninoy Aquino Day
(in lieu of August 21 & concurrent with National Heroes Day)

October __ : Eid'l Fitr
(to be confirmed by the OMA: Office of Muslim Affairs)

November 1, All Saints Day
(shiyet, it falls on a Saturday!)

LONG WEEKEND!!!! Monday, December 1 Bonifacio Day
(in lieu of Nov. 30)

and the grandmomma of all long weekends,
a 12-day extravaganza of a
LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG WEEKEND:


Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day
(declared by GOD)

Friday, December 26
(do you really think Pinoys will go to work on this day?)

Saturday, December 27
Sunday, December 28

Monday, December 29 Rizal Day
(in lieu of December 30)

Tuesday, December 30
(see Friday, December 26 for reference)

Wednesday, December 31, Last Day of the Year Holiday
(declared by GMA)

Thursday, January 1, 2009 is still a holiday...

Friday, January 2
(seriously, no one intends to work on this day!)

Saturday, January 3
Sunday, January 4

SEE YOU ALL BACK AT WORK OR SCHOOL on
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009!!!

What my name means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.
You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.
You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.
You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life.
You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone.
Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs.


You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.
You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.
A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.
You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.


You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.
You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.
You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.
People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.
You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.
You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.
You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.
You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.




You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.
You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous.
You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.
Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

Brad Renfro is dead =..(

Actor Brad Renfro found dead in Los Angeles home

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/15/renfro.obit.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Story Highlights

• The cause of death was not immediately known
  He starred opposite Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones in "The Client"
  His other credits include "Ghost World" and "The Jacket"

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Actor Brad Renfro, whose career began promisingly with a childhood role in "The Client" but rapidly faded as he struggled with drugs and alcohol, was found dead Tuesday in his home. He was 25.

Actor Brad Renfro served 10 days in jail in 2006 after pleading guilty to attempted possession of heroin.

Paramedics pronounced him dead at 9 a.m., said Craig Harvey, chief investigator for the Los Angeles County coroner's office. The cause of death was not immediately determined, Harvey said, but an autopsy could be conducted as early as Wednesday.

Renfro had reportedly been drinking with friends the evening before his death, Harvey said.

Renfro's lawyer, Richard Kaplan, said he did not know whether the death was connected to any problems with addiction.

"He was working hard on his sobriety," Kaplan said. "He was doing well. He was a nice person."

The actor served 10 days in jail in May 2006 after pleading no contest to driving while intoxicated and guilty to attempted possession of heroin.

The latter charge stemmed from his arrest in Los Angeles' Skid Row area, when he attempted to buy heroin from an undercover officer in 2005.

For several years he was better known for that drug bust and the resulting criminal case than for acting.

After one court appearance, he talked to reporters about drug rehabilitation, saying he was "tired of paying the consequences" for drinking and drug use and eager to get clean.

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Renfro's film career began when he was 12, acting opposite Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones in "The Client." His other credits include "Sleepers," "Deuces Wild," "Apt Pupil" and "The Jacket."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Bestiality and beyond: Goat abuse sparks outcry

http://perezhilton.com/?p=11541#more-11541

The case of a goat who was raped and killed has prompted a push for a bill that would outlaw bestiality in Florida.

After a goat was raped and killed in a Panhandle town, animal activists, police and citizens were almost as shocked to find out that bestiality isn't a crime in Florida.

But it might be soon.

A Sunrise state senator and a St. Petersburg representative have filed legislation to make it a first-degree felony to have sex with animals or promote or advertise bestiality.

”It's true. It's sick. There needs to be a law,” said Democratic Sen. Nan Rich, a longtime crusader for children and animal rights. “There are 30 states that make this a crime. Florida isn't one of them.”

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who called the situation ”unbelievable,” said Thursday he would sign the bill into law if it made it to his desk.

Rich said she was as shocked as she was disgusted when she learned of the rape and asphyxiation last year of a family pet goat named Meg — who was pregnant with twins — in the town of Mossy Head in rural Walton County.

A suspect in the case, a 48-year-old man, is serving an 11-month, 29-day jail sentence on animal-theft charges in connection with the attempted abduction of another goat in a separate case, according to Walton County Assistant State Attorney James Parker.

Parker said he couldn't prosecute the suspect in the death of Meg because DNA samples taken with a sheriff's office rape kit were inconclusive.

Parker said he asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement last week to retest the evidence.

But even if there's a DNA match, Parker said the suspect could only be charged with misdemeanor trespassing and animal cruelty, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Parker said the suspect could not be arrested for bestiality because it isn't a crime. The prosecutor added that the man is ”definitely a suspect” because he was arrested trying to take another person's goat Feb. 3 shortly after Meg was choked to death from her collar that had been tightly held around her neck.

Parker said it was the suspect's second livestock-theft charge. Dee Thompson-Poirrier, of Okaloosa County Animal Services, said Meg the goat was once featured at a 4-H Club, and had been given to a family with small children by a neighbor who had suspected an area man — she wouldn't say who — of abusing the animal.

Thompson-Poirrier said she was called in to handle the case because Walton County locals believed it would best be handled by someone outside the county. She said Meg's owner heard a suspicious noise the night of the incident and only later learned that someone had set her dogs free and had left dog biscuits near the fence to lure the animals away from Meg.

While the rape and killing were shocking, Thompson-Poirrier said so was the fact that bestiality isn't even a crime here. ”I found out far more about goats and bestiality than I ever wanted,” she said.

Rich said the prohibition against bestiality is important because studies show that those who abuse animals may also abuse children. She expects the legislation that she's sponsoring with Democratic Rep. Frank Peterman to pass during the spring lawmaking session, though they might reduce the first-degree felony charge calling for a maximum 30-year prison sentence for committing, promoting, abetting or possessing pornography of bestiality.

Otherwise, the bill is too little, too late.

”The fact that this happens is unconscionable,” Rich said. “And it should be illegal.”

Thompson-Poirrier says her PAWS society spent about $5,000 investigating the case and having the suspect's DNA analyzed.

The odd local publicity helped bring back about $300, when a man from nearby Crestview made a series of $10 goat T-shirts for sale.

One shirt depicts a goat saying “Baaa Means No!”

'Twas the night before Christmas (As you've never read it before)

I'm still psyching myself up for the day. Bear with me.

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas,
there did occur at a


certain parcel of improved real property (hereinafter
"the House"), a


general lack of stirring by all creatures therein,
including, but not


limited to, a mouse.


A variety of foot apparel, e.g., stockings, socks,
etc., had been affixed


by and around the chimney in said House in the hope
and/or belief that St.


Nick, a.k.a. St. Nicholas, a.k.a. Santa Claus
(hereinafter "Claus") would


arrive at some time thereafter.


The minor residents, i.e., the children, of the
aforementioned House were


located in their individual beds and were engaged in
nocturnal


hallucinations, i.e., dreams, wherein visions of
confectionery treats,


including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or
sugar plums, did


dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.


Whereupon, the party of the first part (sometimes
hereinafter referred to


as "I"), being the joint owner in fee simple
of the House with the party


of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"),
and said Mamma had retired for a


sustained period of sleep; (At such time, the parties
were clad in various


forms of headgear, e.g., kerchief and cap.)


Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there
did occur upon the


unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to
said House, i.e., the


lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause
and/or circumstance.


The party of the first part did immediately rush to a
window in the House


to investigate the cause of such disturbance. At that
time, the party of


the first part did observe, with some degree of
wonderment and/or


disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter "the
Vehicle") being pulled


and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by
approximately eight (8)


reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and
in fact was, the


previously referenced Claus.


Said Claus was providing specific direction,
instruction, and guidance to


the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically
identified the


animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer,
Prancer, Vixen, Comet,


Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen (hereinafter, both
individually and


collectively, "the Deer"). (Upon information
and belief, it is further


asserted that an additional co-conspirator named
"Rudolph" may have been


involved.)


The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the
Vehicle and the Deer


intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of
several residences


located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House,
and noted that the


Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys, and
other items of unknown


origin or nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation
or permission,


either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the
House, and Claus


entered said House via the chimney.


Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was
partially covered with


residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack
containing a portion


of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other
unknown items. He was


smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in
blatant violation


of local ordinances and health regulations.


Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the
stockings of the


minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney,
with toys and other


small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute
"gifts" to said


minors pursuant to the applicable provisions of the
U.S. Tax Code.)


Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side
of his nose and flew,


rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to
the roof where the


Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as
"lookouts." Claus immediately


departed for an unknown destination.


However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer,
and Claus from said


House, the party of the first part did hear Claus
state and/or exclaim:


"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good
night!" or words to that effect.


P.S.


Most if not some lawyers are paid per word or per page in
every pleading they accomplish for their clients. The use of Latin and
highfalutin words tend to raise their rate. Cheers!!!

--> Actually, as far as I know, many charge by the tenth of an hour spent working on it.

A must-read even for non-law people

Reading this again really made my day. I would have loved to just stay home and spend the day with my family, since all of them (minus the ones who have to go to work) are at my grandmother's... Hay... Oh well... I hope they all push their respective trips home to the weekend. I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

[A.M. No. 2006-24-SC. November 14, 2006]

JUDGE FLORENTINO V. FLORO, JR. v. MRS. MARILYN PUNO SANTIAGO AND JASMIN MATEO

En Banc

Sirs/Mesdames:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated NOV. 14, 2006 .

A.M. No. 2006-24-SC ( Judge Florentino V. Floro, Jr. v. Mrs. Marilyn Puno Santiago and Jasmin Mateo)

x ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---x

For consideration are the Verified Complaint/Letter- Affidavit dated August 25, 2006 and Verified Another/Supplementa l Complaint/Letter- Affidavit ( sic) dated September 1, 2006 filed by former Judge Florentino V. Floro, Jr. against two court personnel from the Office of Senior Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno of this Court.

While this Court, in cases of this nature, would normally have proceeded to a statement of relevant facts and allegations, it bears noting early on that the complaint is couched in such obscure language as to render that task very difficult, if not impossible.

Parenthetically, it may be recalled that, earlier this year, this Court, in Office of the Court Administrator v. Floro, ^{[1] [1]} relieved herein complainant of his duties as a trial judge. Cited among the grounds for his relief were complainant' s unusual beliefs which were "at odds with the critical and impartial thinking required of a judge under our judicial system." Thus, this Court noted:

Moreover, Judge Floro himself admitted that he believes in "psychic visions," of foreseeing the future because of his power in "psychic phenomenon." He believes in "duwendes" and of a covenant with his "dwarf friends Luis, Armand and Angel." He believes that he can write while on trance and that he had been seen by several people to have been in two places at the same time. . . . ^{[2] [2]} (Emphasis supplied)

Regrettably, the complaint displays vagueness of expression and want of logical thought that it may be described as bearing a trance-like character. Consider, inter alia, the following statement in the complaint:

"Respondents Jasmin Mateo's and Marilyn Puno Santiago's formidable Lust for Power and Glory --- brought them not to the Land of Fantasy, not to Never Land, not to the Island of the Fairies, but to the Enchanted Kingdom of the 3 Mystic and Healing Dwarves --- They would try anything just to . . . They wanted to look inside the CRYSTAL BALL of Luis Armand and Angel[.]" ^{[3] [3]} (Underscoring, emphasis, and ellipsis in the original)

The surreal frame in which the complaint was crafted is heightened by the several pictures, printed in full color, interspersed therein, none of which contributes to clearing the obscurity. In one page of the complaint, for instance, there are three pictures: two appear to be logos or seals bearing the Latin word "veritas," while the other seems to be a cover of a foreign religious comic book bearing the title "Veritas". ^{[4] [4]} While they almost fill up an entire page, the pictures appear to have no relevance other than complainant' s mention of the word "veritas" somewhere in the complaint.

Add to these pictures of clouds and flowers, icons of Mary and St. Peter, pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, Edu Manzano and Justice Sabino de Leon, the logo of a restaurant, a cartoon character, etc., and one would look at the complaint as more reminiscent of a dream-like stream of consciousness than a seriously drafted pleading for the Supreme Court, or any court of justice for that matter.

To consider the complaint any further would only waste precious time which this Court can more fruitfully devote to cases of significance and more pressing urgency.

The complaint must thus be dismissed outright.

WHEREFORE, the Verified Complaint/Letter- Affidavit dated August 25, 2006 and Verified Another/Supplementa l Complaint/Letter- Affidavit dated September 1, 2006 are DISMISSED.

Puno, J., no part.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA

Clerk of Court

Another forward (author unknown)

To: Employees

From: Management

In order to assure the highest levels of quality work and productivity from the employees, it will be our policy to keep all employees well trained through our program of SPECIAL HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING (S.H.I.T.). We are trying to give our employees more S.H.I.T. than anyone else.

If you feel that you do not receive your share of S.H.I.T. on the job, please do not hesitate to ask. You will be immediately placed at the top of the S.H.I.T. list, and we will see to it that you get all the S.H.I.T. you can handle.

Employees who don't take their S.H.I.T. will be placed in DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEE EVALUATION PROGRAMS (D.E.E.P. S.H.I.T.). Those who fail to take D.E.E.P. S.H.I.T. seriously will have to go to EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE TRAINING (E.A.T. S.H.I.T.).

If you are full of S.H.I.T., you may be interested in a job training others. We can add your name to our BASIC UNDERSTANDING LECTURE LIST (B.U.L.L. S.H.I.T.). Those who are full of B.U.L.L. S.H.I.T. will get the S.H.I.T. jobs, and can apply for promotion to DIRECTOR OF INTENSITY PROGRAMMING (D.I.P. S.H.I.T.).

If you have further questions, please direct them to our HEAD OF TRAINING, SPECIAL HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING (H.O.T. S.H.I.T.).

Thank you,

BOSS IN GENERAL
SPECIAL HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING
(B.I.G. S.H.I.T.)

Bursting the chocolate bubble

WELL
December 21, 2007, 9:53 am
NYTimes

The Problem With Chocolate

Most people have heard that chocolate is good for you. But now, the medical journal Lancet is bursting the chocolate bubble.

Just in time for the holidays, a Lancet editorial published today notes that there won't be a "truffle treatment" for heart disease any time soon. In fact, the editors point out that the very thing that makes chocolate good for you — the antioxidants called flavanols – also make chocolate taste bitter. As a result, confectionery makers often take out the flavanols, stripping the chocolate of its main health-promoting properties. Worse, labels usually don't tell you whether your chocolate comes with or without flavanols, making it tough to know if a particular piece of chocolate has any health benefits at all.

This depressing news comes just a month after Circulation, the medical journal for the American Heart Association, created a stir when it reported a study of 22 heart transplant patients who were given a dose of dark chocolate or fake chocolate. Just two hours after eating the real thing, patients had measurable improvements in blood flow and vascular function and less clotting, compared to placebo chocolate eaters, who experienced no changes.

The Circulation report is the latest in a string of studies touting the benefits of chocolate. The flavonoids in chocolate, which include the antioxidants called flavanols, are similar to those found in tea, red wine and some fruits and vegetables, foods also known for their heart-healthy effects.

To boost your chances of getting a flavanol-rich bar, the best bet is to look for very dark chocolate with few added ingredients, notes Dr. Jacob Shani, chairman of the Cardiac Institute at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.

The darker the chocolate, the higher it's likely to be in flavonoids, according to the February issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. A typical bar of dark chocolate contains an average of 53.5 milligrams of flavonoids. A milk chocolate bar contains less than 14 milligrams, while white chocolate doesn't have any, according to the Mayo report.

But even if your chocolate is loaded with flavanols, it won't be a wonder drug. Most studies show only modest benefits from chocolate, and even though it's good for you, you still have to pay attention to calories and fat.

"If you ask me what's more important, a little physical activity like walking or eating the chocolate, go take your walk,'' said Dr. Shani. "I don't think in the very near future we're going to tell every patient go ahead and eat lots of chocolate. That would be too good to be true.''

My feng shui for the year, according to Proastro.com

Yes, I am THIS bored. If other people were getting work, I'd be worried. But the other underbars seem to be as un-busy as I am, so I guess that's fine. What gives? So anyway...

Overview
Your sign is Pig.

Pigs would have experienced several life changes last year and these are likely to influence the outcome of this year. If you did change your job or move home last year, all you need to do is work with those changes and make the necessary improvements. There’s a lot of leisure or business travel in store for Pigs this year.

Famous Pig:
Hillary Clinton, Liu Xiang, Bryan Adams, Woody Allen, Julie Andrews, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Maria Callas, Richard Chamberlain, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Glenn Close, Sir Noel Coward, Oliver Cromwell, Billy Crystal, the Dalai Lama, Richard Dreyfuss, Sheena Easton, Ben Elton, Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your reading:
Pigs would have experienced several life changes last year and these are likely to influence the outcome of this year.

If you did change your job or move home last year, all you need to do is work with those changes and make the necessary improvements. If you did get married last year and are now expecting a baby, what’s to worry about? These are happy occasions and you should celebrate and rejoice. There’s a lot of leisure or business travel in store for Pigs this year.

If the relationship you were in ended last year, make an effort to pull yourself together as soon as you can. However, if you neither ended your relationship nor do you have any plans of strengthening it by getting married, you should go all out to pamper your beloved and reinforce the relationship. This is particularly important because your last year’s luck will continue to have a strong influence over you during the first half of 2008. This implies that even though your relationship survived the stormy waters of 2007, it may crack under the continuous strain and the relationship could end. If the beginning of 2008 saw your relationship on the verge of ending, there may not be much that you can do to revive it.

There’s good news on the financial front though. You will get plenty of investment opportunities and you should capitalize on them. Pigs born in spring and summer should embark upon a career if you haven’t done so already. Next year will be too late. During the first six months of 2008 you may find it difficult to make the right decisions because of your emotional instability and the influence of 2007. You will be able to make a better judgment only in Lunar May, when last year’s influence has faded away. The flip side of this however is that your run of good luck is likely to last only till end 2009. If you want to get substantial returns on your investment, you will have to invest this year, but invest wisely and well.

You look all set to lose some of your belongings this year including your mobile phone, wallet or keys. Forewarned is forearmed. While you may not be able to avoid all the bad luck that looks set to come your way, you should take steps to minimize the loss by carrying minimal amount of money in your wallet, keeping a spare set of keys in a safe place and making a duplicate set of phone numbers.

A Tribute of Sorts

It's another lazy day at work. A lot of partners are still out on leave, so there's not much work to go around for the underbar slave population, since the big bosses who give orders are out on vacation.

So anyway, vain and conceited and self-centered as I am, I Google-d myself, my relatives and a few of my friends, just for whatev. Google-ability now sort of validates or confirms that a person exists. If your name doesn't appear ANYWHERE on the internet, it's just, well, weird. It's almost like the world has forgotten that you exist, or existed, and affected people's lives in some way, good OR bad. Many of the people in this list retired years before the advent of the internet as we know it, while some just aren't very fond of computers, or some other reason I don't want to think about. In any case, I would have wanted to write something more heartwrenching, but I guess this will suffice for the moment, lest I burst into tears in the office and gain a reputation as the crazy new hire.

So then, this is a tribute to the people who have made the most impact on my life, good or bad, for the people who have been in every chapter of my life, and who will always be part of me because I have never loved anybody more than I love them...

Carmen Veronica Brown del Corro, my grandmother, Mama, who in spite of her cynicism, her fangs and her razor tongue, loves us like crazy and reigns like the matriarch she is.

Daniel Jason Yenko Torralba, my only brother and sibling, JJ, whom I hope will come back to us when he's ready to face the world again with family by his side.

Susan Sofia del Corro Yenko-Adad, my only aunt, Tita Susan, my pet and my master, whom I am lucky to have caught up with before it was too late.

Sergio Mendoza Yenko, my grandfather, my Lolo, who was a great man once. I never really knew him, but I am his granddaughter in every way.

Danilo Lojo Torralba, Daddy, who tried to give us the best to make up for the worst.

Ma. Lourdes del Corro Yenko-Torralba, Mommy, who left too early but was never really gone.

We've all made our fair share of mistakes and wrong turns. We're all human, after all. That doesn't right a wrong, and it can't change how people feel about what we've done or what we haven't done, but I hope everything turns out great for all of us. Cheers.

From Rich: childhood privileges meme

Bold all that apply to you. Father went to college Father finished college Mother went to college Mother finished college Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor (all of the above) Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers Had more than 50 books in your childhood home Had more than 500 books in your childhood home (ranging from children's books to trashy novels to chem and physics and engineering and law, fiction, non-fiction, whatev) Were read children's books by a parent Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18 Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18 (ballet, when I was 5) The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18 (i STILL don't have one...) Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs (plus my scholarship) Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs (was on scholarship) Went to a private high school (de la salle lipa) Went to summer camp Had a private tutor before you turned 18 Family vacations involved staying at hotels (mostly other relatives' houses) Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18 (would get some hand-me-downs from cousins, aunts, etc... ) Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them (I wish!) There was original art in your house when you were a child (yeah, by myself and my brother, on the walls, floor, cabinet doors... my dad hated it, but my mom found it adorable that we were, uh, personalizing the house, and refused to have our scribbles painted over or covered with wallpaper.) Had a phone in your room before you turned 18 (yeah, for like two days. i hid the house phone in my room and refused to admit it was there. hehe!) You and your family lived in a single family house Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home (and they still don't) You had your own room as a child Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course Had your own TV in your room in High School Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16 (still haven't) Went on a cruise with your family Went on more than one cruise with your family Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family before age 18

Receipts please...

Hi guys. Just in case you have gas, parking, toll, or food receipts that you don't need, or bus tickets, dated November 2007 to present, pleeeeeeeeease please please, mine na lang? I have to substantiate our transpo allowance by the 15th kasi... And then I have to collect for the succeeding months. I'll forever be grateful. Hehe! Thanks! Text or email me, just in case. Or better yet, if you love me that much, please send all receipts tome at the office.

Raffle is on January 15. Hehe! Thanks all!

P.S. Please do not send me receipts from abroad.

How stressed are YOU?

http://www.personalitytest.net/funtest/stress.htm

Thanks for the link, Rich!

Stress Pictures

These pictures are used to test the level of stress a person can handle.

The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress.

Alleged criminals see them spinning around madly while seniors and kids see them still.

Check your level of stress...