Neko

Music Video: The Cure - Lullabye (47MB)
                    

Somebody asked me what will i be this Holloween..

Mina.. or Lucy?

      Arthur opens the window
      Lucy enters the parlour

HELSING: No, Arthur. Lucy’s dead. What came to you is a vampire. She came to drink your blood.

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drop notes: I just cant get over this film… for almost a decade! lol!
More info at the Dracula Blog Project.
Here’s the whole script of an early adoption of Bram Stroker’s Dracula.

About the Free Vid Download… yep! Cure fans lets all drool! And just coz i wasnt able to link any music for weeks(!) omy freakn goid… let me share this Live Cut of The Cure’s concert in in Lyon, France (Nov. 19th, 2004). Enjoy! Click song title above.

sometimes.. its hard to think about a loved one’s departure.

sometimes.. its hard to think about a loved one’s departure. And now that my dad is off to the land of uncle sam (pff! not my uncle tho).. and All Souls’ Day is around the corner ~ it’s also the season of visiting relatives/friends that have crossed unto the other side.. and yeah counting those Decembers of laments.. these last two months of the year always always bring me down. A reson why last year i faced my fears by actually starting to write about it. hmm… hence gave birth to my Twisted Blog. Now, inevitably turned into a refuge of illustrations, poetry, dreams and my melancholic side..

But lets just say the real “twisted thoughts” are found here in Dry the Rain blog. Just look at how i jump from one emotion to the other.

Yesterday, out of curiosity, i went to the blog of the one who first encouraged me to write. After almost a year of not visiting it, sadly, i discovered, he has disabled it. And i was wondering why.. is it because of me? For whatever reason, the more i got curious. Be that i cant sleep anyway, and have nobody to talk to (online) ..i googled his url up. and it showed.. in Cache. So there, his last posts were written in a language he knew i didnt understand. But i guess he knew too, that i will be able to decipher. Too bad i cant view the comments anymore. Was curious on the 6-commented post.

The only english lines found on the last entry was…

   «When the night wind cries
   on the Bloodred feathers
   Containers groan
   As they come together
   And the loaded roadsigns
   They point to never
   Don’t let it sleep. Don’ t let it fall asleep».

… So came BabelFish translator. And i read a chappy english version… but i understood. Or think i did.

My first entry was somehow the topic of his prose, one of his last post. And the final entry’s translation came..

Marx said that the right scientific thought is moved from abstract in concrete and analyzes the social relations as a complicated composition of multiple determinations… The writer usually writes for his muse, for a concrete person… When these texts they are published I consider that it suffers a process of “alienation” (reification). It ceases is in effect the special relation of writer with the muse. The text loses his previous attributes. The movement therefore is from concrete to abstract….

So looking at the date of this post, i scanned my entries of the same time. What could he have read here? i think i know. if he was affected in any way, it was not my intention. As we both drifted further from each other, the hurt of his last statements to me, I learned that it was all a game to him. So i taught myself to forget. As i have been teaching myself that for several years. But then again, no one really knows whats goin on in other people’s heads.

And so, i read the prose entry again. Now, slowly. It was a sad story. Made me think… Of how life ends without someone beside you. How even in success we find failure. How even in found love, we feel alone. How in loneliness we crave for an embrace. And how we all eventually die alone.

No more tears this time. But i hope he finds the one he is looking for. I hope he ends up happy on the last days (or years) of his life. He was never satisfied, as satisfaction is but a mere word for a lost soul searching.

So this All Souls Day, let me light a candle not only for the dead, but also for lost souls.. for we have all departed from the world we live in but reject.

..well do you?

Found this while linking back to a fellow Illo Friday artist. Hehe.. and its so funny.. made me almost fart. haaaa! (note: Someone claimed ‘Girls dont fart’ so hmm… )

The sky is falling…

“The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.” - Revelation 9:1-3

Given that i am quoting some lines from the Bible itself doesnt mean i believe everything written on it. I take it as Literature, not the basis of my faith (if i ever have one). If one quotes Shakesphere once or twice, does it mean you consider All his works magnificent, or rather… worship them? Besides, i only had a quick search

And talk about the Bible in HTML… lol

But scanning some old news, i came across the News that The Catholic Church declared that “not everything in the Bible is precise, and should not be taken literally.”

Ok now, for the non catholics, esp the Atheists *ehem*, hold on to your horses before you react violently, dear gallants! Coz i know that, that statement is shocking to them. Read the scrutinizing reactions of some…(linked at the end of this post).. not that i abhor them, they have the right to state their feelings anyway. And sometimes, they make you think.. hmm… And yeah, because this is a battle of words in cyberspace, its ok for some to leave mean comments.. But because i dont feel like leaving comments there, i rather post my own opinion.

Actually, for a born catholic raised thru priests-and-nuns dominated exclusive schools, i am not shocked not more once moved by this statement. It was even taught to us that indeed, the Bible should not be taken literally. And over the centuries and multiple language translations, some words are not as precisely written as the first time. So for those burning their butts trying to decipher some clues (i.e. DaVinci Code freaks) like, as if you’d really decipher them huh. It all boils down to money. Yeah, money. who’d earn in those thousands of books sold? Think here people..

Maybe that makes me not like to even hold that over-rated book in stores, evenif im a self-confessed bookfreak myself. Not my taste.. id rather buy 3 old books with the same price.

But going back to the Bible… let me quote some lines off the debate and comments i came upon:

- “Anyone who expects all truth from the Bible is forgetting that it is merely an outline of ideas and values, not a step by step guide on how to live your life. Do not seek the teachings of the wise, seek what they sought.” - Daniel Edwards, Florida

- “When the Psalms speak of Lebanon “skipping like a calf” we recognise it as a figure of speech. Likewise, it seems to me that the early chapters of Genesis, taken in their own context, require a non-literalistic interpretation - how else can the Bible speak of evening and morning before it speaks of the creation of the sun?” - Rev David Baker, Surbiton

- “I am unclear why the bishops have sought to “correct” the bible. The statement in the Gospels, when Pilate presented Jesus as an innocent man who he did not want to crucify, and the crowd calling out: “His blood be on us and on our children” is true. However, the Christian interpretation (held by some) that we should persecute Jews because of that statement is the part that is untrue - so the interpretation across the centuries has been incorrect, rather than that statement from the Gospel.” - Jacqueline Godfrey, Chelmsford

.. 80% of ths comments were actually condemning either catholicism or the use of the Bible. I am not a fanatic nor a deep rooted Christian/Catholic. But let me put it this way..

If one is a believer that what he has and is presently situated in, is what he made of himself, with no godly guidance nor spiritual interferance, and one feels he is heading on the right direction, go ahead.. be what you are, and can be…

But if one is a lost soul, with nothing to hold unto or believe, would one take advice from something he read that somehow made him nod and realize that not all the world is evil, and there is hope somewhere.. would it be not appropriate to turn to a book written ages ago that somehow still applies to our times? (And this goes to not only the Bible) Or would he rather not believe in anything and live a life with no conscience?

Literature is the gateway to our own thoughts. What we see or understand is what we see and understand of ourselves.

So, what about Rev.21:4 talking about the New Heaven and Earth…
“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.”

We can’t All be pessimistic All the time, right?

—
notes: Read the News | Join the Times Debate
Some Anti-Bible Blogs:
The Catholic Church Shocks The World!
Catholic bishops say Bible is not true?

BTW, promised someone of this post two weeks ago, my sincere apologies for not having time to finish it earlier.. would you rather have a live discussion over this? hmm… let me first get my cup of Yogurt.

Gee little time for anything these days. And i feel like its a sin not to update my blog(s) LOL! But here’s a quicky logo that I made for BlogExplosion’s Blog…

Guess not reading the instructions (due to time constraints) wont bring this logo anywhere. So, thought i’d post it here instead. Tssk.. and the winner will get $100 … lol!

Anyway, if this still gets upproved, You all would be kind enough to vote for it at BlogExplosion, right? hehehe…

If you’re not yet a member, please sign in here

More later.. have to check back on my Adobo..

Current Music: Slowdive - Some Velvet Morning
                    

—
myths & facts:
M: Phaedra - daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë. She was the wife of Theseus, who Ariadne, her sister, loved and helped to escape the labyrinth. He managed to kill the Minotaur, but his grief-stricken father Aegean, who thought he was dead, threw himself into the sea. He left Ariadne and married Phaedra. But Phaedra fell desperately inlove with Hippolytus, Theseus son. But it was a curse sent by Aphrodite to Hippolytus as punishment for contemptuously rejecting her. So, unrequitted, Phaedra accused him of raping her which she wrote thru a letter to her husband, before commiting suicide. This lead to Theseus killing his own son.

Tssk.. was it Phaedra’s fault, or Aphrodite’s? Or were you as confused as me?

F: Lee and Nancy are not from Slowdive. They are both recording eccentrics who refused to acknowledge mainstream tastes. *ehem* Nancy Sinatra is the daughter of Frank. Who, with Lee Hazlewood’s help, made her own name during their time(1960s) and after. Slowdive made a successful spacey run of the song.. which was once ranked as one of the most bizarre MOR /Top 40 pop hits of all time. And among my Fave songs as well

    and this is indeed
        some
            velvet
                morning…

Yeah, im a fraidy cat! im phobic to so many things im turning into a freak. One is, i’ve always been afraid of earthworms! All fear has its roots tho, and from the ones i have, this i remember the probable cause…

Back when i was a kid, somewhere between the ages of 7-10, i was helping the nanny with some laundry (or was she teaching me? hmm… forgot.) But what i cant seem to forget is the feeling of the worm around my toes!

The floor was full of bubbles then, and my feet were submerged in it. I thought a hair strand got caught in between my toes so i started to rub them with a little wiggling, then dipped deeper in the water (thinking it might come off with it). But the hair seemed to slide more just between my other toes, so instinctively, i pulled out my feet off the bubbles. To my surprise! eeew it was a red earthworm!!! That, beacuse i rubbed my toes, was cut in 3! and they were alive!! aaahhh!!!!

Zooming back to the present.. it seems that the only way to get over one’s fear is to face it! And so i did. Besides, what would i lose? it’s not like its gonna kill me or something. Ok, im transforming the negative energy around me into positive ones. So when i went to The World of Butterflies in Marikina last Friday, i learned that the larva (or commonly called “caterpillar”), always stereotyped to be itchy once it touched your skin, is not true! And because im exceptionally drawn to butterflies.. i got so curious to touch one esp that i saw the female tour guide holding 4 in her hand.

ahh.. i could easily squeesh it! Although my hand was quite trembling (thus, a blurry shot) and my cheeks turned tomato red, and some kids who saw me screamed running away from me, and i felt cold chills almost numbing my arm from my shoulders to my fingertips, it felt like it was just a beetle or salagubang. tho its more spongy and light. and the feet wont cling to your skin as much as the beetle.

Although i must admit, it kinda felt creepy once it started walking! heee felt tiny hairs from my scalp stood!!! and saw those on my left arm standing too! and i was quite squirmishly whispering “get it off now please… ooouuchhh” but lol it was not painful at all.. tho removing it took about some seconds because we have to do it gently or he’ll lose the feet clinging to my skin. He is so fragile it was so cute!

My regrets tho.. is i can still feel how it feels like when looking at this pic! omg i might never touch one again. or on second thought, it was so cute and amazing that i think i wanna breed butterflies too!

Now, will i still be afraid of worms? caterpillars, or larva, probably no. But earthworms… eew! they could devide and still be alive.. therefore they multiply to even tiny pieces! So.. yeah, dont get one near me! HAHAHA!!

LOL!

ok, one fear down, now need to jump one sky dive to conguer my phobia of heights! oh before that, i need a motivation to ride a plane. i wont even get on Space Shuttle at Enchanted Kingdom even if i get paid a million pesos!

—
note: im putting up a flickr account for the rest of the pics and id post an announcement and link once it’s all settled. i just wish i could take pics like this guy.. or maybe if i spend a whole day in the Butterfly farm i would see such variety hidden among the plants and leaves…

This is a follow-up to the previous post about a pinay, who embodies both beauty and brains; who topppled over the rest of the world’s most gorgeuous; who won Miss International 2005..

“Mabuhay! Representing the democratic and freedom loving people of the pearl of the orient, I am PRECIOUS LARA QUIGAMAN, from the beautiful country Of THE PHILIPPINES”

Q: “What do you say to the people of the world who have typecasted Filipinos as nannies?”

A: “I take no offence on being typecasted as a nanny. But I do take offence that the educated people of the world have somehow degenerated the true sense and meaning of what a nanny is. Let me tell you what she is. She is someone who gives more than she takes. She is someone you trust to look after the very people most precious to you - your child, the elderly, yourself. She is the one who has made a living out of caring and loving other people. So to those who have typecasted us as nannies, thank you. It is a testament to the loving and caring culture of the Filipino people. And for that, I am forever proud and grateful of my roots and culture.”

And so am I! so am I…

Btw, they even passed a bill to make October 10 a local holiday in her hometown of Taguig. Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman Day Some may say its kinda O.A. but once again we made history! hehe…

LOL.. hope nobody takes that statement seriously.. on second thought tho, here’s some people we should seriously take note of as once again, the Filipino is making history: (not that the first one is something to be proud of.. )

>> spyboy in the whitemen’s house

>> the hand that feeds a top nation’s head

>> The Pinoy power of fists with a heart

>> Pinays cheat death in Pakistan earthquake

>> 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman

And do you know that the Philippines is the country with the most number of Miss International Beauty Queens? (erm, ok tied with Venezuela.. pff!)

1964 - Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz
1970 - Aurora McKenny Pijuan
1979 - Melanie Laurel Marquez
2005 - Precious Lara Quigaman

And we are not far from the beauties at Miss Universe either..

1969 - Gloria Maria Diaz
1973 - Maria Margarita Moran

And do you know how many of us are gradually setting up bases, taking root to household (strategies of some) and invading worldwide? See the Official Stat. And how many percent of them are Nurses?!!

In UK alone, OFWs there rose to 18,347 last year compared to only 198 in 1996.

In Ireland, there were only 12 documented OFWs in 1996, and 5,439 of the first semester of 2005, another 3,696 have been hired/rehired.

About seven million Filipinos work abroad, remitting an estimated $8 billion to their relatives here every year, and the country is sending an average of 2,600 Filipino workers abroad each day. Nothing compared to 16,767 visitors from Europe (country of residence that is) as of June 2005 huh?

Yeah, pie chart is a 1999 stat, cant find a present one on google. i have to ask permission from my work if i could post online the one they have tho lol. But see here some Quickstats - August 2005 updated.

Yeah, unemployment rate dropped from 13.7% from 1994 to 8.3% April 2005. underemployment from 18.5% (1994) to 26.1% this year. Is that an improvement? hmm… now here’s an improvement: A Population that constantly grows from 76.5 Billion (2000) to a growth of 85.2 Billion in only 5 years! And, in ten years we are a whooping 102.8 Billion!!! That is like .. (ok, help me here, please correct my computations if im wrong, this is only based on a scrappy fast calcu)..

That means too that 2 out of 339 newborns are destined to work abroad! Ok, we have to consider the mortality rate (which at this point im starting to get lazy to search for). Now how many of that can be footsoldiers huh! And if there are army of babies…

So, if all Filipino workers abroad will hold a strike, the world as we know it, will stop. hihihi… ngngngng..

Oh, and another thing, tech-wise, since electronics is the main import and export product of the Philippines… do you know that Intel is manufactured in Laguna? A mere 2 hours away from Manila hehe! So there, piss us off and no more technology for you world!

Hmm.. well.. we have China to consider tho.. boing..

—
notable sources (aside from the direct links above):

Wikipedia
DOLE - Top destinations of OFWs
Philippine Census
ofw.balita.ph

OK, that’s a wrap.. now let me get back to my boring desk work and think about other strategies for world domination later. bwahhaha!

Tssk! Lingering lines since this morning…coffee maker is broke.. coffee maker is broke.. .. lack of coffee at work makes me act normal. well that is what they say. hehehe…

… to pay respects to the 30,000 souls who crossed over and 50,000++ injured souls… and may suffering end and be left behind those shattered walls caused by the Great Quake last weekend.

Map of Earthquake Zone >>

Salute! to Kuwait And UAE for pledging a total of $200 M
Please Donate thru: Unicef | Phil. Nat’l Red Cross | Red Cross / Red Crescent | World Food Programme

update: GLOBE mobile users: Help Redcross aid Pakistan earthquake survivors. Send your donations by texting RED [amnt] to 2899. Example: RED 300 Amounts valid: 5, 25, 50, 100, 300 plus one peso per message sent.