ah ya Legend

And now before the recessional hymn, here is Sister Margret with a few Parish announcements:

- I find myself swearing more than I ever have. Irish. Bad Influence. Dominantly catholics, but they curse like a barefoot marathoner after stepping in shit. I dont know where drunken sailers and truckers get the worst reputation, when in actuality the Irish, in general, feckin swear shite loads more than any other *unts. Thats probably my best example, the use of "starts with a C and rhymes with Bunt" is unbelivably profilic. Everyone uses it like nothin, the same word which for most people, can be the most blasphemous four letters anyone can ever utter. But here, its like saying prick. People say it so much now that it dulls itself and therefore doesnt bite as it normally would anymore, in an Irish accent anyways. I can barely go an hour without someone mixing in "starts with a C and rhymes with Bunt". Maybe its the accent, maybe the carefree use, or maybe its the way they use it while quipping in a not so derogatory but matter-of-factly humourous way, (even though that doesnt make much of any sense). "Ya *unt ya, get the feck over here" I havent gone that far now, Ill need a proper Irish accent to pull it off... but if you catch me sprinkling a bit more fecks more often.. its the Irish in me. (feck - not as bad as fuck, just so we are clear).

- I have gone plentiful on John Legend, thanks to Jill. Been listening to John Legend as I try to sleep, for the 3rd night in a row. And I just bought it 3 nights ago. Hes a Legend. My favorite song is Where did my Baby Go?. This is THE song. Wow.. I love this song. LOVE THIS SONG. If I was a girl (which Im not) and John Legend sang it to me while looking at me (which he wouldnt), Id fall in love immediately and unconditionally (only if I was a girl, which Im not). But it is that irresistable and mesmerizing... but Im not a girl, and Im not gay, so Im lucky Im not in that kind of a position. This guy has powers. I wanna be John Legend... I swear a dude could look like Bigfoot, a midget Bigfoot even (to completely eliminate the tallness advantage, because chicks frown even more upon shorter guys), but if you could sing this song the same way he does while playing piano and the girl sitting and listening on the end of the piano bench, side by side, a piano singing midget bigfoot could STILL win over the likes of a Jessica Biel.. no contest.

- Finally, Huge huge huge huge Congratulations to my good, close friends Marty and Lorrie. She said yes... (although I think he neglected to go the avenue we previously planned, the engagement 50" LCD Flat screen. It seemed evident, anyways, in his latest email..)

- The second collection was for the parish "fix the leaky roof" fund. Please collect your personalized donation envelopes in the back foyer, next the candle donation box. God Bless... { cue ave maria }

The Youtube PierreElliottTrudeau

Its often said the power of the internet as new media is continually increasing in influence over the actual world, more so and more significantly than any other quantum step change that preceded. Or in simple terms, this time right now is the first time ever where the freedom to share and express ideas to large masses is not only actually remotely possible but realistically effective in its depth and breadth of penetration without the prerequisite of excessive power or money. Now the previous sentences may sound a little ambitious and declaratory, a total switch from my normal light-hearted pop culture drivel but its fact (also I cant believe I started a post with something as trite as the "Its often said" opening.. which is almost as uncomfortable, unoriginal and overused as the " In the Webster dictionary, the definition of the word [insert topic word here] is" opening ). This blog is a good example. It directly replaces and vastly improves upon the means of communication we used to use, like for example the multple addressed broadcast emails of the last 10 years, and the ability to converse over the telephone that preceded that, and furthermore the handwritten letters / telegrams of old school communication that came before that. Also we all know the internet completely runs amock in the territory previously held by TV, Radio, and Book / Newspaper / Magazine written publications, and is now trampling into the territory of social networking with the likes of MySpace, Bebo, Friendster and the Book of Face. Not only do we have access to all this information, but we also get all these tools to contribute as well, which is now wonderfully effective in shrinking the world, almost to the same proportions as aircrafts (although in a totally different dimension entirely, duh).

I bring this up now because like the hundreds of miliions of other chicos and chicas out there, Im a big fan of youtube. It has everything. Its a orgy of information. Also though, when you have everything ( or orgys), you also have alot of slop and mess (ie. search Michelle Malkin, the sorrest excuse for a filipina in the history of ever). Mixed in with the sports highlights, and the bloopers, and the chinese dudes singing backstreet songs, theres also hatred, theres stupidity, and theres slanderous and smearing commentary. Following upon the Fox News mold (spelling mistake? no I dont think so), theres plenty amount of punditry there to be seen, if you are for some reason too happy and feel the need to get pissed off.

THANKFULLY though, Ive comeon upon the whole "respond to videos" community with Youtube. And within it, I have found one guy that is intelligent, well spoken, well read, and even Canadian. Its the Youtube PierreElliottTrudeau, he is a video poster that has his own youtube channel, and what he does, for fun apparently, is video respond to the some of the misinformational commentary on Youtube. Loads of people go on Youtube and post stupid diatribes on social views, political views, economic views, or what they think of Ron Paul. He then goes in, and flat out sets them straight and absolutely makes shit of them, with pure fact, common sense and logic. You should check him out, He just flat out Pwns people. For example here is a video and his video response. (by the way I use to be in love with Elisabeth. Now.. uh.. I dream of pissing in her kool aid). Another example is this video and his video response.

So this is just something to do when youre unbelievably bored and youve already gone through all the latest Perez Hilton stuff.

Bonny Rait, Nick of Time

Im going to post some pictures. People like pictures. Screw Facebook (ha!). Youll see them just after a few thoughts.

- The Boston Celtics are my new NBA Eastcoast fav, joining the Grizzlies (I will follow Darko everywhere he goes, next stop, Panathinaikos probably) Celtics are now the Jesus, Mary and Joseph show. (sorry, but I have to compliment myself on my pop allegorical genius. if you dont get it, kamang! This is my sense of wit at its peak. It hardly ever gets any better... seriously. I guess ill provide the secret decoder ring later... but its never cool to explain your own brilliance and savy )

- I promise I wont mention that's its almost been two months since I posted. Since then Ive been to Bosnia & Herzigovina. War torn but still, Very Cool (notice the capitals? thats for emphasis). Funny enough, B & H, those are my nicknames for my left and right feet. When Im kicking ass.

- A week before that Didi visited me in Ireland, the first person from my family to visit. And luckily, it didnt rain. Much. I dont get it though why not that many people have visited me. None of my friends from England has even visited me, like. To the two or three people still reading this blog, I PROMISE I would visit anyone that lived anywhere near cool. Yet, except for a small handful, not many friend have seemed to reciprocate. This leads me to believe then, people dont like visiting cool places. If I ever move to the Bahamas, y'all are not invited.

- Youll never walk alone. Out of my developed fondness for the Premiership over the years... I havent really talked much about Football/ Soccer since the Champions League final almost 2 years ago. So I thought Id post my ranking of teams in terms of my support in decending order. The rules and logic behind the list: if I were to watch a random "match" on some variable "football pitch", I will always support and cheer for the team ranked higher on this list. Here we go:

1. Liverpool 2. Tottenham 3. Sunderland 4. Chelsea 5. Arsenal 6. Newcastle 7 to 19... Dont give a shit either way. Number infinity. Manchester United.

And for shits n giggles... heres the same for the NHL.

1. Vancouver ( duh ). 2. Edmonton. Number Infinity. Toronto MapleLaughs..

MLB.

1. Toronto Bluejays. 2. Boston Red Sox. 3. Seattle Mariners. Number Infinity tie: Yankees and Giants.

NBA...

1. Vancouver Grizzlies. 2. Seattle Supersonics... oh wait both these teams dont exist anymore because the League could go suck the sweat from me hairy bullocks..

NFL...

1. BC Lions 2. San Francisco 49ers (Tecmo Bowl version)

- Going to Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos or Paros (Greece) next Month... and stopping in at Sorrento and Positano (Italy) along the way. This is one reason why I dont live in Vancouver right now.

- Finally since August is about to end, I can safely say the highlight of my month was last weekend. I dont think there is anything more delightful than watching a fairly sparse dance floor all of a sudden be stampeded and packed jammers by big women going crazy throwing shapes, the moment Mikas "Big Girl (You are Beautiful)" starts pumping the speaks. Unfuckingbeleivable.. Ill tell you what. All the big girls with the big booties, flapping about, going absolutely nuts and singing along, knowing all the words. It was great. Its like witnessing Dancing heaven in the seperate heavyweight section. I think the only way you could possibly get more enthusiam on a dance floor is when "You SPin Me Round (Like a Record)" starts playing in gay bars. Or anytime Wayne is in a club, and Backstreet comes on.

Okay onto some photos. Again click on pictures for biggie size versions.

My sister and I travelled the westcoast of Ireland. First was County Donegal and Slieve Leagues, the highest cliffs in Europe.





Below Westport, in County Mayo, one of my favorite towns in Ireland.






County Clare. Went back to Cliffs of Mohr but its changed tons since Marty and Eric came. Before you were allowed to go right to the edge of the Cliffs which was ridiculously dangerous but unbelievably sweet. Now? Not so much. They blocked it off and you cant go anymore. Anyone from now on is Ripped off.




They did build a new Teletubbie-esque Tourist center though.



Some pics from County Kerry. They call it the Kingdom. The Kingdom of No Langers. (Thats a dig at County Cork. Langer is a bad word from Cork. I know these things now. Ive been here too long)







And this was just last week, A hike up the Cooley Mountains, near Dundalk with people from ABB





Jesus Mary and Joseph, the biblical Holy Family.

Jesus -> Jesus Shuttleworth -> Ray Allen, double threat: movie star in Spike Lee's "He Got Game" and basketball Yahweh
Mary -> Mary Pierce, Tennis Player French Open Champ -> Paul Pierce, whines like a French girl
Joseph -> No ordinary Joe -> Kevin Garnett, phenom

Stations

Its funny to catch things you do every once in a while and actually see how much youve changed. And you have to laugh sometimes. Well when its funny anyways. For example, on the weekend I bought 3 pairs of new jeans. They were each well over 3 digits in cost, and they were all designed and made in Italy. And this somehow has evolved to become my new standard for pantalons? 10 years ago me would of barfed at the thought. Regardless if it is sustainable or not, it was a bit of a splurge I admit, and Im sure my Mom and Dad would shoot me if they found out I spent that much on clothes when I could just as easily went to Zellers for 1/20th of the price, "Why deed djou Do dat! How caam you a spend so mach manie? dats es too expesibe!", anyways, I guess you cant slum. Im a classy mutherfucker.

With Holes im jeans.

Werewolves of London

- Before I start, I need to mention the most anticipated movie of recent memory premiering next week. It involves vehicles that are really robots in disguise. Go Bots. Perhaps youve heard of it? Ha.. All week, Ive been asking folks, "You watching Go Bots next week? I cant wait for the Go Bots Movie.." The looks of mental retardation I get, its gold, baby, gold. This is how I amuse myself these days. True story now, today, a lad from work, Ciaran, has been drooling about this Transformers movie for months now... he wont stop talking about it. Told him there was a Go Bots movie coming out next month too. His eyes bugged out and he totally bought it... and as a result milk went up my nose from snickering. "Oh you're taking the piss, arent you, you Canadian bastard.."

-Maibs was out here last week, and we toured bits of London and Cambridge and Norfolk, which was "deadly" (thought Id insert some english/scottish/irish slang, for context. These are the supplementary measures I take inorder to enhance the journalistic experience I weave. hack). But I got sick. And then she got sick too. While she was in Spain. So she got annoyed. Which led me to pay her off guilt money by offering Pay As you Go vodafone credits for her mobile phone. Even trade, by my math.


Its the summer for petes sake, how come I had to get sick then? Thatll teach me for lapsing out of my Ginko / Echanachea / Vitamin C daily cocktail and forgetting my Cold FX. I blame the Underground, the stupid Tube... its a cesspool of plague and disease. I convinced Maibs of this as well, its like a sauna down there, humidity that invites germs to perculate and expand, and with millions of daily users, its like we might as well drink straight from urinals and lick toilets seats; its almost the same.


Maibel sight seeing. While lying down. Cuz we were tired.

-Usually when I go to London, I visit my friends Ted Baker and Paul Smith (forget that loser/poser Tommy Hilfiger... he sucks). This time though not so much, too busy sight seeing and exploring around. This was probably a first for me, going to London and NOT shopping. I did stop by my other buddy Harvey Nichols for a little bit, and brushed through Harrods to check out the chocolate selection, but that was it. I know, no Selfridges, like what the?

-We visited my cousin in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. I have a niece and nephew there... Brian and Angel. Angel is 2, and is allergic to everything, poor kid, but is absolutely unbelievably cute with prominent eyes that stare at you like Cat in Shrek. Simply adorable. And Brian, 9, speaks in a hybrid Filipino Accent / British Accent that just purely blows me away. Thats the kinda shit Im suppose to record, and set as a ring tone. I can listen to it all day. Its a mix of Tito Boy and the Spice Girls and Harry Potter. Too bad I didnt take pics, but Im waiting for some to be sent via email.

-Posted some pictures. Tomorrow I will post Budapest. 2 months late, but Im bored and have no friends so I have no excuses.


Sandringham House. This is the Queens Christmas home in Norfolk, and also where Prince Charles first met Princess Diana. If you didnt know, click on the pics for big versions (sorry for the late notice). While we were there, Maibel said that she would love to marry Prince William and become Princess Maibel. Then we joked around and said that the kids would be the coolest pinoys ever... Royal Prince Efren and Princess Maritess...


Maibs, in her pist out waiting pose while in Cambridge, because our train was delayed.

Benoit

Change of pace.

Not many people watching wrestling anymore, and after this weeks tragic news, it could actually kill the sport all together. Chris Benoit, the Canadian Crippler, one of my favorite wrestlers of all time (with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Bret Hart, and Honky Tonk Man) was involved in a double murder suicide, with his wife and son; a completely awful and unspeakable tragedy. I dont even know what to say.

Equally shocking is the names on the list of Wrestlers that have died pramaturely, as I have just googled it. Unbelievably shocking. It didnt even dawn on me that most of these guys are already dead. And these are just the famous ones; including all the half names and jobbers, the list is double. If this happened so prolifically in any other sport or entertainment, the government would shut it down, or at the very least, all sponsors and business partners would exit stage left.

Chris Von Erich
Mike Von Erich
Crash Holly
Kerry Von Erich
Owen Hart
Chris Candido
Adrian Adonis
Yokozuna
"Flying" Brian Pillman
Eddie Guerrero
Dave Boy Smith
Terry Gordy
Rick Rude
Elizabeth
Big Boss Man
Earthquake
Dino Bravo
Curt Hennig, Mr. Perfect
Bam Bam Bigelow
Junkyard Dog
Mike Awesome
Hercules
Big John Stud
Andre the Giant
Hawk
Sherri Martel

Me Chinese, me no dumb..

Ive been doing a fair share of travel lately, long ass haul travel over a few short months that has gotten me a slight bit dizzy and exhausted: Indonesia and back, Russia and back, India and back. I was tired, and I thought I had earned enough credits to stay away from the long haul trips for at least a handful of months... short trips within Europe would be no bother. 2nd week into May, just 2 weeks after my last disasterous India trip, I was asked to go to China beginning of June. ...arghh.. fine... whatever. Come to think of it though China is not that bad, its not like I was axsed to go back to India or worse, Iowa.


It also gave me the opportunity to move on to Elite level on Air Canada, without even flying one single Air Canada flight. You see Air Canada is quite sucky for the flying experience, and Ive boycotted them, but its not a question of loyalty since Im ready and willing to return once they right their ship with new seats, which they are in the middle of transitioning to as we speak. Anyways, Im quite the sneaky scammer now with the whole frequent flier traveller points thing, managing to get to lounge level on the One World airline alliance (BA, Cathay, Qantas, etc) and Sky Team (Air France, KLM, etc). My levels on the Star Alliance one though (which includes Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, etc) has been left wanting... only acheiving Prestige status, which gives you jack squat apart from a fancier card with slight sprinkly effects. This China trip though would put me over the top, if I flew with Star Alliance... and its easy street lounge action all the way on all major Airline networks.

Didnt work out though. I actually already had the China flight booked with Lufthansa (which would give me the Air Canada pts, follow along here).. but that was a flight segment going through Shanghai. Last minute.. it was changed to Beijing... so the only flight that was available through that City was on Air France. Merde. So thats who I flew with... which negated my whole Star Alliance, Elite Status, Lounges all the way deal. PLUS, get this... PLUS... Air France aint that great, even in Business class... namely because the cheese selection they serve you is only the "taste like ass" cheeses that only frenchies like. What am I suppose to take with my red wine then?

China was good though. Apart from the automatic language awkwardness I always get in Asia... you know.. the "they speak to me all chinesey, I put on a retarded face and stay silent.. they look at me queer"... type scenario. Its doesnt cease to surprise me how quickly this country is developing, with the great economic boom of the last decade. The roads, compared to other countries anyways, are getting really good. Building development is growing like weeds, looking more and more modern. And this time, I got to go through Beijing, which means, Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. One of the few places that is distinctly on my world list of things to do.


Tiananmen Square. That was great just for the infamy alone. Forbidden City. Amazing, especially cuz now Ive been to the real Imperial Palace, not counting the Vegas Hotel or Chinese food restaurants of same name. And the Great Wall. WOW. I have always wanted to go to the Great Wall. Always. Since I was a little kid. For me it was on a larger must see scale than Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Pyramids, Sydney Harbor, and Disney World (well no I kid, its tied with Disney World, lets be honest) And now Ive seen it. And the great thing here is, there are probably 3 or 4 more stations of the Great Wall I could go to, if /when I go again. I didnt even go to the most famous, and subsequently most tourist ridden one, Badaling, I only went to the Ju Yong Pass. Itll never get old.

Now, the only thing I need is a T-Shirt that says "I cant speak Chinese, Im Filipino" in chinese characters. This would be brilliant, the best Asian T shirt ever, maybe I can get Eric to work on that for me.

And oh yeah one more thing. Paris freakin Hilton. I tell you what, the weekend jail / police pickup / courtroom hearing saga was on full time and live on Chinese TV. Wow. I think now I would have to go to Antarctica to escape the likes of her. But I have an opening here to slag Americans again, so hahaha.. let me do it. In the Beijing Hotel, they had quite a few news channels... DW News (German), BBC News (British), CNN International, and Fox News Channel. I had an opportunity here to contrast and compare coverage. This is what I did, I ended up being held against my will watching the "Current Affair OJ Simpson" quality reporting on Fox news as they had moment to moment live coverage of the Paris Hilton proceedings. It was absolutely foul news reporting, commentary driven, with reporters and analyst shouting at each other their opinions. Bottom of the barrel. I would frequently flick over though to DW, BBC, and CNN International. At the sametime that Fox was going full Paris, full time for a good 3 hours straight... what was on the other news channels? Important things, like the wrap up of the G8 meetings in Germany, G8 discussions on the US's defence grid plan in eastern europe, the controversial G8 AIDs funding for Africa, G8 climate change initiatives, review of the latest Democrat and Republican leadership debates, and latest French Open scores. CNN International had 2 blurbs on Paris Hilton, but they were made in passing. SEE? This is what America gets, dumbed down Sally Jesse Raphael news. And Fox is the most watched news channel in the richest and most powerful country in the world.

And oh sorry one more thing again... just so I dont end this on a serious and commentary driven note, advice to yous in the future if you ever go to China. Never EVER swim in any swimming pools. I was staying at the Sheraton in Beijing, and by name alone, youd assume their facilities would be top notch. And it sure did look like it, the pool looked class. On an idle Friday, I went for a swim in the Hotel pool. I was wondering though why it was a little murky. After about 5 minutes, I noticed little gooey floaties that stick to my body now and then. Then I noticed all the chinese in the same pool.. clearing their throats all loud like, and hawking loogies straight into the pool as they played, just like how they do in Chinatown streets. ARGHH!! I was out of there in a flash, arms flayling, running away like I was in Grade 1 and I had just been kissed by a girl and quickly scrubbed myself down in the shower for 10 hours. Disgusting... I was dry heaving the rest of they day.



I found this on the great wall. STUPID HIGH SCHOOL BAND GEEKS. They get all the awesome trips.