Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Video: Kobe's hangin', two-handed, over-the-head scoop shot



Fist bumps and cake to Navjot Productions for splicin' together what we were all thinking: Kobe Bryant's(notes) hanging, two-handed, over-the-head scoop shot against the Pistons was so Michael Jordan-esque it hurts.

"It was a lucky shot," Bryant said afterward with a shrug of his shoulders. "I just flicked it up and it went in."


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Man says 30-foot 'monster' lurking in canals of Madeira Beach





There's something strange and big swimming in the canals of Madeira Beach along the Pinellas County coast. Those who have seen it say it's no fish and think it could be a sea serpent.

Russ Sittlow, 78, has seen it. He calls the creature "Normandy Nessie" because he lives on Normandy Road.

The retired engineer said he first saw "Nessie" in April.

"His head come up out of the water, and then he rolled up in a double roll behind him and he was long he was huge," he said of that first sighting.

Sittlow said he has seen two of the creatures in the canal, one very large, and the other a bit smaller. He estimates the largest one is at least 30 feet long.

Sittlow set up a surveillance camera to record video if the creatures came back. He said his camera recorded "Nessie" three times since September, the latest Saturday.

He showed the video to a reporter. It shows a dark form swimming along the surface of the water. It appears to be about 30 feet long. Another clip shows the creature splashing in the water.

"I don't know what it is," he said.

When a reporter asked if he thought it was really a monster, he hedged.

"No, no, well, call a monster what you will, it's something different, it's something strange, it's something I've never seen in salt water," he stated.

Sittlow's account of what he saw is backed up by neighbor Maria VanAiken, 47, who said she saw the "monster" this summer while on her back porch.

"I looked up and I saw this like huge-looking creature," she said, adding that it wasn't a manatee or dolphin.

"This huge thing just came out of the water," she said.

Her husband saw the creature later.

When pressed, Sittlow backed off his sea monster theory, but not totally.

"This is a snake I guarantee you, or a serpent like thing that looks like a snake," he explained. He thinks it could be an anaconda or a python or "a mutation there of."

State wildlife officials who have seen Sittlow's video believe the creature is a manatee.

Sittlow disagrees. Whatever is in the canal is dangerous, he said, and he doesn't recommend swimming there until it's positively identified.

*sources: www2.tbo.com

Jellyfish swarm northward in warming world






KOKONOGI, Japan – A blood-orange blob the size of a small refrigerator emerged from the dark waters, its venomous tentacles trapped in a fishing net. Within minutes, hundreds more were being hauled up, a pulsating mass crowding out the catch of mackerel and sea bass.

The fishermen leaned into the nets, grunting and grumbling as they tossed the translucent jellyfish back into the bay, giants weighing up to 200 kilograms (450 pounds), marine invaders that are putting the men's livelihoods at risk.

The venom of the Nomura, the world's largest jellyfish, a creature up to 2 meters (6 feet) in diameter, can ruin a whole day's catch by tainting or killing fish stung when ensnared with them in the maze of nets here in northwest Japan's Wakasa Bay.

"Some fishermen have just stopped fishing," said Taiichiro Hamano, 67. "When you pull in the nets and see jellyfish, you get depressed."

This year's jellyfish swarm is one of the worst he has seen, Hamano said. Once considered a rarity occurring every 40 years, they are now an almost annual occurrence along several thousand kilometers (miles) of Japanese coast, and far beyond Japan.

Scientists believe climate change — the warming of oceans — has allowed some of the almost 2,000 jellyfish species to expand their ranges, appear earlier in the year and increase overall numbers, much as warming has helped ticks, bark beetles and other pests to spread to new latitudes.

The gelatinous seaborne creatures are blamed for decimating fishing industries in the Bering and Black seas, forcing the shutdown of seaside power and desalination plants in Japan, the Middle East and Africa, and terrorizing beachgoers worldwide, the U.S. National Science Foundation says.

A 2008 foundation study cited research estimating that people are stung 500,000 times every year — sometimes multiple times — in Chesapeake Bay on the U.S. East Coast, and 20 to 40 die each year in the Philippines from jellyfish stings.

In 2007, a salmon farm in Northern Ireland lost its more than 100,000 fish to an attack by the mauve stinger, a jellyfish normally known for stinging bathers in warm Mediterranean waters. Scientists cite its migration to colder Irish seas as evidence of global warming.

Increasingly polluted waters — off China, for example — boost growth of the microscopic plankton that "jellies" feed upon, while overfishing has eliminated many of the jellyfish's predators and cut down on competitors for plankton feed.

"These increases in jellyfish should be a warning sign that our oceans are stressed and unhealthy," said Lucas Brotz, a University of British Columbia researcher.

Here on the rocky Echizen coast, amid floodlights and the roar of generators, fishermen at Kokonogi's bustling port made quick work of the day's catch — packaging glistening fish and squid in Styrofoam boxes for shipment to market.

In rain jackets and hip waders, they crowded around a visitor to tell how the jellyfish have upended a way of life in which men worked fishing trawlers on the high seas in their younger days and later eased toward retirement by joining one of the cooperatives operating nets set in the bay.

It was a good living, they said, until the jellyfish began inundating the bay in 2002, sometimes numbering 500 million, reducing fish catches by 30 percent and slashing prices by half over concerns about quality.

Two nets in Echizen burst last month during a typhoon because of the sheer weight of the jellyfish, and off the east coast jelly-filled nets capsized a 10-ton trawler as its crew tried to pull them up. The three fishermen were rescued.

"We have been getting rid of jellyfish. But no matter how hard we try, the jellyfish keep coming and coming," said Fumio Oma, whose crew is out of work after their net broke under the weight of thousands of jellyfish. "We need the government's help to get rid of the jellyfish."

The invasions cost the industry up to 30 billion yen ($332 million) a year, and tens of thousands of fishermen have sought government compensation, said scientist Shin-ichi Uye, Japan's leading expert on the problem.

Hearing fishermen's pleas, Uye, who had been studying zooplankton, became obsessed with the little-studied Nomura's jellyfish, scientifically known as Nemopilema nomurai, which at its biggest looks like a giant mushroom trailing dozens of noodle-like tentacles.

"No one knew their life cycle, where they came from, where they reproduced," said Uye, 59. "This jellyfish was like an alien."

He artificially bred Nomura's jellyfish in his Hiroshima University lab, learning about their life cycle, growth rates and feeding habits. He traveled by ferry between China to Japan this year to confirm they were riding currents to Japanese waters.

He concluded China's coastal waters offered a perfect breeding ground: Agricultural and sewage runoff are spurring plankton growth, and fish catches are declining. The waters of the Yellow Sea, meanwhile, have warmed as much as 1.7 degrees C (3 degrees F) over the past quarter-century.

"The jellyfish are becoming more and more dominant," said Uye, as he sliced off samples of dead jellyfish on the deck of an Echizen fishing boat. "Their growth rates are quite amazing."

The slight, bespectacled scientist is unafraid of controversy, having lobbied his government tirelessly to help the fishermen, and angered Chinese colleagues by arguing their government must help solve the problem, comparing it to the effects of acid rain that reaches Japan from China.

"The Chinese people say they will think about this after they get rich, but it might be too late by then," he said.

A U.S. marine scientist, Jennifer Purcell of Western Washington University, has found a correlation between warming and jellyfish on a much larger scale, in at least 11 locations, including the Mediterranean and North seas, and Chesapeake and Narragansett bays.

"It's hard to deny that there is an effect from warming," Purcell said. "There keeps coming up again and again examples of jellyfish populations being high when it's warmer." Some tropical species, on the other hand, appear to decline when water temperatures rise too high.

Even if populations explode, their numbers may be limited in the long term by other factors, including food and currents. In a paper last year, researchers concluded jellyfish numbers in the Bering Sea — which by 2000 were 40 times higher than in 1982 — declined even as temperatures have hit record highs.

"They were still well ahead of their historic averages for that region," said co-author Lorenzo Ciannelli of Oregon State University. "But clearly jellyfish populations are not merely a function of water temperature."

Addressing the surge in jellyfish blooms in most places will require long-term fixes, such as introducing fishing quotas and pollution controls, as well as capping greenhouse gas emissions to control global warming, experts said.

In the short term, governments are left with few options other than warning bathers or bailing out cash-strapped fishermen. In Japan, the government is helping finance the purchase of newly designed nets, a layered system that snares jellyfish with one kind of net, allowing fish through to be caught in another.

Some entrepreneurs, meanwhile, are trying to cash in. One Japanese company is selling giant jellyfish ice cream, and another plans a pickled plum dip with chunks of giant jellyfish. But, though a popular delicacy, jellyfish isn't likely to replace sushi or other fish dishes on Asian menus anytime soon, in view of its time-consuming processing, heavy sodium overload and unappealing image.

*photo source & news source: news.yahoo.com

Let's all Pray for Z 'The Dream' Gorres fast Recovery


* source: Philboxing.com


Kaya mo Yan Butchoy!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

2nd quake shakes Indonesia after temblor kills 467






PADANG, Indonesia – A second powerful earthquake rocked western Indonesia on Thursday as rescuers struggled to reach survivors of the previous day's temblor, which killed at least 467 people and left thousands trapped under collapsed buildings.

The death toll from Wednesday's undersea quake of 7.6 magnitude was expected to rise further after rescuers dig through the rubble in heavily populated towns of Sumatra island. The second, 6.8-magnitude quake damaged additional buildings Thursday.

"This is a high-scale disaster," Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari told Metro TV.

Padang, a coastal city of 900,000 and capital of West Sumatra province, became the immediate focus of relief workers.

At least 500 buildings in Padang collapsed or were badly damaged in the Wednesday evening quake, which also set off fires, said Disaster Management Agency spokesman Priyadi Kardono.

A total of 467 people were confirmed dead and 421 seriously injured, said Tugiyo Bisri of the Social Affairs Ministry's crisis center. He said 376 deaths occurred in Padang, with rest of the deaths in four surrounding districts.

At least 80 people were missing at the 5-story Ambacang hotel in downtown Padang, said Indra, a paramedic who uses only one name. Rescuers, working in heavy rain, found two survivors and nine bodies in the hotel's rubble.

Terrified residents who spent a restless night were jolted by the fresh tremor on Thursday morning.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the inland quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 hit about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Padang at a depth of just under 20 miles (24 kilometers).

The second quake reportedly damaged 30 houses in Jambi, another Sumatran town. It was not yet clear if there were injuries, said Jambi Mayor Hasfiah, who uses only one name, like many Indonesians.

Collapsed or seriously damaged buildings in Padang included hospitals, mosques, a school and a mall. TVOne network footage showed heavy equipment breaking through layers of cement in search of more than 30 students it said were missing from the school where they were taking after-school classes.

Parents of missing students stayed up all night, waiting for signs of life under the rubble.

"My daughter's face keeps appearing in my eyes ... my mind. I cannot sleep, I'm waiting here to see her again," a woman, who identified herself only as Imelda, told TVOne, tears rolling down her face. She said her 12-year-old daughter Yolanda was in school to take science lessons.

"She is a good daughter and very smart. I really love her. Please God help her. I hope rescuers, everybody... can help her out of here. Please!" she said.

An unidentified boy told TVOne that he escaped from the top floor just as the three-story school crumpled. He said he was taking math lessons while many others were taking science courses.

Wednesday's temblor severed roads and cut off power and communications to Padang. Thousands fled in panic, fearing a tsunami. The shaking was so intense that people crouched or sat on the street in fear.

Children screamed as an exodus of thousands of frantic residents fled in cars and motorbikes, honking horns.

The quake was felt hundreds of miles (kilometers) away in Malaysia and Singapore, causing buildings there to sway.

The extent of damage in surrounding areas was still unclear due to poor communications. Indonesia, a poor, sprawling nation with limited resources, sits on a major geological fault zone and is frequently hit by earthquakes.

More than 3,000 people were killed in the last big earthquake in 2006 that hit Yogyakarta, a major city on the main island of Java.

The latest quakes came in the wake of a killer tsunami Tuesday that hit islands in the South Pacific, killing at least 120 people. Geologists said the two events were not related.

The Padang quakes were along the same fault line that spawned the 2004 Asian tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen nations.

Padang's mayor appealed for assistance on Indonesian radio station el-Shinta.

"We are overwhelmed with victims and ... lack of clean water, electricity and telecommunications," Mayor Fauzi Bahar said. "We really need help. We call on people to come to Padang to evacuate bodies and help the injured."

Thousands were believed trapped throughout the province, said Rustam Pakaya, head of the Health Ministry's crisis center.

The shaking felled trees and crushed cars in Padang. A foot could be seen sticking out from one pile of rubble. At daybreak, residents used their bare hands to search for survivors, pulling at the wreckage and tossing it away piece by piece.

The loss of telephone service deepened the worries of those outside the stricken area.

Hospitals struggled to treat the injured as their relatives hovered nearby.

Indonesia's government announced $10 million in emergency response aid and medical teams and military planes were being dispatched to set up field hospitals and distribute tents, medicine and food rations.

Local television reported more than two dozen landslides in the province. Some blocked roads, causing miles-long traffic jams of cars and trucks.

*source: news.yahoo.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Sticky situation turns lovers into talk of town

Two secret lovers became the talk of the town in the southern Philippines Wednesday after they were found literally stuck to each other.

Doctors were at a loss on how to separate the two lovers, who had been stuck for more than 17 hours since Tuesday night, radio dzRH reported Wednesday afternoon.

The report quoted doctors at the Isulan town hospital in Sultan Kudarat province as saying the two lovers experienced penis captivus, a condition in which the muscles in the female organ clamp down on the male organ more firmly than usual, making it impossible for the man to withdraw his organ from the woman's.

Before experiencing the condition, the two lovers had a rendezvous at a local pension house in Isulan town Tuesday night.

The man, 32, was described as married and connected with the Department of Public Works and Highways. The woman, 20, was working at a local department store.

Initial investigation showed that the two experienced penis captivus at about 10 p.m., and decided to seek medical help at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, said the report.

Draped only in a blanket, the naked couple asked a tricycle driver outside the pension house to take them to a hospital.

At the hospital, doctors used a tranquilizer on the man to make his muscles contract, but still could not immediately separate the duo.

*source: gmanews.tv

Monday, September 14, 2009

Kanye West Has Truly Lost It This Time



You know that saying, it takes a village to raise a child?

Apparently, Kanye's village has failed him. He obviously doesn't have a real friend in the world. There does not appear to be anyone who can get through to him, to make him understand that he needs to curb his obnoxious behavior.

I thought it was a joke when Kanye showed up on the MTV Video Music Awards stage next to Taylor Swift, right in the middle of her acceptance speech for Best Female Video for "You Belong With Me." It was the first Moon Man for the 19-year-old country starlet, who has become an equally huge star in the pop world.

Click here to watch Kanye's outburst.

"I always dreamed about what it would be like to win one of these one day," Taylor said with surprise. "I never thought it would happen."

As Taylor continued, Kanye interrupted, saying he thought Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video was wrongly overlooked. "Hey Taylor, I'm really happy for you, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time."

Taylor looked humiliated. I felt humiliated for her. The audience booed him, and gave her a standing ovation.

I didn't expect Taylor to win that award, and I'm not upset about Kanye's opinion. However, bum-rushing the stage wasn't the appropriate time and place to express his disagreement.

Not only was Kanye's approach disrespectful, it was especially disrespectful because it was directed towards a woman--a teenage girl, actually. Taylor won't turn 20 until December. I can only imagine how her father feels. I'm sure he would like to have a talk to Kanye. I'm not related to her, and I'd like to have a talk with him.

If Kanye wants people to win the awards he thinks they deserve, he should create his own event. He should name it after his website, KanyeUniversecity.com, and webcast it.

Kanye is a guest at the MTV Video Music Awards. He does not determine the winners. The winners are determined by popular vote. Furthermore, aside from the fact that Taylor Swift is a top-selling artist, who has revolutionized teen country pop, she did not have any competition in this category as her competitors Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Pink, and Kelly Clarkson split the pop vote. Taylor had to get 100 percent of the country vote, plus some of the pop vote as well.

It's simple math that even a "College Dropout" should be able to figure out.

Ironically, a MTV writer joked that Kanye's rant was an indication that he might be inebriated. "Kanye West ruins Taylor Swift's big moment," the MTV.com editor wrote. "Further proof that he's on the Hennessy. In my humble opinion, that is."

MTV also reported that Perez Hilton and Hayley Williams started a #TeamTaylor trend on Twitter.

Pink tweeted about her annoyance with Kanye. "Kanye West is the biggest piece of sh-t on earth. Quote me," she wrote. "My heart goes out to Taylor Swift. She is a sweet and talented girl, and deserved her moment. She should know we all love her."

Kanye has previously made award show rants about Gretchen Wilson, Justice and Simian, as well as Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, but this was the worst.

I give credit to Taylor. She handled it gracefully. The audience countered him by giving her a standing ovation, and booed Kanye throughout the night whenever his name was mentioned.

Taylor performed "You Belong With Me" live just minutes later. I watched, wondering if she would feel flustered, and if it would show in her performance. But it didn't.

I think she channeled that negative energy into a positive. Good for her.

Fortunately, Taylor got another chance to complete her acceptance speech. When Beyonce accepted the Best Video Award for "Single Ladies," she invited Taylor back on stage.

"Wow, this is amazing," Beyonce said when receiving her award. "I remember being 17-years-old and up for my first MTV award with Destiny's Child. It was one of the most exciting moments in my life. So, I'd like for Taylor to come out and have her moment."

Taylor then joined Beyonce on stage and recited her acceptance speech, only making a subtle reference to the incident. Before rattling off her special thanks, she said, "Maybe we can try this again."

After the awards, Kanye posted an apology to Taylor on his website, KanyeUniversecity.com. "I'M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM," Kanye wrote on his site, AP reported. "I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD'VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED!"

Still, MTV should have thrown Kanye out of the event. Had any other heckler had the audacity to interrupt the broadcast, they would have been thrown out and probably charged. He should not be treated any differently.

This dude needs help.
*source: new.music.yahoo.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Stop These Work Habits Now


Supposedly it takes 21 days to break a habit.

I'm not sure I believe that. Try going on a diet and I guarantee that a freshly baked pizza will break your willpower whether you're on the second or the 45th day. Or maybe I'm just weak, and 21 days is all most people need.

I'm convinced, however, that workplace habits take a little longer to break. The little annoyances -- like the guy who picks his teeth with your letter opener -- aren't what I'm talking about. I'm thinking of the bigger offenses that require a complete change of your mindset. They're annoying to everyone else and they're actually damaging your career.

Here are eight work habits you need to break now.

1. The bad habit: Confusing casual with disrespectful.

Why it's bad: Feelings get hurt and reputations get damaged.

How to fix it: Ask yourself if what you say or do to your boss undermines his or her authority. Bosses aren't infallible, all-knowing creatures who can't be questioned. If you and your supervisor have a casual relationship filled with humor, you already know this. Nevertheless, he or she is your boss, and at the end of the day that's who makes the final decisions. When you begin to think of yourself as your boss's workplace equal, you cross a line that could damage your relationship.

Also, your boss probably has a boss, too. This means that calling him or her a nickname, or not being supportive of ideas in front of other people suggests you're the one running the show. It's important to remember that showing respect doesn't mean you need to be a "yes" man or woman who goes along with everything; it just means you should know what's appropriate for private conversations and what's appropriate for group settings.

2. The bad habit: Always doing the bare minimum.

Why it's bad: Anyone can just skate by, so you'll be easy to replace.

How to fix it: Not overextending yourself is admirable because not only do you preserve the quality of your work, but you also keep your sanity intact. Very few employers, however, want C+/B- workers. If you have a project due in one week and you're not particularly busy, moving at a snail's pace just because you can doesn't give a great impression.

Those clichés of going the extra mile and giving 110 percent are sometimes worthwhile. You're not likely to get promoted, get a raise or earn a glowing recommendation if your most notable accomplishment is just being there. Come up with new ideas, improve existing procedures and improve the quality of your work -- anything to assure that you're not just showing up for the paycheck.

3. The bad habit: Not budging from your job description.

Why it's bad: Obedience is great, but flexibility is better.

How to fix it: Job descriptions are rarely all-inclusive, so look at job postings with the understanding that your duties will shift over time. Ask anyone who's fortunate enough to be working today; this recession has redefined job titles in every industry. Yes, you were hired to do a specific job, but over time you could be asked to take on additional tasks or to transition into an entirely new role. Of course you don't have to, but realize that the job you were hired for might not be needed anymore, and asking you to adapt could be the company's way of keeping you around.

4. The bad habit: Forgetting what your job is.

Why it's bad: If you're not doing your job, then why are they paying you?

How to fix it: This is the flip side to the previously mentioned bad habit, and I know it's a fine line to walk. Being flexible to the company's needs is admirable, and others will notice. But if you spend more time doing things that distract you from getting relevant work done, you're just not doing your job. For example, if your company's e-mail policy is lax and you're allowed to receive personal messages, don't abuse it and spend more time planning tonight's party than doing your job. Hours on Facebook also don't count as work for most employees.

5. The bad habit: Ignoring the chain of command.

Why it's bad: You make people look bad, and come off as a brat.

How to fix it: Go through the proper channels to address concerns. Let's be clear -- if you're dealing with a serious, legal issue and your boss can't be trusted, then by all means get help however possible. But if you're griping about some personality conflicts or just want things done your way, address them with your boss before escalating your issues. If it's an HR issue, speak with your rep, not with the head of HR. If you go to higher-ups about an issue, they'll immediately wonder why your boss couldn't handle it (thus making him or her look bad) and why you had to make such an ordeal about it.

6. The bad habit: Operating on your own clock.

Why it's bad: Not everyone can work around your schedule.

How to fix it: Be punctual and dependable. Although deadlines and meeting times can be bothersome, you're probably not the only person they affect. Therefore, your tardiness inconveniences other people. It also gives you the appearance of an unreliable person, and no one really wants to work with that kind of colleague.

7. The bad habit: Badmouthing your colleagues.

Why it's bad: You never know who's listening.

How to fix it: You already know gossip is a no-no, but spreading negative opinions about a co-worker is just as bad as spreading hearsay. First, negativity gets old. Second, your opinion can get back to the people about whom you're talking. It might even get back to the boss, who may disagree with you or at least disagree with your attitude and hold it against you. If you need to vent, do it away from work.

8. The bad habit: Flaunting your connections.

Why it's bad: It's annoying, and they're not guaranteed to last forever.

How to fix it: Don't make a big deal about your enviable inroads. Bragging is tacky, and that's what you're doing when you keep namedropping the CEO's name. Plus, the person you're talking about might not want the relationship to be widely discussed since it could make others think favoritism is at play. More importantly, the CEO could move on to a new job, and suddenly that sway you thought you had with people is gone.
*source: msn.careerbuilder.com

Sunday, August 30, 2009

UFC Fighter knocks out his opponent in 7 seconds!



You know you're good when you question a seven second knockout. Todd Duffee walked across the Octagon and floored Tim Hague with a jab. Down went the big Canadian where he was greeted with eight more shots in five seconds. A left on the ground made Hague go limp, that's when referee Mario Yamasaki jumped in to give Duffee the knockout victory in UFC debut with 4:53 left in the first round in the third fight of the night at UFC 102 in Portland.

When asked about the seven second win, Duffee said, "I think it was six seconds."

UPDATE: Duffee told Cagewriter during the postfight that he was actually saying he thought the previous record was six seconds. He wasn't claiming that he had accomplished the feat in six seconds. Although if you looked at the clock when the fight was stopped at 4:54, it was pretty close.


The knockout was a UFC record surpassing the previous mark of eight seconds set by James Irvin over Houston Alexander at Ultimate Fight Night 13 and Don Fyre over Thomas Ramirez at UFC 8.

Duffee (6-0, 1-0 UFC), who looks like Brock Lesnar Jr., at a muscular 6-foot-4, 251 pounds obviously possesses massive power. The 23-year-old fights out of American Top Team in South Florida and now has six victories all by knockout.

*source: sports.yahoo.com

Saturday, August 29, 2009



BAGHDAD – An Iraqi journalist imprisoned for hurling his shoes at former President George W. Bush will be released next month after his sentence was reduced for good behavior, his lawyer said Saturday.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi's act of protest during Bush's last visit to Iraq as president turned the 30-year-old reporter into a folk hero across the Arab world, as his case became a rallying point for critics who resented the 2003 U.S. invasion and occupation.

"Al-Zeidi's shoes were a suitable farewell for Bush's deeds in Iraq," Sunni lawmaker Dhafir al-Ani said in welcoming the early release. "Al-Zeidi's act expressed the real will and feelings of the Iraqi people. His anger against Bush was the result of the suffering of his countrymen."

The journalist has been in custody since the Dec. 14 outburst, which occurred as Bush was holding a news conference with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Al-Maliki, who was standing next to Bush at the time, was said to have been deeply offended by the act.

Al-Zeidi was initially sentenced to three years in prison after pleading not guilty to assaulting a foreign leader. The court reduced it to one year because the journalist had no prior criminal history.

Defense attorney Karim al-Shujairi said al-Zeidi will now be released on Sept. 14, three months early.

"We have been informed officially about the court decision," al-Shujairi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "His release will be a victory for the free and honorable Iraqi media."

Judicial spokesman Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar said he had no immediate information about the release because it was a weekend.

Followers of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who were among the leaders of many of the demonstrations demanding al-Zeidi's release, welcomed the decision to free him early.

"We believe that al-Zeidi did not commit any crime but only expressed the will of the Iraqi people in rejecting the U.S. occupation," Sadrist lawmaker Falah Shanshal said. "Al-Zeidi's image will always be a heroic one."

The bizarre act of defiance transformed the obscure reporter from a minor TV station into a national hero to many Iraqis fed up with the U.S. presence.

Thousands demonstrated for al-Zeidi's release and hailed his gesture. A sofa-sized sculpture of a shoe was erected in his honor in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, but the Iraqi government later ordered it removed.

Neither leader was injured, but Bush was forced to duck for cover as the journalist shouted in Arabic: "This is your farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

The case's investigating judge has said the journalist was struck about the face and eyes, apparently by security agents who wrestled him to the ground and dragged him away.

Al-Zeidi's family has said he was also mistreated while in custody, although the government has denied the allegation.

"We thank God that he will be released, although we still fear for his safety since he is still in the prison," his brother Dargham said. "He will be released full of pride and strength from all the love he has received from the Iraqi people and international organizations and figures who advocate freedom."

*source: news.yahoo.com

Monday, August 24, 2009

Miss Universe 2009 - Question and Answer portion

Check out this question and answer portion of the recently concluded Miss Universe 2009 in the Bahamas.



Congratulations to the winners.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Miss Universe 2009












NASSAU, Bahamas – Miss Venezuela was the fairest of them all, again.

Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez won the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas on Sunday night.

Miss China, Wang Jingyao, was named Miss Congeniality and Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej, won Miss Photogenic.

Many contestants have suffered from dehydration in recent weeks, and Jewel Selver, Miss Turks and Caicos, went home Saturday to recuperate, said Esther Swan, Miss Universe spokeswoman.

Here are the scores of the Swimsuit and Evening Gown round

Top 15 Swimsuit round
Puerto Rico - 9.53
Iceland - 7.73
Albania -7.90
Czech Republic - 8.35
Belgium - 7.87
Dominican republic - 9.18
Sweden - 7.83
Kosovo - 8.79
Australia - 9.26
France - 8.6
Switzerland - 8.61
south Africa - 8.46
USA - 8.06
Venezuela - 8.76

Top 10 Evening Gown
Australia - 9.03
Venezuela - 8.86
south Africa - 8.04
Dominican Republic - 9.42
Kosovo- 9.25
Czech Republic - 8.01
Switzerland - 7.89
Puerto Rico - 9.05
USA - 7.55
France - 8.65

China - Miss Congeniality
Thailand - Miss Photogenic

Congratulations to the winners.

Results of Miss Universe 2009

Here are the winners of the recently concluded Miss Universe 2009

Venezuela - Miss Universe 2009



Dominican Republic - 1st runner up


Kosovo - 2nd runner up


Australia - 3rd runner up


Puerto Rico - 4th runner up



Congratulations to the winners! ^^

Friday, August 21, 2009

Let's Support Pamela Bianca Manalo



*photo source: adventuresofabeautyqueen.wordpress.com

Lets support our very own Binibining Pilipinas 2009 – Universe
Pamela Bianca Manalo on her quest to capture the crown on the Miss Universe 2009 in the Bahamas. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

*Note: click on her name to link you to the official Miss Universe site.

Trees


* photo source: depts.washington.edu

Earlier today, I was riding a V-hire (public utility van) going to work. As i was travelling i noticed that along the Reclamation Area it was too hot and most of the people there would desperately look for a shade to escape the Sun's blistering heat.

I noticed that there were very few trees left around that area, most trees were planted in the middle of the street along the island to separate the vehicles going opposite ways.

I arrived in one of the famous malls in Cebu and also noticed that street beggars running towards those cars who would stop and try to beg for money of food. Once the the traffic light turns green those children would crample on a small shade to escape the heat of the sun.

Weather pattern around the world isn't normal anymore, big factor is the Global Warming. Let's plant more trees so that we can have more shades, have a more fresher air, more on everything.

Hopefully there will be more trees in the future, for our future generations sake and to have a healthy mother earth.


Save Mother Nature!

Usain Bolt defeats his own 200m world record


* photo source: neatorama.cachefly.net

In the past 15 months, Usain Bolt has won three Olympic golds, a world championship and set four world records. But tonight may been his most impressive feat yet.

The Jamaican sprint star shattered his own world record in the 200m at the world track and field championships in Berlin, running a scintillating 19.19 and besting the second place finisher by over six-tenths of a second. His old record, set in Beijing, was 19.30.

Few people (including myself) thought Bolt had a realistic chance of setting a
tonight, as his run in Beijing was widely considered a "perfect race". Coupled with the fact that Bolt's turns have been less than stellar this season, and it was assumed he'd win the race with ease, but just off his Beijing pace.

Instead, Bolt burst out of the blocks, had a five-meter lead at the midway point and then accelerated down the stretch for yet another dominating victory.

For the first time since he came onto the international scene last year, Bolt looked fatigued at the finish. Usually he barely breaks a sweat during his races, but today he was huffing and puffing during the final 15 meters. So much for the criticism that he was too lackadaisical at the end of his races.

After the race, Bolt collapsed in joy on the track, took a victory lap with the Jamaican flag, staged a race with the championship's mascot and had his hand kissed by a cameraman.

When told that he has now won five consecutive international titles and set a world record in each of those races, shook his head in disbelief, almost as if he didn't believe it. Join the club.

* source: sports.yahoo.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A young Filipino Boxing Prospect

I personally met a young boxing prospect from the Ala Gym of the Philippines, his name is Milan Melindo a.k.a. Milenyo. He's a world rated boxer from different boxing organizations.

He called me kLasmiT which means classmate when i met him. He's a very good guy who loves to joke and smile. He said he's determined to become a world champion and will work hard to achieve it. Hope he becomes One someday.

Go Milan Melindo!



* photo source: www.alaboxing.com

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Too Hot to Handle



Angelina Jolie has been MIA on the red carpet recently, but the A-list actress made a triumphant return at the premiere of her man Brad Pitt's latest film, "Inglourious Basterds," in a black strapless leather dress courtesy of Michael Kors.

* source: www.omg.yahoo.com

Monday, August 10, 2009

Woods to be fined for criticism of rules official



CHASKA, Minn. (AP)—
TigerWoods
will be fined by the
PGA Tour
for his public criticism of a rules official after winning the Bridgestone Invitational, a tour official said Monday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the tour does not publicize fines.


Woods
was bothered after his four-shot victory Sunday because he and Padraig Harrington were put on the clock at the par-5 16th. He said that caused Harrington to rush three difficult shots, leading to triple bogey.

European Tour chief referee John Paramor told
Woods
and Harrington they were being timed.


Woods
said he told Harrington after it was over, “I’m sorry that John got in the way of a great battle.”

Paramor said the final pairing was well behind most of the back nine, but officials gave them time to catch up. They were still 17 minutes out of position on the 16th tee, when they were put on the clock.


Woods
hooked his tee shot, punched out to 178 yards and hit an 8-iron that stopped a foot from the hole for birdie. From the right trees, Harrington hit a 5-iron to the edge of a bunker, went over the green, then hit a flop shot too hard and into the water. The four-shot swing took the drama from one of the most compelling final rounds of the year.

“I don’t think that Paddy would have hit the pitch shot that way if he was able to take his time, look at it, analyze it,”
Woods
said. “But he was on the clock, had to get up there quickly and hit it.”

Harrington conceded he was rushed, although he said it would be unfair to give the final group preferential treatment.

Section VI-D in the
PGA Tour's
player handbook says, “It is an obligation of membership to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage tournaments, sponsors, fellow members, players, or
PGA Tour
.”

*source: www.yahoo.com

Tom Cruise's son in "Red Dawn" remake (Reuters)




LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) -
Tom Cruise's
son is among the newest Wolverines to join the remake of "Red Dawn," the 1984 action movie about a group of teenagers who form an insurgency when their town is invaded -- this time by Chinese and Russian soldiers.

Connor Cruise, 14, will join fellow new recruits Josh Hutcherson, Isabel Lucas and Edwin Hodge in the MGM/UA project. Already cast are Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki.

Cruise is playing Daryl, the mayor's son and best friend of tech geek Robert (Hutcherson, in the role originated by C. Thomas Howell).

Lucas is Erica, head cheerleader and the Peck character's girlfriend whom he desperately hopes to spring from an internment camp. Lea Thompson played the character in the original. Hodge will play Danny, the coolest kid in school and star wide receiver who helps establish the resistance.

The young cast heads off in a few weeks for military training in an undisclosed location. Shooting will then begin in Detroit for a September 24, 2010 release. Dan Bradley is directing

Cruise debuted in December as the young
Will Smith
character in "Seven Pounds." Hutcherson starred in "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Bridge to Terabithia." Lucas recently appeared in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Hodge has a recurring role on Fox's "Mental" and recently appeared in the feature "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane."

* source: www.yahoo.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

10 Food You think Are Healthy but in Reality they aren't



To build muscle & lose fat, 90% of your diet must consist of whole unprocessed foods. That’s anything that doesn’t come out of a box like meats, veggies, eggs, fruits, etc. Eating 6 meals/day leaves room for 4 junk meals per week.

You’re already doing that but not getting results? Maybe you’re not eating that healthy. Here are 10 foods you might think are healthy because they’re labeled as such, but which in reality are anything but healthy.


1. Breakfast Cereals. Cereals are labeled healthy & nutritive and recommended for weight loss. Read the labels: cereals are often high in sugar & salt and their vitamin/mineral content is chemical based. Drop that spoon.

Healthy alternative: one of these 7 breakfast recipes.


2. Granola Bars. Granola bars consist of healthy oats & nuts. But they’re glued together with blood sugar raising ingredients like corn syrup. Some bars even contain chocolate chips, making them as bad as candy bars.

Healthy alternative: homemade protein bars.


3. Yogurt with Fruit at The Bottom. Fat free doesn’t mean healthy. Labels tell you they contain added sugars, corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. Same with fat free frozen yogurts which can contain 20g sugars per 1/2 cup.

Healthy alternative: plain unflavored yogurt mixed with fruit cut into pieces.


4. Bread. Convenient and tastes good, but not as healthy as you think. Whole grain or whole wheat means nothing. Dark bread can still contain corn syrup & trans-fats and eating too much bread will make you fat.

Healthy alternative: Ezekiel Bread, but lower your bread intake.

Bread
Bread is also not as healthy as you think. Image credit: Harald Schmid

5. Sandwiches. Often labelled “fitness” or “light”, but containing sugar-laden salad dressings, little veggies & proteins and too much white bread. Freshness is questionable and you need the foot-long to fill your stomach.

Healthy alternative: make your own sandwiches.


6. Fruit Juice. Even 100% fruit juice has added sugars, usually fructose. Cans of fruit juice contain up to 38g sugar per 8oz. Excess fructose causes obesity, bad cholesterol, poor appetite control, etc.

Healthy alternative: home-made fruit juice or eat fruit.


7. Sport Drinks. Supposed to help you replenish electrolytes, carbs, etc. But it’s actually sugar water, with up to 30g sugar/serving. If you eat healthy and don’t drink 2 gallons water in 1 setting, you don’t risk water intoxication.

Healthy alternative: water during workout, protein + carbs post workout.


8. Fast Food Salads. Contain sugar-laden salad dressings, croutons made from refined white flour or white floor pasta. In many cases you’re better off ordering a double cheeseburger than a chicken salad.

Healthy alternative: make your own salads.


9. Frozen Meals. Nothing is wrong with frozen veggies/fruits. But a lot is wrong with frozen meals often labeled “light” or “healthy”. They’re processed, high in sugar, and come with sauces & sodium. Avoid.

Healthy alternative: cook all your meals for the day in the morning or evening.



10. Diet Soda. Contain artificial sweeteners like the controversed aspartame. Do your research and decide if you want to take the risk. Start with this & this thread on diet soda in StrongLifts.com Forum.

Healthy alternative: water, water with squeezed lemon, green tea.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Freddie Roach: "I don't see the greatness in Mayweather"

Check out what Freddie Roach has to say with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A Seattle bank Teller loses job after chasing a robber



A Bank teller from Seattle loses his job when he chases a Bank robber out of the bank. Jim Nicholson, 30, who had worked for more than two years at a Key Bank branch near the Seattle Center, says he understands the bank's strict policy that employees comply with robbery demands and avoid confrontations

The man wearing a beanie reportedly approached the counter where Nicholson was and demanded for money.

Nicholson threw the bag on the floor and lunged the man and then demanded to see a weapon, the man ran as fast as he could w/ Nicholson in pursuit.

The chase went several blocks until finally knocking out the man on the ground with a help of a passer-by. Nicholson held the man until the police arrived.

On Thursday, Nicholson was fired at his work place with the bank declining to comment on Nicholson's actions.

Police and the FBI discourage such heroics. Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door quickly and are advised against possibly escalating a situation over money that's federally insured.

Nicholson said he understands why he was fired.

"They tell us that we're just supposed to comply, but my instincts kicked in and I did what's best to stop the guy," he said. "I thought if I let him go he would rob more banks and cause more problems."

Seattle police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said the best course for citizens is to be good witnesses to crimes.

The would-be robber, a 29-year-old transient, has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for theft and robbery, according to court records. Charges in the attempted robbery were not immediately filed.

Nicholson said he has run after shoplifters while working at other retail jobs.

"It's something I almost look forward to. It's a thrill and I'm an adrenaline-junkie person. It's the pursuit," he said.

* photo source: www.worldofstock.com

RIP Cory Aquino



May You Rest In Peace Madam
. You have been a very good President and Mother to the country. God Bless your soul and your family.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Powerade Team Pilipinas Final Line - Fiba Asia 2009

Coach Yeng Guiao has named the final line-up of the Powerade-RP Team to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.

Jayjay Helterbrand
Willie Miller
Gabe Norwood
Arwind Santos
Jared Dillinger
Cyrus Baguio
Japeth Aguilar
Kerby Raymundo
Sonny Thoss
James Yap
Asi Taulava
Mick Pennisi

In my honest opinion, it would be a much stronger line up if Jimmy Alapag and Dondon Hontevieros was on the line up. Just my 2 cents. Goodluck to our team!

Powerade Team Pilipinas Placed 6th on the recently concluded Jones Cup



They did there best to perform there plays but came short. Yeng Guiao mentioned that they still have a lot on their sleeves to watch out for on the Fiba Asia 2009. Let's see what our team can do on the upcoming Fiba Asia Championship. Here's the final overall standings of each teams.

Jones Cup 2009 Final Placing
1st. Iran 6-2
2nd. Jordan 7-1
3rd. Lebanon 6-2
4th. Taiwan A 6-2
5th. Korea 5-3
6th. Philippines 2-6
7th. Taiwan B 2-6
8th. Kazakhstan 1-7
9th. Japan 1-7

Sunday, July 19, 2009

2009 ESPN ESPY Awards

Hosted by actor Samuel L. Jackson which took place at LAs Nokia Theatre last July 15.




8 time Gold Medalist Michael Phelps has won the Best Male Athlete and ended Tiger Woods 5 year reign. The best Male swimmer has Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Championship Performance, and Best Male Olympian.

Manny Pacquiao also won an award for Best Play when he KO'd Ricky Hatton of England in the 2nd Round.



Congrats to the winners!

image from: www.mediabistro.com, www.mannypacquiao.ph

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Inter Call Center Basketball 2009 Team Standings

* July 13, 2009 Results

1st Game
Qualfon 66 Eperformax 49

2nd Game
Teletech - 61 Calltek - 50

3rd Game
Western Wats - 77 1&1 - 69


Team Standings as of July 13, 2009

Bracket A

1-0 eTelecare
2-0 Teletech
1-0 ICT
1-1 Wipro
2-1 Western Wats
0-2 Calltek
0-3 1&1


Bracket B

2-0 Convergys
1-0 Aegis PeopleSupport
2-0 Qualfon
0-1 Lexmark
0-2 Eperformax
0-2 Global

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Inter Call Center Basketball 2009 Team Standings

Here are the latest standings of the Inter Callcenter League, hopefully i can keep you guys updated on the league. I'll post the video and pictures soon. Stay Tuned.

Bracket A

1-0 eTelecare
1-0 Teletech
1-0 Western Wats
0-0 ICT
0-1 Wipro
0-1 1&1
0-1 Calltek


Bracket B

1-0 Aegis PeopleSupport
1-0 Convergys
1-0 Qualfon
0-1 Global
0-1 Lexmark
0-1 Eperformax

Monday, July 6, 2009

Slumdog Kid Finally Moves Into New Home



Slumdog kid Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail has finally moved to a new home. His family has been living in the road for so many years that they never dreamed of having roof over their heads.

Director & Producer Danny Boyle bought a home for the little star and his family for $50,000.

The Jai Ho Trust is still searching for a home for Slumdog cutie Rubina Ali and her family.

The talented kid deserves his new home, hopefully he'll be able to receive more blessings. Keep it up Ismail! ^^

Friday, July 3, 2009

Inter Call Center Basketball 2009 Season

Hello Friends!

July 04,2009 will be the start of the Inter Callcenter Basketball League where all the BPO companies will be joining for the love of Basketball. I am excited for this league because our team have worked so hard and hopefully we'll be able to win games. Goodluck to all the teams that will be joining.

These are the teams that will be joining the league and their corresponding brackets:

BRACKET A
A WIPRO
B ETELECARE
C CALLTEK
D ICT
E TELETECH
F 1&1

BRACKET B
A2 LEXMARK
B2 AEGIS PS
C2 QUALFON
D2 GLOBAL
E2 CONVERGYS
F2 EPERFORMAX

I will post the pictures and videos soon. So please stay tuned to my blog. ^^

Thursday, July 2, 2009

A GIRL's TRUTH



You might want to read along..

Most of this is SO true. Girls really do like when you do these things..
Don't close it. Read till the end..


1. When she walks away from you mad
= [Follow her]
2. When she stares at your lips
= [Kiss her]
3. When she pushes you or hits you
= [Grab her and don't let go]
4. When she starts cursing at you
= Kiss her and tell her you love her
5. When she's quiet
= Ask her what's wrong
6. When she ignores you
= Give her your attention
7. When she pulls away
= Pull her back
8. When you see her at her worst
= Tell her she's beautiful
9. When you see her start crying = [Just hold her and don't say a word]
10. When you see her walking
= Sneak up and hug her waist from behind

11. When she's scared
= Protect her
12. When she lays her head on your shoulder
= Tilt her head up and kiss her
13. When she steals your favorite hat
= Let her keep it and sleep with it for a night
14. When she teases you
= Tease her back and make her laugh
15. When she doesn't answer for a long time
= reassure her that everything is okay
16. When she looks at you with doubt
= Back yourself up with the TRUTH
17. When she says that she loves you
= she really does more than you could understand
18. When she grabs your hands
= Hold her's and play with her fingers
19. When she bumps into you
= bump into her back and make her laugh
20. When she tells you a secret
= keep it safe and untold

21. When she looks at you in your eyes
= don't look away until she does
22. WHEN SHE MISSES YOU
= SHES HURTING INSIDE
23. When you break her heart
= the pain NEVER really goes away
24. When she says its over
= she STILL wants you to be hers
25. When she reposts this bulletin
= she wants you to read it



- Stay on the phone with her even if she's not saying anything
- DON'T let her have the last word
- NEVER call her hot
- Pretty and beautiful is SO much better
- Say you love her more than she could ever love you
- Argue that she is the best girl ever
- When she's mad hug her tight and don't let go
- When she says she's ok don't believe it, talk with her
- Because 10 yrs later she'll remember you
- Call her at 12:00am on her birthday to tell her you love her
- Call her before you sleep and after you wake up
- Treat her like she's all that matters to you
- Tease her and let her tease you back
-Stay up all night with her when she's sick
- Watch her favorite movie with her or her favorite show even if you think its stupid
- Give her the world
- Let her wear your clothes
- When she's bored and sad, hang out with her
- Let her know she's important
- Kiss her in the pouring rain
- When she runs up at you crying, the first thing you say is; Who's ass am I kicking today baby?



Don't Hurt Women, they're created to be loved and cared by God. I Love My Yo. ^^

By Request: Boys Over Flowers


Alternative Title: Meteor Garden / Hana Yori Dango
Genre: Comedy, Romance


Jan Di is an average girl whose family owns a dry-cleaning shop that is located near the luxurious and well-known Shin Hwa College.
Jan Di meets the four most richest and spoiled boys when she delivers laundry to the school one day.
The boys are known as the F4 and cause trouble to those who speak out against them.


Koo Hye Sun as GEUM JAN DI

Because of her love for swimming, commoner Geum Jan Di gets a scholarship at Shin Hwa High. What sets her apart despite her unpopular personality is her courage and optimism. She stands by her principle and willing to take on any blow intended for her friends. And it is also because of this character that she sweeps the arrogant and powerful F4 leader, Goo Jun Pyo is off his feet.


Lee Min Ho as GOO JUN PYO

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, the mean and arrogant Joon Pyo has always believed that there is nothing that money cannot buy. But all of that changed when he meets Jan Di who teaches him humility and that everyone is equal when it comes to love.


Kim Hyun Joong as YOON JI HOO

Grandson of the former President and second member of the F4. He is Jun Pyo’s best friend and Jan Di’s first love. Ji Hoo is musically inclined and can play the violin, guitar, harmonica, piano or conduct symphonies. He epitomizes the prince charming in fairy tales and eventually finds himself falling for Jan Di’s charms.


Kim Bum as SO YI JUNG

F4’s perennial playboy and a talented potter too. Handsome and gifted with a brilliant smile, Yi Jung has also a knack with sweet words that could make any woman fall for him. Even Geum Jan Di’s good friend, Chu Ga Eul could not escape his charming ways.


Kim Joon as SONG WOO BIN

The young master of a real estate construction company that owns half of Jeju. Among the members of F4, Woo Bin is the most-skilled and capable that even Jun Pyo would not contest. He keeps the peace among F4 members and protects his friends when trouble looms.

* Photos and Info's from www.abs-cbn.com

Friday, June 26, 2009

Fans of the King of Pop

Fans of the King of Pop gather in sadness.. May you rest in Peace..

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Photos: www.gettyimages.com