Entries for May, 2006
May 7th, 2006
How to "stay on top of everything"
Posted by MikeyMike at 03:14 PM on May 7, 2006 in Tech.
BedDesk
Looks like a good concept! But... $2079US?!
For city dwellers tight on space and students in dorms, the Computer Bed combines a computer desk with a bed. A stylish wooden desk by that folds down to reveal a hidden twin sized bed.
Although the bed is useful and practical, it doesn't look very sturdy. Even with the new metal bed frame and wooden slate foundation, a well-fed fellow would probably be too much for the joints and come collapsing down all his equipment.
Available now for $2079.
4 Year old Indian "Forrest Gump"
Posted by MikeyMike at 03:47 PM on May 7, 2006 in Congrats!, Kawaii, Performers.
Let's see... where's the
Forrest Gump Suite recording Linders sent me?...
Four-year-old Budhia Singh ran 40 miles on Tuesday.
BHUBANESWAR, India (AP) -- Cheered by thousands, a 4-year-old boy dubbed India's Forrest Gump, who was nearly sold by his impoverished mother, ran 40 miles (65 kilometers) Tuesday to enter the country's foremost record book.
Budhia Singh, a slum resident from the eastern state of Orissa whose talent was discovered by a local sports coach, was escorted by doctors and 300 cadets of the Central Reserve Police Force, which plans to sponsor his upbringing.
Budhia had planned to run 70 kilometers (43 miles), but doctors stopped him after 65 kilometers (40 miles) when he showed signs of extreme exhaustion.
The boy offered prayers before dawn at Jagannath Temple, a deeply revered Hindu shrine in Puri town, and then began his run to Bhubaneswar, the state capital, on a highway lined with palm trees. Thousands stood along the road, cheering him on.
"Poverty had driven Budhia's mother to sell the fatherless kid to another person when me and my wife reached the slum and rescued him," Das said.
Budhia has gained swift popularity in India. He is being likened by the Indian media to Forrest Gump, the fictional book and movie character who is ridiculed by peers for using leg braces, but overcomes his disability when he discovers that he can "run like the wind blows."
"I loved running today. I can run as much as I want," the 4-year-old boy told reporters after the run, sitting bare-chested but appearing tired.
Then he sucked his thumb.
May 8th, 2006
What's this Flower?
Posted by MikeyMike at 03:40 PM on May 8, 2006 in Geographica, Wild.
More pretty pictures of the various types
Here
Ah ha! Found out what this mystery flower is. They had them down at the Home Depot. Apparently, they are very popular here, with our mostly sunny weather, which is what
Gazania seem to love. They are originally from South Africa, but do well (maybe too well!) in places that are dry and sunny. I noticed that they are listed as weeds in Australia. I can picture
Monkee on her knees pulling them up like dandelions! ^^
Their main downfall (I have observed this) is their tendancy for the flowers to close up during cold and/or overcast periods. Apparently, new varieties aren't as prone to this. And they sure are pretty! I'm going to get some to put in the sunny side flower beds ASAP.
Here's some more info I've gathered...
In their native South Africa gazania flowers close up in poor weather to protect the pollen from moisture. This mechanism is triggered by low temperatures, poor light or by a combination of the two. Plant breeders have been working intensively on developing gazanias in which this mechanism is less prominent, allowing the flowers to stay open longer in cooler, duller climates.
Although gazanias make splendid mixers in sunny containers and in intimate plantings in small sunny corners, they also make spectacular ground cover. On sunny banks along the drive or at the front of a property facing a road, sweeps of 'Talent' gazanias may cause passing drivers to swerve in shock and astonishment - so avoid this planting if you live on a bend!
May 13th, 2006
Shall We Dance?
Posted by MikeyMike at 09:56 PM on May 13, 2006.
My Amazon copy of
Shall We Dance? (The original Japanese version) just came in today! What a great film! You learn a great deal about Japanese society and Ballroom Dancing - which is more difficult than most people think.
The characters are wonderful and it's so dead-on funny! You'll come to love them for all their quirky human faults.
My DVD even a special preview of the Richard Gere/Jennifer Lopez American version...
On his evening commute, bored accountant Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) always looks for the beautiful woman who gazes wistfully out the window of the Kishikawa School of Dancing. One night he gets off the train, walks into the studio, and signs up for a class. Soon Sugiyama is so engrossed in his dancing he practices his steps on the train platform and under his desk, and becomes good enough for competition, compelling his wife to hire a private investigator to find out why he stays out late and returns home smelling of perfume. Among the colorful characters Sugiyama meets is his coworker Aoki (Naoto Takenaka), who transforms himself from geeky systems analyst to hilariously flamboyant (and bad-wigged) lounge lizard. Aoki explains to Sugiyama, "When I finish work, put on the clothes, the wig and become Donny Burns, Latin world champion, and I start to move to the rhythm, I'm so happy, so completely free." Here lies the chief charm of Shall We Dance, the contrast between the ultracompetitive women of the studio--including the one who caught Sugiyama's eye, Mai (Tamiyo Kusakari)--and the men who dance simply because they enjoy it. This 1996 film is somewhat comparable to the flamboyant Aussie favorite Strictly Ballroom, but Shall We Dance is especially noteworthy for contrasting the boldness of social dance with the buttoned-up societal mores of Japan, where people avoid public displays of emotion. Even in Japan, the joy of dance is irresistible. --David Horiuchi
Product Description
Here's the irresistible comedy treat that had critics and audiences cheering all across America ... and inspired the new Hollywood hit starring Richard Gere (CHICAGO), Jennifer Lopez (MAID IN MANHATTAN), and Susan Sarandon (DEAD MAN WALKING). A middle-aged workaholic's incredibly dull life takes a funny turn when he signs up for a ballroom dance class -- just to meet the sexy dance teacher. But when he finally muscles up the nerve for lessons he winds up with a different instructor and her colorfully eccentric class of beginners! And now he'll have to step lightly -- and do some fancy footwork -- if he expects to keep his new secret passion from his family and friends! You'll love every minute of this crowd-pleasing motion picture!
May 15th, 2006
5 Years/Cacti
Posted by MikeyMike at 05:36 PM on May 15, 2006 in Congrats!, Scripps, Photography.
Got some pix from the Scripps Service Awards held at the San Diego Zoo this year, plus a random cacti pix. They just keep blooming!
May 17th, 2006
Lea Salonga has baby girl
Posted by MikeyMike at 10:34 PM on May 17, 2006 in Congrats!, Kawaii, Performers.
Lea had her baby, Nicole Beverly Salonga Chien on May 16th!
I used to have a gf with the same birhtday, many moons ago... Finally, a Mini-Lea! And my record of all my women aquaintances having baby girls is still unbroken! (Except for Linda's Ethan)
By SHIRLEY MATIAS PIZARRO
http://www.mb.com.ph/ENTR2006051764209.html
The multi-awarded international theater singer-actress Ms. Lea Salonga
has embarked on her newest and most significant role to date - that
of a mother - with the birth of her brand new healthy baby girl
yesterday (Tuesday, May 16) at the Asian Hospital in Alabang,
Muntinlupa City.
Lea's husband Robert Chien was beside her all the way from the time she
was admitted to the hospital at around 2 a.m. until after she gave
birth at 12:12 p.m. by normal spontaneous delivery. She was awake
during the entire birthing process.
"She is very strong, and a very good patient. She's very obedient,"
Dr. Ma. Teresita Henson, Lea's obstetrician-gynecologist, said. "We
were right on schedule. She came in at 2 a.m., we gave her epidural at
7 a.m. and I told them she's gonna give birth at noon. And she did!
She did everything I instructed her to do," the young doctor said.
The baby weighs 6.10 lbs. and is 49 cms. long. She's fairskinned and
looks a lot like her daddy Rob, according to Lea and her mom Mrs.
Ligaya Salonga who was also present during the momentous event. Lea's brother Gerard Salonga and his wife DJ were also there to share in the joy of the arrival of the newest member of their family.
Lea's baby was also attended by Dr. Mike Celdran, her own
pediatrician when she was a baby. The proud parents have picked the
name Nicole Beverly for their first-born. Nicole has been Lea's
favorite name ever since and Beverly is the name of her husband Rob's
late mother.
"I haven't slept a wink. I started experiencing labor pains at 11:53
p.m. We were admitted to the hospital at around 2 a.m. She came out at
a little past 12 noon, and still I haven't slept," she told us
shortly after she and the baby have been wheeled inside her private
suite at the high-end Asian Hospital in Alabang, a few minutes away
from their residence at Ayala-Alabang Village.
Rob, who also haven't slept a wink, could only smile unbelieving when
he was told that the baby looks like him. We asked him how he felt
seeing the baby, "it was amazing," he said. Rob was there the whole
time documenting the event on video and he said, "Lea was really
strong. She told me she didn't feel pain at all. It was the pushing
that was hard. The baby seemed to not want to get out at first. It was
pretty crazy out there," he told us with a smile of relief while
waiting for the baby to be presented to the waiting family members at
the hospital's huggery (nursery).
Mrs. Salonga, whom Lea greeted lovingly "hello Abu" (short for
Abuelita, because that's how Mrs. Salonga wanted the baby to call
her) when they saw each other again after the baby's arrival,
answered her back with an equally loving "hello mommy!"
The brand new grandmother was excited and kidded everyone with the
title "official daddy," "official mommy," "official uncle" and
"official aunt" said that the event calls for a celebration.
Gerard said Lea called him up the night before to tell him she has been
experiencing labor pains already. But they decided not to call their
Mom that late to let her have a good night's rest. Lea called Mrs.
Salonga first thing in the morning to tell her that she was already at
Asian Hospital.
Lea plans to breastfeed her baby all the way. Baby Nicole will be
baptized here in the Philippines, probably before she goes to the US in
July to be met by Rob's family back there, they told us.
Currently listening to: Baby, Baby
May 19th, 2006
Oh Canada!
Posted by MikeyMike at 11:10 AM on May 19, 2006 in Geographica.
A little something for Adam...
From
Vivian in Toronto...
Currently listening to: Oh Canada
May 21st, 2006
Alaskan Cruise
Posted by MikeyMike at 12:48 PM on May 21, 2006 in Geographica, Photography, Wild.
My co-worker and roomie, John just got back from his two week cruise to down the Pacific coast from Alaska, by Canada and finally down to San Francisco (where
Peggy left her heart!). I'll have to post the itinerary of the cruise - but for now, look at some of these pictures (which John took with my digicam!)
Leaving from San Francisco under the Golden Gate bridge...
Amazing!
The Butchart Gardens in Canada
Japanese gardens at Butchart...
The wikipedia on
Butchart Gardens
even more... amazing huh? Just the right time of year for blooms!
The cruise boat...
That's enough pix for now... the more industrious of you can look in my gallery for more pix
Currently listening to: The Love Boat Theme
May 22nd, 2006
Alaskan Cruise II
Posted by MikeyMike at 05:10 PM on May 22, 2006 in Geographica, Photography, Wild.
More about the ship - take the virtual tour! And more pictures!!
Take a virtual tour of
Celebrity Cruises Infinity! (See if you can find the Internet Cafe!)
This is the cruise route and timings:
Wednesday, San Francisco, California -- 05:00 PM
Thursday, At Sea -- --
Friday, Vancouver, British Columbia 10:00 PM 05:00 PM
Saturday, Cruising Inside Passage -- --
Sunday, Hubbard Glacier, Alaska 01:00 PM 05:00 PM
Monday, Icy Strait, Alaska 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
Tuesday, Ketchikan, Alaska 08:00 AM 02:00 PM
Wednesday, Skagway, Alaska 09:00 AM 03:00 PM
Thursday, Cruising Inside Passage -- --
Friday, At Sea -- --
Saturday, San Francisco, California 07:00 AM --
Big John (with my digicam! ^^)
May 23rd, 2006
Precious Piggies
Posted by MikeyMike at 12:24 AM on May 23, 2006 in Congrats!, Kawaii, Wild.
Baby piglets! ^^
Pass the cigars and knit some booties; Janey and Mowgli, the pair of red river hogs in the Wild Animal Park’s Nairobi Village are parents! About two weeks ago, we began to suspect Janey was pregnant. First, there was a change in her behavior: she became extremely eager and vocal for her food. Then there was a change in her physical appearance: we noticed her abdomen and nipples enlarging. It seemed like each day she got bigger and bigger and bigger. More
Here
JUANES Has Conquered Europe
Posted by MikeyMike at 06:55 PM on May 23, 2006 in Congrats!, Arts, Performers, Lyrics.
See? My boy Juanes is doing well everywhere!
I even picked that song for translation. BTW,
Roy said he fixed the problem with international characters displaying wrong...
As “La Camisa Negra” Has Now Reached #1 in Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland
After Consistently Reaching #1 In The U.S. Latin Market & Dozens Of Countries Throughout The Spanish Speaking World, Latin Rock’s Top-Star Has Now Topped Singles & Album Charts Across Europe As Well
Juanes Has Recently Received FIVE More Nominations for the MTVLA Video Music Awards, And an Additional 3 Latin Grammy Nominations for His Multi-Platinum Album Mi Sangre
It has become more apparent than ever that the music of Colombian rock superstar Juanes has grown well beyond just Spanish-speaking audiences. Having already reached the #1 position on album and singles charts in the U.S. and throughout Latin America numerous times, the guitarist/singer-songwriter (who TIME Magazine named “One of the Most 100 Influential People in the World”) is now repeating the feat across Europe. In recent weeks, Juanes’ single “La Camisa Negra” has reached the #1 position on singles charts in Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Simultaneously, his multi-platinum album Mi Sangre (My Blood) captured the #1 album spot in Germany - for three straight weeks. Following this week’s conclusion of a four week sold-out tour of arenas and stadiums in Spain, Juanes will bring his highly acclaimed “Mi Sangre Tour” to a series of festival shows in Germany, and then finally to stadiums in his native Colombia..
Currently, “La Camisa Negra” (the third consecutive #1 U.S. Latin single from Mi Sangre) is still in the Top-10 of Billboard’s “Hot Latin Tracks” chart - more than seven months after being sent to radio. The success of Mi Sangre recently led to Juanes receiving 5 more MTVLA Video Music Award nominations, and an additional 3 Latin Grammy nods (where he is already a 9-time winner).
Celeb Baby Blog
Posted by MikeyMike at 08:45 PM on May 23, 2006 in Kawaii, Performers.
It had to happen. A blog all about celebrity babies... ^^
Such as:
Ben, Jen and Violet have breakfast
Ben Affleck and wife Jennifer Garner headed out for breakfast on May 12th, at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA. Ben and Jen are renting a house there for the summer with their baby girl Violet, almost 7 months, while Ben directs his first film. There is a very cute one of Ben holding Violet!
Much more
Here
May 29th, 2006
Cacti Blooms
Posted by MikeyMike at 05:30 PM on May 29, 2006 in Geographica, Photography.
Will it never end? With all the unusual weather this year, the cacti just keep blooming! John and I went to Home Depot, where we scored some of the famous
Gazania of different varieties, and some rose bushes that are supposed to do well in full sun...
Just starting to bloom a few days ago...
Wonderful full blooms today!
Just bought from Home Depot - not transplanted yet
Miniature "Tea" roses
