Blessed Be, My Father

On October 8, 2007 my father left me...

It took me all this time to even write and blog my thoughts as those days following his passing were a muck. I had too many ideas that I wanted to flesh out. There was just too many things all cramming in the pea size of a brain I had in such a short time; not to mention my emotional state.

Dad had been suffering for the last 5 years now and perhaps it's even selfish of me to hang on to him; to that sense of assurance, security and surety in this world by clinging on to him for just one more day knowing that for every day that passes, another day is added to his suffering. But Dad has always been the strong one. He has always been the sure one whereas I, the youngest in a family of 3 would always be the one who would look up and ask in order to make sure I got it right. At the same time when I would want to have my way, I would also be the brat and give dad a piece of my mind...ah yes, the arrogance of youth.

But I've mellowed down since then and grown a little more patient and wiser I think. And it's just bittersweet that Dad won't be with us this Christmas; that I wasn't able to finish the book that I am still writing, of which the 1st draft I gave to him last year as his birthday present. Heck, I wasn't even there when he left us during a recent family trip in Hong Kong as I had to come back to Manila to prepare his medicine to be sent back and also accompany my nephew and niece and family back home.

He knew that I loved music. He knew how I am a changed person when I'm singing on stage and giving in to my passion. But what he didn't know was, that I am now part of a new vocal group that just finished recording its first Christmas single and slated for a November release. We were planning to have special launch for just family and friends and are gearing up to do that once the album is finished. And it was supposed to be my Christmas surprise for him.

But alas, I was the one who was surprised...or rather the family was the one who got surprised when dad relinquished his hold on this world and departed for the next. I know now that he knows everything and that even my plans that were dormant are now revealed to him and so perhaps it doesn't matter as much.

But wherever you are Dad, I thank you.

I thank you for taking me in. I thank you for the money you spent on my education. I thank you for assuring me that all will be well; for telling me not to be afraid to make a decision; to hold on to the good times; to never compromise my values; to never be wasteful and to never give up.

I thank you for appreciating in your own way the creativity that I have and even pushed me to share it with others. I thank you that early on you validated that creative spark in me when I didn't even know it was there. And because of that here I am, able to do what I do today.

So many things more that I wanted to say and thank you for. But I know that I should not mourn your passing too much. Instead as your son, let me celebrate instead the life that you led; by giving credence and validation to the good values that you have taught us. And the only way to do that is to live our lives as fruitful and meaningful as we can.

I know now that my work lies ahead of me. I also know that I have an extra guardian angel watching over me and that should I need your strength, assurance, guidance, wisdom and love; all I need to ask you and remember the times that we had together.

I know I shall meet him again and perhaps when I do, he'd even be able to dictate and read back this blog to me word for word.

I shall finish the book in your name and continue to do my little bit of good in this world for you have done so much good as well. And you already started that by being my Dad.

I Love you Dad.

Irronmith D'ethenedren

your son, Casey

A "HEROES" Thank You

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Early Saturday afternoon at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Ballroom 20 was stuffed to capacity for what moderator Jeph Loeb called the "'Heroes' Thank You."

Rumor has it that even "Heroes" staff writer Bryan Fuller could not be admitted after the doors were closed. At last year's Comic-Con, "Heroes" debuted the 72-minute "Heroes" pilot, and the cast and crew of the show said the success they're enjoying now is due in no small part to the fans who watched the pilot last year and spread the word.

Loeb first brought out panelist Jack Coleman (HRG a.k.a. Noah Bennett), who was sporting a white t-shirt with the word "I'm just a paper salesman" hastily scrawled across the front. Next up was Noah Gray-Cabey (Micah), followed by Greg Grunberg (Parkman), the latter wearing a custom-made t-shirt reading "Milo is my hero." Then Loeb brought out Ali Larter (Niki/Jessica) and James Kyson Lee. Masi Oka (Hiro) came out wearing a custom "Hayden is my Hero" t-shirt, and the cheerleader herself, Hayden Panettiere was hot on his heels. Then Adrian Pasdar (Nathan), Zachary Quinto (Sylar) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder) took the stage, followed by new Season 2 cast member Dania Ramieriez (Maya). The last to take the stage were Milo Ventimiglia (Peter), artist Tim Sale and series creator and executive producer Tim Kring.

Kring kicked off the panel with a heartfelt thank-you to all of the fans who supported the young show at last year's Comic-Con. Loeb then announced the winner of NBC.com's "Heroes" Graphic Novel Contest (Andrew Chandler). Loeb also told the assembled fans that Ubisoft is currently working on a "Heroes" video game. And with that, Loeb opened up the floor to Q&A.

First up, a fan professed his and his wife's love for Greg Grunberg's character.

"Yes, I swing," the actor responded without skipping a beat. (Hmmmmmmm)

One audience member asked the cast to sound off on their best memories from season 1. Grunberg liked playing future, badass Parkman, Hayden cited the scene in the first-season finale when she jumped out the window, and Coleman said his favorite moment was episode 11, when he went from a guest star to a series regular.

"You wanted more HRG, you got more HRG," Loeb said.

Loeb took a moment to single out the writing and directing staff in the audience, who stood to an ovation from the crowd.

"This show happens in the writers' room first," Kring said. He went on to describe himself and the rest of the show's writers as a "league of heroic scribblers."

Throughout the first season, supplemental graphic-novel content by artist Tim Sale was posted on the "Heroes" Web site at NBC.com. Loeb announced that this fall, Wildstorm would be releasing a collection of all the online material, and gave the audience a peek at cover images by Alex Ross and Him Lee.

As an aside, Grunberg blurted out, "Being this close to Sendhil, he is gorgeous." Then Ramamurthy planted what appeared to be a wet kiss on his fellow cast member's lips. (Yeow! HOT!)

Next up, Kring addressed "Heroes: Origins," the six episode spin-off that will air over six consecutive weeks starting in April of next year. Each episode will be stand-alone and feature a new hero coming to terms with their powers. Since participating in "Origins" only requires a one-episode commitment, Kring has compiled a short list of ideal writers and directors they'd like to bring into the "Heroes" family.

Then, they made an announcement which apparently surprised even the cast: Kevin Smith had signed on to do an episode. Smith then took the stage himself, and recounted his first conversation with Kring about the opportunity.

"I'd love to write and direct an episode about the two gay heroes," Smith had told Kring. "The Japanese dudes, they're gay, right?"

Smith said having the opportunity to write and direct an episode of "Origins" was an honor: He and his wife had plowed through the first season.

"I just don't wanna be the guy that ruins 'Heroes,'" Smith admitted.

Grunberg, who is a childhood friend of writer/director J.J. Abrams, volunteered Abrams' as another option to helm an episode of "Origins."

Then actor Danny Bonaduce took the Q&A microphone and asked if the cast members "live and die" by each script. The answer was a resounding yes.

"It keeps you on your toes," Larter said.

"When they cancel your hit show, your life kind of sucks for a while," Bonaduce warned.

In the past, Pasdar has heralded Nathan Petrelli as more evil than his amoral character Profit from a show of the same name. One fan asked if Pasdar still felt that way after Nathan's self-sacrificing act of redemption in the season one finale.

"One has a moral code, the other is a politician," Pasdar, the husband of Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines, reiterated.

Another fan accused Hiro and Ando of being the "least traditionally masculine" heroes on the show.

"Wait until season two," Oka teased.

When asked if Uluru, the rock monster that graced the cover of an early issue of the comic "9th Wonders," would be making an appearance in the show proper, Kring said the monster only existed in the pages of the comic book.

"This show doesn't posit an ending," Kring said, when asked how long the series would run. Shows like "Lost," to which "Heroes" is oft compared, have a built-in end point, but "Heroes" is open-ended, he said.

One female fan asked if we could expect to see strong female characters who aren't cheerleaders or strippers. Loeb promised that new cast-member Ramirez's character fits that bill. And Kring pointed out that even Claire and Niki grew and evolved by the end of the first season.

Before it was revealed that Peter Petrelli was Claire's uncle, many "Heroes" fans wanted to see those two characters get together. One fan asked if there was still any chance of that happening.

"Not only are we related, but my character's younger than me," Panettiere said. Ventimiglia believes the two characters share a strong bond, but neither actors foresees it turning into a romance.

Kring got in the last word. He said the huge, diverse community that has grown out of the show's fan base is "all a metaphor for what the show's really about." In a few months' time, he said, Kring intends to start a dialogue with the audience about how to channel that passion and commitment into acts of philanthropy.

The cast and crew are still early in the production of season two, but fans were treated to a brief trailer for the upcoming season. Highlights include a scene between Parkman and Molly Walker in which she is accosted by the malevolent figure she alluded to at the end of Season 1, and a scene in which Claire appears to be about to cut off her own toe.

Everyone in the audience walked away with two "Heroes" convention exclusives: an issue of the "Heroes" comic, and the first-run packaging for the first season of "Heroes" on DVD.

Season two of "Heroes" premiers on September 24th.

-------------------YATTA!!!!------------------------ (of course, I just had to add this)

BALROG Dictionary

This started from a conversation I had with Nick about movies and missing the recent Pirates flick; of which I added that I should be in a "right" frame of mind watching the movie for I slept through the latter part of the 2nd movie. Was just too tired then. I was out like a light in the cinema. The word I used to describe me then was.."BORLOG!!!" That started it all. (we were both laughing like crazy and prompt people to ask what we both were on...gee, crack and saccharine?)

So for a week, I had funny images and situtations of our beloved creature in my head. And these are the result... Happy Reading! - CAZ/Greyhame

ps. For the non Middle Earth denizen, Balrog is the creature that Gandalf fought in Fellowship of the Ring, hence the pic. And no...we don't look alike but if sleepy, sluggish and pissed I can probably be its twin.

 

BALRUGAN - Isang uri ng pagkatha ng mga salitang nauukol sa katangian ng isang BALROG.

BALROG - Isang nilalalang na ubod ng kasamaan na nababalot sa apoy, may pakpak, sungay at may hawak na latigo. Nakatira sa ilalim ng Moria. (di sya cute)

BORLOG - Sleeping BALROG in the Cinema

BUANG - BALROG na natawa at nawala sa sarili

BUGAK (1) - Ang paghalakhak ng BALROG na Katawag pansin

BARLA - ang BALROG na nangwawarla

BARLUSH - BALROG na Bading (minsan may shades of Purple)

BAR - Kung Saan sila nagtitipon

BING - ang pagtatawag ng 2 bading na BARLOG

BOKYA - Barlog na nabuko sa kakapanggap

BONNGA - Balrog na tanga!

BAKTOL - Balrog na tumira ng katol

BANTHA - Isang nilalang na walang kinalaman sa Barlog. (dahil Star Wars yun, engot!)

BARLOW - Apelyidong pangtao na gamit ng isang Balrog pag nasa mundo ng tao. (naging Boy Band at one point in the 90's)

BULKAN - Isang typo na nangyayari sa pagmamadali ng pag-type ng isang Balrog sa makinilya. Ibang nilalang kasi. (Star Trek reference: Di maarok ang matalas na tenga) - Balrog shakes head.

BELAT - Ang stretch marks sa puson ng isang Balrog na nanganak.

BLAG - Isang nadapa na Balrog

BLABAG - Ang nadapang Balrog na may nadaganan. (Maari kapwa Balrog din)

BLAGABAG - Ang pagbagsak ng mga gamit tulad ng Ref, malaking Plasma TV, Aircon, Tall Bookshelves, at anumang malapit o katabing gusali mula sa BLAG o BLABAG ng isang Balrog. (Hayop!)

BALABAL - Scarf ng Balrog (di magamit, laging sunog)

BAYOT - Balrog na mahilig sa iyot. (Halay!)

BALWA - Balrog na nakatingin sa KAWALAN

BALURA - Balrog na nagmumura

BAKTONG - Balrog na bakat ang utong. (Ouch, maapoy!)

BALUWA - Balrog na luwa ang dibdib (wow laki)

BALIKO - Balrog na mahilig maglaro ng piko.

BALTIK - Balrog na may alagang Itik.

BANTOG - Balrog na nauntog. (laki kasi)

BATIK - Balrog na Adik

BATING - Balrog na nakalulon ng kuting. (uy si ALF!)

BANLAG - Balrog na nalaglag. (sa puno?)

BALMANG - Balrog na Timang

BORAT - Balrog na maarat. (Huh? May lahing Hapon)

BUGAK (2) - Balrog na namutla sa pagputi ng Uwak

 

Which Sci-Fi/Fantasy Character are You?

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Science Fiction & Fantasy

I Got ARAGORN.... :)

Putting your appointed path ahead of any inner conflicts, you make your own rules for the benefit of all.

If my life or death I can protect you, I will.

Aragorn is a character in the Middle-Earth universe. There is a description of him at TheOneRing.net.

Happy 2nd Year Anniversary - Anne Rice Philippines

 

Greetings fellow Vamps, Witches, Taltoses, Rowans, Julien and Mona Mayfairs....

 

It's our 2nd year anniversary today and I cannot help but be happy, thankful not to mention grateful for all the love and support that I have received from our group. I remember thinking back then why there seems to be no local representation for Anne and her works here in the country as I was sure that most of us were in hiding.

 

The thought lingered until the 3rd Fantasy/Sci-Fi Convention which was a 2-day event held at the Glorietta activity area. Coming into contact with fellow lovers of the genre and other members (including leaders) of fan based groups, brought out the epiphany and propelled me to start the group via yahoo groups as most of the other organizations have done so.

 

With my fingers pulsing with excitement and enthusiasm I quickly set up the yahoo account for the group and started texting people I knew and also some of my trainees about the group and how my love for Anne led me to what I did.

 

Some would respond and said it they would join, others quickly snatched up the opportunity to be one of the first to sign up while others hovered indecisively and wanted to know more about Anne before doing so. But regardless of the journey and although some would protest that its much more important that the intended destination, our 2 year anniversary is a testament to how much Anne's works are loved, cherished, thought-of, studied and talked about.

 

In time, we became the living embodiment of her words, her characters and how each and every one of them has touched upon our psyche and allowed us to respond and even identify with their quirks and fancies. 2 years after...I wouldn't have thought to sustain it thus far and I have each and ever one of you to thank for it.

 

From listening to my rants...my ideas...my site designs....to how a lot of you came to our defense when we were attacked and then moved on knowing that we are far better than most who choose to detract rather than to contribute. So much and still more will happen in the next year or even next set of 2 years as we mark our anniversary with the accomplishments that we have done and the friends and brethren groups that we have aligned with and come to consider family, like the New Worlds Alliance, Powerbooks.

 

For that and more, I thank you for fuelling my dream and yours.

 

Here's to our 2nd year and more to come....

 

Raise thy glasses in celebration and in recognition....

 

Vamps and Witches, WE rule this day and this night.....

 

 

Love, Blood & Blessings,

 

CAZ

aka. David Talbot

Scribe of the Coven

What If the Lord of The Rings" were a Pinoy Movie?

What If the Lord of The Rings" were a Pinoy Movie? 

1. There would be a Lord of The Rings... The Reunion (Happily Ever After).

2. The actor playing Aragorn would run for presidency and win in a major landslide.

3. The Hobbits would be played by the likes of Dagul, Mahal, Mura, & certain people from 

    Malacanang and the Senate.

4. A scene would go like:

Sam: Itahpon moh nah ang singsing!!!!!

Frodo: Hindeh!!! Akhin itoh!!!

Sam: Ngunit...Datapwat...Subalit...Bagkus.... 

5. The trailers would run for 30 minutes and reveal the whole plot of the movies (sinabi na lahat).

6. There would be a close-up shot of Aragorn and Eowyn, and in the background; 

     a song by the Air Supply. ("I can see the pain living in your eyes...")

7. Everyone would cry in buckets including Sauron (for FAMAS moments).

8. Arwen: Itay, i-reforge mo ang Narsil (hikbi).

     Elrond: Hindi pwede... Mas magastos, bili na lang tayo ng bago.

9. In order to promote the movie, the actors would be seen singing and shaking their booties 

    in noontime variety shows, which makes you wonder about the meaning of "talent".

    Host: Why don't you invite everyone to watch your movie, pala?

    Actor 1: Oo nga pala, I'd like to invite everyone to watch my movie,

                 The Lord of The Rings. I play an orc here...

    Actor 2: I play an Uruk-hai naman and please don't forget we have a promotional tour sa ESEM Bacolor, ESEM Pampanga, 

                ESEM Basilan, ESEM Timbuktu... 

    The cast members will have promo in the different noon time shows - sasayaw, kakanta at sasali sa mga games ng show! 

     Di pa natuwa sa noon time show, may mall tour pa!  

10. Sa talk show naman, sasabihin ng bida: "Actually ako ang gumanap sa lahat ng action scenes. Wala nag akong ka-double e. 

        Nahirapan talaga ako. Kaya nga magandang-maganda itong palabas na ito!"

11. The theme song would be "It Might Be You" (in tagalog version) or "I'll Be" (also in tagalog version). 

12. Siyempre kailangan din may scene na kakanta at sasayaw ang mga hobbits o ang Fellowship complete with back-up dancers to the tune of "Sumayaw, Sumunod"! 

      A Pinoy film wouldn't be complete without a musical interlude. So, true to its original form, 

     the Pinoy LOTR would have a big musical interlude right at the very end of the film, 

      where everyone  -- including the orcs and   Sauron -- would have a musical number, complete with dancing. 

 13. After the awards season, some sort of anomaly will occur regarding the undeserving actor/actress/film 

      who won the award, complete with crying in Sunday afternoon talk shows, and getting other stars' opinions 

      on the matter, and of course, another teary-eyed public reconciliation.

14. The usual heavy breathing scenes in pinoy films; Like when Elrond & Aragorn are talking in the Rohan encampment, 

      their breaths could be heard even in the popcorn stand.

 15. There would be sampalan moments in the film. Oh, yes. 

       They would alter the storyline so that Arwen would meet up with Eowyn 

       and they'd have a sampalan scene while Aragorn looks on, looking quite smug. 

What Your Name Means

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Like Someone I know....didn't disclose her full name....:)

There are 13 letters in your name.
Those 13 letters total to 59
There are 5 vowels and 8 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:

Spanish Female Honorable.

Latin Female Diminutive of Catherine: Pure, clear. Form of the Latin 'Katharina', from the Greek 'Aikaterina'. It was borne by a number of saints, including St Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th century martyr who suffered torture on a spiked wheel.

Irish Male Observant; alert; vigorous. Famous Bearer: radio personality and voice of 'Scooby-Doo' (cartoon dog) Casey Kasem.

Irish Female Brave; Vigilant.

Greek Female Honorable. Biblical; acacia wood was used to build the wilderness Tabernacle.

Gaelic Male Brave.
Gaelic Female Brave.

French Female Diminutive of Catherine: Pure, clear. Form of the Latin Katharina, from the Greek Aikaterina.

English Male From a polish word meaning 'Proclamation of peace.' A diminutive of Casirnir, Cassandra, or Catherine. Popularized as a boy's name by the American folk song 'Casey Jones'.

English Female Diminutive of Cassandra: Cassandra was a Trojan prophetess, daughter of King Priam. This name became popular in medieval Britain, and fashionable in the USA in the mid-2Oth century. A diminutive of Casirnir, Cassandra, or Cathedne.

Celtic Male Brave.

Biblical Female Refers to the Biblical acacia wood that was used to build the wilderness Tabernacle.

Your number is: 5

The characteristics of #5 are: Expansiveness, visionary, adventure, the constructive use of freedom.

The expression or destiny for #5:
The number 5 Expression endows with the wonderful characteristic of multi-talents and versatility. You can do so many things well. The tone of the number 5 is constructive freedom, and in your drive to attain this freedom, you will likely be the master of adaptability and change. You are good at presenting ideas and knowing how to approach people to get what you want. Naturally, this gives you an edge in any sort of selling game and spells easy success when it comes to working with people in most jobs. Your popularity may lead you toward some form of entertainment or amusement. Whatever you do, you are clever, analytical, and a very quick thinker.

If there is too much of the 5 energy in your makeup, you may express some the negative attitudes of the number. Your restless and impatient attitude may keep you from staying with any project for too long. Sometimes you can be rather erratic and scatter yourself and your energies. You have a hard time keeping regular office hours and maintaining any sort of a routine. You tend to react strongly if you sense that your freedom of speech or action is being impaired or restricted in any way. As clever as you are, you may have a tendency to make the same mistakes over and over again because much of your response is glib reaction rather that thoughtful application. You are in a continuous state of flux brought by constantly changing interests.

Your Soul Urge number is: 5

A Soul Urge number of 5 means:
The 5 soul urge or motivation would like to follow a life of freedom, excitement, adventure and unexpected happening. The idea of travel and freedom to roam intrigues you. You are very much the adventurer at heart. Not particularly concerned about your future or about getting ahead, you can seem superficial and unmotivated.

In a positive sense, the energies of the number 5 make you very adaptable and versatile. You have a natural resourcefulness and enthusiasm that may mark you as a progressive with a good mind and active imagination. You seem to have a natural inclination to be a pace-setter. You are attracted to the unusual and the fast paced.

You may be overly restless and impatient at times. You may dislike the routine work that you are engaged in, and tend to jump from activity to activity, without ever finishing anything. You may have difficulty with responsibility. You don't want to be tied down to a relationship, and it may be hard to commit to one person.

Your Inner Dream number is: 9

An Inner Dream number of 9 means:
You dream of being creative, intellectual, and universal; the selfless humanitarian. You understand the needy and what to help them. You would love to be a person people count on for support and advice.

Take the test at this site: http://www.paulsadowski.com/Numbers.asp