Mitsuru

Guilty as charged. Yes, I have not updated my blog for a month and a day. I have been remiss with my bloghopping, too… I guess I am just in hibernation mode (okay, lazy mood) ever since I saw the mole lazily crawling out of his hole while walking around Elizabeth Park in Trenton early in Autumn. I took a picture of his fat ass but I forgot to ask the gray mammal about his predictions for the season. But the way I see it and based on the events that occurred the past weeks, it will be a long nasty winter. The gray mornings, gloomy afternoons and long nights probably further contributed to the situation too. The mood is just somber and sometimes when that evil idiot box possesses you as soon as your butt touches the couch after a long hard day, you can bet that it will be glued there for hours and hours until you fall asleep, snoring and snugly fitting into its bosom until the alarm clock wakes you up at six the next day. It has become a cycle for me that I decided to exorcise the demon...

First, in came the rain, then the wind. Then later, in came the snow and the chill. And then in came nothing but gnawing numbness… Autumn is fast going by and soon winter, the notorious Michigan winter will soon be knocking at my door. And I, a transplanted mortal from another world will have to cope with it day-to-day, and on the hostile weather’s term, at that- which means having to contend with slippery drives in the snow, fishtailing and skidding on treacherous icy roads, and going 60 mph in blizzard conditions. Mornings are a notch colder this year as compared to the previous years owing to the so- called “lake effect” phenomenon because of the mere fact that Michigan is not being called the Great Lakes State for nothing; but having 4 of the 5 (read: HOMES for Huron, Ontario+, Michigan, Erie and Superior) traversing its shores, you can only expect both its blessings and curses in uncanny fashion. Speaking of fashion, although I do not walk on a hot tin roof, I do find myself tip-...

No, this picture doesn’t paint a thousand words but it shows US Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama speaking on the phone while holding the receiver upside down which became the stuff of urban legend early in the year which of course as expected proven to be fake . But this photo is genuine and this is a flier for a phone sex hotline. No, this post is not because I patronize those sex hotlines being advertised on late night TV but this is because of what the Democrats in Michigan re-defining the hotline concept in this year’s presidential campaign. Here’s an excerpt of what the Associated Press reported the other day-- DETROIT -- A flier sent by Michigan Democrats featuring a photo of Barack Obama that urged voters to submit an absentee ballot application includes a telephone number connecting callers to a phone sex line... Now, that's a real hotline to Barack, if you ask me. Say again, Ooh- Bah- Maah?

Allan Caidic , once one of the most feared shooters in the Asian Games as well as in the Philippine Basketball Association’s history, is also my favorite local ball player next to the Skywalker Samboy Lim . Oh yes, the number 8 is the Triggerman ’s number. On a parallel note, like him I can also hit those shots from downtown. I’ve won some moolah in friendly bets and also hit some game- winning shots in pick- up games, too. But no, just to crush whatever notion in your mind, I am not NBA- material that is worth your while (although my 3- point shot is within its standard range). I am not a qualified Liga ng mga Barangay hotshot either. I can’t outrun the youngsters anymore and would find myself huffing and puffing just minutes into the intense basketball skirmishes that characterize the Filipino brand of basketball in my neck of the woods. I am now actually more comfortable in trying to unseat Richard Gomez as the image model of that Philippine clothing company that he endorses and ...

In my mind, I’m back in the place I love the most, a place where whenever I think of, brings a lot of memories. Of sweet memories that will forever be a part of me no matter where this vagabond life will take me. Back in the day, I never even thought of being in this cold, cold place that’s been my home for the last 5 years, most of all, of packing my bags, of leaving the old country for good and of being thousands of miles away from “home”. I guess I am/was just a simple man, more at home in the simple life. I am/was a man with simple dreams wherein deep inside abhor the bright lights of the great country. That’s why for the longest time, I tried to shy away from its pull. But like the nymph dangling her magic potion to her unsuspecting victim, I finally succumbed to her allure. And if you ask me now that if I could turn back the hands of time and do it all over again, would I still do it the same way? Yeah, sure. I don’t know. Maybe. Who knows? Who cares? I had my reasons back then ...

“Hindi rin ako nayamot sa tren gaya sa bapor ngunit ako’y masiadong nag-iisa kaya halos lahat ng aking mga kasama, nagsisilapit at minsan-minsan akong hinahanap. Mayroon tuloy akong nakilalang isang Ingles na may gustong pumunta sa P.I. [Philippine Islands] at dalawang Amerikano na doon ang tungo. Ang isa ay sundalo at madalas akong kinakausap ng Kastila at Tagalog. Ang unang tanong sa akin ay ang Sampaloc at ‘Mucho bueno ba ang puki Espanol?’ “Mayroon namang isang matandang Americano na sa dining coach ay kinausap ako agad ng Kastila. Nang sinabi ko na ako’y Filipino ay agad tinanong ako ng opinion ko about our independencia. Sina [not legible] siya na kung ako’y gagawing Presidente ay dapat na ngang maging independiente tayo ngunit kung hindi ay huwag nang ibigay kahit kelan. Sapagkat kung hindi rin ako gagawing presidente o emperador ay hindi mawawala ang partido ng mangkukulam. “Bago kami makaraan ng Salt Lake ay nakakita ako ng mina at conejo. “Ang hindi ko gusto ay ang aking pa...

Sex a 'hassle,' says 105-year-old virgin Agence France-Presse | 10/10/2008 7:05 PM LONDON - A British woman who celebrated her 105th birthday this week said the secret to long life was celibacy, adding that she imagined sex was a "lot of hassle." Clara Meadmore, who marked her birthday with a drop of wine at the Perran Bay nursing home in Cornwall, southwest England, also received a card from Queen Elizabeth II. "People have asked me whether I am a homosexual and the answer is no," Meadmore said. "I have just never been interested in sex. "I imagine there is a lot of hassle involved and I have always been busy doing other things." Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1903, Meadmore lived in Canada and New Zealand as a child before returning to Britain in her 20s to work as a secretary and housekeeper. She served with the army in Egypt during World War II, and subsequently lived in London and New Zealand before retiring 40 years ago in Cornwall. Hmmm,...

If you find the film clip below funny then there must be something wrong with your head. In this day and age, this kind of show which pokes fun at other people, races or statures in life has no place in a civilized society especially if the main aim is to earn some cheap laughs or two. I say, SHAME on the British Broadcasting Corporation (or shall we say, the British Bigotry Corporation?) for ever allowing this sketch to be shown on TV. It may be funny for some especially for the kind of people who patronizes this kind of comedy being served on their laps by Harry & Paul, but for every decent citizen of the world it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. If the people behind Harry and Paul think that they can get away with this particular brand of "British Humor" then they are mistaken for in reality the JOKE is really on them. Ernest Hemingway once wrote in his book and I quote, “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.’

The name's Bond, James Bond... Here' the video of the new 007 Theme, featuring Jack White and Alicia Keys--

Yes, Peter Parker a.k.a. Spidey , if my mole (naks!) is to be believed, will scale and crawl the sacred walls of Broadway next year. This bit of marvelous info is from Mr. David Maisel himself, the chairman of Marvel Studios who revealed the news in an interview while attending the Thomas Weisel Consumer Conference in New York. Mr. Maisel, who once worked in the Great White Way by way of the 1999 Tony- award winning musical Fosse confirmed that the musical has been in the works for the past 3 ½ years. He also revealed that U2 ’s Bono and the Edge were commissioned to do the music and Julie Taymor (The Lion King) was tapped to direct the said musical. This early, it will be interesting to know the songs that U2 will come up for this musical. No, “Itsy- bitsy spider” is not one of them, if you ask me.

Although autumn officially begins tomorrow, I felt its welcome presence as early as a week or two ago when I went out for my early morning jog (okay, walk) around Heritage Park in nearby Taylor. The leaves are beginning to change their hues, the mornings becoming mistier and the dews more pronounced on grasses. Yes, the chill is here, complete with that smoke in your breath and the endless flocks of birds stopping by on their journey to a place that is far, safe and warm. Although Fall is very conducive for writing, I am not inclined to start anything. No, not yet. My pen is still in hibernation while my mind is elsewhere, somewhere… I am just in escapist’s mood lately-- I have been watching a lot of movies whether it was from the DVDs that I borrowed from the local library or in the nearby Dollar Theater in Allen Park. Just yesterday morning, I went to watch Righteous Kill , the new De Niro/ Pacino movie for $4 at the MJR Digital Cinema. I availed myself of the Super Saver promo whe...

You used to tell me when I would admonish you about your drinking that just like Edgar Allan Poe with his Amontillado, you need your beer to summon the creative spirit from deep within you. Yes, you were quite an artist albeit a temperamental one everyday you pursued the muses, challenged the gods and wrestled with the demons that came your way. Although in the end you succumbed to the frailties that made and unmade you. This I can say-- You put up a good fight, laughed your heart out and enjoyed the ride… Tonight, I will drink a bottle of beer in your honor but instead of an Ice-cold San Miguel, I’ll toast a Michelob for you. So, I say Kampai to you Akihiko! +++ My Japanese father AKI was born in autumn 2 years after the end of the Second World War and left in May, 18 summers ago to play chess and drink with his buddies in the great beyond. He would have been 61 today. # I'll share with you this lovely piece of music by Stanley Myers. It is the theme from o...

Monroe St. Dearborn, MI "My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places." -- A. A. Milne

I was 13 and had just came back from a day of playing ball with some friends in the neighborhood basketball court when I saw my Lolo and Lola huddled with serious looks on their faces around the old Sanyo, listening intently to the commentator’s pronouncements and unmindful of everything around them. After the radio announcement, my Lolo could only mutter in his soft voice that, “Marcos is finished.” The assassination of Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. or Ninoy on August 21, 1983 further stirred my interest in Philippine politics. I decided to know him better and managed to learn more about him-- from the stories and anecdotes passed on by people who were old enough to remember him to the old issues of the Philippine Free Press and other magazines in our possessions at that time. My uncle who was in the United States would send us photocopies of the San Jose Mercury News and the New York Times as well as betamax tapes of news about the assassination from foreign networks that were not av...

I am now officially a nocturnal animal. I’ve never been the early- to- bed type of guy though since I am usually up late at night. I mean really late when it comes to catching those precious winks. My normal bed time is actually between 1-2 early morns. But nowadays I am up until 8- 10 in the morning depending on what’s up on my menu. In another world, you can consider that as early, not late. For the record I have not ventured outside my hideaway in the daytime and have never felt the sun shine on my skin. For the past two weeks, I was in another world. My sun became the moon and the moon became my sun. And I am positive that it will remain this way in the next several days or so. I have evolved into a creature of darkness. I am a night owl. No, make that a vampire sans the blood thirst. In my case, my elixir is quite different from these abominable creatures. In my case, you can make that either an ice- cold lager or an equally ice- cold Coca- cola. And throw in some mixed nuts and ...

The picture above of Spain’s national basketball team competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics doing their best “slit- eyed” gestures in a publicity photo for their sponsor is creating a ruckus in the sporting world. The said photo has been regularly running in Spanish newspapers since July and the nosy British newspaper aptly- named the Guardian got wind of it and broke it to the world press. It’s no big deal though for many Spaniards as can be gleaned from Spanish guard Jose Calderon's statements who just shrugged it off and muttered, “We did it because we thought it was going to be something nice…It is too much of a big deal with you guys and everybody talking about it. “ I am not surprised though since the Spaniards are known for that and history can prove that and we don’t need to look back a hundred years to do just that--- Back in 2004, Thierry Henry, a black Frenchman and one of the best soccer players in the world was the subject of racist slur by Luis Aragones, Spain’s mana...

Tomorrow is the start of the three- day Fiesta celebration in my hometown Tiwi in Albay in honor of the town’s Patron Saint, the martyred Saint Lawrence and the Miraculous Our Lady of Salvation, the Patroness of the Diocese of Legaspi. It’s a celebration witnessed and participated upon by various pilgrims from places all over the Bicol region and beyond. Although I am not that religious anymore and a self- confessed non- practicing Catholic nowadays, I just cannot forget the customs and traditions that have been a part of my growing- up years. Yes, I still remember my religion class quite well, also being a “Sacristan” when I was a kid helped me a lot in knowing things beyond the four Evangelists. In fact, I still can recite Padre Huestro and Dios Te Salve Maria in a heartbeat. The Fiesta is usually highlighted by a colorful grand parade through the crowded streets of the town participated by various schools, organizations and local government units and culminating with the tradi...

Drifters in the night Flowers under the moonshine Longing for the Sun... And here's my blog post written two years ago today-- For Whom the Bell Tolls

Back in 1989 when many of friends were reading Mao, Lenin and Marx, I got hold of a book whose narrative were based mostly on eyewitness accounts as well as the writer’s own experiences as a political prisoner inside the Soviet GULag. GULag by the way is an acronym for "Chief Administration for Corrective Labor Camps" which is the name of the Soviet Union’s concentration camp’s governing board. The three- volume Arkhipelag GULag or The Gulag Archipelago is such a compelling read and quite an eye- opener especially at that time where all things Russian was either based on hear- say or propaganda. The book which was smuggled in parts out of the Iron Curtain and first published outside of the Soviet Union in 1973 was written by a Russian novelist and historian who was also the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970. I have only read one other book by the said author which is One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (although I have August 1914 in my book shelf) b...

...who traipses in the outskirts of my hippocampus. Note: Someone Else's Story from the musical Chess.

I cannot paint you, my love. Your calm eyes clashed with the storm in your heart. Thoughts wrapped alone in the cold, followed the scene I created; the essence is lost as memories came crashing into the walls of brown earth and hot kisses going up in smoke. The colors are smeared, the canvas remained blank and my eyes burnt.

"Particularly important to note on this day is the continuing struggle of Filipino World War II veterans to receive the veterans benefits they rightfully deserve. During World War II, Filipino and American troops fought bravely together under some of the most trying conditions suffered by any forces during that conflict, forging a historic bond between our two nations and their people. Filipinos displayed great courage alongside American soldiers at Bataan and Corregidor, only to be denied their just benefits by our government. The Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 would honor the service of all U.S. veterans, including these Filipino World War II heroes. The Senate passed this bill last April. I urge my colleagues in Congress to take note of this day to honor the heroic service of Filipino World War II veterans by finally turning this important legislation into law." Such was the very eloquently written statement released by the office of Democratic Presidential...

This is to give Arnel Pineda and Journey Fans outside of North America the chance to own their new REVELATION CD/DVD ALBUM. So, US and Canada Residents are disqualified to join since you can easily buy the said album at a store near you. I am a Filipino Journey Fan and I am putting my money where my mouth is. So, I am giving away 2 Revelation Albums every month starting June 30, 2008 until December 30, 2008 in support of Arnel Pineda’s unparalleled journey with Journey through lottery drawing every 15th and 30th of the month. To qualify, you must be a certified blogger and your site should be current. You can add yourself to the new Arnel Pineda & Journey Fan Group in Multiply, REVELATION if you want to but it's not necessary to avail of the prize. For non- multiply users, you can post a shoutout about your intention to participate in the contest at the cbox located on the left side of this website. Or simply put 'em in the comment section below. You can also submit your...

The Blogger is on a self- imposed sabbatical from blogging to recharge his batteries. He'll be back on the second Monday of June 2008.

Anybody who’s been here before knows that I have a huge crush on Lea Salonga since way back and you can certainly label me as a certified fanatic of the singer- actress. Ha-ha. Yes, folks all you have to do is search my archives here and you’ll know what I mean. And I do travel near and far just to watch her perform, too. So, indulge me once again as I share with you this snippet of her performance at the taping of The Sharon Cuneta Show which ABS- CBN will air on Sunday, May 18, 2008. Video: mjrodis Update Alert! --I've recently updated my other blogs/sites under the Perfect Circle category. You can visit them if you have time to spare. It's no big deal really but to quote my dear old Forrest, "It's like a box of chocolates...You never know what you gonna get!" :)

Here's a blast from the past... Summer in New York City and the heat was just unbearable. And yet we were out walking the streets and avenues, doing our own version of the Theater Tour in Broadway’s Theater District when we decided to take a breather near the historic Ziegfeld Theater at the intersection between 54th Street and 6th Avenue (a.k.a. Avenue of the Americas since 1945 but Mayor La Guardia’s ploy did not catch up with New Yorkers. Hence, 6th Avenue is still 6th Avenue until now). It was one of those days that can easily classify as a Dog Day Afternoon (No, I am not about to do a stunt ala Al Pacino in that Sidney Lumet film although I am tempted to shout “Attica!” in the midst of this August heat) and a bottle of Gatorade chased by cold water from a Dasani bottle did not help that much to quench our thirst and ignore the heat. We have been walking since 9 o’ clock in the morning from our not-so- comfy room at the Skyline Hotel, a three- star structure l...

On May 9, 2008, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) will be airing a documentary entitled- Little Manila: Filipinos in California's Heartland So, if you live in North America, check your local PBS TV Schedule for details. Here's a brief synopsis of the documentary-- "Filled with chop suey houses, gambling dens, and dance halls, Little Manila was the area in Stockton notoriously called, Skid Row, but it was also the closest thing Filipinos had to a hometown. In its heyday in the 30s, this lively area had the largest population of Filipinos outside of the Philippines. We tell the story of Jimmy Ente, Jr., a longtime Stockton resident recruited to work in the asparagus fields. Jimmy, and many other like him, faced backbreaking work, low wages, and at times extreme racism to fulfill their dreams. Narrated by famed Filipino-American producer, Dean Devlin (Independence Day, The Patriot) this documentary tells the immigrant story as Filipinos experienced it."

Six months ago, I came across an article that was published in a magazine written by a Caucasian whose name I cannot recall, wherein his observations while traveling across Asia merited a page in that sorry magazine (I will not mention the magazine, hence I will be giving them undeserved publicity) that most Asians disgustingly pick their noses in public! Although I hope that Asians are not again being stereotyped by the said article or are being singled- out because of the size of their nostrils in this case but one can’t help but think otherwise. There are a lot of advantages in having two large holes in one's nares mind you, but it will merit another post for that lest we stray from the topic. Surely Asians have bigger holes in their noses compared to Caucasians but it doesn’t equate that we are more prone to picking our noses especially in public because of that particular anatomic feature. On the contrary, this finger digging exercise isn’t confined to only one race and althou...

It’s late April and still snow continues to fall in Minnesota not surprising for the state at this time of year where the weather forecast says the region will be blanketed in thick snow anytime soon. We arrived in Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport late last night on our way to San Diego and what greeted us was the nipping wind blowing right into our faces, numbing us in the process. Our Northwest Airlines Flight 755 out of Detroit was delayed by the plane’s spoiler malfunctioning and had to endure a 4 hour flight delay, transferred to another aircraft and missed the connecting flight that will take us to California. Northwest gave the passengers $100 service recovery vouchers to appease us for the delay and inconvenience. They also booked us in some hotels in downtown Minneapolis to spend the night and catch the first flight to San Diego the next day. On our way to downtown Minneapolis, we caught a glimpse of a city that is quiet and fast asleep, which was expected though for it was alrea...

ASIMO that versatile Honda robot that you often see in Honda Commercials will be in Detroit come May 13, 2008 to be the guest conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in the opening act that features world- renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The 4- foot tall robot which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility (ASIMO) which was first developed by the Japanese automaker in 2000 with the objective of helping humans particularly the elderly doing their daily chores in the future can speak both English and Japanese. In addition, this latest generation robot can now recognize faces, climb up and down stairs, keep up when walking with human companions and serve tea among its many skills and capabilities. ASIMO will be at the podium for a one song performance, the special rendition of “The Impossible Dream” before relinquishing the baton to the DSO’s resident maestro Thomas Wilkins for the rest of the show. It will be ASIMO’s second high- profile appearance in the United States after the hi...