Offensive Brand
I was looking for some new fragrances and I've found out the local department store that they'll be selling FCUK® fragrances soon. (FCUK® is French Connection United Kingdom)
I searched for the website of this brand. I've found out this is an product from the French Connection Group plc in Britain. In the website it said there that it has different essences a different set for top, middle and bottom. I don't quite understand that. I think I have to wait until product launches here.
The following day I again looked for more information regarding this product. I have found out that there are a group of people who are against this brand.
According to a Christian group this brand is immoral. They say that the brand FCUK® is misleading and was meant to mean the word when C and U change places. (You know what I mean...) They say that one's brain is tricked to mean the other word. They also say the the tag line 'scent to bed' and that the marketing of this product to the youth is very immoral. This group and other like minded organizations are calling for a boycott for this product.
For more on this visit:
FCUK Fragrance
New York stores ban FCUK
Some Critics Take Issue With French Connection's Marketing
Target store chain void of common decency
(The FCUK® brand is the property of its respective owner/s.)
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Intolerable Cruelty
'No pre-nup! your exposed!'
I've seen this movie last Saturday. It stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and George Clooney.
It is a story of a renowned divorce lawyer who eventually fell in love with a woman who marries and divorces to get rich.
I think the characters were shallow and needed more development.
Its an E = entertaining.
'No pre-nup! your exposed!'
I've seen this movie last Saturday. It stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and George Clooney.
It is a story of a renowned divorce lawyer who eventually fell in love with a woman who marries and divorces to get rich.
I think the characters were shallow and needed more development.
Its an E = entertaining.
In Other Stories
Two presidents visited Australia and addressed their parliament recently. The first visitor was George W. Bush of the United States and Hu Jin Tao of China.
While Mr. Bush was giving a speach to the Australian Senate two senators heckled against him. The speaker reprimanded the senators and asked him and his coleague to step out of the chamber. Bush said he likes free speach. While Bush was leaving the chamber MPs of the ruling party formed a human barrier to 'protect' him. This barrier was made to prevent the heckling senator to hand out a letter from the wife of an Australian held by American forces who is believed to be a terrorist.
The following day it was Mr. Hu's turn to address the parliament. Before the Chinese leader entered the chamber the Chinese and Tibetan dissidents who were guests in the gallery were expelled from the hall.
Sources and full information available at: Nine Network Australia's Sunday and Australia's Hu's Hu
Two presidents visited Australia and addressed their parliament recently. The first visitor was George W. Bush of the United States and Hu Jin Tao of China.
While Mr. Bush was giving a speach to the Australian Senate two senators heckled against him. The speaker reprimanded the senators and asked him and his coleague to step out of the chamber. Bush said he likes free speach. While Bush was leaving the chamber MPs of the ruling party formed a human barrier to 'protect' him. This barrier was made to prevent the heckling senator to hand out a letter from the wife of an Australian held by American forces who is believed to be a terrorist.
The following day it was Mr. Hu's turn to address the parliament. Before the Chinese leader entered the chamber the Chinese and Tibetan dissidents who were guests in the gallery were expelled from the hall.
Sources and full information available at: Nine Network Australia's Sunday and Australia's Hu's Hu
Saturday, October 25, 2003
About two or three Fridays ago I tried to watch the Rugby World Cup inaugural on television being hosted by Australia. This is a definitely a good visual spectacular after all what is an inaugural for?
I tried to watch the game it was Australia against Argentina. I lasted from the anthems until after the game has started. I really do not get this game. I know that the objective is to get the football to the other side that is all. What happens next then? How do they get points?
I can't understand why some people can be so crazy for such a game.
I still watch the telecasts but only until the national anthems.
I tried to watch the game it was Australia against Argentina. I lasted from the anthems until after the game has started. I really do not get this game. I know that the objective is to get the football to the other side that is all. What happens next then? How do they get points?
I can't understand why some people can be so crazy for such a game.
I still watch the telecasts but only until the national anthems.
I have just bought a second hand PDA from a local auction site. I bought it to know what owning and having one was like. Owning having one is okay its not too fancy.
What I like the most is the ability to read e-books and offline web browsing. I have been reading a daily offline version of BBC News for almost a week now. Reading news this way is like reading the newspaper without paper. Since doing it I have read more news from the BBC site than ever before.
I have started to read e-books too. There is a lot of free sources of e-books available. These free sources are not pirated ones these are classics and other works whose copyright have expired. Free e-books are available at MemoWare and Pluckerbooks
What I like the most is the ability to read e-books and offline web browsing. I have been reading a daily offline version of BBC News for almost a week now. Reading news this way is like reading the newspaper without paper. Since doing it I have read more news from the BBC site than ever before.
I have started to read e-books too. There is a lot of free sources of e-books available. These free sources are not pirated ones these are classics and other works whose copyright have expired. Free e-books are available at MemoWare and Pluckerbooks
Monday, October 20, 2003
Lost!!!
Well not really lost...
Today it was hot.
While I was walking to the bus stop I saw the bus that I thought would go to the Westfield mall. I rode it and bought a day pass. After a while I realised that the bus went to a different road. I was actually going to the bay or the beach.
I am so silly. I was not thinking of what I was doing when I rode the bus.
I went down almost a section away from the last destination and I landed at the beach.
There were many people at the shore today. There were kids, more kids, teens, families, couples, etc. Wow, these people are doing some serious sun worshipping.
I did not walk around that location. I just waited for the next bus going back to the city. That was after 20 minutes.
Oh well everyone needs an unexpected detour.
Well not really lost...
Today it was hot.
While I was walking to the bus stop I saw the bus that I thought would go to the Westfield mall. I rode it and bought a day pass. After a while I realised that the bus went to a different road. I was actually going to the bay or the beach.
I am so silly. I was not thinking of what I was doing when I rode the bus.
I went down almost a section away from the last destination and I landed at the beach.
There were many people at the shore today. There were kids, more kids, teens, families, couples, etc. Wow, these people are doing some serious sun worshipping.
I did not walk around that location. I just waited for the next bus going back to the city. That was after 20 minutes.
Oh well everyone needs an unexpected detour.
The Wonders of Friendster
The wonders of modern technology. This Friendster website is a way for you to 'map' your 'connections.' I just has eight friends and now I have more than 100,000 people in my 'network.
I was surprised to find out that a former schoolmate have 'conncections' with my other friends who have not met.
Very interesting! It all relates to a book that a lecturer shared, 'The Tipping Point' where there are people who are hubs that connect other people to each other.
The wonders of modern technology. This Friendster website is a way for you to 'map' your 'connections.' I just has eight friends and now I have more than 100,000 people in my 'network.
I was surprised to find out that a former schoolmate have 'conncections' with my other friends who have not met.
Very interesting! It all relates to a book that a lecturer shared, 'The Tipping Point' where there are people who are hubs that connect other people to each other.
Saturday, October 18, 2003
The Perils of Overhauling Your PC
My PC has been needing a much needed ovehaul. It has been more than a year since I last reformated my computer. It has been crashing in the last five months. The Explorer icon of my browser has been changed to my previous ISP's logo ever since and it does not look good.
Now I am downloading the files and drivers I need to make my computer work again. The zip disk drivers that I am downloading now will take another 15 minutes.
Last night I spent two hours downloading Windows updates to the OS.
Now my computer seems to be running in full capacity.
My PC has been needing a much needed ovehaul. It has been more than a year since I last reformated my computer. It has been crashing in the last five months. The Explorer icon of my browser has been changed to my previous ISP's logo ever since and it does not look good.
Now I am downloading the files and drivers I need to make my computer work again. The zip disk drivers that I am downloading now will take another 15 minutes.
Last night I spent two hours downloading Windows updates to the OS.
Now my computer seems to be running in full capacity.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
The Chilean government portal is my most favorite government portal of all.
I love the logo of Chile. It has16 cubes forming a 3D-ish diamond. This is logo on all official websites and used by its embassy.
Below is the Chilean coat of arms or its 'escudo nacional.'
Before I die I'll visit Chile. I'll go to Santiago de Chile, Valparaiso, Rapa Nui and Patagonia/Tierra del Fuego (I think this is part of Argentina).
Chile has just signed a free trade agreement with the United States. Some consider Chile as a new member of NAFTA.
Its economy has been stable compared to Argentina, Brasil and Perú.
Reflections
(currently listening to: 'When I Grow Up by Mahinarangi Tocker)
When I was younger I wanted to be a virologist/immunologist. I was inspired by my AIDS study and the movie 'Outbreak.' I reached 8th year and my adviser helped me realise that its hard to be in the medical and professional careers. She said it takes 10 years to study say medicine and 10 years to be come fully 'established.' From then on I said I want to be a businessman.
Four years ago if I've not chosen the first option it would have been my second year until my masters in economics. Then I so wanted to be an economist.
I took the different path and I'm here at the edge of the world.
Don't get me wrong. I have no regrets. I'm just wondering how my life is so different from what I have planned it to be. Like what Des'ree and my good friend Klyfe said, 'life, oh life, oh life!'
(currently listening to: 'When I Grow Up by Mahinarangi Tocker)
When I was younger I wanted to be a virologist/immunologist. I was inspired by my AIDS study and the movie 'Outbreak.' I reached 8th year and my adviser helped me realise that its hard to be in the medical and professional careers. She said it takes 10 years to study say medicine and 10 years to be come fully 'established.' From then on I said I want to be a businessman.
Four years ago if I've not chosen the first option it would have been my second year until my masters in economics. Then I so wanted to be an economist.
I took the different path and I'm here at the edge of the world.
Don't get me wrong. I have no regrets. I'm just wondering how my life is so different from what I have planned it to be. Like what Des'ree and my good friend Klyfe said, 'life, oh life, oh life!'
Saturday, October 11, 2003
I came across a "discussion" which focused on the propagation of the English language.
The proponent said that it was a way to give the masses a key to knowledge and information. He claims that is a path for economic success.
The contradition is that in the United States of America there are still huge education and income gaps between the different races. Whites have more money and a university degree than blacks. The white and American Indian gap is even worse.
An opponent said that the local language must be propagated and that nations like Malaysia, Japan and Korea became successful while sticking to their native language.
I guess there must be balance between the two. Too much of English will make the people forget their original language and reduce it too a dialect. Too much of the native language will be a step back in integrating witht the globalized world...
The proponent said that it was a way to give the masses a key to knowledge and information. He claims that is a path for economic success.
The contradition is that in the United States of America there are still huge education and income gaps between the different races. Whites have more money and a university degree than blacks. The white and American Indian gap is even worse.
An opponent said that the local language must be propagated and that nations like Malaysia, Japan and Korea became successful while sticking to their native language.
I guess there must be balance between the two. Too much of English will make the people forget their original language and reduce it too a dialect. Too much of the native language will be a step back in integrating witht the globalized world...
Friday, October 10, 2003
At lunch time I went downtown to eat. As usual the options were either Subway or Burger King. Before I rode the escalator to go down I saw a Japanese fastfood outlet selling sushi, bento, tempura, etc. I thought it was too light and not value for money so I went down.
The queue at Subway was full and since it was just a small place by the time I paid for my food there's no place for me to sit. I moved along and went to Burger King on two buildings away.
At Burger King the queues was even longer. There were six counters and all had at least four people in line. I ordered a Whopper Jr and a sundae. Tradegy struck, my sundae fell to the floor. I was so embarassed. It was the second time I spilled or dropped something at this particular branch.
The first time I spilled my cola I did not go back for two weeks at that outlet. Aside from the spillage the sundae always touches my jacket. No wonder why sometimes the right sleve of my jacket is sticky weeks ago.
Fortunately, a friend of my cousin, who later became my friend was there eating so I joined him. We have not been in touch for about two months since we last bumped into each other at the bus.
I told him my sad story at Burger King and empathised with me.
Who unlucky can you get at times?
The queue at Subway was full and since it was just a small place by the time I paid for my food there's no place for me to sit. I moved along and went to Burger King on two buildings away.
At Burger King the queues was even longer. There were six counters and all had at least four people in line. I ordered a Whopper Jr and a sundae. Tradegy struck, my sundae fell to the floor. I was so embarassed. It was the second time I spilled or dropped something at this particular branch.
The first time I spilled my cola I did not go back for two weeks at that outlet. Aside from the spillage the sundae always touches my jacket. No wonder why sometimes the right sleve of my jacket is sticky weeks ago.
Fortunately, a friend of my cousin, who later became my friend was there eating so I joined him. We have not been in touch for about two months since we last bumped into each other at the bus.
I told him my sad story at Burger King and empathised with me.
Who unlucky can you get at times?
Sunday, October 05, 2003
Sautéed Mung Beans
This is a very cheap recipe for those on tight budgets. Its easy to cook and is healthy.
I've cooked this just three days ago. Cooking and eating this was nostalgic.
What you need:
2 cups of mung beans soaked overnight
1-2 liters of chicken stock (depends on you on how thick the soup is)
1 chopped onion
2 cloves crushed garlic
250 grams of pan fried diced beef or pork
spinach leaves or pepper leaves
1 chopped tomato
salt, pepper to taste
oil for sautéing
Directions:
1. Sauté garlic, onions and tomato.
2. Add the mung beans.
3. Add the meat.
4. Add the stock
5. Wait for beans to soften.
6. Add the leaves.
You might noticed that this is the third time that I talked about my cooking. Its now obvious that I like to cook.
Next in my culinary agenda is Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts! Watch out for it!
This is a very cheap recipe for those on tight budgets. Its easy to cook and is healthy.
I've cooked this just three days ago. Cooking and eating this was nostalgic.
What you need:
2 cups of mung beans soaked overnight
1-2 liters of chicken stock (depends on you on how thick the soup is)
1 chopped onion
2 cloves crushed garlic
250 grams of pan fried diced beef or pork
spinach leaves or pepper leaves
1 chopped tomato
salt, pepper to taste
oil for sautéing
Directions:
1. Sauté garlic, onions and tomato.
2. Add the mung beans.
3. Add the meat.
4. Add the stock
5. Wait for beans to soften.
6. Add the leaves.
You might noticed that this is the third time that I talked about my cooking. Its now obvious that I like to cook.
Next in my culinary agenda is Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts! Watch out for it!
Dishwashers
I must say that the best innovation that man has ever made for the kitchen after the refridgerator and stove is the dishwasher.
My goodness, no more manual washing of dishes every single night.
It is faster and no need for drying the dishes and utensils. No more scrubbing.
The only drawback is that it needs a special detergent powders or tablets and rinse aid.
I must say that the best innovation that man has ever made for the kitchen after the refridgerator and stove is the dishwasher.
My goodness, no more manual washing of dishes every single night.
It is faster and no need for drying the dishes and utensils. No more scrubbing.
The only drawback is that it needs a special detergent powders or tablets and rinse aid.
On Saturday I woke-up at 1400! I cannot believe it. It was my latest time to wake-up ever! I guess its fair enough when you slept at about 0330.
After getting up from bed I immediately went to the kitchen and started to cook. I had to cook because the Scotch fillet cut pork needs to be cooked. I has been thawing in the chiller of the refridgerator for about 36 hours and is completely thawed. If I leave it there longer it will just start to rot.
What I had in mind to cook was Adobo, the so called national dish. There was a problem the meat is not diced. I thought of just coating it with thick black soya sauce and frying it but I was aiming for Adobo. It was three pieces of roughly 5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches in size. I cut the meat into 'cubes' for lack of a better term.
I usually cook Adobo by cooking the meat with the vinegar, garlic, spices and others altogether and fry the meat afterwards. This time I fried the meat first. When the meat was cooked I added less than 0.5 cup of vinegar and a some soya sauce to make it brown a bit. I added the crushed cloves of garlic, pepper, bay leaves and sugar after.
This experiment turned out to be a great success. It was better than my previous method. I do not have to use two pans. Yummy and it was tasty.
After getting up from bed I immediately went to the kitchen and started to cook. I had to cook because the Scotch fillet cut pork needs to be cooked. I has been thawing in the chiller of the refridgerator for about 36 hours and is completely thawed. If I leave it there longer it will just start to rot.
What I had in mind to cook was Adobo, the so called national dish. There was a problem the meat is not diced. I thought of just coating it with thick black soya sauce and frying it but I was aiming for Adobo. It was three pieces of roughly 5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches in size. I cut the meat into 'cubes' for lack of a better term.
I usually cook Adobo by cooking the meat with the vinegar, garlic, spices and others altogether and fry the meat afterwards. This time I fried the meat first. When the meat was cooked I added less than 0.5 cup of vinegar and a some soya sauce to make it brown a bit. I added the crushed cloves of garlic, pepper, bay leaves and sugar after.
This experiment turned out to be a great success. It was better than my previous method. I do not have to use two pans. Yummy and it was tasty.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Samoa is a group of islands in the South Pacific or Polynesia.
Samoans believe that their ancestors sailed from the East Indies, Malaya or the Philippines.
Around the early 1900s the United States and Germany claimed ownership of the Samoan Islands. Germany got Western Samoa and the US got Eastern Samoa.
After the First World War, the US maintained control of Eastern Samoa and named it American Samoa. It is an unchartered US territory which is administered by the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of State.
The UN gave New Zealand the authority to administer Western Samoa until its independence in 1962.
My focus is on Western Samoa. It is a nation of islands. It has a population of about 170,000.
Its economy is based mostly on agricultural exports and remittances from overseas. The tourism sector is booming though.
Miscommunication
Yesterday I was suppose to attend a meeting at 1300. I went to the place where we often meet and we are not there. I sent an SMS message to the two other members. Fortunately I saw my friends and sat with them as I wait for any SMS reply. There was no reply at all until 1400.
At around 1720 I went to the bus stop to go home and I saw one member. She told me they had a meeting at the coffee shop nearby. She said she did not receive any SMS from me. How sad!
Yesterday I was suppose to attend a meeting at 1300. I went to the place where we often meet and we are not there. I sent an SMS message to the two other members. Fortunately I saw my friends and sat with them as I wait for any SMS reply. There was no reply at all until 1400.
At around 1720 I went to the bus stop to go home and I saw one member. She told me they had a meeting at the coffee shop nearby. She said she did not receive any SMS from me. How sad!