Monday, March 30, 2009

Kennedy and Lincoln.

Here are some pretty weird coincidences and similarities between Kennedy and Lincoln I like to share. My coworker sent me this email. Don't know what the source.

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846..
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946..

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head

Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln .

Both were assassinated by Southerners..
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford'.
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln' made by 'Ford'.

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Late Night Catechism

I had the opportunity to see Late Night Catechism at The Royal George Theatre last weekend. This comedy show has been running for 15 years now. Obviously they must be doing something good to sustain such longevity. Our nun was played by Lisa Buscani. The skit is sort of a one man improvisation that involves the audience. The premise is that the audience are there to attend a Catholic Catechism class with the nun giving the class. It's pretty funny specially if you were raised a catholic. More funnier if you went to Catholic school. For a very reasonable price of $15 at Hot tix, this show is definitely a good deal. Sure beat the hell out of another night at a club/bar on a weekend.

March out like a Lion.

March is suppose to come in like a Lion and out like a Lamb but it looks like it is the reverse for this March. We had a few inches of wet snow today March the 29th. The beginning of March was uneventful weatherwise. In fact Chicago's high temperature for March 5 and 6 was in the mid 60s. This would be a perfect day to stay in and read a book or watch some video or play the piano.

Friday, March 27, 2009

The guy who loves his dog.

I can definitely appreciate a guy who loves his dog. In fact it is very endearing to see a guy with his best friend. But there is a fine line between a guy who loves his dog too much and a guy who is a dog lover. When a guy can not choose who to save between his parents and his dog in a hypothetical question of a sinking ship, then there is a problem. For me it is a no brainer. The people who gave you life, fed you and clothe you is chosen first before the dog. I would have understood it if the choice is between an evil killer/criminal and your loyal dog. I probably will choose the dog too. But to put your parents in the same league as the dog, that is just wrong. So what will happen if you date this guy and you don't get along with the dog? You will be out in the curb before the dog. In fact my friend Sam dated this kind of guy once. Dates were planned around the dog's schedule. He did not stay overnight because he did not want the dog to be left alone. He cut the date short cause it has been 2 hours already since he left the dog. Well thank God Sam did not end up with him. I would have rolled my eyes everytime I hear this kind of stories. And frankly, being second best to a dog is just too insulting.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

pet peeve - credit or debit?

Why is it that when I use my credit card, some check out scanner assumes that I have a debit card and ask for my PIN number? Then you have to press cancel for it to process it as a credit card. I think I have earned enough years of building a good credit history that I won't need a debit card. It is really annoying.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Sigh...

Sometimes when something enters your life temporarily,it can disrupt your old familiar routine and a small portion of yourself yearns to resume the said routine with haste. This can happen even if the disruption is welcomed and diverting. Then you can grow to be accustomed to the new routine brought by the disruption that when you resumed your old routine, you realized you missed the disruption. Little things that reminds you of the disruption brings that remorseful feeling in your heart. You are glad to be back to your normal day to day activities, yet you are sad for the lost. And it will take several days to snap out of it. sigh...

Such is a complex melange of feelings that only humans can feel. Well at least that is what we think is the case.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Little Mermaid


I have fond memories of The Little Mermaid disney movie. I used to watch it every afternoon after a hard day as an intern for Physical Therapy School. I can still memorize the whole line of Ursula singing to Ariel before she transformed the mermaid into a human. Needless to say I love love love this movie and I had high expectations of the musical version. I was prepared to be disappointed as Ta Lani had a mixed review of it when she saw it first about a year ago. But I was thoroughly entertained after watching it this past weekend. Ta Lani was gracious enough to watched it again with me. Thank God for TKTS we got a good deal and good seats. The singing was brilliant. Love our Ursula Heidi Blickenstaff. She was funny and her voice just screamed Ursula. The costumes and set decorations did not disappoint me either. I was so curious how they would stage the sea and underwater part and it visually stimulated me. The special effect was very good. The additional songs worked for me too. I recognized some melodies from Beauty and the Beast incorporated into the new songs. The story may have been changed a little but it flowed just effortlessly. This show is definitely a treat for the 30 something and 40 something who remembered watching it when they were younger and it is also a new delight for the kids nowadays.

Good weather congestion.

In northern cities where winters can be harsh, most people take advantage of any good weather given by nature specially in winter months. I noticed here in Chicago that if it is sunny and in the high 30s to low 40s during winter, everybody take advantage of the relatively good weather and flock outside to go shopping, walking, etc. In the Spring and Fall if the weather is in the high 60s or low 70s, same phenomenon happens. More people are in the street or in their car out to go somewhere outdoorsy. This adds up to rush hour traffic which is kind of annoying when you are just trying to get home. But then again, one should be thankful of the nice weather.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Pet Peeve - strong perfume/cologne

Nothings irritates my allergic rhinitis more than a strong perfume or cologne. Since I work with up to 16 different clients every day, the chance of me encountering a client with a strong cologne or perfume is relatively substantial. I would be sneezing in front of them because of it and they would ask if I am sick. How can I tactfully tell them that it is their cologne or perfume that is making me sneeze? Why do these people bath in cologne/perfume?
On a side note, if my client stinks, it also makes me sneeze. I am hopeless...

PS. I sneeze even if I am medicated.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Andy Murray, cute?

I have never been a big fan of number 4 Andy Murray. I do not loathe him like I do Sharapova or Djokovic. I think he is a good tennis player and he seems likable. I think the very reason why I have not liked him is because he is somewhat unattractive. Call me shallow but that's the truth. The cuter they are, the more I get to admire their tennis skills and abilities. (ladies are exempted from this rule) So I was taken aback when I saw these pictures of him during a recent press conference. He look mighty fine in these pics. What happened?

As I said, he is usually unattractive as seen in the pic below. What is he? The Jekyll and Hyde of the tennis world?


(pics from Yahoo.com)

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Colin the hot Irish.

St. Patty's Day is coming. And my way of celebrating this day is to post pictures of Colin Farrell. I think he is one hot Irish man.



(pics from all-photos.net, starstore.com, celebritywindow.com, vnn.vn, thecinemasource.com, dailymail.co.uk, yahoo.com)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Second class citizens

The issue about Prop 8 in California made me more aware of the fact that the GLBT community are treated by our government as second class citizens. I am talking about the right to marriage that the GLBT community are not afforded. Here are just some privileges heterosexual have by getting married.

> Married spouse can leave their estate to the surviving spouse when they die free of federal tax.
> Married spouse have rights to their deceased spouse's Social Security benefits.
> Married spouse can inherit a deceased spouse's property.
> Married spouse have the right with regards to the control, division and disposition of community property in case of a divorce.
> Married spouse have the rights for the award of child custody, support payments and spousal support in divorce proceedings.
> Married spouse can bring a wrongful death action in case their spouse dies.
> Married spouse have rights to their deceased spouse's children outside of their own marriage.

We, the GLBT community, want those same rights and privileges. We do not care what they call it. Be it domestic partnership, conjugal agreement or contract between people who will go to hell. We don't care! (at least I don't) Just give us the same rights and privileges. If the government is so oppose to give us marriage, at least take away those rights and privileges from the heterosexual couple. Now at least we are all equal.

Monday, March 09, 2009

weird but amusing special effects.

Courtesy of our brave soldiers abroad is this video. Just watch it.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Chicago (the musical)

Last week I saw Chicago the musical here in Chicago with 2 coworkers. I did not intend to watch it but accidentally bought the tickets while trying to purchase Mary Poppins. But that is another blog entry and let me not digress.
I have seen Chicago the movie and I liked it. But I have not seen the Musical version ever so I was looking forward to it. The show was at the Oriental Theatre. The dancing was superb. Love the men and the way they danced. I have always love the style of Fosse. The singing was good and powerful. I have no complain but one. The actress who played Roxie Hart (Charlotte d' Amboise) had a gargly quality to her voice when she inhale for the next high note. It is not that obvious but I was noticing it more after I noticed it the first time. On the not so positive side. The set never changed so a lot of imagination have to be used. They just took chairs in and out as far as setting changes required. They never changed costume either! So it was rather a cheap production to make. Worth seeing once, but I would not pay again to watch it.

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Being noticed feels good.

I went out to Charlies last night. OK I fess up that my motivation for going out is to meet people. Perhaps as friends, perhaps as potential dates. Only about 20% of the time I go out do I actually meet somebody. So I sometimes wonder why I even do it. Being the optimist that I strive to be, I dragged myself out. As it turned out, it was a good night that made me feel good about myself. A group of filipino guys were friendly to me. Not sure if some of them were interested. This guy who was not really my type was dancing close to me. I could tell he was trying to angle himself to me if I gave him enough encouragement. And this cute young guy actually came and talked to me. Then he went back to the dance floor to his friends. Even though I did not get any number and went home alone, I was pretty happy about my outing. It feels good to be noticed. And certainly it is a good boost to my self esteem.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Torchwood Season 3

I am so happy to learn that Torchwood season 3 is coming. Unlike season 1 and 2, season 3 will be a 5 part mini series with one big story line. John Barrowman will be back as Captain Jack Harkness along with David Gareth-Lloyd as Ionto Jones and Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper. Also in season 3 is Freeman Agyeman as Marth Jones. Supposedly in the UK all 5 episodes will be shown in 1 week. Don't know if this will be the case in the US. From what I learned, it will air here at BBC America sometime Spring-Summer of this year. Cant't wait!

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

What bored soldiers do (part 4)

These are senseless videos from bored soldiers. Definitely have eye candy value. Do keep those shirts off boys. And the last one is quite amusing.






Pet Peeve - Hyphenated names.

For me, it is rather a simple choice to either keeping your own name or taking your husband's name. These hyphenated name is just confusing to people specially those that have to work with legal documents and medical records. ID says one name and Insurance Card says another. Worst if they got divorced and returned to their maiden name dropping the hyphenated names. How many hours do we waste looking for charts and records just because of these name confusion? Ay vey!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Who am I voting for?

The Illinois 5th Congressional District seat is up for grabs. Rahm Emanuel vacated this seat when he became the White House Chief of Staff. The Special Primary is today and I still have not decided who to vote for. Well it is a given that I will vote Democratic but 3 candidates still stand out. All of these 3 seems to be gay friendly and friendly to issues that are important to me. I guess I will continue my online search during my lunch break. I hope to make up my mind before I head to the polls. Oh Election Goddess, guide me wisely.

Monday, March 02, 2009

I like Fish

I like fish in the form of fish fillet, fried catfish, roasted salmon and sushi. I like fish in the fish tank in the form of my goldies, tetra, danio, barb and betta. And I like fish in the form of Mardy Fish. He just won his first ATP tournament for 2009 at the Delray Beach International Championships. Congratulations Mardy. And might I add I like your hairdo!
(pics from yahoo sport page)

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Becoming Edvard Munch

Most of us are familiar with that work of art "The Scream". Like some of you, I was not familiar with artist behind this iconic image of despair and anxiety. But learning is a continuous process so I joined my friends to the special exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago on the artist entitled "Becoming Edvard Munch". This exhibit runs from February 14 to April 26 of this year. Edvard Munch is a Norwegian artist during the impressionist era. The exhibit explored the connections and influences of other well known artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Klinger and Gauguin. They would show the works of these artist that influenced Munch side by side with Munch's version. The topics of works includes City streets in Paris, Norwegian Landscapes, Lovers in despair, sick child, funerals, indoors images of loneliness, swimming boys/men and portraits of "femme fetales". Medium of work includes lithographs, woodcuts, etching and oil in canvas. One thing I found as a general themes of his works, they all seems show dark colors and poignant themes. I did not remember seeing any smiling faces. The faces and eyes were usually distorted. It was disturbing to some degree. The exhibit explored the idea that Munch was sick and his works reflected this. Definitely a worthwhile endeavor to see this special exhibit specially if you live in Chicago.