Thursday, July 27, 2006

The English Language

Ever wonder what Englishmen think about the English language in the States? Read Aqualung's, rather Ben's tour diary. Title: RE: The English Language

Ok, here are the first few paragraphs:

Thank you for your recent letter. I would indeed enjoy sharing with you some of my observations on the theme of transatlantic English, which are delivered in the house style, and, just to warn you, contain offensive words like 'cunt':

"You say 'tomato', and I say 'tomato'/
I say 'potato', and you say 'potato'..."

Doesn't sound so good when it's written down, does it? It's just confusing. But, besides the fact that no one on earth says 'potARto', whoever wrote that song had a point. I do say 'tomARto' and they say 'tomAYto', and when I am in a restaurant discussing tomatoes with the waiter, I soon find myself in linguistoetiquetical difficulty. I feel I ought to back down and say 'tomAYto' because otherwise the difference in pronunciation can become confrontational:

Waiter: Who ordered the tomAYtoes?
Ben: I ordered the tomARtoes
Waiter (leaning forward): I'm sorry sir?
Ben (gesturing): Them. I ordered them.
Waiter: Oh, the toMAYtoes. And how do the tomAYtoes look to you today at this time?
Ben: The tomARtoes look fine
Waiter (leaning further): I'm sorry sir?
Ben: These... they look fine. Thankyou.
Waiter: Thank YOU.
Ben: That's fine.
Waiter: I'm sorry sir?
Ben: mmp
Waiter: Are you guys in a band, or are you here for the Hair Show?


Saturday, July 22, 2006

Valente and Petit

Finally! I found a copy...

Valente and Petitpoor thing...

Thursday, July 20, 2006

For Filipinos wherever you are

Once in a while, I get to read articles on Filipino values from forwarded emails, news sites or the local newspapers to the point that one may find what they are teaching ordinary. Yet, I always get excited when I do find one. I guess I want to feel patriotic at times especially with so much negativity around.

Read Take pride in Filipino values by MARIE FRANZ JERUTA.

Other news: Pope Benedict XVI asks Filipinos to pray for Lebanon peace.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Potter, Soccer and Jajah!

Missed the World Cup? You can download Jose+10 and more soccer ads at soccercommercials.com. Vids in Quicktime format.

They say this is Skype's competition. Check out Jajah.com.

POTTER NEWS

M. Night Shyamalan: "I would be the greatest protector" of Rowling's work


In an exclusive interview with PotterCast, director M. Night Shyamalan (The Lady in the Water, The Sixth Sense) said that if he were to direct a Harry Potter film, he would treat J.K. Rowling's source material as "sacred." Mr. Shyamalan was approached to direct the first film, but had to decline due to a prior film commitment -- a missed opportunity that still "haunts" him. For more information, click here.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Men in Black

Portugal's Homecoming

nuno gomesNuno Gomes in a cameo appearance