Bitcoins

Bitcoins are virtual currencies obtained thru mining, a process of solving complex math problems using computers. There is a finite number of them that can be mined, and the closer one gets to the last bitcoin, the more difficult it is to mine. Right now, each is worth $762.4, ridiculously much higher than the most valued currency on the planet! Bitcoins are created by a genius going by the name Satoshi Nakamoto. It was introduced in 2008, caught steam and became a hell of a storm. Satoshi Nakamoto has since then disappeared, perhaps now sipping margaritas somewhere in the Caribbean.  

Slick As A Whistle

Before the toilet paper were leaves and corncobs, and an assortment of such things. But if you want to be whistling your way out feeling fresh and clean, tug at that rope, the one that pulls in the cow for a good l**king?

Birds

They usually play around the 3-tiered cascade, but the bottom part where the pump is leaks, so the ones that hold water are the upper cascades where birds bathe and play for days. I usually let the fountain run for a couple of hours before turning it off but for days, the front yard's been uncharacteristically quiet. The birds are gone! It's been completely dewatered that's why, even the green algae has dried and became just a brown stain on concrete. I know just what to do. Now, where's that hose....

Multi-Hued

This gender frenzy doesn't easily die down which only adds spice to the Sochi Winter Olympics. But really, I think gender preference has transcended from being a moral issue to being a matter of personal choice. Are we back in the day when atheists were perceived as devil worshipers and American Indians has yet to attain person status? Gone are those days! But you can't really argue with the media especially if it's drawing a lot of attention from the impressionable general public. So instead, the Russian government used a different tack: No more talk. Lo and behold - the Rainbow Gloves.

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Foggy

A stretch of CA2 is straddled by mountain saddles. I was speeding through it on my way downtown. From the mountains up ahead, fog came rolling down towards us. Within seconds the sun disappeared and visibility was reduced to a few meters. Headlights were turned on and we slowed down. Suddenly all you see are faint glow of red taillights as white haze tried to hide us from each other. It's that kind of moment when nature suddenly grips you by the throat and leaves you breathless, awestricken by its raw power.

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Snowden

Despite US request for extradition, China let go of Snowden from Hongkong to Russia; and then Cuba; final destination – Ecuador. It’s a trail for all to see the big picture, that there’s an alliance strong enough to oppose the lone superpower. Russia was a big chunk of the once mighty USSR and it’s still very powerful with its nuclear arsenal and all, and it’s allied with economic powerhouse China. Add Iran to the equation, and Cuba and Venezuela plus the ALBA bloc and you have a real threat to the throne. I wonder how this will unfold in the end.

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Pay For Free?

I signed up for a trial issue on a periodical about birds with a free gift about food. It says if I don’t end up subscribing, I just write cancel on the return envelope but keep the book – as a gift. I decided not to subscribe, so I cancelled and mailed. Then the bills started arriving for the pricey gift! What? After at least 4 customer service calls and a handful of escalating bills, the paid RD addressed envelope finally arrived. How funny now that it’s finally over but at first I was annoyed, then disgusted at this tacky advertising.
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Super Bowl XLVII!

Long Con Lance

He struggled and survived cancer, setup a foundation to help others who have it then went for the impossible – won Tour De France 7 times! Who wouldn’t be smitten? Ever since the first win he was accused of cheating and the accusations kept coming but he fought and proved them wrong in every forum. Did he really? He? Who’s a larger-than-life, against-all-odds victorious hero? But now it makes sense: He’s rarely caught smiling on cam and he doesn’t mingle with riders other than his teammates - because he’s a false champ who conned us all, this guy Lance Armstrong.

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Stolen

Portland
Oregon

He stole 4 golden rings. Filled with remorse, he returned them - 15 years later. Cool.
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Tight Like Skin

Ho Chi Minh

Vietnam

Hanoi, a northern city near the China border has cold winters while Ho Chi Minh in the south has tropical weather, hot and humid. As I stepped out of the tarmac at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the air hugged me tightly like skin; it kept me in like clothing, warm and comforting. I scanned the waiting area looking for a dignified diplomat in coat and tie. Being the Philippines’ Honorary Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh, Gerry was surprisingly dressed casually in white shirt and blue jeans. We shook hands as I started removing my winter coat. . “Welcome to Vietnam!”

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Rite Of Passage

Xhosa

South Africa

Under Xhosa tradition this rite of passage is more elaborate. While the circumcision man was sharpening the knife with a rock, the boy sat on a coconut under a guava tree whose leaves he chewed – to disinfect the wound. “Are you ready?” Before the boy could answer, he lifted the foreskin, inserted the knife and in rapid succession hammered it with a stick! “Spit on the cut.” He did. And the pain, the hotness, and raw feeling it felt gave way to a scream that has woken the entire neighborhood! That was my rite of passage. I was a man!

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As Tall As A Totem Pole

Hanoi
Vietnam

Since it’s the New Year, let’s go back to where I started writing about - Travel Stories. Now, one of the more interesting aspects of travel is local houses’ architecture. Hanoi for example has houses like Totem Poles, long and slender that can go up to 8^th floor! That is, one room for each floor placed on top of the other! Kitchen and living rooms usually occupy lower floors, toilet the middle, while bedrooms the top. And when you reach the topmost floor, you will feel like planting a flag, a white cloth or something that flutters in the wind….

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2013

The past is gone.
And the future is now!
"What good may I do in it?"
Happy New Year!



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