metal dream catcher

In the News...

2007-02-25T21:22:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Nobody send me hate mail...

Canadian claims to have found Jesus' lost tomb

A Canadian filmmaker and author claims to have new scientific evidence that could have profound implications for Christianity.

Simcha Jacobovici, from Toronto, is expected to reveal at a news conference in New York on Monday that a tomb he explored under a Jerusalem apartment building once contained the bones of Jesus of Nazareth and his family.

Further, he suggested that the tomb, stored in a warehouse belonging to the Israel Antiquity Authority outside Jerusalem, may contain microscopic remains of the Christian saviour's DNA.

If so, this would be the first archaeological evidence of the existence of Jesus -- and his family.

"It's mind boggling. It's an altered reality," Jacobovici told the Toronto Star newspaper ahead of the release of his feature documentary film and book, both titled "The Lost Tomb of Jesus."

"You have to kind of pinch yourself," he said. "Are we really saying what we are saying?"

Jacobovici is presenting all of his evidence in his film and book, which focus on six ossuaries discovered in March 1980. They were found in a 2,000-year-old cave that was discovered when workers were excavating land for a housing development south of Jerusalem.

The boxes were inscribed with the names: Jesus son of Joseph, Judah son of Jesus, Maria, Mariamne, Joseph and Matthew. Another inscription, written in Aramaic, translates to "Judah Son of Jesus."

The inscriptions did not raise many alarms when they were discovered, as they were common names at the time of Jesus.

But Jacobovici asks in his film and book what the likelihood is that this particular group of names, contained in the same family tomb, would appear together?

"There are really only two possibilities," Jacobovici told The Globe and Mail. "Either this cluster of names represents the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth and his family. Or some other family, with this very same constellation of names, existed at precisely the same time in history in Jerusalem."

University of Toronto mathematician Dr. Andrey Feuerverger calculated the odds at one in 600; while Dr. James Tabor, chair of the department of religion at the University of North Carolina, placed the odds at one in 42 million.

"If you took the entire population of Jerusalem at the time and put it in a stadium, and asked everyone named Jesus to stand up, you'd have about 2,700 men," Tabor said. "Then you'd ask only those with a father named Joseph and a mother named Mary to remain standing. And then those with a brother named Yose and a brother named James. Statistically, you end up with one person."

Jacobovici assures devout Christians that there is nothing in his documentary or book that should offend them, since he doesn't argue against Jesus' ascension to heaven.

But his claims could be an issue for those who believe Jesus ascended, both physically and spiritually, to heaven 40 days after his resurrection.

Further, it would question the doctrine of the Virgin Birth if DNA testing were to link Jesus and Joseph with Mary.

According to Jewish custom, the bones have long since been reburied in unmarked graves in Israel. But tests conducted at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., on DNA obtained from the Jesus and Mary tomb and show that the two individuals were not maternally related.

Dr. Carney Matheson, the university lab's head, said this likely means they were related by marriage.

Jacobovici's $4-million documentary was executive-produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron.

"It doesn't get bigger than this. We've done our homework; we've made the case; and now it's time for the debate to begin," Cameron said in a news release.

The film will air March 6 on Canada's Vision TV, and later next month on Discovery U.S. and Britain's Channel 4.

The Jesus Family Tomb, a companion book by Jacobovici and Dr. Charles Pellegrino, has just been released.

Jacobovici and Cameron are expected to hold a press conference Monday morning at the New York Public Library, with the Jesus and Mary ossuaries which were flown in from Israel on display.

With files from The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star

slideshow

2007-02-23T22:58:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

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valentines...

2007-02-19T03:08:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

It's been some time since I last made an entry. I've been busy lately with a project for work that requires my writing skills. After labouring for hours, I've barely any creative juices left for my blog. Unfortunately, my camera is not with me. So there's no slideshow this time.

Good news... we have a windows media maker at work. Yipee. I could make slideshows now of my photos from work and shit like that. I think I've to make one of my family (not genetic). I haven't seen them in a while and I miss them terribly. Sigh.

Valentine Week... I had two dates (if you consider the other one a date per se) that week. One of them was for the actual valentine night and the other was booked last Friday. Date 1 was with a friend I've known for sometime. Date 2 was a speed dating event sponsored by Global Exchange which is sending one of my c0-workers to England. Apart from taking a hot friend away from eligible men, I also have a soft spot for the organization since they hold the Bike-Aid for mountain bikers (of which momma is an aficionado).

DATE 1 - The date started late since I get off at work at 9:00pm. We agreed to meet at Shangri-la for two reasons: it's posh and it's accesible from my place of work. Since there aren't any clients, the head of the company sent us home a good thirty minutes before 9:00pm. Yikes. I was trying to make my co-workers walk slower but they all have longer limbs than I do. Besides, I was wearing one of the shortest non-slutty skirts I own. There was no way I'd be running up the side-walk in that (I was also wearing golden heels with snake skin detial). As I walked towards Shangri-la, my date called in to tell me that he was already at Starbucks. Thank goodness.

Under the threat of throwing a fit, my date agreed to watch "Ghost Rider" that night. To kill time, we had Starbucks and I had ciggies. The movie was uhm shallow (for lack of a better term). Johnny's chopper looked wicked in all sense. I'd love to ride that one day although I've no doubt that it would be a bit heavy for me. Nah. I can take it on. Eva Mendez' hooters nearly took the show away from Nicholas Cage's fake hair. But really the jaw-dropping scene was not caused by the special effects, but by the bugger's six pack in one of his post-shower scenes. Awesome. That single scene made the movie for me. Wow. Praise be Nicholas Cage!

We went to Tomas Morato for really late or really early snacks in Gloria Jean's where I chowed half a sandwhich. Afterwards, we walked over to nearby Aruba, where we saw the sexy Ms. Jean Garcia surrounded by her passe. The bar was great but I do not dig 80s. We moved to Pier One where I was greeted by Viva Hot Men Paulo Serrano (a high school classmate) clad in yellow. He was asking if the date was my boyfriend, but I said no. Yes, I should've inflated the said date's ego and agreed that he was my boyfriend. Sorry, I was already tipsy and didn't think straight.

When I was starting get smashed, the date took me home to his apartment to "give me his present". Early on in the evening, I was teasing him for his lack of flowers. It's valentines for goodness sakes! Where are my bloody flowers!!! No not really. I was nice. But I did mind a bit. When we got to his apartment, he gave me not just one long stemmed red rose, but five pieces of chocolates and a new comfy animal! It's a white whale whom I christened Ishmael or Ishy. Then I went home. Really.

DATE 2 - The speed dating thing started out flat and ended flat. I met a few boys. None of them were bikers. So, I didn't like any of them. Damn. Is that bloody difficult to meet geek bikers around here?! ARGH!

There was human bingo, the question and answer portion, and musical chairs thing. There was funny bone as well. Something or another. There was a bugger who kept following me. He took me back to the apartment. He got a hug from me, but he wanted a kiss. So I sent him out of the door. Who does the bugger think he is?!

We texted the next day but it ended there. I don't care really.

The best thing about that night was that I kept lugging beer that my co-worker paid for. haha

Belated Happy Valentines

Johnny on the Rocks

2007-02-06T03:23:00.001-08:00

What are metal dreams?

For a time, I didn't think there was any need for my fine good old friend, Johnny and the lesser friend, Jack. But several news had recently made me wanna pop the cork (there is no cork, yeah I know).

News #1

I got served my first memo for a dress that nobody understood. I was playing ethnic and bohemian chic. But apparently, all everybody saw was a "daster" similar to what manangs wear in the comfort of their own homes. Thus, my memo was born.

At first, I didn't think I was applying for a company that fined you for cutting-edge clothing that was threading on the worst-dressed gwen stephani style sans the blue hair. My old friend complained, "What is this?! Vogue?!" True enough that we didn't work in a fashion magazine, but people here are of very small minds and most are ball-less. It doesn't sit well to see their employees expressing themselves in such an attire.

It is important to note that had someone else worn that dress or any of my risque dresses, it would not have been noticed. They are picking on me, yes. But what does it matter? They can fire me if they want. God knows I'm not paid enough. Hell, that dress doesn't show a shred of sexyness. Today, I wore something of the slutty kind with a jacket. That passed. Hmm... food for thought.

Here is what my memo looks like:

Dear Ms. Nineveh,

This letter is to serve as notice that you are in danger of violating the provisions of your probationary employment with us regarding the required dress code to be worn during office hours.

As per your job offer, your probationary period is supposed to last until blah blah. During your job offer ity was made clear that the company's dress code was to be followed; that is, business casual from Monday to Thursday with Friday being designatedas laundry day and therefore "free-dress".

To date you have been verbally reminded twice regarding your non-observance of this rule. Today marks your third verbal warning direcly after yesterday's violation of the same rule.

Please be mindful of these provisions in the future.

Thank you,
HR Director

**************************************

According to my friend who also received a similar notice, albeit not for his dress code, confessed that the said memo was indeed a template. Unfortunate as to the fact that I didn't even TRY to be bad and here I was with a memo. I guess I am naturally bad... which isn't all that bad but it could be worse.

My old friend is stressed out about it. But I am quite happy with what I have achieved. I am not nearly devastated enough to care about it at all. It is not the first time that I've been in the "hot seat" for my uncompromising motto of "I shall not live in fear!" And to quote Erin Brocovich, "So long as I have one ass, instead of two, I will damn wear whatever I want."

I like the work I do. It is not important for me to feel loved by the people around here. It was hard at first, but I finally internalized that this place is not my comfort zone. This is a war zone right here. It not a cushy seat to be one of the footsoldiers. But hey, it starts at the bottom and winds it way to the top. It is unfortunate for the Queen to have surrounded herself with people who have little minds and practically no balls. Perhaps it is my fault that they don't like me. I am not impressed by their deeds and have refused to feign such actions. It is not befitting my character. My sisters raised me right.

Perhaps they will fire me after my probationary period. Of course, I live with another motto: "I will not quit, you must fire me!" It's the call centers' fault. If I get fired, I could always get a new job with a way way way better pay. I've already realized that I will not get anywhere with this company. Penny commented that "Ang liit liit na nga ng opisina niyo, ang lakas pa rin ng politika." True enough.

News # 2

My ex passed the UP LAE. I'm ecstatic. There is nothing in the world that can make me sad tonight. Nothing. Absolutely NOTHING.

Top 10 Motorbike The World's Greatest

2007-01-28T02:24:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Check it out:

http://myvespa.wordpress.com/2007/01/17/10-greatest-ever-motorbikes/#more-282

The article is based on Discovery Channel's The World's Greatest segment talking about the Top 10 Motorbikes according to experts and bikers alike.

In a nutshell:

10. Harley Davidson Knuckle Head
9. Moto Guzzi V8
8. Vespa (PX 125)
7. Brough Superior SS 8
6. Britten V1000
5. Triumph Bonneville T100
4. Y2K
3. Honda 750
2. Ducati 916
1. Honda Cub50 (What? yeah, I hear ya)

Challenge 1 WINNER

2007-01-26T03:06:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Alright models, it's judging time...

The Deliberation for the winner of Challenge 1

The fate of the models lies in one mystery judge invited by the blog author. Since the judge is familiar with the models, s/he was asked to be as impartial as he could be. Thankfully, he lent his expertise for free (woohoo) allowing for the winning model to receive two prizes. While deliberating, the judge was quarantined from the models.

With that, let's start with the recap of Challenge 1. As we have close interaction with our clients, it was important to look cheerful even when s/he do not feel like being lil miss sunshine. This challenge was designed to test the skill of the models' ability to appear happy in the photographs. The models were asked to convey their most happiest smile without looking directly at the camera resulting in a "candid" shot.

The Models

The challenge was to "look happy". The positive thing about this photo is that it conveys peacefulness. Unfortunately, we are looking for top-of-the-world happy instead of calm contentment. Her aura was too calm. Although Kaye is naturally classy, she ought to have found a way to appear ridiculously happy in a classy way.

According to the judge, the model doesn't look happy... just cute. It seems that he didn't give his 100% on this challenge. The judge appreciated his effort to show the "teasing" side of him. But sadly, it didn't pay off.

The judge feel that the smile is too unrealistic as if "someone made her smile". The model's forced smile didn't sit well with the judge. Amazingly, it was cartoony leaning to sexy. It seems actress-y in a way that didn't win her the vote of the judge.

It's the same case for this one, her smile didn't reach her eyes. "She looks scared!" said the dismayed judge. Nery felt self-conscious about her dentals that she was half-way between a toothy grin and a toothless smile. The judge suggests that even with bad teeth, the model should have played up her other assets such her skin and eyes.

The Winner

Loraine is the winner of our challenge. Her smile looks natural and her eyes sparkled as if she was truly happy when the photo was taken. Even if she wasn't, she totally fooled the judge. "She showed us what happiness is," said the judge. This was the only where the happiness shines beyond the photo and into the real world.

Loraine's winning shot

*************************

Stay tuned for Challenge 2 "Window Shot"

*************************

Loraine will receive one free lunch next week and a trinket from the blog author. This photo will also be featured in the FRIENDSTER bulletin board for all to see.

My Place

2007-01-24T23:42:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Snippets of my new pad at the heart of a fairly unfriendly neighborhood.

My bedroom...

The stairs of doom...

The living room...

The small dining area and the doorway leading to the kitchen and bathroom...

The kitchen

The bathroom... my second fave place...

The facade... my fave colour - PINK. It is also my favorite place in the pad (well, still technically IN the pad), coz it's the only place where I can smoke. hehe.

My ashtray...

The neighbor seemed to think that just coz I don't park any type of vehicle in front of our house then he could park his. Well, what can you expect? They even watch their laundry on the street.

The neighborhood pets

Our doggie... the neighbor's doggie that is. He loves us.

Our fish... I don't even know which neighbor owns this fish. I don't make nice to the fishy.

Our kids... yeah, they're not really pets but, just like cats, they're everywhere!

Korean Man Hunt?

2007-01-24T21:38:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Being the show off that I am, other clients had a looksie of the new Korean Heart throb Mike. After a generous amount of laughter and insults combined, they too wanted to have a "foolish" photo taken of them.

Admittedly, some of our clients have male model figures with a higher I.Q. than Zoolander. It is the policy of the Centre to keep the clients happy so we had an impromptu photo shoot. Albeit we have really bad lights, the photos still conveyed the model wannabe look for our client.

Roy has a more "model" aura than heart throb Mike. Lets put it this way. Mike is the multi-talented superstar one who is as hot as Brad Pitt. While Roy is the "male model of the moment" such as Gemma Ward.

ROY'S PORTFOLIO

compare and contrast

Sell it to me!

Calvin Klein model?

I wonder where I left my phone...

Korean Heart throb

2007-01-24T03:24:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

My lil client claims he doesn't like girls. Me thinks it's on account that he couldn't talk to the girls in his class (ESL impaired) and has a bit of confidence deficiency. But that was before he got his fancy new haircut.

Awesome! His hairdresser totally knew what to do with the lil tyke. He was even taught how to use hair products (will be introducing him to hair putty soon).

He is a Korean Heart throb in the making. Move over Won Bin (Autumn in my Heart, Endless Love 1)! Eat dirt Lee Dong Wook (My girl)! Get a new job Jo in Sung (Memories of Bali)!

Make way for Mark*...

Poster Boy

Product Endorser

*Real name witheld for privacy reasons.

The Centre's Next Top Model*

2007-01-24T00:22:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

*The Centre is what I call my work place. Loosely based on ANTM

The Centre is a competitive non-television segment in my blog created by yours truly. Every week (I hope) will feature a new challege for the models (my co-workers) and the results will be featured in my blog. The winner for the week will receive a prize from yours trully of varying degrees of cheap-ness.

This segment promotes company unity and friendly competition among my co-workers. And of course, it also propagates my personal favorite mantra... beauty is in the workplace. We interact closely with our clients, therefore, it is important that we remain fabulous.

Here are the models...

(l - r) Kaye, Myrrh, Reyna
Loraine, Boni, Robert (Cloyd and Nery not in picture)

The Challenge - Look Happy

Since this is the first challenge, we retained the models' natural beauty maximizing on their natural talent. The task is to "Look Happy". Ok, there's being naturally happy and extraordinarily happy. But the task today was to look happy (not crazy) on digi photos. There's a catch. It must look a tiny bit candid. No looking at cameras for this one. And for some of the models this is indeed a challenge. What's a photo if you're not looking at a camera!

Wait and see...

Kaye's Photos

Long neck + high cheeckbones = glamour

Kaye has a natural goddess quality to her and really fine white skin that whitening product commercials only dream of. The downside is her dentals. For a lot of the models, smilling is what brings out the laughter in the eyes (rightly so, even for me). The challenge for her is to look happy without showing canines.

Gloss it up!

Primping, of course, is the other of her natural gifts.

This is Kaye's best shot...

Goddess Quality

Cloyd's Photos

Pose for me!

Cloyd lurvs photos. He has a jovial nature that shines through all of his photos. This challenge is a piece of cake for him. This boy has the versitility of a seasoned model. His photos are just precious. Since his smile brings out his eyes, we are looking for that x-factor quality that would just make the audience coo at him... even with that face (joke lang hehe).

Tease me (so adorable!)

Cloyd's pic really takes the cake for this challenge. This is the teasing side of him that is rarely seen in a strict corporate environment. I am seriously blown away. Top Model talaga!

Loraine's Photos

Loraine is also shining of all happiness in the world. She has a ditzy glow about her that just infects everyone with happiness. This challenge should also be a peice of cake for her... This is her initial test shot...

Smiles all around

There was an unforseen problem with Loraine, however. She wouldn't stop looking at the freakin camera! We, and by that I mean ALL of us, wanted to just nail her eyes steady lest it starts following the camera again! After a while, and I mean a while, and a help from Cloyd ("Tingin ka sa 'ken. Sa akin lang!"), we finally got a shot we wanted.

Pretty and Perky - Just the way we like it!

Myrrh's Photos

Sweet-safe-cutesy Myrrh

Myrrh is a wholesome person. She is also happiness-all-around type but not as much as the previous two . But this isn't a challenge for nothing. We wanted to see another side of Myrrh, apart from the sweet -safe-cutesy side of her. We love her yes. But she can be more sexy.

This is a much harder task to pull... had I told her that it's what we wanted hehe. She had no idea what we wanted from her apart from deviate from certain cutesy poses. That way, she wasn't intimidated at all. She was cooperative and everything went smoothly. We were very satisfied with her best shot...

Move over Alec Bovic/k

Neri's Photos

Nery's kinda cranky.

She is the most photogenic of all my co-workers, says the HR/IT head's second. He has uhm fairly decent taste so I didn't bother to check it out for authenticity. But it seems he has a point. We didn't have much time for her as she needed to work (unlike me? hehe). She also came a lil late so the entire concept of it wasn't explained to her as well as the others.

Kagagahasa-lang look.

It didn't bode well that she's didn't wanna participate on account that she hadn't gone to her stylist yet. But it worked to her advantage in a sort of kagagahasa-lang look. heehee.

Angelic (virginal? joke lang)

The Boys' Photos

The boys prefered to have their photos taken in the spot that makes them happy. I must admit that I agree completely as this place also gives me happiness...

Boni's happy day (without the plant)

This is Robert. He is happy. Walang kokontra!

Robert's happy place. Reminds us of the rehab days, don't it?

Visitation Day - Sharing a lil happy!

Boni's special spot, away from second hand smoke. I'll kill myself, thanks.

Sadly, Reyna was busy so she wasn't able to participate. The photos shall be deliberated upon for a few days/hours. The winner shall be announced on Friday. Stay tuned...

Happiness

2007-01-24T00:13:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

If you need to spread a lil happy amongst your co-workers, do what I did -- BRING A DIGITAL CAMERA in the workplace and have a PICTORIAL with your co-workers.

Needless to say, my co-workers were very pleased about it. But compared to my academic organization back in college, it took some time for them to warm-up to the idea. Well, they haven't seen my new found skills in photography (hehe).

Although I was rather demanding with the girls and guys, they were as professional as they can be. The lights weren't that good in our office, so we had to make do with what we had. It's a good thing my people were always primped and perfect that retouches weren't necessary cutting down in prep time.

As you will see my people were born models and with a bit of couching, we were able to churn out pretty good shots. I feel like Tyra Banks in America's Next Top Model heehee.

**********************

In other non-happiness sections, I've reconsidered trying to get an invite for the blog parteeh. My friend strongly disagreed with my plug (It's sooo NOT you!) and that I wouldn't FIT IN anyways. Whatever that means. Still, those were merely unsolicited advice and I still would go if only I had all my appendiges working.

*********************

As usual, I woke up late this morning. Well, I slept around 1am so go figure. I spent the night talking with a severely stoned friend who kept on about wanting to date my mother (who is hotter than I am, I must admit). It got really gross that I had to hang up. Good riddence.

*********************

I haven't spoken to my family in a while. It must be because I did a bad thing which I shall not mention here lest I see momma (not genetic) bangin on my door demanding that I get reprimanded for my less than wise actions.

My roomy might be back tonight so I wouldn't have to spend the night alone... again... for the nth time.

Another chance to be a WALLFLOWER

2007-01-23T04:11:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

I detest dances. My Junior and Senior Proms were two of the worst moments of my life. I think I went to the dances for my mum. You see, my mum was a hot young thing -- the prettiest girl in Dumaguete City circa 1960s. It was a disappointment for her that I didn't turn out with as much pretty-ness as she had. I guess, I lost the gene pool contest. (My lil brother won)

Why am I even talking about this party?

Well... my good friend is going. Another friend is going. Thus, if I wanted to hang out with my friends, then I would have to crash on account that:
1/ the pary is invites ONLY; and
2/ STRICTLY one person per invite.

I might not like parties, but I do like to hang out with buddies over happy plant or something. My scheduled people for the 27th are both going to the party. So it's either stay home or crash. Stay home or crash. Stay home or crash. Or I could do the unthinkable. Try to get an invite.

Logically, this is the least painful of the choices. So... ok... here goes.

BLOG PARTEEH 07

*Cue opening theme song, lights, camera, action ... cue really high and perky voice*

And you think bloggers are resigned to writing and cyberspace... of course NOT! We bloggers can bring the house (the one by the river?) down!

Plugging: the BLOG PARTEEH! 2007 (applause and hooting)

What's this you ask? Well, it's only just the meanest and biggest party of all time! It's a meet and greet for bloggers AND by bloggers themselves. Wow! Super Wow! Most Awesome Wow! Can you say lucky? Better yet say PARTEEH!

Move over Oscars, coz this is the most happening event of this season! What are you waiting for?! Haul on those fab and possibly studded asses onto the red carpet!

This party is brought to you by the coolness of the sponsors...

This event is sponsored by: Sheero Media Solutions, MyJournal Philippines, FeedText, Inc., Migs Paraz, A Bugged Life, The Blog Herald, b5media blog network, About My Recovery, Pinoy.Tech.Blog, Enthropia, Inc., Krispy Kreme Philippines, GMA New Media, Awesome Philippines, Codamon.com, Boracay.com.ph, Recipes.com.ph, WebMaster.com.ph, Bouncing Red Ball, Bo Sanchez, Microwarehouse Inc.

And by all that extra lovin power of the donors...

BlogParteeh07 Donors:

Marc Javellana, Bubba Gump, e-YellowPages, Adobe User Group - Philippines, Weddings @ Work, Google Philippines, Hinge Inquirer Publications

See you there!!!

As of 0 hour, I've received confirmation that my buddy got his invite. He goes on to chide: Asa pang makakakuha ng invites. To which I replied: Gagooh!

And last but not the least... I've to do that tag thing... this is the best I can do...

blogparteeh07

BIKE WATCH: Dakar Rally

2007-01-23T04:09:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

I was about to post a really good article about the Paris-Dakar Rally... unfortunately, i clicked something wrong and the entire article DISAPPEARED! WTF!

The Paris-Dakar rally (aka Dakar Rally as it doesn't have to start in Paris) is one of the most extreme races in the world. It's a rally, so as they go, it runs across six countries. It starts at Lisbon (Portugal), then through Spain, Mauritania, Morocco, then ends in, where else, Dakar (Senegal). This is a 15 day (Jan 6 to 15 2007)race with only one day rest period. The sched.

This annual race was established by a French guy (Thierry Sabine) for cars. A few years back, motorcycles and large trucks. This year: 88 Large Trucks, 187 automobiles and 250 motorcycles raced in the 2007 Dakar Rally. Of all these riders, only 40% will make it to the finish line. I don't blame them as this is a 5,000 mile run through rock, sand, riverbed and potholed roads. This year, there are two deaths (one accident and the other a heart attack, yikes).

The winner this year is *drumroll* CYRIL DEPRES (Dakar 2005 winner).

Depres: winner of the Dakar Rally 07 motorcycle division

Woohoo...

He clocked in for about 51 hours, 36 minutes, 53 seconds, ahead of the next rider by 34 mins. He rode on board a KTM off road, an ausie manufacturer.

KTM article coming up tomorrow.

BIKE WATCH: BMW K 1200 R

2007-01-23T04:07:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

In reference to my previous article, this is the BMW K 1200 R...

BMW K 1200 R

The BMW K 1200 R is the most powerful naked bike BMW offers as of this moment. Ergo, this is the most powerful naked bike the planet EARTH could offer. She was released on 2006 in the international market and was the creme dela creme of Biker shows everywhere. There is no biker show without this baby.

As for specs, wikipedia has this to say:
"a 163 hp (122 kW) @ 10,250 rpm from its 1157 cc 4 cylinder motor with a torque of 94 lbf·ft (127 N·m) @ 8,250 rpm, a mind numbing explosive acceleration of 100 km/h from stand-still in 2 seconds and a top speed of over 163 mph (260 km/h). There are many other features in this bike from its styling to layout. The cylinder block is canted toward the front wheel by 55 degrees to reduce the entire motorcycle’s center of gravity, permitting innovating packaging solutions. The optional ESA system allows the rider to adjust for different road conditions and varying loads for a very individualized riding style. At the touch of a button, the rider is able to choose between three settings (Normal, Comfort, and Sport) for front and rear suspension as well as adjusting for suspension preload, a three-way catalytic converter in the exhaust to ensure more environmental friendly low emissions and anti-lock braking system to ensure rider safety in extreme braking. Fully sequential cylinder-specific fuel injection with integrated anti-knock control mean that peak torque is available from 3500 rpm all the way to the 11,000 rpm redline and wheelies are just a touch of a throttle away!"

Awesome.

However, there is no such thing as a perfect bike -- especially if you are trying to please everyone... sports and naked peeps. This bike is essentially a naked bike. Duh. Thus, it tends to be on the heavy side, like most nakeds. My good friend is totally pleased with this bike on account that it's so comfortable that it seems like you're driving a car. Another good friend said that he wouldn't go out on that bike on account that there's no thrill. "It's like a friggin' car!" says he.

Weight issues. The naked peeps absolutely adore this bike, giving them a taste of the sports while still on a naked. Ok, nakeds are veering towards cross-county more than race track but still, it is in their blood to enjoy speed once in a while. The sports peeps think that the bike is way too heavy for sports to the point of maybe hacking off some of its muscles. I think not.

Since I am naked leaning to cruiser. I think she's fine the way she is.

BIKE WATCH: ASIAN TREASURES

2007-01-23T04:04:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Anyhow, the BIKE WATCH article for today hits home... hard.

If you have TV, live in the city, or is seemingly aware of the world around you, you would have heard of the new GME teleserye: ASIAN TREASURES starring Angel Locsin and Robin Padilla. There are two things about this show that caught my attention.

First, it sounds like they're veering into "archaeology", which is my field. I do not doubt that my people are keeping a close watch. I mean, they didn't even consult us for the love of god! God knows what kind of archaeology will be featured there. Media hype is a delicate issue as it would dictate how people will view our field of work and us, the real archaeologists. The last GMA show that featured an archaeologist had him lost in a cave and turned into a monster. What the hell! Cave sites are rather numerous and it doesn't help if the people think that one of us have monster-transforming talents. Que Transformers openning credit song.

According to Wikipedia (galing, wikipedia agad), "Asian Treasures is the upcoming action-packed epic adventure teledrama from GMA Network starring Robin Padilla and Angel Locsin, and is directed by Eric Quizon. The series is set to premiere this January 15, 2007 as part of GMA Network's 2007 First Quarter Explosion." The plot goes a predicable evil secret society (Sudarna) and good secret society (KKK - Kapatirang Kumakalinga ng Kayamanan). Both secret societies are after treasures gathered by 10 trinket hungry Bornean datus back in ancient times, the former is looting while the later is "protecting" (It is said that the KKK's way of protecting is in good intention, I hope that after they "gather" these artifacts, they fully intend to turn it over the National Museum which is the legistatively right or lawful thing to do). Of course, Angel is the point person of the KKK while Robin is her body guard of sorts.

Haven't I heard this before in some GMA defunct show starring Guitierrez? Oh well.

The second, more personal, reason... bikes. Que Asian Treasure TV plug. We go through several shots of Angel (Gabriella/Gabby) and Robin (Elias) in different action sequences. Then, lo and behold, we see Angel in black "suit" on a pretty bike. I have yet to acquire a photo of her on that bike. Rest assured, I am working on it. My friends cannot be bothered to find the said photo, prolly coz she's too covered. I wonder if she has a friendster account.

My first reaction was this:
"WTF! Angel Locsin can ride?!" said I in a hell-freezes-over tone.
"She SEEMINGLY can ride," answered my biker source in a monotonous tone.
"I saw the Asian Treasures plug," I explained. "She was on a bloody bike!"
"Yes, I've seen the plug," said biker source. "But... did you actually SEE her ride?" (wink wink)
"Hmmm," said I with reality dawning on me.
It was true. I didn't SEE her ride. The clip shows her ON a bike -- a stationary bike! She wasn't riding. She was merely sitting there with her helmet on, then in a true Baywatch fashion (out here in field!), took off her helmet with her hair streaming behind her. The camera took it from above so her milky cleavage was all over.

What really bothered me was that she MIGHT be riding one of my prefered two wheels: BMW K 1200 R!!! WTF!!! The producers certainly know their stuff. Yeah, lets put her jugs and her on the fastest bike BMW can friggin' offer. However, I am uncertain whether it was really a BMW K 1200 R as I have yet to see it up close. It seemed german though, bulky and seemingly indestructible.

I shell let you, my readers, know when I've gotten to the bottom of things.

Snippets

2007-01-23T03:58:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

I haven't been updating my blog... for very good reasons.

The internet in my workplace isn't... fast. It crawls like a slug on an inclined plane - going uphill. Blogger hadn't been exactly cooperative with such third-world technologies. Thus, I've been blogging in my friendster account.

Damn. I terribly miss my other blog. The one that got tons of hits and all that. *Sigh* To think that I had to throw out a couple of months' work down the drain on account that it's not advisible. ARGH!

Due to sadness, I've gotten sick this weekend. Bugger. I threw up twice in a row. Barfing is not a good thing for me since I am an ex-bulimic and is scared shitless of reverting back to my bulimic state.

Anyhow... I'm posting the BIKE WATCH entries here.

*cue Baywatch theme song*

Moving

2007-01-17T03:33:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Reading through my previous entries, it's obvious that I seem to be bloging for quite sometime in this page. However, my archives doesn't check out. This is because I moved from my last blog to here.

After working numerous hours, pouring my heart out and bleeding from all those html thingies, I finally managed to churn out a blog customized to my quirks. Why on earth should I move?

For several good reasons... first, my last blog had compromising links. Second, I was ordered to do so.

Anyhow, I'm still making myself at home. I'll have better posts soon.

Headlines: graft and plunder

2007-01-11T22:11:00.001-08:00

What are metal dreams?

After a lot of reviewing, I've decided to go ahead and comment on the most popular item of the moment... the Perez-Jimenez LQ.

From what I've gathered from three articles, Perez was a mean bully who stole illegally-acquired lunch money by the two-digit-millions for the victim's "peace of mind". That season, Perez was trying his damnest to convince Jimenez to execute an affidavit to bury the former Pres. Estrada's cronies if they do not support that then small-rabbit-teethed-girl-who- wants-to-live-in-the-great-big-house-by-the-river (she is now the small-rabbit-teethed-girl-who-is-a-crook-and-lives-in-the-great-big-house- by-the-river).

Being a "corporate genius"*, Jimenez was not one to shudder under a bully's shadow. Shortly after bravely refusing to be swayed by the ogre-like Perez, he was suddenly overwhelmed by the thought that his actions brought no good tidings. Perez, who should be charged with home invasion on top of graft etc., stormed the Jimenez household and cursed plus threatened the residents. It would have been entertaining to witness such a scene.

I see it now: Perez, green with anger/hunger/envy/greed, stomping his feet and bellowing "I AM AN OGRE!"

Being a "corporate genius"*, Jimenez knew that he must do something - ANYTHING to shut the man up! That something/anything happened to be coughing up $2mil. But hey, it's not great loss since that money was coming from the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan hydroelectric plant in Laguna which he brokered and won under the Estrada administration (which he vehemently denies saying my boy Ping is a liar. About his sexuality, yes. About this, I don't think so.).

Being a "corporate genius"*, Jimenez handed the ogre the promised amount with a smile. And by that I mean with teeth all barred. One day, Jimenez vowed, there will be reckoning. That, my dearest readers, have come.

Emotional considerations about some of the people involved aside, this is rather boring. It's just crooks going after crooks. Why don't you go after the rabbit? She smells. Even Jimenez, with all his "corporate genius", had declared that it was all about Nani and nothing about the smelly rabbit. Wow. Such a prayerful man, I ought to believe the bastard. But no. Of course not. Nani is an ogre. He's not awfully smart if he were to end up like this, which is out in the open to be hunted by Ombudsman to make the rabbit smell good for the mid-year elections. As far as rabbit smell goes, I don't think there's enough gunpowder to make it smell even remotely acceptable.

Currently, the ogre is somewhat in a cushy position. I thought it the most hilarious thing when Nani gets graft instead of plunder on account that he's only taken bribe ONCE and not TWICE. What the hell! It's like this guy I know who fucked a 15 year old girl and got off clean because of a technicality (I love you dude but please lay off the young ones).

Oh well. Jimenez must be getting lots of good tidings now that he's under the rabbit's bidding. I wonder how much he was paid to revert into a pupet. It's not even a pinochio like puppet, just an old smelly sock with eyes drawn on. Eyw. He is now therefore re-christened as old sock.

Old Sock vs Ogre >>> LETS GET IT ON!
________________________

graft - noun. the acquisition of money, gain, or advantage by dishonest, unfair, or illegal means, esp. through the abuse of one's position or influence in politics, business, etc.

plunder - to rob, despoil, or fleece (baa)

* Erap's favorite moniker for him.
__________________________

Non-news

I grieve for the families of Marlon Corate, 22, and Joey Sacdalan (who conincidentaly publishes a tabloid named Headlines), 46. Both had motorcycle related accidents which took their lives.

For all those on two wheels...

PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STAY AWAY FROM TRUCKS.

First and Second

2007-01-11T22:09:00.001-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Last night, as I was reading through the rest of PDI (january 9, vol 22, no 23), I came upon Chuckie Perez Manio's Young Blood contribution entitled “Cold pragmatism?”. Surprisingly, it mirrored several of my sentiments about the call center industry. The article started with the aghast reaction of the young Lasellite on the movement of thousands of new grads towards the call center industry. Me thinks he feared that one day he'll wake up and find his now unabitious self in a highly unrewarding job.

Wrote Chuckie: “Today, it's quite fashionable to discard idealism and espouse cold pragmatism, the attitude you need in the “real world,” they say.” If everybody missed it, this was exactly what I was whining about in my “stirring” entry only in lyrical prose. It's not just fashionable though, it is, in fact, inevitable. Lets just say it is the natural state of things. I use to think that grown-ups are Kjs (kill joys) when they tell me this. But now that I've started to grow up, I've realize that they were telling me the truth. As the normal flow of things go, it's youth and idealism and then lack of it. The “lack of it” stage is coupled with kids and a mortgage. Many are times when a conversation about this “lack of it” stage with my older colleagues ends in: “Wait till you have kids. Then you'll understand.” Yeah, ok.

“Disillusionment,” Chuckie says. “It hits hard and some people can't handle it. Life is hard – everyone knows that. But why should we accept such horrible conditions and allow our lives to go by without giving anything back to this world, or maybe even just to our country?” I've thought about it but I don't think this boy is calling out for a revolution. He just wants us to realize that life is going downhill. Wake up and smell the gutter.

I concur that it is indeed “tempting to opt for a happy but mediocre life” but observation is just the first step.

First sight and Second thoughts

According to my favorite philosopher (who doesn't think he's one at all, but he is), a person who can make a difference, lets say a hero, has to have two important qualities. By that he didn't mean superhuman strength. First off, one must have first sight which is seeing what's really there. What's so special about this? Well, most people aren't actually seeing. Not that they're blind but that they see what they want to see. Like fortune telling, those manangs at Quiapo don't tell you what's really going to happen. They just tell you what you want to hear.

It's not really people's fault that they can't see. Me thinks it's a survival mechanism. The excuse is that you already know life is hard, you don't wanna wallow in it. It's being optimistic, they say. Yeah, ok.

The second quality is the ability to ask WHY. Of course, you shouldn't seem like a child “why this?” “why that?”. It's about asking the right questions. This is an analytical skill and like all skills, this can be learned.

The right question

The right move for this one is not the pry their eyes open with a pitch fork. No. That won't mean a thing without first sight. And first sight only encourages depression or panic without second thoughts. What my philosopher didn't dabble on was to factor in the heart.

The heart is a rather powerful weapon. It is second only to survival/self-preservation. People often disregard it as they see it as a dishonorable tool. I have no qualms with the manipulation of feelings. The heart is the only thing powerful enough to shut down first sight and second thoughts. Like all things, the heart is also the only thing powerful enough to open first sight and second thoughts. When feelings are triggered it doesn't trickle down, it comes out in floods. Feelings don't disappear. Like energy, they are merely replaced with another feeling.

More importantly, feelings are infectious. It takes only one to infect a room full of people. In my case, it took two.

First and Second

2007-01-11T22:09:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

I concur that it is indeed “tempting to opt for a happy but mediocre life” but observation is just the first step.

First sight and Second thoughts

The right question

More importantly, feelings are infectious. It takes only one to infect a room full of people. In my case, it took two.

PLUG: Motocross

2007-01-11T22:08:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

Read it: (from motorcyclephilippines.com)

1st Fast Track International MX Race - Mayor Tinga Cup

On Jan 28, 2007 NAMSSA shall be hosting the first international Motocross race in Metro Manila at the newly inaugurated internationally approved Fast Track circuit in Taguig.

Since this is the first event, national points to be awarded, come join us, this is the first ever international motocross event in Metro Manila , since the last national mx event in manila was in 1997 in Marikina city

Riders from guam are expected to attend. Classes for the juniors, enduro, novice , intermediate and PRO to be run, official practice is on Saturday before event.

For more info call 0917 8992363 or check out www.namssa.org or reach us at email namssa01@hotmail.com

__________________

For those who wish to do me harm, yes, I will be there, and no, I will not be participating.

Headlines - January 9

2007-01-11T22:07:00.000-08:00

What are metal dreams?

When I broke out of my casket, I swore to my lucky stars and various dieties that I'll morph from a breathing human being unaware of her soil's politics into a more knowledgable decaying cadaver. Although there's a great chance that I'll not succeed in this endeavour, it would be a great adventure just trying.

As a side note, someone stole my crisp newly bought newspaper on my way to the office. Is this the spirits telling me NOT to continue with this rather bold challenge. To think that I've sworn off politics since my ex went uhm backpacking.

Thus, the headline section of my blog is born where a translation the news into a more digestible and highly entertaining form precedes my commentaries. (All articles are taken out of PDI)

*"Nicole's" Lawyer does the expected...

This is wholly expected in my case, also for my (coffee) drinking buddies. In the front page article today, Ursua declares that the excuse used to legitimize Smith's smuggle out of the Phils into the heavily armed US Embassy (the VFA) should be abolished. To put spice into things, several people should have their peckers cut off, namely, Executive Secretary Ermita, Foreign Secretary Romulo, Justice Secretary Gonzalez, Interior Secretary Puna and Presidential Legal Counsel Apostol.

The article would have gone on unnoticed for more pressing news such as headline citing the ex-DOJ chief's extortion raps (note the sarcasm), if not for several really humorous lines and I quote: page A4
"They (the US) have waived part of their jurisdiction... they allowed our officials to get inside, give them free access," he (Apostol)said.
Whoa, hold on there one second.
Did he just say that we ought to be thankful that we got our hands on Smith in the first place? Did he just say that contrary to Ursua and the rest of them, it's not Pinas but the US who surrendered sovereignty when they LET US get hold of Smith? In effect, we should be showering the US officials with gift baskets of mangoes and bamboo flutes for their surrendering their sovereignty.

Well then, that settles it. When you go picking the mangoes, include the tree itself, or better yet, just chuck an entire forest for the colonists' consumption. Oh wait. The colonists had and still is doing that -- utilize OUR resources for their own upliftment. Now, not only are we exploited, we are also damn proud of it hence the President's legal counsel is printing out t-shirts saying: GI wanna fuck?

I don't think this gives a pleasing mental and political image about our government's relationship with the US. First off, we sound, for lack of better term, scared shitless in a wet-your-pants variety. Ohhh, the big mean country is nice enough to let us even see Smith, let alone even admit that an actual rape scene ever happened. Therefore, we should be oh so grateful and, consequently, spread our legs. More importantly, we sound like it's our fault that we breed girls

who start to wonder why their privates hurt after a few hours in the back of a van with horny soldiers. Yes, this is a country of great whoredom. What's happened to our culture damnit?! We were trained by Spain to be great whores were we not?!

It's saddening that some of my buddies had actually called "Nicole" unreliable due to the (supposed) fact that she is a loose woman. In my opinion, it's an even greater crime if the girl is a "loose woman". Come on. She's already easy. All she needed was a lil prodding care of flowers, chocolates and money. Geez. How hard can that be?! The real problem here is not bounded by country. Males all over the world are getting too lazy to work for a good fuck (or any fuck for that matter). For the love of all that is holy, there's no such thing as a butt ugly boy when armed with a couple of yellow ninoys. You lazy bastards!!!

That age old tactic of getting a girl drunk (making her even more easy) is faulty and dangerous. Most girls can't hold their drink. You don't make her ingest a whole keg of beer. Two cocktails will do. Maximum. Make sure she doesn't dance or else she'll sweat it off. She'll be tipsy, she'll be easy. But see, she's still aware that she's said "yes, you're gonna get lucky." Thus, she won't scream rape. Some men are just idiots I tell ya.

Of course, the bugger, as a wrap up, suggested that the Yanks out to be watched and tagged when on leave so that "we'll not experience this kind of experience (rape case)." Well, this says a lot about the state of the English language in our government.

I do not doubt that the VFA will push through. Thus, I'm stocking up on lube and a leash.

*I will not link you. Go outside and purchase a newspaper.