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 to maintain my reading habit, so I have read “The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein, which went into fascinating detail about the time of Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, Last Man Out: The Story of the Spring Hill Mine Disaster the story of the 1956 Spring Hill Mining disaster in Canada, Thunderstruck, a fascinating account of the invention of the wireless telegraph by Guglielmo Marconi and a murder mystery. I also read some fiction, The Historian, a retelling of the vampire story in the present time, and The Sparrow, a fantastic tale of an outer space adventure gone wrong. The whole thing financed by the Jesuits. Go figure! I added the hyper links just in case in any of your copious spare time you might be interested in finding out more about any of these books.

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.

KGO's Pete Wilson, 62

Quoted from the KGO website:

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.

Make yourself feel good!

If you are feeling low, click here!

http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~geoffo/humour/flattery.html

Monday, July 23, 2007

Funny Pinoy signs, Thanks to my cousin, Marijo

PINOY SIGNS

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 PiƱas.

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!!

My Pond

Raccoons Keep out!!!!!

Masked Bandits Strike in Fremont!!

Do they look Cute?


The little critters look cute and cuddly, but don't trust that innocent look.

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

Go to this site if you are interested in Improving our health care system

PNHP Logo


http://www.pnhp.org

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

Check out my Slide Show!

Connected........to a lot of different places.

Connected....isn't that what all of this is about? My project has been to find a way to keep track of everything so that I do not end up creating something and then forgetting about it.

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

Sometimes it does not work out like that.

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.

Jacquie Lawson e-cards

Even some pets have a blog, so why not me?

More and more we live our lives in the ether. It is easy to be the armchair expert when we need less and less to look our audience in the eye.

Last semester I took a "teaching and learning with technology" class and I started to become familiar with the great ether in a more usable way. so I decided to try it out.

But there are so many places to go and I must use my time wisely. Entertainment has never been so easy or more time consuming.