Philippines Disaster Mapping - Pepeng

Cool Interactive Mapping of the Philippines current typhoon called Pepeng. It's powered by Google, modified by the GMA Philippines News Network with the help of volunteers from the UK. This is cool. Not too long ago, before the Typhoon Ketsana hits Philippines, I was just checking out the Philippines Google Map specially the region where I was born and grew up till the age of 12. I wish they had navigators that mapped out the roads on the ground, like the ones they have for US regions, except for Hawaii. The US Google Map navigator has a little man icon where you place him on the road, and it will show 360 degree angle of the road's surroundings, showing actual photo images. I was trippen the first time I checked it, because it can actually show my front house. Philippines doesn't have that yet, but it was cool enough to see the roof top of my house from there. I was so fucking stoked man, I can actually see the elementary schools I went too, the trees where I used to take fruits from, my childhood friend's houses, the paoay church where my ancestors built, bakeries, the creek I never knew that trails all the way to the ocean, the place where I flight kites at, and so on.

I'm sure there are lots of stabbings going on too. In the other hand, I really admire their spirits man...

Anyway, check out this map or click on it for some interactive updates:

Ketsana, Tsunami, and Earthquakes

The last 5 days of September, these disasters happened, from the Philippines, Vietnam, Samoa, and then back to Indonesia. More like a boomerang thrown by mother nature. I just hope there's no ripple effect that would reach San Francisco and then towards the rest of the Bay Area. Not just Tsunamis but maybe like a typhoon. Otherwise I would probably start packing my stuff and runs to the hills. So instead of doing that, I made a list what you'll need for evacuation till you reach the safety zones or evacuation centers. It's just a list man, not a paranoia effect, but you just never know when natural disasters strikes out of no where.

I was just watching the GMA Filipino Channel yesterday, and they were lecturing few items that are necessary to bring with you as an emergency kit, as far of typhoon goes. And there were two things I never thought of as an important items to take with you, which was candies and a whistle blower. Candies gives you that boost when you're low in sugars, so chocolate bars are also a must in emergency evacuations. And a whistle blower, just incase you get yourself trapped somewhere. Sometimes people loses their voice for screaming or yelling too much, and a whistle blower can be a life saver.

09/23-28/09: Metro Manila, Philippines - Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy)

09/29/09: Pago Pago, American Samoa - Earthquake and Tsunami 8.0 magnitude

09/30/09: Sumutra, Indonesia - Earthquake 7.6 magnitude

For me, I think this would be important to do first, before listing the kits for evacuation.

It's always good to have a family Fireproof Safe or a Gun Safe. The once with combination locks. I say, it's a good idea to throw in your family values in there like old family albums, and other valuables like maybe jewelries. Also your computer External Hard Drives. You might have some business plans and important documents saved up in your External Hard Drives, so throw that in there too.

Anyway, here is my list of the things I would need:


1. Backpack: Just my regular Jansport brand backpack.
2. First Aid Kit: Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Bandages, Imodium A-D, and Tylenol should be enough.
3. Flashlight: I heard separating the batteries until you use it will prevent flashlight from breaking.
4. Lighters: Grab all the lighters I can find in my drawers.


5. Hiking Boots: Sneakers works too, don't use cowboy boots or some dress shoes.
6. Khaki Cap: Sometimes I feel naked without my hat.
7. Windbreaker Jacket: With a hoody and warm enough to sleep out in the cold.
8. Shirt: Throw in an extra t-shirt.


9. Camo Short: Throw in an extra short, I move better with this kind of shorts.
10. Underwears: Throw in two extra boxers and one pair of socks.
11. Towel: Avoid other things for wiping, bring your owl towel.
12. Wallet: Your ID, use cash, cards are no use when there are no electricity.


13. Toilet Papers: At least one should be enough.
14. Cell Phone: Good only if you can get a signal.
15. Dog Repellants: Defense against mad dogs and crazy people that haven't been sleeping for a year.
16. Whistle Blower: Just incase you got into a ditch and got trapped.
17. Compass: Sun rises from the east and sundown to the west.


18. Food: I prefer Nature Valley Bars.
19. Water Bottle: The one with a belt clip. And two extra bottled water.
20. Point & Shoot Camera: With a 2GB or 4GB memory card, and a car battery charger adapter.
21. Notebook and Pens: Whatever that needs to be written down, you can even doodle some images.


22. Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Place in a resealable plastic bag.
23. Burt's Bees Soap: Don't use other people's soaps. Any bars of soap will do.
24. Lock Lid Plastic Container: To store in all electronic gadgets, and cash or wallet, when it gets wet.
25. 35GB USB Key: Store in all personal documents, photos, and scanned old 35mm family photos.
26. Pocket Knife: For cutting ropes, boxes, opening things, and for a defense.


27. Playing Cards: Something to kill boredom, so play poker or 21.
28. Garbage Bags : For dirty clothes, wet cloths, wet towel, and to protect bag stuff from rain.
29. Keys: Your home keys and automobile keys.
30. Waterproof Watch: Nothing fancy. Something tough and waterproof.

Whoever reads this, I best recommend to also make your own list.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. Arrested

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., one of the nation's most prominent African American scholars, was arrested last week at his home near Harvard University after trying to force open the locked front door of his own home. He later argued that the two cops arrested him who happened to be white were racist. It really became controversial.



I thought it was funny at first. But then I realized how wrong it was. A neighbor were the once who called the cops. Maan don't they know who he was? He even showed some ID to the cops. Other than that, I would be glad if someone calls the cops if someone is breaking into my own home. But if it was me, I would be really disappointed if my own neighboor calls the cops.

FULL ARTICLE

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., hosted a show on PBS titled African American Lives. It's about African Americans like Quincy Jones, Chris Tucker, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Mae C. Jemison (female astronaut), and etc., retracing their Genealogy and African Roots through DNA testing. Most African Americans believed to be from Ghana. But actually Cape Coast Castle of Ghana is the place where different tribes of Africa were set sailed from by Portuguese Sailors.


In the show, Dr. Mae C. Jemison has higher DNA percentage of East Asian. She either got her DNA from the Chinese Railroad Men or from the Filipinos that lives in Manila Village of Louisiana. In a way she does looks Filipina. She even mentioned in the show that while her visit in Cambodia, she was thought to be Cambodian. That was pretty interesting.

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., has higher DNA percentage of Northern European Ancestry. I couldn't believe it. But that was the DNA test calculated.

I heard Michelle Obama were searching for her African Roots. Maybe they should contact Professor Herny Louis Gates Jr.





At the end of a primetime news conference, mostly revolving around President Obama's health care reform bill, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet asks him about race relations in America...

Apollo 11 - 1969

In Philippines time, that would be the 21st of July...

Earthships - Biotecture

Michael Reynolds is an Architect from the 70's who evolved building from recyclable items unto a self sustainable home called Earthships. He created the alternative word Biotecture to describe: "The profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their sustainability. A combination of biology and architecture." The houses he built are out of a Star Wars movie, except it's an actual breathing organic home as well as technological. It is a building that will take care of you in every way: food (year round green house), electricity, heating, water, air and sewage disposal.

It was shown earlier on the Travel Channel today. Utility bills cost only $200 a year or to none. Buying an earthship cost a lot though man, around half a million. They do have an alternative deal for $10,000 down payment. Other than the cost, there is a progress here, as far of saving the planet from global warming. Michael Reynolds has a movie out titled Garbage Warrior, he also has some books out, and has a community in New Mexico where he makes earthships and sells it. There are houses like these in Mexico too and Philippines (mud houses). Except they have no solar systems and clean recycable water system.

Tin cans, bottles, and tires were used as bricks for the earthship's foundations. If I have one, I'll probably add an animal farm too, like: goats, pigs, chickens, cows, and even lamas. The only downside of having animal farm is the bad smell. Like cow farts. And of course the medicines and food supplies for them farm animals.



Here is their website: www.earthships.net

What's With The Number 5

What is up with the number 5, 50, 150 - any number with 5 lately. What I mean is, Michael Jackson from the Jackson 5 died at the age 50, Farrah Fawcett died the same day, which is the 25th. Few days later Billy Mays died at the age of 50. And then the news says Bernard Madoff are spending 150 years in prison for scamming off people. I predict the dude might get shanked in prison 50 times, payed by a not so happy investors. All these people plays a significant role in the United States. A symbol from pop icon, poster swimsuit icon, an informercial icon (someone that the french would typically used to stereotype americans), and to a super con-man, and there are lots of super con-man in the US alone.

All has the number 5. Now, what so special about the number 5. Well there's a place called Lima in Peru. Peru is the place of the Incas. The same people who calculated 2012. Now, Lima means 5 in Austronisian language. I know because I speak Austronesian.


This is a map of Lima in Peru. It's a capital and the largest city of Peru. Also a gateway to Machu Picchu, where the shamans lives. The prediction were also calculated by the Mayans, Aztecs, and the Egyptians. Authors who wrote books about 2012 made lots of money from it, which is cool. If you can get a good topic, then make some money out of it. But what is up with the 5 man.



Maybe it's not gonna be an apocalypse until later. 2012 would probably the starting point of awakenig, some sort of a realizations from all humanity that a civilization or a culture is about to be changed, by seeing facts through natural disasters and sociological catastrophes in progress. Since most people only believes what they see, 2012 would probably the year. Like people in the old days would only laugh or burn you alive if you say people will one day stand at the moon.

North Korea already spilled the beans, by proudly admitting that the project they are working on, are to wipe The United States off the face of our planet earth. Other than cow farts, the ozone would be so messed up by nuclear toxins that the ice from North Pole will melt even more. And create more flood. Tuvalu Islands is already sinking because of climate change.



Aight, enough of this 5 numbers nonsense, I just felt like writing about it. I'll probably write more about this later on. Maybe sell it. Other than that, my musical gears needed few upgrades...

Hindu Psychic Readings

I'm not much of a believer in Taro Readings and Crystal Balls, but I do somewhat believe that there are authentic readers of the stars, that can foretold the future. One good example is the famous Notradamus. Astronomers had been reading the stars for thousands of years man. Ever since the stars and the moon were the only source of lights at nights before men discovered fire. So there's gotta be some guidance from the stars that had been evolved till today after thousands of years.

One time, around 7 years ago, I was walking to an asian plaza's parking lot going to an asian super market. An indian dude approached me and says "You my friend are in a terrible situation about a girl..." And I said "Wtf... How so?" And he says "You love this girl but you know she's not the right one." And then he goes on to say "I can read it all over you." I was actually more pissed than surprised how he knew that. Plus I ain't that much of a good looking guy and then to say something like that didn't really help my day.

And then the dude came closer and showed me some magic. I forgot what it was. There were three questions that he guessed right, I just forgot the other two. But I think it had to do with colors I was thinkin' that day, and the type of flowers I was also thinking at that moment. There was this magic guess that stood out from the rest of his guesses that I remember to this day, is when he asked "Think of an animal, somewhere in the jungle..." And I said, "A frog!" He was about to hand me a piece of paper where he recently wrote something on it but didn't, and then he goes on again and asked "No no in a jungle somewhere. A beast like animal... quickly quickly." So I said a "A tiger?" And then he gave me the crumpled piece of paper and told me to open it, so I did and sure enough, the paper says "Tiger." It was a little funny because these type of guesses are mostly common. Actually, I did think of a tiger but I had to play smart with his guesses.


He had a book with him. He opened it, and had a picture of Krishna as a divider for his book. I think it was a Hindu Bible. He had a small chart or something in the book. He asked the date of my birth, and so I did. Made some quick calculations and says that there's something about a girl in the future. A perfect match. But there's gonna be communication problems (also very common to a lot of dudes searching for relations - but it was interesting enough). He said "I can help you fix this by giving you these little amulets." The dude showed me few tiny crystals and stones. He says he had to do fasting and some prayers first. But in order to help me out, is to give him some money I can afford to give. Right when he mentioned money, I thought the dude was a scam. He could tell I was skeptical. So he said "Why would I be a scam if a doctor gets payed for being a doctor, why can't I also get payed." It's true, but to me a doctor is a profession. Crystal Balls are in a magic category, and magic is a part of illusions, and illusions is a part of trickery. So trickery is a scam. That's why I didn't have to pay the dude. The only things I gave that day was bottles of water because it was hella hot that day.

Speaking of star readings, The Three Kings that found where Baby Jesus was by looking at them stars, were actually Astrologist sent by King Herod to find the new born king. Others says it was a fire in the sky that lead them, meaning possibly a UFO. But knowing that The Three Kings were also called The Three Wisemen and Magi, was enough clue for me to know that they were looking at the stars. Not one star, but the stars. Magi also means Magic or Magicians. Just to correct my criticism what magic means.

I was searching for some Hindu Psychics in Youtube and found this video. A Hindu Pyschic named O-Star-O from The Letterman Show. Circa 1986. I then google searched Hindu Psychics and learned that it's something that anyone can master. It's not one of them typical gift that certain people are born with. I could be wrong though, but so far I think It's more like a profession. And it's called Nakshatra.



Here are the basics of Hinduism. I found this from Himalaya Academy. Now, I am a Christian. Not a perfect one, but I gathered enough evidence and reasons why I sticked to my belief. I am also opened to learn other Religions and Philosophies.

Hinduism determine the thoughts and attitudes about life, which in turn direct actions. By actions, creates destiny. Beliefs about sacred matters--God, soul and cosmos--are essential to one's approach to life. Hindus believe many diverse things, but there are a few bedrock concepts on which most Hindus concur. The following nine beliefs, though not exhaustive, offer a simple summary of Hindu spirituality.

Hinduism, the world is oldest religion, has no beginning--it precedes recorded history. It has no human founder. It is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience the Truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where man and God are one. Hinduism has four main denominations: Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.

One:
Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.

Two:
Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.

Three:
Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.

Four:
Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.

Five:
Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny.

Six:
Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods.

Seven:
Hindus believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in God.

Eight:
Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed.

Nine:
Hindus believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

4.3 Magnitude

For sure I thought the North Korean's delivered their missile here in California this morning. Turned out it was a 4.3 Magnitude earth quake that woke me up this morning. Or was it around afternoon. I think it was already noon. This is probably the 10th time I played STATIX - Playlist 02 over, which left me sleeping late last night. And still can't seem to find the right sample for my next track. As well as getting few ideas. The best samples are from albums with less or no drum beats at all. You pretty much do all the beats that goes along with the sample. Usually, tracks from the 70's like this dude named Boon Doc uses are the best ones to use. The thing is, they're way too common for me to sample. Mind as well visit few Record Stores for that.

I Am Robot And Proud is also in the Playlist. He did cool on "The Work" using Tenori-On. It has that bell sounds to it. If I would chose between Tenori-On and Motif ES Rack, I would definitely choose the Motif. You can always grab that Tenori-On bell sounds and sample that in MPC using 1/16 tempo.

4.3 Earthquake's FULL ARTICLE


Speaking of earthquakes, I won't ever forget the 6.9 magnitude quake of 1989. I was in the wrestling gym during my sophomore year in high school when it happened. The floor was moving like the ocean's wave. Most of the stop lights were all messed up like fallen trees after a big storm. When I got home, the electricity were off. And when the electricty was back on, I turned on the TV news, and learned that the aftermath was much more worse than the fallen stop lights.


A fortune message from a cookie last night. I've been in the Lab Cave for damn too long since moving in to this new room. And I do need to get back to Nature for a little bit.

Fallen Star Photo Released

This December 2008 photo, released by NASA, shows a black chunk of rock found in the Sudan desert, the first time astronomers have tracked an asteroid from space, toward Earth, into the atmosphere and down on the ground as a meteorite.

I am getting sucked up by yahoo articles, but I can't help but post this story as one of my blog. This is something big here, although they only found an 8.7 pounds of left over rock from a different planet but failed to form as a planet 4.5 billions years ago. Damn man, how old is planet earth? Earth is like around 4.7 billions years old or somethin'. That's history right there. More like questioning and actually receiving answers from God or some sort. The article says this is the first time Astronomers to tracked a falling star from space and down to earth.

FULL ARTICLE

Southeast Asian tribal warriors from ancient times used to follow these kinds of asteroids too. And when they found the rock, they make a ceremonial swords or a dagger out of it called Kris. Like this image here:

Buffest Dog Ever Seen

I was surfing the internet about something the other day. I forgot what I was googling for, but I came across to this blog. At first I was hella trippen, and thought it was probably digitally manipulated. And so, I read the blog and it isn't digitally manipulated. It's a real buff dog with some sort of a rare condition that happens to animals and even to humans. Pitbulls are pretty buff too but this dog here ain't no pitbull. The blog also mentioned that farmers used to or still does select cows with the same rare condition to bred their products to have more meat. If I could only remember what topic I was looking for, I could probably find the blog where I found this from and add more information about this bizzare lookin' buffed up dog.


I just found something here.

Barely Missed Asteroid

According to what I've seen on the TV news, an asteroid flew over Haiti just few days ago. Astronomers knew about the asteroid and calculations was made to prove that it wasn't going to hit our planet. But nature once again surpassed the human intelligence, the asteroid was actually closer that expected. Exactly how close was twice the distance from an orbiting satellites. Even if there was an Impact It would not be as catastrophic, for it will hit the middle of the ocean. Islanders would be jacked either way but they said to be far off from the mainlands.

The Dinosaurs were also known to had been wiped away from an asteroid 65 million years ago. There is an evidence of an asteroid impact other than the Dinosaur Theory, called The Meteor Crater in the state of Arizona. It was the first crater to be identified as an impact crater. Between 20,000 to 50,000 years ago, a small asteroid about 80 feet in diameter impacted the earth and formed the crater. The one that just flew over us was 115 feet.

Large Asteroid Barely Misses Earth—Can We Prevent Future Collisions?

by Haley A. Lovett

Asteroid 2009 DD45 missed Earth by only twice the distance of orbiting satellites. Could early detection save the planet from future asteroids?

On March 2, 2009, an asteroid approximately 115 feet across flew very close to Earth. According to Space.com, astronomers knew that the asteroid was coming and that it was not going to collide with Earth. At its closest point to Earth, it was only twice the distance of a geostationary communications satellite.

It isn’t uncommon for space objects to come close to Earth, but asteroid 2009 DD45 was much closer than usual. NASA has a schedule of upcoming close encounters that details the size of each asteroid and the distance from Earth that each will pass. FULL ARTICLE

Earthzillas of the Day

This could be another reason how some of these creatures continues to vanished or extinct - I myself get sucked into this. I'm talking about Giant Animals or Animals we don't see often. Hey man I am only human and it does looks bizzare to my own eyes. But whenever we see these oversized or undersized animals compared to their common species we tend to killem or eatem. The Aliens probably feels bad for these creatures that they abduct all the Yetis to be well preserved and far from harms way. And once in a while they let them wonder around in the woods where only a hillbilly or mountain tribesmen can witness. They might be doing the same way to other type of creatures like the famous Lake Loch Ness Monster, Giant Squid to the size of a 17th century ships, and other types of creatures that I think also being well preserved by the Aliens. Who knows maybe they even have creatures from our planet we never knew ever existed. What if all these monster like creatures will some day be released all at once here in our planet. Maaan that would be one scary sight. More like the scene in Godzilla where people would be pointing Godzilla in fear all running around screamin "aaaahhh is goodzilla is goodzilla ahhhhh." Except it's not just one Godzilla but many Godzillas.


Giant Stingray

BRITISH angler Ian Welch has landed a world record with this monster – a giant stingray which is the biggest freshwater fish ever caught using a rod and line.

Ian hooked the FIFTY FIVE STONE beast – which nearly pulled him over the side of the boat several times during a 90 MINUTE battle – before he landed it.

It took THIRTEEN grown men to heave the fish – which is the size of a garden shed – out of the water.

Weighing 771lbs it smashed the previous record of 646lbs for a huge catfish caught in 2005.

Ian, a freshwater biologist, had been visiting Thailand to help with a stingray tagging programme when he hooked the denizen of the deep on the Maeklong River. FULL ARTICLE




A Chinese Supersized Rat

A giant rat with one-inch-long teeth has been caught in the southern Chinese province of Fujian.

The rat, which weighed six pounds and had a 12-inch tail and one-inch-long teeth, was caught at the weekend in a residential area of Fuzhou, a city of six million people on China's south coast.

The ratcatcher, who was only named as Mr Xian, said he swooped for the rodent after seeing a big crowd of people surrounding it on the street.

He told local Chinese newspapers that he thought the rat might be a valuable specimen, or a rare species, and had to muster up his courage before grabbing its tail and picking it up by the scruff of its neck.


FULL ARTICLE

I forgot which site it was but somewhere in India was this Rare Barking Toad, I tried to research it again but couldn't find it. It's body looks like a frog but the head doesn't look anything like the common frog, It looks more like a lizard's head. And it barks. Like how DMX would bark with an asthma attack.


Speaking of Monsters, if you haven't seen it yet, check out this movie THE HOST. It's a Korean flick. Part comedy part thriller. It's about this humble family that owns a food stand at a river park, who later came across to a monster that looks like part squid, part salmon, and part dinosaur.