Its a rare occasion for me to ride a taxi. I usually ride those what I call PUBLIC UTILITY FX haha. Well, unlike those taxis that we know, those PUFX also have fixed amount of fare within a certain distance of their specific route much like a PUJ or commonly known as Jeepneys.

If you are a foreigner and you came here in the Philippines through air transport, then you must have been very familiar with some of the Modus Operandi of opportunist taxi drivers at the airport. Even our so called “balikbayans” were not spared of such cruel acts – taxi drivers asking for a much higher fare. For example, going to Makati from the airport would normally cost you around 150 – 200 pesos max depending on the traffic using only the fare meter. But some malicious taxi drivers would charge around 2000 pesos. The nerve! they will try to put you in a situation wherein you would likely give in… (like declaring the modus in the middle of the express way) and the most funny part about this is that people fell for it. Shucks even some pinoys… lols

Well enough rambling…

Good morning guys!

Well, I just love the way this cat posed for me. “Ang taray!” haha. Its like she was looking unto the camera and makes that intense look like most models does.

Well, I am the type of person who is more into cats. But I also love dogs but not to the point of wanting to own one. Maybe I did wanted to have a dog when I was still a kid. But now, when practicality comes into mind, I wanted the cat… Coz you need not worry about the “taking a shower” moment coz cats can clean themselves up. Dogs on the other hand will smell unless given a decent bath.

Cheers!

Just when you thought that tubular pasta can never be used as material for decoration then you would see one.

I think this was taken at SM Megamall, somewhere along the stretch of the 3rd floor I think. Waah, forgive me coz yours truly has a very short memory. Tsk tsk tsk, must be those birthdays… damn, I hate them, no gifts, no getting younger and worst of all, you have to shell out some money to treat friends and family haha…

That is all….

Goodnight! Ciao!

I always thought that it was Thomas Edison who created the first light bulb. But I think I may need to check that again.

Kindly read the excerpt below which I found on the net. Apparently he just entered the scene along with many other scientists during his time and he was the first to succeed in truly marketing or making light bulbs commercially available. I guess that is the reason why it was associated with him

Reactions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

More than twenty inventors, dating back to the 1830s, had produced incandescent electric lights by the time Thomas Edison entered the search. The 1870s was the crucial decade, as the technologies of production and the forces of demand combined to make the search for a commercially feasible electric light the high-tech, high-stakes race of the era. Edison had established his research laboratory in rural Menlo Park, New Jersey, midway between New York City and Philadelphia. The laboratory building and several outbuildings were constructed in 1876 with profits Edison had made with his telegraph inventions. He initially intended to take projects from any investor who wanted his help and to continue working on his own ideas in telegraph and telephone systems. He said he thought the laboratory could produce a new invention every ten days and a major breakthrough every six months.

In 1877, Edison decided to enter the highly publicized race for a successful light bulb and enlarged his laboratory facilities with a machine shop and an office and research library. The staff grew from 12 to over 60 as Edison tackled the entire lighting system, from generator to insulator to incandescent bulb. Along the way, Edison created a new process of invention, orchestrating a team approach that brought financing, materials, tools, and skilled workers together into an “invention factory.” Thus, the search for the light bulb illustrated new forms of research and development that were later developed by General Electric, Westinghouse, and other companies.

William S. Pretzer

src: enotes.com

How light bulbs are made? Watch this.

Was relaxing myself after all that has happened during the weekend due to typhoon Ondoy’s aftermath. I decided to make some hot choco and sprinkled it with some marshmallow.

Kinda makes me feel guilty though because while I am having this hot choco drink, other people are just recovering from what has happened. I can only imagine the things they had to go through during those moments.

Well, for you guys who have made it through these hard times – CHEERS! this choco drink I offer to you!

God please help us.

I saw them shuttlecocks sitting on top of an office-mate’s monitor. Then looking at them, I thought, why the heck were they named after something funny like a COCK? Oh come on… you know what I am thinking. Every time the word is mentioned, we simply can not help but associate it with the thing. Of course there is the animal (male chicken). But surely, this is one topic that is the source of laughter among boys (even girls) – green jokes that is.

But kidding aside. They say it was named so because of the way it moves. Back and forth on the ends of the court like a SHUTTLE. Now the COCK part was simply because of the feathers. Yeah… that is all into it. A compound word derived from literal meanings.

Anyway, I have here a “wikied” definition. Kindly check it for yourself.

Just a thought to ponder for me I guess. Sharing it with you guys.

Enjoy!

SIMPLY…
A shuttlecock is used in the sport badminton. The shuttlecock center is hit with a badminton racquet over the net, in this fast sport. A shuttlecock is also called a shuttle. Other names for shuttlecock are bird, or birdie, because it can be made with feathers.

THE COMPLICATED DEFINITION
A shuttlecock a high-drag projectile used in the sport of badminton. It has an open conical shape: the cone is formed from sixteen overlapping goose feathers embedded into a rounded cork base. The cork is covered with thin leather.

The shuttlecock’s shape makes it extremely aerodynamically stable. Regardless of initial orientation, it will turn to fly cork first, and remain in the cork-first orientation.

The name shuttlecock is frequently shortened to shuttle; it may also be known as a bird or birdie. The “shuttle” part of the name was probably derived from its back-and-forth motion during the game, resembling the shuttle of a loom; the “cock” part of the name was probably derived from the resemblance of the feathers to those on a cockerel.

MATERIALS
Shuttlecocks can be made of many types of materials, including plastic and feathers. It creates a cone shape, and is held together by a round center, usually made of cork or rubber. The cone shape the feathers, or other materials create is called a shuttlecock skirt.

In North America and Europe, feather shuttlecocks cost more. In Asia, where the prices of feathers are lower, shuttles made of plastic are rarely used; feather shuttles are used.

It is harder to hit a feather shuttlecock fast, because there is more drag. They are also less durable than plastic shuttles. Experienced badminton players usually play with feather shuttlecocks, and in competition, badminton is almost always played with feather shuttles. They feel that feather shuttles give them more control, and more better play is needed to hit feather shuttles.

In school gyms and amateur/beginner clubs in Europe and North America, plastic shuttlecocks are more often used than feather ones. This is to save feathers, since plastic shuttlecocks do not break easily. Feathers on the feather shuttles bend or break if the player does not hit the cork or rubber center.

Well, if you are one of those who cannot go out and get wet, then I have here a list. Why don’t you read them and maybe you will get some other idea about enjoying the rain.

Other ways to enjoy the rain

1. Open the window in rainy weather. Lie down and let the sound of the rain soothe you. If it is bedtime, drift asleep to the sound of the rain.

2. Keep warm in colder weather. Don’t open the window unless it is bearable; instead, cuddle up under your favourite quilt or blankets and listen to the sound of the rain on the roof. Yes, turn the TV off!

3. Focus on your senses. Watch the raindrops as they create puddles, listen to the different tones, from the white noise of distant rain to the more melodic large drops that hit puddles when running off the roof. Especially breathe deep, taking in the freshness of the air that only a fresh rainfall provides.

4. Take children out in the rain in their rubber boots and raincoats. Let them splash around in the puddles and rain (Bring your own rubber boots and join in if you want to feel like a kid again). They can take their rubber ducks and bath toys with them, or they can try and spot where the animals have hidden from the rain (birds, squirrels, possums etc., whatever your part of the world has). If you have an ant hill nearby, let them investigate what the ants are doing. Ask them if the ants come into your house earlier to warn you the rain was coming?

5. Take out some time from work or play to watch the rain falling through your windows. Relax and breathe deeply. Ask others to appreciate the rain with you.

6. Cook your favourite meal that you associate with rainy days. It’ll bring back memories and cheer you up.

7. Do all those things you said you’d save until a rainy day. Get out the old puzzles and games; finish that long-forgotten sewing or woodwork project; read that novel; dance with your loved one on the living room floor.

8. Go on an indoor outing like the cinema or a restaurant. Apart from needing to take an umbrella or raincoat, once you’re indoors again, you’ll forget about the weather and you won’t regret wasting sunshine.

9. Drink hot tea and enjoy the sip with your near and dear ones.

src: wikihow.com

Well, I have these series of “stray-cat-shots” (which will be posted some other time) that I got every time we eat at the “carinderia” (I still do not know the english translation) located just right beside the office building. These cats constantly pass by between your legs in hope of getting a leftover meal afterward. The thing is they do get what they hope for. They always look up to you then says “Meow” in a begging manner (remember puss in boots at SHREK?). Then “we” the stupid “kind-to-animal” people will give all our left overs. Haha wins Le Pussycat!

Anyway, I was thinking that what if these cats were not nice? haha what if they stare at you grimly? as if demanding you to hand over those fishes over the table. Scram humans! This is a stick up! We are gonna take over! bwahahaha!

Well… what if?

So that ladies and gentlemen is the purpose of these post.

haha hope you enjoyed reading my rants!

Cheers!

I just made it sound “SOSY”. Sauteed Pork and Pechay directly translates to “Ginisang Baboy at Pechay” hehe.

This is one Pinoy viand you would see in almost all small “carinderias” because it is easy and cheap to cook. I really do not know what do you call “carinderia” in English. If you do know, lemme know please. Anyway, I say it is cheap and easy because the recipe is quite simple.

for 3 – 4 person serving you need:

*pork depending on your budget chopped into small bits (tidbits actually to make it look plenty). Anyway it will be used mainly to attain that taste of pork.
*a handful of pechay / depends on you
*3-5 gloves garlic
*pepper
*salt
*some other spices

saute the garlic

put the pork

some pepper

salt

mix in the Pechay

finally pour some water

Viola! its done!

***

easy eh!

violent reactions and criticisms are greatly appreciate haha!

Taken along a street near Tycoon building at Ortigas while we were walking back to the office after taking lunch. Well, it is just nice to see some flowers and plants along the rows of cars and concrete. I always believed that nature and urban living can go together well. So I just wish that putting some “greens” are taken into consideration always.

The flower kinda reminds me of Cory Aquino. I dunno why even I associated the color Yellow to Cory. Maybe its the hype and stuff lately caused by Cory’s death. And now, the euphoria that it brought leading to her son “Noynoy” Aquino to run as president this coming 2010 election. Waa, enough politics.

I hope you like flowers too…

My share for the day

Ciao!