tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89171927183812620812024-03-13T08:40:26.105+08:00Absurb MindThings you didn't know that you didn't know..Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-22422326872484934052011-01-20T22:36:00.007+08:002012-01-21T18:02:28.358+08:00Homes Of The Billionaires 2010 (Forbes)<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0848732332" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0142410454&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Oprah Winfrey</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Montecito, California</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $2.4 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 400</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The self-made media mogul paid $50 million in 2001 for the 23,000-square-foot Georgian-style home she calls the "Promised Land." Although renovations were underway when she purchased the estate, Oprah simply altered the plans to ensure they matched her style. With the chaos of construction behind her, she now enjoys the home's mountain and ocean views in peace.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887379065571778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBciupSjrkjnI3AqBlPi6sMwoZyRgMi5FiX3S_cJ2O5Hr0b-SS9qvkFdblWDjzEL-8kCpn7RDys8V4rm__chuAwjp4lN4YW9nhhVyiC6kwvVsvy8gcxAWDwfzROQRGiYCsCzEd8VpNYs7/s400/13.jpg" style="height: 280px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oprah's Mansion</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002QGSY1S" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002QGSY1S&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Donald Trump</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>New York, N.Y</i>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $2 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 488</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">The blustery real-estate-magnate-turned-reality-TV-star may have the Billionaires Club's shortest commute: he lives in the 32,000-square-foot triplex penthouse of his Trump Tower office building. The monument to marble and gold was renovated after Trump's third wife, Melania, gave birth to his fifth son, Barron. The tyke's room has a décor inspired by Louis XIV.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887384216532370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW3yjFcjnlLr4c_ld33nZMz4uhB88NneU6XIIhS90ftjqs22nXF5CTpBUKtUtJCarcNoqky0YItfqEyz0sWPFtflBxWOPq1vkmfGGY_mVG_fd4sN_Av-aV3gR0iVwe_mV2edjLceXzr79/s400/12.jpg" style="height: 280px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trump Tower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0553384619" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0553384619&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Warren Buffett</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Omaha, Nebraska</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $47 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 3</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The world's third-richest man still resides in the 6,000-square-foot, five-bedroom gray stucco home he bought in 1958 for $31,500. The home has everything the 79-year-old needs, including his very own handball court that he uses to keep fit. An intruder armed with a fake gun tried to break into the modest, ungated property in 2007 but was ultimately thwarted by security.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887700957253986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbClZIi_tHO5CikjJGytDnXXbM_ooNnCg-akJHWrXT_sPA57-tqqb-csQpGvnDyxwv3LCmBHWqnJYR0Hq2SsXDjt-uNATyPxIxZCMx5obzY8NdttYSxK5fKhggGl_1bI0dgiZqRLMBHgbE/s400/1.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0822570270" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0822570270&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Bill Gates</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Medina, Washington</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $53 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 2</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gates' 66,000-square-foot compound is built into a hillside on the edge of Lake Washington, near Seattle. Its enviable amenities include: a 60-foot swimming pool with an underwater music system, a 2,500-square-foot gym and a 1,000-square-foot dining room, which seats 24. For a personal touch, out-of-shape visitors can skip the 84-step hike to the ground floor and opt for an elevator ride instead.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887685817131314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRM-XMrQwIQVLR1jX_MhOcR6I8ptKtd3t9v6T06cR-BP5gtq3jWKiXiTQxHD5UX4wnkNZPJSWcxQkPDDcDzMvNnPCRiqF9BUBblZ4tbv3kw8Sft0DCzLABFuopTQh3yr2JUJFqfVT1cNZ/s400/2.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><div align="center"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://aimnewblood.blogspot.com/2012/01/c247-natura-ceuticals.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa341/Dennis_Dumaup/slider.gif" /></a></b></div><div align="center"></div><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0349120978&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Lakshmi Mittal</b><i> </i></span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>London, England</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $28.7 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 5</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2004 Mittal paid $128 million for his 12-bedroom townhouse in London's luxe Kensington district. Mittal's mansion, tucked between Kensington Palace and the Sultan of Brunei's spread, has an indoor pool, Turkish baths and garage space for 20 cars. The super-home is also embellished with marble taken from the same quarry that supplied the Taj Mahal.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887677541747602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdFQreiiNU8sVbANhiGixn3me1kLwC8y_wFn3Us8h7TY7MH_JDOR4jGP2JITyo-TuimWPf9954Mc3TXHqGDu5ZjVx4z4G4L5D865p1zlfsaKQTxBK6tRRMDshGqCdUk3Au3Ns3yiRpWSF/s400/3.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0743225058&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Larry Ellison</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Woodside, California</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $28 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 6</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Over the last few years the Oracle co-founder has dropped $200 million by some estimates on near a dozen properties in Malibu to create a custom compound. His 23-acre estate in Woodside, pictured here, is inspired by the Japanese city of Kyoto and is reminiscent of a 16th-century imperial Japanese palace. It reportedly cost upward of $200 million to build.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887673736293090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOVY9Lq_ff2FXlJFr8Vtmc8itwtkZMJAmUao_CTxPvwRYEqIE03jXrX5nvksisQaS7wpzpE3cGEyMWEhyntzvNt_4VxzM5ijxpzdlbcdPjEl3qyW9uB0bMrqGs-92n_BfJv3WsRtM32n9/s400/4.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0887309143&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Michael Dell</b><i><br />
Austin, Texas</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $13.5 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 37</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Built in 1997, Dell's 33,000-square-foot hilltop manse sits on a 20-acre spread close to where he founded his eponymous computer company. The eight-bedroom house equipped with a conference room and both indoor and outdoor pools is known locally as "the castle" thanks to its high walls and tight security.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887556797564610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0j5OfL9eyAUXamS3NTvuj4pSF94a-xhbrsJLd02EM0E2UbEpJtu9tjy7xnT_1E5DK-HQWj6311wygjXlCCaP_09Yeyx-Qz600yRZguLVOWyiXxeG0pqajfaHR6S1fkqKextTZR23RhckZ/s400/5.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><br />
<b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1741759749&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>James Packer</b><br />
<i>Sydney, Australia</i><br />
<br />
Net Worth: $3.5 billion<br />
Rank: 258<br />
<br />
The young media heir was raised at the Packer family compound in the tony Bellevue Hill suburb of Sydney. The centerpiece of the five-property spread, which stretches nearly three acres, is Cairnton, the main house, bought by Packer's grandfather in 1935.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887546943885554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWcD1Mj1yH3SZhaIzPX0THcI0A6ZGlMOJUlsmwheQxRzukGKlQN3DyFx6Kv2YXcOJbcAkCqskzcurMfmUlAbFSK8MkpLgk5e_VDKiR_6Jc-dvRzO4UVPAtaBav_Vak3tSDVnv0IDcJ6c0/s400/6.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0471787841&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Steve Jobs</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: black;">Woodside, California</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Net Worth: $5.5 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Rank: 136</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">The tech superstar owns Jackling House, a 30-room historic-though-dilapidated Spanish Colonial home set on six acres. Jobs has tried to demolish the 17,000 square-foot mansion for many years in order to build smaller, newer digs, but Woodside residents have fought hard to keep the original structure intact. No matter. Word is Jobs and his family haven't lived in the house for years.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887545748174306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMevqpC7pUxjapIaIFVD-BzTmN3Ad7hU8CG85mhC60w1qxirgrg1PDfQScZoUH4C7Hl4RRR5_1PNNAiJ_1Rb2OPhyphenhypheni8teJMmr_KiEjxSwKrw9nye5TEOTQ4Jsx90-aMwX_SHaVRzbeceB/s400/7.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001QD010Y&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Lev Leviev</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: black;">London, England</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Net Worth: $1.5 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Rank: 655</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">In 2008 the world's largest diamond cutter decamped from Israel to the posh North London suburb of Hampstead. Leviev's $65 million home, called the Palladio, is an extravagant 17,000-square-foot, seven-bedroom estate replete with an in-house nightclub and a gold-plated indoor pool.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887534307710098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_LOacAsdrPuViLfNFxXFHjd-cPcrB-UFBPTWVcLUXyb81Hbnw2QbaiH3rdvLAkca_FoVNKFJomhHLDlhviHLtU7Fpz0dNtQXKKzVo8WReP-5z_yED2hotN6zCy3Cht9efwNlO6hpjOxM/s400/8.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B004E9OEW8&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Ralph Lauren</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: black;">Montauk, N.Y.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Net Worth: $4.6 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Rank: 173</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">America's original fashion mogul bought this stone and wood beach house situated on 5.5 acres in 1981. The rustic, cozy home, which boasts a clay tennis court, once belonged to John Lennon and Yoko Ono.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887533226779426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-w9tP5D8vQQfkfu9RlMjTzS_17edI7PWjXMkVZTiny7TkO5sB4-na4AjY-lg_2I4wX2FesMH47ITQOEcnqo-ENom1YDj1pD5yZooY3vQTHJ9fFS4751_kVQDx7YD8TwOM3ZnPesiUZA4/s400/9.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0810949687&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>George Lucas</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: black;">Marin County, Calif.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Net Worth: $3 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Rank: 316</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">The acclaimed Star Wars filmmaker lives and works on his famed Skywalker Ranch. The 5,156-acre spread, which has its own fire brigade, houses Skywalker Sound, Lucas' post-production company (Cast Away, Million Dollar Baby), as well as five acres of olive trees and a herd of longhorn cattle. Lucas displays his Hollywood memorabilia--the Holy Grail from Indiana Jones, Charlie Chaplin's cane--inside the 50,000-square-foot main house.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887401771858402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEn-4PDFpTPvDlqxs7ZrDEoNokBaewxUGNoYANgnegZ863cx_TKREri6f2EepXnfj7s0HPkgwH0D8Oy8vQ62cPyAXKZRyb5bKk1c-itCEX5S0s8h9Qn9Ml6hTT4_RUGSCnBWYl4xCbsdN/s400/10.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0313337969&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Steven Spielberg </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>East Hampton, N.Y</i>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $3 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 316</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Called Quelle Farm, Spielberg's 12-acre summer retreat sits on Georgica Pond, the A-lister playground of Ron Perelman and Calvin Klein. The Hollywood kingpin and his wife play host to a retinue of top stars and their families each summer, including the Clintons and Gwyneth Paltrow.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887393861566466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHWIqHsYm2j52MtZoEPioW2ISAWXoARPwWebXph1tnMkdaY4gBBXTL3_k43pkNApbP8hpj9FYYGUPsQ0dGdO_qz9H2EoTzGqypK0KvX3MlEdxmFTJwYVvlY9skFlLpanPtd_twkdjc5GX/s400/11.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0470822384&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Mukesh Ambani</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mumbai, India</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Net Worth: $29 billion</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rank: 4</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mukesh Ambani isn't just building a home in Mumbai: he's constructing a family skyscraper. This 27-story lavish tower known as Antilla has been in the works for years and is being built with an attention to detail. Inside, no two floor plans are alike and each space uses different materials, such as one bathroom's Gingko-leaf sinks whose stems guide the running water into the leaf basins</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464887372271707986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloQgILABEjNj-nb4D6rSaWRwiWFKOR9INscydx84Z4d-pVbKXUOnZ4ndHrLbm6VXI2nLjxVSTsg_DqNOpI1w1nA4UAN82rXAXUEUDQbhDbkM12JT0MZ3CD2C70q702mAwNxwvnsfzz2X0/s400/14.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 400px;" /> </span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(from Forbes.com w/o consent - an acorn is a chav)</span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-71733488367288359592009-09-11T14:55:00.001+08:002011-01-16T03:51:56.102+08:00World's Most Expensive Spices<div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>What Are The Two Most Expensive Spices’ In The World?</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" class="lpxtab" src="http://recipehut.homestead.com/tp.gif" width="30" /><img alt="" border="0" class="lpxtab" src="http://recipehut.homestead.com/tp.gif" width="30" /><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #999999; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4vwnFXU6J4GjLAnqFGYuNJ62xpEeFAOfscbJzBaPLiXhHTwe-sP_ty4aeuoIdPWzni81vN8Th-FMKvMNBGyOvvJqMyaRaU6cYSXVAsxrf4_zblOXtnaOWCtEKvTEaORDYqh6jxG19HY/s1600-h/saffron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4vwnFXU6J4GjLAnqFGYuNJ62xpEeFAOfscbJzBaPLiXhHTwe-sP_ty4aeuoIdPWzni81vN8Th-FMKvMNBGyOvvJqMyaRaU6cYSXVAsxrf4_zblOXtnaOWCtEKvTEaORDYqh6jxG19HY/s200/saffron.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i>Saffron</i></u></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Botanical name crocus sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world. Derived from the dried stigmas of the purple saffron crocus, it takes anything from 70,000 to 250,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron. Moreover, the flowers have to be individually hand-picked in the autumn when fully open. Fortunately, only a little needs to be added to a dish to lend it color and aroma; too much makes the food bitter and possibilities that large quantities of it can be toxic.</b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #999999; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjGbo7Xp3Q0CjtzP32bxU2rH9ov5bfrzpfLDRCGBlXAg37HAjVIhablQiGCVXM4fIvqO5VltRu40W6AHxbeGZDj_vKUipAh2QW-RTL6VYVMk6t89FHDrokmI97wu1ik2WR6gx6P5LlXM/s1600-h/saf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjGbo7Xp3Q0CjtzP32bxU2rH9ov5bfrzpfLDRCGBlXAg37HAjVIhablQiGCVXM4fIvqO5VltRu40W6AHxbeGZDj_vKUipAh2QW-RTL6VYVMk6t89FHDrokmI97wu1ik2WR6gx6P5LlXM/s200/saf.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Records detailing the use of saffron go back to ancient Egypt and Rome where it was used as a dye, in perfumes, and as a drug, as well as for culinary purposes. It reached China in the 7th. century and spread through Europe in the Middle Ages. The town of Saffron Walden, where it was once grown commercially, takes its name from the plant. Now, however, most saffron is imported from Iran and Spain which is recognized as producing the best quality, but it can also be found in Egypt, Kashmir, Morocco and Turkey. </b><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #999999; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theasinature.com/images/Vanilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.theasinature.com/images/Vanilla.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i>Pure Vanilla</i></u></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>The second most expensive spice in the world derived from the pods of the only edible Orchid. Pure vanilla, with its wonderful aromatic flavor, is the most widely used flavoring in pastries, confections, and other desserts. It is the second most expensive spice in the world, next to saffron, cheaper synthetic vanillas on the market today do not come close to competing with pure vanilla.</b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #999999; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indianspices.com/images/s0621cpt.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://www.indianspices.com/images/s0621cpt.gif" width="55" /></a></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i>Cardamom </i></u></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>The third most expensive spice used frequently in East Indian, Scandinavian, Arabic and Central African cuisines. It is an essential ingredient in Arabic coffee and the scent is most enticing.</b><br />
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</span></div><div style="color: #999999;"></div><div style="color: #999999;"></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>How much do they cost? It's best to search the Internet for the best buy.</b><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">See Spices Here </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><a href="http://recipehut.homestead.com/Spices.html" target="_self">Spices and Use</a> (source: <a href="http://recipehut.homestead.com/ExpensiveSpices.html">Recipehut</a>)<br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-19780773783620111862009-06-18T23:13:00.003+08:002009-06-18T23:25:42.346+08:00World's Deadliest Virus<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 399px; height: 344px;" alt="http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/2003/2/12/guangzhou-virus-street.jpg" src="http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/2003/2/12/guangzhou-virus-street.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>Nature sure has created some tiny monsters when it comes to microbes—bugs that make us throw up, ooze pus, bleed out of our eyes and cough up blood. But which take top honors (or dishonors) for being the most lethal of all?<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">HIV/AIDS, the Global Tragedy HIV, the virus that causes AIDS</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.microbeworld.org/images/didyouknow/hiv.jpg" alt="HIV" border="1" height="197" width="200" /><br /></div><br />AIDS is a pandemic—a disease outbreak that is happening all over the world. In 2000 alone, 3,000,000 people died of AIDS. Since the AIDS pandemic began around 1985, almost 22,000,000 people have died from the disease. Right now, HIV infects more than 36,000,000 people across the world, so that death toll will definitely get a lot bigger over the next several years. HIV doesn’t kill people itself. Instead, the virus shuts down a person’s immune defenses—the tools used to fight off invading germs—by infecting and destroying important immune cells called T cells.<br /><br />Once a person loses too many T cells, his or her body can no longer deal with other microbes that cause infections. HIV merely opens the floodgates. Eventually HIV-infected people become overrun by germs and die of lung infections, skin infections or other diseases. We now have several drugs that fight HIV. They cannot cure the infection, but they can keep it in check. Unfortunately, victims of HIV have to take several of these drugs every day for life and the drugs are very expensive. In Africa and other developing parts of the world where HIV is spreading most rapidly, most people don’t have enough money to buy these drugs. That’s why we can expect the death toll from HIV/AIDS to get a lot bigger over the next several years. Nature sure has created some tiny monsters when it comes to microbes—bugs that make us throw up, ooze pus, bleed out of our eyes and cough up blood. But which take top honors (or dishonors) for being the most lethal of all?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Flu Virus—<br />Even Deadlier than HIV? Influenza A viruses, one of the several types of flu viruses</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.microbeworld.org/images/didyouknow/fluA.jpg" alt="flu virus" border="1" height="177" width="183" /><br /></div><br />Oh come on now, I’m sure you’re saying. The flu virus here in a list of the most lethal microbes? Sure, every year during what’s called "the flu season" tens of thousands of people get the flu. Despite feeling all achy and lousy for several days, most people eventually beat the virus and recover just fine. But that’s not how it went during the 1918 flu season. That year, World War I was raging so the effects of the flu virus sort of got overshadowed by the bigger, more obvious effects of bullets and bombs. However, in 1918 the flu virus killed at least 675,000 American people. Worldwide, it killed at least 21,000,000 people. These are low estimates. Some research now suggests that the flu may have killed 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 people around the world that year. Researchers still aren’t sure why the 1918 flu virus was so deadly.<br /><br />Victims of the flu that year died in a gruesome way, the virus causing so much fluid to build up in their lungs so rapidly that it was like drowning. If higher estimates of how many people died from the 1918 flu are true, then the 1918 flu is the deadliest microbe ever in a single year. Thank goodness we haven’t seen a flu bug that deadly again—but will we someday?<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Plague </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.microbeworld.org/images/didyouknow/plaguebug.jpg" alt="the plague bacterium" height="113" width="90" /><br /></div><br />The 1918 flu virus and HIV are the biggest killers of modern times. But back in the 14th century, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, or the Black Death as it was also known, was the baddest bug of all.<br /><br />In just a few years, from 1347 to 1351, the plague killed off about 75,000,000 people worldwide, including one-third of the entire population of Europe at that time. It spread through Asia, Italy, North Africa, Spain, Normandy, Switzerland, and eastward into Hungary. After a brief break, it crossed into England, Scotland, and then to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Greenland. Yersinia pestis, the plague bacteria<br />Courtesy of Neal Chamberlain The plague bacterium is called Yersinia pestis. There are two main forms of the disease. In the bubonic <boo-bah-nick> form, the bacteria cause painful swellings as large as an orange to form in the armpits, neck and groin. These swellings, or buboes, often burst open, oozing blood and pus. Blood vessels leak blood that puddles under the skin, giving the skin a blackened look. That’s why the disease became known as the Black Death. At least half of its victims die within a week. The pneumonic <new-mon-ick> form of plague causes victims to sweat heavily and cough up blood that starts filling their lungs. Almost no one survived it during the plague years. Yersinia pestis is the deadliest microbe we’ve ever known, although HIV might catch up to it. Yersinia pestis is still around in the world. Fortunately, with bacteria-killing antibiotics and measures to control the pests—rats and mice—that spread the bacteria, we’ve managed to conquer this killer.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />Ebola, the Bloody Virus <br /></span><br /></new-mon-ick></boo-bah-nick><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.microbeworld.org/images/didyouknow/Ebola.jpg" alt="Ebola virus" height="131" width="200" /><br /><br /></div><boo-bah-nick><new-mon-ick>Some of you at the beginning of this page might have thought of the Ebola virus as the scariest, deadliest microbe you’ve ever heard of. Those of you who did so have probably seen the movie Outbreak or read The Hot Zone, which spotlighted this grisly virus.<br /><br />Ebola virus Courtesy of CDC Ebola is definitely a nasty killer. It is part of a group of viruses that, among other effects on the body, cause the blood to stop clotting. Victims begin oozing blood from their mouths, noses, internal organs, even their eyes. It kills up to almost 90% of those who get infected.<br /><br />With that kind of death rate, Ebola would be the deadliest microbe of all if it was more common. Fortunately, infections by this virus are pretty rare. There have only been seven outbreaks in humans. It has killed just over 800 people since the first outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire) in 1976. While outbreaks of this virus are rare and relatively small, Ebola is still one mean microbe that I wouldn’t ever want to tangle with.</new-mon-ick></boo-bah-nick><br /><br /><b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><br /><span style="float: right; font-weight: bold;"><span><a href="data:post.url"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-49527417879694834552009-05-14T09:31:00.011+08:002009-06-18T22:58:56.736+08:0010 Worst Countries to be a Blogger<div style="text-align: center;"><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.cpj.org/reports/2009/04/10-worst-countries-to-be-a-blogger.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photos and Articles: Committee of Project Journalist's Special Report</span></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478528.cms" align="center" border="0" /><br /><br /></div>“The governments on the list are trying to roll back the information revolution, and, for now, they are having success,” Simon added. “Freedom of expression groups, concerned governments, the online community, and technology companies need to come together to defend the rights of bloggers around the world.”<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />CPJ issued its report to mark World Press Freedom Day, May 3, and to call attention to online repression, a great emerging threat to press freedom worldwide. CPJ considers bloggers whose work is reportorial or fact-based commentary to be journalists. In 2008, CPJ found, bloggers and other online journalists were the single largest professional group in prison, overtaking print and broadcast journalists for the first time.</span><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>10. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">EGYPT<br /></st1:country-region></st1:place></b><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478501.cms" align="center" border="0" /> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:85%;">Egypt a country where more than 100 bloggers were detained last year alone.</span></p><b><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><br /></st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div> <div style="margin: 0pt 0pt 20px 20px; float: right; width: 340px;" class="imgblock"><img alt="Amer is jailed for insulting the president and Islam. (Reuters)" onload="javascript:addCaption(this)" src="http://cpj.org/reports/Amer.Egypt.rtrs.cpj.jpg" class="mt-image-right" style="margin: 0pt; float: none;" height="262" width="340" /><div style="margin-left: 0pt; width: 340px; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" class="caption"><div class="caption-text"><span style="font-size:85%;">Amer is jailed for insulting the president and Islam. (Reuters)</span></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal">Authorities block only a small number of Web sites, but they monitor Internet activity on a regular basis. Traffic from all Internet service providers passes through the state-run Egypt Telecom. Authorities regularly detain critical bloggers for open-ended periods. Local press freedom groups documented the detention of more than 100 bloggers in 2008 alone. Although most bloggers were released after short periods, some were held for months and many were kept without judicial order. Most detained bloggers report mistreatment, and a number have been tortured.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Lowlight</b>: Blogger Abdel Karim Suleiman, known online as Karim Amer, is serving a <a href="http://cpj.org/imprisoned/2008.php#egypt">four-year prison term</a> on charges of insulting Islam and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><strong>9. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">TURKMENISTAN</st1:country-region></st1:place></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478505.cms" align="center" border="0" /> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:85%;">Turkmenistan, where the nation's first internet cafe was guarded by troops.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></st1:place></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal">President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov promised to open his isolated country to the world by providing public Internet access. But when the country’s first Internet café opened in 2007, it was <a href="http://cpj.org/2008/02/attacks-on-the-press-2007-turkmenistan.php">guarded by soldiers</a>, connections were uneven, the hourly fee was prohibitively high, and authorities monitored or blocked access to certain sites. The Russian telecommunications company MTS, which entered the Turkmen market in 2005, started offering Web access from mobile phones in June 2008, but service agreements require customers to avoid Web sites critical of the Turkmen government.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight:</b> Turkmentelecom, the state Internet service provider, routinely blocks access to dissident and opposition sites, while it monitors e-mail accounts registered with Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail. <span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /><br /><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="">8. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">CHINA</st1:country-region></st1:place></b></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478509.cms" align="center" border="0" /><br /><b style=""><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">With nearly 300 million people online—more than any other country in the world—<st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> has a vibrant digital culture. But Chinese authorities also maintain the world’s most <a href="http://cpj.org/reports/2008/06/9-2.php">comprehensive online censorship</a> program, one emulated by many other countries. The government relies on service providers to filter searches, block critical Web sites, delete objectionable content, and monitor e-mail traffic. Because <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s traditional press is tightly controlled, bloggers often break news and provide provocative commentary. Blogs, for example, played prominent roles in spreading news and information about the 2008 <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sichuan</st1:place></st1:state> earthquake. But bloggers who go too far in promoting unpopular views or reporting sensitive information can find themselves in jail. At least 24 online writers are now in prison, CPJ research shows.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight</b>: In 2008, the National Office for Cleaning Up Pornography and Fighting Illegal Publications announced that it had removed more than 200 million “harmful” online items during the prior year.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b>7. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">TUNISIA</st1:country-region></st1:place></b></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478511.cms" align="center" border="0" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Internet service providers are required to submit IP addresses and other identifying information to the government on a regular basis. All Internet traffic flows through a central network, allowing the government to filter content and monitor e-mails. The government employs an array of techniques to harass bloggers: conducting surveillance, <a href="http://cpj.org/blog/2009/03/after-cpj-letter-tunis-grants-journalist-freedom-t.php">restricting bloggers’ movements</a>, and undertaking electronic sabotage. Online writers <a href="http://cpj.org/reports/2008/09/tunisia-oppression.php">Slim Boukhdhir</a> and Mohamed Abbou have served jail time for their work. <b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight</b>: In a March address, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali warned writers against examining government “mistakes and violations,” saying it was “an activity that is unbecoming of our society and is not an expression of freedom or democracy.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b>6. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">VIETNAM</st1:country-region></st1:place></b></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478519.cms" align="center" border="0" /><br /><b><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></st1:place></b> <b><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bloggers have daringly tried to fill the gap in independent news that is left by the traditional state-controlled media. The government has responded with more regulation. Authorities have called on international technology companies such as Yahoo, Google, and Microsoft to provide information about bloggers who use their platforms. Last September, prominent blogger <a href="http://www.cpj.org/2008/09/critical-blogger-given-30-months-in-prison.php">Nguyen Van Hai</a>, also known as Dieu Cay, was sentenced to 30 months in prison on tax evasion charges. CPJ research shows the charges were in reprisal for his blogging. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight:</b> In October 2008, the Ministry of Information and Communication created a new agency tasked with monitoring the Internet.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="">5. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">SAUDI ARABIA</st1:place></st1:country-region></b></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478520.cms" align="center" border="0" /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Saudi Arabia, a country where an estimated 400,00 sites are blocked.</span></span><br /><b style=""><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">An estimated 400,000 sites are blocked inside the kingdom, including those that tackle political, social, or religious issues. Self-censorship is widespread. Aside from “indecent” material, <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Saudi Arabia</st1:country-region></st1:place> blocks “anything contrary to the state or its system,” a standard that has been interpreted liberally. In 2008, <a href="http://cpj.org/blog/2009/01/saudi-prince-threatens-sports-commentators.php">influential clerics</a> called for harsh punishment, including flogging and death, for online writers guilty of posting material deemed heretical.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight:</b> Blogger Fouad Ahmed al-Farhan was <a href="http://cpj.org/2008/01/cpj-calls-on-saudi-arabia-to-release-blogger.php">jailed without charge</a> for several months in 2007 and 2008 for promoting reform and the release of political prisoners.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;">4. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">CUBA</st1:country-region></st1:place></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478523.cms" align="center" border="0" /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Cuba, where 21 bloggers are in jail.</span></span><br /><b><span style="color:black;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></st1:place></span></b><span style="color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="margin: 0pt 20px 20px 0pt; float: left; width: 350px;" class="imgblock"><img alt="Sánchez’s Generación Y is among a small but emerging group of independent Cuban blogs. (CPJ)" onload="javascript:addCaption(this)" src="http://cpj.org/reports/Sanchez.cpj1.jpg" class="mt-image-left" style="margin: 0pt; float: none;" height="263" width="350" /><div style="margin-left: 0pt; width: 350px; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" class="caption"><div class="caption-text"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sánchez’s Generación Y is among a small but emerging group of independent Cuban blogs. (CPJ)</span></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal">Only government officials and people with links to the Communist Party have Web access. The general population goes online at hotels or government-controlled Internet cafés by means of expensive voucher cards. A small number of independent bloggers such as Yoani S<span style="" lang="ES">á</span>nchez detail everyday life and offer criticism of the regime. Their blogs are <a href="http://vocescubanas.com/">hosted</a> <a href="http://desdecuba.com/">outside</a> the country and are largely blocked on the island. Two independent bloggers tell CPJ that they are harassed by authorities. Only pro-government bloggers can post their material on domestic sites that can be easily accessed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight:</b> The government now <a href="http://cpj.org/reports/2008/03/cuba-press-crackdown.php">jails 21 writers</a> who were on the leading edge of online journalism in the early part of the decade. These writers, all but one of whom was jailed in 2003, phoned or faxed their material to overseas Web sites for posting.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b>3. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">SYRIA</st1:country-region></st1:place></b></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478524.cms" align="center" border="0" /><br /><b><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The government uses filtering methods to block politically sensitive sites. Authorities detain bloggers for posting content, even third-party material, deemed to be “false” or detrimental to “national unity.” Self-censorship is pervasive. In 2008, the Ministry of Communications ordered Internet café owners to get identification from all patrons, to record customer names and times of use, and to submit the documentation regularly to authorities. Human rights groups noted that authorities harass and detain bloggers perceived as antigovernment.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight</b>: Waed al-Mhana, an advocate for endangered archaeological sites, is <a href="http://cpj.org/2009/04/syrian-journalist-held-incommunicado-another-on-tr.php">on trial</a> for a <a href="http://all4syria.info/index.php">posting</a> that criticized the demolition of a market in Old Damascus.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><b>2. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">IRAN</st1:country-region></st1:place></b></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478525.cms" align="center" border="0" /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:85%;" >Iran, a country where a young blogger died in prison last month, was named as the second-worst country.</span><br /><b><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></st1:place> <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Authorities regularly detain or harass bloggers who write critically about religious or political figures, the Islamic revolution, and its symbols. The government requires all bloggers to register their Web sites with the Ministry of Art and Culture. Government officials claim to have blocked millions of Web sites, according to news reports. A newly created special prosecutor’s office specializes in Internet issues and works directly with intelligence services. Pending legislation would make the creation of blogs promoting “corruption, prostitution, and apostasy” punishable by death.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Lowlight</b>: Blogger <a href="http://cpj.org/2009/03/blogger-jailed-for-insulting-leaders-dies-in-irans.php">Omidreza Mirsayafi</a>, jailed for insulting the country’s religious leaders, died in Evin Prison in March under circumstances that have not been fully explained.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">BURMA</st1:country-region></st1:place></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/4478527.cms" align="center" border="0" /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Burma has been judged the worst country in the world for online restrictions in a report looking at the repression faced by bloggers.<br /><br />Bloggers inside Burma proved invaluable in passing out information during the September 2007 uprisings, leading to the ruling military junta blocking the Internet completely for a period, reports The Guardian.</span></p> <div style="margin: 0pt 0pt 20px 20px; float: right; width: 200px;" class="imgblock"><img alt="Zarganar is serving a 59-year prison term. (AP)" onload="javascript:addCaption(this)" src="http://cpj.org/reports/Zarganar.Burma.ap.cpj.jpg" class="mt-image-right" style="margin: 0pt; float: none;" height="234" width="200" /><div style="margin-left: 0pt; width: 200px; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" class="caption"><div class="caption-text"><span style="font-size:85%;">Zarganar is serving a 59-year prison term. (AP)</span></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Burma</st1:country-region></st1:place>, which <a href="http://cpj.org/reports/2008/05/burma-internet.php">heavily censors</a> print and broadcast media, has also applied extensive restrictions on blogging and other Internet activity. Private Internet penetration is very small—only about 1 percent, according to the Internet research group <a href="http://opennet.net/">OpenNet Initiative</a>—so most citizens access the Internet in cybercafés. Authorities heavily regulate those cafés, requiring them, for example, to enforce censorship rules. The government, which shut down the Internet altogether during a popular uprising in 2007, has the capability to monitor e-mail and other communication methods and to block users from viewing Web sites of political opposition groups, according to OpenNet Initiative. At least two bloggers are now in prison.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""></b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lowlight:</span> Blogger Maung Thura, popularly known as Zarganar, is serving a 59-year prison term for disseminating video footage after Cyclone Nargis in 2008.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p></span><br /><b:if cond="'data:blog.pageType"><br /><span style=""><span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%27data:post.url%27"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-40777152411279603482009-05-12T17:25:00.008+08:002014-01-25T01:15:55.964+08:00 Largest Sea Creatures Ever Caught <div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dennisdumaup.com/" target="_blank">LARGEST HANDS</a></span></b></div>
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<b>1. Largest Catfish Ever Caught - Thailand</b> <br />
This Grizzly bear sized catfish measures in at nearly 9 feet long. This might just be the largest freshwater fish ever on record. <br />
Thai villagers tried to keep the giant catfish alive, but despite great efforts, it died and was eaten by the villagers. This species of catfish is listed as "critacally endangered" by the IUCN (World Conservative Union). This catfish specimen was caught in the Chiang Khong district, and is the biggest one caught since 1981. Due to the nature of this rare catch, the World Wildlife Fund is teaming up with the National Geographic Society to study the planet earth's largest freshwater fish.<br />
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<img alt="largest-catfish-caught: The largest catfish ever caught" class="image image-_original" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/catfish1.jpg" height="308" title="largest-catfish-caught: The largest catfish ever caught" width="461" /> </div>
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<b>2. Largest Stingray Ever Caught - Thailand</b> <br />
This gigantic freshwater Stingray weighed in at over 256kg. A team of fishermen fought hard to reel this guy in, after fishing up other stingrays of varied weight, from different parts of a Thai river. It took them 90 minutes to wrangle this beast out of the water, to be finally brought to the side of the boat. This guy was crowned the largest freshwater fish to ever be caught on rod and line. <br />
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<img alt="Largest Stingray Ever Caught: A photo of the Largest Stingray ever caught" class="image image-_original" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/sting-ray1.jpeg" height="400" title="Largest Stingray Ever Caught: A photo of the Largest Stingray ever caught" width="354" /> </div>
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<span class="fullpost"><b>3. Largest Salmon Ever Caught - California</b> </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"> A Chinook salmon in lower Battle Creek was found to be 51 inches long, which could have weighed more than 88 pounds, according to standard size-to-weight ratios. Normally, salmon weigh between 20 and 30 pounds. This gigantic salmon was found during a standard fall salmon survey by some DFG biologists. <br />
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<img alt="Biggest Chinook Salmon" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/largest-salmon.jpg" height="231" title="Biggest Chinook Salmon" width="308" /> </div>
<b>4. Largest Eel Ever Caught - Rhode Island</b> <br />
The crew of a fishing steamer were fishing, and pulled up and Eel weighing in at 34lbs, 5 feet 3 inches, and a circumference of 15 inches. Thrashing around in the net, this big Eel was not as feisty as smaller ones, which would have made things pretty interesting. <br />
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<img class="image image-_original" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/biggest-eel.jpg" style="height: 271px; width: 364px;" /> </div>
Eels, are not to be confused with Oarfish: <br />
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<img alt="oarfish" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/Oarfish.jpg" style="height: 281px; width: 375px;" title="oarfish" /> </div>
<b>5. Largest Shark Ever Caught - Mediterranean</b> <br />
Typically, sharks are caught on rod and reel, some in nets. The whale shark is known to be the largest member of the shark family, and also known for their friendly nature and eating only small oceanic organisms. Reports surfaced of a 23 foot long whale shark caught in the Mediterranean, but the actual length was 21 feet. <br />
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<span class="inline inline-none"><img alt="Whale Shark" class="image image-_original" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/whale_shark_research.jpg" style="height: 278px; width: 408px;" title="Whale Shark" /><span class="caption" style="width: 577px;"></span></span></div>
<b>6. Largest Crab Ever Caught - Northern Pacific Ocean</b> <br />
Crabs are odd looking creatures, usually sized to fit on your dinner plate. However; the largest crab ever to be caught weighed somewhere around 15kg and was almost 2 meters, tip to tip. A Varanger king crab is the largest crab species in the world, and is often referred to as the "red king crab". <br />
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<img alt="largest king crab" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/largest-king-crab.jpg" height="184" title="largest king crab" width="377" /> </div>
<b>7. Largest Squid Ever Caught - Antarctica</b> <br />
In February 2007, a fishing boat off the coast of Antarctica caught a giant squid. Measuring up at 26 feet long, believed to be the biggest squid captured, ever. Scientists froze the big squid, and now it lives in a New Zealand museum. This collossal squid could keep growing - up to 46 feet long! Due to the nature of these deep-sea squid, these are very rarely seen specimen. <br />
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<img class="image image-_original" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/largest-squid-ever.jpg" style="height: 265px; width: 398px;" /> </div>
<b>8. Largest Marlin Ever Caught - Kona, Hawaii</b> <br />
Here we've got a legendary Pacific blue marlin, weighing in at 1,656 pounds, caught in 1984. This 17 foot marlin is the largest to ever have been caught in Kona, Hawaii, but only the second largest to have been caught by rod and reel. For two hours and 20 minutes, fishermen struggled to reel the beast in. <br />
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<img src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/largest-marlin-caught.jpg" height="510" width="360" /> </div>
<b>9. Largest Barracuda Ever Caught - Christmas Island, Indian Ocean</b> <br />
The Largest Barracuda in the world was caught off Chrismas Island, in the Indian Ocean, on April 11, 1992. A barracuda often appears in open seas, and are deadly predators that usually ambush their prey. With a burst of speed, they can easily overrun their prey. The largest barracuda caught was 85 pounds. That's one heavy fish! <br />
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<img alt="Largest Barracuda" src="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/files/images/great-barracuda.jpg" style="height: 254px; width: 373px;" title="Largest Barracuda" /> </div>
<span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;">Source: <a href="http://www.discoverfishingbc.ca/">BC Fishing</a></span> <br />
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<b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><br /><span style="float: right; font-weight: bold;"><a href="data:post.url"><span style="color: white; font-size: 0;"> -- </span></a></span></b:if>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-24342669901426634562009-05-11T17:11:00.003+08:002009-05-11T17:32:01.156+08:00World's Happiest Place<span><span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 406px; height: 271px;" alt="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/images/photos/photo_lg_denmark.jpg" src="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/images/photos/photo_lg_denmark.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><span><span>For those who think a tropical island paradise or a Beverly Hills mansion is the ultimate key to contentment, think again; the happiest place in the world is, according to sociologists, far closer to home. In a new study aimed at charting each country's levels of happiness, Denmark has scored top marks, followed closely by Switzerland, Austria and Iceland. Britain came 41st, 18 places behind the United States.The study, conducted by the University of Leicester, compiled data from 178 countries and 100 global studies to map happiness across the world and found that countries with good access to healthcare and education came out on top.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />The report's author, Adrian White, said the results showed that people in the West should realise how lucky they were. "The current obsession in the West about how unhappy we are really needs a reality check," he said. "I think one of the most destructive myths is that people in intense poverty are actually happy. Because if you believe that, why should you do anything?" Most of Africa and the former Soviet republics scored worst. Burundi, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo were the world's least happy places. The report did, however, contain some surprises. The tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan, ruled by an autocratic monarch, came eighth, while nations such as Japan and France languished at 90th and 62nd respectively. Benjamin Holst, a Danish journalist, said that Denmark's high suicide rate - the second worst in Europe - and a recent rise in xenophobia should make people question just how content Danes were. "I'm not sure about these studies and I really wonder about the suicide rates in Denmark," he said. "I mean is it that we're so happy we kill ourselves? I really wonder about that."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On top of the world</span><br /><br /> * 1 Denmark<br />* 2 Switzerland<br />* 3 Austria<br />* 4 Iceland<br />* 5 Bahamas<br />* 6 Finland<br />* 7 Sweden<br />* 8 Bhutan<br />* 9 Brunei<br />* 10 Canada<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Article Source: The Independent World</span></span><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><b:if cond="'data:blog.pageType"><br /><span style="'float:right;"><span><a href="'data:post.url'"><span style="font-size:0;color:#FFFFFF;"> -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-17702329608885594202009-05-04T18:52:00.011+08:002009-05-04T19:11:16.660+08:00Hatton apologises to supporters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDRaPgSgRNmJMg7Gvjxv_V22R8vX7BHckP7VbNLu0KelI64FH4kRRIY8ZSTU_DPSBaSqhyphenhyphenLGcCJta0PZlllETW_MXcm0EwccO1S07P2lmrpiAv_htm62Aabt_0rvKp6qnKkmUUncoYbI/s1600-h/_45733804_ricky226.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDRaPgSgRNmJMg7Gvjxv_V22R8vX7BHckP7VbNLu0KelI64FH4kRRIY8ZSTU_DPSBaSqhyphenhyphenLGcCJta0PZlllETW_MXcm0EwccO1S07P2lmrpiAv_htm62Aabt_0rvKp6qnKkmUUncoYbI/s400/_45733804_ricky226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331923765545067666" border="0" /></a>Ricky Hatton has apologised to his army of fans in the wake of his devastating IBO light-welterweight world title defeat against Manny Pacquiao.Hatton is considering his future after suffering a punishing second-round knockout in Las Vegas that left the 30-year-old Briton requiring a brain scan.<br /><br />"I'm so desperately sorry for you all," Hatton told his followers. "I thought I would win but it went wrong.<br /><br />"I'm OK but so upset for all the supporters who came out here."<br />About 20,000 fans are thought to have made the trip from Britain to see Hatton fight.But they witnessed less than six minutes of action as Hatton suffered only the second loss of his 47-fight career.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The Mancunian was knocked down twice in the first round before being counted out with one second left of round two after being floored by a huge left from his Filipino opponent.<br /><br />"I didn't see the punch coming, but it was a great shot," said Hatton. "I congratulate Manny. He is a terrific fighter."<br /><br />Despite the manner of his defeat, Hatton was able to host a poolside party at the MGM Grand Hotel on Sunday, appearing relaxed and unmarked.<br /><br />He posed for pictures with his younger brother Matthew, who won his welterweight fight on the undercard.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Hatton camp moved to play down talk of a rift between American trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr and English assistant trainer Lee Beard, which was raised as a possible contributory factor to the defeat.<br /><br />"It's an interesting point, but the one person to blame is Pacquiao," said Hatton Promotions chief executive Gareth Williams.<br /><br />Mayweather Sr appeared at the post-fight press conference but only briefly, and he did not sit on the chairs and take questions alongside Beard and Williams.<br /><br />"Lee's a lot more involved with Ricky Hatton than Floyd Mayweather is," Williams added. "Floyd Mayweather was brought in for 12 weeks to do a job, and that's the end of it.<br /><br />"He's finished now and we don't know what's going to happen. Lee Beard's with Hatton Promotions 365 days a year, Floyd Mayweather's there for 12 weeks before a fight, and that's the difference.<br /><br />"Probably the best way to describe Floyd is that he's on board as a consultant. He doesn't control Ricky Hatton, he doesn't speak for Ricky Hatton, he speaks for Floyd Mayweather."<br /><br /></span><br /><b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><span style="font-size:85%;">Article from: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/8032198.stm">BBC Sports</a></span><br /><span style="float: right; font-weight: bold;"><span><a href="data:post.url"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-66229672876334798482009-04-29T20:07:00.005+08:002009-04-29T20:26:32.186+08:00Celebrity Potheads<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 372px; height: 471px;" alt="http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/actors_films_images/george_clooney_swimming_mid_air_jump.jpg" src="http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/actors_films_images/george_clooney_swimming_mid_air_jump.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vHRgwl3l22z7F3-ca_g6z9dl5d_dJ6Y3QmI6A1UwHdrZZ7a99CYqn1j2MpyDi9KI1GHDNYOl6n6b7FOFMFCNAnaqY-KQG0D27BDPPaUkb_PHx97lBhCbuZjY-gLj7jdCtU-0rd5Wjjw/s1600-h/brad-pitt2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vHRgwl3l22z7F3-ca_g6z9dl5d_dJ6Y3QmI6A1UwHdrZZ7a99CYqn1j2MpyDi9KI1GHDNYOl6n6b7FOFMFCNAnaqY-KQG0D27BDPPaUkb_PHx97lBhCbuZjY-gLj7jdCtU-0rd5Wjjw/s320/brad-pitt2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330088114149254354" border="0" /></a>You already know that Willie Nelson loves the green, and you’re probably not surprised to hear Jack Black is a toker.<br /><br />Hell, you probably even remember when sweet Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island got popped for marijuana possession recently. But you might not be aware of these celebrities who like to partake from time to time.<br /><br />Here are a list of some celebrity potheads that might surprise you.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kirsten Dunst</span>- Just last year, Kirsten Dunst admitted she likes smoking marijuana. In fact, she said “America’s view on weed is ridiculous” and the world would be a better place if “everyone smoked weed.” No wonder she likes playing the role of Mary Jane in Spiderman. Okay, that’s a lame joke, but I couldn’t resist.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brad Pitt-</span> Whether on the set of Ocean’s Twelve or Thelma & Louise, one thing is clear: Brad Pitt likes to unwind after a long day of shooting with a little help from his green friend. Beyond the reports of on-set smoking, Pitt’s also been spotted on numerous occasions with T-shirts professing his love for weed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jennifer Aniston</span>- This stunning actress has admitted her love for weed on several occasions. Back when she was still married to Brad Pitt, she confessed that she and Pitt used to smoke together on a regular basis. However, Aniston did make sure to point out that she smokes in moderation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Harrison Ford</span>- Harrison Ford has Bill Maher to thank for making this list. At a NORML conference, Maher told attendees it was high time Harrison Ford took a step out of the cannabis closet. I knew Indiana Jones had to be under the influence when he would pull off all those crazy stunts.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Morgan Freeman</span>- In an interview with the UK newspaper The Guardian, this legendary actor told reporters he had given up his use of hard drugs, but that he would never quit his relationship with Mary Jane. In fact, he referred to marijuana as “God’s own weed.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Justin Timberlake</span>- Boy bander Justin Timberlake once said marijuana should be legalized. He told fellow star Nelly that it would cut the crime rate in half. According to Nelly, he and Timberlake love partying together, and they share a love for the green. So, that’s how Justin Timberlake could tolerate being in N-Sync for so long.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">George Clooney</span>- When shooting Ocean’s Twelve, the cast went on location to Amsterdam. The owner of a local cannabis café told reporters George Clooney was no stranger there. Apparently, the charming actor visits the store at least a few times a year. It makes sense if you think about it. Clooney is always calm and even-tempered.<br /><br />and here are some of the list too...<br /><br />Pot is hot in Hollywood...<br /><a href="http://www.oanmedia.com/2005/11/jackass_star_lights_up_50_cent.php">Steve-O</a><br /><a href="http://www.perezhilton.com/topics/britney_spears/us_weekly_exclusive_kevin_federline_is_a_stoner_20051103.php">Kevin Federline</a><br /><a href="http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2004/12/lindsay_gets_bl.html">Lindsay Lohan</a><br /><a href="http://www.perezhilton.com/topics/kelly_clarkson/how_did_kelly_clarkson_spend_new_years_eve_20060109.php">Kelly Clarkson</a><br /><a href="http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2005/03/paris_hilton_jo.html">Paris</a> - <a href="http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2005/01/paris_drag_quee.html">Paris</a> - <a href="http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2005/02/paris_puffs_up.html">Paris</a><br /><a href="http://popsugar.com/4329">The Laguna Beach kids</a><br /><a href="http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2004/09/token_arnold.html">Arnold Schwarzenhuffer</a><br /><a href="http://socialitelife.com/mt/archives/jesse_metcalfe_looks_stoned_at_the_stones.php">Jesse Metcalfe</a><br /><a href="http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2005/05/goldie_hawn_bla.html">Goldie Hawn</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drewbic/51661874/">Redman</a><br /><a href="http://sorryigotdrunk.com/archives/2005/11/mondays_hangove_8.php">Captain Kirk?!</a><br /><a href="http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2005/03/celebrities_smo.html">Aaron Carter, Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and more!</a><br /><br />See more from this list: <a href="http://denzmeister.blogspot.com/2009/03/celebrity-stoners.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FAMOUS CELEBRITY POTHEADS</span></a><br /><br /></span><br /><b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><br /><span style="float: right; font-weight: bold;"><span><a href="data:post.url"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if><br /><b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><span style="float: right; font-weight: bold;"><span><a href="data:post.url"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-19980772563058489842009-04-25T02:47:00.028+08:002009-04-25T13:33:08.728+08:00Top 10 Most Succesful Marijuana Users<p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 339px; height: 203px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55931" title="pot-smokers-lead-final1" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/pot-smokers-lead-final1.jpg?w=600&h=360" alt="pot-smokers-lead-final1" /></p><br />An unemployed porno addict, sitting in his parents’ basement, playing video games, eating Lucky Charms out of the box with one hand while he lazily scratches his balls with the other. A dread-lock having, patchouli oil smelling, tie-die wearing, Phish listening, hula-hoop twirling space cadet. A burger flipping, acne having, socially inept, friendless loser… These are the common stereotypes associated with the term ‘pothead’. In a recent piece we published on pot farms, a debate erupted in the comments section, with some arguing that if you smoke pot, you’ll be poor, gay, and “washing dishes until you’re dead.”<br /><br />Where these stereotypes originated remains a mystery to us. In reality, they couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only have 42% of Americans admitted to trying pot, but pot smokers have gone on to become some of the most successful people in our society. We’re not talking about Willie Nelson and Snoop. These guys are on the Forbes 500, they’re leading the free world, and they prove that all existing pothead stereotypes are nothing more than myths.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sir Richard Branson</span></span><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/richardbranson.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 324px; height: 223px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55853" title="richardbranson" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/richardbranson.jpg?w=600&h=394" alt="richardbranson" /></a></p><span class="fullpost"><span class="fullpost"><br /><span class="fullpost"><span class="fullpost">While the ‘Sir’ in front of this guy’s name puts him in some very elite company, it doesn’t automatically get him on this list. What does earn him a spot is the fact that he’s the 236th richest person in the world, founder of the Virgin empire, which encompasses everything from airlines to record stores to cell phones, and made his entire multi-billion dollar fortune from absolutely nothing. Not only does this man smoke weed, he gets high with his 21-year-old son. He has publicly stated that there’s nothing wrong with smoking pot, has petitioned for the legalization of pot, and even said that if it were legal, he’d sell it.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rick Steves</span></span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 307px; height: 204px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55854" title="ricksteves" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/ricksteves.jpg?w=600&h=400" alt="ricksteves" /></p><br /></div><span class="fullpost">Your name doesn’t become synonymous with ‘European Travel’ by accident. You can’t just take a bong hit, lay back in your bean bag and toss off a few ‘graphs on how awesome the Louvre is. And yet here’s Rick Steves, author of 27 top selling European travel guides, host of his own TV show and radio show, and a very outspoken pothead. He’s a member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and credits pot for turning him into a better travel writer by opening his mind to new things. Aaron SorkinIn fairness to tokers around the world, Sorkin is a bit more of a ‘drug addict’ than he is ‘pothead’. He started dabbling with weed and coke back in the late ’80s, has been in and out of rehab numerous times, and was arrested for possession of marijuana, mushrooms and crack in 2001. So yeah, he loves to smoke weed… but he also loves to freebase. Not cool, Aaron! However, the man’s drug problems have done little to hinder his success in Hollywood. His work on The West Wing, both as writer and producer, earned him multiple Emmy Awards, and countless nominations for other awards.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Aaron Sorkin</strong><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 329px; height: 219px;" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-55860" title="sorkin650" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/sorkin650.jpg?w=600&h=400" alt="sorkin650" /></p> <p><strong></strong>In fairness to tokers around the world, Sorkin is a bit more of a ‘drug addict’ than he is ‘pothead’. He started dabbling with weed and coke back in the late ’80s, has been in and out of rehab numerous times, and was arrested for possession of marijuana, mushrooms and crack in 2001. So yeah, he loves to smoke weed… but he also loves to freebase. Not cool, Aaron! However, the man’s drug problems have done little to hinder his success in Hollywood. His work on <em>The West Wing</em>, both as writer and producer, earned him multiple Emmy Awards, and countless nominations for other awards.</p><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Michael Phelps </span></span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 314px; height: 209px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55861" title="78802292JJ042_MUTUAL_OF_OMA" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/michaelphelps.jpg?w=600&h=400" alt="78802292JJ042_MUTUAL_OF_OMA" /></p><br /></div><span class="fullpost">Mr. “Has More Olympic Gold Medals Than Anyone In History” made headlines this week when photos of him and a bong surfaced. Since the scandal, Phelps has given a few interviews decrying his “bad judgment,” promising it was a dumb mistake that never happened before and won’t happen again… but we know that’s bullsh*t. Phelps was hitting that bong like a pro, not daintily toking some little amateur joint. With this in mind, we’re going to go ahead and assume this wasn’t Phelps’s first time. It might be his last, but it definitely wasn’t his first. This means that you can become the most world class athlete of all time and be a pot smoker at the same time. Stereotype shattered.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Barack Obama</span></span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 312px; height: 205px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55862" title="obama_youth_04" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/obama_youth_04.jpg?w=600&h=396" alt="obama_youth_04" /></p> <strong></strong><br /></div><span class="fullpost">Almost every American President before Barry, from Washington to Clinton to Bush, has had a pot addled past. Clinton purportedly tried and failed to smoke a joint, Bush was a boozer, but messed with coke and pot from time to time, Washington even grew marijuana on his farm. But as far as we know, none have admitted to smoking as much pot as Obama. He wrote extensively about his stoner past in his book Dreams of My Father, and in a 2007 interview stated “When I was a kid I inhaled frequently. That was the point.” Anyone who wonders what kind of future a pothead can have should take a hard look at Barack Obama. Not only can you grow up to be ridiculously smart, you can grow up to be President.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Bloomberg</span></span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 328px; height: 244px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55863" title="michael-bloomberg" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/michael-bloomberg.jpg?w=600&h=448" alt="michael-bloomberg" /></p><br /></div><span class="fullpost">--The Mayor of New York’s last name is associated with ‘business’ and ’success’, not ‘failure’ and ‘the munchies’. But if you’re one of those idiots who believes a pothead could never amount to anything, you’d have never guessed this was the way Bloomberg would turn out. Did he smoke pot when he was younger? In his own words “You bet I did. And I enjoyed it!”<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ted TurnerTed</span></span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 314px; height: 224px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55868" title="tedturner" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/tedturner.jpg?w=600&h=429" alt="tedturner" /></p><br /></div><span class="fullpost">Ted Turner is a rare breed of billionaire — he comes off as completely absent minded, incapable of even putting on his own pants. Yet he is a mega-mogul. He single-handedly invented the 24-hour news cycle with CNN, was named Time’s Man of the Year in 1991, is the largest private land owner in America, and also owns a few other TV stations, and the Atlanta Braves. So… owning lots of stuff? Not what you’d expect from a guy who grew pot in his college dorm room. Ted is also a major funder of the Kentucky Hemp Museum, along with renowned stoner Woody Harelson, and is a well known fan of the classic stoner cartoon Scooby-Doo.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Montel Williams</span></span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 307px; height: 230px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55869" title="montelwilliams" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/montelwilliams.jpg?w=600&h=450" alt="montelwilliams" /></p><br /></div><span class="fullpost">The talk show prince discovered pot late in life, and for good reason. Back in 1999 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and couldn’t find anything to suppress his symptoms. He tried all sorts of pain killers; none worked, and all had horrible side effects. So he decided to try medical marijuana (same thing as regular marijuana, FYI) and it worked wonders for him! Years later, he is one of MS’s most recognizable faces, one of medical marijuana’s staunchest defenders, and even though he’s baked all the time, still managed to host his own talk show until 2008, when it was unfortunately canceled. Well, at least he’s still got his weed.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stephen King</span></span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 378px; height: 189px;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-55870" title="king600span" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/king600span.jpg?w=600&h=300" alt="king600span" /></p><br /></div><span class="fullpost">We haven’t included many creative types on this list, mostly because they’re all potheads. Every actor, musician and artist ever is a huge pothead. It’s a fact, don’t dispute us. But writing 1,000 page novels is a slightly different process. You can’t just ‘jam out’ The Stand. Over the course of his career, both his output and his success have been unparalleled. He’s authored upwards of 50 novels and short stories which have sold a collective 500 million copies worldwide. He’s also been one of the most vocal proponents for the legalization of marijuana, calling laws against the drug “ridiculous,” and stating that “I think that marijuana should not only be legal, I think it should be a cottage industry.” It makes perfect sense. You’d have to be stoned to come up with some of the sh*t this guy has.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="fullpost"> Arnold Schwarzenegger</span><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 345px; height: 268px;" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-55871" title="arnold_630x" src="http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/arnold_630x.jpg?w=600&h=468" alt="arnold_630x" /></p><br /></div></span></span>The Governator is the only man on this list who is actually on video smoking weed. In the classic documentary Pumping Iron, he is seen smoking, and loving, a joint. But hey man, that was the’70s, right? Things have chanced since then. Haven’t they? Well, Schwarzenegger hasn’t been puffing since his election to office, but he has presided over California’s recent medical marijuana renaissance. Now anyone who wants one can get a pot prescription in the state, which gives them legal access to some of the best weed in the country, and even allows them to grow plants in their own home. According to Arnold, marijuana “is not a drug, it’s a leaf.”<br /><br /></span><br /><b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><br /><span style="float: right; font-weight: bold;"><span><a href="data:post.url"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if><br /><span class="fullpost"><span class="fullpost"><span class="fullpost"><br /></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-40530951102241894572009-04-24T22:19:00.003+08:002009-04-25T13:46:54.123+08:00The Top 10 Worst Polluted Places<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 353px; height: 236px;" alt="http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/files/2008/05/dirtycity.large.jpg" src="http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/files/2008/05/dirtycity.large.jpg" /><br /></div><br />More than 10 million people in eight different countries are at serious risk for cancer, respiratory diseases, and premature death because they live in the 10 most polluted places on Earth, according to a report by the Blacksmith Institute, a nonprofit organization that works to identify and solve specific environmental problems worldwide.<br /><br />Top 10 Worst Polluted Places Remote but Toxic<br />Chernobyl in Ukraine, site of the world’s worst nuclear accident to date, is the best known place on the list. The other places are unknown to most people, and located far from major cities and populations centers, yet 10 million people either suffer or risk serious health effects because of environmental problems ranging from lead contamination to radiation.<br /><br />“Living in a town with serious pollution is like living under a death sentence,” the report says. “If the damage does not come from immediate poisoning, then cancers, lung infections, mental retardation, are likely outcomes.”<br /><br />“There are some towns where life expectancy approaches medieval rates, where birth defects are the norm not the exception,” the report continues. “In other places children's asthma rates are measured above 90 percent, or mental retardation is endemic. In these places, life expectancy may be half that of the richest nations. The great suffering of these communities compounds the tragedy of so few years on earth."<br /><br />Top 10 Worst Polluted Sites Serve as Examples of Widespread Problems<br />Russia leads the list of eight nations, with three of the 10 worst polluted sites. Other sites were chosen because they are examples of problems found in many places around the world. For example, Haina, Dominican Republic has severe lead contamination—a problem that is common in many poor countries. Linfen, China is just one of several Chinese cities choking on industrial air pollution. And Ranipet, India is a nasty example of serious groundwater pollution by heavy metals. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />The Top 10 worst polluted places in the world are:<br /><br /> 1. Chernobyl, Ukraine<br /> 2. Dzerzhinsk, Russia<br /> 3. Haina, Dominican Republic<br /> 4. Kabwe, Zambia<br /> 5. La Oroya, Peru<br /> 6. Linfen, China<br /> 7. Maiuu Suu, Kyrgyzstan<br /> 8. Norilsk, Russia<br /> 9. Ranipet, India<br />10. Rudnaya Pristan/Dalnegorsk, Russia<br /><br />Choosing the Top 10 Worst Polluted Places<br />The Top 10 worst polluted places were chosen by the Blacksmith Institute’s Technical Advisory Board from a list of 35 polluted places that had been narrowed from 300 polluted places identified by the Institute or nominated by people worldwide. The Technical Advisory Board includes experts from Johns Hopkins, Hunter College, Harvard University, IIT India, the University of Idaho, Mount Sinai Hospital, and leaders of major international environmental remediation companies.<br /><br />Solving Global Pollution Problems<br />According to the report, “there are potential remedies for these sites. Problems like this have been solved over the years in the developed world, and we have the capacity and the technology to spread our experience to our afflicted neighbors.”<br /><br />“The most important thing is to achieve some practical progress in dealing with these polluted places,” says Dave Hanrahan, chief of global operations for the Blacksmith Institute. “There is a lot of good work being done in understanding the problems and in identifying possible approaches. Our goal is to instill a sense of urgency about tackling these priority sites.”<br /><br />(Source: http://environment.about.com/od/pollution/a/top_10_polluted.htm)<br /><br /></span><br /><b:if cond="'data:blog.pageType"><br /><span style=""><span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%27data:post.url%27"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > [....] </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-36982154254609217572009-04-22T00:40:00.017+08:002009-04-25T13:42:14.470+08:00Cleanest vs. Most Polluted Cities of the World!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 317px; height: 211px;" alt="http://www.bimmerfest.com/content/48/48_calgary10.jpg" src="http://www.bimmerfest.com/content/48/48_calgary10.jpg" /><br /></div>In early September, the Blacksmith Institute published their annual survey of the World’s Most Polluted Places. I really like this type of survey and enjoy reading their conclusions. However, personally I also like being able to contrast this type of information with the other end of the spectrum, so I also looked up Forbes most recent publishing of the World’s Cleanest Cities. As you may have suspected, the most polluted cities are found in the developing world, with emerging markets such as China, India, and Russia, being the main culprits (each contributing 2 cities to the list). As for the cleanest cities in the world, those were all found in the United States, Canada, Europe, and one from Japan. Obviously, the results of both of these surveys are debatable, and are largely influenced by researchers opinions. However, as I compare those cities on the cleanest list with those on the most polluted list, I find it really amazing to see all that we are capable of as humans–both good and bad.<br /><br />To see a place like Calgary, the fastest growing city in Canada and fossil fuels center, as the number one cleanest city in the world is really inspiring. However, on the opposite end of the spectrum, cities like Linfen, China, where over 3 million people can’t even put their laundry out to dry as it will be covered in coal and soot from abysmal air pollution, shows us that we still have a long way to go (Time).<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><br /><span><p></p> <table style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">World’s Cleanest Cities:</span></td> <td width="20"><br /></td> <td style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">World’s Most Polluted Cities:</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_01.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 193px; height: 131px;" /><br /><b>1. Calgary, Canada</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/linfen.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 188px; height: 128px;" /><br /><b>1. Linfen, China<br /></b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_02.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 184px; height: 125px;" /><br /><b>2. Honolulu, United States</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://gobudgettravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/tianying.jpg" alt="tianying.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 189px; height: 129px;" /><br /><b>2. Tianying, China</b> </td> </tr> <tr style="padding-bottom: 10px;"> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_03.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 186px; height: 127px;" /><br /><b>3. Helsinki, Finland</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/sukinda.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 192px; height: 132px;" /><br /><b>3. Sukinda, India</b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_04.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 191px; height: 130px;" /><br /><b>4. Ottawa, Canada</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/alt_vapi.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 193px; height: 132px;" /><br /><b>4. Vapi, India</b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_05.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 201px; height: 137px;" /><br /><b>5. Minneapolis, United States</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/alt_la_oroya.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 193px; height: 132px;" /><br /><b>5. La Oroya, Peru</b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_06.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 196px; height: 134px;" /><br /><b>6. Oslo, Norway</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/dzerzhinsk.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 194px; height: 134px;" /><br /><b>6. Dzerzhinsk, Russia</b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_07.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 202px; height: 137px;" /><br /><b>7. Stockholm, Sweden</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/norilsk.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 202px; height: 139px;" /><br /><b>7. Norilsk, Russia</b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_08.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 198px; height: 137px;" /><br /><b>8. Zurich, Switzerland</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/chernobyl.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 198px; height: 135px;" /><br /><b>8. Chernobyl, Ukraine</b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_09.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 202px; height: 138px;" /><br /><b>9. Katsuyama, Japan</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/polluted_tout_a.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 199px; height: 135px;" /><br /><b>9. Sumgayit, Azerbaijan</b> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2007/04/16/city_10.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 204px; height: 139px;" /><br /><b>10. Berne, Switzerland</b> </td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;" width="20"><br /></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 20px;"><img src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/polluted_places/kabwe.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(119, 119, 119); padding: 0px; width: 196px; height: 134px;" /><br /><b>10. Kabwe, Zambia</b> </td> </tr> </tbody></table></span><b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><br /></b:if></span><br /><b:if cond="data:blog.pageType != "item""><br /><span style="float: right; font-weight: bold;"><span><a href="data:post.url"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:0;" > -- </span></a></span></span><br /></b:if>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-91733485522743882652009-04-22T00:11:00.005+08:002009-04-25T13:50:32.703+08:00Happy Earth Day!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/earth-day"><img style="width: 211px; height: 268px;" src="http://www.bloggersunite.org/image/resource/badge/c57b75a2d45aa160372f5e276e82c5ac.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDUMAUP%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:BeachType; panose-1:0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-family:BeachType;font-size:26;" ></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>In the celebration of 39th Philippine Earth Day/Month & Global Youth Volunteerism, Lancelot Entertainment Production & Mister Earth Philippines Foundation together with the City of Manila, Youth Development & Welfare Bureau & Manila Sports Council will conduct a "SURVIVOR FAUNA ACT CHALLENGE Season 2 <span class="fullpost"> to be held on April 21, 2009; 08 am - 05 pm at Manila Zoological & Botanical Center, Quirino Avenue, Manila; and on April 22, 2009, 07 pm - onwards # Bonifacio Shrine (Kartilya ng Katipunan) Beside of Manila City Hall.We have a "YOUTH EARTH DAY CONCERT" with the theme: Kabataan: Kaagapay sa Kabayanihan para sa pagsagip sa Inang Kalikasan" highlighted by Ecological Mass for Healing the Mother Earth & Awarding of various individuals/ organization as "KKK: EARTH DAY ACHIEVERS FOR ENVIRONMENT" participated by different talented youth from city of manila from kids, teens up to ages will do to share their heroism act for the mother earth by singing, dancing, raping and lots more fun and activities.
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<br />The said event organized by the youth leaders : Young Pinoy Smokey Mountain Chapter, Tinig ng Kabataan, Malaya Youth Organization, SKM. Spearheaded & Directed by Lance Martin G. Navoa, an environmental advocates leader(Mobile No. 09295977477). We are looking for any individuals, private firm etc whose want to able to support and sponsors Us. Thank You! Every Day Is Earth Day!
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-39259317057924494972009-04-13T14:48:00.003+08:002009-04-13T16:06:54.722+08:00NENO's AWARD<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 251px; height: 251px;" alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn0aK5muHgcih71I6ZDPlsfpUMBGogTk2gTL8SQDH5PSxwS2Kns2GAZRWjELMS5XXKoS85ahXax2xpAY5pLJqIRZMljCvlSD-EI2PcNPz4QxWhnSks9XjBMC-n2ifLogALV864mj3y2k/s148/Neno's+Award+icon.jpg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn0aK5muHgcih71I6ZDPlsfpUMBGogTk2gTL8SQDH5PSxwS2Kns2GAZRWjELMS5XXKoS85ahXax2xpAY5pLJqIRZMljCvlSD-EI2PcNPz4QxWhnSks9XjBMC-n2ifLogALV864mj3y2k/s148/Neno's+Award+icon.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>I would like to thank <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139338980571613202"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goddy Ramirez</span></a> with his blog "<span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://afriendnamedgoddy.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Friend Named Goddy</span></a>" for tagging me this NENo award. I'm happy whenver I receive this kind of recognition. And as a requirement, I have to post the reasons why I love blogging. And here's some of my reasons:<br /><br />Since I'm always infront of my desktop playing games and signing up to social networkinf account, I decided to do blogging. I started in June 2007 and this is my very first blog. What I do is repost some of most interesting topics I found in the internet and share it with my friends. I was suprised how many people I can reach by writing something and began to explore more about blogging, since then I created another blog, my personal blog "<a href="http://iamdencio.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am Dencio</span></a>". I gained what I call "blog friend" which they support me and I support their blog as well. And what was amazing about blogging is that I can generate my own income thru some sponsors in my blogs. That simple reason for others, well then maybe someday I might answer this question correctly. Im new to blogging. And I'm thanking those people who continously support me and visiting my blog everytime I post a new one.<br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Now, back to this meaningful award, here are the rules:<br /><br />The aims of this award:</span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><ul><li>As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging</li><li>To seek the reasons why we all love blogging</li><li>Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it</li><li>Don't forget to mention the person who gave you the award</li><li>Answer the award's question by writing the reasons why you love blogging</li><li>Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like</li><li>Don't forget to notify the award recipients and put their links in your post</li></ul><p>I want to pass this blog tag awards to the following bloggers whose friendship and support – their constant visits, reading my posts and leaving comments continue to inspire me. With gratitude, I am sharing this tag award with you guys:</p></span>1. <a href="http://www.enjayneer.com/">JAYtography</a> by enjayneer<br />2. <a href="http://bloggistasattic.blogspot.com/">Bloggista's Attic</a> by Rey<br />3. The <a href="http://lemueljon.blogspot.com/">Daily Grind</a> by Chronicle (kahit meron ka na pre hehe)<br />4. <a href="http://bhing-juandelacruz.blogspot.com/">Gumamela ng Paraiso</a> by Bhing (kahit meron ka na rin)<br />5. <a href="http://www.normandb.com/">NormanDB</a> by Norman<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-55799208469960665742009-04-13T01:58:00.003+08:002009-04-13T02:12:13.829+08:00Top 10 Most Controversial Movies<p>(Source: <a href="http://listverse.com/entertainment/top-10-most-controversial-movies/">Listverse</a>)<br /></p><p>Every once in a while a film arrives which causes great controversy around the world, and in some cases, the film ends up being banned. This is a list of the top ten films that have caused controversy - and, in fact, many of them are still controversial to this day.</p> <p><strong>10. Last Tango in Paris</strong> [Bernardo Bertolucci, 1972]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://pixhost.ws/avaxhome/2007-10-04/Last_Tango_in_Paris.JPG_040.jpeg" src="http://pixhost.ws/avaxhome/2007-10-04/Last_Tango_in_Paris.JPG_040.jpeg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qX_4A6d_Q-U"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qX_4A6d_Q-U" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> While looking for an apartment, Jeanne, a beautiful young Parisienne, encounters Paul, a mysterious American expatriate mourning his wife’s recent suicide. Instantly drawn to each other, they have a stormy, passionate affair, in which they do not reveal their names to each other. Their relationship deeply affects their lives, as Paul struggles with his wife’s death and Jeanne prepares to marry her fiance, Tom, a film director making a cinema-verite documentary about her.</p> <p><span id="more-1342"></span><em>The Controversy:</em> Critics and audiences were sharply divided over this X-rated erotic psychodrama. The film’s stark (as in naked) depiction of loveless, animalistic carnality horrified some — and landed its director and stars in an Italian court on obscenity charges.</p> <p><br /></p> <p><strong>9. Natural Born Killers</strong> [Oliver Stone, 1994]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 257px; height: 388px;" alt="http://www.trutv.com/graphics/photos/criminal_mind/psychology/movies_made_me_kill/update/Natural-Born-Killers-poster.jpg" src="http://www.trutv.com/graphics/photos/criminal_mind/psychology/movies_made_me_kill/update/Natural-Born-Killers-poster.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O7dBnr-tJJU"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O7dBnr-tJJU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> The misadventures of Mickey and Mallory: outcasts, lovers, and serial killers. They travel across Route 666 conducting psychadelic mass-slaughters not for money, not for revenge, just for kicks. Glorified by the media, the pair become legendary folk heroes; their story told by the single person they leave alive at the scene of each of their slaughters.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> Though intended as a satire on the media, the film actually inspired several copycat killers to seek their own 15 minutes of fame, some even using imagery and dialogue from the film. Over 12 murders in the U.S. and abroad have been linked to Killers. One victim’s family tried to sue Stone and Warner Bros.</p> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span> <p><strong>8. The Birth of a Nation</strong> [D W Griffith, 1915]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 259px; height: 347px;" alt="http://www.scripophily.com/webcart/vigs/Birth-of-a-nation-poster-color.jpg" src="http://www.scripophily.com/webcart/vigs/Birth-of-a-nation-poster-color.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a9UPOkIpR0A"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a9UPOkIpR0A" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> Two brothers, Phil and Ted Stoneman, visit their friends in Piedmont, South Carolina: the family Cameron. This friendship is affected by the Civil War, as the Stonemans and the Camerons must join up opposite armies. The consequences of the War in their lives are shown in connection to major historical events, like the development of the Civil War itself, Lincoln’s assassination, and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> The film’s depiction of African Americans as childlike, conniving, or rabid sex fiends, and the Ku Klux Klan as heroic saviors, sparked nationwide protests by the nascent NAACP. (It also became a KKK recruiting tool.) Censorship debates and protests have dogged the film in subsequent rereleases and when it was added to the National Film Registry in 1993.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6305130949/103-8588334-8862246?ie=UTF8&tag=jamifrat-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=6305130949"><br /></a></p> <p><strong>7. The Last Temptation of Christ</strong> [Martin Scorsese, 1988]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 244px; height: 342px;" alt="http://www.screenadventure.com/images/criterion.jpg" src="http://www.screenadventure.com/images/criterion.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O0Olgsutz-o"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O0Olgsutz-o" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> The carpenter Jesus of Nazareth, tormented by the temptations of demons, the guilt of making crosses for the Romans, pity for men and the world, and the constant call of God, sets out to find what God wills for him. But as his mission nears fulfillment, he must face the greatest temptation: the normal life of a good man. Based, not on the Gospels, but on Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel of the same name.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> Religious fundamentalists picketed and threatened boycotts weeks before its release. One group offered to buy the $6.5 million film from Universal to destroy it; some theaters, and later Blockbuster, refused to carry it. Oh, and the French rioted.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1559409037/103-8588334-8862246?ie=UTF8&tag=jamifrat-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1559409037"><br /></a></p> <p><strong>6. JFK</strong> [Oliver Stone, 1991]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 256px; height: 378px;" alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdO5y79cPzuYhC8v4XJo1ei4WlLOGbK7Er85_SvGD9W0gAUAivMKH-IPPOjr6W4o0Ok05jMF7cCUIGltxnhLcRyN4lzOaW5Db4nLTLq_uBVUjJcm1VxwG-efJlGIw0k98Z1WHsBUJPkUeN/s400/jfk.jpg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdO5y79cPzuYhC8v4XJo1ei4WlLOGbK7Er85_SvGD9W0gAUAivMKH-IPPOjr6W4o0Ok05jMF7cCUIGltxnhLcRyN4lzOaW5Db4nLTLq_uBVUjJcm1VxwG-efJlGIw0k98Z1WHsBUJPkUeN/s400/jfk.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1vW2ryP16Vk"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1vW2ryP16Vk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> Details the actions of New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, who takes it upon himself to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, in 1963. Garrison is extremely suspicious of the official story presented by the FBI, and what he already knows and what he subsequently learns lead him to suspect that there is more to the story than the public is being told.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> Some saw Stone’s documentary-on-steroids-like interpretation of those theories as lending them a certain patina of truth — raising fears that moviegoers would construe it as bona fide history. One result: a 1992 congressional act to release classified documents (which revealed nothing).</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>5. Deep Throat</strong> [Gerard Damiano, 1972]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/Deep_Throat_cover.jpg%20(JPEG%20Image,%20353x500%20pixels).jpg" src="http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/Deep_Throat_cover.jpg%20%28JPEG%20Image,%20353x500%20pixels%29.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iF1t1x8R8Y4"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iF1t1x8R8Y4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> Linda, frustrated that her hugely energetic sex life leaves her unsatisfied, seeks medical help. The doctor informs her that the reason for her problem is that her clitoris is mistakenly located at the back of her throat - but there is a very simple remedy, which the doctor, and various other men, proceed to demonstrate…</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> Intellectuals championed the film for striking a blow for First Amendment rights, while conservative leaders got it banned in many places and put Reems on trial for obscenity charges. Lovelace herself later denounced the film, claiming that while filming “there was a gun to my head.”</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SJJDQK/103-8588334-8862246?ie=UTF8&tag=jamifrat-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000SJJDQK"><br /></a></p> <p><strong>4. Fahrenheit 9/11</strong> [Michael Moore, 2004]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 286px; height: 393px;" alt="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JNEI.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JNEI.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Zf2nCiBJLo"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Zf2nCiBJLo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> In this film, muckraker Michael Moore turns his eye on George W. Bush and his War on Terrorism agenda. He illustrates his argument about how this failed businessman with deep connections to the royal house of Saud of Saudia Arabia and the Bin Ladins got elected on fraudulent circumstances and proceeded to blunder through his duties while ignoring warnings of the looming betrayal by his foreign partners.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> The documentary lit the fuse of right-wing America, detonating protests and hate campaigns to ban it (no dice). Moore was the first to break the post-9/11 moratorium on Bush bashing and set off a season of brutal smack-downs among the Bill O’Reillys and Keith Olbermanns of the world.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SINT52/103-8588334-8862246?ie=UTF8&tag=jamifrat-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000SINT52"><br /></a></p> <p><strong>3. Salò</strong> [Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1975]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 267px; height: 360px;" alt="http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/wp-content/salo_ou_120_journees_de_sodome_1975.jpg" src="http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/wp-content/salo_ou_120_journees_de_sodome_1975.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HVLM4EXvmac"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HVLM4EXvmac" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> Set in the Nazi-controlled, northern Italian state of Salo in 1944, four dignitaries round up sixteen perfect specimens of youth and take them together with guards, servants and studs to a palace near Marzabotto. In addition, there are four middle-aged women: three of whom recount arousing stories whilst the fourth accompanies on the piano. The story is largely taken up with their recounting the stories of Dante and De Sade: the Circle of Manias, the Circle of Shit and the Circle of Blood. Following this, the youths are executed whilst each libertine takes his turn as voyeur.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> The film caused outrage throughout the world when it was released in 1975, and has proved a hot potato for film certification boards. In Britain, the first cinema to screen an uncut version of the film in 1977 was raided by police. A heavily cut version was shown until six years ago, when the British Board of Film Classification agreed to reclassify the movie.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1559408855/103-8588334-8862246?ie=UTF8&tag=jamifrat-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1559408855"><br /></a></p> <p><strong>2. A Clockwork Orange</strong> [Stanley Kubrick, 1971]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 266px; height: 400px;" alt="http://www.wmin.ac.uk/law/images/clockwork_orange.jpg" src="http://www.wmin.ac.uk/law/images/clockwork_orange.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z-zRtT5jPLA"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z-zRtT5jPLA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> In a futuristic Britain, a gang of teenagers go on the rampage every night, beating and raping helpless victims. After one of the boys quells an uprising in the gang, they knock him out and leave him for the police to find. He agrees to try “aversion therapy” to shorten his jail sentence. When he is eventually let out, he hates violence, but the rest of his gang members are still after him.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> That the movie first landed an X rating and was deemed pornographic across the U.S. was nothing compared with its reception in the U.K.: Social uproar and reports of copycat crimes led Kubrick to withdraw Clockwork from distribution in his adopted country. It wasn’t officially available there again — in theaters or on video — until 2000, a year after his death.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UJ48T0/103-8588334-8862246?ie=UTF8&tag=jamifrat-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000UJ48T0"><br /></a></p> <p><strong>1. The Passion of the Christ</strong> [Mel Gibson, 2004]</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://wjcblog.typepad.com/ink_tank/images/2008/08/15/passion_of_the_christ_verdvd.jpg" src="http://wjcblog.typepad.com/ink_tank/images/2008/08/15/passion_of_the_christ_verdvd.jpg" /></p> <p><object width="425" height="353"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iz9IRHsyAeU"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iz9IRHsyAeU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object></p> <p><em>The Story:</em> The Passion of The Christ focusses on the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s life. The film begins in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus has gone to pray after sitting the Last Supper. Jesus must resist the temptations of Satan. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus is then arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusalem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy and his trial results in a condemnation to death.</p> <p><em>The Controversy:</em> Gibson’s intention was to produce an unflinching depiction of Christ’s suffering on behalf of mankind. What resulted, however, was the ignition of a culture-war firestorm unrivaled in Hollywood history. For months prior to its release, The Passion was both denounced and defended sight unseen amid reports that the film wasn’t just brutal, but compromised by anti-Semitic sentiment. Gibson refused to let concerned parties view and vet his self-financed film.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-82910001173027258602009-04-13T01:49:00.001+08:002009-04-13T01:52:32.941+08:00The top 10 weirdest USB drives ever<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(Source: <a href="http://gadgets.fosfor.se/the-top-10-weirdest-usb-drives-ever/">fosforgadgets</a>)<br /></span><br /><br />USB drives comes in thousands of designs and colors, but these 10 are extraordinary weird. Or what do you think? Go ahead, check them out. They are weird! Promise. Hehe. <p><span id="more-844"></span></p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_11b.jpg" alt="iduck" align="right" /><strong>10. The iduck</strong><br />We start off with the least weird USB drive, and it’s the iduck from the Japanese company Solid Alliance. They are available in six different colors and the version on the picture even lights up when it’s plugged in. It’s cute so it’s not that hard to understand why it’s popular, right?<br /><a href="http://www.dynamism.com/iduck/">iduck</a> [Dynamism.com]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_6b.jpg" alt="USB Sake" align="right" /><strong>9. Sake bottle</strong><br />Now it’s <em>starting</em> to get weird. A USB drive shaped like a Sake bottle? Does that sound like the next big thing? Hehe, I wonder how many of these actually was produced! It’s so weird that it’s cool.<br /><a href="http://www.akihabaranews.com//en/news-10477-USB+Sake.html">USB Sake</a> [Akihabara news]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_3b.jpg" alt="USB Sushi" /><br /><strong>8. Sushi</strong><br />If you already have bought the USB Sake, you definitely got to have a set of Sushi drives. They come in lots of different models and look really authentic. Don’t eat! Weird, eh?<br /><a href="http://www.dynamism.com/solidalliance/">USB Sushi</a> [Dynamism.com]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_9b.jpg" alt="Mikan Seijin USB memory" align="right" /><strong>7. Mikan Seijin USB memory</strong><br />Ok, now it’s starting to get really weird, don’t you agree? This drive is called Mikan Seijin and if you translate that it means ‘Mandarin Alien’ - a popular Japanese TV show from 1994. It’s a relly horrible product. Hehe.<br /><a href="http://peripherals.engadget.com/entry/1234000187056535/">Mikan Seijin USB memory</a> [Engadget]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_10b.jpg" alt="Big tiki drive" align="right" /><strong>6. Big Tiki Drive</strong><br />Standing almost 4″ tall, the Big Tiki Drive is a really weird product. What’s the connection between Hawaii and storage? Once again, a product that is so weird that it becomes cool.<br /><a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/usb/744f/">Big Tiki Drive</a> [Thinkgeek]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_5b.jpg" alt="USB Food" /><br /><strong>5. USB <del datetime="2005-12-08T17:04:57+00:00">Sushi</del> Dimsum</strong> This is just another dimsum <del datetime="2005-12-08T17:04:57+00:00">Sushi</del> USB drive, but they look so authentic that they deserve a better position in this Top 10 list. They even looks sticky! Only 5 weird USB drives to go, hang on!<br /><a href="http://gadgets.fosfor.se/the-top-10-weirdest-usb-drives-ever/sticky" uk="">Sushidisk.co.uk</a></p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_4b.jpg" alt="USB idisk" /><br /><strong>4. idisk</strong><br />The product description of this really strange product says it all: ‘<em>It’s so small you can have it in your ear</em>‘. Hehe, ok! How on earth should can you avoid not misplacing this really tiny (and very weird) product?<br /><a href="http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-10549-iDisk+Diamond%2C+even+in+your+ear.html">iDisk Diamond, even in your ear</a> [Akihabara news]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_7b.jpg" alt="USB Shrimp" align="right" /><strong>3. USB <del datetime="2005-12-08T12:50:47+00:00">Fish</del> Shrimp</strong><br />Once again: why? Why on earth would you want to have a little <del datetime="2005-12-08T12:50:47+00:00">fish</del> shrimp sticking out of your USB port? If you want to make it REALLY weird, combine this one with the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000270051750/">USB Spaghetti plate port</a> and you have a truly wild combination.<br /><a href="http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000270051750/">Wild USB combo</a> [Engadget]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_8b.jpg" alt="USB Thumbdrive" align="right" /><strong>2. USB Thumb</strong><br />The USB thumb is our runner up in the Top 10 weirdest USB drives ever. Having a thumb sticking out of your computer is really, really weird, and it also gives a completely new meaning to the expression ‘thumbdrive’.It looks very realistic, so you can probably use it in some pranks to your friends and colleagues.<br /><a href="http://www.dynamism.com/solidalliance/pricing.shtml">USB Thumb</a> [Dynamism.com]</p> <p><img src="http://i.fosfor.se/i05/051207_usb_1b.jpg" alt="USB Barbie" /><br /><strong>1. Barbie</strong><br />Yes, at last - the most weird USB drive ever - the USB Barbie. Rip the head off the cute Barbie doll, and plug it into your PC. This is as weird as it gets this time! Enjoy!</p> <p><a href="http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/storage/barbie-usb-drive-102600.php">The Barbie USB drive</a> [Gizmodo]</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-8517067677246305282009-04-05T21:12:00.006+08:002009-04-05T21:48:21.405+08:00Philippine Church Best for Pilmgrimage<p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Intro taken from: By Quiling Secusana, <a href="http://www.thenewstoday.info/2006/04/12/holy.week.in.the.philippines.html">THE NEWS TODAY</a>)<br /></span></p><p>The Holy Week in the Philippines has various appeals for everyone that combine native traditions and modern day touches with numerous innovations according to temperament and locale.</p> <p>The week from Monday to Good Friday is an emotion packed series of religious ceremonies reminiscent of Christendom's most cherished traditions. Easter Sunday pall builds up into a glorious pealing of church bells for the pre-dawn "pasalubong", a reenactment of the Risen Christ's meeting with His Mother at the church patio under a specially prepared arch. An angel then descends from the platform and lifts the mourning veil of the grieving Mother amidst the pealing of bells. The procession of the two images then ends up inside the church and masses are said.</p> <p>Lenten celebration in the Philippines is a conglomeration of quaint Christian and paganistic practices that are found nowhere else in the world. Some are breathtaking and exciting as they are charming and so distinctively Filipino that they are a source of wonderment for any tourist.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(source of this list: Manila Bulletin)</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">1) <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The churches of Ilocos</span></span>. One common denominator that bonds the Ilocos region is its churches - whether it be the opulent centuries-old Catholic churches or the newer and simpler churches founded by the Ilocano renegade Bishop Gregorio Aglipay in the late 1890’s. The churches of Santa Maria and Paoay are two of four Philippine Baroque churches inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. </p><br /><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img id="image335" alt="paoay_church.jpg" src="http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/paoay_church.jpg" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span id="more-334"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Construction of the church started in 1704 and was completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is probably the best-known “earthquake Baroque” church in the Philippines. Large coral stones were used for the lower level while bricks were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67 meters thick and are supported by 24 carved and massive buttresses.</p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img id="image336" alt="Paoay-Church.jpg" src="http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/Paoay-Church.jpg" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Church is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs.<br />The bell tower near the church, dating from 1793, served as an observation point of the “Katipuneros” during the Philippine Revolution in 1896 and again by the guerrillas during the Japanese occupation. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Where:</strong> a few km to the south-west of Laoag.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>My rating:</strong> 10/10: very impressive church.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Info from:</strong> <a style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank" href="http://my_sarisari_store.typepad.com/">My Sarisari Store</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) San Pedro Apostol Church in Loboc, Bohol</span></span>. The present church was first erected by the Jesuit missionaries in the 18th century, with its walls made of coral stones. The church complex is located near the Loboc river and is composed of the church structure, a three-storey convent, a bell tower situated about 50 meters away from the front and a mortuary chapel.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 429px; height: 286px;" src="http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/tourism_news/images/Church-San-Pedro-Apostol.jpg" alt="Bohol Philippines: Church of San Pedro Apostol de Loboc" /></p> <p>The Church of San Pedro Apostol de Loboc dates back to 1734, although records refer to an older structure which may have been incorporated into the church’s convent. The present church was first erected by the Jesuit Missionaries and was then later taken over by the Augustinian Recollects. The church complex is composed of the church structure, a three storey convent, a bell tower and a mortuary chapel. The Jesuits and the Augustinians shared in the construction of the church.</p> <p><span id="more-74"></span></p> <p>The Jesuits designed the church with an intricately- designed facade and a cherub under the opening of every window. The Augustinian Recollects added a portico facade, buttresses, the bell tower and the mortuary chapel. The interior of the church has 18th and 19th century retablos, ceiling that is painted by artisans in the 1920’s and a 19th century pipe organ which was restored in 2001. The roof of the church is made of clay tiles and the walls are of coral stones. At the rear of the church is the convent with three floors and L-shaped with the third floor connected to the church.</p> <p>The interior of the church is a blast from the past with its mix of Jesuit and Recollect influences. A wooden pulpit that is located on the church’s right lateral wall still hangs though only its tornavoz remains intact. The church also boasts of a pipe organ that can be attributed to Fray Diego Cera, OAR who is the builder of the famous Las Piñas Bamboo Organ. Various biblical scenes are painted on the church’s ceiling which is a testament to the high level of craftsmanship of the local artisans in 1926 and 1927.</p> <p>The church’s belfry is at the right side of the church structure, straddling the Loboc River. Built in 1768, the four-level octagonal bell tower acts not only as a reminder of the people’s religious obligations but also as a landmark for anyone sailing to town because during the colonial times, Loboc River was navigable, allowing streamers to harbor and giving the town its significant importance. Seven bells hang from the fourth level. Five, including the central and largest one, are still held up by the original vines. The oldest is dated 1863; two, dated 1914 and 1937 (the largest) bear the name of Padre Cayetano Bastes, the Filipino priest who was made to offer his ‘hospitality’ to the American soldiers in 1901. There is also a large wooden matraca cranked during Holy Week when the bells are silent - dated 1899. A clock from the Altonaga Company in Manila, acquired by public subscription, was installed here in 1893.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Basilica of the Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan.</span></span> Piat is now dubbed as the "Pilgrimage Center of Cagayan Valley" because of the thousands of devotees and tourists who come here to pay homage to the image of Our Lady of Piat. People flock everyday to the shrine queueing to touch the image’s feet seeking her intercessions. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBqKXHa0L4-F_-XKHtvWmFj23lLQ4q5mSpzgOSkMDWjZFsgE3CYUVNDYea806uOri8AQ-qGZME63XTT8-LCEAPfZ1HhL5eh635Jxwg0hUVI3XiPXNjcIPcnrkOEqDzMuo3D9yuBu9tYU/s1600-h/piat-northern-luzon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBqKXHa0L4-F_-XKHtvWmFj23lLQ4q5mSpzgOSkMDWjZFsgE3CYUVNDYea806uOri8AQ-qGZME63XTT8-LCEAPfZ1HhL5eh635Jxwg0hUVI3XiPXNjcIPcnrkOEqDzMuo3D9yuBu9tYU/s320/piat-northern-luzon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321196790116000306" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.philippinepictures.com/">(Photo by: Philippine Pictures)</a></span></b></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4) Baclaran and Quiapo Churches in Manila.</span></span> Baclaran Church and Quiapo Church are just two of the city’s most popular churches. Baclaran Church is known as the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help while the Quiapo Church is known for the Black Nazarene, a life-size image of Christ believed to be miraculous.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BACLARAN CHURCH</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMt_j54Wb3THKcTGyCl1rNy0jbTEN1Jc81Jq1WaHk2wvJxv0ySvWUhuSeYmMaGMKZWs_8bvIPFbYcDtZYYtCDVOHRtkc8k1F5NeUxwtgqxcDPorOgdjB2AJZB7vWHwpjYgUo5dOdleV4/s1600-h/Baclaran_church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMt_j54Wb3THKcTGyCl1rNy0jbTEN1Jc81Jq1WaHk2wvJxv0ySvWUhuSeYmMaGMKZWs_8bvIPFbYcDtZYYtCDVOHRtkc8k1F5NeUxwtgqxcDPorOgdjB2AJZB7vWHwpjYgUo5dOdleV4/s400/Baclaran_church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321198079776407954" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The <b>National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help</b> (also called the <b>Redemptorist church</b>, popularly known as the <b>Baclaran church</b>) is one of the largest churches in the Philippines. It houses an icon, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, which is among the most venerated Marian images in the country.</p> <p>The shrine is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church" title="Roman Catholic Church">Roman Catholic</a> parish church. It is under the vicariate of the parish of Santa Rita de Cascia in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Para%C3%B1aque" title="Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque">Diocese of Parañaque</a>. The edifice is on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxas_Boulevard" title="Roxas Boulevard">Roxas Boulevard</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay" title="Barangay">barangay</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baclaran" title="Baclaran">Baclaran</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Para%C3%B1aque_City" title="Parañaque City">Parañaque City</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila" title="Metro Manila">Metro Manila</a>. The present rector of the shrine is <b>Rev. Fr. Joseph D. Echano, CSsR</b>.</p> <p>One of the most widely known churches in Metro Manila, the shrine draws worshippers from many parts of the region and the nation. It is home to the replica of the miraculous icon of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Mother_of_Perpetual_Help" title="Our Mother of Perpetual Help" class="mw-redirect">Our Mother of Perpetual Help</a>, an object of popular devotion and pilgrimage among all walks of Filipino life, including politicians and celebrities. Devotees flock to the sanctuary every Wednesday in what has become known as <i>Baclaran Day,</i> when a novena is offered to the Mother of Perpetual Help.</p> <p>Wednesday has been known as Baclaran day since the first Baclaran Novena was conducted on June 23, 1948, a Wednesday. Contrary to popular belief, the Perpetual Novena did not start in Baclaran but in the province of Iloilo at the Redemptorist Church of San Clemente. After witnessing the devotion of the Ilonggos (Iloilo natives) to the Mother of Perpetual Help Novena, the Irish Redemptorist Father Gerard O’Donnell introduced the novena to Baclaran. Father Leo English conducted the first Baclaran Novena with 70 participants.</p> <p>The icon and the church have undergone changes over time. In 1932, the Redemptorist priests replaced the Mother of Perpetual Help icon with a larger version to accommodate the growing number of devotees. The present church building of Modern Romanesque style is the third to be built on the same site. In December 1952, the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was completed.</p> <div class="thumb tleft"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 182px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Baclaran_church_inside.jpg" class="image" title="The interior of the Baclaran church"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1c/Baclaran_church_inside.jpg/180px-Baclaran_church_inside.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="180" border="0" height="135" /></a> <div style="text-align: right;" class="thumbcaption"> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The interior of the Baclaran church</span></span></div> </div> </div> <p>The building seats 2,000, but as many as 11,000 people can be inside during masses. An estimated 120,000 devotees are affiliated with the church.</p> <p>The parish celebrates its fiesta on June 27, the feast day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">QUIAPO CHURCH</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo-64plesDNBmghsW-pmkl-hzkDjLjrDgPX5JVunN0s1c4X3CmmgG4DYp1rfiqsoFSfwO5xv-IM399VFUG6qiFPtbWHQZ-A9eluyajaCJ9PZu5ivluAOZO82d4QmqOcE9oZ4L8HEJGAE/s1600-h/800px-Quiapo_Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo-64plesDNBmghsW-pmkl-hzkDjLjrDgPX5JVunN0s1c4X3CmmgG4DYp1rfiqsoFSfwO5xv-IM399VFUG6qiFPtbWHQZ-A9eluyajaCJ9PZu5ivluAOZO82d4QmqOcE9oZ4L8HEJGAE/s400/800px-Quiapo_Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321198816967474562" border="0" /></a><b>Quiapo Church</b>, officially known as <b>Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene</b>, is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic" title="Roman Catholic" class="mw-redirect">Roman Catholic</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_%28building%29" title="Church (building)">church</a> located in the District of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiapo,_Manila" title="Quiapo, Manila">Quiapo, Manila</a>, in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>. The church is one of the most popular churches in the country. It is home to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Nazarene" title="Black Nazarene">Black Nazarene</a>, a much venerated statue of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ" title="Jesus Christ" class="mw-redirect">Jesus Christ</a> which many people believe has miraculous attributes. The church was painted cream after the original <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican" title="Mexican" class="mw-redirect">Mexican</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque" title="Baroque">Baroque</a> edifice was burned down in 1928. Also known as St. John the Baptist Parish, the church at present belongs to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archdiocese_of_Manila" title="Archdiocese of Manila" class="mw-redirect">Archdiocese of Manila</a>. The current rector is <b>Rev. Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio</b>, who succeeded Msgr. Josefino Ramirez (the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicar_general" title="Vicar general">Vicar General</a> of the archdiocese) upon the latter's appointment as rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Maysilo, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandaluyong_City" title="Mandaluyong City">Mandaluyong City</a>.<br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5) Agoo Basilica in La Union.</span></span> Built in 1892, Agoo Basilica or the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity is considered the most beautiful church in La Union. This imposing structure of Mexican-Baroque architecture is the venue of religious rites, foremost of which is the Semana Santa. Also, the much publicized divine visitations of the Virgin Mary in the early 1990’s have established Agoo as a destination of Marian devotees.<br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 388px; height: 290px;" src="http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/tourism_news/images/BasilicaOurLadyCharity.jpg" alt="La Union Philippines: Basilica of Our Lady of Charity in Agoo" /></p> <p>The Basilica of Our Lady of Charity or the Agoo Cathedral is located in the heart of the town of Agoo and looms like a big mother to this progressive La Union town. The church was founded in 1578 by two eager and enthusiastic Franciscan priests, Fray John Baptist Lucarelli of Pesaro, Italy and Fray Sebastian de San Francisco of Baesa, Spain when they were assigned in our country for their evangelical mission.</p> <p><span id="more-69"></span></p> <p>The original church was made of nipa and bamboo and was constructed in Nagreban and dedicated in honor of the founder of the Franciscan Order, St. Francis of Assisi. The church was renovated and enlarged in 1598 under the supervision of Fr. Saturnino Franco with the help of Frs. Casimiro Melgosa and Aquilino Garcia who paved the way to the construction of the three-tiered belfry. However, a disastrous earthquake hit the place in 1892. In the church’s ruins later stood a shrine for Nuestra Señora de Caridad (Our Lady of Charity) which was later demolished in 1975. The present church was finished in 1978 in time for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It was elevated to rank of Basilica Minore by Pope John Paul II on July 15, 1982.</p> <p>The rosette stained glass window on the church’s facade provides a colorful contrast to the gray color of the front wall. The statues of Saints Peter and Paul flanked the main door which has Hebrew scripts carved on it. The first thing that will catch one’s attention once inside the church is the altar. It is made of eight panels of intricately carved wood that gave a lace-like effect. Perched on top of the carved panels is the statue of Our Lady of Charity which is housed in a small dome supported by twist columns. The cathedral also has a pipe organ tucked away in its choir loft. The organ is played only in special occasions and first masses during Sundays. The craved chandeliers that line up the middle aisle of the church are two-tiered and carved from Philippine mahogany.</p> <p>Despite the raucus outside, the palpable solace, peace, serenity inside the church become a source of comfort. The labor of love that the patrons poured into the church is a witness to the rich heritage of Agoo.</p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6) Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church in Naga City, Camarines Sur.</span></span> The Peñafrancia Shrine Basilica Minore is the newest and biggest Catholic Basilica in the Bicol Region. It is filled with devotees every September during her feast day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 384px; height: 287px;" alt="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/nagabasilica-kool.jpg" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/nagabasilica-kool.jpg" /><br /></div><p><b>Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church</b> was built in 1711 by Rev. Miguel Covarrubias. It houses the image of <a href="http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Our_Lady_of_Pe%C3%B1afrancia" title="Our Lady of Peñafrancia">Our Lady of Peñafrancia</a>. He constructed this church in fullfillment of the vow he made during his youth. The second church was built in 1750 by Bishop Isidoro de Arevalo, repaired and improved in 1876-1877 by Bishop Francisco Gainza. The image was solemnly crowned by the Rt. Rev. Guillermo Piano on September 20, 1924. </p><p>The concept for the building the Basilica Minore came from Archbishop <a href="http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Pedro_P._Santos&action=edit" class="new" title="Pedro P. Santos">Pedro P. Santos</a> in 1960. Construction began on April 18, 1976, but was delayed for a number of years due to finance problems and was not completed until September, 1981. </p><p>On May 22, 1982 it was dedicated as The Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia and it wasn't until May 22, 1985 that the Church was given the title of "Basilica Minore" from Rome after a request from the third Archbishop of Caceres, Leonardo Z. Legaspi. </p><p>The Peñafrancia Basilica Minore houses an image of the virgin Mary that was sculpted in 1710. It was commissioned by Miguel de Cobarrubias who moved to the <a href="http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a> from Spain with his family and believed that the virgin Mary had helped him numerous times in his life. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 264px; height: 133px;" alt="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/1798203493_b47003ae5e.jpg?v=0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/1798203493_b47003ae5e.jpg?v=0" /><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">7) Kapitangan Chapel in Paombong, Bulacan.</span></span> Kapitangan is known as a pilgrimage area during Holy Week. Devout Catholics flock to the barangay chapel to obtain the blessed oil believed to possess healing capabilities. On Good Friday, a reenactment of the Passion of the Christ is held.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8) Miagao Church in Iloilo.</span></span> In 1993, Miagao church was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List under the title "Baroque churches of the Philippines." The flanking towers, massive, and of unequal height gives Miagao the shape of a fortress. But it is the ornamentation of the church’s facade, designed like a retablo, which makes it unique.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 353px; height: 286px;" alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8098sLJ00mmk5Hf0Dsqqy6E68wr9zPxycOfL9zh5bd0tFq_E1ZO9YEGEvVIFollc-7APTdO5mYPn207sLXmRMJzfH2_ZpPFUsfTGe4_ERHZ-5Ivh6udN-Et6k5OQIpb1qhan0RVfOe1L4/s400/miag-ao-Church-Iloilo.jpg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8098sLJ00mmk5Hf0Dsqqy6E68wr9zPxycOfL9zh5bd0tFq_E1ZO9YEGEvVIFollc-7APTdO5mYPn207sLXmRMJzfH2_ZpPFUsfTGe4_ERHZ-5Ivh6udN-Et6k5OQIpb1qhan0RVfOe1L4/s400/miag-ao-Church-Iloilo.jpg" /><br /></div><p>The Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in the town of Miagao, Iloilo is one of the Philippines? architectural and religious gems. Built between 1787 and 1797, its fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against moro raiders at the time. It is one of only four (Augustinian-built) churches in the country to make it to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.</p> <p>Its unique features include the unusual Aztec like bas-relief in the fa?ade depicting St. Christopher carrying the baby Jesus through a tropical forest. The adobe used in building the church is made from silt and clay that can only be found in this part of Iloilo, giving the building a unique warm-yellowish glow. Flying buttresses from the side of the church walls are typical of the "earthquake baroque" design reminiscent of churches in Ilocos, particularly that of Paoay Church and Vigan Cathedral. Also of note are the dissimilar designs of the two belfries; both were commissioned by two different parish priests. The church?s simple interior is nevertheless highlighted by a striking gold-plated retablo.</p> <p>Miagao is about 40kms south-west of Iloilo City. Jeepneys can take you from the city proper to this town in about 45 minutes. </p> <p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Waypoint narrative by: <a href="http://www.waypoints.ph/contributor.php?id=1042">Jay_J</a> 2005</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 369px; height: 244px;" alt="http://angelicaambos.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/dsc_0004.jpg" src="http://angelicaambos.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/dsc_0004.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9) Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan.</span></span> The Church of Manaoag is one of the country’s major pilgrimage centers, owing its popularity to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Manaoag, an image of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 356px; height: 268px;" alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO3Y6t1NO5L1YjWRjHWo3KcorEjaWZ5157LlAsGHG1v9JGnQPUm6LinzXJpInkqNzdJP1PMiRv9H-JU9s1vQDqnrUzrbQ1xdb5U8E8W7pZLkYE4JXNHwaxg4uByK4HKueMi1Bj8WbD14/s400/Manaoag+Church,+Pangasinan+2.jpg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO3Y6t1NO5L1YjWRjHWo3KcorEjaWZ5157LlAsGHG1v9JGnQPUm6LinzXJpInkqNzdJP1PMiRv9H-JU9s1vQDqnrUzrbQ1xdb5U8E8W7pZLkYE4JXNHwaxg4uByK4HKueMi1Bj8WbD14/s400/Manaoag+Church,+Pangasinan+2.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><b>Our Lady of Manaoag</b> (formally: <i>Nuestra Señora del Santissimo Rosario de Manaoag,</i> literal translation: <i>Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag</i>) is a title given to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessed_Virgin_Mary" title="Blessed Virgin Mary">Blessed Virgin Mary</a>, associated with a wooden statue, said to be from the 16th century. She is the patroness of the sick, the helpless and the needy. This holy image is very popular among <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholics" title="Roman Catholics" class="mw-redirect">Roman Catholics</a> in the Northern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>, and has been much popularized among the inhabitants of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangasinan" title="Pangasinan">Pangasinan</a> provincial Area. It is covered by the Archdiocese of the Lingayen-Dagupan district. <p>The province of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangasinan" title="Pangasinan">Pangasinan</a> is one of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>' most widely visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic" title="Roman Catholic" class="mw-redirect">Roman Catholic</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrimage" title="Pilgrimage">Pilgrimage</a> sites. Many people from across the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_archipelago" title="Philippine archipelago" class="mw-redirect">Philippine archipelago</a> come and visit the town of Manaoag, where the statue of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessed_Virgin_Mary" title="Blessed Virgin Mary">Blessed Virgin Mary</a> is enshrined in a church dedicated to this name.</p><p>The origins of the Our Lady of Manaoag started with the holy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinian" title="Augustinian" class="mw-redirect">Augustinian</a> fathers who were in charge of the spiritual administration of the Manaoag town from the year 1590 to 1613 in accords to the sanctified decree of Spain. It was accepted as a vicariate by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_order" title="Dominican order" class="mw-redirect">Dominican</a> Provincial Chapter in 1614, under the patronage of Santa Monica.</p> <p>According to documented recorded legend dating back to 1610, a native man who was walking home heard a Lady's mysterious voice. He looked around and with great awe saw the radiant Lady with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosary" title="Rosary">Rosary</a> on her right hand and a Child on her left as she stood on a cloud veiling a treetop. The man fell on his knees. He told the people of the apparition. And soon right on the spot where the Lady appeared a church was built. A town quickly flourished around it and was called "Manaoag".</p> <p>Tradition has it that the town itself was born from the Virgin’s call, thus the term, "taoag" meaning "to call" was used to name the town. This is where the name Manaoag was derived from, which means "She Calls".</p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">10) Mount Banahaw in Quezon.</span></span> Mount Banahaw is perhaps the country’s premier indigenously Filipino pilgrimage site. Mount Banahaw is a dormant volcano located on the boundary of Majayjay, Laguna and Lucban in Quezon. A pilgrimage to this so-called "holy mountain" is a most unique spiritual experience as it combines the culture of Catholicism with indigenous mysticism.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img style="width: 395px; height: 297px;" alt="http://traveleronfoot.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/magdalena-facade.jpg" src="http://traveleronfoot.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/magdalena-facade.jpg" /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-63683715290934350032009-04-02T18:35:00.005+08:002012-01-22T23:09:07.123+08:00World's Most Amazing Buildings<div style="text-align: center;"><b>I have chosen my own list of the 10 Strangest and most Amazing Building in the world.<br />
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Let's Start With Number 10.....</b></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. </span></span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Universum Science Center in Bremen, Germany</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SW3HAbaCxfI/AAAAAAAACrw/dnez4s2xgfU/s800/universum.jpg" style="height: 330px; width: 441px;" /><br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bogdanmorar/"><b>Bogdan Morar</b></a>)</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">The Universum Bremen opened in September 2000 near to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Bremen" title="University of Bremen">University of Bremen</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany" title="Germany">Germany</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-idea_1-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universum_Science_Center#cite_note-idea-1" title=""></a></sup> Covering over 4,000 m² the exhibition contains exhibits related to one of the three topics: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mankind" title="Mankind">mankind</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth" title="Earth">earth</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos" title="Cosmos">cosmos</a>. The science center building, with its 40,000 stainless steel scales, resembles a mixture between a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale" title="Whale">whale</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussel" title="Mussel">mussel</a>. It was designed by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen" title="Bremen">Bremen</a> architect Thomas Klumpp.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-arch_2-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universum_Science_Center#cite_note-arch-2" title=""></a></sup><br />
The company <i>Universum Managementges. mbH</i> runs the science center as a private enterprise. About 3.4 million people visited the Universum in the first seven years since it opened.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span style="white-space: nowrap;" title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008"></span></sup><br />
In 2007 the Universum opened a large outdoor area, the <i>EntdeckerPark</i>, and a new building, the <i>SchauBox</i>. In contrast to the curved metallic older building, the <i>SchauBox</i>, developed by <i>Haslob Kruse and Partner</i>, is cubic with a rust-red exterior. It is used for additional exhibitions, which change annually.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-arch_2-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universum_Science_Center#cite_note-arch-2" title=""></a></sup><br />
The <i>EntdeckerPark</i>, the 5,000 m² outdoor area developed by <i>Planungsguppe Grün</i>, offers a number of hands-on exhibits, landscape elements and a 27m-high tower, called the <i>Turm der Lüfte</i>.<br />
The concept of the exhibits and the interior design were realized by <i>Kunstraum GfK mbH</i>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg" title="Hamburg">Hamburg</a> and <i>Archimedia</i>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttgart" title="Stuttgart">Stuttgart</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-brief_0-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universum_Science_Center#cite_note-brief-0" title=""></a></sup></div></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Turning Turso in Molmo, Sweden</span></span><br />
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SUFiye1HreI/AAAAAAAABiM/L99rN1keqBA/s800/turning-torso-01.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; height: 326px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 464px;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>HSB Turning Torso</b> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyscraper" title="Skyscraper">skyscraper</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malm%C3%B6" title="Malmö">Malmö</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden" title="Sweden">Sweden</a>, located on the Swedish side of the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96resund" title="Öresund">Öresund</a> strait.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-About_0-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Torso#cite_note-About-0" title=""></a></sup> It was designed by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_people" title="Spanish people">Spanish</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architect" title="Architect">architect</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Calatrava" title="Santiago Calatrava">Santiago Calatrava</a> and officially opened on 27 August 2005. The tower reaches a height of 190 metres (623 feet) with 54 stories.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Torso#cite_note-1" title=""></a></sup> Upon completion, it was the tallest building in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavia" title="Scandinavia">Scandinavia</a>,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-About_0-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Torso#cite_note-About-0" title=""></a></sup> the tallest residential building in the EU and the second tallest residential building in Europe, after the 264-metre (870 ft)-high <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph-Palace" title="Triumph-Palace">Triumph-Palace</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow" title="Moscow">Moscow</a>. A similar, taller skyscraper featuring the 90° twist is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinity_Tower" title="Infinity Tower">Infinity Tower</a>, currently under construction in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai" title="Dubai">Dubai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates" title="United Arab Emirates">United Arab Emirates</a>.<br />
The 86-metre (280 ft)-high <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kronprinsen" title="Kronprinsen">Kronprinsen</a> was the tallest building in Malmö before Turning Torso.<br />
The design is based on a sculpture by Calatrava called <i>Twisting Torso</i>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-About_0-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Torso#cite_note-About-0" title=""></a></sup> It uses nine segments of five-story pentagons that twist as it rises; the topmost segment is twisted ninety degrees clockwise with respect to the ground floor. Each floor consists of an irregular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon" title="Pentagon">pentagonal</a> shape rotating around the vertical core, which is supported by an exterior steel framework. The two bottom segments are intended as office space. Segments three to nine house 147 luxury apartments.<br />
The <i>Twisting Torso</i> sculpture is a white marble piece based on the form of a twisting human being. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_%C3%96rb%C3%A4ck" title="Johnny Örbäck">Johnny Örbäck</a>, former <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEO" title="CEO">CEO</a> of the Turning Torso contractor and Board Chairman of the Malmö branch of the co-operative housing association <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HSB_%28Sweden%29" title="HSB (Sweden)">HSB</a>, saw the sculpture in 1999 and contacted Calatrava to ask him to design a building using the same concept. Construction started in the summer of 2001.<br />
One reason for the building of Turning Torso was to re-establish a recognizable skyline for Malmö since the removal of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kockums_Crane" title="Kockums Crane">Kockums Crane</a> in 2002, which was located less than a kilometre from Turning Torso. The local politicians deemed it important for the inhabitants to have a symbol for Malmö — <i>Kockumskranen</i>, which was a large crane that had been used for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipbuilding" title="Shipbuilding">shipbuilding</a> and somewhat symbolised the city's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-collar_worker" title="Blue-collar worker">blue collar</a> roots.<br />
As Turning Torso is a private residential building there is no access for the general public.<br />
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</div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Edificio Mirador in Madrid, Spain</span></span><br />
<div align="right"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SUFgpfyr81I/AAAAAAAABh8/OkBPpOLdTEA/s800/Edificio%20Mirador.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; height: 444px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 444px;" /></div>It’s a building developed by Dutch architects MVRDV. The building reaches 63.4 meters in height with 21 stories. The highlight of this building is the large central hole which is 36.8 meters above the ground. It’s the large lookout area that provides inhabitants with a community garden and a space from where they can contemplate the skyline.Different colors represent different blocks with its own planning, which offer at least 9 different types of apartments.<br />
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<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">7. Habitat 67 in Montreal, Canada.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SRxCrKykhvI/AAAAAAAAAdg/yOCeNOioJE4/s800/08-habitat67-thumb.jpg" style="height: 339px; width: 439px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenspix/2685789777/" target="_blank">ken ratcliff</a>)</span></div>Expo 67 was nicknamed "Man and his World", taken from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_de_Saint_Exup%C3%A9ry" title="Antoine de Saint Exupéry">Antoine de Saint Exupéry</a>'s memoir <i>Terre des hommes</i>, (literally "Land of Men"), translated as <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind,_Sand_and_Stars" title="Wind, Sand and Stars">Wind, Sand and Stars</a></i>. Housing was one of the main themes of Expo 67. Habitat 67 then became a thematic pavilion visited by thousands of visitors who came from around the world. During Expo 67 it was also the temporary residence of the many dignitaries coming to Montreal.<br />
It was designed to integrate the variety and diversity of scattered private <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home" title="Home">homes</a> with the economics and density of a modern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartment_building" title="Apartment building">apartment building</a>. <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular" title="Modular">Modular</a>, interlocking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulating_concrete_forms" title="Insulating concrete forms">concrete forms</a> define the space. The project was designed to create <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordable_housing" title="Affordable housing">affordable housing</a> with close but private quarters, each equipped with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden" title="Garden">garden</a>. The building was believed to illustrate the new lifestyle people would live in increasingly crowded cities around the world<span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_67#cite_note-0" title=""></a></sup><br />
The complex was originally meant to be vastly larger. Ironically, the building's units are now quite expensive rather than "affordable" due to its architectural cachet. It is owned by its tenants who formed a limited partnership that purchased the building from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Mortgage_and_Housing_Corporation" title="Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation">Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation</a> in 1985.<br />
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<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">6. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge, TN, United States.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SRxCq55fgdI/AAAAAAAAAdY/kfcrNGR2-Ac/s800/07-wonderworks-thumb.jpg" style="height: 336px; width: 446px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/toxickaty/"><b>jkaty27</b></a>)</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif, sans-serif;">WonderWorks began as a Top Secret facility on a remote island, in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. As legend has it one experiment went awry, in an attempt to harness the power of a man-made tornado, the entire laboratory was hurtled skyward, hundreds of miles away, it landed upside down in the heart of Pigeon Forge TN. When you enter the building, everything will be upside down, so in order to participate in the fun, you must be inverted. Once you're properly aligned for your adventure, Family Fun awaits with more than 120 interactive, hands-on exhibits. As the Building hurtled skyward it encountered what can only be described as a time portal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif, sans-serif;">Late in the 1900's a traveling Troop the Hoot N'Holler Players and their Cook Scraps were on a steamer ship headed for Europe and their big break. The Ill fated Steamer chose a course thru the Bermuda triangle where it disappeared and was never heard from again.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif, sans-serif;">As the Building Emerged from the time portal, it had 5 new occupants, that's right Scrapps and the Hoot N' Holler players are here for you. Their mission, each night is to entertain you and your family and create memories that will last a life time. As you attend the Funniest Dinner Show in the Smoky Mountains you </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif, sans-serif;">will enjoy a Hilarious evening of Fun. The cast sings & dances and Scraps tries to make his way into the show each night.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://aimnewblood.blogspot.com/2012/01/c247-natura-ceuticals.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xcnAXvEnrcLYW-slMdLO-cJBU21fMN30FlBPDlIr_74TDRFhFEISpv40wKx4qjX3tTK2PS0nFvLTsQnDco2h1uDIZ8luky18WcVrK7fBPZfDwAxuQJX6XdH3PSJLKb_c7vKty3gNdbs/s400/slider.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">5. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">Museum of Contemporary Art in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SSP_lsU_WEI/AAAAAAAAA6g/RetJF-dh6Bk/s800/Museum-of-Contemporary-Art-Niteroi-Rio-de-Janeiro-Brazil.jpg" style="height: 456px; width: 482px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92522709@N00/2898914441">1</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87269256@N00/868733924">2</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20056291@N00/2180349021">3</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46346337@N00/389391961">4</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92522709@N00/2877611191">5</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11061444@N02/1697461935">6</a>)</span></div>The <b>Niterói Contemporary Art Museum</b> (Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Niterói — MAC) is situated in the city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niter%C3%B3i" title="Niterói">Niterói</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro_%28state%29" title="Rio de Janeiro (state)">Rio de Janeiro</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil" title="Brazil">Brazil</a>, and is one of the city’s main landmarks.<br />
Designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Niemeyer" title="Oscar Niemeyer">Oscar Niemeyer</a> with the assistance of structural engineer Bruno Contarini, who had worked with Niemeyer on earlier projects, the MAC-Niterói is 16 meters high; its cupola has a diameter of 50 meters with three floors. The museum projects itself over <i>Boa Viagem</i> (“Bon Voyage,” “Good Journey”), the 817-square meter reflecting pool that surrounds the cylindrical base “like a flower,” in the words of Niemeyer.<br />
A wide access slope leads to a Hall of Expositions, which has a capacity for sixty people. Two doors lead to the viewing gallery, through which can be seen the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanabara_Bay" title="Guanabara Bay">Guanabara Bay</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro" title="Rio de Janeiro">Rio de Janeiro</a>, and <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarloaf_Mountain,_Brazil" title="Sugarloaf Mountain, Brazil">Sugarloaf Mountain</a>. The saucer-shaped modernist structure, which has been likened to a <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO" title="UFO">UFO</a>, is set on a cliffside, at the bottom of which is a beach. In the film <i>Oscar Niemeyer, an architect committed to his century</i> (Marc Henri Wajnberg, 2000), Niemeyer is seen flying over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro" title="Rio de Janeiro">Rio de Janeiro</a> in a <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO" title="UFO">UFO</a>, which then lands on the site, suggesting this as the origin of the museum.<br />
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<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">5. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">Angkor Wat in Cambodia.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SW3HGzxImWI/AAAAAAAACtQ/fd98AsumBCs/s800/Angkor-Wat.jpg" style="height: 282px; width: 425px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccdoh1/"><b>`◄ccdoh1►</b></a>)</span></div><b>Angkor Wat</b> (or <b>Angkor Vat</b>), is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple" title="Temple">temple</a> complex at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor" title="Angkor">Angkor</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia" title="Cambodia">Cambodia</a>, built for the king <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suryavarman_II" title="Suryavarman II">Suryavarman II</a> in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu" title="Hindu">Hindu</a>, dedicated to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu" title="Vishnu">Vishnu</a>, then <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist" title="Buddhist">Buddhist</a>. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Empire" title="Khmer Empire">Khmer</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_architecture" title="Cambodian architecture">architecture</a>. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Cambodia" title="Flag of Cambodia">national flag</a>, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br />
Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture" title="Architecture">architecture</a>: the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Cambodia#Temple_mountain" title="Architecture of Cambodia">temple mountain</a> and the later <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Cambodia#Gallery" title="Architecture of Cambodia">galleried temple</a>, based on early South Indian architecture, with key features such as the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagati" title="Jagati">Jagati</a>. It is designed to represent <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Meru" title="Mount Meru">Mount Meru</a>, home of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_%28Hinduism%29" title="Deva (Hinduism)">devas</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_mythology" title="Hindu mythology">Hindu mythology</a>: within a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moat" title="Moat">moat</a> and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincunx" title="Quincunx">quincunx</a> of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture" title="Architecture">architecture</a>, its extensive <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas-relief" title="Bas-relief">bas-reliefs</a> and for the numerous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Cambodia#Motifs" title="Architecture of Cambodia">devatas</a> (guardian spirits) adorning its walls.<br />
The modern name, Angkor Wat, in use by the 16th century,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat#cite_note-0" title=""></a></sup> means "City Temple": <i>Angkor</i> is a vernacular form of the word <i>nokor</i> which comes from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit" title="Sanskrit">Sanskrit</a> word <i>nagara</i> (capital), while <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat" title="Wat">wat</a></i> is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_language" title="Khmer language">Khmer</a> word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as <i>Preah Pisnulok</i>, after the posthumous title of its founder, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suryavarman_II" title="Suryavarman II">Suryavarman II</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. </span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Atomium in Brussels, Belgium</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SRwXETWrPTI/AAAAAAAAASA/QfhY4bOnZCk/s800/30%20atomium.jpg" style="height: 274px; width: 411px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7606551@N03/" target="_blank">/*dave*/</a>)</span></div>The <b>Atomium</b> is a monument built for <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2758" title="Expo '58">Expo '58</a>, the 1958 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels" title="Brussels">Brussels</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Fair" title="World's Fair">World's Fair</a>. Designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Waterkeyn" title="André Waterkeyn">André Waterkeyn</a>, it is 102-metres (335 ft) tall, with nine <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel" title="Steel">steel</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphere" title="Sphere">spheres</a> connected so that the whole forms the shape of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_structure#Unit_cell" title="Crystal structure">unit cell</a> of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron" title="Iron">iron</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal" title="Crystal">crystal</a> magnified 165 billion times.<br />
Tubes which connect the spheres along the 12 edges of the cube and all eight vertices to the centre enclose <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalator" title="Escalator">escalators</a> connecting the spheres which contain exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere provides a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panorama" title="Panorama">panoramic</a> view of Brussels. Each sphere is 18 metres in diameter. Three spheres are currently (2008) closed to the visitors, others are easily reachable with escalator. The vertical vertex contains a lift which was considered very fast and advanced at the time of building (the speed is 5 m/s)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomium#cite_note-0" title="">.</a></sup><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. </span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kansas City Library in Missouri, USA.</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SRxCqSG_zCI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/X7Q7oXLeVAA/s800/06-kansascitypubliclibrary-thumb.jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 399px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathan_moreau/" target="_blank">jonathan_moreau</a>)</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">2.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> The Crooked House in Sopot, Poland.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SRxCgqVcI7I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/m3BRAHu3AjE/s800/01-thecrookedhouse-thumb.jpg" style="height: 269px; width: 404px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brocha/" target="_blank">brocha</a>)</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Sam Kee Building </span><br />
</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">(six feet deep, world's thinnest in Canada)</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br />
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</center> The Sam Kee building is situated at 8 West Pender Street. It runs from the corner of Pender and Carral to the lane at the halfway point of the block. It is two storeys tall and 1.5 meters (six feet) deep. The story behind <span class="IL_SPAN"><input name="IL_MARKER" type="hidden" />the building</span> is as exotic as the structure with several intriguing twists and turns included in its telling. The City of Vancouver provided the original owner, Chang Toy, with a challenge when it expropriated all but two meters of his property as part of an expansion of Pender Street. No compensation was provided to its owner who was left with what most believed to be a useless property. In a creative turn of events fuelled by spite and some say a bet an architect was hired to design a building to fit the remaining property. The rest is history in more ways than one. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://aimnewblood.blogspot.com/2012/01/perfect-white-glutathione.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEA2SG7jpwEAgHupRXLnre9Hoc7DJK4UXe_z0XLfqfZSiB1smIQYcolHii_B47twHO6uL_AVQ4lcSMdmKx_RDl0USPfk9a1E_EJNdTD7Rw24SysLbMcmQNg4fWwvaZBG9noo9s06OuDwA/s400/whitelight1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This building was home to 13 businesses at one time. It was the only place in Chinatown for residents to enjoy hot baths. There is a tunnel beneath <span class="IL_SPAN"><input name="IL_MARKER" type="hidden" />the building</span> that was used as an escape route from raids on Opium dens situated on neighbouring Shanghai Alley. <span class="IL_SPAN"><input name="IL_MARKER" type="hidden" />The building</span> is also fronted by the only remaining glass sidewalk in Chinatown. As part of the ongoing history of this structure, issues still arise between the owners and the city with respect to encroachment and overhangs. In spite of each side having an element of right it seems to boil down to the proverbial "tit for tat". It makes for an interesting study in civics. <br />
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SOON....</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Rotating Tower in Dubai, UAE (scheduled on 2010)</span></div><div align="center"><img alt="Rotating Tower (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/STZwby-KecI/AAAAAAAABGQ/l_0axNInIfg/s800/Rotating-Tower-Dubai-UAE-1.jpg" style="height: 337px; width: 506px;" title="Rotating Tower (1)" /></div><div align="center" style="font-weight: bold;">(Image: Dynamic Architecture ™ all rights reserved to Dr. David Fisher)</div><div align="center"><img alt="Rotating Tower (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/STZwcnPkfOI/AAAAAAAABGg/CMEzCHMgktU/s800/Rotating-Tower-Dubai-UAE-3.jpg" style="height: 251px; width: 469px;" title="Rotating Tower (2)" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">(Image: Dynamic Architecture ™ all rights reserved to Dr. David Fisher)</span></div><div align="center"><img alt="Rotating Tower (3)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/STZwckPg6fI/AAAAAAAABGY/hi2jlbVCUYQ/s800/Rotating-Tower-Dubai-UAE-2.jpg" style="height: 490px; width: 393px;" title="Rotating Tower (3)" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 78%;">(Image: Dynamic Architecture ™ all rights reserved to Dr. David Fisher)</span></div><b>Location: </b>Dubai, United Arab Emirates<br />
<b>Date:</b> scheduled on 2010<br />
<b>Architect:</b> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Dr. David Fisher</span><br />
<b>Purpose: </b>multipurpose (offices, hotel, residential apartments)<br />
<b>More info:</b> We have seen <a href="http://villageofjoy.com/amazing-architecture-of-dubai/">tall buildings</a>, we have seen <a href="http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world/">strange buildings</a>, but have you seen buildings in motion that actually change their shape? Sounds unbelievable but not to Dr. David Fisher.<br />
Visionary architect Dr. David Fisher is the creator of the world’s first building in motion - the revolutionary Dynamic Tower. It will adjust itself to the sun, wind, weather and views by rotating each floor separately.<br />
This building will never appear exactly the same twice.<br />
It is amazing but you will have the choice of waking up to sunrise in your bedroom and enjoying sunsets over the ocean at dinner.<br />
In addition to being such an incredible engineering miracle it will produce energy for itself and even for other buildings because it will have wind turbines fitted between each rotating floor (picture 2). So an 80-story building will have up to 79 wind turbines, making it a true green power plant.<br />
The Dynamic Tower in Dubai will be 1,380 feet (420 meters) tall, 80 floors, apartments will range in size from 1,330 square feet (124 square meters), to Villas of 12,900 square feet (1,200 square meters) complete with a parking space inside the apartment. It will consist of offices, a luxury hotel, residential apartments, and the top 10 floors will be for luxury villas located in a prime location in Dubai.<br />
The Dynamic Tower in Dubai will be the first skyscraper to be entirely constructed in a factory from prefabricated parts. So instead of some 2000 workers, only 680 will be sufficient. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2010.<br />
<div style="font-weight: bold;"><b>Website</b>: <a href="http://www.dynamicarchitecture.net/" target="_blank" title="http://www.dynamicarchitecture.net">http://www.dynamicarchitecture.net</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fpseudomax.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fworlds-most-amazing-buildings.html&layout=box_count&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font=verdana&colorscheme=light&height=65" style="border: medium none; height: 65px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-69681958836090031992009-04-02T18:11:00.002+08:002009-04-02T18:36:27.835+08:00Top Ten Strangest Foods From Around the World<h2><span style="font-weight: normal; font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >They say one man's trash is another man's treasure. The same could be said about food: one man's nightmare may just be another man's delicacy. From cow's tongue and pig's snout to chicken's feet, from fried worms and frog's legs to sautéed snails, the list of weird stuff we eat is endless (and often quite tasty). If you've been indulging lately and need a reason to diet, take a read, you may just lose that appetite. Here is the list of the ten strangest foods from around the world.</span><br /></h2><br /><p><strong>10. Fried - brain sandwiches</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 295px; height: 233px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/brain%20sandwich.jpg" alt="Fried - brain-sandwiches" title="Fried - brain sandwiches" border="0" /> </p>Long before the era of Mad-Cow Disease, a sandwich made from fried calves' brain, thinly sliced on white bread was a common item on the menus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The sandwich is still available in the Ohio River Valley, where the brains are now heavily battered and served on hamburger buns. In El Salvador and Mexico beef brains, lovingly called sesos in Spanish, are used in tacos and burritos. The brains have a mushy texture and very little flavor on their own so the addition of copious amounts of hot sauce definitely helps.<br /><br /><p><strong>9. Haggis</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 272px; height: 204px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Haggis.jpg" alt="Haggis" title="Haggis" border="0" /> </p>A traditional Scottish dish, haggis is made with the minced heart, liver and lung of a sheep mixed with onion, spices, oatmeal, salt and stock, and boiled in the sheep's stomach for a few hours. Larousse Gastronomique, a popular encyclopedia of gastronomic delights, claims that haggis has "an excellent nutty texture and delicious savory flavor." Haggis is available year-round in Scottish supermarkets and made with an artificial casing rather than a sheep’s stomach. In fact some are sold in cans to be heated in a microwave before eating. Similar dishes can be found in other European countries with goat, pork or beef used instead of sheep.<br /><br /><p><strong>8. Bugs</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 256px; height: 192px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Bugs.jpg" alt="Bugs" title="Bugs" border="0" /> </p>The practice of eating insects for food is called entomophagy and is fairly common in many parts of the world, with the exceptions of Europe and North America (though bugs are apparently a favorite with the television show "Fear Factor"). It is not uncommon to find vendors selling fried grasshoppers, crickets, scorpions, spiders and worms on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. Insects are high in protein and apparently consist of important fatty acids and vitamins. In fact flour from drying and grinding up mealworm can be and is often used to make chocolate chip cookies. So next time you think there is a fly in your soup, it may actually just be part of the presentation.<br /><br /><p><strong>7. Rocky Mountain Oysters</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 310px; height: 233px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Rocky-Mountain-Oysters.jpg" alt="Rocky-Mountain-Oysters" title="Rocky Mountain Oysters" border="0" /> </p>What is so strange about oysters? Probably the fact that they're not the kind you find at the bottom of the ocean, but rather a fancy name given to deep-fried testicles of a buffalo, bull or boar. Rocky Mountain oysters (also called Prairie Oysters) are well-known and regularly enjoyed, in certain parts of the United States and Canada, generally where cattle ranching is prevalent. The testicles are peeled, boiled, rolled in a flour mixture, and fried, then generally served with a nice cocktail sauce.<br /><br /><p><strong>6. Stuffed Camel</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 314px; height: 220px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Stuffed-Camel.jpg" alt="Stuffed-Camel" title="Stuffed Camel" border="0" /> </p>The recipe for a whole stuffed camel kind of reads like a bad joke, with ingredients that include one whole camel, one whole lamb and 20 whole chickens. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the recipe as the largest item on any menu in the world, conveniently leaving out any concrete examples of this dish actually being eaten. Legend has it that that a whole stuffed camel is a traditional Bedouin dish seemingly prepared like a Russian Stacking Doll, where a camel is stuffed with a whole lamb, the lamb stuffed with the chickens and the chickens stuffed with eggs and rice. The entire concoction is then barbecued until cooked and served. Fact or fiction, the shear amount of food created by this dish makes it deserving of a place on the list.<br /><strong><br /></strong><p><strong>5. Hakarl</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 356px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Hakarl.jpg" alt="Hakarl" title="Hakarl" border="0" /> </p>Anthony Bourdain, known for eating some of the strangest foods in the world, claims that hakarl is the most disgusting thing he has ever eaten. Made by gutting a Greenland or Basking shark and then fermenting it for two to four months, hakarl is an Icelandic food that reeks with the smell of ammonia. It is available all year round in Icelandic stores and often served in cubes on toothpicks.<br /><br /><p><strong>4. Fugu</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 259px; height: 193px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Fugu.jpg" alt="Fugu" title="Fugu" border="0" /> </p>Fugu is the Japanese word for the poisonous puffer fish, filled with enough of the poison tetrodotoxin to be lethal. Only specially-trained chefs, who undergo two to three years of training and have passed an official test, can prepare the fish. Some chefs will choose to leave a minute amount of poison in the fish to cause a tingling sensation on the tongue and lips as fugu can be quite bland. Perhaps the fuss of fugu is more in surviving the experience than the actual taste of the deadly fish.<br /><br /><p><strong>3. Casu Marzu</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 245px; height: 184px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Casu-Marzu.jpg" alt="Casu-Marzu" title="Casu Marzu" border="0" /> </p>Found in the city of Sardinia in Italy, casu marzu is a cheese that is home to live insect larvae. These larvae are deliberately added to the cheese to promote a level of fermentation that is close to decomposition, at which point the cheese’s fats are broken down. The tiny, translucent worms can jump up to half a foot if disturbed, which explains why some people prefer to brush off the insects before enjoying a spoonful of the pungent cheese.<br /><br /><p><strong>2. Sannakji</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 258px; height: 193px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Sannakji.jpg" alt="Sannakji" title="Sannakji" border="0" /> </p>With sashimi and sushi readily available the world over, eating raw seafood is no longer considered a dining adventure. The Korean delicacy sannakji however, is something quite different, as the seafood isn't quite dead. Live baby octopus are sliced up and seasoned with sesame oil. The tentacles are still squirming when this dish is served and, if not chewed carefully, the tiny suction cups can stick to the mouth and throat. This is not a dish for the fainthearted.<br /><br /><p><strong>1. Balut</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 430px; height: 448px;" src="http://www.moolf.com/images/stories/Interesting/Strangest-Foods/Balut.jpg" alt="Balut" title="Balut" border="0" /> </p>Balut seems to be on every "strange food" list, usually at the top, and for good reason. Though no longer wriggling on the plate like the live octopus in Korea, the fertilized duck or chicken egg with a nearly-developed embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell is easily one of the strangest foods in the world. Balut is very common in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam and usually sold by street vendors. It is said balut tastes like egg and duck (or chicken), which is essentially what it is. It is surprising to many that a food that appears so bizarre—often the with the bird's features clearly developed--can taste so banal. In the end, apparently everything does indeed, just taste like chicken.<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />source: </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/restaurant-reviews-articles/top-ten-strangest-foods-from-around-the-world-520186.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-91828760744501347682009-03-31T19:49:00.009+08:002009-04-01T01:25:02.247+08:00Forbes Mistake?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Look at this article/listing of <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/15/retail-shopping-malls-biz-commerce-cx_tvr_0115malls_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=15000">Forbes.com</a>. SABLAY!! Hahaha, I've been to MOA many times pero<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I dunno kung may Olympic sized swimming pool dun</span> sa MOA pero <span style="font-style: italic;">Olympic Size Ice Skating Rink</span> meron</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">. </span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Tsk..</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> wrong information FORBES!!! </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the link:<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/15/retail-shopping-malls-biz-commerce-cx_tvr_0115malls_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=15000">http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/15/retail-shopping-malls-biz-commerce-cx_tvr_0115malls_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=15000</a></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR82LeVsaU22qNhZdSIzi52PSJbcQhxuOA6mJDDngVMsM6xzMre_hI5tpbIRKW0h_-L8gdc-9hpti2buNK33Dwg7jrJl8UHh1cc7iCJbccfs0M1gozc4QFu9E_fxfgYALD156prPV5K0/s1600-h/FireShot+capture+%237+-+%27World%27s+10+Largest+Shopping+Malls+-+Forbes_com%27+-+www_forbes_com_2007_01_09_malls-worlds-largest-biz-cx_tvr_0109malls_slide_4_html_thisSpeed%3D30000.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 442px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR82LeVsaU22qNhZdSIzi52PSJbcQhxuOA6mJDDngVMsM6xzMre_hI5tpbIRKW0h_-L8gdc-9hpti2buNK33Dwg7jrJl8UHh1cc7iCJbccfs0M1gozc4QFu9E_fxfgYALD156prPV5K0/s400/FireShot+capture+%237+-+%27World%27s+10+Largest+Shopping+Malls+-+Forbes_com%27+-+www_forbes_com_2007_01_09_malls-worlds-largest-biz-cx_tvr_0109malls_slide_4_html_thisSpeed%3D30000.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319321846100894578" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-66000688992086422009-03-31T18:00:00.005+08:002009-03-31T18:56:18.789+08:00Short Film - "The Black Hole"a friend send this to me thru email. Watch it..<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P5_Msrdg3Hk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P5_Msrdg3Hk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-86048861527685107482009-03-31T14:53:00.007+08:002009-03-31T17:55:56.558+08:00Uber Amazing Blog Award<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBVbfROKn7Q7h9w0a7LDvQXvpCVkPrRFq7YCCTu6e-RR5AbYRgwQmOebU6iVyPszJhmxjC1jUPbyaCUwyJmPu9kvCIQ3znP7NFOWWhG9XUHTbLOdBdGvE_YYkQjs4EeIaTWLUoJYC7aU/s1600-h/UberAwardLogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBVbfROKn7Q7h9w0a7LDvQXvpCVkPrRFq7YCCTu6e-RR5AbYRgwQmOebU6iVyPszJhmxjC1jUPbyaCUwyJmPu9kvCIQ3znP7NFOWWhG9XUHTbLOdBdGvE_YYkQjs4EeIaTWLUoJYC7aU/s400/UberAwardLogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319243640357434258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My very first award. hehehe..<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://lemueljon.blogspot.com/">Joel Lumen (The Daily Grind) </a>for passing me this award and for his continues support by reading my blog!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">UberAmazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:</span> <ul style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"><li>inspire you</li><li>make you smile and laugh</li><li>or maybe give amazing information</li><li>a great read</li><li>has an amazing design</li><li>and any other reason you can think of that makes them uber amazing!</li></ul><br />And I nominate this 6 Blogs which I'm following<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Eng. Sherwin Calalang -</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://mokong2007.blogspot.com/"> Mokong (anong nasa isip ko?!)</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5roZX1Dbw87qR3dIGK_WjSHgiLIevTv3dIuPwhUtYHYMH2F1dWvcROStC90ZDKnHfs5hyphenhyphenYvi75NRpUbH0k3kIevWhvhyB9UoXzmNmvm3-VhgHWjovtydQVq9D8qQZ4MAhOdVLBj5h3XA/s1600-h/FireShot+capture+%231+-+%27Mokong%E2%84%A2+%28Anu%27ng+Nasa+Isip+Ko%21%29%27+-+mokong2007_blogspot_com.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5roZX1Dbw87qR3dIGK_WjSHgiLIevTv3dIuPwhUtYHYMH2F1dWvcROStC90ZDKnHfs5hyphenhyphenYvi75NRpUbH0k3kIevWhvhyB9UoXzmNmvm3-VhgHWjovtydQVq9D8qQZ4MAhOdVLBj5h3XA/s400/FireShot+capture+%231+-+%27Mokong%E2%84%A2+%28Anu%27ng+Nasa+Isip+Ko%21%29%27+-+mokong2007_blogspot_com.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319287240661864034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Mo Twister - </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://goodtimeswithmo.wordpress.com/">Good times with Mo</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJqKo999DpwwpGH5oGju222XWOY2iz3caZZaLautg0Jt4XG-2vxjuTgwL-FtN17clfR1cYtkP1zan9odjFNgdAAsKzQDFNAhCeWpdY6DGnr5lFRSPvli1MkHVLZy5dI3cxRPlXeE9_4A/s1600-h/FireShot+capture+%232+-+%27Good+Times+with+Mo,+Mojo+and+Grace%27+-+goodtimeswithmo_wordpress_com.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJqKo999DpwwpGH5oGju222XWOY2iz3caZZaLautg0Jt4XG-2vxjuTgwL-FtN17clfR1cYtkP1zan9odjFNgdAAsKzQDFNAhCeWpdY6DGnr5lFRSPvli1MkHVLZy5dI3cxRPlXeE9_4A/s400/FireShot+capture+%232+-+%27Good+Times+with+Mo,+Mojo+and+Grace%27+-+goodtimeswithmo_wordpress_com.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319287829395621154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >manÜ</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://typicalpinoyuppie.blogspot.com/">typical pinoy yuppie</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gvgWU02QNpP9UoNDIrSKi-UmNgkx0gSd0rsWbinqwTHO1bmUBhK608Tc4XOWCxLfqA4y5YREAz_ly1d-VwL7-v3015cHHDr-NL-yZLQk3ea8jSd17ip_RvA9pbDBenZkDCRwfbUNDkU/s1600-h/FireShot+capture+%233+-+%27Your+%5Balmost%5D+typical+pinoy+yuppie%27+-+typicalpinoyuppie_blogspot_com.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gvgWU02QNpP9UoNDIrSKi-UmNgkx0gSd0rsWbinqwTHO1bmUBhK608Tc4XOWCxLfqA4y5YREAz_ly1d-VwL7-v3015cHHDr-NL-yZLQk3ea8jSd17ip_RvA9pbDBenZkDCRwfbUNDkU/s400/FireShot+capture+%233+-+%27Your+%5Balmost%5D+typical+pinoy+yuppie%27+-+typicalpinoyuppie_blogspot_com.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319287834130008114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Sherwin - </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://carparker24.blogspot.com/">Parking Available</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTX6YCdzgzk1BjCmbHwAZSpfta3u2ExrJfKEWE6RvcvYrx3sHUWxkoHgLcGCuIZ_uqf-DK2_t5iLuAXEouj03YbwUyJx8yztmtU9I5D4f9dCrjpXTvJkNVfNA8r9NKO8vSDKI8MC4Nfk/s1600-h/FireShot+capture+%234+-+%27Parking+Available%27+-+carparker24_blogspot_com.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTX6YCdzgzk1BjCmbHwAZSpfta3u2ExrJfKEWE6RvcvYrx3sHUWxkoHgLcGCuIZ_uqf-DK2_t5iLuAXEouj03YbwUyJx8yztmtU9I5D4f9dCrjpXTvJkNVfNA8r9NKO8vSDKI8MC4Nfk/s400/FireShot+capture+%234+-+%27Parking+Available%27+-+carparker24_blogspot_com.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319287834276671650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. DATS - </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://ninoy07.blogspot.com/">datswhy</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAP4UHcjL6DBLG4Quo5IpPfJaPAf9IMHotq1-mLmw7Rh5JZqhc4xmoIuWos7-sxW5O5UrUoIdG1dtz91VehbccOJEKgKr5Z174WdM0EhqKULuGhuIY4tTNhINkakfk8fqTQQYKdiBYwI/s1600-h/FireShot+capture+%235+-+%27datswhy%27+-+ninoy07_blogspot_com.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAP4UHcjL6DBLG4Quo5IpPfJaPAf9IMHotq1-mLmw7Rh5JZqhc4xmoIuWos7-sxW5O5UrUoIdG1dtz91VehbccOJEKgKr5Z174WdM0EhqKULuGhuIY4tTNhINkakfk8fqTQQYKdiBYwI/s400/FireShot+capture+%235+-+%27datswhy%27+-+ninoy07_blogspot_com.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319287835014491442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Rey - </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://bloggistasattic.blogspot.com/">Bloggista's Attic</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMaTZ32lOxNuw_cRUmp1bj3MZ6lXdxqJyPQ0y2HGKfUCt93beeDSGrs-s9LNS-0YwNWMPHpQkXtFlzav1o2pLGcG4mfE7gKejNg6gzu4kxdfYnz71saS33xsLvMm1ZfXb2FdC3ioIrZc/s1600-h/FireShot+capture+%236+-+%27Bloggista%27s+Attic%27+-+bloggistasattic_blogspot_com.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMaTZ32lOxNuw_cRUmp1bj3MZ6lXdxqJyPQ0y2HGKfUCt93beeDSGrs-s9LNS-0YwNWMPHpQkXtFlzav1o2pLGcG4mfE7gKejNg6gzu4kxdfYnz71saS33xsLvMm1ZfXb2FdC3ioIrZc/s400/FireShot+capture+%236+-+%27Bloggista%27s+Attic%27+-+bloggistasattic_blogspot_com.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319287840066422834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">congrats guys..</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-20416338135507308522009-03-27T01:55:00.006+08:002009-05-09T03:30:28.215+08:00List of the Most Expensive Colleges/ Universities in the Philippines<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >For incoming Freshmen (Annual Year 2008-2009)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >In BOLD letters are the Colleges that kick me out of school, funny to see them here</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >(</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Source:</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > <a href="http://financial-planning.gigabyteshosting.com/2008/05/cost-of-college-education-in-the-philippines/">http://financial-planning.gigabyteshosting.com/2008/05/cost-of-college-education-in-the-philippines/</a>)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span> <table style="width: 428px; height: 828px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td bg="" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" ><strong>School</strong></span></td> <td bg="" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" ><strong>Cost per unit </strong></span></td> <td bg="" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" ><strong>Terms</strong></span></td> <td bg="" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" ><strong>Estimated tuition per Year </strong></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">University of the Asia and the Pacific</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">P2,400.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">P124,800.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">De La Salle University</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2,045.33</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">3</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">110,447.82</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Ateneo De Manila University</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2,517.03</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">90,613.20</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Assumption College</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,533.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">84,315.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Mapua Institute of Technology</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,400.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">4</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">84,000.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">St. Scholastica’s College</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,564.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">75,072.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">San Beda College</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,188.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">64,152.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Miriam College</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,486.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">62,412.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Philippine Women’s University</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">828.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">3</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">59,616.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Far Easter University</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,100.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">55,000.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Colegio de San Juan de Letran</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">970.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">50,440.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">University of the East</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,040.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">47,840.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">University of Sto. Tomas</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,072.90</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">45,061.80</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">St. Paul College of Quezon City</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">922.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">44,256.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">AMA Computer University</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">780.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">3</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">42,120.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Lyceum of the Philippines</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">900.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">37,800.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">Trinity University of Asia</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">870.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">36,540.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">University of the Philippines</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">1,000.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">36,000.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">San Sebastian College</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">786.00</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">33,012.00</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:100%;">College of the Holy Spirit, Manila</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">903.91</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">2</span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">32,540.76<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-14651487672877089162009-03-24T01:42:00.006+08:002009-03-25T01:03:04.552+08:00Countdown of the Philippines' Funniest Commercials/Ads<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is my List of Top 10 Funniest TV ads (on youtube)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://denzmeister.wordpress.com/">(CLICK HERE TO WATCH TOP 10 - 6)</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">5 - BAYANTEL</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I don't remember seeing this in local TV commercials, this TVC is annoying..</span><br /></span><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PXNx689CnCk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PXNx689CnCk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">4 - MOTILIUM </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Who ever forget this TV commercial, Obama with Gloria..</span><br /></span><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3lDBzneR_30&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3lDBzneR_30&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">3 - BIOLINK Shampoo</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">One of my favorite TVC, i like the way the advertisers reach out to "not so pretty women" (not to mention a man) can also be a Shampoo commercial model.</span><br /></span><object style="font-style: italic;" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDfTw7hCGDw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDfTw7hCGDw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HdTJ0m0ZseQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HdTJ0m0ZseQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 - SUNKIST</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nothing beats this commercial!</span><br /></span><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KMU_lUa51Us&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KMU_lUa51Us&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CEq6s_JEtXo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CEq6s_JEtXo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />(Clip from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshuaForYou" onmousedown="urchinTracker('/Events/VideoWatch/ChannelNameLink');" class="hLink fn n contributor">JoshuaForYou)</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 - VITWATER (2009)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Actually this one is not funny but more annoying. Its number one because Pacman is the # 1 boxing champ. <span style="font-size:130%;">You know..</span></span><br /></span><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VxA0OVqhKFw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VxA0OVqhKFw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-58378988372573496722009-03-23T22:24:00.002+08:002009-03-23T23:01:54.377+08:00Philippine TV's Funniest!Michael Fajarin of SAKSI! Very Funny!<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nsn2E_Fdx80&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nsn2E_Fdx80&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Claudine Barretto's akward moment.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2LShaoT38Nc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2LShaoT38Nc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span class="description">Coca-Cola game Contestant thanking "Eat Bulaga" on Wowowee<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6VZuev4kDBQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6VZuev4kDBQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /></span>Eat Bulaga contestant.. "dito ako wa wow.."<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w5BJ4VIXFRM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w5BJ4VIXFRM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span class="description"><br /></span><span class="description">In Wowowee Jon Avila as Kapitan Boom makes a mistake while asking a question to a fitrum contestant.... </span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMW_z8vjUTI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMW_z8vjUTI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Saksi (Hilarious Drug addict interview)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cz5hPy4iJTk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cz5hPy4iJTk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span class="description">Christian Bautista sings the national anthem like a pirated cd.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wbr3zTqXKmY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wbr3zTqXKmY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Allan K's False Teeth.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WLA2yWvz8g4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WLA2yWvz8g4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />"Itaktak mo' on Wowowee<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0XQdo8-7rTQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0XQdo8-7rTQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Chokoleit and Pokwang<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X00Mbniqpis&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X00Mbniqpis&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8917192718381262081.post-44426136722477075392009-03-22T14:22:00.000+08:002009-03-22T14:23:41.714+08:00ERAP SAYS BINAY “MOST QUALIFIED” AMONG PRESIDENTIABLES<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong></strong><br /><br /><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_4" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Former President Joseph Estrada</span> told radio station DZRH Friday that Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay is “the most qualified” among the roster of potential <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_5">presidential candidates</span> for 2010.<br /><br />The former president had earlier introduced Binay as the “next president of the Philippines ” in a speech he made in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_6">Compostela</span>, Cebu . Estrada was joined in the Cebu sortie by Sen. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_7" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Loren Legarda</span>, Mrs. Gina de Venecia, Grace Poe, lawyer Adel Tamano, and Binay.<br /><br />Estrada said he admired Binay for having successfully rebuilt Makati from a bankrupt municipality in 1986 to a modern city with admirable programs and services in education, health and for the elderly. He also said the mayor is a good executive, which is what the country would need.<br /><br />“Mayor Binay is the most qualified among the list of presidential candidates in 2010,” he said.<br /><br />Binay thanked Estrada for his statement, and said it is important for the opposition to sit down and discuss its plans for the 2010 elections.<br /><br />“I am honored by the statement of president Erap. The most important thing for the opposition to do right now is to sit down and discuss our plans for 2010, and a summit of all genuine <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_8">opposition parties</span> should be considered,” he said.<br /><br />Estrada’s statement came as respondents in a survey conducted by the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_9" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">University of the Philippines</span> consider Makati ’s economic development and social programs under the administration of Binay as “desirable.”<br /><br />In the UP survey, respondents identified Makati as Binay’s symbol and economic empowerment his advocacy. They found both symbol and advocacy as<br />“desirable.”<br /><br />Binay welcomed the results of the survey.<br /><br />“I find it encouraging that our people acknowledge the importance of a good track record as an executive, and recognize what we have done,” he said.<br /><br />“If you consider the problems that Mrs. Arroyo will leave behind if and when she leaves office in 2010, we would need someone with executive capability, someone with experience in the public sector and in actual day-to-day governance,” he said.<br /><br />Binay was among the top ten personalities whom the respondents listed as possible candidates for the 2010 elections. The respondents were also asked to rate each personality’s slogan, symbol and advocacy as either “desirable” or “undesirable.”<br /><br />The symbols and advocacies of some personalities, although making it to the top, were ranked as undesirable by the respondents.<br /><br />The survey was conducted among 681 respondents in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_10" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Metro Manila</span>, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite , Batangas, Quezon Bulacan, and Pampanga.<br /><br />It was undertaken by students of Communication Research 165 from November to December 2008. Aside from the one-on-one interviews, 10 <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237684645_11">focus group discussions</span> were conducted. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0