Imogen Heap: Warp your way to electric dreams

Then I was 3 years too late…

I was never into ambient and electronica that much, until a friend of mine- Isabelle, whose very much into this contraption, introduced to me a couple of Imogen and Frou frou’s treat for the hearing. I on the other hand, got a bit reluctant at first to hear but eventually got the guts and curiosity to try out a few songs off from her 2004-05 Speak for yourself album and boom! The headphones never wore off since then- to the point that even at home I’ve gotten the habit of putting myself to bed with a cue of her songs playing.

With power tracks like: “Headlock”, “Goodnight and go”, “Have you got it in you”, “Hide and seek”- a strange concoction of musicality, “Clear the area” – my personal favorite along with “The walk”

I eventually entered her powerhouse and asked for more of her hits from everyone who has a collection of her songs, some of which led me to her now- defunct band Frou frou hits (My favorites include: “Maddening shroud”, “Must be dreaming”, “Psychobabble”, and “Shh” and an array of her other offerings.

Perhaps, in this day and age this artist from the UK and her music rocks! Imogen is a must tripper as it gives the ears something new and nostalgic, away from the clutches of guitars, heavy theatrics and stuff. I’ve tried her stuff and I’m feeling it way down in my dreams and so should you!

For Imogen fans out there, pay her site a visit for more news and updates of her tours and stuff at: www.imogenheap.com

P.S. Kudos Imogen heap!!!

Source: http://yuwie.com/jovir

Message in a Bottle

An Unsung Mother's Tragedy: Sullivan

Here's one more song to ponder that caught my ear in the late 90's, and it still rings a ding. Its all about a mother's grief and tragic loss of all her sons during world war II a.k.a the Sullivan brothers who were enlisted in the navy.

Really cool song from Caroline Spine to give a thought on the message that "War is not always the answer" and maybe to open up the eyes of everyone to the veterans who paid blood, sweat, and tears for their countries during the world wars.

Source: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir


Sullivan
Caroline Spine

It's not hard to reach back to the day
underneath that Iowa sun
running to the tower of waterloo
looking for the Sullivan's train to come
and his five boys would run to the top
and salute him as he went by
first we'd wave hello
then we'd wave goodbye
goodbye...

It's not hard to reach back to the days
after the attack on pearl
overnight my buddies turned into men
running out of time for games and girls
and the Sullivan boys were not overlooked
Uncle Sam'll call them each by name
the very next day they left on a mystery train

Say goodbye, Mrs. Sullivan
and don't you cry
"-We regret to inform you
the Navy has taken your sons away-"
all five... so put your blue stars in the window

It's not hard to reach back to her smile
when she'd receive a letter
and the letters they sounded generally the same
they said if they couldn't be home
but at least they were together
on a mighty fighting battleship
somewhere in the South Pacific
the letters never got much more specific

Say goodbye, Mrs. Sullivan
and don't you cry
"-We regret to inform you
the Navy is keeping your sons away-"
all five... so keep your blue star in the window

It's not hard to reach back to the day
when the war finally came home
Uncle Sam will send you a telegram
so he doesn't have to tell you over the phone
i heard she cracked up
when they found out what the war had cost
when all five of her boys were lost...

Say goodbye, Mrs. Sullivan
go ahead and cry
"-We regret to inform you
that all your sons have passed away-"
all five... so change your blue star to gold

blue star to gold...

View the Photo and click Play for audio.

Message in a Bottle

A Rural- Urban Legend: Warlito "Waway" Toledo- Man or Myth?

"Be sure to lock your doors and keep your windows closed at night, be sure to keep the women and children out of sight, for teenagers it is a whole lot forbidden to take strolls and night-outs especially during the wee hours of the night; as he is on the prowl and looking for the next victim to pounce upon; among his favorites are those that are left home-alone..."

These are but some of the words that can be heard circulating in the Northern City of Danao and the towns:Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion that supposedly sheds the light on the man or myth "Waway", the former victim of foul deed-gone berserk, and is looking for justice on what has happened to his wife; one fateful night while they were resting after laboring for a sugar cane plantation harvest.They were supposedly robbed and attacked by armed men, and in front of Waway's eyes his wife was raped and brutally killed, and he was stabbed and shot several times and was also left for dead. He managed to survive the wounds and the grave ordeal,but has gone berserk and became a serial- killer since then.

Sudden news broke out about 3 months ago, with matching posters and flyers plus the supposed picture of "Waway" being posted 'round Danao, Compostela, and Liloan reminding everyone to be on the lookout for the dangerous criminal and be vigilant to call the authorities at his sighting.

I got the chance to hear news about him, when i overheard my cousin mention that he's going to bed early and watch over his house to safeguard against "Waway". I made him tell the story but to my bewilderment as i thought, that by now the police in my town, should this guy be on the loose; would be scampering checkpoints and night patrols,not to mention that a news "scoop" like this surely will never escape the nose of the media.

I heard some neighbors talk that he supposedly attacked a woman in Danao (raped and then supposedly plucked out one of her breasts thereafter.)Others would say that he has victimized another woman from one of the mountainous barangays in Compostela; and just recently, his sighting on far-away Lapu-Lapu; then the story would be told all over again, with different versions this time!(Another case of the Habal-habal story?)

This guy's popularity coupled with the tale and the posting seems authentic indeed, that it has attracted some attention from the media, and some prominent personalities scoured the town police stations for the authenticity of his story and the corresponding details that go with it, but to no avail; Policemen either don't have him in their records or would just say that he never existed; but a spark did came when a precinct from Danao; i think, commented that they have a record of him on a case back in 2004 and that it was the relatives of "Waway" that allegedly posted pictures of him around the city and the surrounding towns. Where the scare started, I've never known.

Provided that this guy's tale and what he does is true; has everyone on a scare-and a good thing mind you, as the streets became empty of late-night brawls of gangs and hang-outers!

People would say that he's out there on the prowl and that everyone is reminded to be home at night with the men to be always on the lookout for their women and children.

Still the question remains, is he a man or just another myth?...

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir
Source: Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercises: Writing Back Cover Stories

The Assignment:

According to Jim Kochenburger, VP-Townhall Press, a research shows that most people spend less than 15 seconds reading the back cover of a book before deciding to purchase.

The book's back cover is a sales pitch and nothing else – it’s about engaging a potential reader's interest to cross the threshold of the book. You want action. You want to get people to look inside your book—or better yet, to buy it. Your back cover is the last piece of promotional material that hits potential purchasers on their way to pay.

Today’s exercise is an attempt to writing a back cover copy. Select one from the titles and explore. And from the story that plays around on your head, you may come up with a back cover copy. A good goal for cover copy is 150 words, 200 if you must.

1. The Last Outrage
2. Strangers in Paradise
3. The Year of Yes
4. The Devil in the White City
5. A Life in Two Genders
6. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café
7. Sleeping with the Fishes

***Below is what I came
up with for my choice, (The Last Outrage) I made up a story based on the popular PC strategy game : Battle Realms...

The Last Outrage

Mordikai, the country besieged by war is the setting for this awe inspiring sequel to last year’s best seller- Conspiracy at the Trenches.

Kenji, now aided by the heroic band of warriors from the Wolf Clan began the treacherous journey to the Kingdom of Levi to save Reva, the demi-god druid and Kenji’s love interest now held captive by the Cult of Samael on the bowels of Mount Shinja.

On the way, they will battle and make friends with the noble but deadly band of notorious thieves known as the Serpent Clan and will cross paths with the defiant band of Mordikai’s warrior-elite, the Dragon warriors. See how Kenji survives a near fatal blow that will lead him and his warriors at the mercy of Mordikai’s most powerful clan- Lotus.

The country’s tide will turn as Kenji, thru a duel of swords, is able to slay Arachnid- the treacherous Lotus pack master; and will in turn be proclaimed as the clan’s new leader.

Swords and Sorcery will clash once again as Kenji lead the united clans to go and battle the dreaded Berserker and his evil Samaels.

Will Reva be freed and will Mordikai’s peace be restored?...

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Source: Message in a Bottle

Talk about discipline: The Dancing Inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC)

Here's one cool way to practice discipline in prison! Just imagine the hard work that everybody from the jail guards down to the inmates puts into this activity- and it's daily mind you!

These inmates from the Island of Cebu, Philippines is now in the walk of fame worldwide courtesy of their videos thru You Tube featuring their Algorithm dance moves and more!.

I've got my hat's off to those responsible for this activity, as this is one way to channel the inmates' energy to do creative things instead of minding riots and gangs amidst the weighing, and worsening population amongst our penitentiaries.

hmmm...wished every penitentiary would follow their example someday.

Check out their moves on this video; Radio Gaga- by Queen.

Source: Message in a Bottle
View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Writing Exercises: Making a Super-product Flyer

In the writer's pool we had a stretch to make a flyer copy for a super product we can think of, in an hour, complete with loads of information for the product in one small piece of paper and still manage to keep it interesting to sell even if the product itself may come as boring.

Here's what i came up with...hahaha

Time Capsule Coffin ZXD

In 201 B.C. the Pharaohs of Egypt built the great pyramids to settle in when they die and to preserve their bodies,watching the eons pass by...

Well, they gave us wonders to see, but did their sarcophagi and pyramids held true to their motive?

From the makers of NASA Space capsules – Pantheon Technologies Ltd. comes the state of the art innovation of a funeral equipment that everybody most offend neglects and hates the sight of – the traditional coffin.

Now you’ll never be afraid of death and look at coffins the same way again with Time Capsule Coffin ZXD complete with technological features:

• Titanium Exoskeleton for maximum protection from the elements and the wear and tear of time
  

• NBC (Nuclear, Biochemical, and Chemical) shield
• Lifetime- Environment Microchip Controller, giving you the right amount of moisture and preservative- for that fresh first day of death look
• EVAC INI- Evacuation Initiator, with all-terrain wheels and rocket boosters (Your computer guardian complete with danger sensors to automatically transfer you to another area in cases of emergency)
  
• Light Weight and No Batteries! – Time capsule coffins come with self producing power paint that will last as long your coffin does
• Comes in Custom-made Stylish Colors and Designs that will surely fit you and your lifestyle

With Time Capsule Coffin ZXD, unlike the foolish pharaohs, why would you just live for one lifetime when you can last FOREVER…

Visit our website now at: www.pantheontech.com or call our toll free hotline at: 1-800-622. Our friendly technicians will attend to your needs 24/7. Just contact us thru these details and we’ll visit, advice, and give a quote on the unit that you want, wherever you are in the World!

Pantheon Technologies Ltd.

Harnessing technology to stand the test of time

www.pantheontech.com

Check the Earplugz: My Dizzler Playlist

So nice to sit down on the beach and listen to my Dizzler playlist. Check it out and enjoy!

Transformers: More than meets the eye

Certainly the best movie up to date! Had fun watching it and felt a deep sense of satisfaction just watching one of my childhood hero series come alive on screen.

I had anticipated the release of this movie (tagging along our favorite munchies) and I’m glad to say along with millions more autobot fans out there that the movie producers have outdone themselves this time. A loud Bravo and kudos to all of you!

Last July 7, 2007 I went along with Jasmin to watch the movie at SM City Cebu, and man the place was fully packed with some comforting themselves, either sitting on the stairs or leaning against the walls!

Lucky I brought along my lighter as I was able to spot two seats near the center row and quickly settled in before somebody spot the comforting bays; (you'll have to be nimble in these situations)

Talk about a hell of a movie, the action scenes and CGI effects knocked me off my seat! Plus, the plot is cool; although some slight changes were employed (The all spark story and Optimus’ hot rod looks) Where the hell is omega when you need him?

Anyways, turning my attention once in a while to discuss the characters and powers to my awe amazed girlfriend (who’s just been introduced to the Transformers universe by the way; too much muggles and wizardry on her mind) I had a chance to catch a glimpse of the people around us, with whom as the movie progressed, just fixed their eyes onscreen silent and dumb founded.

The movie ended with a standing ovation, with all of us filling the cinema with laughter and loud clapping.

Never have I seen a CGI movie (much more a transformers movie) with so much impact on an audience. Autobots, transform and roll out!

Message in a Bottle