Stephenie Meyer's Midnight Sun

The 5th book of the Twilight saga, Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer, is now available for download [note: it's only a rough draft, not yet final] from the world wide web. Questions had been asked around, is this a leak or would this be a propaganda to tell the world that Breaking Dawn is not the end of the saga.

However, the author herself had commented on her website, "I have a good idea of how the leak happened as there were very few copies of Midnight Sun that left my possession and each was unique. Due to little changes I made to the manuscript at different times, I can tell when each left my possession and to whom it was given. The manuscript that was illegally distributed on the Internet was given to trusted individuals for a good purpose. I have no comment beyond that as I believe that there was no malicious intent with the initial distribution."

Midnight Sun, by the way, is Edward's version of Twilight.

Anyways, if you want to read the rough draft then you can get it here.

Colour

This is a poem of an African boy that, they say, was nominated for best poem sometime in 2005. [Correct me if I'm wrong.]


When I born, I Black,
When I grow up, I Black,
When I go in sun, I Black,
When I scared, I Black,
When I sick, I Black,
And when I die, I still black.

And you White fella,

When you born, you Pink,
When you grow up, you White,
When you go in sun, you Red,
When you cold, you Blue,
When you scared, you Yellow,
When you sick, you Green,
And when you die, you Gray.

And you calling me colored?



Nice one.

Time consuming...

I can't think of something to post again. Seems like everytime I see something nice and interesting it is captivating my attention away; and as a result I'm having less time writing and, or, posting articles in this blog of mine.

Before, I'm giving NBA Live 2006 more time than blogging.

Then came Mafia Wars in tagged.com; it's just addicting especially in growing the mafia and attacking enemies. I rarely post articles already, most especially to my blog regarding basketball. Now I totally lost that blog. Sigh!

While PC games NBA Live 06 was still on my clock, DoTA introduced itself. What a game!

Ever since I had my Facebook account I decided to giveup tagged.com since the former is offering more games, caught my interest.

And here comes NBA 2K10! Two-thumbs up game! I have my own created player for the MyPlayer™ mode... time consuming. I want to go back posting... Whatta!

Philippine Politics|Changed Topic

For the past few days I've been posting news regarding the brutal Maguindanao Massacre and also about politics here in the country. I would have to stop (temporarily) putting those articles in this blog; anyways, you can read news on Inquirer.net; from there you can browse their database. I'm opting for new topics now. Hmmmm... how about making money online? Nice one...

I've tried a lot of options before for me to monetize this blog, like Google Adsense, Bidvertiser, PayPerPost, etc. but seems like I'm not successful. Well, I've kept Google Adsense here hoping that there would be a change in the future (as you can see on those ads) like getting more $$$, you know what I mean. Those ads had been lurking the pages of this blog for more than a year already but I never received a paycheck, something might be wrong. It could be the contents of this site, it could also be my target readers, it could also be the placement of the ads, I need help.

For the past 3 days I've been trying to browse the web again searching for information, tips, guides for money-making online and believe me there are hundreds or even thousands of those sites; read only few of them. So, now I'm back to my monetizing quest again. If there are people out there that could help I would surely appreciate it.

Philippine Politics

Philippine Politics

It's a very dirty game, it's always been.

I hate to discuss or post any thoughts or opinions regarding the politics here in the Philippines for I always view it as the 'game of evils', a very dirty one. The politicians will feed your mind with a lot of promises as their campaign platform; they will captivate your soul until they're going to be successful. But in the end everything seems to fail, all the promises will be gone with the wind.

On the other hand, I will still post some politics-related articles here no matter what.

Write|Post|Read

When I created this blog I knew, to myself, that it would make me busy in posting articles, poems, photos, anything that I could come across with. I knew that it could bring back those old times when I make myself busy in creating crafty posts. I was somewhat wrong. When I'm at home there are a lot of things that I'm always planning to post in this blog; articles, stories, poems, sketches, etc. However, by the time that I had already access to the world wide web those things never cross my mind; not until I'm home again. Facebook and Youtube is consuming my time (of 'avail') when I'm in the office, it's addictive I should say. Arrggh!

Discipline is the key, so I'm making myself a little resolution starting next week; I'm going to focus more posting my thoughts instead of playing Mafia Wars.

I write, I post, you read.

Farewell...

Farewell to my grandfather Guiyawan Lucob as he had joined our creator today.

Rest in peace Lolo!

Rate: KFC (Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center) serves too little...

For the nth time, maybe in a row, the food that I always get from the KFC branch in Emerald Ave. Ortigas Center is too little comparing it to other KFC branches. Whatta! Just earlier, I took out a Chicken Alfredo and when I opened the plastic bowl, to my dismay, it has only 60% of what I supposed to get.

I'm giving them a rating of 2 out of 10. Shame.

Stressed|Tired|Sad|Worried

My grandmother is so sick, very sick. She's been diagnosed to have a congestive heart failure (CHF). So sad.

Mega-fight: Pacquiao vs. Cotto

Pacman will be back!

Read more. Cast your vote on who will win.

Ondoy (a.k.a. Katsana) Left the Country in Perils

Totally devastating!

I have to compose myself for what had happened.

Let's keep on praying for our countrymen and for our country.

God bless us all.

Pagbati

Binabati ko kayong lahat! Mwahahaha!

22 Shots for the 21 Gun Salute

With the death of the former president Cory Aquino the entire nation is mourning. The person considered as the "Mother of Democracy" passed away with a colon cancer resulting to multiple organ failure.

Will this spark something for our country? Something that could change the nation? Can you smell something?

I believe there will be 22 shots to be fired on the "21 Gun Salute". Be ready.

In your face: Jordan Crawford dunks over Lebron James

One of the best basketball players in the world was dunk over by an amateur baller. Jordan Crawford of Xavier (in the USA) drained a two-handed power-slam over LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a camp game. It's all been documented in a video that leaked over the internet.

I didn't believed my friend when he told me about it; however his claim was true. I did some research on the net and there it was. It's for real.

Nike had tried confiscating the tapes of the people who had documented the incident but they was not able to get them all. Too bad. Well it's the reality though.

The video shows LBJ defending under the rim, tried to block the dunk of Crawford, but the latter is just too quick. I understand that it's a normal basketball game; a dunk is coming and you try to stop it. However, if it was King James who was defending, that would make a big difference.

Elmer and the deadly Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Si Elmer may MS?! May MS si Elmer?!
Bakit? Paano?
Kawawa naman si kalbo kung meron talaga siyang MS. Pero paano nga ba nagkaroon si Elmer ng MS. Ano nga ba ang sakit na Multiple Sclerosis?

According to Wikipedia:

Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune response attacks a person's central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), leading to demyelination. Disease onset usually occurs in young adults, and it is more common in females. It has a prevalence that ranges between 2 and 150 per 100,000. MS was first described in 1868 by Jean-Martin Charcot.

MS affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other. Nerve cells communicate by sending electrical signals called action potentials down long fibers called axons, which are wrapped in an insulating substance called myelin. In MS, the body's own immune system attacks and damages the myelin. When myelin is lost, the axons can no longer effectively conduct signals. The name multiple sclerosis refers to scars (scleroses—better known as plaques or lesions) in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, which is mainly composed of myelin. Although much is known about the mechanisms involved in the disease process, the cause remains unknown. Theories include genetics or infections. Different environmental risk factors have also been found.

Almost any neurological symptom can appear with the disease, and often progresses to physical and cognitive disability and neuropsychiatric disorder. MS takes several forms, with new symptoms occurring either in discrete attacks (relapsing forms) or slowly accumulating over time (progressive forms). Between attacks, symptoms may go away completely, but permanent neurological problems often occur, especially as the disease advances.

There is no known cure for MS. Treatments attempt to return function after an attack, prevent new attacks, and prevent disability. MS medications can have adverse effects or be poorly tolerated, and many patients pursue alternative treatments, despite the lack of supporting scientific study. The prognosis is difficult to predict; it depends on the subtype of the disease, the individual patient's disease characteristics, the initial symptoms and the degree of disability the person experiences as time advances. Life expectancy of patients is nearly the same as that of the unaffected population.

Haah!! Wala pang nalalamang gamot sa sakit na yan?

to be continued...

Got a Twitter!

Nothing much to do except for taking in calls so I tried making my own account in Twitter. Click here to check it out. Thanks.

He's Got The Whole World in His Hand

Here is one nice song that I was able to listen from the movie Miracle at St. Anna

He's Got The Whole World in His Hand


He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the fish of the sea in his hands
He's got the birds of the air in his hands
He's got the fish of the sea in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the gamblin' man in his hands
He's got the sinner man in his hands
He's got the gamblin' man in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the little bitsy baby in his hands
He's got the little bitsy baby in his hands
He's got the little bitsy baby in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands

He's got everybody here in his hands
He's got you and me, brother, in his hands
He's got everybody here in his hands
He's got the whole world...
He's got the whole world in his hands

Mafia Wars!

Do you play Mafia Wars in Tagged?

If YES, then add me up friendzi83@yahoo.com and let's get those enemies.

The Way of War: Freedom of Andreas Notter

I was watching TV last night, late night news more specifically, and all I've seen were about the death of Mr. Ted Failon's wife and the still-controversial "freedom" of Andreas Notter from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

Of the two "hot" news of these days what made me think more, critizing and scrutinizing, was the one about Notter. I believe that there are a lot of people thinking how Notter escaped, as was the the government claimed, or did he really escaped?

Below are some articles regarding the freedom of Mr. Notter:

Notter: Freed or Rescued?
Swiss hostage walks free

What I was thinking is that the Swiss national could have been freed from the hand of the Abu Sayyaf group but not by escaping but thru a negotation between the rebels and the government. A possible randsom (in cash or in kind) might have been agreed by the two parties in exchange for the freedom of Notter; who knows the same thing might have happened to the freedom of the first hostage.

During a short press conference with Notter and the media tried to asked him how he had escaped he couldn't answer; instead the other people from Red Cross told the press that Notter should undergo further briefing. Well, briefing for what? Even Notter is confused how he had went away from his captors. Seems like he had done the thing without any hassle.

I'm thinking this way (actually I'm thinking a lot of possible angles), there was an agreement done between the government and the rebels to free Notter but they will have to make sure that the people will take it as an escape; no 'downside' for both parties. If it would be a military rescue then it would be known that the Abu Sayyaf's force is not really strong; so it is a downside for them. If the people will know that the government had paid a ransom then it will be a downside for the military forces. So both parties will have to stage something that could be easily accepted by the people; an escape!

If Notter had really escaped then I wouldn't think the rebels will still keep the Italian, Eugenio Vagni, alive. If Notter had really escaped then I wouldn't think the military forces or the government will let the media know it immediately. On the other hand, I am really glad to know that Notter is now free and safe. Hopefully Vagni will have his freedom soon.

The Bucket List

If you have a terminal illness and only few months to stay alive what would you do?

Find the joy in your heart.

I've watched this movie last night and what I can say is that it deserves a two-thumbs-up rating. Nice story.

Vote EARTH!

VOTE EARTH!

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Coliseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.


Thank you for Voting!

People Get Ready

The other day I was browsing the music DVDs that I've made as backup for my-now-damaged iPod and then I came accross this song by the R&B singer Seal; it is called "People Get Ready". It is, to me, a very nice song with a very heart-touching message. Unfortunately I cannot pin the .mp3 file here for you to listen; however, below is the lyrics. Check it out


People Get Ready

People get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

People get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
From coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors
And board them
There's room for all
Among the loved the most

There ain't no room
for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt
All mankind just
To save his own
Have pity on those
whose chances are thinner
Cause there's no
Hiding place
From the Kingdom's Throne

So people get ready
For the train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank
You just thank the Lord

Yeah Ooh....

I´m getting ready
I´m getting ready
This tI´me I´m ready
This tI´me I´m ready

A Murder They Wrote (cont.)

After numerous diagnosis and medicines, the doctors decided to do operation again. This time they are going to check her digestive system. So she and the family decided to comply. She was operated.

They were able to see that her intestines failed.

The doctors claimed they were able to clean and removed dirt from Roseville's intestines. The family was informed that she's going to be fine and she should recover soon. False hope.

After several hours my friend's system begun to weaken. She tried to fight for her life. She tried...

What happened to the 'best' doctors of Medical City?
What happened to their expensive and hi-tech medical machines?
What happened to Roseville?

Something could have been done if, at the first place, the endoscopy procedure being requested by Roseville was considered by the doctors. It's her instinct; but denied. Poor Roseville.

The reputation of Medical City as a good institution is still there because it is being covered by their facilities, by their high-rising buildings. But here's what can I say, why not try to check their mortality rate?

The latest one that I know is the "Master Rapper" Francis Magalona. You know one thing I've observed, the C.O.D (cause-of-death) of Francis M. and Roseville is somewhat close to the same; 'multiple organ malfunction'. Whatta!

Well, I have to end this now but before I'll do that I want to share a news that I've watched last night. The young actress Angelica Panganiban was rushed to (guess what?) Medical City for she was feeling pain and discomfort on her abdominal part. What Ms. Panganiban thought is that it is just a Dysmenorrhea but after several tests and diagnosis the doctors from Medical City ruled that, 80% sure, it is her appendix that is having a problem.

Good luck Medical City!

A Murder They Wrote

Days had passed and still seems like my mind is being bothered. By what?

I dunno, maybe a death of a friend; a death of a Filipino artist; or more death to come. Whatta! What am I thinking? I dunno why, now, I am hearing a lot of things being thrown against the Medical City; the institution, I once knew, that is one of the best in the country.

It all started when Roseville passed away.

I really don't want to write about her experience in Medical City. I really don't want to say anything about how she died. I really don't want to write about how she'd fought her illness. I really don't want to... Then what am I gonna do?

Am I going to keep my mouth shut about what happened to our friend? Am I going to keep my eyes close pretending that we don't seeing anything wrong?

Well, now I want to talk.

The Medical City (MedCity) is being tagged as one of the best hospitals in the country. They kept their reputation very well. And they still are.

A few weeks back, my friend went to MedCity for checkup because she can hardly tolerate the pain she's feeling from her stomach; she's claiming it to be Gastric Ulcer. However, about 4 doctors from MedCity told her that it is an Acute Appendicitis and that it will be better for her that she will go under operation.

Roseville told me that she had requested for endoscopy first before any operation for she believed that it's not her appendix that is having a problem, but the doctors insisted that they are sure about their diagnosis. Well, Roseville is not a doctor nor a nurse so she had trusted those specialists.

Operation was done.

Hours after the operation, Roseville was rather in good condition, she was standing and walking already. Seeing what they believed a good sign of their successful operation, the doctors informed my friend that she can go home anytime. Well she did chose to be discharged for she doesn't want her hospital bill to rocket up.

Now the question is, why did the doctors let her go out without hospital recovery? I mean, she didn't spend 24 hours in the hospital to recover. And one more thing, she was given just pain-killer medicines not anti-biotics. Whatta?!

What happened to your medical expertise you... &*^#?!

Few days after the operation, my friend felt sick again. I was informed by her housemate that she'd been in a fever and was chilling. She even asked me to go to their apartment for her housemate will be going to work and that she doesn't have anybody there to accompany her. (By the way, Roseville was my housemate before for more than a year.)

She was rushed to MedCity (again) for she had already fainted.

Back in the hospital, the doctors still held to their previous diagnosis. We kept on asking the doctor-in-charge and the nurses about what may have caused her chilling, fever, and her faint experience. They couldn't answer.

We asked them again if it could be a possible internal hemorrhage. They couldn't answer. They were in denial.

Medicines were given to her. IV fluids injected to her blood vessels. Machines were used to verify her illness. Money being extracted. Still no result.

One doctor claimed Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Whatta?!

What's that, a legal robbery? (This is a robbery but we have to operate you first!)

Roseville was again discharged after then.

At home, she rested hoping she will recover; get better and go back to work to earn for a living. She failed to report to work.

She was rushed again to MedCity for she's feeling worse already. She was vomiting. She was so sick.

After numerous diagnosis and medicines, the doctors decided to do operation again. This time they are going to check her digestive system. So she and the family decided to comply. She was operated.

They were able to see that her intestines failed.

to be continued...

Farewell to a friend...

Roseville... You will always be remembered...

Kalinga Day!

Early February I had plans to go home (to KALINGA) for the Ulallim Festival but due to unexpected circumstances the scheduled vacation is cancelled.

I miss my hometown. I miss Kalinga. I hope I could go home soon.

Kirsten... again... Why?

It has been a long time since I posted something about Kirsten Recruitment and their scheme of accepting applicants for Student VISA to the United Kingdom, here we go again.

A few weeks back I received a comment on one of my posts here telling me about his experience with Kirsten, unfavorable experience...

I've been hearing things about how Kirsten handle their applicants now; I've been hearing things that there are a lot of applicants being denied/refused on their VISA application. I've been hearing things that Kirsten is getting a vast amount out of the tuition fee paid to them by the applicants if the latter withdraw from their application. I've been hearing things... not good things...

Someone told me that the reason why he was refused for VISA is that the 3-year scheme of Kirsten is somewhat too long for him to take NVQs 3 and 4 and that the Entry Clearance Officer who reviewed his application also stated on his reason of refusal that the applicant is going to UK not to study instead work and get paid.

Someone also told me that the reason of his refusal is that he is over-qualified for the program (NVQ 3 and 4) for he is a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Philippines and that the fact that he holds some training certificates that would make it unnecessary for him to study further in the UK.

What's wrong with these? When I was in Kirsten doing some sit-ins, the personnels their kept on saying that they will screen the applicants properly so that the UK embassy should not be refusing applicants anymore. They will have to make sure that before an applicant submits his/her application to the consule for review it will be proper and just to avoid refusal; well mistakes happen but it should not be all the time. RNs being over-qualified for the NVQs 3&4? Did you really screen for them?

One more thing, regarding the payments of the applicants... If Kirsten is not giving back the application or processing fees of the people who are withdrawing after being refused to get VISAs then that would be understandable. However, if you are cutting-off an amount from their tuition fees then that is a different story already. C'mon, those applicants are not enrolled yet instead they just received letters of acceptance from their training providers. If they are accepted then that's the time they decide if they want to be enrolled or not. I also remember about this $1,000 for the additional year (3rd year) of study, that should also be given back in full. Can't you see, Kirsten imposed a scheme, get additional money, and the number of refusal gone up (I believe so...). It's like applicants paid for them to be denied for their VISA application.. ironic.

I hope these things will be properly rectified. To those who are having issues with Kirsten, be brave enough to get in touch with them. If still neglected, better get a PA, you have your rights.

Coffee break.

Here we go again...

First post for the year 2009! Wheew! Whatta drought...

Year of the Ox as they say will be a very good year; well they are predicting almost the same things every year. What else can they say?

Few days back, US President Barack Obama had his realistic speech during his inauguration day that to my own opinion it is indeed realistic... hehehe. He talked about what the United States is facing right now, talked about making peace in the middle east, talked about world peace... hmmm... less or no promises at all. I couldn't help myself comparing Obama's speech to the things President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo kept on saying during her SONAs; all promises... promises... promises.

Happy New Year!