You're My Lady.

Because the media coverage of Michael Jackson's life and death has been a 7/24 affair these days, I could not help but be reminded of the other great singers and songwriters of my younger days. Like Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers.

These two singers collaborated on a record titled Lady.

The song was written and produced by Lionel Richie, and ranks among Rogers' biggest hits. Recorded in 1980, Rogers once told an interviewer, "The idea was that Lionel would come from R&B and I'd come from country, and we'd meet somewhere in pop."

The success of "Lady" also proved instrumental to Richie's career. The production work on the song was his first outside the Commodores and foreshadowed his success as a solo act during the 1980s. Rogers was also a featured vocalist on "We Are the World," co-written by Richie.

"Lady" would prove to be an important record for both Richie and Rogers. It became the first record of the 1980s to chart on all four of Billboard magazine's singles charts - country, Hot 100, adult contemporary and Top Black Singles.

It reached No. 1 on three of those charts in late 1980, including a six-week run on the Hot 100 and one week on the Hot Country Singles chart.
As a country entry, "Lady" was Rogers' 10th chart-topping hit in a career that saw him collect 20 No. 1 songs between 1977 and 2000. On the Hot 100, it was his only solo chart-topping song, although Rogers would have a duet No. 1 three years later (1983's "Islands in the Stream" with Dolly Parton).

Some snooty Pinoys consider Kenny Rogers' songs so baduy; not me.

But too bad that Kenny Rogers gave in to vanity and altered his face. Now, it's hard to know the real Kenny Rogers, and for a brief period after his cosmetic alterations, he had become the butt of jokes of late night shows.

But his songs, just like Lady, cannot alter his influence on many listeners' lives and universe.

LADY

By Lionel Richie

Lady, I'm your knight in shining armor and I love you

You have made me what I am and I'm yours

My love, there's so many ways I want to say I love you

Let me hold you in my arms forever more

You have gone and made me such a fool

I'm so lost in your love

And oh, we belong together

Won't you believe in my song?

Lady, for so many years I thought I'd never find you

You have come into my life and, made me whole

Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning

Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear

In my eyes I see no one else but you

There's no other love like our love

Oh yes, I'll always want you near me

I've waited for you for so long

Oh, Lady, your love's the only love I need

And beside me is where I want you to be'cause,'cos, my love, my love, there's somethin'

I want you to know

You're the love of my life, of my life, you're my lady

You're my lady.

Are Letters of Old Today's Spam?

Who has not encountered spam? Nooobody.

Spam is part of today's living. You get it in emails, and I would even lump junk mails (the hard copies) such as unwanted flyers in one's mailbox, solicitation and fund raising letters as spam.

But think about it. Some things considered spam today are actually valid and acceptable letters of yesteryear's.

Take love letters, for instance. Before, if a suitor wanted to declare his intentions to a girl, he'd write unsolicited love letters. The girl gets it, reads it, and either keep it or toss it in the garbage.

Then there's the unsolicited advertising materials or individual letters asking for help. You get it in the mail, you open it, and either respond or throw it away.

The difference in yesterday's unwanted letters and today's spam or junk mails, is that in the past, the recipient did not receive tons and tons of the unwanted mail, unlike today's; so in the past, the recipient was more receptive and actually read the mails, before putting them in the trash.

Recipients of emails today have the capability to junk or filter their mails. Thus, the love-struck suitor could not deliver a love letter or a poem, the merchant could not introduce a new product, the sick could not solicit financial help.

The technology that allows spamming is the technology that is trying to pin it down.

But for those small-time legit intentions caught in the web of over zealousness and too much filtering, thinking of other devices to bypass the hurdles sometimes becomes too expensive or too impossible.

A Sunday Morning.

Another Oldie. Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Audrey Hepburn starred in the adaptation of Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same title, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961), a story of a woman on her own making her way in the big city.

As Holly, Hepburn's got a feline roommate. They don't belong to each other, but they get on well together, entertaining at night and sleeping during the day or trying to... until author Paul Varjak (George Peppard) buzzes them from downstairs because he can't get in the building.

Paul thinks he's just coming in to use the telephone, but unbeknownst to him, he has now entered Holly's universe.

This reminds me how some people would mistakenly buzz this unit, even at odd hours, to gain entry into the building, or to deliver mail or packages. If I were sending a present to someone, I'd make sure the delivery guy gets it into the correct address, whether it's a person's house or place of work.

Back to Tiffany's. I love New York. I love 5th Avenue. And would love to have not just breakfast there...but lunches and dinners, as well.

Besame Mucho.

I saw a re-run of The Cosby Show in which Clare Huxtable celebrated her 46th birthday amidst much heckling from her family about her age; from husband Cliff (Cosby) to son Theo and daughters Vanessa and Trudi.

Then during the mid-portion, the couple's friend Alberto (played by the tenor Placido Domingo) came visiting. Placido Domingo, then sang a song for the birthday girl, Clare. He sang Besame Mucho, one of my all- time favorite songs.

In fact, the CD Tenors on Tour (Domingo, Carrera and Pavarotti) carries the Besame Mucho rendition of Placido Domingo.

The few times I sing at Karaoke, I consciously pick Besame Mucho, either its English or Spanish version, to sing. Not that I can sing it well; it just makes the singing more heartfelt.

In 1941, Consuelo Velazquez wrote the music and lyrics for Besame Mucho while she was still a teenager in Mexico. The title translates as “Kiss Me a Lot or Kiss me Much."

The song was first recorded in 1941 by Mexican artists - singer/actor Emilio Tuero and singer/actress Chela Campos, and it became an international hit. French singer/actor Tino Rossi recorded it in 1945.

Then, English lyrics were written by Sunny Skylar, who retained its Spanish title, and the love song became a hit during World War II.

In 1944, Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra's version with vocalists Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen was #1 for 7 weeks out of a total of 26; Andy Russell's version for a period of 5 weeks, peaked at #10 and Abe Lyman and His Orchestra for 2 weeks, peaking at #21.

The song also garnered a Grammy nomination in 2007 as Best Instrumental Arrangement for trombonist Steve Wiest’s version for the Maynard Ferguson big band.

Dean Martin popularized the song's English version in the early 60's. The recent recordings of the song are those by Diana Krall in 2002, and by Andrea Bocelli in 2006 in his CD/DVD concert Under the Desert Sky.

I love the versions of Andrea Bocelli and Diana Krall.

Besame Mucho. Kiss me much. Kiss me a lot.

BESAME MUCHO

Besame, besame mucho

Each time I cling to your kiss, I hear music divine

Besame, besame mucho

Hold me my darling and say that you'll always be mine.

This joy is something new, my arms enfolding you,

Never knew this thrill before.

Whoever thought I'll be holding you close to me,

Whispering it's you I adore.

Dearest one, if you should leave me,

Each little dream would take wing and my life would be through,

Besame mucho, love me forever and make all my dreams come true.

SPANISH LYRICS

Bésame, bésame mucho

Como si fuera esta noche

La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho

Que tengo miedo a perderte

Perderte después

Bésame, bésame mucho

Como si fuera esta noche

La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho

Que tengo miedo a perderte

Perderte después

Quiero tenerte muy cerca

Mirarme en tus ojos

Verte junto a mi

Piensa que tal ves mañana

Yo ya estaré lejos

Muy lejos de ti

Bésame, bésame mucho

Como si fuera esta noche

La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho

Que tengo miedo a perderte

Perderte después

Bésame, bésame mucho

Que tengo miedo a perderte

Perderte después

Que tengo miedo a perderte

Perderte después

My Father's Day.

LEFT - One of the things that belonged to my father which I kept. His Barong Tagalog.



Father's Day did not get celebrated when I was growing up. It was just made a special day recently. So now, after a week has passed, I am finally writing about it.

Why late? Maybe because my own father is no longer here; he passed away nine years ago, on July, 2000.

But I got to thinking about him just now. Because when I saw my sisters a couple of days ago, we got to talking about family, about our father.

When my father succumbed to a heart attack in 2000, I was supposed to see him in the hospital.

I travelled to Manila in mid-July and arrived late at night and immediately proceeded to my mother's house. My little brother later reminded me that we had to go to the hospital where my father had been confined, and was already waiting for me. I told my brother that I would see our father in the morning.

The next morning, though, my sister delivered the sad news: our father had a massive heart attack at dawn.

It was as if he only waited for me to arrive and when he knew I was there, he simply had to go. I took it as a sign that he really wanted me to take care of his farm and let it flourish because for the last fifteen years of his life, he devoted much of it on his farm.

I'm sure wherever he is today, my father is happier.

What I like to remember about him was his being cool and collected; a savvy lawyer.

I do not recall him being fazed. I do recall when he got mad at me and at one sister a couple of times; that's why I thought all fathers were emotion-less.

But what I fancy most about my father was his eloquence. His debating prowess and his singing.

He taught a sister declamation when she joined an elocution contest. He used to sing while driving during our trips to Nueva Ecija, and even when he campaigned for some "politicos" in our small town.

He would burst into delivering "Ang Pamana," a lovely poem, and singing "La Paloma" to my mother.

On my trip to Ohio last week, we recalled how my eldest sister and my father used to recite Ang Pamana, a nostalgic poem about a parent bequeathing small items and property to the children who would be left behind, and marvelously, my sister could deliver some of the lines, still.


Ang Pamana
Ni Jose Corazon de Jesus
(Huseng Batute)
Jose Corazon de Jesus also composed "Bayan Ko."

Isang araw ang ina ko’y nakita kong namamanglaw
Naglilinis ng marumi’t mga lumang kasangkapan.
Sa pilak ng kanyang buhok na hibla na katandaan
Nabakas ko ang maraming taon niyang kahirapan;
Nakita ko ang ina ko’y tila baga nalulumbay
At ang sabi “itong pyano sa iyo ko ibibigay,
Ang kubyertos nating pilak ay kay Itang maiiwan,
Mga silya’t aparador ay kay Tikong nababagay
Sa ganyan ko hinahati itong ating munting yaman.


Pinilit kong pasayahin ang lungkot ng aking mukha
Tinangka kong magpatawa upang siya ay matuwa,
Subalit sa aking mata’y may namuong mga luha
Naisip ko ang ina ko, ang ina ko na kawawa;
Tila kami iiwan na’t may yari nang huling nasa at
Sa halip na magalak sa pamanang mapapala,
Sa puso ko ay dumalaw ang malungkot na gunita
Napaiyak akong tila isang kaawaawang bata
Niyakap ko ang ina ko at sa kanya ay winika.


"Ang ibig ko sana, Ina’y ikaw aking pasiyahin at huwag nang
Makita pang ika’y Nalulungkot mandin,
O, Ina ko, ano po ba at naisipang hatiin
Ang lahat ng munting yamang maiiwan sa amin?”
"Wala naman,” yaong sagot “baka ako ay tawagin ni Bathala
Mabuti nang malaman mo ang habilin?
Iyang pyano, itong silya’t aparador ay alaming
Pamana ko na sa iyo, bunsong ginigiliw.”


“Ngunit Inang,” ang sagot ko, “ang lahat ng kasangkapan
Ang lahat ng yaman dito ay hindi ko kailangan
Ang ibig ko’y ikaw ina, ang ibig ko’y ikaw inang
Hinihiling ko sa Diyos na ang pamana ko’y ikaw
Aanhin ko iyong pyano kapag ikaw ay mamatay
At hindi ko matutugtog sa tabi ng iyong hukay?
Ililimos ko sa iba ang lahat ng ating yaman
Pagkat di ka maaaring pantayan ng daigdigan
Pagkat, ikaw O Ina ko, ika’y wala pang kapantay.”

Tennis Talk

I don't profess expertise nor even deep knowledge of the sport of tennis. I just watch the game; years ago, I took some lessons and played some tennis because it seemed everybody around me was playing tennis.

In the small city in Ohio where I lived briefly, the people in my midst played tennis rabidly. My three nephews played tennis regularly and had a coach; their friends played seriously, too.

The children of my sister's friends all played tennis; the mothers who accompanied their kids to lessons and competitions took fancy to also learning the game.

But then, most of these parents played golf, too.

I remember driving a nephew and his friend to their tennis lessons on Friday evenings to Pittsburgh, a-45 minute drive from our house.

In terms of sports, I love watching boxing, baseball, basketball, some football, golf and tennis.

Now that I have a dog, Spike, I am learning how to play ball with him. Inside the house, I throw it and he learns to catch. During one of our two-times a day walk, I might just bring the ball for him to play around with.

Back to tennis. Wimbledon has started and my favorite player, Rafael Nadal is not even in the game. But have to watch it even without the guy in there.

Athletes and sports players today enjoy tremendous popularity and adulation. That's why they're paid top dollars; their merchandise (t-shirts, caps, and endorsed products) sell briskly.

There was a time when tennis players were just confined to endorsing a few products. I remember Michael Chang, the only Asian-American who reached the grand slam circuit in the mid 80's and early 90's, endorsing a product for back pain called Tiger Balm.

Today, tennis stars just like mainstream athletes of other sports, sell all types of merchandise.

And like other athletes, tennis biggies like Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Safin are swooned over, especially by females fans. ' Wonder what the spouses and boyfriends are thinking.

Hello. I'd been spiked.

Toronto, Ohio and BELOW - Spike with his New Butler

Spike, the min pinscher, travelled with me from Toronto, Ohio to Toronto, Ontario. Why?

My sister was about to give away Spike to a neighbour's brother; they could not take care of the dog anymore. And when Spike kept on following me, I knew I had to bring him home.

So my trip back home took a bit longer because I made several stops to let Spike go to the bathroom and to stretch.

On this trip to Ohio, I was also able to attend a friend's wedding and on the same night, to hang out at the VFW Father's Day karaoke and country dancing celebration. Anyway, I did not dance nor sing; just watched the folks and drank my beer.

Inside VFW Hall
With bro-in-law. As former Navy, he got to visit Subic Naval and Clarke Air Bases.

Small MidWestern StateTowns

When I drive to the mid western state of Ohio, I visit two places: Steubenville and Toronto.

Steubenville lies about 18 miles west of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. It is well known for its famous citizen, Dean Martin. Even now, Mr. Martin is still celebrated in this small city, like having look alike contests in Italian bars.

Another town I get to visit when I come to Ohio is called Toronto. It is a quaint little town close to Steubenville, about ten minutes drive along Highway 7.

These two places belong to what is called the Tri-State area: Ohio - Pittsburgh-West Virginia.

These three states abut one another.

Steubenville, while home to Dino Martin, is also home to a small enclave of Filipinos. In fact, the Tri-State area is home to a Filipino community, composed mostly of health care practitioners, like doctors and nurses.

So, there is an association called TriState Filipino-American Doctors.

Most of these doctors and nurses settled in the tri-state area during the 70's when there was a shortage of doctors in the US. They were mostly new graduates and started having their families here. Today, their children have become the new professionals of America.

When I came to live in Steubenville, I enrolled in computer courses in a community college called Jefferson Technical; now, Jeff Tech offers a wide-range of courses that could compete with any American community college.

Another learning institution in Steubenville is the Franciscan University of Steubenville. It celebrates its 6oth year of foundation and is fast gaining respect and recognizability in the country for its good programs and religious orientation.

There is a growing body of international students at the University, and some coming from the Philippines. One of my sisters used to host Filipino students from the University.

Toronto, on the other hand, is a typical American town. Houses hang the American flag in their porches, barbecue grills are gleaming in the backyards, and small children ride the bikes on the sloping streets.

A landmark of Toronto is the VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) hall where veterans hang out reminiscing about distant wars fought over bottles of beer. My brother in law used to be Commander of the local chapter in Toronto, and during his duty, used to visit the Clark Air Base.

The locals here are very friendly. Which reminds me of small towns in the Philippines, where the locals while even not knowing you, would offer the comfort of their home when you have no place to sleep. At least that's what I used to knew.

News from the BuckEye State

It was raining all the way from I-90 to OH-11. The trip took about seven hours. The van was loaded with full ammo: potato chips, coke, bottled H2O, donuts, chicharon, tuna sandwich and peanuts.

Finally, sister was glad to see brother.

Before dinner, my sister came running from the garage into the house, screaming "snake, snake." She said as she opened the garage door, the snake was right outside and crawled when she screamed. It was long and black.

Bro-in-law said it could have been just a garden snake; non-poisonous.

Meanwhile, Spike, the house dog, which is a mini pin, still remembers me and jumps at me wherever I go. He checks me in my room every five minutes.

GPS and Maps

The GPS, global positioning system is a boon for land travellers. And since summer officially starts this Sunday, June 21st (Father's Day) here in Canada, the GPS will be more used than during the rest of the year.

My GPS is a simple Tom Tom, which had been purchased from the S(c)hopping Channel. It'd been very handy during long trips, and also when locating local, never-been-there-streets.

But when I go for long driving, I just don't rely on the GPS. I still bring my Atlas Map and other smaller maps with me; I feel safer. Plus, I print out a Mapquest directional. Talk about being paranoid.

I've set my Tom Tom to speak in a man's voice; I've minimized listening to a female commando.

The fun thing with a GPS is that when you're driving alone, it seems like you have a driving companion or co-navigator. The only thing missing would be someone to hand you pieces of peanuts, potato chips and your soda.

Happy driving to all. Have a safe one to you, wherever you are now.

One's Editor

An editor is a writer's big boss; the one who deletes or re-writes a story or article. In cinema, the film editor splices, cuts and puts together, with director's overall concept, the finished film or movie.

In the movie Back to the Future, I remember a scene wherein Doc Brown tells Marty McFly, a role played by Michael J. Fox, that if Marty did not arrange for his parents to date again, then he and his two siblings will be "erased from existence."

So Marty McFly and Doc Brown had to re-edit the past to make the future work.

If we can only edit our own lives, there would be less sad stories, less complex plots and more happy endings.

What we can do though, is to have at an early age, a well-written script or story. One that has input from our parents, our mentors, our pastor(s) and other experts and well-meaning relatives and friends.

But if we failed to have one such script, we can still re-write our lives while living them. We can add new twists. We can erase existing plots. We can re-do the colors. We can re-invent ourselves.

Just like in the many facebook accounts, or myspace, in the thousand blogs circling the cyberspace, in the million lives lived today- the daily editing occurs.

New friends are added, new posts created, drafts re-written or entirely deleted, pasts blasted out, and new futures lived.

Don't piss the editor. Just do it.

Let's Dance

The joy of dancing is an acquired feeling. It is like a taste for some food or cuisine, as in acquired taste for sushi, Pad Thai, or Mediterranean couscous.

I would venture an assumption and say that we, Filipinos resort to dancing, not because we love to dance, but because it is a way for us to acquire friends, and to expand our social horizon. And then in the process, we'd discover the fun and real joy of dancing.

Back in Manila during my elementary years, part of the school's curriculum included a yearly "field day." Field Day was a full day of programs centering mostly on song and dance. Whole classes prepared for this field day for weeks and presented song and dance renditions, and special numbers by talented students who'd been handpicked and trained to star in special song and dance, skits and drama. So, this became the first exposure to dancing during my youth.

During the early 60's when the Beatles and other mop-head bands became popular, local neighbourhood "kombos," also became a craze. I was a bit young during those years, but I recall that my older sisters belonged to a social club which held regular dances during summer and weekends.

So, we young ones were relegated outside the fence or got crammed in windows, watching the neighbourhood girls and guys danced to the local "kombo's" rendition of "When She Was Just Seventeen, A Hard Day's Night or I Saw Her Standing there" in some rich people's gardens or lawns.

Years before, local bands such as Electro Maniacs ruled the airwaves, and faint memories of tagging along with my siblings on weekend evenings to watch live performances of similar bands come to mind.

Years later, television shows such as Night Owl Dance Party and Dance O'Rama would be born.

Then in high school, soiree became the thing to be in during weekends. And a nightly dance show featuring caged dancers in mini skirts and Twiggy looks dominated six o'clock TV.

The disco era started in the 80's. Gloria Gaynor became the queen of disco songs. Penthouse Live with Archie Lacson at the dance helm became a top ranking show.

But what type of dancing took place during those varied years?

In the late 50's, during Elvis Presley's popularity, boogie was the sensation. Boogie was really a take off from the Swing (Ballroom dance). The 50's dances also featured the cha cha.

Swing was really a music genre, and later became a dance. It was popular during the Big Band era of the 30's and 40's, of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.

Much later on, dances would include the twist, jerk, mash potato, boogalo and the maski pops , or the whatever dance popular at discos.

But especially during the disco era, these dances required no fancy training, except for cha cha, perhaps.

Ballroom dancing made a comeback in the 90's. Ballroom dancing was first popular during the Roaring 20's, then the 30's and the 40's.

There are two forms of ballroom dancing. One, the American ballroom and the other, the International ballroom, also roughly called sport dancing.

Ballroom dancing requires special training. But even then, Filipinos took to ballroom dancing instantly. As there were no dance schools at the onset, DI's or dance instructors became a new job in the Philippines. And Manila swing became a new dance.

Today, ballroom dancing in Manila has somewhat plateaued; the remaining loyals trek to places such as the Bykes and Club Filipino.

Last week at the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day in Malacanang Palace, a Rigodon de Honor was held, and I assume there was ballroom dancing after that.

In North America, and here in Canada, ballroom dancing has enjoyed a re-birth, and has never been as popular as before. I suspect this is because there are more and more baby boomers entering retirement.

And again, because there are more and more ethnics migrating to both US and Canada, and they bring with them, especially the Europeans (Eastern Europeans) and Asians ( Filipinos, Chinese, and Indians) the zest for dancing.

In Toronto, ballroom dancing lessons are being offered at the local board of education. They offer classes in ballroom, strictly Latin, swing, Argentine tango and lately, line dancing. They even offer belly dancing, salsa and club dancing. For a nine-week class, 18-hour course, you pay about $140.

There are also the more expensive one-on-one courses being offered by professional dancers and dancing champions. These are usually held within ballroom clubs and dance hall, and the charge is per hour.

Stake A Claim.

On June 12, 1898

In Kawit, Cavite, the Philippine Independence was proudly proclaimed.

It's been 111 years since.

The Republic of the Philippines, a group of some 7,000 plus islands, is home to about 78 million Filipinos. My universe belongs here.

Clear Facts to Melt Fear

The World Health Organization (WHO) has just declared the swine flu to be a pandemic. In the Philippines, on-going classes have been suspended and higher education's (university level) has been postponed.

I was talking to my sister in California who's bound for P.I. later this month, and I told her, it was a good thing that those who got ill in Manila are at least from the upper crust of society. This is not wishing them evil; it is a fact that being wealthy, they could afford the best health care, and thus, further contagion could be deterred.

I was thinking that if the swine flu cases started at the lower rung, more people could get infected right away at a rapid pace, because these people would not have easy access to medical treatment.

The picture here in Toronto and overall, in Canada, is subdued. There are no new incidences of the flu. In the US, the government has been readying flu vaccines at a rapid pace.

What the Philippine government should be doing, aside from educating the people as to proper prevention and sanitation, would be to get the medical interventions, especially for the very poor, ready - the vaccine, its delivery/distribution network, and a network of health care providers nationwide (e.g, baranggay health centres, and ad hoc and mobile care units).

Money to be spent for the con ass should be channeled for these purposes.

Now back to other clear facts to melt fear. When it comes to relationships (spouses, lovers, siblings, parent-children, office relationships) there's nothing better than laying the cards on the table.

Wild Thing....

Once in a while, I think of all sorts of wacky things.

Like when I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. But then later on, I discovered I did not fancy too much heights.

This morning when I passed by a school baseball field, a female team was busy practising. So, I got to thinking about pro-baseball, and the Wild Thing Song came to mind.

For non-baseball fans out there, Wild Thing was the Phillies' pitcher Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams. He pitched the losing game, game 6, to Toronto Blue Jays, in the World Series of 1993.

So, everytime Mitch Williams took to the mound, the song "Wild Thing" would be played.

Wild thing –
You make my heart sing –
You make everything ... groovy

Wild thing, I think I love you ...
But I WANNA KNOW for sure.
So come on, and hold me tight –
I love you

Game 6 in Toronto: Phillies up by one in the bottom of the ninth. On the mound, their closer, Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams; two runners on base; Toronto slugger Joe Carter at the plate.

Announcer Tom Cheek at the microphone.
"Two balls and two strikes on it. Here's a pitch on the way — a swing and a belt! Left field, way back! Blue Jays win it! The Blue Jays are World Series champions!"

This scene is still etched in my memory, as I'm a big Toronto Blue Jays fan. I still remember Roberto Alomar, coach Cito Gaston, and the other Blue Jays, swarming all over the field after that oh sooo.. memorable game.

Also a while back, I was watching a re-run of The Cosby Show and saw Lisa Bonet, the favorite eighteen year old daughter, Denise Huxtable, who went to Hillman College.

At the height of the Cosby show in 1987, Bonet left to have her own spin-off sitcom "A Different World."

So I got to thinking of the movie, Angel Heart, wherein Lisa Bonet played this wild thing - the role of Epiphany Proudfoot, opposite Mickey Rourke. Her part in the film was controversial: she appeared in a wild, graphic sex scene with Rourke, out of which scenes had to be censored in order to ensure an R rating though later an uncut X rated version was released.

And several weeks ago, I was talking to a friend from college and he mentioned that his younger brother had become a self-made millionaire.

Now, this friend has two master's degrees tucked under his belt. His brother, meanwhile, has just an undergrad degree. And back at university, this brother was just your average Joe.

So, me and my friend got to talking about the skills needed to become a successful entrepreneur; to be a successful self-run enterprise being one of my wildest dreams or my wild thing, so to speak.

And we decided it's not about MBA's. It's what we call "diskarte" in the Pinoy dialect. Or "abilidad."

"Diskarte" can be loosely translated as "street-smarts, business savvy."

I remember a Prof at the MBA program I went into telling us that a lot of people, before they go into business, would prepare a painstakingly, elaborate Business Plan. And the next door Chinese guy... he'd just do it.

Throwing every caution to the wind. Now, that's a wild thing.

" MY Wild thing- you make my heart sing..."

Are You a Conflicting Codec?

When I was setting up my Tridef player to watch 3d movies, I got so frustrated with conflicting codecs- audio and video - in both software and hardware.

By definition, a codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data, stream or signal. So, if you have various software installed in your computer, it means that there are several audio and/or video codecs in there.

Conflicting codecs. It's like the way spouses, lovers, parents and children communicate with each other these days. There are conflicting codes, conflicting language, and conflicting gestures.

Ever talked to your daughter about her boyfriend? Or to your mate about domestic cleanliness? Or to your girlfriend/boyfriend about old flames or future plan(s)?

I bet, most of the time, both of you are in conflicting codecs - simply don't understand what the other is talking about.

The daughter rolls her eyes; the husband plugs ears with ear phones instead of getting out his tool; the wife bangs close the toilet lid while he's still mid-stream; the boyfriend thinks trash and the girlfriend talks about tennis. The mate talks about frozen goodies, the other thinks about frozen babies.

Better to get the act straightened out. Talking in riddles were funny when we were young.
Codes were useful during the 1940's war. Shortened text or instant messaging are at best, both a boon or a bust. Even poetry can be archaic.

One of the best selling resource speakers is Anthony Robbins. He gets away with being big in words and concepts because he peddles a step-by-step book and audio tapes. Clear for those who want to believe in his wares.

Verdict: I am guilty on certain counts.

New Walk Under the Old Sky

Here are some of the creations I've met along the regular walk trail. And then, some.

Below, Cyclists for " Ride for Heart" shown along the Don Valley Parkway at Wynford , around 8:30 am, June 7th.

LEFT - Bird was singing when I took this picture, a-la-Frank Sinatra, one of the balladeers I truly admire. Double Click to enlarge.

I've got you under my skin

I've got you deep in the heart of me

So deep in my heart, that youre really a part of me

I've got you under my skin

I've tried so not to give in

I've said to myself this affair never will go so well

But why should I try to resist, when baby you know damn well

That I've got you under my skin

I’d sacrifice anything come what might

For the sake of having you near

In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night

And repeats, repeats in my ear

Don't you know you fool, you never can win

Use your mentality, wake up to reality

But each time I do, just the thought of you

Makes me stop before I begin

Cause

I've got you under my skin

September Sing-A-Long

Some folks have told me my taste for pop music is so ancient, it makes them cry. I admit to the fact.

But what the heck. On my last trip to P.I, some relatives were able to convince me to buy the Magic Sing Karaoke.

So from time to time, I would lock myself in the bedroom, and belt out some tunes, after having made sure that the doors and windows are all shut. I don't want no cops knocking at the door.

What I found is this. Four songs contained the word September in their lyrics? So, what's so special about September?

It's the end of Summer, a season so..ooo loved by North Americans, and the beginning of Fall, of going back to the routine of one's life.

September Morn - by Neil Diamond
September morn
We danced until the night became a brand new day
Two lovers playing scenes from some romantic play
September morning still can make me feel this way

Sealed with a Kiss - by Brian Hyland
I don't wanna say goodbye for the summer
Knowing the love we'll miss
Oh let us make a pledge
To meet in September
And seal it with a kiss

See You in September by Fabares Shelley
Bye, baby, goodbye (bye-bye, so long, farewell)
Bye, baby, goodbye (bye-bye, so long)
Have a good time but remember
There is danger in the summer moon above
Will I see you in September
Or lose you to a summer love

When Summer is Gone by Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Remember Gary Lewis who married a Fil girl, Jinky Suzara, but now separated from her? Here are the lyrics.

I'll see you in September when summer is gone
Have a good time but, remember,
I'll be waiting back home
And when you go out dating with some guy all alone
Just remember I'll be waiting when summer is gone
When a warm June night surrounds you
Don't fall under his spell
When he puts his arms around you
Remember that I love you so well
And I'll see you in September when summer is gone
Have a good time but, remember,
Come back to me when summer is gone
When a warm June night surrounds you
Don't fall under his spell
When he puts his arms around you
Remember that I love you so well
And I'll see you in September when summer is gone
Have a good time but, remember,
Come back to me when summer is gone

What about October, November or December? Still, they're Fall months, but rarely heard in songs.

Shorter Meaty Posts Just Like Appetizers

Bloggers take their stuff either too seriously or too lightly. Both are fine. It depends really on your objective. Do you blog to release those sleeping creative giants in your brain, or do you do it to preach, to politicize, to earn money, etc.

The point is, it's all up to you. It is your blog.

In my one year of blogging, I didn't really expect people to read; it was more for me.

But since it's in public domain, it's better to have some quality, informative stuff. Writing personal diaries like this blog, is just like talking to a relative or a friend.

When you're on the phone, especially if on a cell phone with limited calls, you want the conversation to be meaningful.

Or like hors d'oeuvre or appetizers, blog posts should be pleasing to the palate but not too heavy on the stomach.

There, I've reminded myself to write more interesting and direct-to-the-point stuff.

Crazy Tom's Crazy Days

Tommy Boy, the male budgie has been protesting lights out, almost nightly. He shows it by making that gurgly sound again and again.

But I don't budge. I cover him and Ugly Betty, inspite of the protest.
Why? These past few days have been unseasonably cool, so the balcony where they stay is almost freezing.

Good night Tommy.

Of Angels

I haven't seen the movie starring Tom Hanks, with Angels on its title.

Of Angels, I'd rather read about them from the Bible. Or see them, hopefully, within my midst.

Archangels are members of the second choir of angels. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.

Michael is the only archangel named in the Bible as recognized by both Jews and Christians.

If you attended a Catholic or a Christian school, you would have been taught that each one of us has a Guardian Angel, and you were taught the prayer to summon him, in times of indecisiveness or tempting offers.

Who or what are angels? The Bible tells us that angels are agents or messengers of God; angels are spiritual beings, splendid in appearance.

"Angels always see the face of (our) Father in heaven", (Matthew18:10 NIV).

In both Old and New Testaments, there are many attestations as to the appearance of angels who carried out God's will on earth. They usually come and appear to us as answers to our prayers.

Again the Bible tells us, angels are " ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation, " (Hebrews 1:14 NIV).

And in the New Testament, when Jesus had been tempted by Satan when he was in the desert for 40 days, an Angel administered to him, so too, when He was agonizing at the Garden of Gethsemane.

The concept of angel, guardian angel, archangel, demon and even God, is still absurd to many. Yet stories have come out during these modern times about boundless miracles that cannot be attributed to the physical realm or what we deem normal, or scientific.

"You're my Angel," is uttered by parents of their daughters and sons, because they bring such joy to their lives.

Spouses and lovers consider their mates as angels, who forge ahead with them, both in sad and happy episodes of their lives.

True friends are angel-like, those to whom we confide and give us sound advise, often guiding us in our most insane moments.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto's Cathedral is the St. Michael's.

St. Michael is a radical archangel. In the Hebrew language, Michael means "Who is like unto God?" or "Who is equal to God?"

St. Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, a warrior who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks Lucifer, Satan, and all Evil, and in his left hand a green palm branch.

Desperately Looking for Zzzzz....

Could not get enough sleep these days. I keep tossing and turning. And the simple reason - my CPAP, which is a Fisher & Paykel Vigorous 8 model is not working properly.

One of the components connecting it to the nose mask simply gave away.

So, now I am left on my own defenses. It's back to sleeping on the side.

For individuals with sleep apnea, sleeping on their backs could be life threatening. That's because when we sleep, our throats become smaller and tighter and air or oxygen could not flow properly, thus the person might choke literally..to death.

So if you're on a CPAP, it is very important to inspect it for leaks - the long tube, especially. Or if you have the type wherein there's a nose piece, make sure there's no leak or air escaping out of it.

I called the Health care Supplies and the therapist said it is healthy to change the mask every two years; mine is about two and a half old, so I am due for a new fitting. It's another $250 down the drain.

To fight the lack of a sound sleep and the resulting daytime drowsiness, I go for early morning walks; they tend to energize both body and mind.

And in the evening, I would take a nap from 8 pm, then wake up and stay late working till 2 am. Or the nap would turn into an early evening with a herd of sheep jumping up and down the fence.

Hope You Like This. My Comfort Food.

'Twas several days ago that I felt a bit low and so I prepared a comfort food. An early evening spring snack/dinner.

It's healthy, actually. Consists of bruschetta, fruits of the season and .... chocolate cookies.

NO FRILLS - BRUSCHETTA

Cut several slices of Italian bread. For a one-person dinner, I cut three slices. Spread with butter or margarine.

Meanwhile:

Slice and cut to small pieces one (1) large plump red tomato. You can take out the seeds and most of the juice, if you like, and include only the fleshy part.

Personally, I include everything. Put in bowl.

Add 1 tbsp Olive oil, a dash of pepper into bowl. Mix everything.

Put slices of bread into oven toaster or regular toaster, and set into light. If you prefer crunchy bruschetta , then put setting to medium.

When bread is toasted, take out from oven. Layer the bread with the tomato mix.

You should cover the bread with tomatoes.

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or pieces of Havarti cheese on top of tomatoes.

Put back slices of bread into toaster and toast again in low. Take it out once cheese is melted.

Serve with red or white wine.

FRUITS

Slice half-a-cantaloupe into horizontal pieces. Wash strawberries. Scoop several chocolate cookies.

ENJOY!

Here I am. Craving for Flip Food. Not Sushi.

I love Japanese food. Sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, tempura, udon, sake.

At home, when entertaining and even eating ala-carte, the Japanese cutleries and plates, including chopsticks are ever present.

But I was at a Jap restaurant just recently, so today, I am opting out of a sushi dinner.

Now, I am craving for Flip food. Big time.

When we had crabs in Seattle, we set up newspapers as tablecloth, so it was easier to clean up after dinner.

Diaries No More.

Far left - Anne Frank
Left - Dr. Jose Rizal


Yes, diaries.

Today's diaries are mostly appointment books - those leather-bound beauties the business types carry, alongside their blackberries.

But there's also the digital diary. Which allows you to write your diaries every day without needing to write stuff in text files; it comes with features which help you to organize your time, minimize your effort and remember your best memories audibly and visually.

Another diary-type organizers are the computer software found in our PC's or Mac's - Outlook, for instance, or those features in your cell phone, iphone and blackberry where you can organize your contacts, manage and sync appointments with calendars.

People keep diaries for different reasons: to write their innermost thoughts, to capture their creative ideas, or to record their many journeys.

The question is, do people still keep physical diaries today? The type where you actually write long hand?

Or, do our memories today just imbedded as doc.files, or in the pages of facebook or myspace, or in one's personal blog?

Mothers kept diaries and wrote down the birth of a child, even inserting a piece of baby's hair, his first woolen socks, his first scribbling, within the pages of the diary.

A teen-aged girl maintained her diary and wrote about her first crush, her first kiss, her prom date, her secret longings, and would insert a rose petal from a bouquet given by a boyfriend, or a ticket stub of the first movie-date.

Fathers maintained diaries to keep track of a business, of a job, inserting receipts and bills within its pages.

Then there are the travelogues. Professional travellers always maintained diaries to record the places and events they went to and saw, perhaps, pasting photographs within its pages.

Imagine if people of the past did not keep personal diaries.

Then, we would not have known about the poignant story of the Jewish girl Anne Frank and our hearts would not have cried having witnessed both the suffering and hopes of a people and a generation, and we would not have been made aware of a psychopath's atrocities.

Then, we would not have known about George Washington's brave incursions into enemy lines or how he endured a winter at Fort Erie, where he almost died, delivering a message at the front line, during the American civil war.

Or we would not have known about the sufferings of some of our Filipino heroes while they were studying in Spain, such as Juan Luna, who would smoke discarded cigarette butts, if not for Rizal's habit of writing diaries.

Much of what had been written about Rizal was derived by his biographers, largely, from his travel diaries. They included his later trips home and back again to Europe through Japan and the United States and, finally, through his self-imposed exile in Hong Kong.

Indeed, a diary is a recorder of the many journeys in one's life.

Today, however, these physical diaries are fast disappearing. Taking its place are the computer or digital diaries - the blogs, myspace, facebook; cyber-diaries where people log and write their adventures, their loves, their jobs, their friendships, their mis-adventures.

These digital and cyber diaries could be stored forever. Or could be lost in an instant. They could be deleted by accident or by choice.

These new diaries can be as fleeting as some of the friendships people find in these new cyber-infrastructures.

Two Movies in One Day

It's been quite a while ever since I've watched a so-called "girlie movie." It's last chance HARVEY. Then I also rented Golden Compass.

last chance HARVEY stars Dustin Hoffman as Harvey and Emma Thompson. I picked up this DVD from the shelf because Dustin Hoffman is one of my long-time favorite actors, ever since I saw him in The Graduate.

In Tootsie with Jessica Lange, (my favorite female actor, aside from Kidman, Kathleen Turner and Faye Dunaway), Hoffman was convincing enough as a woman. Jessica Lange was sensational in the movie Postman Always Ring Twice.

last chance HARVEY is a story of how two guarded strangers found a growing connection with one another after a chance encounter in London.

"The chemistry between the pair inspires them both to believe in second chances as they unexpectedly transform each other's lives. It's a perfect movie that reminds us that true love, can indeed, come to those who wait." Sandy Kenyon - WABC-TV.

I watched the Golden Compass, with Nicole Kidman, another favorite actor, using the Tridef Player, so I enjoyed the movie in 3D. Great effects, especially with the animals.