QJ: Quick Joke

Some pharmacists in the CNMI told this joke:

"When you have a problem with erection, go 'see Alice.'"

(Cialis is a brand of viagra)

The Reveler

The Name Game

What's in a name?

Attending these several graduation ceremonies on the island gave me the idea to post this topic on the name game. I can't believe as well as stand it when parents of today gave their children in my opinion odd names. It's either they combine the names of both mother and father or these parents just don't think or they think and brainstorm too much.

Here are the names I found, again in my opinion, amusing:

*Alvijane - maybe a combo of Alvin and Jane
*Jayveeann - pretty obvious
*Davian - omigod, this girl's parents must have "Davian" behaviors and they think it's cute?
*BJ - i get excited when I hear this name!
*Almer - either a combo of Alma and Elmer or short for Alzheimer
*Lavatoria - maybe because it sounds Spanish? Or maybe the mom gave birth to the child on a lavatory? I dunno.
*Flowerpot - ok, it's beautiful i guess if you were an American Indian
*Puspus - this one is a last name. You'd think that it's a wound, i mean two wounds or woundwound.

This one is the best for me:

*Holley - yeah there seems nothing wrong with it, except that the parents named it to their eldest son.

There's so many but I'll get back to you for more.

The Reveler

Letter "L" in Pakistan

I'm sorry to top Weird Elle's photo essay but this news from BBC just caught my attention, it's about same sex couple being incarcerated.

The Story:

A Pakistani court has jailed a married couple for three years for perjury after a dispute over the husband's sex.

Last week the court ruled that the husband was, in fact, a woman, despite sex-change surgery and that the couple had lied about his sexual status.

It also said their marriage was un-Islamic because it was same-sex.

The case is believed the first of its kind in Pakistan. The couple said they would appeal against the sentence and have asked President Musharraf to help.

(Click for full story on BBC)

If you'll see the photo, I first thought, which sex was it pertaining to, because the photo shows a woman in veil or burqa. Look closer.

Whatever it is, I know, we have all our opinions here. Shall we talk about love, companionship, understanding, even happiness?

Speaking of the letter "L," a big thanks goes to MCV's Bryan Pitt for connecting us to the world of boob tube technology. Hugs from me....

The Reveler

Honoring those who served

Snapshots of the Memorial Day ceremony at the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi on Monday.






























Photos by Weird Elle

Why do I love Rachael Yamagata?

Have you heard of her? Well, you should.

A friend introduced the singer to me in 2005 and until now I never have gotten over her. Singer composer Rachael Yamagata is a blend of Sarah McLachlan and Paula Cole. What makes her unique are her songs. Her voice is just a great listening on a hazy Sunday afternoon.

A must have is her Happenstance album that includes songs: Reason Why, Worn Me Down and Under My Skin.

She has a new album to come out soon.

The Reveler

"So, I will head out alone and hope for the best
And we can hang out heads down as we skip goodbyes,
You can tell the world what you want them to hear,
I've got nothing left to lose my dear,
So, I'm up for the little white lies,
But you and I know the reason why,
I'm gone, you're still there,
I'm gone, you're still there."

The hurt continues...

Why do I get hurt whenever someone says Saipan sucks?

Please, spare me from the grunts.

Whenever I meet someone new on the island either for a long term vacation or a project, then they will babble they come from the city (so am i) and all they do is pick on the island?

I'm sorry but whenever I hear remarks like that it makes me feel so bad that I am "stuck" here?

I've loved the island and most of its people. It has grown on me so much that it has become a second home. Let's not talk politics, though.

Again, spare me the grunts.

The Reveler

"Stuck" tickets now available

Hey Peeps! Let's support the new theater company, the Fabulous Invalid Theater Co. for its play debuting on June 3 at 7pm at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center. Two more play dates on June 8 and 9 same venue.

Tickets are sold for $5 each.

Directed by Nahal Navidar (famed moaner in Vagina Monologues. She was also with In Transit)

Note: I wanted to post the poster in PDF format but only gif and jpg files are accepted)

The Reveler

A love letter

This happens to me when I try to find a document, a receipt, a note...Sifting through piles of papers -- dust, paper cuts, ants, the smell of old paper, and all -- I'd often come across something that's more worthwhile reading than what I've been looking for in the first place...

Dear ______

I guess it won't be appropriate to start things off with all the
things we are used to saying to each other on email. But i must tell,
i am glad you wrote that letter--it means that you can speak your
heart out, that you know what's wrong, that your vulnerability
can be translated into words.
You are right, your letter was something to think about. And
frankly, i have been thinking about them even without the letter to remind me.
It confuses me, too, how i can go about everyday not being able to
mail or talk to you as often as I should. It's not laziness, come to
think of it, I think i don't have the drive to do it. To tell you the
truth, because we've been talking so much sweet things for the longest
time and not getting real and serious and introspective about
things--i have begun to feel a little bit comfortable that you'll
always be around. I may have become a bit hardened and insensitive
because i don't feel a sense of responsibility oftentimes. Sometimes
we just seem so detached, or rather I am, talking would often mean
going through the motions. you know what i mean?
About the relationship. I, too, am thinking if all this is worth
continuing. I can't seem to handle this right, and my ego is just way
on top of my head. I did not mean to be so insensitive as to not call
you and buy you cards, but it just seems too difficult for me. You
went away and it was alright, i didn't talk to you and it was alright,
now i am not sure what i'd feel if you come back.
I am trying to go back to when we first met and figure out what was
wrong from the start. I don't know about you, but i am beginning to
realize that i might have jumped into a relationship too soon. The
attraction wasn't too strong then, but we talked and suddenly you were
transformed into someone i knew i would like. Then it happened, and it
was good.
We have a few things in common, i realize that, too. Haven't you
noticed we try to like each other's interests, get into it, but somehow
there is a vacant space in our eyes. I saw it in yours, once or twice.
I am sure you saw it in me, too.
But then, how did we go this far? I love you because having you
around tells me i'm taking love a step further. Loving you makes me
think of what it would be like years from now. I've told you this
before: i plan to keep long relationships now. You fit right into the
picture: you believe in me, you know how to live, you have no qualms
about things.
Your family, definitely they're part of it. I never had a family
like that. I've always wanted to know my girlfriend's family.
Thinking about what we have--you know, thinking as in knowing what
is good and what is not--makes this relationship good.
So, why then are you feeling this way? For all these things and
more I suppose.
I am sorry you had to put up with me. You did deserve a call, a
letter, everything; but i couldn't deliver. It would be the right
thing to do, yes, not calling me up on the 25th and not sending
letters anymore. You should think, we should think. We should start
sorting out what we really want.
But you know, saying i love you to you still feels right. And i
feel quite lost today more than any other day because i am finally
confronted with something i am completely helpless. I am not making
you happy with this email, i know, but please think that I have been
quite strong with this relationship even i surprise myself. You
changed, and i am glad you have. You, too, have changed me. I feel
more attuned to myself now--whether that's good or bad i don't know
yet.
Maybe after this, when we get to talk, we really should talk, really
talk.


____




When I finished reading this -- just one of the, well, maybe hundreds of his e-mails which I printed and kept (along with handwritten notes and letters) -- beautiful, life-altering memories kept coming back. and they made me smile.

You want to know what happened months later?

Let's see....if I need to find another document again...

And maybe someday I get to write a book about his love letters.

Presenting the newest band in town!!!

Red Hot (Chili) Tinian Pepper.
Thanks to KAP's suggestion before.

Kudos to TacDer!

Guess who got towed today?

Poll Result

Poll Question:

Do you think the CNMI will have better economic condition in 2008?

Yes - 20 percent
No - 63.3 percent
Maybe - 13.3 percent
I Don't Care - 3 percent

Thanks for voting!

Now, check our new poll question!

The Buzz: Drive Test or Drive Text

Latest news is the poor girl that just died in that fatal road accident, was texting when she crossed that highway. Last 2005, Democrat Party campaign manager also had a head on collision along Puerto Rico, Middle Road. Investigation found out that the man was using his cellphone when the accident happened.

Either it be true or not, drivers don't text while driving. Put that cellphone down and focus on the road. Hold the steering wheel with both hands. If important, pull over then get that phone.

Ooops hold on, my phone is ringing..."Hello...can you call back I'm driving...Oh hi gorgeous, yeah. tonight...oh...oh...haha...hihi..." BAM!

The Reveler

A tragedy on a weekend

A tragedy on Sunday took a life of Miss Marianas Teen First Runner Up Vinae Deleon Guerrero. A tragic collision along Gualo Rai, Middle Road with her car and a truck.

Let's all say a prayer for her soul.

The Reveler
Photo from Saipan Tribune: 2007 Miss Marianas Teen Kayla Atalig is seen hugged by Vinae here during the crowning last March.

Ombudsman vs the Governor

Isn't this better than the usual WWF or the Ultimate Warrior tourney that we see on TV?

The CNMI governor was raving mad about the newspaper article that came out a week ago that featured a report from the federal ombudsman's office. Apparently, the governor was hurt with that report prompting him to write a letter to David Cohen, DOI Deputy Secretary, last week and he ranted about the ombudsman's report, saying that the report jeopardizes tourism business in the CNMI.

Question is, why would the local government intervene with the federal office just to make the CNMI look good when in fact it is deteriorating? Enlighten me with this.

Just wondering.

The Reveler

YouTube: Help Stop Child Abuse

Saw this video on YouTube and I hope this gives you the heart to help stop child abuse in this world....

Concrete Angel By Martina McBride (Video)

The Reveler

Response to Borego's Tag!

Arggh! I hate this, but for the spirit of the blogging excitement and camaraderie, here it goes. Seven bullets about me. Hold on, I'm tagging GeekGoddess, Weird Elle, TacDer, CNMIBlogger, Marianas Eye, Bree, and KAP.

1. I love shrimps esp. garlic shrimps and die for it, because i'm allergic to it.
2. I sing, compose music, play the guitar, dance, act, and paint.
3. I'm a frustrated writer. I've been wanting to write a novel. First novel I wrote was inspired by Bantam Books' Sweet Dreams when I was still in high school. Yes, my first Sweet Dreams paperback I read was Kiss and Tell. Haha. I have two older sisters that influenced me to do that. Then I fell in love with the Hardy Boys. ;-) Excuse me, I never read a Harlequin novel they're too graphic. Hehe. How I wish I learned to love Harold Robinson.
4. I bake. Specialty is pineapple upside down cake.
5. I love movies, used to review 'em in a mag.
6. I still cringe when someone extends a praise or two.
7. I've wanted to enter showbusiness, at least behind the scenes. I auditioned for a scriptwriting workshop in one of the biggest TV network and when I got there at least a thousand aspirants were there and I wanted to go back home. However, I spent time and money already for that so I braved the crowd. It took me at least 4 hours to be interviewed. Among the thousand, only 20 applicants made it to the workshop. They didn't announce it after a week. Then I got a call from the TV Network that I made the cut. Was so happy, but when I went for the orientation, I learned that the workshop entailed cash and other expenses. I took my ID for souvenir and left. I was dead broke then. I know, it was the chance but at least I still have the ID to remind me that I made the cut. ;-)

Watch out for the new band in town!

After the Betels, here comes the....

Watch out for the new band in town, soon!

TacDer did a wonderful job in Middle Road's newest addition to the animated Saipan bands online!

The Reveler

Flaming?

Now wait a minute. No one's reacting to Bruce Bateman's column two days ago where he mentioned the man that set himself on fire as "Flaming Nepalese?"

Where's justice in this world.... ;-)

Here's his story form Saipan Tribune:

And some just hide out in Afghanistan (or Pakistan or maybe Jerkistan) sucking on the remains of Hillbloom's money while bitching from afar about flaming Nepalese and other CNMI problems. I thank all of the above for reading The Saipan Tribune and especially for reading Sour Grapes. Let's find ways to work together to solve this looming problem.

The Reveler

Troops-to-Teachers honored

Earlier Wednesday morning at least 17 members of the CNMI Troops-to-Teachers program were honored at the Legislature. Rep. Cinta Kaipat led the presentation. There were men and women that received the House Resolution plaques and you could see from their eyes the excitement and the exhilaration they felt when each of them was called to receive the plaque.

Most of them are still waiting for call of duty but all of them are taking college courses right now to be teachers in the future. The Public School System embraced them to work as teacher aides. Most of these soldiers came from deployment in Iraq.

These soldiers according to their director Geri Willis truly deserved the accolades from the CNMI Legislature.

Kudos to the program that cares.

The Reveler

Film Nights: Ordinary People

What a wonderful thing to do before attending a going away party at 11pm tonight for a friend who's going back home to Japan, but to watch a 1980 movie "Ordinary People." Geek Goddess and I ended up wiping our tears and laugh at ourselves for shedding tears due to this movie.

I bought this film on eBay. I saw this film a long, long time ago and I told myself this movie is beautifully crafted. It won Oscar's Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and of course Best Director for Robert Redford. It was his directorial debut for this flick.

It's an old film but the acting was wonderful especially Mary Tyler Moore's. I was wondering why she didn't win in this movie for an award. Donald Sutherland was awesome too. Timothy Hutton won the Best Supporting Oscar and he truly deserved it.

This movie, for those of you who haven't seen it, is a must-see. It is not an ordinary drama film nor a film for ordinary people.

Splendid. Truly splendid.

This film really gave us the reason to party and have fun tonight!!!

The Reveler

Gotcha: Wakai Nekko No Kai's Hideo Kato

Recent visit from Wakai Nekko No Kai Ocean University featured a comic presentation from its president Hideo Kato. He's 78 and look how he kicks that foot so high. Move over Napoleon (Dynamite)!


The Reveler

The Buzz: Of shoes, casinos and esperansa

Welcome to the Buzz!!! Saipan Middle Road's latest tid bits of what the community is hearing about:

First off, the communnity's been hearing about the garment moguls have been meeting up for the establishment of a shoe factory here on Saipan...now that's kinky (boots)!

Next, is the famed La Fiasco, that's what they say about the La Fiesta Mall in As Matuis. Well, another famed company bought it's lease and the buzz around is that, a casino is in the works there. Company's spokeperson wouldn't talk further about it, but admitted that Saipan is a favorable place for a casino than Tinian.

and last, Guma Esperansa wouldn't accept the donation or proceeds from a group that would hold a film showing about a Filipino gay-themed film on Saipan. The "sister" said Guma is a Catholic backed up social service group and it has to be careful. What do you think? For a group that helps battered women, and unfortunate citizens and that is in dire need of financial support, can still be picky huh?

The Reveler

Why only now IRS?

How come it has taken a while before the IRS or the CNMI Department of Rev&Tax know of the EITC refund scheme? For such a small US territory with about 275 alleged filers (there maybe more) compared to the estimated 300 on the US mainland caught in years.

Makes you wonder.

One of the individuals who filed for a fraudulent claim told me he paid $475 to the person who prepared the claim, but his bank account was frozen even before he could get his estimated $3,000 from the IRS.

This man said he and other accountants tried to access the Web site used by the woman who was charged on Thursday in connection with the scam, trying to figure out for themselves how to file for tax refund instead of relying on somebody else. He said they didn`t succeed. So now this man and others are thinking that maybe the woman was given a special access by someone from IRS...but that`s only this man and his fellow accountants` opinion.

But if anything, these people who filed for and received tax refunds are only asked to return what they received. No charges...so far.

At least the feds are a little easy on them...(was it also because IRS recognized that it has faults too, like being too late to catch up on what has been goin on for sometime now).

but as they say, better late than never.

Fabulous Invalid Theater Company

An Open Mic and a fundraiser!

Let's support this new group formed by Nahal Navidar, the actress that shared the different versions of moans during the Vagina Monologues in March. Her theater company called Fabulous Invalid Theater Company is going to have an Open Mic fundraising event tonight at Porky's Bar Garapan starting at 7pm. Booze is happy hour-priced and there will be raffle prizes! The event is for the benefit of the theater company's maiden production stage play "Stuck."

Go out tonight, grab that mic and show the world you can!

The Reveler

Eva leaves Adam

Little that the island knows that when the papers announced that Taiwan airlines Eva Air had tied up with the CNMI for chartering flights from Taiwan to Saipan in April, the week after the airline brought a charter flight with 200 tourists, Eva Air pulled out from the agreement. Reports said that based on the initial agreement with organizers here, Eva Air should be flying twice a week to Saipan until March 2008.

Well, better luck next time Saipan.

The Reveler

Too many community workers, too few professionals

(First, my apologies to The Reveler and Geek Goddess for not posting any blog in the last few days)


This government has become a safe haven for employees who do not have any special skills. Either the employees themselves do not want to acquire special skills (like research or bookkeeping or writing good correspondences) or their employer (the government) fails to provide them with an opportunity to hone their skills or learn new skills. (no wonder private sector employers have second thoughts hiring those from the government if they do not even have a college degree)

I have to say this though: Not all government community workers lack special skills. there are others who can do a lot of things other than answer phones, buy merienda for their bosses or deliver messages or documents using air conditioned vehicles.

But take the Legislature, for example. Lawmakers always have to request other government agencies like the Office of the Public Auditor to come up with a list of, say, those who do not volunteer to have their pays cut. These lawmakers have too many community workers who, if only trained or at least have the patience to really `work`, could easily compile the list for their lawmaker bosses. But no, lawmakers have to rely on OPA, Finance and other agencies that have other more important things to do like investigate corruption or find other ways to save government money -- than compile lists for lawmakers. not only do these lawmakers have lots of community workers. they also have consultants, legal counsels, etc. they could also do the compiling themselves. but that`s what you get for having too many bodies. too few skills or brains.

It`s just frustrating that, even if the government is talking about reduction in force, it fails to recognize some of the basic flaws in its hiring system. why retain government workers who cannot even do simple compilations. or at least a simple gathering of data. they should be the first ones to go if we are talking about reduction in force.

And what`s more disturbing, the Legislature is not covered by the reduction in force touted by Fitial and OPM. the judiciary is also not covered. just like the pay cuts -- not all voluntarily agreed to have their salaries cut by 10 percent.

Greg Moretti's The Ring

Way to go, Mr. Greg Moretti! He put the CNMI once again in the map. Greg told me that it was amazing that the story even made it to Associated Press media:

AP - When Jessica Spinks last saw her Alton High School class ring, she had been swimming off the South Pacific island of Saipan.

The 2000 graduate figured when she lost the ring in the ocean that it was lost forever. Until Thursday, when Spinks, who now lives in England, got a long-distance telephone call from her mother.

"I actually woke her up," Helen Spinks told the (Alton) Telegraph for a story published on its Web site. "I told her they had found her ring. She said, 'Whoa! What?'"

Greg Moretti found the ring, engraved with Spinks' name, while scuba diving a month ago off of the coast of the northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory.

Moretti struck out trying to find Spinks over the Internet and contacted the Alton School District by e-mail and sent it the ring, which ended up in the possession of Chris Norman, the school district's financial services director.

Norman, a former Alton High assistant principal, was unsuccessful in trying to reach Spinks or her family, so he contacted the media for help.

Helen Spinks, who lives in Greenfield, picked up a copy of the Telegraph when she went into town Thursday and saw the story about her daughter. About the same time, her husband, John, called her cell phone and said he'd just seen a report about the ring on a St. Louis television station.

Helen Spinks immediately called her daughter.

"She was shocked. She said, 'You've got to be kidding. Oh, that's so cool,'" Helen Spinks said.

Jessica Spinks had traveled to Saipan during her Navy service.

"She was at the port there and had been swimming, and it slipped off her finger," her mother said.

Helen Spinks planned to contact school district officials on Friday to pick up the ring.

For that you deserve three wet kisses from me! xxx;)

The Reveler

Dear Mr. President - CNMI Tribute

The Lez Girlz and I had a movie night last night with the Season Finale of the "L Word" Season 4, courtesy of a downloaded AVI file, when we had the chance to hear a song from Pink entitled "Dear Mr. President." I've never had so much respect for Pink until I heard this song (aside from the fact that she collaborated with the Indigo Girls).

Then it dawned on me, to make this video dedicated to the CNMI's heroes...

Hope you enjoy it.


The Reveler

History: Cinco de Mayo

Parties! Parties! Parties!

That's tomorrow, Saturday, May 5. Parties to attend to: Porky's where Power99 and the Tarantula Girls will heat the night away, Club V Saipan Grand Hotel, Godfathers and Jonny's Bar.

A brief history of the Mexican tradition:

Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention. Especially those from imperialist states bent on world conquest.

Cinco de Mayo's history has its roots in the French Occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took shape in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. With this war, Mexico entered a period of national crisis during the 1850's. Years of not only fighting the Americans but also a Civil War, had left Mexico devastated and bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a brief period of two years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume.

The English, Spanish and French refused to allow president Juarez to do this, and instead decided to invade Mexico and get payments by whatever means necessary. The Spanish and English eventually withdrew, but the French refused to leave. Their intention was to create an Empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. Some have argued that the true French occupation was a response to growing American power and to the Monroe Doctrine (America for the Americans). Napoleon III believed that if the United States was allowed to prosper indescriminantly, it would eventually become a power in and of itself.

In 1862, the French army began its advance. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the "Batalla de Puebla" on the fifth of May.

In the United States, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to be known as simply "5 de Mayo" and unfortunately, many people wrongly equate it with Mexican Independence which was on September 16, 1810, nearly a fifty year difference. Over, the years Cinco de Mayo has become very commercialized and many people see this holiday as a time for fun and dance. Oddly enough, Cinco de Mayo has become more of Chicano holiday than a Mexican one. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on a much larger scale here in the United States than it is in Mexico. People of Mexican descent in the United States celebrate this significant day by having parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing and other types of festive activities.

The Reveler
History taken from: http://clnet.ucla.edu/cinco.html

YouTube: La Cucaracha!

Bye bye wage hike?

vetoed. yes indeed.

so is every one happy now?

The Reveler