Pluto no longer a planet?

That's what the world's leading astronomers have decided today in a conference in Prague.

This is not the first time astronomers have "demoted" a heavenly body. Ceres, the biggest rock in the asteroid belt, was considered a planet until the 19th century.

So how does this affect us? Diddly squat.

I guess the foremost geeks in the world just wanted some attention.

circa 1992, Taiwan

Last time I saw him was at our wedding. He looked strong then, even though I'm not sure he knew who I was or why he was there. He nevertheless aknowledged me and KC when we said "hi". He knew that I was one of his grandchildren but that was far as it went. And that was enough for me.

Me and my brothers were the lucky ones. He used to stay with us (I think it was for more that 5 years), and he stayed at my room while I camped out with my brothers in their room. Come to think of it, that made me closer to my brothers during our teenage years and I am glad of that. We had lots of memories of being with him and a lot of funny anecdotes and stories that our cousins didn't have. (Who could ever forget, James Bond - bang bang bang).

The clan had a big falling out during my high school days. I distinctly remembered when my Dad told me that angkong won't be living with us anymore (This happened the day after he left and my dad is driving me and my brothers to school and we were in front of UST in Espana). He went to China and will stay there with one of my uncles. I was kinda glad during that time because that meant that I regain possession of my room. I didn't get then that everything was changing. It was then the whole extended family didn't meet during the holidays that I realized what was happening.

Me and my cousins were close before, we played in the big V. Mapa house and forged a bond with each other which we still remember to this day. But now, I only see them during chance encounters at bars and night outs and just to exchange pleasantries. It's sad that I don't even know some of them, as I didn't see them growing up and would not recognize them in a lineup.

And now, it's the beginning to the end of an era - an era where angkong is the head of the family - the Tan clan. Now is the only time in the last decade or so that the whole family is together again, not to celebrate but to mourn. Angkong is hanging tough, he is a fighter, it runs in the family. But as he wins each battle, we know that he will eventually lose this war with cancer. Every time he stands tough, it is another reason to thank God, another reason to believe.

I'm sad that I won't be able to see him before he goes. I'm sad he won't see Matmat ever. I'm sad that after this is over and done with, the family will not be together again. I'm sad that I won't be able to say goodbye.

I guess that's life. However how fragile each and every one of us are, we have to enjoy every minute of it. Building memories that will touch us for a lifetime. I'm just glad that I have those memories with angkong, that I will always have them with me.

How pathetic

How pathetic.

I love basketball. I love every aspect of it. I love the NBA, I love college hoops (both UAAP back home and NCAA here), I love watching international hoops. Heck, I even watch the WNBA.

What irritates me the most though is how the Philippines can't get its act together with basketball. Politics always gets in the way of the sport. The country can't compete internationally because of the selfishness and the ineptitude of the officials who are supposed to run the sport in the country in the first place.

The World Championships are starting in a couple of days in Japan, and Filipinos have no choice but to sit back and watch other countries compete for the glory.

I am not saying that the Philippines has a chance to win, or be in the tournament. But wouldn't it be better to know that at least we sent a team to the qualifiers? That we tried? That the country's obssession is not destroyed by a bunch of coats who are fighting over who should oversee basketball operations in the country and in process pocket some sponsors cash?

We lost even before we had the chance of suit up, tie those shoelaces and hit the hardcourt. We lost because those fat selfish bastards running the politics of basketball did not consider the 70 million other people who live and breathe the sport.

How pathetic.

Sidenotes:

Billiards is not a sport. It is a glorified bar game.

Much like shooting darts and playing poker.

It doesn't mean that if they show it on ESPN it is a sport.

Another terror threat

Another terror threat, another reason not to fly - or do anything for that matter.

What has become of the world today? It seems that our lives are being ruled by these so-called terrorists. Think about it, we have given our freedom to these people without us even knowing it.

We have to endure long lines at the airports - which means that you will now probably spend more time in the security line than in your actual flight.

Back home, security lines whereever you go - malls, the light railways, moviehouses. Maybe they should do security checks before entering churches and schools too.

Telephone calls are not private anymore.

Your bank accounts are available for anyone to view.

And those were just the tip of the iceberg.

With all these disruptions because of the fear of being terrorized again, we are letting these bastards win. Think how easy it is for them to put entire industries out of business. Worst hit of all obviously are the airline companies - a few of which are already under bankruptcy protection. Let's say that Al-Qaeda decided that, hmmm.. I will use a pig to blow up the next target. NOw, does that mean that we have to kill of the pigs just in case? (I know, bad example, but I just want to illustrate how stupid everything has become).

No more liquids and gel-like substances in carry-ons. You can't bring your own beverage to the airports. Hmmm... have the terrorists bought majority shares in airport concessionaire stands? Because in my opinion these are the only guys who stand to benefit from all these chaos, don't you think? Now, they can prop their prices even higher. A bottle of water for $5!!! Fuck off.

We are just letting these a$$#0les win!!! Stop making up restrictions everytime something like this comes up. If the next time these terrorists plot to use pilots in their plans, should we cancel all of the flights?

I think we have lost this battle. Time to nuke the bastards.

I am pissed off.

I just found a big scratch mark (about a couple of inches long) in my computer case after the pull -out keyboard part of the table fell off (again!!!) hitting the CPU and thus leaving this unsightly mark on my otherwise pristine computer.

I just hate scratches. Be it in the car or my 20D, but this one really hit a nerve. I like everything to stay the same condition as they were the day I bought them. Sure, if they breakdown, its an excuse to upgrade to a new and better model but I haven't arrived at that point yet with my computer. In fact, I believe I will stay with this setup for a long long time (maybe another year, at least).

After almost a year, I have finally found a place to play basketball here. Sure, I have to play $6.50 everytime I go to the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center but at least I get to sweat a little and let my body hurt.

That's such a relief. You just have no idea.

American Arrogance