I AM SO

STRESSED OUT!!!

5 "facts" that are actually baseless and/or false...

False Fact #1: A scientific study on peanuts in bars found traces of over 100 unique specimens of urine.

After rigorous searching for more information, it turns out that no scientific study (or non-scientific study for that matter) has ever been conducted in to peanuts at bars. However, there was a study in ice-cubes in UK bars in 2003 which discovered that 44% of ice cubes tested contained coliform bacteria - bacteria that comes from human poop. Even more shockingly, 5% were infected with the potentially deadly E. Coli bacteria. I guess that proves that they aren’t making their ice cubes from bottled water. So, next time you are in London, pass on the ice and enjoy some peanuts instead.

False Fact #2: Elevators have killed or can kill when their cables snap.

There is a small element of truth to this “fact” - but we will get to that soon. Firstly, elevators usually have a minimum of four operating cables, as well as an inbuilt braking system and a backup braking system in the shaft which forces a wedge into the shaft to prevent too rapid a drop. If the cables were all to snap (and believe me, elevator cables are strong), the cars braking system would detect the free fall and automatically apply. If that also fails, the shaft’s braking system takes over. Now, the small element of truth I mentioned earlier is that there has been one recorded account of a complete elevator free fall; it was caused by an airplane which crashed into the Empire State Building in 1945. The crash caused the cables in the elevator to be weakened - ultimately leading to them breaking. The person riding the lift (Betty Lou Oliver) survived the 75 floor free fall because of air pressure beneath the car.

False Fact #3: You can’t fold a piece of paper in half more than 7 times.

This is one we all hear regularly - and we believe it because it is true when we tried it. But, in 2002 a US high school student Britney Gallivan proved it wrong by folding a piece of thing gold leaf more than 7 times with the use of tweezers. To further prove that it could be done, she bought a giant roll of toilet paper on the internet and her and her family took it to the local mall where they attempted to fold it more than 7 times. Seven hours of folding later, they had it folded into 12 folds.

False Fact #4: Polar Bears are left-handed.

Where this myth came from is now lost in the dark recesses of history. The widespread of this misnomer is quite extraordinary with more google results announcing it as gospel than not. But in reality, scientists who have spent their working lives studying polar bears have found that they are actually ambidextrous (they use both hands equally well). It is possible that the myth was started when people observed the bears working well with their left hands, but they neglected to notice that they also worked well with their right.

False Fact #5: The Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space.

Well this is wrong on many levels. Firstly, while you are still close enough to earth to actually see the great wall, you can also see road networks, and other large objects created by man. There is, in fact, no distance from earth in which you can only see the great wall. By the time you get a few thousand miles away, you can see nothing man-made. Astronaut Alan Bean said:

“The only thing you can see from the moon is a beautiful sphere, mostly white (clouds), some blue (ocean), patches of yellow (deserts), and every once in a while some green vegetation. No man-made object is visible on this scale. In fact, when first leaving earth’s orbit and only a few thousand miles away, no man-made object is visible at that point either.”

A message from a pet...

Hi, I'm your dog. I've got something to say to you ....

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, and yet I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.

10. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so.

11. Please don't forget to put my goggles and helmet on when we ride. I am as fragile as you are.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Please pass this on to other dog lovers.

At hindi magbabago ang tibok ng puso ko... para kay Mr. Ratsky...

LSS. Last Song Syndrome. Over bottles of SanMig Light, tokwa't baboy, and obviously inebriated talk at Rufo's, a secret is revealed. Chase trainer Randy divulges Pam's object of undying affection (since she was 5 years old, for chrissakes!): Mr. Bababaero himself, Randy Santiago. Allyn, Ed, and I are flabbergasted. Allyn asks, "What did you like about Randy Santiago?" I couldn't resist, "His name?"

Indeed, Pam, explain, "Why the hell do you like Randy?"

Mic test, one, two, one, two...

Emile Berliner invented the microphone in 1876. I don't know why some people still confuse it with something else. Here are some videos showing mics misused as cellphones, pepper mill, or food (accidentally).

Disastrous singing moments...

Mariah Korea and 3 US national anthem catastrophes...

TV shopping is dangerous...

Well, at least to the idiots who sell the items! Need evidence? I got three...

Grapes of wrath...

Gives a whole new meaning to the John Steinbeck classic, hahaha! The berries strike back! I swear my tummy ached so bad from laughing really hard. The slo-mo's the killer!

Newscasters lose it...

What?!? It's really funny!

Why, God, oh why?!?

Laugh trip...

Double whammy!



That's gotta hurt!



The fatty breakdown...

Death Ambulance

I'm having a mean streak! No sounds but this is unbelievably funny!

And that's a strike!

That's why you need to strap the nunchuck, idiot! Wii - ooh - wii - ooh - wii...

Pen juggling gone wrong...

Hey Ed, didn't you wanna learn how to do this trick? Don't say I didn't warn you, okay? Stay glued until the very end...

The dance of destruction...

At least they're being safe...

Make You Feel My Love

Adele, 51st Grammy Awards winner for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, covers a classic. Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and even Kelly Clarkson have their own renditions! Such a mysteriously heartrending song. Great version, notwithstanding. "Perfect" love song...

When the rain
Is blowing in your face
And the whole world
Is on your case
I could offer you
A warm embrace
To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows
And the stars appear
And there is no one there
To dry your tears
I could hold you
For a million years
To make you feel my love

I know you
Haven't made
Your mind up yet
But I would never
Do you wrong
I've known it
From the moment
That we met
No doubt in my mind
Where you belong

I'd go hungry
I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling
Down the avenue
No, there's nothing
That I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love

The storms are raging
On the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
Though winds of change
Are throwing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing
Like me yet

I could make you happy
Make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends
Of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love


To make you feel my love...

Smarty pants dance...

Common errors in English usage: Part III

BUTT NAKED vs. BUCK NAKED

The standard expression is “buck naked,” and the contemporary “butt naked” is an error that will get you laughed at in some circles. However, it might be just as well if the new form were to triumph. Originally a “buck” was a dandy, a pretentious, overdressed show-off of a man. Condescendingly applied in the US to Native Americans and black slaves, it quickly acquired negative connotations. To the historically aware speaker, “buck naked” conjures up stereotypical images of naked “savages” or—worse—slaves laboring naked on plantations. Consider using the alternative expression “stark naked.”

Failures are part of successes...

Fat chance...

Cebu-bound friends...

It never really dawned on me that some of my office mates will be going to Cebu for the Chase conversion. Sure, we've talked about it since December and made up our minds who will be assigned to which site, but the realization that these people will be gone for at least one month was eclipsed by the "insane" schedule we had for the past weeks. So when Dimple and I were exchanging goodbyes earlier, I suddenly became aware that I won't be seeing her and the other Cebu-assigned trainers for 4 weeks. And I started to miss them right there and then!

I think that sometimes we take for granted the times we spend at work. We don't know how much we truly "touch" everyone by just talking, arguing, laughing, singing, dancing, teasing, joking, working, photocopying, eating, meeting, and training together. We don't realize that almost 10 - 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, are spent with our co-workers while the remaining time is allocated for our personal lives. It's no surprise then that we will eventually "bond", whether we like it or not. Of course, it goes without saying that I am happy with the friendships forged within the training team.

To Dimple, Shalom, Tricia, PJ, Che, and Jill, have a safe trip to and a wonderful time in Cebu. Enjoy Golden Peak, hehehe! Ingat kayo. Pasalubong ko ha?

Thank you...

Thank God for friends. Friends who really "get" you. They make trying and difficult times, well, not easy, but livable at least one day at a time. Why are there people who understand and know you so much you don't even have to utter a single word and they know what you're going through? And they're miles away from you! Compare the people who breathe the same stench of the workplace and are oblivious to your situation. I can't blame them. All of us have problems. All of us have things to tend to - our families, our careers, our ambitions, our frustrations, our emotions. That's why I am truly grateful that there are still friends who care enough to listen and give intelligent advice when you need it most.

I am plagued with so many questions right now. Like Meryl Streep's character at the end of her current Oscar-nominated movie, I have doubts - such doubts! Not just with the system. Not just with judgments and decisions made. But at myself. Doubts with my capabilities. Doubts with my self-worth. Doubts with my clout. It's one thing to be punished for a wrongdoing and to learn the lessons that go with it. But to be castrated without the benefit of reason and purpose is humiliating and debilitating. I feel so useless right now. My crippled spirit is barely breathing.

That's why I thank God for friends who "get" me. They give clarity to a muddled mind. Hope to an injured enthusiasm. They don't beat around the bush. They don't condescend or patronize you. Because that's what I really need right at this moment: The Truth.

What's wrong with this picture

Please tell me what's wrong with this picture. Please click on the link (the word "picture"). Good luck!

George W. Bush moments...

Desperate faith or futile loyalty...

Interesting picture. Is it optimism? Is it strength of character or fortitude? Is it delusion? Is it practical? Facing rays of hope, will they find solace in their destination? Who is more fearless? Who is dependent? The blind leading the blind. An endless charade with non-satisfying outcomes. Close your eyes. The answers are found in the comfort of the dark.

What a dope...

Michael Phelps has admitted to smoking cannabis and apologized after a picture of the record-breaking Olympian with a bong pipe was published in a British tabloid.

The swimmer, who won eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, conceded the authenticity of the picture published by the News of the World.

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again,” Phelps said in a statement.

Phelps’s career may now be tarnished beyond repair. Athletes caught using cannabis, a banned substance under rules set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency, face a ban of up to two years.

Phelps has never failed a drugs test and even offered to take extra tests before the Olympic Games in August to promote an anti-doping campaign.

So far, the authorities have no grounds for taking action and, even if ordered to take a new test, Phelps could still be shown to be drug-free because the alleged offense was said to have taken place in November.

The picture of Phelps, his baseball cap worn back to front, using a lighter to send smoke along his glass bong, emerged after a student party where the 6ft 4in swimmer was also claimed to have been drinking heavily, in stark contrast to his Olympic mantra, which was to swim, eat, sleep and swim again.

Well, what can I say, it happens to the best of them!

Q12

Five years ago, The Gallup Organization (a leader in management consulting, human resources, and statistical research services) began creating a feedback system for employers that would identify and measure elements of worker or employee engagement most tied to the bottom line--things such as sales growth, productivity and customer loyalty.

After hundreds of focus groups and thousands of interviews with employees in a variety of industries, Gallup came up with the Q12, a 12-question survey that identifies strong feelings of employee engagement. Results from the survey show a strong correlation between high scores and superior job performance. Here are those 12 questions:

• Do you know what is expected of you at work?

• Do you have the materials and equipment you need to do your work right?

• At work, do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?

• In the last seven days, have you received recognition or praise for doing good work?

• Does your supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about you as a person?

• Is there someone at work who encourages your development?

• At work, do your opinions seem to count?

• Does the mission/purpose of your company make you feel your job is important?

• Are your associates (fellow employees) committed to doing quality work?

• Do you have a best friend at work?

• In the last six months, has someone at work talked to you about your progress?

• In the last year, have you had opportunities at work to learn and grow?

So how does your company fare? Think.

Warning: Movie Spoilers

Funny Superbowl ad...