While surfing for Olympic updates from Beijing, I chanced upon a picture of GMA literally surfing. It looks authentic enough so I'm posting it here.


And here's Dubya Bush showing Misty May how to do the wiggle.

I wonder how would you define pride.  Wikipedia says it is the excessive love of one's own excellence.  Wanting our own way without considering the outcome is a basic form of pride.

There are 277 occurences of the word "pride" using the concordance provided by BibleTab.com.  Most verses do not take "pride" in a positive way.  Pride is a sin God hates the most.  But why do you think God hates it so much?

The original sin is pride.  If you can remember, Lucifer started the trend when he said:

I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  Isa 14:12-14.

Please note the number of times the word "I" is mentioned. 

Here are more verses from the book of Proverbs, Basic English version:

(8:14) The fear of the Lord is seen in hating evil: pride, a high opinion of oneself, the evil way, and the false tongue, are unpleasing to me.

(11:2) When pride comes, there comes shame, but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.

(16:5) Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.

(16:18) Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.

(21:4) A high look, and a proud heart ... is sin. (KJV)

(27:2) Let another man give you praise, and not your mouth; one who is strange to you, and not your lips.

Is your pride stopping you from believing that there is someone greater than you? If you can't acknowledge that you are not the best there is, then you are too proud, and you will never be.

Pride makes you steal money to support the lifestyle that you have.  Pride makes a liar out of you.  Pride makes you hurt the one that you love.  Pride drives you nuts and you can't even accept the fact that you need serious help.

Asking for forgiveness is an act of humility  Praying is also an act of humility.  Two very simple things that proud people cannot do.  So, why don't we all reflect and surrender ourselves to Someone Higher Than Us to take away all the bad pride that we have?  It's that simple.

This specification defines the 5th major revision of the core language of the World Wide Web, HTML. In this version, new features are introduced to help Web application authors, new elements are introduced based on research into prevailing authoring practices, and special attention has been given to defining clear conformance criteria for user agents in an effort to improve interoperability.

Here's the W3C Working Draft

Here is a list of differences and some specific examples:

• New parsing rules oriented towards flexible parsing and compatibility
• New elements – section, video, progress, nav, meter, time, aside, canvas
• New Input attributes – date/time, email, url
• New attributes – ping, charset, async
• Global attributes (that can be applied for every element) – id, tabindex, repeat
• Deprecated elements dropped – center, font, strike

We are looking for PHP programmers that can complete our pool of resources for upcoming projects.    Our company is located in Ortigas.   Call 6384769 or see email details below.   

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

    * PHP and MySQL programming/coding knowledge/experience required
    * Self-motivated and able to work independently, but also good at collaboration, taking direction and working with others
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What you can learn from us:

    * Learn Drupal API and participate in the Drupal community
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    * Linux for your daily needs

Email me: valman [at] gmail.  com if you are interested.   Or you may post your CVs directly at hxxp: www.  digitalsolutions.  ph/

Send samples of previous works, if applicable.

I have received several emails asking for support to nominate Chocolate Hills and Palawan Subterranean River for UNESCO's search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

I did some research and found this fact:

UNESCO confirmed that it was not involved the N7W projects

While some of us might have bombarded UNESCO for its "non-inclusion" of our national wonders in the list, our efforts might have fallen on the wrong ears.

The project's official site is here.

I have always been fascinated by cults and have this obsession to find out how they operate. For the past two years, I've been helping a couple of friends escape the trap.  I even dared to go to an "orientation" seminar.  All cults depend on its membership size and they are willing to do anything just to get an individual to join.

I am reprinting a news item this morning to those who are interested in the Church of Tom Cruise.

Wikinews has learned that the Church of Scientology warned the documents-leaking site Wikileaks.org that they are in violation of United States copyright laws after they published several documents related to the Church. Wikileaks has no intention of complying, and states that in response, it intends to publish a thousand pages of additional Scientology materials beginning Monday.

In the letter to Wikileaks, lawyers for the Church's Religious Technology Center (RTC), which oversees the use of the their logos, writings and religious content, states that the site "placed RTC's Advanced Technology works on Wikileaks.org's website without the authorization" of the Church.

"I have a good faith belief, and in fact know for certain, that posting copies of these works through your system was not authorized by my client, any agent of my client, or the law. Please be advised that your customer's action in this regard violates United States copyright law. Accordingly, we ask for your help in removing these works immediately from your service," states the letter from Ava Paquette of Moxon & Kobrin, which was published by Wikileaks.

On March 9, 2008, Wikileaks published several documents relating to the Church's Office of Special Affairs and personal notes gathered by Frank Oliver, a former Scientologist and former member of the Church's Special Affairs office. On March 26, 2008, Wikileaks published the entire set of the Churches 'Operating Thetan Level' documents which included handwritten notes by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

Although the letter does not mention specific legal threats, the letter asks that Wikileaks "preserve any and all documents pertaining to this matter and this customer, including, but not limited to, logs, data entry sheets, applications -- electronic or otherwise, registration forms, billings statements or invoices, computer print-outs, disks, hard drives, etc."

Despite the letter, Wikileaks states it will not comply with the "abusive request" by the Church.

"Wikileaks will not comply with legally abusive requests from Scientology any more than Wikileaks has complied with similar demands from Swiss banks, Russian off-shore stem cell centers, former African Kleptocrats, or the Pentagon. Wikileaks will remain a place where people of the world may safely expose injustice and corruption," stated Wikileaks in a release on its website.

Wikileaks further states that, "in response to the attempted suppression, Wikileaks will release several thousand additional pages of Scientology material next week."

Original source: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology_warns_Wikileaks_over_documents

I'd like to share to you a story that happened almost 2000 years ago.  Money turns people into liars -- or worse, into thieves.  Stealing is one of the earliest sins committed by man.  That is why it is included in the Ten Commandments.  It is straightforward and easy to follow.  Thou shalt not steal. 

I had a close encounter with a person who went astray because of money.  She lied to her family.  Then she lied to her officemates.  She never realized that she also lied to God.  She told lies upon lies and put her life in a mess.  

Please read the story below and send me your comments.  I will try to join the Bible story into my story in my next post.

Acts 5 (NIV)

Ananias and Sapphira

1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."

9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

free enneagram test

Looking for a Java Developer

Company:

Dig It All Solutions, Inc.
Unit 1906 Medical Plaza Ortigas
25 San Miguel Avenue
Pasig City
Telefax: 910-7788
Website: http://www.digitalsolutions.ph

Skills: Java, Swing, PM Skills, HTML, XML, CVS, Relational Database

Dig It All Solutions, Inc is looking for qualified and experienced Java Develoers with above skills for an interesting project.

Job description:
• Design, development, and deployment of a desktop application written in Java.
• Provide technical leadership to team in supporting Java applications
• Function as a mentor to the technical writer in using the application
• Review development documents and provide functional and non-functional project requirements
• Critique and direct architecture decisions & application designs
• Assist in system resource estimate
• Make recommendations for improvement and help to plan and implement recommendations
• Monitor application performance; support of server application installation, configuration, tuning and testing
• Work with users in gathering and understanding new system requirements
• Plan for infrastructure upgrades and improvement
• Work with teams to implement and test changes

Required Experience:
• Proficient knowledge of Java and J2EE development practices
• First hand experience developing JAVA DESKTOP APPLICATIONS and/or Java Swing applications
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Ability to explain complex issues to management team
• Competent development skills using: Java/jsp/HTML/XML
• Experience using common build tools such as: ANT, CVS
• Demonstrated expertise in Object-oriented application architecture, design, and development
• In-depth understanding of Enterprise architecture, architecture patterns, and design patterns
• Relational Database Development experience
• Understanding of system and unit testing methodologies and industry practice
• Understanding of modeling and testing tools and their usage
• Sense of humor

Preferred Skills and Experience:
• Exposure to Agile development methodology
• Exposure to XML-RPC
• Experience in using MySQL or SQLite
• Experience in using GNU/Linux and other Open Source software
• Some PC hardware and networking knowledge


Project Duration:  4 months

Work Arrangements:  May work offsite; output-based competitive compensation

Please send your most recent CV to we.want.in@gmail.com ASAP!

I got the sniffles. It's raining hard.  And I get tagged by Data.  And I don't like to get tagged when playing Ins and Outs. 

-------------

Instructions: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I only eat Kosher or Halal food.  However, it's hard to find meat here that is slaughtered according to tza'ar ba'alei chaim (dapat hindi violent ang pagkatay sa hayop) so I'm only following the list of allowed meats.  I succeeded to be a strict vegetarian for 6 months and I don't want to do it again.
   
   
2. I have small hands, the left and the right. Both of my hands have simian creases.  I enjoy watching the faces of the palm readers when they try to find my heart and head lines.  The fakirs!
   
   
3. When I was a kid, I liked to write short stories.  Some were R.L. Stine inspired and some were funny. "The Man in the Chimney" was a story about the last hours of a thief who disguised as Santa and got stuck in a chimney.  He eventually suffocated and died -- and the people thought he was a good man!  This was inspired by an episode of Ripley's Believe It Or Not. "My First Date at the Library" was about my crush in high school. It was a typical story about a shy boy trying to ask a shy girl out and how he screwed up.  It was based on my experience in swallowing two Alka Seltzer tablets. Kailangan palang ilagay sa tubig yun?????
   
   
4. I read the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. 
   
   
5. I am fascinated by the stars and would like to be an amateur astronomer someday.
   
   
6. I used to have a die (the six-sided cube with dots) in my pocket to help me decide trivial things. Now I rely on my phone's random number generator.  I like random numbers.  But I don't go to casinos.
   
   
7. I don't feel very well when I don't (or can't) have internet access.
   

And now I tag: donna, meyan, hazel, pam, althea, wally and bless

Bago ako kagatin ng seven lions, I would like to share some things I learned over the weekend:

Dumduman ko sang una may ara kami tanum sa balay -- ang pula bala na gamay na katumbal. Ambot waay ko kabalo kun ano ang tawag sadto sang una pero nag research ako kag Thai Pepper gali ang species sang gina butang na katumbal sa sinamak.

Grabe gali mag paayo sang hilanat ang Pepper. Kun kaisa nga daw kalain gid ang pamatyag ko, basta maka kaon ko gani sang makahang naga guwa dayun ang akon na balhas. Naga dula gid ang sakit sang ulo ko. According sa research, dugay na gali ginagamit ang katumbal as analgesic.

May ara gali dayun sang metrics parte sa kakahangon sang katumbal. Ang tawag dira Scoville Heat Units. Ang pinaka kahang na pepper ara kuno sa India -- ginagamit sa curry nila. Ang literal na translation sang ngalan sang species "ghost chili." Daw malagyo kalag mo guro sa kakahang kun makaon mo ni.

Nadumduman ko naman ang mga biryani rice na ginakaon ko sang una sa Persian House sa West Avenue. Sang ara pa ko sa Iloilo dumduman ko man ang Peppy's. Although hindi man gid ako mahilig mag kaon sang mga makahang na pagkaon.

Te lantawa bala ang table sang mga common na chili kag ila mga ratings:

Pepper Type	Heat rating (in Scoville heat units)
Pepper Spray	2,000,000
Ghost Chili (World Record)	1,000,000
Habanero Chile	100,000 to 300,000
Thai	50,000 to 100,000
Tabasco	30,00-50,000
Cayenne	35,000
Jalepeno	3,500-4,500
Bell, Pimiento	0 to 100

I happened to catch a re-run of a Discovery Channel episode about mysterious places and the Bermuda Triangle caught my attention again.

There are a lot of theories behind the disappearance of ships and aircrafts in the area. All the supernatural and alien theories are so way out. I had to find a more scientific theory.

Well, some English professor proposed that Methane Hydrates could be the reason why ships dispappeared in the region. The gas reduces the density of water, denying the ships the ability to float on the sea surface. Imagine a ship trying to float on a bubble. When the bubble pops, the ship goes down! This theory would not be proven IMO.

In the bermuda triangle, a magnetic compass points to the the true north and not to the magnetic north. This could make ships go off course and get lost in the sea. Valid point but it doesn't explain the disappearances. The area of the Bermuda Triangle is not the big to lose sight of land.

Things I learned today:

1. Methane Hydrates found on the oceans are a future source of energy.
2. South off the coast of Japan, a magnetic compass goes haywire too. It points to the true north.
3. The three tips of the Bermuda Triangle are: Miami, Bermuda and Puerto Rico.
4. The Triangle is equidistant and equilateral -- at least on a certain map projection.

Quote: Nakamamatay ang utot.

Link of the day: http://www.crystalinks.com/bermuda_triangle.html

Mood: Feverish.

Word of the day: ENIGMA