On the Edge of Reason

Battling the Bulge: Books and Figures

2008-09-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

It is amazing that in these trying times of a faltering economy and the rising rate of poverty, Americans are still getting fat.

An article from The Earth Times mentions statistics from the Center for Disease Control, revealing the following data:
* The entire US, with the exception of Colorado, have a 20 percent obesity rate (body mass index[BMI] is 30 or higher).
* In the Mid-Atlantic area, the obesity rate is between 25 to 29 percent.

The same Earth Times article also enumerated figures from the American Heart Association's 2008 Statistical Fact, noting that the percentage of overweight and obese Americans with a BMI of 25 or higher is between 57.6 and 79.6 percent, depending on sex and race.

Another study of the American Heart Association reveals the alarming increase in incidences of childhood obesity. To quote:

"The number of overweight pre-schoolers has jumped by 36 percent since1999-2000. In 2005, nearly 10 million children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 were considered overweight. They are taking in too many empty and fat-laden calories and not exercising enough. Overweight adolescents have an overwhelming chance of becoming overweight adults, and they are being sentenced to a near future of cardiovascular disease and disability."

All studies point to the fact that Americans are more sedentary and are eating less healthy food, which is why they are putting on the pounds.

--------------------

Of course, the solution to the problem of obesity is a return to a healthy lifestyle, and several books created by gurus in the aspect of health and fitness provide us with sound advice.

--------------------

For those among us who usually make the excuse of not being able to exercise because they are(1) too busy, (2) too lazy, or (3) too old, there are several books from the Xlibris Bookstore that can remedy that and ultimately trim one's body.

Therafit: the Fat-burning Solution instills in people the right kind of mindset to start them on their journey to fitness. It is a creation by fitness trainer Tim Barnes. More about Therafit can be found at their website, http://www.therafit.com/.

Stop Making Excuses! A Personal Trainer's Guide to Body Sculpting & Fitness precisely targets people's habit of making excuses for not exercising which eventually hinders their capability to attain good health. AFAA-certified personal trainer and model Michael de Porres Dais penned this book based on his 15 years' experience in the arena of fitness.

Exercise Anytime: The Complete Don't Take Time Out to Exercise Plan was written by medical doctor, R. P. Dickey, in collaboration with Mary K. O'Brien. It is the best guide to fitness for adults who know that they should exercise regularly but are simply too lazy or too busy to dedicate time for this endeavor.

Smart Muscle:Physical Training Guide for Busy People provides easy exercise programs that will help people attain a toned body without putting extreme strain on the muscles. Written by Eddie Velasquez, it is an ideal companion for those who lead busy lives, as well as those in their 40s and beyond.

And speaking of those in their twilight years, the perfect book to read is You Don't have to Act Your Age: Physical Fitness for Older Adults. Its author, Win McFadden, is already in his nineties, and yet he still continues to actively in track and field events. It will be difficult not to be inspired by this old-timer's thoughts on exercise and fitness, considering that he practices what he preaches.

--------------------

Food intake is another crucial factor in health and wellness, and this is tackled by several books -- still from the Xlibris Bookstore.

Can I Feel Well if I Eat Well? was written by noted nutritionist and medical doctor Barkev Khatchadourian. In this book, he shares his years of research and studies to interested individuals with the desire to learn about the right combinations and proportions of food for a better balanced diet.

Registered nurse Suzanne O'Brien shares her own insights on the different diseases affecting man today, and how these can be prevented through exercise and a proper diet in her book, Take Charge of Your Health: Exercising and Eating Right Are Your Best Defenses for Preventing Chronic Diseases and being in Great Shape!

In his book, Ten Commandments for a Healthy Lifestyle, chiropractor and overall health practitioner Dr. Perry Wolk-Weiss mentions that everything there is to know and observe in health and fitness can be encapsulated in "ten commandments." Even advice on wellness of the spirit is covered by these said commandments.

--------------------

There are also other aspects of health and fitness that are brought to the fore through these books from the Xlibris Bookstore.

Who would've known that deep breathing can actually bring about a sound body and mind? This is a principle advocated by martial and internal arts teachers and healers Donald and Cheryl Lynne Rubbo, and they have a book dedicated to the wonders of deep breathing entitled Extraordinary Breath: Making the Power of Deep Breathing Work for You!

The cardiovascular system becomes the main subject of the book, Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally: A Complete Approach for Mind, Body, and Spirit. Its authors, Michael Arluck Scheinbaum and David Getoff, see the need for exercise and the right food to bring about not only wellness of the body but also wellness of the spirit. And everything starts with the heart.

--------------------

With all this knowledge and facilities on hand, initiative is the next thing Americans should possess if obesity among the populace is to be curbed. At the end of the day, the decision to strive for better health lies with the individual himself/herself.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

Do You Hurt Your Pets?

2008-07-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

Do you hurt animals, usually pets, simply for kicks? (Pun intended)

If you do, then you have a very bright future as a serial killer/rapist/cannibal/psycho.

This is a usual conclusion in several research studies into violence against animals. Many of these studies strongly relate animal beatings/deaths to psychologically-impaired individuals who have a dire need to overpower lesser beings. More often than not, this cycle of cruelty against the family pet/s could extend toward the younger/female members of the family, as stated in an article on HelpingAnimals.com entitled Animal Cruelty and Family Violence.

It is also stated in the same article that it's not only the parents who conduct cruel acts toward the family pet. Children tend to follow what they see from the grownups and continue the maltreatment of the poor animals -- seeing that they have more power over the latter. To quote:

"...Children who abuse animals may be repeating a lesson learned at home; like their parents, they are reacting to anger or frustration with violence. Their violence is directed at the only individual in the family more vulnerable than themselves: an animal. One expert says, 'Children in violent homes are characterized by ... frequently participating in pecking-order battering,' in which they may maim or kill an animal. Indeed, domestic violence is the most common background for childhood cruelty to animals."

In another ground-breaking study entitled The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence: A National Survey of Shelters for Women Who Are Battered made by Frank Ascione, Claudia Weber, and David Wood of Utah State University, they were able to create a tangible link between domestic violence and animal cruelty. After doing a survey of shelter programs for battered women an children in almost all states of the United States, results were very enlightening, albeit disturbing. Some of the results are as follows:

* A total of 85.4% of women who come to these shelters talk about incidents of pet abuse.
* A total of 63% of children who come to these shelters talk about incidents of pet abuse.
* A total of 83.3% of administrators of shelters have observed the coexistence of domestic violence and pet abuse.

To further explain the seriousness of such an issue, the said study included a segment from an actual court proceeding regarding a family dispute turned deadly:

"A moment later Francine heard Nicky scream...'Nicky was crying so hard she couldn't talk. I'd never heard a child cry like that. I ... held her in my arms until she calmed down enough to tell me what had happened. Mickey [Francine's husband] had warned her that if he found the cat on the porch he'd wring its neck. When he caught her with it the second time he took it out of her arms and just broke its neck in his two hands'." (McNulty, 1989, p. 165)

"Francine Hughes was charged with the death by fire of her husband, Mickey Hughes, in 1977."(McNulty, 1989, author's note)

"[Her lawyer] asked Francine to tell the story of their pet dog, Lady. As Francine described Lady's death [Mickey had refused to allow his family to assist Lady while she was giving birth] a shockwave of emotion swept the courtroom. The simplicity of the event—a helpless animal, a female, left outside to freeze while struggling to give birth—held no ambiguity, no shadings of motive; it left no room for doubt. The impact of the story was as strong as anything Francine had told so far."(McNulty, 1989, p. 258)

After reading this, I felt no pity for Mickey Hughes. In fact, I think Francine did the whole world a favor by eliminating a scourge to humanity.

--------------------

Allow me to reiterate that animals are living beings, too. That is why I see no reason why some people decide to keep pets then eventually neglect them, and even hurt them. There are those who see animals as mere household laborers -- dogs as security guards with a tail, cats as rodent exterminators with fur. And the poor things do their work seriously even at the risk of a kick on the side or serious lack of food and water.

Dogs are ideally given wide spaces to move in and are only kept on a leash when going out with their master/s. However, I know of many dogs whose movements are limited by short chains. They are even barely given a chance to stretch out and exercise their legs. Thus, many of these beautiful animals become ferocious, snarling at anyone who passes their way -- even their masters. (Memories of my sonofab***** ex-father-in-law come into mind. Their poor dog was kept chained on top of a small desk on the porch, and whenever he arrives from wherever, he'd whap the dog with whatever he has in his hand. The dog was put down when one time, it managed to bite the sonofab*****'s hand before he could whack his head again. Hmmm...probably death was his biggest relief from the sonofab*****.)

Cats meanwhile are misunderstood by many people, and thus become the most popular victims of cruelty. Most of them know this, which is why cats are not as friendly as dogs -- thus earning the monicker, "scaredy-cat." For those who encounter humans for the first time, the initial reaction is to run away and hide. If they feel that they are already cornered, they hiss, bite, and scratch. That is why it is a major achievement when one manages to earn the trust and love of a cat. This precious feline can reciprocate with more love and concern than you think it is capable of. I should know: I have four of them who think I'm Superwoman.

--------------------

Probably the best introduction to understanding the concepts of love and freedom from cruelty in the eyes of a pet would come from two Xlibris releases, Bulls-Eye Bob and the Backyard Buddies and Bulls-eye Bob and the Boyfriend Bully. Both books are the creations of Melinda Lewis, a school teacher and advocate against bullying.

Bulls-Eye Bob, Lewis' protagonist in the two books, is a dog with a patch of dark hair on his side. It is because of this patch that he earned his nickname "Bulls-Eye." His former owner was a detestable man who would hit Bob with cans and anything else he could get his hands on (Reminds me of my sonofab****** ex-father-in-law), and when he managed to hit Bob's patch, he'd yell, "Bulls-eye!"

Bulls-Eye Bob's sad encounters with his former owner and the boyfriend of his new owner, as well as his personal triumphs over these experiences become the main plot behind these two books by Lewis. Young readers and even not-so-young ones are sure to learn a thing or two about animal welfare, as well as learning to stand one's ground against bullies in their respective environments.

--------------------

So once again, I pose to you this question: would you still consider hurting your pet?

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

In the Spotlight: Gilbert Griñie

2008-07-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

“We need to learn to work through our behavior, attitudes, and habits. That we can achieve any goal that is set before us, that control is the connection between goals and accomplishments.” – Gilbert Griñie.

The gang phenomenon is a major problem in the United States today, with young people exchanging blows with each other and/or preying on innocent people. In fact, in a 1992 survey sponsored by the National Institute of Justice covering metropolitan police departments in 79 large and 43 small U.S. cities, statistics revealed that 72 (91%) of these large cities and 38 (88%) of the small cities were troubled by gangs.

Gilbert Griñie knows this very well, being at one time or another, in a community of Hispanic gangsters. The streets were not kind to him, as he was told at a very young age that he would never amount to anything. His future held the prospect of either dying early or winding up in prison for the rest of his life.

Now he could only smile at his dark past. “To everyone’s surprise, I made it and now I am a role model to all who are told the same,” he states.

Gilbert adds: “I am a person that positively speaks to my self and to others, because we have to remember that words trigger pictures, and pictures trigger emotions.”

All these dark visions of Gilbert’s past, his vehement determination to stay on the right path, and his desire to inspire others who have apparently fallen into the same stereotype lifestyle of violence and crime, have given him the impetus to pen the compelling, life-changing book, The Way Out.

The Way Out is a book that gives hope and the strength to move forward. Gilbert notes that his book has the ability to “give individuals solutions on how to turn their lives around.” It emphasizes that there is no glamour in gang life, and that it only creates a never-ending cycle that spreads from generation to generation.

Answering the need to share his thoughts about the ills of the gang life with more people at the soonest time, Gilbert decided to have The Way Out published with Xlibris. He has not regretted his decision, and in fact, is happy with the audience response. “People who have read it say that it is excellent material, considering that it tackles the problem of gang-related violence and the way out of this life,” he says.

The success of The Way Out has earned Gilbert quite a substantial number of public engagements. He has just concluded an interview in Telemundo, a Florida-based American television network, and he has an upcoming interview with Channel 7’s Danny Romero.

Gilbert’s personal crusade in fixing individuals bogged down by the harsh gangster life and urging them to rebuild a new one has made him a better individual himself. “My inspiration in life is helping people turn their lives around, and helping them in realizing that they have the capability to become leaders.”

With inspiration such as this, Gilbert Griñie is definitely on the right track.

The Way Out may be purchased directly through Xlibris Corporation or Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

34 Tips for Better Writing

2008-06-04T22:50:00.001-07:00

I found this entry in a colleague's Wordpress blog, and I almost died laughing. You can take it seriously, you can take it with a grain of salt, or you can just laugh along. But if you don't get it...better return to Grammar School, dude.

This list was found in The Authors' and Speakers' Network. Read on and spread the smiles around.

--------------------

Thought the following tips might bring a smile to your face. The authors name has been lost in cyberspace. . . otherwise I would be happy to give proper credit.

1. Verbs HAS to agree with their subjects.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
5. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They're old hat)
6. Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.
7. Be more or less specific.
8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.
9. Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
10. No sentence fragments.
11. Contractions aren't necessary and shouldn't be used.
12. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
13. Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous.
14. One should NEVER generalize.
15. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
16. Don't use no double negatives.
17. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
18. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
20. The passive voice is to be ignored.
21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas.
22. Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
23. Kill all exclamation points!!!
24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
25. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth shaking ideas.
26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
27. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it correctly.
29. Puns are for children, not groan readers.
30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
31. Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
32. Who needs rhetorical questions?
33. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
34. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

In the Spotlight: Miles and William Rabun

2008-06-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

“We have been taught that if you do not succeed on your first try, try again. Also, it is always important to be yourself.” – Miles and William Rabun

Children love to have stories read to them and most of the time, they ask for the same story. This is the most common scenario inside a child’s bedroom right before going to sleep. However, it is only on very rare occasions when one finds the tables turned and it is the children who create the stories – and even come out with a book to be read and appreciated by fellow children.

This is the situation with the Rabun brothers – 4th grader Miles and his younger brother, 2nd grader William – who wanted to write about the fun times they have with their grandmother. After putting their heads together and acquiring the support of their family, they penned their very first book, My Grandma’s Backyard.

My Grandma’s Backyard started out as a challenge from Grandma Rabun, according to Miles and William. They related, “She challenged us to write a book after learning about our good school grades in reading and writing.” They gamely took on the dare and came up with a fun-filled tale about their real adventures during summers with their grandmother — a lover of the Great Outdoors.

My Grandma’s Backyard is one special book made by kids – for kids. It also features the stunning illustrations of Atlanta children’s book illustrator, Tony Moore. A fun activity section is included in the book so that the readers can also share their own adventures.

The Rabun boys learned about Xlibris from their parents who were researching on regular publishing and self-publishing companies. They came upon the Xlibris site and were attracted to what they saw. They noted: “Xlibris offered publishing packages that were affordable for us to use our own money earned from other entrepreneurial efforts to pay for the book. We were also thrilled about the prospect of having control over the work from beginning to end.”

So far, the Rabun family has not regretted their decision to make Xlibris the publisher for My Grandma’s Backyard. In fact, it has been earning overwhelming responses. There have been city ordinances created in Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as in Atlanta and East Point, Georgia, proclaiming a special Young Authors’ Day in honor of Miles and William. My Grandma’s Backyard has also received favorable reviews from parents’ magazines and is now on several public library shelves.

With the success of My Grandma’s Backyard, Miles and William have already travelled throughout the United States and most recently to the British West Indies to promote their book with a full program designed to educate and elevate the minds of young readers and writers.

The Rabun boys have accomplished something that other people twice their age would only dream of achieving. They are indeed living examples of the ability of children not only to share their gift (of writing) with others while still in their youth, but also their willingness to take on adult-size challenges. What is their main ingredient in achieving their goals? They reply: “Our inspiration is to always carry our tools for success: Determination, Imagination, and Education.”

My Grandma’s Backyard may be purchased directly through Xlibris Corporation or Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

--------------------

You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

I just need to share this poem...

2008-03-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a poem I found on DeviantArt.com, and I really found it...well...thought-provoking. It was written by a fresh young poet named Aimee, and it's entitled, "My Encounter."

I met a man named Sir Thomas Dudley
So handsome and graciously clad
He rode a giant dapple grey
And could never be a cad

He floated on air when he walked
And caught my every glance
But all that my mind could think about
Was the tight fit of his pants

He never spoke a word to me
But I knew that it was love
He must have been sent down here
By God’s sweet angels above

I saw him sitting by the brook
Combing his golden hair
I sat beside him blissfully
And could do nothing but stare

He touched my hand and nodded
I knew what he was thinking
He spun me around and we fell
Like we had been drinking

The moon saw more of me
Than it ever had before
My pale, soft skin glowed while we made love
On Mother Nature’s floor

When the sun rose in the morn
My frightened eyes were burning
But the rest of me was full of life
My heart for him was yearning

But when I turned to see his body
He was no where to be seen
I dressed and searched for him
My garments were not quite preen

I looked upon the patch of grass
Where he had laid with me
A soiled white handkerchief
Embroidered S.T.D.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

In the Spotlight: Noel Michaels

2008-03-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

Most of us are familiar with the term, “horse whisperer,” due to the film of the same name starring Robert Redford. But a horse handicapper?

Wiki.com defines thoroughbred handicapping in games and sports as “the art of predicting horses who have the greatest chance of winning a race, and profiting from these predictions at horse races.” This can very well describe the nature of the job Noel Michaels is in. Apart from being in known in horseracing circles as an ace horse handicapper, Noel is also the author of the humorous Xlibris release, Fix Six.

Armed with his wit, his knowledge of the sport, and his renowned eloquence with the written word, Noel gives his readers front-row seat tickets to the horse derbies through his Fix Six. This book is his fictional, albeit satirical, account of real-life events that actually occurred in 2002. While the original characters of the story were a group of smart college buddies who first struck it rich at the horse races then eventually got caught due to several unfortunate circumstances, his Fix Six characters are composed of incompetent bumblers who managed to succeed in their betting sprees due to a severe case of dumb luck.

The reception to Noel’s Fix Six has been more than ecstatic so far. In fact, marketing his book has made him busier than ever. Noel has several book signings and guest appearances in several radio and TV talk shows lined up in his schedule. However, there are no complaints from this author, especially since he has been employing a special marketing strategy. “I have been a horseracing writer for nearly 20 years, so my name is well known in the sport. That seemed like the most logical place to focus my marketing,” he reveals.

It is this secret that Noel shares with other authors who have marketing concerns. He states, “Start by marketing your book where your name recognition is the greatest, or where you wish to establish some name recognition the most. These gains will be more valuable to authors than any money they can make.”

Recognition in his chosen field is primarily part of the driving force that gave Noel the inspiration to self-publish Fix Six with Xlibris – and he has not regretted his choice of publisher. He elaborates: “I think the most important thing about a self-publishing company is its ability to produce a professional-looking final product. Also, despite the fact that the book is self-published, it is nice to have the backing of a big well-regarded company like Xlibris standing behind the book, doing the legwork on so many elements from the beginning of the publishing process to the finish.”

In separating the man from the lover of the horseracing sport, one would see that there is not much difference. While the sport itself involves a bit of living on the edge, the man also has a zest for life. “I revel in life's vices, and am proud to say I drink and gamble every day of my life while living life to the fullest,” Noel explains. He adds, “I've been doing things my own unconventional way for nearly 40 years, and it has worked out fine for me so far.”

Fix Six may be purchased directly through Xlibris Corporation or Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

When America Sneezes

2008-03-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

I heard someone say before that when America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold.

And this is probably going to be the case, especially now that the United States is seemingly at the threshold of an economic recession.

The signs of this omen have, in fact, manifested themselves. It was approximately last month when all major stock exchanges in the world from the London Stock Exchange to Hang Seng in Hongkong staggered dramatically to all-time lows, owing to Wallstreet's drastic decline. The US dollar has also been decreasing in value in relation to other foreign currencies.

One man has , in fact, forseen this recession, and has also offered solutions. He is Thomas Sowell, and he documents his ideas in the Xlibris book, Competitive Manufacturing.

Competitive Manufacturing is a must-read for people who desire to learn viable strategies for improving one's advantage in the field of manufacturing. It is this vital area that helps boost economic indicators. It is also Sowell's field of expertise, having been in the manufacturing consulting business since 1972.

While there is still no forseeable climax in this incoming economic recession, probably the best that can be done at this point is to brace ourselves for the worst. However, like the changes in the tides, there is still a future of bright prospects in the economic sphere. All we have to do is to ride the tide until we get there.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

So, Heath Ledger is Dead...

2008-01-23T23:55:00.000-08:00

...So what?

According to news reports, the possible cause of the Brokeback Mountain star's death was drug overdose.

Heath Ledger is a Hollywood icon. Oops he was a Hollywood icon -- past tense emphasized. To me, he's just another high-flying pretty face who has gone up too fast too soon. In Hollywood, there are a lot of those going around.

I'm really sorry for all the Heath Ledger fans and supporters, but I'm not exactly an admirer of movie/TV actors who first dreamt of becoming stars -- and when their dream came true, they didn't want to have any part of it. So they turned to all the vices one could imagine to cowardly run away from reality.

Like Ledger, many of them never came back.

I guess they haven't heard of the old adage: "Be careful what you wish for; you might just get it."

Not that I'm placing a death wish on them, but I'm guessing that next on the list of angsty Hollywood junkies scheduled to bite the dust could be Britney Spears, with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan elbowing each other for second place.

But at this point, it's anybody's ballgame.

Why can't we emulate others who became icons in their own right for their selfless and positive contribution to humanity? Or those who have once been labelled as miscreants but who have since made a dramatic turnaround in their lives for the better?

I can think of several people from the entertainment industry who realized that fame and fortune can actually do wonders for mankind as a whole. There's Bono of U2, Sting, Bob Dylan, George Clooney, Richard Gere, Geena Davis, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, and Oprah Winfrey -- to name a few.

There are even simple individuals among us who have battled their respective demons and come out victorious. It is these people whose stories should be told. And they didn't need fame and fortune to "make it through the rain," so to say.

Some of these ordinary individuals with extraordinary experiences are featured in the Xlibris release, Addict Out of the Dark and into the Light -- a picture book by Christopher Keeley. The people featured here have once been addicted to substances like alcohol and drugs, and are now coming out clean. Their wonderful stories are inspirational and worth reading and telling over and over again.

They may not be Heath Ledgers, but at least they knew how to deal with their personal demons before it came too late.

I guess it just goes to show that all the popularity and money in the world cannot buy personal resolve to combat one's own evils. That takes true courage -- not a movie script.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

The Things People Do for Lust and Libido

2008-01-14T22:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, my fellowmen, here is a topic everyone of legal age can actually relate to: SEX!

No, I'm not turning pornographic on you. Still in my fuddy-duddy academic fashion, I will be discussing the more intricate points of this basic need of all living things -- animated or inanimate -- to reproduce.

Apart from monkeys and primates, we are the only animals in this world who derive pleasure from intercourse. It is this ability that keeps us human beings a few rungs above other species in the Darwinian ladder of evolution -- aside from our having thumbs.

In the search for this ultimate pleasure brought about by sex, man has tried, ingested, worn, and perhaps even worshipped many objects thought to bring lovers to the heights of ecstasy.

Among these much-coveted objects are aphrodisiacs -- items believed to bring about and even enhance sexual performance. These said items range from herbs and spices to the more exotic products like animal genitalia.

After doing much research online on the various aphrodisiacs available to man, I found several articles that may just tickle not only your fancy but anything else worth tickling as well. Here are snippets from the said articles:

Get Natural, Get Sexual
From Natural Aphrodisiac Foods for Romance, an article taken from nm.essortment.com:

- Celery is known to contain androsterone. This is a male hormone that is able to stimulate the sexual arousal of females. All other vegetables like carrot, fennel and onion are reputed to be good for libido but there is lack of scientific proof to back up their claims.
- For fruit aphrodisiacs, the banana tops the list. The chemical ingredients consist of chelating minerals and the bromelain enzyme. These ingredients supposedly improve male libido. However, there's lack of conclusive evidence to support this hypothesis.
- The pomegranate is a symbol of fertility with its abundant seeds. For the Chinese, the pomegranate symbolizes prosperity in an abundant household.
- The peach is a seductive fruit by virtue of its shape and other characteristics. It has been attributed with seductive qualities but scientifically, it may be due to the vitamins and minerals present in the fruit which contributes to the body's well-being.
- In the category of nuts, gingko nut is very popular. This nut improves blood circulation to extremities of the body. This helps in improving libido.
- Take grains like oats for your breakfast and experience the effect by bedtime! Oats encourage the release of testosterone in males to help libido.
- Herbs and spices not only spice up your food but also your life. Basil, cardamon, clove, garlic, ginger, ginseng, pepper, asafetida and saw palmetto are all good for spicing up your sex life.

The next article, Hungry for You: 10 Natural Aphrodisiacs from AskMen.com, provides a more colorful selection of aphrodisiacs from food to scents.

Fiery Foods for Foreplay
Oysters: Wow, I know you're as surprised to see this one on the list as I am (yeah, right). We all know that oysters have been esteemed as sex aids for ages. Why? Well, it's possible that it's because of diets that were nutritionally deficient in zinc in the days of horse carriages and lasting marriages. People would eat oysters and since their overall health would improve, it would lead to an increased sex drive. So start shucking and don't stop till you feel it move.
Wasabi (horseradish): While some people believe that sushi has aphrodisiacal effects all on its own, my Japanese friends let me in on a little secret. Apparently, that green stuff that comes with it (wasabi, or horseradish) is what'll really get your twig and berries ripe and ready. So the next time you go out for sushi, ask for some extra wasabi; it's a kick and will make your eyes tear, but you can make your gal's eyes tear when you take her home and show her Wasaaaaaaabi.
Caviar: That's right; fish eggs contain a large amount of beneficial vitamins. They are rich in phosphorus and are very nourishing to nerve cells. Their apparent aphrodisiacal powers are reinforced by vodka. So get yourself into Absolut shape for the night.
Divine Drugs
Ginseng: The word ginseng means "man root." So it's likely that ginseng gained its popularity as a sexually enhancing herb via its similarity to the male, um, organ. While it is true that the root has a mild stimulating effect, like caffeine, there is no solid evidence that ginseng has an effect on human sexuality. But what the heck — increase your energy, and your sex life will follow suit.
Yohimbine: Taken from the bark of an African tree, yohimbine is believed to work by stimulating the nerve centers in the spine that control erection. Although even the FDA found its studies on animals to be positive, there is still no scientific proof that yohimbine works on human beings. But some gentlemen swear by yohimbine, and like I always say: If it's good for the goose, then slip on a condom and give it to the gander.
Spanish Fly: We have all heard about this little fly that can bring us to immeasurable sexual heights, but do you really know what Spanish fly is? It's a bright green blister beetle from Southern Europe. The fly, or cantharis, is made from dried beetle remains and can be one of the most dangerous aphrodisiacs on the market. The sexual excitement initializes from the irritation to the urinary and genital tracts and results in a rush of blood to the sex organs. My suggestion: Keep away from The Fly.
Sexual Scents
Vanilla: Because of its sweet, welcoming odor, it has a euphoric effect and can be used at will. If consumed, vanilla combats sexual debilitation and improves upon the central nervous system. Its odor implicitly acts upon sexual stimulation in both men and women . So add a few drops of vanilla essence to your bath and set the sensual mood for what's to come (pun fully intended).
Patchouli: This scent is believed to awaken and provoke sexual energy. If you'd like to try its aphrodisiacal powers, purchase patchouli in the form of incense. And while you're at it, play some erotic music to add to the ambience.
Musk: Believe it or not, many experts believe that musk closely resembles the smell of testosterone (human pheromones), the male sex hormone. Now if you smell it and like it, that doesn't mean you want to start playing for the other team. What you should be concerned with is her nose and what she likes. So bust out the musk and fill the room with man smell.
More to Come
Yes, there are a multitude of other natural aphrodisiacs, but as I mentioned before, the most sexual aphrodisiac is the one between your ears. If you have the ability to sex up her mind with your own, you'll have her begging for you to probe her in no time flat. Women love sensual as well as intellectual stimulation, so separate the boys from the men and let her know that you are da man!
All that having been said, maybe you should break out the caviar and vodka and feed her slowly. Then perhaps you should add some ginseng to your diet for prosperity. And finally, light up some patchouli incense and get the night off to a banging start.
And remember: Always protect your penile pal. Until next time, break out the food, spices and scents and discover the beauty of giving your woman all kinds of intense sexual desires with aphrodisiacs.

The Wild Side
I once watched a show on Animal Planet and found out about endangered Asian (or was it Bengal?) tigers being killed not only for their hide but also for their testicles that are believed to increase virility among men. Geez, the price these poor tigers have to pay for their balls.

And it looks like these big cats are not the only ones prized for their family jewels. It seems that even Canadian seals have their balls on the chopping block for the sake of human virility. Here's a Reuters report excerpt entitled Seal Aphrodisiacs often Fake by Amran Abocar that says it all -- and more:

Aphrodisiacs advertised as containing Canadian seal penises, an ingredient highly prized by Asians, are often fakes made from genitalia of animals such as dogs and cows, researchers said on Tuesday.
Researchers from McMaster University in Canada found that about half the aphrodisiacs they tested were fake and used genitalia from dogs, cats and cattle as well as the endangered Australian fur seal.
These penises are being marketed as genuine, Canadian seal products. Some advertisements prominently display posters of Canadian seal pups while others carry large window signs. The Canadian flag is also displayed on the label.
The fraud is difficult to detect because the penis is often ground into powder or mixed in bottles of wine. Even when they are sold whole, unscrupulous vendors mold the material to look like the real thing.
Canadian seal penises are priced from C$20 (US$14) for a small plastic bag or vial to C$650 (US$442) for a specially-packaged box. The price difference depends on the quantity and type of packaging for the product.

*Gasp!* The poor animals!

And still on animals, there is a delicacy in the Philippines called Soup No. 5. Said be a love potion and an aphrodisiac, it is nothing more than simple stew containing bulls' or horses' testicles. Some say it works, some say it doesn't -- although those who testify to its effectiveness say that there are actual studies stating that there is an abundance of testosterone in bovine and equine genitals. So, I guess there is beauty in eating stew with bull/horse testosterone swimming in it.

Swatting the Spanish Fly
And still on the subject of animals, I got curious with this Spanish Fly that has been mentioned several times in the articles I quoted earlier. I simply cannot understand how a bug can let out the libido in a person. Wiki.com enlightened me a bit with this definition of the Spanish Fly:

Spanish fly, or cantharides as it is sometimes called, is often given to farm animals to incite them to mating. The cantharides excreted in the urine irritate the urethral passages, causing inflammation in the genitals and subsequent priapism (painful erection). For this reason, Spanish fly has been given to humans for purposes of seduction. It is dangerous since the amount required is minuscule and the difference between the effective dose and the harmful dose is quite narrow. Cantharides cause painful urination, fever, and sometimes bloody discharge. They can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and genitals.

Hmmm...granted that these are the actual effects of this thingie, people would probably be better off sucking on ginseng root to increase their sex drive. Besides, I wouldn't want to use something prescribed in animal husbandry. Ewww....

Those familiar with the Spanish Fly may have heard about this urban legend of a guy who couldn't get into first base with a girl he dated. The way I remember it, the guy slips the Spanish Fly in the girl's drink without her knowing it, then brings her to his car, supposedly to drive her home. The guy leaves the girl for a while (I dunno: to pee?), and when he returns, he finds the girl impaling herself on the gear shift in a sexual frenzy. (Okay, that's way too weird.)

Several male teenagers have probably gotten themselves some "happy alone time" with this highly-sexist and unlikely tale, but this same story has certainly given the Spanish Fly some media mileage. It is allegedly being advertised as a type of drug that can turn the woman you desire into a raging ball of libidinous fury -- whether she knows it or not. No wonder several women's activist groups are screaming bloody murder over this Spanish Fly. Men who use (or intend to use) it are best labelled as rapists.

Like Libido for Chocolate
Some say that chocolate is also an age-old aphrodisiac. However, there are no studies yet to confirm the veracity of this claim -- just like the claims on almost all other products branded as aphrodisiacs. My guess is that certain elements found in chocolate are effective stimulants, and it is this stimulating effect that gives chocolates a natural high -- high enough to get chocolate-eaters going, and going, and going, and going...

Then there's also the sensation of chocolate melting in the mouth, not in your hand...

Reading More
And to give better ways of setting the stage for a night (or whole day -- you decide) of fireworks, the Xlibris books, Erotic Cuisine: a Natural History of Aphrodisiac Cookery by Marilyn Ekdahl Ravicz and If Food is Love...Cooking is Foreplay! by Jim Kar are sure to light your fire. Both books have tried and tested recipes that will bring one to the heights of gastronomic and sexual pleasure.

To Conclude...
At the end of the day, aphrodisiacs are just as effective as you want them to be. As stated earlier, it is still the brain that is the best sexual organ we humans will ever have. Given an unlimited imagination, a knowledge of the necessary "moves," a healthy mind and body, plus the placebo effects of many so-called aphrodisiacs, we can bring ourselves to the pinnacle of sexual satisfaction.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

The Cross that Afghanistan Carries

2008-01-11T00:36:00.000-08:00

I'm the type of person who wouldn't give up on a challenge. However, if I was given the task of promoting Afghanistan as a tourist spot, I think I'd rather plant trees in the Red Sea. That would probably be less impossible to do.

For as long as I can remember, Afghanistan has always been caught in the middle of armed conflict. Probably the earliest Afghan issue I could recall was the civil unrest caused by the radical politico-religious group called the Taliban.

Even in recent time, Afghanistan managed to hog the headlines for its alleged refusal to hand over Osama Bin Laden -- the man said to have been responsible for the 9/11 tragedy -- to US forces. While the US was unsuccessful in catching Bin Laden, it was able to topple the Taliban government, eventually disrupting the Afghan link in Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network (See Wiki.com for Afghanistan and Invasions of Afghanistan).

It's a pity that Afghanistan just couldn't stand on its own feet, considering its rich heritage and many influences. In fact, this landlocked nation has been invaded by several renowned conquerors in world history like Alexander the Great and the Mongols. It is also said that Zoroastrianism, a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster, originated from Afghanistan because Zoroaster himself lived and died in Balkh, a province of the said country.

Unfortunately, the modern world only knows Afghanistan for two things: bloodshed and the opium trade. What has caused such a negative perspective on this country?

The Xlibris book, Afghanistan 101, attempts to explain how this Middle Eastern country has come to be by exploring its cultural dimensions in relation to its present-day situation. This book was written by former Kabul resident and now university professor Ehsan Entezar.

In Afghanistan 101, Dr. Entezar discusses concepts such as Power Distance (PD), Uncertainty Avoidance (UA), Individualism (IND), and Masculinity (MAS) in the Afghan national culture, and how these particular concepts have hindered true progress in the said nation.

Power Distance, as explained by Dr. Entezar, involves the coercive use of power in decision-making among Afghan leaders. He stresses that it is the “authority of the person rather than the authority of position or rule that counts most.”

Uncertainty Avoidance, meanwhile, deals with instilling fear, and using religion as a buffer to reduce fear and uncertainty. This concept, according to Dr. Entezar, has given rise to the formation and eventual strengthening of Islam fundamentalist groups like the Taliban.

Individualism, Dr. Entezar states, marks the “relationship of an individual to a collectivity.” In Afghanistan 101, he explains that Afghan nationalism is based on ethnicity, sect, region, and ideology, rather than on the nation as a whole.

Masculinity, as stated in Afghanistan 101, focuses on the patriarchal nature of Afghan society wherein the gender gap is well-defined and stereotypical roles of men and women are underscored.

All these cultural dimensions, according to Dr. Entezar, are still well-entrenched in Afghan society, thus making it difficult for the country to push forward to real progress and lasting peace.

Anthropology dictates that cultural differences should be tolerated, for it is these differences that make our respective societies unique. However, I believe that f these customs are the culprits behind the backward movement of a nation, then something really has to be changed.

I could only hope that the Afghan people realize this before their nation becomes a forgotten ancient relic only to be remembered in history as the country that refused to evolve.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

A Coffee Book...Literally

2008-01-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

This is no coffee table book, guys -- but this certainly is a book about one of the most addicting substances the world has ever known: coffee.

While much flak has been thrown its way, everybody's favorite morning pepper-upper is finally getting its day in the sun through the Xlibris release, Coffee: The Revolutionary Drink for Pleasure and Health.

Coffee the book is the creation of Roseane Santos and Darcy Lima, lettered academic professionals who actually dug deep into chemical and biological research to debunk the myth that coffee is an evil substance. And yes, they are also coffee drinkers. (Hmmm...I smell an ulterior motive here. hehehe...)

Coffee has been getting such a bad rep in the past for containing caffeine -- the same addictive substance that acts as a stimulant. However, the book reveals that caffeine is not the only thing found in coffee. Other substances in coffee are antioxidants and compounds that can actually cure and prevent certain diseases. These antioxidants are even said to cure some cancers, although as far as I understand, more studies are still being conducted to prove this claim.

I am not much of a coffee-drinker myself. (I have a natural high, hehehe.) However, drinking coffee and swapping stories and jokes in a cozy cafe with a good friend is something I love doing. This is the good thing I get from coffee.

If you coffee-drinkers want to know more about your favorite drink, then this book is the one for you. As for non-coffee drinkers, prepare to be converted by the power of the coffee bean!

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

Getting Ahead on the Yuletide Season

2007-11-27T23:34:00.000-08:00

Allow me to get ahead of everybody else and wish everyone in the Christian world (and beyond) an advanced MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And in relation to the coming holiday season, I got some nice and funny snippets to share. Here's one from Corsinet.com's Brain Candy and Humor Jokes Collection. It's all about wrapping Christmas presents with a cat:
1. Clear large space on table for wrapping present.
2. Go to closet and collect bag in which present is contained, and shut door.
3. Open door and remove cat from closet.
4. Go to cupboard and retrieve rolls of wrapping paper.
5. Go back and remove cat from cupboard.
6. Go to drawer, and collect transparent sticky tape, ribbons, scissors, labels, etc. . .
7. Lay out presents and wrapping materials on table, to enable wrapping strategy to be formed.
8. Go back to drawer to get string, remove cat that has been in the drawer since last visit and collect string.
9. Remove present from bag.
10. Remove cat from bag.
11. Open box to check present, remove cat from box, replace present.
12. Lay out paper to enable cutting to size.
13. Try and smooth out paper, realize cat is underneath and remove cat.
14. Cut the paper to size, keeping the cutting line straight.
15. Throw away first sheet as cat chased the scissors, and tore the paper.
16. Cut second sheet of paper to size - by putting cat in the bag the present came in.
17. Place present on paper.
18. Lift up edges of paper to seal in present. Wonder why edges don't reach. Realize cat is between present and paper. Remove cat.
19. Place object on paper, to hold in place while tearing transparent sticky tape.
20. Spend 20 minutes carefully trying to remove transparent sticky tape from cat with pair of nail scissors.
21. Seal paper with sticky tape, making corners as neat as possible.
22. Look for roll of ribbon. Chase cat down hall in order to retrieve ribbon.
23. Try to wrap present with ribbon in a two-directional turn.
24. Re-roll ribbon and remove paper, which is now torn due to cat's enthusiastic ribbon chase.
25. Repeat steps 13-20 until you reach last sheet of paper.
26. Decide to skip steps 13-17 in order to save time and reduce risk of losing last sheet of paper. Retrieve old cardboard box that is the right size for sheet of paper.
27. Put present in box, and tie down with string.
28. Remove string, open box and remove cat.
29. Put all packing materials in bag with present and head for locked room.
30. Once inside lockable room, lock door and start to relay out paper and materials.
31. Remove cat from box, unlock door, put cat outside door, close and relock.
32. Repeat previous step as often as is necessary (until you can hear cat from outside door)
33. Lay out last sheet of paper. (This will be difficult in the small area of the toilet, but do your best)
34. Discover cat has already torn paper. Unlock door go out and hunt through various cupboards, looking for sheet of last year's paper. Remember that you haven't got any left because cat helped with this last year as well.
35. Return to lockable room, lock door, and sit on toilet and try to make torn sheet of paper look presentable.
36. Seal box, wrap with paper and repair by very carefully sealing with sticky tape. Tie up with ribbon and decorate with bows to hide worst areas.
37. Label. Sit back and admire your handiwork, congratulate yourself on completing a difficult job.
38. Unlock door, and go to kitchen to make drink and feed cat.
39. Spend 15 minutes looking for cat until coming to obvious conclusion.
40. Unwrap present, untie box and remove cat.
41. Go to store and buy a gift bag

Please don't say that I'm anti-dogs because here is the dog counterpart of Christmas-wrapping:
1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, etc. in middle of living room floor.
2. Get tape back from puppy.
3. Remove scissors from older dog's mouth.
4. Open box.
5. Take puppy out of box.
6. Remove tape from older dog's mouth.
7. Take scissors away from puppy.
8. Put present in box.
9. Remove present from puppy's mouth.
10. Put back in box after removing puppy from box.
11. Take scissors from older dog and sit on them.
12. Remove puppy from box and put on lid.
13. Take tape away from older dog.
14. Unroll paper.
15. Take puppy OFF box.
16. Cut paper being careful not to cut puppy's foot or nose that is getting in the way as he "helps."
17. Let puppy tear remaining paper.
18. Take puppy off box.
19. Wrap paper around box.
20. Remove puppy from box & take wrapping paper from its mouth.
21. Tell older dog to fetch the tape so he will stop stealing it.
22. Take scissors away from puppy.
23. Take tape older dog is holding.
24. Quickly tape one spot before taking scissors from older dog & sitting on them again.
25. Fend off puppy trying to steal tape & tape another spot.
26. Take bow from older dog.
27. Go get roll of wrapping paper puppy ran off with.
28. Take scissors from older dog who took them when you got up.
29. Give pen to older dog to hold so he stops licking your face.
30. Remove puppy from present & hurriedly slap tape on to hold the paper on.
31. Take now soggy bow from puppy & tape on since the sticky stuff no longer sticks.
32. Take pen from older dog, address tag & affix while puppy tries to eat pen.
33. Grab present before puppy opens it & put it away.
34. Clean up mess puppy & older dog made playing tug-of-war with remnants of wrapping paper.
35. Put away rest of wrapping supplies & tell dogs what good helpers they are.

And if you are still at a loss as to what to give the little 'uns this Christmas, you've got the Xlibris picture book, Don't Park on the Roof: a New York Christmas Story by Barbara Bustetter Falk and Helen Kandel Hyman to consider. Imagine Santa Claus' main mode of transport getting "sleigh-napped" on Christmas Eve in New York City. This is the book's main storyline. It's quite exciting, funny, and a real treat for kids with the Yuletide fever.

I wish I can get this book for my daughter. Unfortunately, she's already past the picture book stage, and is already in the "Mom-can-you-give-me-a-new-mobile-phone-this-Christmas" stage. Boy, do they grow up so fast...

I hope everybody gets to be with their loved ones this holiday season, because family and friends are among the reasons why Christmas becomes more meaningful. Once again, happy holidays!

The Oil Debacle

2007-11-13T23:45:00.000-08:00

Oh darn, oil prices have gone up again...

We all know very well where this leads. Whenever pump prices shoot up, so do prices of basic commodities. So do utility rates. And everything else in between.

This is how it all happens. Oil powers machines. Machines create commodities. Machines provide services. When oil is purchased at high prices, machine owners place the economic pressure on consumers by selling goods and services, also at higher prices. In essence, oil price fluctuations will immediately reflect on prices of basic goods and services. Thus, whether we like to admit it or not, we are utterly dependent on oil, and no matter how much we complain on how expensive things are these days, there isn't much we can do about it.

In this era of modern technology, we have yet to develop an alternative to fossil fuel to minimize -- if not eradicate -- our dependence on it. (By the way, for those who have yet to get acquainted with eco-friendly terms, oil is an example of a fossil fuel.) Wikipedia notes that as of 2004, a whopping 86 percent of human-produced energy came from burning fossil fuels. Lord knows how much higher this percentage has gone in three years' time, considering that the world population is only getting bigger, and demand for more energy supplies is naturally following suit.

It's a simple study into the Law of Supply and Demand. With the higher demand in energy supplies also comes the pressure to come up with more oil to supply this demand. Since oil -- like any other fossil fuel -- is a non-renewable resource, its scarcity makes it more expensive -- thus giving credence to its other name, "black gold." Despite that, countries with little or no means to produce oil of its own could only "bite the bullet" and continue to buy this product at exorbitant prices. And as of late, oil has already reached an all-time of high of $100 per barrel. Oil has virtually become as good as gold, alright.

With our dependence on oil, let us look about fifty years into the future. The day will surely come when oil drills in any part of the world won't be able to produce a single drop of oil. When this happens, all the technology and modern machinery that we have come to live with will grind down to a halt. Global panic will ensue.

A scenario close to this will be found in the plot of the Xlibris book, The Boys at Bohemian Grove by Armand Santilli. This novel foresees a time not far into the future when fossil fuel will almost be depleted and what little left of this resource will be used as a tool for imposing power and influence in the creation of foreign policies.

Now more than ever, this rise in the prices of oil should already be a clear signal that something has to be done about the alarming depletion of fossil fuels. If we don't find an alternative way of powering the machines that run our industries, then we might as well be headed for oblivion.

Man himself may only be the cause of his own extinction.

Sexy Brownies

2007-11-06T18:38:00.000-08:00

I really have to share this awfully phenomenal verse that would make you either rush for the nearest pastry shop or have a cold shower. It's a PostPoems.com entry from Matt Handlos entitled, "Delicious."

The cold steel blade flashes in the bright light, gingerly scraping the table top. Its serrated edge, point down, seems to melt and disappear into the gooey top layer. Penetrating and digging deep down into the warm inviting brownie. Crunching along the crumbly Oreo crust that submits willingly like the syrup draped all over it. The heat oozes out of the new crevice up into the air. The moist warmth liberated. Melting the syrup down inside and absorbing it. It is lifted from its boundaries and inhibitions. The thick rich slice limply engulfs the white china plate. The fork angles down, dividing it, sliding in and dragging the tip off. Rising it up to lips licked in anticipation. A fresh oven roasted pecan topping it off, sunk halfway into it. It melds and becomes one with a tongue saturated with desire like a thick paste. The chocolate invades, rushing flavor and aroma through a soaking mouth. Savoring the pleasure too intense to be denied.

Okay...I think I'm having a brownie after a cold shower...

The Horrors of An Inconvenient Truth

2007-11-05T23:33:00.000-08:00

"By far the most terrifying film you will ever see."

This is the tagline used by one of the most controversial documentary films to date. Its title: An Inconvenient Truth.

I missed watching the movie when it first came out in movie theaters in the middle of this year. However, the buzz about it was just so strong it made me curious enough to consider buying a DVD. When this movie garnered two Oscars and a Golden Globe, it made me even more curious. Then when I found out that former US Vice President Al Gore -- the main character in this movie -- won the highly-prestigious 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, I made it top priority to get myself a copy of the movie ASAP.

An Inconvenient Truth didn't have spectacular special effects, nor did it have a stellar cast of characters. In fact, this film was simply a slide show presentation made by Al Gore pertaining to the worsening problem of global warming. Yes, it's quite "academe schmacademe" as an officemate of mine would put it -- so to those of little or no minds, better stick to watching dense superhero movies or risk getting a nosebleed from too much brain activity.

Watching An Inconvenient Truth not only made me realize how large a threat we people are to our own habitat. It also made me look back at the 2000 polls and consider this philosophical question: could a vast majority of Americans have been so wrong in choosing who to sit in the White House?

I could only theorize how much better the world would've been had American voters chosen Al Gore over the incumbent president.

US foreign and economic policies would change under the Gore administration. Instead of American taxpayers' money getting siphoned off toward military reinforcements in the so-called "war on terrorism," it could be realigned toward science and technology so that the world can better address the problem of global warming.

With this new focus in American policies, a trickle-down effect could ensue:

The US could have taken part in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and our country would have taken a stronger stand in the global thrust to save our planet.
More studies and breakthroughs can be made in the area of finding and harnessing more cost-effective sources of energy instead of continuing our overdependence on fossil-based fuels.
There would be more concentration into the study of nuclear power as a source of energy instead of using this phenomenal power as a means for creating weapons of mass destruction.
The US will probably be lessening its interference in the affairs of the Middle East and other countries. In effect, lesser military troops will be deployed overseas and countries like Iraq will have more elbow room to decide on their respective fates.
The US can organize and/or more actively participate in international conventions pertaining to climate change and other environmental issues. Considering our nation's influence as a so-called superpower, we can easily bring countries together to rally behind moves to curtail the effects of global warming.
Since Gore emphasized in An Inconvenient Truth that there simply cannot be a choice between economics and the environment, I'm sure that he will personally see to it that all present economic policies will have to be rethought and -- if needed -- rewritten, taking into account the current status of the environment.
The "war on terrorism" could've been the "war against global warming," and more countries could've been more eager to participate in the latter.
There would be stricter laws for companies, groups, or individuals who continue to contribute to the devastation of the environment, and America could set an example so that other countries can do the same.
This may be a longshot, but considering Gore's emphasis on saving the environment rather than on meddling in other countries' affairs, there is a possibility that 9/11 may not have happened.
Disaster preparedness and the installation of more improved early warning devices would be considered top priority, and the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the California wildfires, and other calamities could be kept at a minimum.

But alas, all we could do now is to dream of "what-ifs" with regret because many Americans were apparently impressed by George Bush's savvy talk and empty promises as compared to Al Gore's doomsday warnings that the sky is falling.

Sigh.

Why is America so intent on glossing over the fact that global warming is a real threat and not just a theory conjured in a science laboratory? Is it because of a cover-up by the present administration to hide the fact that the US is the biggest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere -- and that there are no clear indications that they are doing something about it?

This is the "inconvenient truth" -- in fact, one of many inconvenient truths -- that Al Gore exposed through this documentary film. He noted that the situation will only get worse in the next 50 years or so, and only if we all accept this as a fact and do something about it can we avert this environmental crisis. And he made his point clear through well-researched data, graphs, statistics, photos, and mini-movies. Memorable segments included the Futurama segment that explained in the most basic terms how global warming occurs, as well as the 3D segment depicting a swimming polar bear looking for solid ice to climb on. Al Gore's voice was heard over the 3D segment, explaining that there already have been reports of drowned polar bears because they grew exhausted from swimming for miles and not finding ice masses to climb onto.

Al Gore himself has already come up with his own book with the same title to complement the movie, and it has already landed on the New York Times bestseller list in the paperback non-fiction category. In fact, as of July 2, 2006, it snatched the No. 1 spot in the said list. (See: Wikipedia for An Inconvenient Truth) Other books also herald the call for us to pay attention to the signs of our ailing planet. There's the Xlibris book by Jackie Alan Giuliano entitled, Of This Earth: Reflections on Connections that contains photographs accompanied by thought provoking words to get people to think about our impact on the world. There's also Peering through the Bushes: A Commentary by Nationally Syndicated Environmental Columnist Edward Flatteau -- an Xlibris book that conveys a broad impressionistic picture of the causative factors, current impacts, and future implications associated with George Bush’s controversial environmental policies.

I'm seriously thinking of letting the teachers at my daughter's school borrow my DVD of An Inconvenient Truth so that they can organize a film showing there. I guess this is my way of helping Al Gore in his personal crusade to save our environment. This is truly a must-see movie that would surely jolt us into action.

But like I said earlier, if you do have the brains (and the concern) of a pea, then go rent a superhero movie instead. And bring George Bush with you.

The Wrong God?

2007-10-18T00:13:00.000-07:00

I just encountered a blog here in Blogspot made by a man who was obviously not happy with his life. He claims to be a devout Jesus follower and, according to his blog, he's into writing and photography. However, he was ranting about how unfulfilled he was in his photography class, and that he was considering flunking the said class.

This guy also mentioned that he has seen a lot of pictures in his time, but he noted that a picture of a monk who set himself on fire made a lot of impact on him. Here is what he said: "I was so moved by the conviction of the man that I could not deny the power of his message. A man who believed so much in the wrong God that he would die just to send a message."

How dare this person say that the monk had a "wrong God!" Just because he's a Jesus follower doesn't give him the license to belittle the beliefs of people who happen to adhere to other faiths.

I'm a Roman Catholic -- but an open-minded one. This is the reason why I simply cannot stomach anyone who consciously or unconsciously boasts that his/her religion is the one TRUE religion in this world, and that others with a faith not like his/hers will all die in Hell, or will be reincarnated as a cockroach, or will be driven to Hades, or will suffer from bad karma, etc.

Many people tend to adhere to a certain religion for a whole gamut of reasons. The reason could be as profound as developing one's spiritual well-being to as shallow as just to have a group to hang around with. Whatever the reason is, respect for one's chosen religion is something that should be practised. How many wars have occurred in the past because of differences in religious beliefs or because of one religious group's desire to instill its dominance over others?

Unfortunately, even in the present, we still have people -- like Mr. "Wrong God" -- who insist on this outdated way of thinking. Let them be reminded that there is no such thing as a "wrong God" -- only a different God. It may be the Roman Catholic God and the Blessed Trinity, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Allah, the Egyptian sun god Ra, Shiva, Vishnu, or -- for Satanic cults -- ol' Satan himself. There are even others who believe in gods of the different elements in nature. The point here is that believing in a god is one's personal choice, and nobody else should tell him/her to do otherwise.

If only we could all agree to disagree on each other's religious beliefs, then probably the world would be a better place. Otherwise, we'll just be nothing more than a mob of religious supremacists no better than Nazis who believed in the dominance of the Aryan race.

Mr. "Wrong God" should probably take some lessons in Anthropology, too, so that he could be more capable to understand and empathize with people of other cultures, faiths, customs, and beliefs.

I'd also be telling Mr. "Wrong God" to get hold of the Xlibris book, A Comparison of World Religions: Ancient to Modern-day, written by Mary Saurer. This book presents a holistic and unbiased view of the different faiths that have sprung from man's need to understand the world around him. One particular quote struck me (and I hope it also strikes Mr. "Wrong God" -- painfully): "Religions can be dictated, but beliefs cannot."

If I was the Dalai Lama, I'd whack Mr. 'Wrong God" on the head -- then meditate for three straight days on a Tibetan mountaintop for his spiritual deliverance. The a**hole...

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

Shit Happens. Seriously.

2007-10-17T01:01:00.000-07:00

Judging from the crass term I used in the title, I’m sure I may be shocking the sensibilities of several hypocrites, er, puritans, I mean, individuals out there who may find this kind of language too strong for their taste. Reader discretion is advised – you sissies…

Before I begin my discourse, first allow me to define the word, “shit.” The Encarta Dictionary in my computer has several definitions for it, all starting with the words, “A highly offensive term for…” as well as a parenthesized “taboo” after each definition. I found nine definitions for this word alone. There are even samples of idioms using the word, “shit” (“in deep shit,” “no shit,” “tough shit,” and “when shit hits the fan”).

The Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary provides more straightforward definitions for the word, “shit.” In this case, each definition starts with the words, “usually vulgar.” Make your choice:
1. Feces
2. The act of defecation
3. Nonsense, crap (another offensive term)
4. Any of several intoxicating or narcotic drugs, especially heroin
5. Damn (less offensive in nature than crap or shit)
6. a worthless, offensive, or detestable person

The above-mentioned online dictionary also gave an interesting etymology for the term, “shit,” stating that it came from the Old English scite, and is akin to the Old English scitan which means, “To defecate.” Thus as early as 1526, Englishmen may already have been saying, “Alas, but thy demeanor is as foul as thy shit.”

Granted that everyone has been familiarized with the meaning of “shit,” we can now proceed to the main topic of discussion.

--------------------------------

I admit: I swear. I swear when something unexpected (usually negative in nature) comes my way. I swear when something’s not right with the world. I swear when I trip or when I hurt myself. I swear when my forgetfulness sets in. So sue me.

However, I don’t swear simply for the sake of swearing. In fact, I think I still don’t deserve to get a good mouth-soaping for the use of very colorful language. I simply swear on account of the sudden assault of certain external stimuli. (Ooooohhhh…nicely said…) Some people seem to derive some sense of power by injecting swear words into everything they say, though. Go figure.

I regard myself as a moderate cusser. I stay away from the four-letter “f” word that stands for copulation. Instead, you would find the words, “frig,” “dang,” “damn,” “bloody,” and the all-time favorite – “shit” – in my cussing vocabulary.

And when I say, “Oh, shit,” it has to do with one of many things:
- Telling someone about my dislike for the boss – something that he/she immediately shares with the boss.
- Stepping down from a cab – and my stiletto heel gets stuck inside.
- Forgetting birthdays. God, I’m so bad with remembering birthdays…
- Stepping on dogshit. Literally.
- Buying groceries and paying for them at the counter – only to find out that I forgot my purse.
- Leaving the house with a pair of earrings and coming home with only one.
- Stepping out of the house in a hurry, only to find out that I forgot my keys inside.
- Traveling by boat – in bad weather.
- Leaving the house with nary a cloud in sight and coming home all soggy and wet from the rain and flood.
- Heeding nature’s call in a public comfort room with a toilet bowl that wouldn’t flush.
- Still heeding nature’s call in a public comfort room with no toilet paper in sight.
- Spending money like there’s no tomorrow, then finding out that the company I work for decides to include my entire department in its “downsizing.”
- Going down a ladder, and my foot gets stuck on the middle rung.
- Enjoying a nice summer swim at the beach – then a poisonous jellyfish decides to get acquainted with me.
- Dancing with my crush in our high school prom years ago – and I tripped on the hem of my dress.
- Hammering my thumb instead of a piece of wood.
- Cutting myself while preparing a meal.
- Finding out that crabs are better off cooked than alive.
- My cat jumps on my back with claws unsheathed.
- Arriving in the office one minute late.
- Landing on my tush after slipping.
- Tipping my half-full glass of water onto someone’s clothes.
- Finding out that my ex-husband and the guy I’ve been dating for a time now inadvertently shared the same flight.
- Having to accompany a friend to a bakeshop with so many delectable and sinful cakes while on a diet.
- Finding out that red meat is the only thing on the cafeteria menu while trying to minimize my cholesterol level.
- My daughter comes home from school without the expensive bracelet she borrowed from me.
- Getting a pimple on the eve of a hot date.
- Getting sick on our school’s recognition day way back in grade school.

Of course, I’ve got more “Oh, shit” moments than I can state here, but just remembering them brings back a lot of memories. Thank God, I can laugh about them now.

A lot more “Oh, shit” moments can be found in the hilariously funny Xlibris book, Oh Shit! A Humorous Look at Life by Andrea Lee Prytz. Chances are that readers will not only be able to laugh at the twisted circumstances that gave rise to the swearing: they will also be able to see their own “Oh, shit” moments among the many items stated in the book. It’s one fun and easy read that’s sure to crack anyone up.

So, probably it’s also about time you come into terms with your own personal shit (no pun intended) and learn something from it. Either that, or just laugh about it. Just make sure it doesn’t turn into another “Oh, shit” moment or you’ll really be in deep shit.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

The Greatest-kept Cat Secrets

2007-10-11T01:15:00.000-07:00

You’ll have to bear with me on this one.

Judging from the way I customized my blog, I guess people must have realized by now that I’m a cat lover. In a world dominated by dog lovers, we cat lovers stand behind our feline pets despite the many sweeping generalizations and bad press thrown their way. Thus, let me just share some snippets of information to enlighten non-cat lovers and cat lovers alike on the real deal behind the mystery of the cat. I got this trivia from http://www.i-pets.com/.

Cat Anatomy:
· A cat can be either right-pawed or left-pawed.
· A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor.
· A cat's brain is more similar to a human's brain than that of a dog.
· A large majority of white cats with blue eyes are deaf. White cats with one blue eye are deaf only in the ear closest to the blue eye.
· Cats can donate blood to other cats.
· Cats can have freckles. They can appear anywhere on a cat's skin and even in its mouth.
· Cats can see color. Studies have shown that cats can distinguish between red and green; red and blue; red and gray; green and blue; green and gray; blue and gray; yellow and blue, and yellow and gray.
· Cats have about 100 different vocalization sounds. In comparison, dogs have about 10.
· Cats have better memories than dogs. Tests conducted by the University of Michigan concluded that while a dogs memory lasts no more than 5 minutes, a cat's can last as long as 16 hours - exceeding even that of monkeys and orangutans.
· Cats step with both left legs, then both right legs when they walk or run. The only other animals to do this are the giraffe and the camel.
· Cats, just like people, are subject to asthma. Dust, smoke, and other forms of air pollution in your cat's environment can be troublesome sources of irritation.
· To drink, a cat laps liquid from the underside of its tongue, rather than the top.

Cat Traits:
· A cat that bites you for rubbing his stomach is often biting from pleasure, not anger.
· A cat will almost never meow at another cat. Cats use this sound for humans.
· After being handled, cats lick themselves to smooth their fur and get rid of the "human" smell. Licking is also thought to produce a calming effect.
· Cats average 16 hours of sleep a day, more than any other mammal.
· Cats can learn tricks. They just sometimes choose not to.
· Like birds, cats have a homing ability that uses its biological clock, the angle of the sun, and the Earth's magnetic field. A cat taken far from its home can return to it. But if a cat's owners move far from its home, the cat can't find them.
· Purring is part of every cat's repertoire of social communication, apparently created by the movement of air in spasms through contractions of the diaphragm. Interestingly, purring is sometimes heard in cats that are severely ill or anxious, perhaps as a self-comforting vocalization. But, more typically, it is a sign of contentment, first heard in kittens as they suckle milk from their mother.

Cat-human Relations:
· Contrary to popular belief, the cat is a social animal. A pet cat will respond and answer to speech, and seems to enjoy human companionship.
· Has your cat ever brought its prey to your door? Cats do that because they regard their owners as their "kittens." The cats are teaching their "kittens" how to hunt by bringing them food. Most people aren't too delighted when a pet brings in their kill. Instead of punishing your cat, praise it for its efforts, accept the prey, and then secretly throw it away.
· It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
· The cat lover is an ailurophile, while a cat hater is an ailurophobe.

Cat Facts:
· A form of AIDS exists in cats.
· A group of adult cats is called a clowder, while a group of kittens is called a kindle.
· Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be acquired in pairs whenever possible.
· Cats respond most readily to names that end in an "ee" sound.
· Orange and lemon rinds are offensive to cats. A light rubbing of orange peel on furniture will discourage your cat from using it as a scratching post.

Cats in History:
· Ailurophobia is the fear of cats. Julius Caesar, Henry II, Charles XI, and Napoleon all suffered from this and would nearly faint in the presence of a cat.
· In ancient Egypt, the entire family would shave their eyebrows off as a sign of mourning when the family cat died.
· In the 9th century, King Henry I of Saxony decreed that the fine for killing a cat should be sixty bushels of corn.
· According to one legend, the "M" marking on the forehead of the tabby cat was created by the prophet Mohammed as he rested his hand lightly on the brow of his favorite cat – a tabby.

To further bring home the point about human beings’ fascination not just with the cat but with other pets, I would recommend the Xlibris book entitled, The Cat who Read the Mail: Sixteen Amazing Stories about Our Mysterious Bond with Animals. Written by Elinor Donahue, this book will tug at anyone’s heart and prove that the bond between human and animal can endure many hardships and tribulations.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

Sex in the Classroom

2007-10-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

For some strange reason, I manage to get a pat on the back by friends who read this blog, especially if my topic has any relation to love and/or sex. (You guys know who you are...)

However, I never planned on turning the heat up with some of my entries. It is just that the mere mention of the word, "sex" immediately arouses (pardon the pun) the curious mind.

This is a tried and tested fact, especially in my experience. During my days in the University, I was considered to be one of the more liberal teachers who used unorthodox teaching methods. Unlike other faculty members, I allowed mature discussions on sex in class. (Thank God for my background in Gender Studies...) I also never censored my students' topics for their research papers -- even if they touched on sex -- for as long as their topics can be accomplished correctly within the semester. Most of my classes were in the afternoons when my students' biorhythms were at their lowest, so I couldn't blame them if they would sometimes nod off to sleep. However, I had a remedy for that. I used to teach Writing, Public Speaking, and Research, so it was quite easy to infuse love and/or sex in my lessons if only to jolt my students awake. Trust me: lessons became much livelier that way.

In my four years in the University, I never had a negative comment regarding my teaching approach. In fact, I got high evaluation marks from my students (Yes, even teachers get graded in the University where I came from.) not only for the amount of knowledge I have imparted to them but also for my saucy teaching style. And I made sure that I used sex not simply as a tool to titillate, but also to add to my students' stock knowledge. I'd rather let them discuss their sexuality in a healthy atmosphere like the classroom than among their peers -- which I find more dangerous. Kinda like the blind leading the blind.

One would be amazed by the outright openness of young people when discussing sex in my class. It's as if they have been liberated from some kind of invisible restraint. I am no sex guru, but they seemed to take me seriously. I'd get questions from, "Will I get pregnant even after washing off with warm water exactly after intercourse?" to "What is your stand on celibacy among Catholic priests?" I never minced my words when I answered their questions and when they asked for my advice. Through them, I attempted to "de-eroticize" the topic of sex in the sense that whenever this topic was brought up, the reaction would no longer be nervous giggles but an intellectual and informative discussion on human bodily functions and basic needs.

While they have learned something from me with regard to love, sex, and relationships, I also learned something from my students. I realized that my young wards found it more comfortable to talk about sex with teachers like me than with their own parents. Some even considered having sex with some of their teachers -- but that's an entirely different story. (hehehe) Many of my students feel awkward telling their parents of their sexual activities, probably because they can tell that their parents also feel awkward talking about sex to them. With no one else to talk to, they confide in the next best set: their peers. However, while the student and his/her peers may share the same experiences, the latter is just as clueless as Barney watching a porno movie. They won't honestly know which goes where. That's why I encouraged them to ask questions in my class, even if the topic deviated to sex. That way, they can get an educated answer from an adult who has not only "been there, done that," but who has enough credibility and empathy to deal with the topic.

There have been instances when my "sex education" extended beyond the classroom. (Not in the way you think. Get your malicious minds out of the gutter...) I have already been approached more than once by students with sex-related problems. They'd either stalk me in the faculty room or in the corridors, or even visit me at my place. Two female students (one of them from the debate team that I used to coach) came to me because they found themselves pregnant but were not ready to get married. One male student asked for advice because he managed to get his girlfriend pregnant but couldn't imagine shouldering the responsibility of becoming a father and continuing his dream of becoming a lawyer. Still another male student -- a known jock in school -- wanted to admit that he was gay but was afraid of the repercussions. On one hand, I felt honored that these kids trusted me enough with their deepest darkest secrets. On the other hand, they just dumped their emotional baggage on me and I suddenly felt responsible for them and their predicaments.

Anyway, all's well that ends well with my troubled wards. My two pregnant students eventually gave birth to their respective babies and are learning to cope with the challenges of being single parents. The guy who got his girlfriend pregnant is now a proud father, although I advised him not to get married yet until he passes the bar exams. He just graduated from his Political Science course and is now in law school. At the same time, he has a day job working as a legal assistant for some congressman. As for the gay jock, she finally shook off all the pretense and admitted to everyone -- including her parents -- her true sexual orientation. The last time I saw her she was in a micro-mini and high heels, and dang, she made me look like a poor excuse for a genuine female.

Apparently, I am not alone in my cause to straighten young people's twisted ideas toward sex, love and relationships which usually stem from many sordid religious taboos and superstitions. Dr. Ed Hibler, a fellow academician from Fresno who teaches in the Fresno City College and California State University shares my view. In fact, he brings into the fore issues brought up by his own students in the Xlibris book, Sex, Sin, and Satisfaction in the Classroom: Don't You Think They should Lower the Age of Puberty? It's witty, it's informative, and it's sure to step on toes of some archaic-minded individuals whose values come from the time when the Roman Catholic Church banished Galileo for his heliocentrism theory.

I always remind my students that sex is not a bad word. Used responsibly and properly, it can be considered as one of the best gifts given by God. Imagine this: Homo Sapiens and primates are the only two species in this world that could derive pleasure from procreation. It's a wonderful thing to enjoy sex, for as long as it's done in the right time, in the right place, with the right person and the right conditions. Misuse it, and the repercussions can be disastrous.

Sex: what will we be without it?

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

Hooked on Heroes

2007-10-03T02:23:00.000-07:00

I’m not much of a TV addict. If ever I do watch TV, I’d just tune in to news and current affairs but I no longer have the patience to sit through any TV series. Blame it on my erratic schedules in going home.

Probably the last time I really tuned in to any TV series was when Murphy Brown was still on – and that was probably more than 15 years ago. Even Sex and the City never really caught my attention, despite the rather steamy scenes there. I tried watching Fox Mulder’s and Dana Scully’s exploits in the X-Files, but I just couldn’t follow each weekly episode religiously.

But now there’s a TV series that has really gotten me hooked, and I’m sure many other people out there share my fanaticism. It features an apparently random group of people whose discovery of their respective superhuman powers slowly interconnects them to each other. They’re not as flashy as the X-men, nor do they wear star-spangled costumes and capes like the members of the Justice League. Nevertheless, they possess superhuman powers which they could or could not control. By now, I guess you’d know that I’m referring to the NBC TV series, Heroes.

Actually, I wasn’t able to complete the entire first season of Heroes on a weekly basis so I borrowed a friend’s DVD (Yes, she really invested in the DVD) and spent two weekends watching it. I’m not the kind of person you’d find sitting in front of the TV the whole day, but I endured a sore butt just to watch a marathon run of Heroes. And it was so darn worth it!

Season 1 of Heroes begins by establishing the different roles of each character. I think it is after the third episode where the lives of the characters start to interconnect either through random encounters or through situations that force them together. First to see the connection among the characters of the story is the Indian professor, Mohinder Suresh, who picks up where his late father has left off in his controversial research. His father’s research has led him on a quest to find two things: first, his father’s killer; and second, the subjects of the older Suresh’s research. Before his death, Chandra Suresh (Mohinder’s father) has apparently proven his theory that there are several people in the world whose DNA has apparently evolved, giving them extraordinary powers. This, according to the older Suresh, is a sign of humans taking on the next level in the evolutionary ladder. Unfortunately, since his father failed to turn over his findings, Mohinder had to take on the solitary task of searching for these special people using whatever clues were left by his father, as well as clues he stumbled upon.

As the connection among the main characters tightened, it was slowly revealed to the viewers that apart from Mohinder, there was another person looking for these “heroes” but for more sinister reasons. There was also an omen hanging over New York City as it was predicted by several of the main characters that it would be destroyed in a big explosion. Unfortunately, it was not certain as to who would trigger the explosion, or whether it could be stopped. Everything came to a head in the final episode of Season 1.

The running motto all throughout the first season of Heroes was, “Save the cheerleader, save the world.” There were also images that were often seen throughout the series like the “helix” symbol (Thanks to Wikipedia for the information), a scar seen on the necks of several main characters, as well as the solar eclipse. All these recurring elements were among the threads that bound the entire story together.

The helix, as the producers came to name the symbol, looks like a lower-case curved f that fell face-down. It is often seen either within the surroundings or possessions of a hero (like on Hiro Nakamura’s ancient samurai sword) or on the hero himself/herself, as with the case of Niki Sanders who exhibits the helix tattoo on her back when she turns into her stronger and more kick-ass alter-ego, Jessica. I interpret this helix as the symbol of a hero, whether from the past, present, or future.

The scar, meanwhile, is the implied result of testings made on some of the main characters in the story, namely Matt Parkman, Ted Sprague, Isaac Mendez, Hana Gitelman, and Claude (the last two of whom were only seen in about two or three episodes). These characters do not recall how they got the scar, and claim to have lapses in memory. Eventually, truth about the scars they have reveals a connection to a “company” that deals in the existence of people with superhuman abilities like them. And the plot thickens.

As for the solar eclipse, I think this symbolizes the far-from-ordinary characteristics manifested by the heroes of the story. While it’s quite impossible to witness a real solar eclipse within a span of a few weeks or even a few months, the symbolism in relation to the story is quite vivid.

Wait a minute, I’m giving away too much of the story already. This just proves how hooked I am with the show.

I can probably just name several of my most cherished characters in Heroes. There’s Hiro Nakamura, the time-bending Japanese guy, played by Masi Oka. He’s accompanied by his good friend, Ando Masahashi (James Kyson Lee). These two provide the comic relief of sorts in Heroes, but their characters are not relegated to simple toilet humor. The funny thing about Hiro is that he is a fan of the Star Trek series, and the man playing his father in Heroes is George Takei – one of the mainstays in the original Star Trek.

There’s the cheerleader with the super-fast healing powers, Claire Bennet (Hayden Panetierre), who became the subject of the motto, “Save the cheerleader, save the world.” Her character was quite a complicated one because of her relationship to the other heroes. She’s an adopted daughter of H.R.G., also known as Mr. Bennet (Jack Coleman) who has connections with the “company.” Her parents were revealed to be the politician/hero Nathan Petrelli, and a woman with the power to produce flame with her hands, Meredith Gordon. Peter Petrelli, Nathan’s younger brother who has the ability to absorb superpowers of other heroes, takes on the job of saving Claire to save the world, and Claire eventually learns that Peter is her long-lost uncle. I think this kid has the coolest superpowers. Imagine being able to walk out of their burning house all charred up only to heal simultaneously before her family’s very eyes. No matter how mangled she gets – she is literally opened up from the chest to the stomach on top of an autopsy table at one point – she can still return to her original state with nary a scratch.

Heroes became a turning point in Milo Ventimiglia’s career after his portrayal of superpower-absorbing Peter Petrelli. Now he’s one of Hollywood’s hottest hunks to date, but he’s not my cup of tea. My version of “hot” goes to his two fellow Heroes actors, Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar) and Matt Parkman (Greg Grunberg).

I know that Nathan Petrelli is depicted as some sort of a weakling, but there’s something about his dignified, Armani-clad politician ways that really gets to me. And those chiseled features…that clean, shaved face with the prominent jawline, nice haircut, and cleft chin…RAWRRR!!!

Matt Parkman, meanwhile, reminds me of a really big teddy bear. While he’s a gun-wielding cop with the power to read what’s on people’s minds, his character takes a softer personality. His dealings with women (except for Niki/Jessica) and children are quite heart-melting. Even his FBI partner thinks he’s cute. It’s only too bad that his character gets divorced by the second season. Wait, I shouldn’t be revealing that…

While he’s not my most cherished character, he has definitely made a mark in the long roster of villains in many a TV series. He’s Sylar (Zachary Quinto), so far the creepiest cast member of Heroes. In some ways, he’s like Peter Petrelli in the sense that he can absorb other heroes’ superpowers. However, he first has to kill the said hero to get the superpower in question. (Gasp!) This guy always manages to leave a trail of blood wherever he goes. One can think of 100 ways to get killed, but Sylar has more and better ideas. The funny thing about this guy is that he hides his real persona behind a presumably harmless character, that’s why it’s not very hard to take a liking to him at first. Probably that’s the “beauty” behind Sylar’s character. By the way, Zachary is now quite busy working between his Heroes tapings and his new film. According to several entertainment sources, he has been tagged to play the young Mr. Spock in the newest offering of the classic Star Trek movie. It’s funny what ripping off the top of the head of hapless victims can do for one’s career.

Ordinary people with the power to become heroes – this is the underlying theme behind Heroes. This is somewhat parallel to the Xlibris book, The Superhero’s Closet, by H. Andrew Lynch. However, what happens in the latter is somewhat a reversal of the former. The Superhero’s Closet revolves around the question: what happens when superheroes decide to retire after a life of fighting crime and saving the world?

However, there’s no room to think about retirement for the cast and crew of Heroes. As of this moment, Season 2 has already begun, and viewers will be pleased to see the return of several cast members who were thought of as dead or dying. In fact, more heroes will be introduced in the new season, adding to the merry jumble of characters…

…And I’m making sure I really tune in to the second season of Heroes this time.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

Keep Your Clothes On, Find True Love

2007-09-24T02:10:00.000-07:00

In my 37 years of existence, I’ve seen emotional relationships (mine and that of other people) either flourish or head for oblivion. People in these said relationships (me included) insist that love was the basis for their relationship. But now that I’m older and (supposedly) wiser, I could truly say that about 80 percent of these so-called “love-based relationships” are just plain hogwash.

Okay, okay…call me a sour grape, but let me reinforce my argument with past relationships and quasi-relationships that I got myself into.

In my early media days a long, loooong time ago, I was working in the supplement and the kiddie sections of a newspaper when I got to work with our resident artist. He was lanky, a silent type, but with the sexiest lips I have seen on a guy.

Soon enough Mr. Artist Guy and I went dating and sort of became a couple. There was an obvious attraction, but there was a big, BIG problem: both of us were in relationships with other people.

That relationship went down the drain, but not after the staple confrontations and waterworks. As time went on Mr. Artist Guy's and my paths would meet – but still under the wrong circumstances. Either it was he who had a girlfriend and I was unattached, or I had a boyfriend and he was unattached.

During those times, I was convinced that we were soulmates. But now, I guess what happened between us was just a case of being there for the other at a time of loneliness when one was at his/her must vulnerable. Maybe it was love, maybe it was not, but one thing’s for sure: it was one of my most memorable relationships.

Then during the latter part of my media days, in came this fellow reporter who named his cars, wore leather jackets in the middle of summer, drank hard, smoked too much, cursed too much – and he proposed to me even after I just gave birth to my only daughter. The man was literally wrangling me from my (now ex-) husband’s grasp! He was the epitome of rugged machismo, and if I was just after wild sex, flashy cars, and life on the fast lane, I would’ve seriously considered having him as a new sperm donor. Unfortunately I couldn’t care less if he could do a thousand one-arm pushups or leap tall buildings in a single bound: his excessive testosterone levels annoyed me. I must admit, though: it was nice getting free rides in his red Porsche. Saved a lot on gas money in those days.

When Mr. Macho Guy found out that I got divorced, he tried his pick-up lines on me again – and still, to no avail. Nevertheless, ten years after that so-called “relationship” he thought we had, he professes that he still loves me. (Excuse me while I barf...) Yeah right: he loves me in leather or in a French maid's costume. He just doesn't understand the fact that even if he acquired another brand-new car or if he can easily buy me anything my heart desires, those are not even worth a romp in the haystack with him -- much less, using the word "love" on him. Moral of the story: If it barks like a bitch, smells like a bitch, and bites your hand off like a bitch, then it would most probably be a bitch. So back off.

And of course, there was also my wonderful (note the dripping sarcasm) ex-husband. Met him after I graduated from college. (Whoopee…) Spent four years in an off-and-on romance with him. Got married, had a baby…not necessarily in that order. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to take to married life very well so we ended up divorced. Poor guy just couldn’t take my industrial-strength personality. Yeah, yeah…I know you’d ask why I didn’t see that coming early on. Probably I was in love then, or probably it was just hormones jumping around – I dunno. Moral of the story: love is great – then reality kicks in.

As stated earlier, I’m single again – but not quite. The culprit behind this vague situation is a man I met in my recent stint in the academe. I never met a guy who could meet my bitchiness head-on and still come out standing – until he came. That’s because he can be quite a bastard himself when he wanted to. Yes, Professor was quite a looker: he was even considered a campus heartthrob by students and fellow faculty members alike. However, his looks were just a bonus in the package. What really attracted me to him was his wisdom and strength of character, and the fact that he wooed my mom and daughter first before me. (hehehe)

After more than five years we’re still somewhere between just dating and being an item. While it can be frustrating, it can also be quite refreshing – like we’re eternally in the wooing part of a relationship. We have already discussed our hopes and dreams; and yet the most we have come to physical intimacy would be tender kisses. It’s a comfortable relationship that even transcends geography, with no one pressuring the other for sex to prove themselves.

This latest relationship of mine proves that sex is not a requirement for true love to happen. Yes, sex could be fun, exhilarating, and a great exercise (almost like running non-stop for a mile). However, it has become too overrated. Trust me: been there, done that. Case in point: my “loving” ex-husband. Great as a lover, sucks as a husband and father. I still have the emotional scars to show for it.

A book that would strengthen my assertion would be the Xlibris release entitled, Reborn Virgin Women: If You Wanna be Happy, Keep Your Pants Zipped by Catherine Anne Lewis which stresses that a relationship not based on sex is a longer-lasting one. Reborn Virgin Women further notes that many dating couples give in to the “urge” by the third date, thereby trampling any chance of them establishing a stronger relationship based on emotional, mental, and even spiritual compatibility.

What blew me away was the pepper-upper provided by the book that even if a woman has already lost her virginity, she can easily reclaim it by “eliminating sex from the dating equation.” Ergo, the term, “reborn virgin.”

Sooo…instead of calling myself an advocate of celibacy (proudly celibate for almost six years now), I can now call myself a “reborn virgin!”

Okay, I kinda hear someone guffawing in the background.

I mean honestly, I myself once fell victim to the notion that sex is a requirement for true love. (Blame it on youth and hormones.) Now that maturity has set in, I see that the adage, “True love waits” is true – in every sense of the word.

So, here’s my personal take: keep your clothes on and find true love. Take it from someone who has learned it the hard way.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

9/11: Six Years Hence

2007-09-12T01:02:00.001-07:00

It's been six years since that fateful day when two airplanes smashed into the World Trade Center in Upper Manhattan, virtually changing the New York skyline -- as well as the lives of millions of people everywhere -- forever.

Six years -- and has America and the rest of the world learned anything from that tragedy?

If you're going to ask me, there answer to this question is both a yes and a no.

Yes, because if there was something that grew out of these terrorist attacks, it was humility.

Prior to September 11, 2001, Americans would only find out about the plight of war-torn or underdeveloped/developing countries via television and other forms of media. We never had any inkling that we'd be susceptible to such cruel and violent fates. After all: we live in America, the Mighty Superpower. The mindset of that time was that there was a military defense network armed to the teeth protecting us, and a terrorist attack of such magnitude could never happen on the homefront.

We were wrong.

Seeing the destruction and loss of lives in the aftermath of 9/11, we Americans were brutally yanked from our comfort zones to realize that we are not as strong and powerful as we think. It was a point forcefully brought home by Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts.

Back to my earlier question. I also say that we did not learn anything from 9/11. Instead of using that lesson on humility in rebuilding a shattered American landscape and in showing the rest of the world the resilience of the American spirit, the Bush administration decided to fight fire with fire.

Not only has George W. Bush been successful in dragging other countries in his so-called "War on Terror": he has also planted the seeds of paranoia and hate that now pervade the mindsets of other world leaders. We are a divided people now more than ever, and Osama Bin Laden -- who's still at large -- could only step back and admire his handiwork.

Sometimes it just makes me wonder: who is the real terrorist here?

Probably it would be better to simply focus on the true heroes and heroines of 9/11 -- the American citizens who heeded the cries for help exactly after the Twin Towers came crashing down. Firefighters, paramedics, construction workers, and ordinary civilians banded together to form rescue teams and clean-up crews. Most of these people even came from out of town to volunteer their services in this time of extreme need. It is these people who deserve to be remembered on this sixth year after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Many of them may remain nameless to us, but their efforts in sifting through the rubble at Ground Zero will always be taken to heart.

One of these valiant individuals is Donald Friedman, an engineer who took part in the rescue and clean-up operations at the fallen Twin Towers. His memories of those days exactly after 9/11 are now compiled and presented in his book, After 9-11 -- an Xlibris release. It is a book that is worth reading, if only to have a feel of events that transpired at Ground Zero, as well as to relive the triumph of the American spirit in times of discord.

Six years after 9/11, let us set aside thoughts about this "War on Terror" nonsense and reflect instead on the men and women who went out of their respective comfort zones to come to their fellow Americans in need. It is this spirit that we should celebrate and not the hatred and paranoia perpetrated by those in power.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

The Pillsbury Doughboy is Gay!

2007-09-11T01:51:00.000-07:00

Now that I got your attention...

Seriously, I'm not really sure if the Pillsbury Doughboy is gay or not. He's probably just as gay as Winnie the Pooh or Ernie and Bert -- with apologies to the beloved characters of our childhood.

However, several overactive minds out there do notice some subtle nuances in many things they see in media. Not even our cartoon characters and muppets are spared.

Take for example Winnie the Pooh. Who would have known that A. A. Milne's popular teddy bear would be seen as having homosexual inclinations just for having no underwear?

Underwear seems to be a strong denominator in determining one's sexual preference. If Winnie the Pooh is "gay" because he has no underwear, how come Superman is also considered as a gay icon, considering that he wears his bright red briefs over his tights? Is it because of the red color? Is it because of the hint of a protuberance over the front of the briefs? (Aw c'mon, don't tell me you guys haven't noticed it...) Is it the nice buns? (Don't tell me you haven't noticed those either...) Or is it the cowlick on his forehead? Wait a minute, detached argument: we're still discussing underwear here.

Poor Donald Duck has also been accused not only of being homosexual but also of being perverted, simply because of the lack of trousers. While he fails to wear undies, he is often depicted as wrapping a towel around himself whenever he prepares for a bath. It must also be noted that in Donald's circle of friends (Mickey Mouse and Goofy), it is only he who dares to bare it all down below. This conflicting depiction of decency creates the confusion as to this hypertensive duck's real sexual nature. And Daisy Duck is of no help, either.

Clothing -- and the lack of it -- obviously becomes a strong indicator of homosexuality. However, one cannot explain why one character would be tagged as having gay undertones while another -- sans clothing -- would not elicit the same perception. Donald Duck is said to be a gay and perverse due to the lack of clothing to hide his tush, but his Looney Tunes counterpart, Daffy Duck, is spared from these notorious tags. And to think that all Daffy has to cover himself with is his white neckband. How dethpicable...*thpit, thpit*

Even two grown men living together under one roof are seen by society as gay. Such is the case between Ernie and Bert who, as several people with lots of time on their hands observed, are also considered to have a homosexual relationship. Questions arise with regard to Bert's concern over Ernie's bathing methods ("Have you cleaned behind your ears?"), as well as their penchant for keeping an immaculately clean domicile. The mere fact that they live together and even share a room (but with separate beds) is seen as homosexual in nature. According to Wikipedia, this rumored gay relationship has sparked controversies that shook the creators of Sesame Street, so much that they even had to come out with press statements all attesting to their assertion that Ernie and Bert are not gay.

For some strange reason, many of Jim Henson's wonderful Sesame Street characters have apparently fallen prey to "gay" musings -- and more. Here are just some of the mind-boggling insinuations:

* Grover and Elmo are both gay, owing to their gravelly high-pitched voices and overly-cheerful dispositions.

* Big Bird is a bisexual. This oversized canary (Wikipedia states that Big Bird is more of a condor than a canary, though.) has been referred to as a "he," but it was noted that in some Sesame Street episodes, he was seen sitting on eggs in his nest. Thus, the bisexual rumors linger. There was also talk about a relationship between Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus.

* Kermit the Frog is a pervert -- not just because of his usual one-piece attire (that green frill on his neck) that leaves nothing to the imagination, but also because of his on-and-off relationship with the voluptuous Miss Piggy. Imagine an inter-specie relationship that to some quarters is tantamount to bestiality. In other words, it's like a human dating a crocodile.

Homosexual innuendoes such as these are rife, especially in advertisements we see on print. However, I leave it to the Xlibris book, A Hint of Homosexuality? 'Gay' and Homoerotic Imagery in American Print Advertising to give the nitty-gritty on this issue. The mere fact that this was written by Bruce Joffe, a noted academician in the field of gay and lesbian studies, makes this an engaging and enlightening read. I truly enjoyed the fact that it contains the actual samples of the print ads in question. If you think that Winnie the Pooh's gay leanings is enough to make you fall off your seat, then wait till you read this book. You might even start to believe that the Marlboro Man (bless his soul) is also gay.

But actually, I don't care much if these animated characters, puppets, and advertisements have homosexual inclinations. For as long as they serve their intended purpose, then that's perfectly fine with me. As far as I'm concerned, the Sesame Street, Disney, Looney Tunes, DC/Marvel Comics characters that we have grown to love will never lose their charm -- gay or not.

--------------------

You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.

Women of the House

2007-09-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

I have been living in a household with three generations of women since 1996, and I represent the middle generation.

My mother is now in her mid-70s, and yet she has the feistiness of a middle-aged woman. Despite her petite and hunched frame she still manages to muster the energy to get things done around the house. I warn her about straining herself too much, but she insists on doing things her way. Thus, I leave her to her chores, then at the end of the day we sometimes just have to bear her rants and complaints about aching joints and muscles. If I start with an "I told you so" phrase she'd bark at me like there was no tomorrow. Yes, she can sometimes be hard to deal with, but that's my mom.

As a kid, I wondered why my father would only come to visit us every other day. I thought this was a normal thing with fathers until I grew older and eventually realized that this was no ordinary setup. I never asked details about this, probably because I avoided getting a confirmation of my worst fears. The truth about my mom's relationship with my father came quite late in my life already. I was told about it at age 18, and for a time I hated my parents so much it affected my grades in school. However, reason soon set in and I grudgingly accepted the fact that I was an illegitimate child. By the time I graduated from college and got a job in media, visits from my dad got rarer and rarer until he never visited again.

Thus, for 26 years it was primarily my mom and me against the world. That is, until I got into a relationship myself and had a child of my own. My daughter was a year old when her father and I decided to get married. However, the curse my mom suffered also bore down on me, and I found myself getting a divorce from the father of my baby girl.

My daughter is an 11-year old pre-teen already, and she's growing up quite well without a father figure. In fact, the only male in our household right now is the family cat, and he seems to be repulsed by the scent of male hormones that would permeate our place whenever we have friends or relatives of the opposite sex around.

We never chose to have this kind of household setup. Or maybe we did -- unconsciously. Nonetheless, we have survived many house mishaps as a team. We learned to replace lightbulbs, fix the plumbing, rewire computer peripherals, nail down rattling windows, and do other "manly" jobs on our own. In fact, we have the Xlibris book, Built It like a Pro, to help us out with our work. The nice thing about this book is that it is written by a man for a female audience.

Take note: we do not deter men. We are just proud to say that we can actually survive without them. That is, except for our cat. He's our mascot. Touch a single hair on his scaredy-cat body and you'll be getting the worst scratching from three generations of strong-willed women.

--------------------
You, too, can become an author! To start on your path to publishing success, simply click here for your FREE publishing kit.