IN FRATERNAM MEAM: October 2004

IN FRATERNAM MEAM

Saturday, October 30, 2004

FOR GOD'S SAKE, VOTE HIM OUT......by Fr. Andrew Greeley

(commentary of Fr. Andrew Greeley SJ at the CHICAGO SUNTIMES 28Oct)

strong>THERE are two proportionate reasons for rejecting
Pres. George Bush's bid for re-election. Both the
United States and the world are a mess. Mr. Bush is
responsible for both messes. The first president ever
to claim de facto infallibility, Mr.Bush tells us that
he follows his instincts in decision-making after praying
over the decision and talking to God. He admits no mistakes
--- how could anyone who has a direct link to God makes
a mistake! In his next administration he will receive
more divine inspirations which will make both the country
and the world even more messy.

CONSIDERthe American economy. He has turned
the biggest budget surplus in history into the biggest deficit
because he wanted to give more money to the "haves and have mores" as he called them. He has presided over
the largest job losses since the Great Depression. He has stood
idly by while hundreds of thousands of American jobs have been
flown overseas. His reform of health care has made it more expensive
and more difficult for the elderly. He declines to rein in the
greed of the drug companies and thus drives many Americans to Canada
--- of all places --- to buy the medicines needed to stay alive.
He has cast doubt on the future of Social Security. He has been on the
bridge during the current absurd panic over flu vaccine, the deaths of those
elderly and children who are not able to obtain flu shots are on his hands.
What if one of those who die is your parent or spouse or child?
He has not lifted a finger to help the many Americans whose pensions
are being eaten up by greedy employers. Oil prices are climbing rapidly
and the stock market is tanking.

We want four more years of this stuff?

FECKLESSLY he started the ill-advised and ill-prepared war
in Iraq in which some Americans have to come close to mutiny to protect
them from orders to bring contaminated fuel in badly equipped trucks
to units that won't accept it. He misled the American people about the weapons
in Iraq and the involvement of Iraq in the World Trade Center attack.He is
disgusted, he tells us, by the kidnapping and the beheadings, the car bombs
and roadside bombs, the ambushes and murder of civilians, but the bad
decisions he and his cabinet made were mandated by God and could not
have been mistakes. Pat Robertson tells us, however, that Mr. Bush told him that
God had disclosed that the casualties in Iraq would be light. Maybe that
was God's mistake!
DO WEwant him to continue with these god-driven
policies for four more years? Eleven hundred dead Americans already.
How many more thousands will have to die before God will tell Mr. Bush
to get out of Iraq? How many tens of thousands of Iraqis will have to die?
THE WORLD is a mess because the United States is the
natural leader of the free world and the American president the natural
president of the free world. He blew the capital support and sympathy
that flowed to the United States after the World Trade Center attack
by his "Bush Doctrine"that turned him to the
bully of the free world. Next year the Poles will leave Iraq because the
Polish people dont like the war. The Poles -- our strongest allies in
Mr. Rumsfeld's "New Europe"-- are fed up with us! Four more years
of divine inspiration and what will be left of America's power and prestige?
We will still be a giant but like Gulliver a tattered giant chained
in the gound by our president's madcap inspirations.
THE POPEis infallible only in certain limited circumstances
and on specific matters. Unlike the pope, Mr. Bush apprarently sets no limits
on the policy decisions that will be made by conversations with God.
We want four more years of those desicions?
THE PRESIDENT, like every human is entitled to his own
relationship with God. He is entitled to use that relationship to make
decisions, to justify them later, and to stick to them no matter what
happens.Many Americans will accept such decisions because they believe he is
a "godly" man. Not everyone else has to tolerate four more years
of his divine right to govern.
EVEN IFthe elction is close, Mr. Bush will win it. His
lawyers are ready to go back into court and the spine Supreme Court
will give the country fore more years of divine right rule.
DO WE REALLY WANT THAT?

email:agreel@aol.com

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:35 AM 0 comments

Friday, October 29, 2004

CLUTTER.....WHAT CLUTTER?

(abstracted from WOMANSDAYMAG)

If you answer "yes" to at least three of these questions,
it's time to face facts: You maybe addicted to Clutter.

1. Do you constantly have difficulty finding items you need?

2. Are you unable to clean floors, counters and tables
regularly because of piles?

3. Are you ashamed to invite friends into your home
because of the clutter?

4. Do others complain about disorder in your home or workspace?

5. Do you have trouble letting go of things you no loner need?

6. Is clutter causing problems with your relationships?

HELP FOR CLUTTER ADDICTS

** Get a free referral to a professional organizer at www.napo.net.

** Join a support group at www.messies.com, www.clutterless.org or
www.cluttersanonymous.net.

** Find a dispassionate clutter coach to help you sort through
what to keep and what to discard.

posted by infraternam meam @ 5:12 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

QUIZ: HOW PINOY ARE YOU?....by Alan Robles

(abstracted from PILIPINAS2.0MAG)

For decades, hordes of Filipinos could'nt wait
to rush out of their country so they could become
Americans. Well, now it's the 21st century and
things are different. These days Filipinos no
longer rush out of their country just to become
Americans. They also rush off to become Germans,
or Italians or French, or Dutch or Canadians, or
Australians.

1. The U.S. promises to give your country $55 million.
Suddenly and without warning it halves this amount.
What would YOU think?
a. Why those lying, untrustworthy finks
b. Who do they think they are?
c. We should be thnakful those nice and wonderful people
gave us something at all. It must have been something
we did, we're to blame. We should be ashamed of ourselves.

2. With great power comes
a. Great responsiblity
b. Great humility
c. Great opportunities

3. My attitude to all the corruption and inefficiency
in my country's government is
a. We need to change things at once and jail all these crooks!
b. Things will get better if we pray hard enough
c. Don't worry, be happy

4. In my country the best way to pay taxes is to
a. File early
b. File on the last day
c. I's suppose to PAY taxes?

5. My country's traffic problems would be solved if only
a. Everybody follows traffice rules
b. Traffice rules were enforced
c. All the other dirvers acknowledging my superior driving skills

6. In my country, the best, most certain way to assure my loved one's
financial future and security is to
a. Work hard and get insurance
b. Win the lotto
c. Become a congressman

7. In my country, public service is
a. A noble calling
b. Innefficient
c. I don't know, I've never seen it

8. When holding a karaoke party with your friends in the
middle of the night, you should -- bearing in mind you have
neighbors sleeping-- set the volume at:
a. Soft
b. Lound
c. Homicidal

9. How many relatives do you have living in the United States?
a. None
b. Many
c. I AM in the United States

10. When going to an appointment it always pays to
a. Be early
b. Be punctual
c. Walk very, very slowly while taking deep breaths

11. My country's national drink is
a. Coke
b. Milk
c. Buko juice

12. My country's national fruit is
a. Apple
b. Mango
c. Pork

13. My favorite food seasoning is
a. Sugar
b. Salt
c. Sugar flavored salt with vinegar dressing

14. When somebody tells me that balut is boiled duck
embryo eaten as a snack, I
a. Run away with my hands in my mouth
b. Exclaim "that sounds great!"
c. Exclaim "that sounds great with salt"

15. A dog is
a. Man's best friend
b. a pest that barks all night and keeps you awake
c. A good entree

16. Drinking hard liquor is best reserved for occasions such as
a. Social gatherings
b. Going to nightclubs
c. Days of the week whose names end in "day"

17. Drinking beer is reserved for occasions such as
a. Nights out with friends
b. Before and after drinking hard liquor
c. Eating balut or a good entree

18. When I have plenty of money I immediately
a. Go to the bank and put all of it in savings
b. Go to the bank to put some of it in savings
c. Go to the bank and borrow more money so i can buy
that shiny new car and make all my neighbors envious

19. What makes you laugh most?
a. Brilliant puns and verbal gags
b. Sitcoms
c. Morons doing a skit about bowel movement over and over

20. When I hear somebody near me say "psst" I
a. Avert my gaze because I don't want trouble
b. Glare at the impolite boor making the rude noise
c. Immeidately start knocking on the roof of the vehicle
because a passenger wants to get off

21. Travelling to a foreign city, I find out that a countryman
of mine is on the run from immigration authorities, I would
NEVER think of betraying him because:
a. He's a fellow national
b. The reward isn't high enough
c. I'm also an illegal

22. Walking down the street I see an excited crowd gathering
to watch two cocks equipped with razor sahrp spikes
on their legs gore each other to a bloody death, I quickly
a. Run as fast as I can to call the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
b. Run as fast as I can to get my camera
c. Run as fast as I can to get money because white looks like a winner

23. You hear of a countryman who speaks 19 languages,
holds four doctorates and is working on cold fusion.
Without having seen him at all how would you instantly call him?
a. Brilliant
c. A credit to his ace
c. Mayabang

24. When a lunatic with a knife seizes a hostage
in your neighborhood, you
a. Go to your house and lock the door
b. Go to your house, lock the door and call the police
c. Go to your house and call all your friends
and relatives to come over and join the fun, then rush
back out to taunt the hostage taker and make faces
at the TV cameras

25. When you go abroad your luggage contains
a. A few kilos of clothing
b. A few kilos of clothing and some personal items
c. Many kilos of clothing, which you need for
wrapping around the chicharon, tusino, taba ng talangka,
bagoong and noodle packs.

26. When returning from abroad your luggage consists of
a. Smelly clothes
b. A few kinds of clothing and some personal items
c. Smelly clothes which you're wearing because you needed
the luggage space for the chocolates, cigarettes,and liquor
and don't forget the check -in TV, washing machine, stand fan
refrigerator and oh yes the $4,000 in your socks

27. When you hold a family reunion, how many people show up?
a. Four or five
b. Six or ten
c. When you say "family" do you mean I should count third cousins
twice removed, great grandnephews, half sisters, godchildren
and aunts I'd never seen in my life?

28. My country's national sport is
a. Soccer
b. Basketball
c. Pusoy

29. I have faith in my country's government because
a.I believe in our democratic system
b. I have no choice
c. I live in the US

30. I would be proud to call myself "Filipino" because
a. Of Filipino cutlture
b. Of Filipino attitude to life
c. I've already acquired American citizenship

posted by infraternam meam @ 2:13 AM 0 comments

OCTOBER IS FILIPINO-AMERICAN MONTH

(abstracted from PILIPINAS2.0MAG)

NOTABLE FILIPINO AMERICANS

** PETER ADUJA, firt Filipino American elected to political office

** BENNY AGBAYANI, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals baseball player

** DIOSDADO BANATAO, Silicon Valley engineer and venture capitalist

** BOBBY BALCENA, Cincinnati Reds baseball player

** ANGELA PEREZ BARAQUIO, Miss America 2001

** LYNDA BARRY, hapa cartoonist, most known for Ernie Pook's Comeek and Marlys, published in Salon and other independent paper

** CARLOS BULOSAN, Filipino American author and labor activist

** ROBERT BUNDA, first Filipino American legislative president

** TIA CARRERA, actress

** BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO, first Filipino American governor in US

** VICTORIA MANALO DRAVES, diver who was first woman to win two gold medals in springboard diving at the 1948 Olympic in London

** JOSIE CRUZ NATORI, fashion magnate

** PEDRO FLORES, father of the yo-yo (Donald Duncan prucahsed the company and renamed it Duncan Yo-Yo Company)

** CHAD HUGO, music producer and musician

** GENE CANQUE LIDELL, first Filipino American mayor in US

** ALLAN PINEDA LINDO aka Apl.de.Ap.musician; member of the Black Eyed Peas

** EDUARDO E. MALAPIT, firt Filipino American mayor in US

** MICHELLE MALKIN, syndicated columnist

** NEAL McCOY, country singer

** BENJAMIN MENOR, first Filipino Amerivan state Supreme Court Justice

** PAOLO MONTALBAN, actor

** LOU DIAMOND PHILIPS, actor

** JENNIFER ROSALES, LPGA golfer

** ERNIE REYES, Jr. actor

** ROB SCHNEIDER, Satruday Night Live performer, actor

** BOBBY SCOTT, US Congressman from Virginia (D)

** EDWARD SORIANO, Lt. General of the US Army

** ANTONIO TAGUBA, Major General of the US Army, author of the Taguba Report which uncovered major prisoner abuses in Iraq

** JAMINE TRIAS, American Idol contestant

** BRIAN VILLORIA, Olympic boxer

posted by infraternam meam @ 1:44 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

OCTOBER IS FILIPINO-AMERICAN MONTH

(abstracted from PILIPINAS2.0MAG)

1587... First Filipino in North America landed near San Luis Obispo, California

1763... Firt permanent Filipino settlements established in North America near Barataria Bay in southern Louisiana

1781... Antonio Miranda Rodrgiguez chosen a member of the first group of settlers to establish the City of Los Angeles, California

1898... US annexes the Philippines

1899... Philippine-American war begins

1903... First Pensionados, Filipinos invited to attend college in the US on American government scholarships, arrive

1906... First Filipino laborers migrate to the US to work on the Hawaiian sugar cane and pineapple plantations, California and Washington asparagus farms, Washington lumber, Alaska salmon canneries

1920s.. Filipino labor leaders organize unions and strategic strikes to improve working and living conditions

1930s.. First Filipino women and children migrate to the US

1939... Washington Supreme Court rules unconstitutional the Anti-Alien Land Law of 1937 which banned Filipin Americans from owning land

1946... Republic of the Philippines established

1955... Peter Aduja becomes first Filipino American elected to office becoming a member of the Hawaii State House of Rrepresentatives

1965... Congress passes Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate ease of entry for skilled Filipino laborers

1974... Benjamin Menor appointed the first Filipino American in a state's highest judiciary office as Justice of Hawaii State Supreme Court

1975... Governor John A. Burns (D-Hi) convinces Benjamin J. Cayeatano to run and win in a seat in the Hawaii State Legislature despite Cayetano's doubts about winning office in a white and Japanaese American dominated district; Kauai's Eduardo E. Malapit elected first Filipino American Mayor

1987... Benjamin J. Cayetano becomes the first Filipino American and second Asian American elected Lt. Governor of a state of the Union

1990... David Mercado Valderama becomes the first Filipino American elcted to a state legislature on the mainland US srving Prince George's County in Maryland

1991... Seattle's Gene Canque Liddell beomces first Filipino American woman to be elcted mayor serving the suburb of Lacey City

1992... Velma Viloria becomes first Filipino American and First Asian American elected to the Washington State Legislature

1993... Mario R. Ramil appointed Associate Justice to the Hawaii Supreme Court, the second Filipino American to reach the court

1994... Benjamin J. Cayatano becomes the first Filipino American and second Asian American elected Governor of a state of the the Union

2000... Robert Bunda elected Hawaii Senate President and Simeon R. Acoba Jr. appointed Hawaii State Supreme Court Justice

posted by infraternam meam @ 9:20 PM 0 comments

BATTLE SCARS......The war between the sexes has been long and hard, with lots of ups and downs. Here are some of the highlights

(abstracted from MAXIMMAG)

20,000 B.C.after taking advice from the world's
first girl, Adam gets a banana hammock and is tossed
out of Eden. The battle is on.....

10,000 B.C. Delilah cuts her boyfriend Samson's hair,
sapping his strength. Men start wearing their hair
short to be on the safe side.

836 B.C. Queen Jezebel of Israel is deposed by Jehu, who
orders her thrown out of the window. Men no longer
innocent victim.

30 B.C. siding with his girl Cleopatra against his former
brother -in-law Augustus, Mark Antony angers the Gods,
loses empire, and kills self.

1400 B.C. the newly invented chastity belt is introduced
at the Fair of San Germain. Horny Italian women watch
nervously.

1547 Henry VIII, after beheading two of his six wives,
dies from syphillis and gross obesity. Feminists have
found their poster boy.

1776 Asked by his wife to "consider the ladies" while
drafting the Declation of Indipendence, John Adams
writes, "All men are created equal."

1826 First public high school for chicks. Male domination
on earth enters its twilight years. Upside: Playboy's
"Girls of the Pac-10."

1887 Congress passed the Edmunds-Tucker Act outlawing
Polygamy, but kills a similar bill outlawing pushy
Long Island hao-ers.

1910 The electric washing machine frees women up for more
liberating tasks, such as fetching beers and getting pregnant.

1920 Women are given the vote. They procees to do little
for ten yeas before joining with men to end abortion.

1960 The Birth Control Pill allows miilions of American
hotties to tramp about town without paying the consequences,
just like men.

1966 Feminist Betty Firedman helps form the National Organization
for Women, a fanatical army with active cell in all 50 states.

1976 West Point opens its doors to 119 women. That same year the
esteemed academy introduces the "girly-style" push-up.

1982 The Equal Rights Amendment goes down in flames. Coincidentally
Martha Stewart publishes her first book,Entertaining.

1983 Andy Kaufman retires from the Intergender Wrestling League
having slammed to the mat more than 400 uppity women.

1991 Overcoming Anita Hill's allegations of sexual harrasment,
Clarence Thomas invites his fellow justices over for a gang bang.

1992 Pat Robertson snaps and says feminish leads women to "leave
the husbands, kill their children and become lesbians."

1995 Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky share a pizza....
with extra sausage! Receiving a blow job now an
executive priviledge in D.C.

2001 Millions of teenage boys, perform unintentionally
simultaneous ejaculation volley during "Britney Spears
Live from Las Vegas."

posted by infraternam meam @ 1:23 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 25, 2004

MORE THAN JUST A SUGAR BUZZ.....Original Coca-Cola did use the realthing...from GEOGRAPHICA by Margaret G. Zackowitz

WHEN ATLANTA Pharmacist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola
in 1886, he named it that reason. his "Brain Tonic"
included extracts of the kola nut, a high-caffeine
stimulants thought to be an aphrodisiac, and coca leaf
extract, containing a small amount of cocaine. It's
been a hundred years since Coke included that particular
ingredient.

Before Coca-Cola, Pemberton had created a version of coca-wine,
a popular cocaine-laced beveraged endorsed by Queen Victoria
and Pope Leo XIII. In his new cola beverage, he eliminated
alcohol in a nod to the temperance movement but kept coca
extract. When pharmacies began mixturing his syrup with water,
sales bubbled up.

In the late 19th century cocaine was hailed as a painkilling
break through and found in dozens of products, from throat
lozenges to suppositories. But public concern began to grow
about its safety, and in 1904 Coca-Cola was completely
"Decocanized" (though coca extract with all traces of the
drug removed remaind and ingredient to this day).

Despite the omission, Coke's popularity continued to rise,
owing in part to a promotion campain. Growing suspicious
of the drink's success, officials at the U.S. Bureau of
Chemistry (percursor of the Food and Drug Admninistration)
had a shipment of Coke syrup seized in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
in 1909. The product they charged, violated the Pure Food
and Drug Act of 1906, prohibiting sale of "Adulteratedor Misbranded" foods. The "Adulterating" chemical: Caffeine.
The governemnt lost its case.

MORE STRANGE ELIXIRS:

Heroin Marketed as a cough medicine, 1898 to 1913

Opium Used in vaporizers to treat asthma, around 1900

Morphine Used in a syrup for quieting infants, also around 1900

posted by infraternam meam @ 11:31 PM 0 comments

WE'RE BACK FROM A SHORT VACATION

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:55 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

WHY WE SNOOZE

(abstracted from EXPERIENCELIFE by Catherine Guthrie)

HOW MUCH SLEEP id you get last night?Odds are it wasnt' enough, "No problem", you tell yourself. "I"ll make up for it tonight." But will you? Not likely.

The culprits, according to sleep experts, are 21st century distractions; longer work hours, the draw of the Internet and the pervasiveness of televisions in bedrooms.Many americans have grown accustomed to shaking off midday fatigue with jolts of cola or extra cups of coffee. But even if you manage to struggle through your days without chemical assistance, you should be aware that chronic sleep deprivation might be harming your body in unseen ways.

Inadequate sleep can lead to serious health risks. One of the most obvious danger is falling asleep at the wheels. "Chronic sleep deprivation is insidious," says Dr. Sean P.A. Drummond, PhD, and Associate Professor of pyschiatry at the University of California, San Diego, and the VA San Diego Healthcare System. "Most people don't realize they are sleep deprive because their perception of what 'normal' feels like has shifted."People have grown so accustomed to running on inadequate sleep", he says, that they take it in stride."The body's ability to function on less sleep lulls people into a false sense of security", Dr. Drummond says, "But normal is'nt the same as optimal. And the body functions much less efficiently when sleep deprived."

EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE SLEEPS, no one knows exactly what purpose it serves." Sleep is such a complex process, and it involves so many brain and body systems, it's hard to weed out the fundamental function, " says Dr.Sean P.A. Drummond.

Of course, that's not to say there aren't dozens of theories behind the sleep enigma. One popular perspective suggests that sleeping evolved as a survival tool. Mammals that move around too much at night are more likely to become other animals midnight snacks. Other theories focus more on the biological need for sleep. Many experts argue that while we sleep the body replenishes certain hormones and accomplishes important restorative and repair tasks. Still others believe sleeping allows the brain to rid itself of harmful free radicals.

Although experts are still unraveling the mystery of sleep, one thing is clear -- the body suffers greatly without a good night's rest, becoming more vulnerable, less resilient and less efficient as its sleep debts increases. And it's just not chronic insomiacs who need to worry. According to the latest research, people who electively cheat on their sleep, even for just a week, increase their susceptibility to chronic illness.

posted by infraternam meam @ 10:50 PM 0 comments

HOW SPIRITUAL ARE YOU

(To find out, take this test, which is adapted from a personality inventory devised by Washington University psychiatrist Robert Cloniger, author of Feeling Good: The Science of Well Being.)

=================================================

1.. I often feel so connected to the people around me that it is like there is no separation between us.
(___ True / ___ False)

2.. I often do things to help protect animals and plants from extinction.
(___ True / ___ False)

3.. I am fascinated by the many things in life that cannot be scientifically explained.
(___ True / ___ False)

4.. Often I have unexpected flashes of insight or understanding while relaxing.
(___ True / ___ False)

5.. I sometimes feel so connected to nature that everything seems to be part of one living organism.
(___ True / ___ False)

6.. I seem to have a "sixth sense" that sometimes allows me to know what is going to happen.
(___ True / ___ False)

7.. Sometimes I have felt like I was part of something with no limits or boundaries in time and space.
(___ True / ___ False)

8.. I am often called "Absent Minded" because I get so wrapped up in what I am doing that I lose track of everything else.
(___ True / ___ False)

9.. I often feel a strong sense of unity with all the things around me.
(___ True / ___ False)

10. Even after thinking about something a long time, I have learned to trust my feelings more than my logical reasons.
(___ True / ___ False)

11. I often feel a strong sense of unity with all the things around me.
(___ True / ___ False)

12. Often when I am concentrating on something, I lose awareness of the passage of time.
(___ True / ___ False)

13. I have made real personal sacrifices in order to make the world a better place, like trying to prevent war, poverty and injustice.
(___ True / ___ False)

14. I have had experiences that made my role in life so clear to me that I felt very happy and excited.
(___ True / ___ False)

15. I believe that I have experienced extrasensory perception.
(___ True / ___ False)

16. I have had moments of great joy in which I suddenly had a clear, deep feeling of oneness with all that exists.
(___ True / ___ False)

17. Often when I look at an ordinary thing, something wonderful happens. I get the feeling that I am seeing it fresh for the first time.
(___ True / ___ False)

18. I love the blooming of flowers in the spring as much as seeing an old friend again.
(___ True / ___ False)

19. It often seems to other people like I am in another world because I am so competely unaware of things going on around me.
(___ True / ___ False)

20. I believe that miracles happen.
(___ True / ___ False)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SCORING:Give yourself one point for each TRUE answer and 0 Points for each FALSE answer.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
14 & above ..... highly spiritual, a real mystic
12 - 13 ........ spiritually aware, easily lost in the moment
8 - 11 ......... spiritually average, could develop more spiritual life if desired
6 - 7 .......... a practical empiricist, lacking self transcendence
1 - 5 .......... highly skeptical, resistanct to developing spiritual awareness

posted by infraternam meam @ 5:10 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 18, 2004

LOW CARB FACT AND FICTION ....for children

posted by infraternam meam @ 5:31 AM 0 comments

Sunday, October 17, 2004

SIX TO BE TRIED FOR THONG INCIDENT.....from the Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- The American Civil Liberties Union is
defending six men who wee arrested during one of President
Bush's visits to Pennsylvania because they stripped down
to thong underwear and formed a human pyramid to protest
the Abu Gharib prison scandal in Itaq.

The six were hauled away by police and charged with
disorderly conduct on July 8, shortly after piling atop
each other at the side of a road carrying Bush's
motorcade in Lancaster County.

The men said they were trying to shame the president
by recreating an image of naked prisoner forced to
assume a similar positions by U.S. soldiers.

They weren't breaking any laws and should have been
left alone, said Paul Knudsen, and ACLU attorney.
"The first Amendment protects many types of speech",
she said. "What the defendants did in this case
was clearly protected by the First Amendment, even
though soem people found it offensie."

The six are scheduled to go before a district
justice on the Charges monday.

posted by infraternam meam @ 7:08 PM 0 comments

Saturday, October 16, 2004

FEELING THE SQUEEZE BECAUSE OF RISING OIL PRICES

CLOTHES
Petroleum based fabrics (like polyester)
used in clothes, bandages, rain gear,
life jackets and pantyhose could cost more.

BABY GEAR
Diapers, infant seats and strollers are among
products using plastics and plastics makes
use natural gas as both an ingredient and
factory fuel.

HOME ELECTRONICS
Petrochemicals are in everything from
blenders, cameras, CD, DVD players,
digital clocks and even piano keys.

TOYS, CRAYONS
Toy makers are already warning next
year's holiday season will cost more because
of today's oil and antural gas prices.

posted by infraternam meam @ 5:02 AM 0 comments

Friday, October 15, 2004

STROKE FACTS....(The American Stroke Association)

*** Each year, about 700,000 Americans
have a new or recurrent stroke.
About 500,000 o these are new.

*** One third to one half are estimated
to be caused by carotid artery blockage.

*** Eighty percent are "ischemic"
meaning that blood flow to the brain is blocked,
typically by plaque or clots, 12 percent
are "hemorrhagic", involving a burst
aneurysm or artery in or near the brain.

*** In a recent study, more than 1.1 million
American adults had difficulty functioning
in activities including daily living because
of strokes.

*** The estimated direct and indirect costs of
stroke in 2004 is $53.6 billion.

*** Number of strokes per 100,000 perople per year
are 167 for white men, 138 for white women,
323 for African American men and 260 for African
American women.

*** Sometimes trokes are preceeded by ministrokes
called "transient ishemic attacks".
Symptoms can include sudden blindness in one eye,
loss of sensations on one side of the body,
paralysis on one side of body, paralysis on one
side or in an arm or leg, slurred speech, dizziness
and difficulty in thinking of or saying the
appropriate word.

posted by infraternam meam @ 5:12 AM 0 comments

Thursday, October 14, 2004

TEAR JERKERS ARE DIET BUSTERS

(from the Healthsection of Daily Herald by Susan Stevens)

Your weekly movie night could be sabotaging your diet.
Prevention magazine reports on an Australian study
in which women ate 20 percentmore chocolate while
watching a morose movie than during a travel documentary.

Depressing movies cause levels of SEROTONIN to drop
which can lead to overeating in some people.

My suggestion to this when I read this article.....
Next time, just rent horror movies or maybe x rated ones.

posted by infraternam meam @ 6:38 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

WATER'S WINNING WAYS.....by Michael Sena

IF THE COOLER FALL WEATHER IS SLOWNG YOUR ACTIVE LIFE STYLE,here's a tip that can help you manage your weight and even lose a few pounds. Drink plenty of water. In addition to its essential role in bodily functions, water can be an effective tool for curbing your appetitie. Inadequate water consumption can leave you feeling hungry,. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips, drink 8 to qw ounces of water and then wait to see whether that "hunger" goes away.

Drink up. You may be tempted to cut back on drinking water because of temperatures are getting colder. But the low humidity of heated air can dehydrate you, even though you're not sweating under a hot sun. Exercise, stress buildup, and heavy travel schedules can add to your body's demandss for water, so follow these suggestions for tipping back a glass of water.

Tip one Regularly drink 40 to 60 ounces of water per day.
Tip twoReduce food consumption by drinking a tall glass of water before meals and snacks.
Tip three Kee water nearby -- in your bag, handbag, and your lunch box.
Tip fourDrink water before, during, and after exercise activities.
Tip fiveFlavor your water with slices of ornage, lemon, lime and even cucumber, which aids in digestion.
Tip 6Drink one glass of water with every cup of affeine or alcohol.

posted by infraternam meam @ 7:08 PM 0 comments

GRAY MATTERS....a test to determine your INTELLIGENCE

(Developed by Dr. Gary R. Gruber(www.GruberTestPrep.com) is designed to predict your itnelligence. just remember: Creative people look outside the realm of normal thinkin to solve problems. answer is at the bottom of this blog.)

1.. Put these statements in order:
a.) The ship stopped to anchor in Commander Bay.
b.) A boy awoke and saw a sea lion.
c.) A body went ashore and napped in a meadow.
d.) A boy did not tell what he had seen.
e.) A boy got a job on a ship.

2.. Suppose a bird is standing in a closed box that is resting on a scale. When the bird flies in the box, does the scale read the same, more or less than when the bird is resting?

3.. You are compenting in a race and overtake the last runner. In which position are you now?
a.) last
b.) second to last
c.) third to last
d.) cannot be determined unless the number of runners is known
e.) cannot be determined because this is an ambiguous question.

4.. In 20 seconds or less, determine which is greater:
a.) 410/963 - 208/962
b.) 202/962

5..Complete the analogy:
MOTH:CLOTHING::
a.) sheep : wool
b.) butterfly : wood
c.) puncture : tire
e.) termite : house

6..Assuming the statement "Only the good die young" is true, we can infer which of the following?
a.) No good person lives to an old age.
b.) Anyone who lives to an old age must be bad.
c.) Only bad people die young.
d.) All bad people die old.
e.) Some bad people dies young.

7..Harry owes Sam $30.00 Same owes Phil $20.00 Phile owes Harry $50.00 Which of the following will settle the debts?
a.) Harry could give Phil $50.00
b.) Sam could give Phil $20.00 and Harry could give Sam $40.00
c.) Harry could give Phil $20.00 nd Sam could give Phil $10.00
d.) Sam and Phil could give Harry $50.00 total
c.) Phil could give Harry $20.00 and could give Sam $20.00

8..If nobody loves nobody, which of the follwing must be true?
I. Everydbody loves somebody.
II. Somebody loves somebody.
III.Nobody loves anybody.
a.) I only
b.) II only
c.) III only
d.) I and II only
c.) II and III only

9..Solve this in 30 seconds or less.
The following are dimensions of five rectangular boxes. Which box has a volume different from the other four?
a.) 5 by 8 by 12
b.) 15 by 16 by 2
c.) 3 by 32 by 5
d.) 3 by 4 by 40
e.) 2 by 6 by 36

10..A clothing store offers successive discounts of 30 percent and 10 percent on a sweater. The equivalent single dicount would be
a.) 34 percent
b.) 36 percent
c.) 37 percent
d.) 38 percent
e.) 40 percent

11..Anle AED is 90 degrees, angle BED is 40 degrees, and angle AEC is 75 degrees. What measure is angle BEC?

12..In 10 seconds and without a calculator, determine whether 999 x 1001 is greater than, less than, or equal to 1000 x 1000.

ANSWERS AT THE BOTTOM
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answers:1.e, a, c, b, d 2.When the bird flies, it pushes down on the air which pushes down on the scale. The scale reads the same.3.e. How can you overtake the person who is last? 4. b.202/962 is greater. Add 208/962 to both quantities and compare. 5.e. Create a sentence expressing a specific relationship between the capitalized words. 6. d 7.e 8.d 9.e, Don't multiply. All choices are divisible by 5 except e 10.c. The equivalent single discount is less than the sum of the discounts. 11.25 degrees. 12. 999 x 1001 is just 1 less than 1000 x 1000. Write 999 x 1001 as (1000-1)x (1000 + 1) and you'll find it's equal to 1000 x 1000 - 1.
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SCORE: I right =IQ of 100-110,average; 2-4 + 120, above average;5-6 =130, smart; 10-11=150, near genius 12=160, genius
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posted by infraternam meam @ 3:03 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

IAN FLEMING.....JAMES BOND 007 WRITER

(by: ron butler/HEMISHPEREMAG)

IAN FLEMING, a British naval intelligence officer during World War II, lived a similar life like James Bond alter ego. He wrote 12 bestselling James Bond novels while wintering at the Jamaica beach house called Goldeneye in the village of Oracabess, near Ocho Rios. Every noon he thought out his plots while while floating face down in the water watching fish through a facemask.

IAN FLEMING borrowed the name James Bond from the name of the local bird watching expert. So it may have been more than coincidence that in Dr.No, Bond disposes of the evil doctor by smothering him in bird droppings. The first of the Bond films, Dr. No was shot almost entirely in Jamica.

IAN FLEMING, whose books earned him more than USD1 million a year, also owned a Londown townhouse near Buckingham Palace and a seaside apartment in Sandwich, England, but he returned each winter to work in Jamaica. Goldeneye, which was later owned by reggae singer Bob Marley, is a large, traditonal Jamaican house with three bedrooms, a living room, and a porch in the back overlooking the sea. Its interior is filled with 007 memorabilia including scripts, photos, and movie posters from all over the world.

Goldeneye is now an Island Outpost resort and includes four additional villas.

posted by infraternam meam @ 5:06 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 11, 2004

A LETTER TO A GRANDSON: KEEPING YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN

(this letter sent by a friend from ClarendonHills)

One day, ayoung man was claening out his late gransfather's belongings when he came across a bright eed envelop. Written on the front were the words. "To my grandson"Recognizing his grandfather's writing, the boy opened the envelope. A letter inside read:

Dear Grandson,

Years ago you came to me for help. You said, "Grandpa, how is it that you've accomplished so much in your life? You're still full of energy,and I'm already tired of struggling. How can I get that same enthusiasm that you've got?"

I did'nt know what to say to you then. But knowing my days are numbered, I figure that I owe you an answer. So here is what I believe.

I think a lot of it has to do with how a person looks at things. I call it "keeping your eyes wide open".

First, realize that life is filled with surprise, but many are good ones. If you don't keep watching for them, you'll miss half the excitement. Expect to be thrilled once in a while, and you will be.

When you meet up with challenges, welcome them. They'll leave you wiser, stronger and more capable than you were the day before.When you make a mistake, be grateful for the things it taught you. Resolve to use that lesson to help you reach your goals.

And always follow the rules-- even the little ones.When you follow the rules, life works. If you think you ever really get by with breaking the rules, you're only fooling yourself.

It's also important to decide exactly what you want. Then keep your mind focused on it, and be prepared to receive it.

But be ready to end up in some places too. As you grow with the years, you'll be given bigger shoes to fill. So be ready for endings as well as challenging beginnings.

Sometimes we have to be brave enough to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Life isn't just reaching peaks. Part of it is moving from one peak to the next. Life isn't just reaching peaks. Part of it is moving from one peak to the next. If you rest too long in between, you might be tempted to quit. Leave the past in the past. Climb the next mountain and enjoy the view.

Dump things that weigh you down emotionally and spiritually. When an old resentment, belief or attitude becomes heavy, lighten your load. Shed those hurtful attitude that slow you down and drain your energy.

Remember that your choices will create your successes and your failures. So consider all the pathways ahead, and decide which ones to follow. Then believe in yourself, get up, and get going.

And to be sure to take breaks once in a while. They'll give you renewed commitment to your dreams, and a cheerful, healthy perception of the things that matter the most to you.

Most important of all: never give up on yourself. The person that ends up a winner, is the one who resolves to win. Give life everything you've got, and life will give it's best back! to you.

Love always,

Grandpa.

posted by infraternam meam @ 4:54 AM 0 comments

Sunday, October 10, 2004

STATS TO GET YOU MOVING

(Source: International journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activitiy, Archieves of American Medicine, The American Diabetes Association,The Journal Of Amercian Medical Association, JoAnn Manson,MD)

WHY HAS THE RATE OF DIABETES skyrocketed? Overloaded lived, overburdened dinner plates, and underused sneakers,, If you ask me. The numbers bear it out.

1, 2 and 4

Rank of sleeping, driving a car,
watching television among ways
Americans expend energy.

2 hours and 50 minutes

Amount of time Americans
spend watching TV or movies
every day.

101 minutes

Amount of time Americans
spend in their cars daily.

19 minutes

Amount of time per day
that Americans devote to leisure-
time physical activity.

Nearly one third

Approximate number of American
adults who don't engage in any
leisure-time physical activity at all.

500,000

Approximate number of women in the US who are
diagnosed with diabetes each year.

50 Percent

Decrease in risk among women
who maintain a healthy weight
and walk briskly for half an hour
a day, 5 days a week.

10,000

Number of steps
you should take each day.

20 Bucks

Approximate costs of a reliable pedometer

posted by infraternam meam @ 4:42 AM 0 comments

Saturday, October 09, 2004

THE DO's AND DONT's OF A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

(HealthReport from Essence by J.S.R.)

SLEEP experts recommend eight hours of sleep a night to get adequate rest and maintain good health. Yet during workweek, the average person gets less than seven hours of sack time. If you're not getting enough Z's, these tips can ensure sweet dreams---- starting tonight.

DOestablish a routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each day, says Margaret Moline, PhD, director of the Sleep Wake Disorders Center in New York - Weill Cornell Medical Center in White Plains. Hitting the hay late in Friday and Saturday night and sleeping in on Saturday and Sunday morning will prevent from falling asleep at your regular bedtime Sunday evening.

DON'T work in bed. Maintain your bed as your private oasis of calm. That means never bringing office work, and all its stress, to bed. And if reading or watching television tends to stress you out or overstimulating you, confine those activities to other areas of the house as well, say Moline.

DOditch all PM caffeine. Forgoing a cup of coffee with that late night snack is a no brainer. But don't forget that caffeine is also found in chocolate, colas and other sodas, and in coffee flavored ice cream and yogurts.

DON'TTry to to drink and dream. Drinking alcohol at night can shorten the time you spend in the deepest stage of sleep that leave you rested in the morning. If you uausally indulge in a glass of wine with dinner, try to have it at least four hours before bedtime.

DOdesign your bedroom for rest. Choose bedding, drapes and wall color in soothing shades of beige and white or blue and green, suggests Barbara Finch, a professional feng shuiconsultant in Playa del Rey, California. Use table lamps as your main source of lighting instead of harsher overhead lights. To promote sleep, sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow.

DON'T get overheated. If your bedroom gets stuffy in the warmer months, crak open a window before hitting the sack. Sleeping in a room at cooler temperatures promotes restful sleep, says Amy R. Wolfson, PhD., an associate professor of psychology at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. and author of the book Woman's Book of Sleep: a Complete Resource Guide. A room temperature of 62 degrees F is optimal.

DOconsider getting a white noise machine. If you're constantly awakened by the sound of neighbors, the house settling down, the traffic outside, Finch advises making the usual rattle and hum with more soothing sounds.

posted by infraternam meam @ 4:42 AM 0 comments

Thursday, October 07, 2004

ARE YOU SICK OR JUST TIRED?....

If you think your fatigue could be caused by something more serious than a little too much nightlife, speak to your physician. One of these underlying medical problems may be sapping your energy:

DIABETES

Symptoms: Extreme thirst, weight loss, repeated yeast infections, frequent urination. "because patients urinate frequently through the night, they do not get adequate sleep," says JudyAnn Bigby, MD, Director of Harvard Medical School Center of Excellence in Women's Health.

Test: Blodd Sugar test.

Solution: Keeping blood glucose at healthy levels by losing weight and fllowing a low fat, high fiber diet.

HYPOTHYROIDISM

Symptoms: An underactive thyroid can cause constipation. hoarse voice, dry skin and hair, menstrual irregularities and weight fain.

Test: Blood test for TSH( Thyroid stimulating hormone) levels.

Solution: a daily dose of thyroid replacement hormone L Throxine.

ANEMIA

Symptoms: Weakness, feeling cold, carving ice, pale eyes.

Test:CBC (complete blood count) test.

Solution:Eating iron rich foods and taking iron and follic acid supplements help. In some cases, blood transfusions and medication maybe needed.

CONSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Symptoms: You stop breathing in your sleep and wake up grasping for breath. The alarming sensation causes sufferes to wake up several times a night.

Test: Laboratory sleep study during which you are monitored as you sleep.

Solution:Bigby says, this problem occurs often in overweight women , especially if they have thich necks and tonsil problems. weight
loss can alleviate symptoms; surgery may sometimes be necessary.

CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Symptoms: Loss of interest in activities, insomia, weight loss or gain, suicidal feelings.

Test:"The diagnosis relies heavily on the patients discussing patients symptoms with the doctor," says Sharon Allison Ottey MD, Ceo of Coshar Medical Inc., Lanham , Maryland.

Solution:Antidpressant medication and theraphy.

(from HealthReport by: Lashieka Purvis)

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:39 PM 0 comments

ARE YOU SICK OR JUST TIRED?....

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:39 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

AMERICA'S MOST STOLEN VEHICLES

The 1995 Sturn SL, received the dubious honor of being the most stolen vehicle of 2003, according to the most recent stolen vehicle report from CCC Information Services Inc. They based their report on the number of vehicles thefts in 2003 compared to the number of registered vehicles and found that one out of every 200 1995 Saturn SL were second and third on the list.

Thieves still prefer cars over SUV's or pickups- although large SUV's are becoming more common on the lists. In two seaprate studies, one from CCC and the other from National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), at least seven of the ten most commonly stolen vehicles in te United States are cars, with Acura Integra, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic and Honda Accord prominent in the lists.

The 2003 stolen vehicle report from CCC Information Services Inc. is based on the rate of theft for a vehicle as a percentage of the total number of that vehicle registered. Six Acura Integra with consecutive model years (1994-1999) account for six of the top eight spots, of stolen vehicles.

In recent study of the calendar year 2002, said the Camry was the first in theft,then the Accord as the second. Both are among America's bestselling autos. In the third spot is the HOnda Civic.

According to NCIB, the most popular model year of Camry among thieves was year 1989.According to the NCIB, motor vehicle thefts in 2002 totaled 1.2 million, which was a sligth increase over 2001. The NCIB figures come from FBI Uniform Crime Reports and include all reports of vehicle theft, inclduing cars that have a few parts removed, are taken for joyrides and later recovered, as well as vehicles that disappear and are never returned to their owners.

The SUV's with the highest theft rates, according to the CCC 2003 stolen vehicle report, are the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero and the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe, Jeep's Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models are the most stolen SUV's according to NICB, while the most stolen truck, according to the same report, is the Chevrolet Silverado full size pickup, fourth on the list.

posted by infraternam meam @ 11:57 PM 0 comments

THE UNSUNG DOLLAR EARNER OF THE PHILIPPINES

I was talking to a very nice gentleman on the fon while I was at work. He works for a cruise ship under the banner of Norwegian Cruise Lines. He has a position that is equivalent to a Concierge on a stationary hotel on land. There are some passengers who took a cruise and boarded my airline and their suitcases was delayed in catching up with them prior embarking on a cruise to Mexico and other adjoining Islands.

FLASHBACK

My brother in law just graduated from Philippine Maritime Institute (PMI) and during those years, seamanship course is not that popular. He then became an Apprentice Mate with Madrigal Shipping and then became an officer of a commercial ship. My father was so impressed. My brother in law kept on telling my parents that I have to study Nautical science and be a mariner like him. And so I embarked on the journey of being a mariner like my brother in law. There was not much required documents and tarining certificates then. After acquiring my seaman's book, I decided to enter the seminary and study for the priesthood.

My brother in law continued his career and became a good mariner, following his dream and career. He then became a Sea Captain, I continued on to study my Philosophy inside the seminary. He eventually became the Crewing Manager of Wallem Philippines, I continued on to my Novitiate in one of the German seminary in Tagaytay City. My brother in law became a maritime business man, and was very good at it. He put up his own company, a Crewing Agency in the Phils. and was very successful in this endeavour and I continued on to my Theological studies. One month before my ordination, I decided to get married. Am now married for 25 years and have two grown boys both in college, and both decided to be on their own, following the american tradition. i have to make an appointment to see them and tell them i missed them very much.

During the time of my sabbatical leave from the semianry,prior my decision in getting married, my brother in law asked me to work for him and learn the business....and so I did. I have been in close contact with so many seamen...their wives...their parents..their children. I have learned their miseries and loneliness. So we created a newspaper for our own seamen overseas, with informations and stories about the families that our crews have left behind, trying to earn money and build a family back home. We then became high tech and created video summaries of whatis happening back home, featuring some of the families of the seamen onbaord the ship.There was not much requirements to be a seman those times. Until the governement saw potentials in it and so they created the National Seamens Board (NSB). This is a government entity, whose purpose is to oversee the welfare of the seafarers, so they said. Of course, this time, all seafarers has to have their contracts be processed by this agency thru their local crewing agents. Of course, there will be payments on what is called Processing Fee, and other fees involve. There are no fine prints, when the government wants money. And this government agency, required all seafarers to remit 80 percent of their dollar earnings back to the Phils. thru any commercial banks in the Phils. The ship owners pays the 80 percent salary of the seamen thur their local crewing agency,and in turn the agency has to deposit the money to any commercial bank in the PHilippines. This was term Remittances. And this was during the time of Ferdinand Marcos and it was a common knowledge that majority of the commercial banks are run by his cronies, one and foremost is Herminio Desini.

The seamen became the dollar earners of the Phils. It was estimated that during the time of Marcos, almost 65million dollars a year is being remitted by the Pinoy seamen back to the Phils. And so, another bigger government body was created by the government and abolished the National Seaman's Board (NSB) and created the PHilippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which is still in existence up to now. Upon the creation of this board, new requirements have been imposed to all the seamen, they have to undergo trainings and more documentations have to be presented to this board when the contracts of the seafarers will be presented by the respective crewing agency. They (POEA) said to protect the seamen, from whom and from where? We should be thankful that the Pinoy seafarers are given the chance by foreign shipping companies to be employed onboard their ships.

Our seamen and now the Overseas Workers, have been the dollar earners of the country, the heroes that is giving their lives overseas for the much sought after green bucks of the Philippine govrnment.

OBSERVE THIS SCENARIO AT THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL ARIPORT.....Our seamen and overseas workers, when they leave the country----all the employees at the airport does not even give then due courtesy to them and does not accord them with politeness. But when they return back from overseas after finishing their contracts, all the employees at the International airport calls them Compadre, Miss, Manang, Amo, Boss, Lakay, Bossing and all. Especially the immigration and the customs people. In a very melodious voices, like the Falsettoin a voice choir, these snakes and venomous vipers will ask the returning heroes " something for the boys, Bossing"then there will be photographers who will take their pictures and then foceably shove it to this home coming workers and demand payment three times the value of the picture, saying "marami ka namang dollars bossing"(you have plenty of dollars, Boss)so the returning heroes will be compelled to pay, until he reaches the final gate and area of the airport. Then a group of opportunity seekers and cut throats, will greet them and offer help to carry their belongings and offer a car service in turn. When you accept this offer, rest assure you will be asked, "how about something for the boys"These vultures prefers dollars,not pesos.

And so when I have spoken to this young man on the fon working his heart out, onboard the ship, with so many nationalities with him, enduring the loneliness in the open seas, missing his family and parents, sometimes missing the celebrations of his family's gatherings like weddings, christenings, christmas and even death and funeral of a close member of the family---- my heart goes out with him. It is so hard to be onboard ship. I have experienced it many times, when I was still working with my brother in law's office. I was the labor arbiter for the Ship owners that my brother in law is under contract with.

Last night when I went to bed, I closed my eyes and said a short prayers for all these seafarers. The lonely souls out there in the open seas. I have prayed for their safe journeys and their loneliness to be filled with joys.

Coming from the heart.....

posted by infraternam meam @ 1:16 PM 0 comments

FILLED WITH GRACE

(abstracted from FAMILYCIRCLE)

LaserMonks

When he joined the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank in Wisconsin, Father Bernard McCoy expected a life filled with prayer and meditation. He did'nt expect that he and his fellow monks would also be fulfilling orders for printer cartridges. "God decided to make use of my enterpreneurial talents, " say McCoy, who now runs LaserMonks, a for-profit company that sells compatible and remanufactured inkjet and laser printer cartidges via the Internet and Telephone mail order. McCoy's sales pitch is perfect: These cartridges "come with a spiritual rebate", he says. "The monks pray for you". This bonus is apparetnly good for business. In 2002 LaserMonksbrought in $2,000. A year later the gross spiked to $500,000. "And this year we're averaging $200,000 per month," says McCoy. Profits from the business keeps the abbey running and fund charitable causes including Camp Heartland for children with HIV and Tri Thuc Moi, a school for street kids in Vietnam. "We have a long tradition of service, hospitality and good works," says McCoy.

To sustain themselves, some monasteries produce bread, jam and other traditional products. Monasteries and nunneries in Italy produce liquors and beauty products. And let's not forget a French monk named Dom Perignon created champagne. McCoy confesses that LaserMonks benefits form people's curiosity about the monastic life. "People like monks," says McCoy."They think we're cool".

posted by infraternam meam @ 4:14 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

BOTOX 101

(Sources: Dr. Abadi, Dr. Citron, Dr. Denese, Dr. Linda Franks,Dr. David Leffell and Dr. Rod Rohrich, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons)

*** WHAT THE HECK IS IT?

Botoxis a purified form of the botulinum toxin type A ( a deadly strain of food poisoning) that temporarily paralyzes muscles when injected into the face. That paralysis is what smooths out fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Results last three to four months. The cost about us$400 a session.

*** IS BOTOX MEANT FOR CHICKS IN THEIR 20s?

Many Derms advise against it, because from ages 20 to 25, your skin has the highest concentation of elastin and collagen. In other words, why mess with your natural appearance when it's at its peak?

*** DOES IT PREVENT WRINKLES?

NO. Botox doesn't stop wrinkles from forming.

*** ANY LONG TERM EFFECTS?

DOC'S don't know because no studies on Botox's long term effects have been conducted yet.

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:04 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 04, 2004

GOT BRAINS?....this test developed by Dr. Gary R.Gruber, is designed to predict intelligence(www.drgarygruber.com)

There is no time limit for each of these test questions. DON'T CHEAT. THE ANSWERS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG

1. Suppose I have 40 blue socks and 40 brown socks in a drwaer. If I reach into the drawer without looking atthe socks, what is the sma;;est number of socks I must take out to make sure that I have a pair of socks of the same color?

a.) 2
b.) 3
c.) 4
d.) 40
c.) 41

2. What day follows the day before yesterday if two days from now will be Sunday?

3. Complete the analogy:
MUSIC is to VIOLIN as

a.) notes is to composer
b.) sound is to musical instrument
c.) drwaing is to crayon
d.) furniture is to carpentry tools
c.) symphony is to piano

4. What is thenext number in the following: 0 0 1 2 2 4 3 6 4 8 5 ....

a.) 6
b.) 8
c.) 10
d.) 12
e.) 14

5. Complete the analogy:
GEORGE WASHINGTON is to CHERRY TREE as

A.) Jonas Salk is to polio vaccine
b.) Abraham Lincoln is to emancipation
c.) Thomas Edison is to light bulb
d.) Thomas Jefferson is to Constitution
e.) John Hancock is to signature

6. A triangle has side of lengths A, B, and C, Which is True?

a.) C minus B is always greater than A.
b.) C minus B is always less than A.
c.) C minus B is always equal to A.
d.) None of the above comparions can be made between C minus B and A.

7. The folllowing characteristics apply to a gropu of people in a room: Fourteen are blonds, eight are blue eyed and two are neither blonde nor blue eyed. If five of the people are blue eyed blonds, how many people are in the room?

a.) 3
b.) 17
c.) 19
d.) 24
e.) 29

8. Suppose you have a 12 hour digital clock where the number representing the hour is always the same as the number representing the minute. That is, the clock can only show times like 8:08, 9:09, 10:10 etc. What is the smallest time difference between two such times?

a.) 101 minutes
b.) 61 minutes
c.) 60 minutes
d.) 49 minutes
e.) 11 minutes

9. A square ABCD is inscribed in a quarter circle where B is on the circumference of the circle and D is the center of the circle. What is the legnth of diagonal AC of the square if the circle's radius is 5?

a.) 3
b.) 4
c.) 5
d.) 6
e.) the length cannot be determined.

10. A ship is twice as old as the ship's boiler when the ship was as old as the boiler is. The ratio of the boiler's age now to the ship's age now is:

a.) 2:3
b.) 3:4
c.) 4:5
d.) 5:6
e.) 6:7

11. 50 x 50 x 50 x... (where there are a hundred 50s) is how many times 100 x 100 x 100 x...(where there are fifty 100s)?

a.) 25 x 25 25 x....(where there are fifty 25s)
b.) 4 x 4 x 4 x.....(where there are fifty 4s)
c.) 2 x 2 x 2 x ....(where there are fifty 2s)
d.) 1 time
e.) none of these answers is correct.

12. A triangle ABC has sides AB and AC whose lenghts are equal. Suppose there is aline from C to side Ab called CD and a line from B to side AC called Be. Now suppose there is a line ED. If angle EBC is 60 degrees,a ndgle BCD is 70 degrees, angle ABE is w0 degrees,and angle DCE is 10 degrees, how many degrees is andle EDC? (do this problem geometrically to get an exact answer.)

a.) 10
b.) 15
c.) 20
d.) 25
e.) none of these answers is correct.

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ANSWERS1. B (If you get only two socks, they could be different colors, but getting three guarantees that you will have a pair) 2. Thursday (the key is to realize that "now" must be Friday) 3. D (Put Music and Violin in a sentence relating the two words.) 4. C (There are two alternating sequences) 5. E (Look at what is superficial and what is not) 6.B (Add the same thing to both sides.) 7. C Use a Venn Diagram) 8.
(The times closest to one another are 12:12 and 1:01) 9. C (Draw line to see that BD is a radius of the circle. The two diagonals of a square will have the same lenght.) 10. B (Translate words to math.) 12. C (Draw and extend lines, Hint: Draw teh traingle as close to scale as possible.)

SCORE:
I right = IQ of 100 - 110, Average
2 - 4 = 120, Above Average
5 - 6 = 130, Very Smart
7 - 8 = 140, Very Very Smart to Near Genius
9 - 1 = 150, Genius
11- 160 = Genius Plus
12- 170+ Super Genius

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:33 AM 0 comments

Sunday, October 03, 2004

YOUR TUMMY OR YOUR LIFE..... A short guide to making better, smarter, more empowered eating choices.

(for more inforamtion on this article go to lifetimefitness.com)

** RESPECT YOUR BODY. Understand the role your food choices play in your health. Ask yourself: Where are poor food choices showing up in my health, energy and appearance?

** START SEEING FOR FOR WHAT IT IS.Most restaurant and packaged foods are the same six or seven cheap ingredients combined in different ways. Most of the ingredients are not ones you want to be eating in any quantity. Notice how food is marketed and advertised. What are the tactics the company is using to get you to buy it? What emotional/social benefit are they implying.?

** DON'T TRY TO ELIMINATE ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE.But do reduce the frequency and / or portion size of the ones you know aren't good for you. Also look for healtier options, and try new things now and then!

** LEARN TO COOK FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY, AND DO IT TOGETHER--OFTEN. It is possible to whip together a fine, fresh dinner in under 30 minutes. You can do breakfast or lunch in ifve!

** CHOOSE FOODS LESS FOR THAT THEY DON'T HAVE IN THEM,and more for what they do hae to offer for the body, both in terms of quantity and effectiveness. If the food isn't based on healthy, nutritious ingredients, even if it does'nt have anything really, "bad", you can choose better.

** GO FOR BASIC GOODNESS.The close to the original form of food, the more it has to offer. Taste, satisfaction, nutrients all peak in fresh fruit, for example. Frozen fruit, a bit less so, and canned the least. Choose fresh, locally grown food whenever it is ripe and available.

** RESIST ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT OFFERS. And avoid restaurants that trade
on "botomless breakfast bread baskets". Also be wary of food products menus that use the words like "giant" "collosal" and "extreme" to flaunt their wares. Real quality is likely not a priority here. Keep in mind that most U.S. restaurants are simply not very good at vegetables, fruits or whole grains. They are good at industrially produced proteins and fats and refined grains. Does'nt your body deserve better?

** CUT YOURSELF OFF. If you hae trouble with portion control, don't take an open bag of snacks with you while you do something mindless. If you're served a large palte at a restaurant, immediately ask to have half of the portion put in a doggy bag for another meal.

** PORTION CONTROLis far more easier and healthier! Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables produce greater satisfaction and don't initiate "goot have more" cravings the way many processed, sweetened and artificially falovred products do.

** FEED YOURSELF FOR HEALTH FIRST then indulge your desires. If you eat your entire meal and still want the bread, have a slice. But if you start with teh bread beforehand, you may fill up on it.

** CARRY A STACH OF HEALTHY SNACKS and "convenience foods" with you. Get a good, easy-to-carry cooler and some portable, reusable food storage containers. Know what and where you are goint to eat each day-- before you leave the hosue.

** BE LABEL SMART. ingredients are listed in the order used. Sugar assumes several disguises, such as fructose, sucrose and other "ose" endings. Be specially wary of high fructose corn syrup. Also beware of refined fats. Trans fats are not curently listed as such, but anything that contains hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil will contain trans fats in similar portions.

** BE CAUTIOUS OF FOODS that proudly trumpet that they are "fat free" or "sugar free". If they don't have good stuff in them, it does'nt really matter.Also watch out for "made with whole grain", marketing messages. The product may have just a little whole wheat mixed in with mostly refined.

posted by infraternam meam @ 2:49 PM 1 comments

HOW TO PREVENT A HANGOVER

(compilations of how to do things from COSMOMAG)

HAVEa pre-party meal, before you imbibe, load up on a low sodium combo of complex carbs, protein and fat, which will be slowly digested. Try a whole grain pita stuffed with grilled chicken, veggies and cheese.

SKIPcarbonated alcoholic beverages. The alcohol in beer, champagne, and fizzy mixed drinks is absorbed faster than in noncarbonated drinks.

ALTERNATEfruit juice or water in between your cocktails.

BEWAREof sugary libations. The sweet flavor masks the alcohol, which can make you consume more booze you think.

DRINKlots of water before bed to help prevent dehydration.

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:21 AM 0 comments

Saturday, October 02, 2004

WHAT IS POLITICS?

(sent by a friend from Clarendon Hills)

A little boy goes to his dad and asks,

"What is Politics, Dad?"

Dad says,

"Well son,let me try to explain it this way:
I am the head of the family, so call me The President.
Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we call her The Government.
We are here to take care of your needs, so we call you The People.
The nanny, we will consider her The Working Class.
And your baby brother, we will call him The Future
Now think about that and see if it makes sense."

So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what his Dad has said to him.

Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper. So the little boy goes to his parent's room and find his mother sound asleep.

Not wanting to wake her up, he goes to the Nanny's room. Finding the door is locked, he peeks into the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the Nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed.

The next morning, the little boy says to his father,

"Dad, I think I understand the concept of Politics now!"

The father says to his son,

"Great son! Tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about."

The little boy replies,

"The President is screwing The Working Class, while The Government is sound asleep. The People are being ignored and The Future is in deep shit!"

posted by infraternam meam @ 1:53 AM 0 comments

Friday, October 01, 2004

CHECKING YOUR PHILIPPINE EDUCATION

(abstracted from Pilipinas Magazine article by: ALAN C. ROBLES)

"Answer the following questions, consult the chart at the bottom, add up the scores (we assume you can add) and determine your rating. This is self-adminisered test, so if you cheat you'll only be cheating yourself. Save yourself the shame!"

Test Your Philippine Education

1. Math: 1 + 1 =
..a) two
..b) Magellan
..c) sige na nga, sirit!

2. History: Magellan is
..a) the discoverer of the Philippines
..b) the national hero
..c) 1 + 1

3. Science: e=mc2 is
..a) an equation describing the equivalence of energy andmatter
..b) a garbled text message
..c) a formula for deriving the percentage a contractor hs to pay a congressman.

4. Geography: the capital of the Philippines is
..a) Manila
..b) Quezon city
..c) Washington DC

5. Economics: the country is banckrupt. The rich have lots of money, The poor have no money. Therefore the best way for government to raise funds is to:
..a) tax the poor
..b) tax the poor
..c) tax the poor

6. Political Science: If Ferdinand Marcos was a dictator and Philippines sank into poverty during his dictatorship then clearly
..a) Marcos was not a nice guy
..b) Marcos should be declared a national hero
..c) Who's Ferdinand Marcos?

7. More Political Science: the basic unit of political power in the Philippines is
..a) the peso
..b) the oligarch
..c) the goon

8. Current events: name the famous politician who was thrown out of office and is now being tried for plunder
..a) Joseph Estrada
..b) Ferdinand Marcos
..c) Ferdinand Magellan

9. Current events: Which acronym describes the most powerful entity in the country?
..a) GMA
..b) FPJ
..c) ABS-CBN

10.Current events: The president of the Philipines is
..a) a woman
..b) clueless
..c) the presidentof the United States (think about it)

11.World events: the president of the United States is
..a) George W. Bush
..b) Not at home, if you get our meaning
..c) Did you think we'd say "a moron"? you're right, A Moron

12.Arts and Culture:which of the following is the supreme expression of Philippine artistic creativity?
..a) The Pork barrel
..b) Ocho-ocho
..c) Mr. Suave

13.Computer Science: The Best operating system is the world is
..a) Counterstrike
..b) Pirated
..c) Pirated Counterstrike

14.Civics: the son of a well-know senator whose name we won't reveal, but which sounds remarkably like "Sharowsky", has 11 illegal firearms and shoots them off at a crowded city parking lot. it is clearly the duty of every citizen who was a witness to:
..a) hide
..b) claim that nothing happened
..c) ask him where he got such wonderful toys

15.More civics: whenever the Philippine national anthem is played in a movie house you should
..a) stand up respectfully
..b) stand up and dance
..c) be surprised because you are in an American movie house

16.Health education: the worst threat to public health currently facing the country is:
..a) SARS
..b) Aids
..c) Pork barrel flu

17.Home economics: which of the following should always be well-cooked?

..a) inihaw na baboy
..b) fried chicken
..c) national elections

18.Religion: The Father , the Son and
..a) the Holy Spirit
..b) the GRO
..c) the political dynasty

19.Bonus question: Why do you suppose we keep calling ourselves "we"?
..a) We write editorials for a national daily
..b) We are schizophrenic
..c) We have tapeworm

20.Bonus question: Why "We Palengke"?
..a) why not, if you have basically no qualifications at all?
..b) if that's how he wants to spend P62million who's going to stop him?
..c) sounds better than "grandson of japanese collaborator".

SCORING:
Give yourself 1 point for every answer which you think is correct

RATING:

22 - Perfect score. If you cheated, that makes you qualifird to be a Comelec chairman

1-21 Was there something about the scoring system you don't understand?

Zero - You have self-confidence issues you need to address. either that or you're a rude, boorish oaf with a low forehead. you're probably not even a Filipino at all. You're probably the Australian foreign minister.

posted by infraternam meam @ 3:44 AM 0 comments

About Me

Name: infraternam meam
Home: Chicago, United States
About Me: I am now at the prime of my life and have been married for the past 25 years. Sickly at times, but wants to see the elixir vita, so that I will be able to see my grandchildren from my two boys.
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