Monday, August 13, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
What have I been up to?
Summer has been a quiet one for me. We went to a wedding in Vancouver, BC. I had not been in British Columbia before so it was a tourist thing as well as a social thing.
Stephanie and Catie went to New Bedford, MA to visit with Kathleen and her family. Mama is there too and will be back next week.
MImi came to visit with Sal, Tina and Carmen.
Since I am not in class, I still want
School starts for Stephanie next week, and for me the week after that.
Keeping up with the blog thing takes getting used to!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
He was like a friend or a distant relative... I will miss hearing him on the radio on my way home from work.
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KGO Radio Talk Host Pete Wilson died Friday night from a heart attack suffered during hip replacement surgery at Stanford University Hospital. He was 62.
KGO Radio President and General Manager Mickey Luckoff said, "Pete was a rare talent who took his listeners on a fascinating daily journey through the day's important events, demanding critical and balanced analysis from all sides of an issue. He was never fully satisfied just reporting the facts of a situation. He constantly questioned and probed the logic behind the beliefs and views of those in the news."
Pete was also a highly successful television journalist, anchoring the 6PM news at KGO-TV, ABC7 Television. In a broadcast career spanning over 30 years, Pete won the prestigious Peabody award, five Emmy awards and numerous other local and national awards.
KGO Radio Operations Director Jack Swanson said, "In an industry where broadcasters' opinions are often predictable, Pete always looked at issues with fresh eyes. He was usually far less impressed with his own opinions and more interested in understanding the motivations and logic behind the opinions of others. Pete's passing is a huge loss for the KGO Radio family where he was not only respected, but genuinely loved."
Pete's broadcast career began at a radio station in Milwaukee. He was a journalism graduate from the University of Wisconsin and a Vietnam veteran. Pete joined KGO Radio as host of his daily 2:00-4:00PM program in 2000. He had also been a long-time television news anchor with KRON -TV, and KXTL-TV in Sacramento.
Pete, who resided in Marin County, is survived by his wife Sandra, and his son Brendan, a college student.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Funny Pinoy signs, Thanks to my cousin, Marijo
Posted outside a house in Jaro, Iloilo :
HOURSE FOR RENT, FULLY FURNACED
(Boy, it must really be hot in there.)
On a glass window of a photography shop in Cabanatuan :
WE SHOOT YOU WHILE YOU WAIT
Posted at a construction site in Mandaluyong:
BAWAL OMEHI DITO, ANG MAHULI, BOG-BOG!
On the fence of a makeshift parking lot in Pasay :
PARKING PEE: P10
Printed on a streamer in front of a gym in Lucena City :
We Almost Have Complete Set of Gym Equipments
(Now, how's that for truth in advertising?)
In a supermarket in Baguio :
FRESH FROZEN CHICKEN SOLD HERE
Outside a flower shop along Avenida Rizal:
WE SELL ARTIFICIAL FRESH FLOWERS
In a bowling center in Congressional:
PARKING FOR COSTUMERS ONLY
In a restaurant in Cebu :
WE HAB SOP-DRINK IN CAN AN IN BATOL
On the glass wall of an eatery in Panay Avenue near National Bookstore (but this was a long time ago):
WANTED: WAITER, CASHIER, WASHIER
In San Andres, Manila :
NO URINATION ON THE OVER WALLS
In a classified ads section:
WANTED SALESLADY, 20-25 YEARS OLD, PROBABLY SINGLE
Outside a sari-sari store in front of Green Valley in Baguio :
NO CRIDET
In a building in Cubao:
NONE ID, NOTHING ENTRY
Outside a videoke bar in Pampanga:
WE MAKE MODERN ANTIQUE FURNITURE
The name of a laundry shop in Bo. Kapitolyo in Pasig :
CINNAVON
On the gate of a house in Tarlac:
COLD ICED BUKO 4 SALE
Posted outside a beauty shop in Laguna:
WE ALSO DO FULL BODY MESSAGE
In Tiaong, Quezon:
ROAN'S CONTRACTION SUPPLIES
Outside a shoe store in Pangasinan:
WE SELL IMPORTED ROBBER SHOES
In a restaurant in Baguio :
WANTED: BOY WAITRESS
Names of Philippine business establishments
If you still speak some Filipinos, you might enjoy the humor; otherwise, pass it on to your Filipino-speaking friends. The humor gets lost in the translation…
Bread Pitt is a a bakery.
Maruya Carey is a a fast-food place selling turonand maruya in Greenbelt , Makati
Caintacky Fried Chicken is a an eatery in Cainta, Rizal.
Mang Donald's is a a burger joint at the Naga City plaza.
Candies Be Love? Can anything be sweeter than this?
Doris Day and Night is a a 24-hour eatery.
Babalik Karinderia is obvious.
Holland Hopia is owned by Mr. Ho.
and next-door neighbor Poland Hopia is owned by Mr. Po. in Chinatown
Miki Mao is a a noodle house.
Tapsi Turbi is a a tapa house.
Cleopata's is a a manukan and bakahan.
Goto Heaven is obvious.
The Fried of Marikina is a a fried chicken house.
Wrap and Roll is a a lumpia outlet at the Quad, Makati
Pansit ng taga-Malaboni is a a panciteria on Boni Avenue , Mandaluyong.
Side-saki is a a side street eatery beside Mandarin Oriental in Makati .
Let's Goat-Together is a kambingan-cum-beer garden.
Meating Place is a a meat shop.
Meatropolis is a another meat shop.
Isda best, Pusit to the limit, and Hipon coming back
are entrees on the menu of a seafood restaurant.
Cinna Von is a laundromat.
Pier Carding is a a tailoring shop in Pier, Manila
The Way We Wear is a boutique.
Curl Up and Dye is a a beauty salon.
Goldilooks is a barber shop.
Bote Nga Sa 'Yo is a used bottle shop.
Goldirocks is a gravel and sand shop.
Fernando Pe's Box Office Hits is a video rental shop in Palawan .
Leon King is a Video Rental in Las Piñas.
Memory Drug is a clone of Mercury Drug.
Petal Attraction is a flower shop near UP Diliman.
Susan's Roses is a flower shop, but of course!
Maid to Order is a maid-placement agency.
Singalong Sing-along is a karaoke bar in Singalong (where else?).
Signs seen on jeepneys:
A commuter is a jeepsetter
Pull string to stop driver.
God knows Hudas not pay.
Friday, July 20, 2007
My Pond., favorite feature of my garden.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love the garden and that my pond is my favorite spot.
I have had a pond for about 8 years or more. Omy and Catie dug the first pond after we remodeled the family room, so that would be about 8 years ago. We dropped in a hard vinyl liner and that was a start. All 250 gallons.
Everything I know about pond keeping I learned by doing, pond tours, the internet and sorry trial and error. Omy and I were so happy to have finished the first pond, we went out to WalMart and bought about a dozen feeder fish and found them all dead the next morning.
Summer 2005 we decided to give each other a 50th Birthday gift of a new pond. We hired a garden contractor Ripple Effects in Redwood City, CA. They dug us a new pond and installed all the rocks and plants. We now have a pond of 850 gallons and a lot of plants and some great koi and gold fish. All of my goldfish were rescued from the feeder fish tank and they have thrived.
So raccoons!! Keep out!!
Masked Bandits Strike in Fremont!!
They are pond marauders of the worst kind! Little creeps! Sometime last night or early this morning, my largest koi fell victim to a raccoon attack.
How was I sure? Over the years I have developed the eye of a naturalist. I know when a plant, a flower bed, OR MY POND has been disturbed.
First I noted that there was water on the side of the pond, then that the parrot's feather and the water lilies were in a jumble. I followed the wet and the dog to the place where I found scales and fins. then the little scavenger took the fish to the side where the shed it and finished it off. Again I found BIG scale and fin parts. To add insult to injury, I found evidence all over the back yard in 4 different places. I knew they got a big fish when I found the big scales.
Well, I am upset and I feel like sitting on the patio all night long with a rifle.........BUT I'm not going to do that, don't worry.
I know, someone is going to tell me"blah blah....the food chain....blah blah......back yard pond...blah blah.......predator..blah blah...prey...nature...more food chain...blah blah." GIVE UP!! I am mad! There was a trespasser in my yard and I have to figure out an extra layer of protection for the pond.
Not a Raccoon fan,
Maria
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Pets Diaries (Thanks to a forward from my brother Patrick)
Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary:
8:00am Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30am A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40am Walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00pm Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00pm Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00pm Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00pm Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00pm Wow! Watched TV with my master! My favorite thing!
11:00pm Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary:
Day 683 of my captivity: My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and myself are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. The audacity! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my
confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released --and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded! The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. The captors have arranged! protect ive custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.......for now....
Monday, July 16, 2007
Connected........to a lot of different places.
In time I will probably cull out the sites that are less effective or more difficult to us.
As I said, this is an experiment with life in the ether.....Maria
Just when I thought it was getting easier, NOT so much
The next step after learning a step is to know when to give up. What is the definition of insanity? Do you keep doing the same thing and expecting different results? Hmmmmm.
