raves

Bin Laden is Dead.

*Photo by Getty Images*

Unless you have been hiding in a hole somewhere, I’m pretty sure you’ve all heard that the terrorist and No.1 enemy of America (and probably the world), Osama Bin Laden is dead.

According to reports, the US intelligence (known as the CIA) is to thank for their discovery of Bin Laden’s villa/ hide out in Abbottabad, a few kilometers north of Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad . They then sent out helicopters and troops from US SEALs (Team Six) to carry out the raid on the morning of May 1, 2011. They also said that Bin Laden put up a fight but was unarmed during the raid, and only 4 people aside from Bin Laden were killed. None of the US Military were shot or harmed during the fight.

Bin Laden’s body was said to have been shot in the eye and in the chest, and that facial recognition and DNA testing were performed in the body. The reports also said that when these tests were done, they buried the body in the Arabian Sea.

This was, according to President Barack Obama, one of the greatest victories of the US. I’m pretty sure that this would also be a great addition to the history of Obama’s reign as President.

However, there are some “conspiracy theorist” who do not find this believable. It seems that they want proof, by publishing photos and videos of Bin Laden’s body during the tests done on his cadaver. In fact, there is already a spam message circulating around FaceBook about his body (though I’m pretty sure that these are all fake, and was just placed there for some stupid profile count or virus spreading. FB users beware ok? Do NOT believe these images. I’d rather see the pictures from Yahoo! News or some local newspapers than in FaceBook >_<). Apparently, they are urging the White House to publish these photos as proof to the world that the man is already dead.

As for me, I have mixed reactions about this issue. First of all, I am happy that Bin Laden is dead, since he has killed many people during his reign of terror. I’m pretty sure that a lot of people are happy, too. His attacks during September 11, 2001 was not limited to the killing of US citizens. There were a a lot of people of mixed cultures that died during these attacks, my Filipino countrymen included.

Second, I am kind of scared. With the death of their leader, the al-Qaeda will be sure to retaliate.  As for when and where they will attack, we do not know. I just hope that all countries would stay alert. It’s not over with the al-Qaeda, that’s for sure. ~_~

And third, I am, to some degree, a little disappointed. It took them almost 10 years to capture or kill this man. The 9/11 attacks happened way back in 2001, and it is only until now that they found him. It’s a tad disappointing that with all the technology and intelligence of the nations hunting for this man, it took them this much time to find him. I’m pretty sure that the families of the 9/11 victims would be sure to agree with me on this one. ~_~

Anyway, I’m pretty sure that countries all over the world are celebrating (there was even a celebration at New York’s Time Square, outside the White House, and even at Ground Zero – the World Trade Center), but still, we have to stay on the alert. Bin Laden may be dead, but there are still some pretty mad people out there. ~_~

Tales from the Isle of Marinduque Re-vamp

Yep, I’m home again from my vacation inf Marinduque.

Though I’m not really that excited about it… it’s too warm here in Manila, and I already miss the ocean breeze. ~_~

But I did miss my InterNet. My unlocked cell phones is pretty cool, but seeing as there are very few Wifi spots in Marinduque, I had to resort to using my relatives InterNet connection… but I can only be online for 5 minutes. (my mom had to use it to send e-mails to my dad ~_~)

Anyway, as stated, I have a lot of tales to spin about my time in Marinduque, unfortunately, I’m going to have to change the title. It’s waaaayyyy too long. Harharhar! I can’t imagine making a blog post about my Marinduque vacation by the time I’m 40 or something. It’ll be like “Tales from the Isle of Marinduque XX+”…. hahaha!

So stay tuned for my Marinduque stories… I’ve got lots of pictures! Man, I can’t believe I almost filled my camera’s memory card with pictures. I even drained my 2 sets of batteries during my whole trip! Sheesh! Plus you’ll be able to see me all red as a tomato. ~_~

Bloggers Fest 2011

Yep, I’m in the Bloggers Fest right now! *hmm… is that they call a Live Feed…? I have no idea. XD*

It’s actually pretty cool to be here, it’s been a while since I have been to a Blogger’s event, and it’s my first time to attend a Bloggers Fest.

I’m with my friends from PnSers.com… Chief Raredog is here, so are our members clutch and Franz.

It’s great to be here… it’s almost like being in school again…. like, blogging school. Harharhar! It made me realize I still have a long way to go before I could consider myself a true blogger. More studying for me. XD

Anyway, thanks to Azrael Coladilla for coordinating this awesome event (all hail the Pinoy Blogging guru! XD) and thanks to all the speakers and people here. I hope this happens again and way more often. It’s a great stepping stone for new bloggers coming into the blogging scene. XD

Of Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer

So dumb of me not to know that they got legally married last January… ~_~

Anyway, yep, my favorite singer/bisexual musician is married to one of the best authors in this generation. How frickin’ cool is that?!

Yep, I am totally in love with Amanda Palmer (in a non-sexual way, okay?!). I personally believe that she is the type of musician every recording artist ought to be. She speaks truth in her lyrics, she doesn’t give a d@mn about what people think, she’s confident in her appearance (she carries the whole shaved-off-my-eyebrows-and-used-liquid-liner-instead so fashionably) and in her sexuality, and she’s a lot of fun in her concerts (from what I’ve seen in YouTube, anyway XD).

It’s just too bad she doesn’t hold concerts in the Philippines… I even doubt that people actually know her here. ~_~

As for Neil, yeah, I consider him as one of the great writers of this age. I actually envy him… he has written so many books in his lifetime. I have none. Writer’s envy!!! >_<

I actually have a copy of Neil Gaiman’s “Sandman” book… the one with Yoshitaka Amano’s art in it. I love the art more, but I do love the story as well. Hmm… maybe I should consider collecting Neil’s Sandman books now.

Anyway, looking at this video, Neil looks so helplessly in love. It’s so romantic. Huhuhu. I wonder when a guy would look at me like that. T_T

Dissidia 012 Duodecim!!!

Yes! Thank God this game didn’t get canceled because of the Tsunami/Earthquake in Japan. I would’ve cried if it had. T_T

Anyway, yes, Final Fantasy Dissidia 012 Duodecim (wow! that’s a mouthful!) is released. Actually, it’s been released last March, but in case you didn’t notice, I’m a little behind on gaming news. ~_~

ME WANTS IT!!!

I think I should try and upgrade my PSP now… hopefully I could do so before the Holy Week… so I can play it non-stop during my vacation. XD

Sephiroth is still so hawt! XD

The Future Photographer?

Actually, that’s my nephew who has recently been into photography. He is so awesome.

And he’s so grown up! Sheesh! One of these days, I’m going to have to buy him some new parish clothing… he’s reaching my height already. ~_~

I took this photo when we ate out after his Elementary graduation. Sheeesh. The kid is in high school already… I can still remember when he was two years old, when we were sitting at the front seat of my mother’s car, singing “Eyes On Me” by Faye Wong while we waited for her to finish her shopping. Those were the days. T_T

He’s growing up way too fast for me. It makes me feel so old. XD

But, I’m still a bit happy, especially since I was able to teach him some photography. I actually envy him a bit, since he can use his parents’ Canon DSLR camera when he’s taking pictures. I hope he can harness his skills in photography, I could tell he has the eyes for it. Maybe when he reaches the proper age, I can be bring him to our photo walks.

Hmm… a 12-year old kid, capturing photos with a DSLR camera borrowed from his parent… it kind of reminds me of me when I was still using my dad’s SLR camera fifteen years ago. It kind of made me envious that he can use the DSLR, but then again, I have my own Point and Shoot camera that has yet to fail me. Hahaha. Besides, like my friends used to say, “it’s not the bow, it’s the Indian.” XD

Whisper Hungarian in My Ear

I don’t mean literally. XD

It’s just a new song I heard from Rachel Brice’s Serpentine DVD called “Whisper Hungarian in my Ear” by a band called The Toids. I really like it… its something that I’d want to hear everyday using home audio speakers.

In the DVD, this song has a choreography, which, unfortunately for a chubby bellydance newbie such as myself, is pretty hard. But I’m hoping I can learn it pretty soon. XD

I find the song really mysterious, and somewhat calming. I think it’s the violins.

Anyway, aside from the choreography, Rachel Brice and her friends actually created a “mash-up” short film with the song. It featured horror actor Bela Lugosi, and they merged the film with the dancing of Rachel Brice’s group, the Indigo Bellydance (which includes members Mardi Love and Zoe Jakes). It looks really awesome, actually. It’s like the three dancers are Bela Lugosi’s graceful ghosts seductresses.

Huwaaa… Rachel Brice Love! <3

It'll be a while before I can actually dance to Rachel Brice's choreography of this song, but I guess for the meantime, I'll dance it with my own choreo. XD

See You In 2 Years!

*my nephew, Alexis… HE IS SUCH A CUTIE! ^_^*

No, not me… my cousin! XD

Yep, my cousin Alex is heading back to London to raise their children and continue with their healthcare jobs.

Awww me so sad. T_T

Luckily, my mom was able to buy some gifts for their children. She gave my niece, Alexa, some really nice clothes, and she gave Alexis a really, really, REALLY cute hat.

Hats like these are really cuter on kids than on adults… hahaha! I should know, I wear those kind of hats all the time.

We won’t be able to see them again for two or three years, so by then Alexa would be around 8, and Alexis would be 3 years old. Waaahh… they grow up so fast!

Anyway, see yah in two years guys! We’ll be waiting for you! ^_^v

PhotoScape

*My cousin, JP… hahaha look at him go!

Yep, thanks to my blogging master, raredog, (who PM me while I was looking around for adapexin reviews ) I now have a new program to help me with my photo editing.

Yep, it’s PhotoScape, which is pretty much an old program, but hey, whatever works. XD

Originally, I intended to buy like some other software like PhotoShop, but I’m settling with this for now, since I don’t know much about PhotoShop. I think I need a teacher for that program first. ~_~

But PhotoScape is pretty good, and it’s especially fun for me now that I can make an animated GIF of my cousin’s dancing… or running… or whatever he’s doing. O_o

The Avengers Movie Project

I swear, all these comic book movies are making me so excited! My heart is going so fast, I swear it’s like I ran or took diet tablets.

THE AVENGER’S MOVIE IN 2012, PEOPLE!!!

Awesome! It’s been confirmed that The Avengers is set to release in 2012. The production crew had already chosen some new (and old) actors to play one of my favorite comic book groups. So far, these are the confirmed actors/superheroes for the movie:

Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Ironman
Scarlett Johanssen as Black Widow
Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson
Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Chris Evans as Captain America
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/ The Incredible Hulk
Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye

Hmm… I’m actually suprised that Spiderman and Wolverine isn’t included in the list, since they are two of the most recognizable Avengers in the comic books. But according to some sources, the reason why Spiderman wasn’t included is that there is already a new Spiderman film being made. Apparently, the ones that Toby Maguire did needed a little tweaking. And as for Wolverine, it’s been said that another X-Men:Origins film is being produced, but is yet to be confirmed.

I’m actually a little disappointed to not see Edward Norton reprise the role of Bruce Banner. I think he was great at that movie. Mark Rufallo needs to step up his game, and brings justice to the role of Hulk. As for Jeremy Renner, I know for a fact that he is a great actor due to his acting in the Hurt Locker. I think dressing up as Hawkeye will be easy for him.

I’m also a bit disappointed at Chris Evans. I mean, so many movie fans have gotten so used to him being The Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movies… why did have to go and star as Captain America as well? I have no issues with his acting, I just wish he (and the other actors from the Fantastic Four films) would appear as another member of the Avengers, which he had already played. I think I’m much used to him being Johnny Storm than Captain America….

Anyway, maybe I shouldn’t critique it too much yet, specially with a director like Joss Whedon at the helm, I bet it’s going to be an awesome movie. Sheesh, 2011 just started, but now I’m wishing it’s 2012 already just because of this project. XD