Snow storms hit North East US states

A couple uses skis to cross a snowy street in downtown Portland, Ore.
Photo by Associated Press

I guess this is part of the reason why US communications hasn't been good these couple of weeks. Cables and things must be freezing at that part of the world. I wonder what would happen if that happened here. It would really be tragic because people are mostly used to the tropical sun and siestas in the afternoon. A lot of people would probably die of the weather but I would probably enjoy the snow hahah ^_^ sorry for thinking aloud!

Don't Drink and Drive

Don't drink and drive

The US had about 16,005 people killed in alcohol related motor vehicle traffic crashes. I really do not want to be a statistic but of over 42,532 traffic accidents DUI tops the list to a whopping 15,829 or 37%. People charged with criminal cases have risen to almost the same percentage this year alone. We should not hold back on prosecuting those who are guilty but we need to also protect the rights of the innocent and wrongfully accused.

A motor vehicle crash is considered to be alcohol related if at least one driver involved in the crash is determined to have had high blood alcohol concentration. They usually measure that and run some on the spot tests before you can be formally charged with DUI. We all know the justice system is not perfect so we should never be victimized by those who would only want to bend the law just because they want to. If you need help, you can count on Criminal and DUI lawyers from reputable law firms to help you. They specialize in criminal and DUI cases. They are all available to take your court case and comprehensively investigate it for you. You will only get the best possible answer in or out of the courtroom. Where else can you find dedicated people to help you win back your innocence?

YES MAN! Its Jim Carrey!

Lying down on his own premier night in UK... Jim Carrey is just hilarious!

Photo by Reuters

Guys, this is not the official KUMAGCOW MOOOVIE REVIEW but a prelude to it I guess. I saw this movie's trailer and OMG it was hilarious. I kinda missed Jim Carrey... I mean who wouldn't right?

This movie called YES MAN just opened up at the box office for $18.2 million in ticket sales going straight to number one in its first day of opening. I am really going to watch this this weekend. I love his antics, humor and everything else that this crazy guy do... who wants to watch it with me *raise your hands! Hahahah *

I met my UE Caloocan Engineering Buds! ^_^

UE Caloocan... the times we reminisced...

I just got in the office after a short dinner and chit chat with my college friends... Man it was amazing to see their faces again... the stories were just never ending.

I hate the fact that we only meet once a year, but you know what?! it's kinda fine that we get to miss each other for once. One thing though, we all are happy... we ate a lot at Something Fishy... and drank a couple of rounds at Seafood Island... I got the chance to see people that I haven't seen since 2000 would you believe? It was nice, the company was reaaaaaly great... I just wish we do this often... well you know how busy we are... with work, and family too... I just miss them all I guess.. ^_^

I'll get a post scribbled once I get em pictures... I promised them I'd write one heheh... Man this is a nice Christmas... ^_^

Where Wishes are Granted Everyday

Its 5 days before Christmas and everybody's getting ready for that one day in the year where we celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I know I have been a little naughty and there are some instances where I've been very bad. I am human after all. I am happy though that my family is living well despite these hard times with the financial crisis and all. The country is looking mighty nice in spite of what everybody else is saying. I'm more afraid of the coming election than the economic jitters from the US and elsewhere.

Even though I've been bad I still have wishes and aspirations in life. There are simple things to make my life easier and better. My brother just got in from Ireland and got me my very own white Play Station Portable (slim type). Who wouldn't be happy with that right? The gaming console I wanted so much for a few years is finally within my grasp. So I went ahead and had the firmware jazzed up so I could play games aside from the disc that came with it. I loaded tons of mp3's and music videos so I can listen to it all day long. When I was at the office, I kind of noticed everybody else was listening to their own set of mp3's since nobody had something great to listen to. I tried to look for speakers that I could use so everyone could enjoy what I was loading on my gadgets. I tried but I think it was just too expensive and "I'd rather spend it on something more important “I said.

I was thinking it was just okay, but when I got into the site http://www.sitonsantaslap.com/?utm_source=b things just started to change. Santa Claus even gave me a preview on what I'd look like when I get myself into a digital photo frame. The part I really loved was when they even got me into the story. I wanted this digital gadget all of a sudden and I knew I really should not stop wishing for something. They are really worth waiting for if you ask me, because even Santa hooked me up for what I wanted this Christmas.

If you get to this site, you'll get the chance to even sit on Santa's lap. That part was really fun! C.E.I.V.A. the original producers of the Digital Photo Frame just made my day twice sweeter. They'll even get you on Santa's list so he wouldn't forget what to give you for Christmas. If that isn't enough, there is an optional contest you can join if you are 18 years old and above, a resident of United States and/or Washington D.C. There would be a random entry selected for each day of the contest where you can win a cash prize of $500.00. Where else should you go if you got a wish right?

About the Shoe Thrown at Bush

I am now formally dipping my hand again in US politics and reacting to the shoe throwing incident in the unannounced visit of outgoing US President George W. Bush.

My reactions:

• This is a clear lapse of security on the part of US Secret Service.. these guys are paid and given all the tools in the world to protect the President but this is just clearly an incident where they did not act fast enough.
• People from all radio, TV stations mention that it's the most disrespectful thing to be done in Iraqi culture... to be thrown a shoe on the face... REAALLY NOW!... I mean what do you think other cultures would treat that?! Does it mean otherwise in the Philippines or elsewhere in the world? Talk about smart people reporting! (Batuhin kaya kita ng sapatos sa mukha!)
  
• The shoe was size 10... only an inch smaller than my shoes... anybody want to send me one for Christmas? Lolz...
• The guy shouted "Here is your goodbye kiss, dog!"... so its either he's gay or he's an animal lover.
  
• Bush said he didn't care because it's like any other protester... he's not afraid just because of a shoe. If it was a size 14-17 and was being thrown by Shaq then most probably he'll be Very Very Afraid!
• The journalist who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush was handed over to the Iraqi judiciary which signals the start of criminal proceedings. If this happened in the Philippines, police would normally say he was beaten up by the masses. (Binugbog ng taong bayan) Black and blue and no one will admit they touched him LOLZ.
• His employer, Al-Baghdadia television, reported that al-Zeidi had been "seriously injured" — presumably beaten by guards — and called on the government to allow lawyers and the Iraqi Red Crescent to visit him. Later, one of his brothers said on Al-Baghdadia that he had spoken by telephone with al-Zeidi and that he told him "thank God, I am in good health.".... like in the Philippines, this is what you call SENSATIONAL REPORTING! (you can call it DAGDAG BAWAS!)
• Until now, even if this all happened... nobody could help me coz I still couldn't breathe in the elevator when a middle eastern/bumbay/intsek fellow from Gym or the offices in the building uses it. I'm not racist but please let's try to at least take a bath correctly before we go out okay?! My asthma is getting worse!
• Bush was great... he can dodge shoes... *bow*
  
  
  

On Filipino Traditions : Simbang Gabi

Hey did you go to church already? I wasn't able to so I just went on writing this! ^_^

It's the time of the year where Filipinos wake up EARLY morning to attend a not so traditional mass called "Simbang Gabi". It has been practiced by Roman Catholics (which would probably be around 85% of the population of the Philippines I guess (O_o)" ) to go to church at this hour (around 3 to 5 AM) to celebrate mass until Christmas eve.

This Christmas is a little better for me, so I really have a lot to thank for. I'm not gonna be able to go to church but its okay. I don't have friends to go there with and I have tons of things to do at work. I work in mah graveyard shift so its impossible for me to go out... you know how that works right?

There are a couple of reasons why we celebrate Simbang Gabi...
Wanna see why people go there?
Check this out!

Reason #1: FRIENDS

No I ain't talkin about the show dimwit!

This early morning, they will be the ones to motivate you to go to church... aside from being holy, its only this week in a year of work that you'll get to see your neighborhood friends. Yeah I know, its either this or what I've been doing a few years ago... I was babe hunting LOLZ... coz the prettiest women also go out for this. You can't fool me you didn't do that when you were in my age heheh ^_^

Reason #2: FOOD

*Mouth waters ummmmph!*

This is also the only time of the year where it is legal to eat putobumbong and bibingka... the two most notorious rice cakes in the land! I personally like bibingka more with lotsa cheese and salted egg. Just mentioning those ingredients btw is making my mouth water... =P~ Putobumbong comes in a close second since I like the salty, sweet taste of em ground up rice with UBE... which is a root crop that makes everything violet... its violet but it makes your tongue and sweet tooth spin when you taste it. Its a fabulous ice cream flavor too. Some versions only use food coloring since its hard to prepare em. I even went to some churches before that give these treats away for free. Even free coffee and ginger tea also known as "salabat" is served for everyone. The hot scrumptious taste of community coffee will really make you pour em hotness on the cold weather. Who needs comfort food that you have to buy when you can just get it for free hahaha... I guess they are just doing their part on making people happy so they won't think of suicide at this time of the year huh? So the people called SMX or members of the samahan ng malalamig ang christmas (Christmas Loners Association lolz) won't think too much about it. People are just in a real good mood to give at these times where everything has a price. ^_^
Yum yum!

I just love this time of the year... coz it's an excuse to skip all of them diets and gym time. Why would anyone be not forgiving at this time right? ^_^ We are in the third world country, but we are a developing country... and guess what? we still rank as one of the most HAPPIEST people in the world... we laugh about problems... we don't mind them at all... we suffer the consequences but who cares hahaha.... at least we're happy right?

In behalf of my family to you... Merry Christmas!

Please leave your messages on my website http://www.kumagcow.com if you have time okay?! ^_^

Bill Consolidation for your Bad Debt

You need help when you've got bad debt!

I am quite familiar with this service. Not that I am actually using it but it seems that other B.P.O. service markets here in the Philippines are also doing bill consolidation. In this day and age, loan modification is much of a normalcy term in the eve of the supposed credit crunch. This will definitely organize some Americans who are in very bad personal debt.

Credit companies who have given ratings to the most promising banks are now suffering because they gave triple AAA ratings to ones who had too many local debts. The world is suffering now because of their policy mistakes. I'm quite sure some of their executives and board members even earned a lot and took advantage of things like this. Plans now to salvage what is left of their assets and save non performing investments to sell them is being done. The whole banking sector is in a scuffle to remain alive using the funds to be allocated by the US government as part of the billion dollar package/bailout plan. Automakers are also trying to find parts of that same fund to allocate to its ailing companies. Names like General Motors and Ford are not going to survive this year to pay off their operational costs if an additional bailout package discussed in the senate does not pass US funds they need from the national budget. They really need this just to survive this year but from what I've heard congress did not pass this legislation. It is evident that they have to take care of what they can include in this debt settlement. A non profit debt consolidation company is ready to help to fix your problems now from http://www.billconsolidation.net. The only thing you'll be given free advice through their own certified credit counselors standing by. They'll fix your personal loans and have them on a low monthly payment scheme with no premise of getting new loans.

Public Transport Fare Rollback

Public Transport Fare Rollback Yooohooo!

LTFRB has been ready day 1 in the planned rollback of fares in the aftermath of very low prices in crude oil in the world market. Starting tommorow December 15, 2008 it will only be P 7.50 for the minimum fare in jeeps from the original P 8.00 for the first 4 kilometers. It will also be P 9 .00 for public buses and P 11.00 for airconditioned ones in Metro Manila. It could have been lower if the REAL oil prices were reflected in the local oil companies, said these transport groups. There would be a stop for the 50 cent per kilometer rate buses impose and the 10 peso add on rate for local taxis. Tricycles on the other hand are somewhat unregulated and is handled by SLOW MOVING local government units. It's a good thing I don't ride one! ^_^

Blog Marketing

There are already a lot of things that are overtaking the lead of television as an advetising medium. Internet has become one of the best ways to reach an audience. Advertising on blogs is a big phenomenon. Prices of blog advertising space are somewhat dependent on the surrounding web content and relevance of the traffic that the blog receives. Linking up to some websites are needed to make them more visible in the World Wide Web. This is a good tool when you want to be listed with most search engines and want to be identified each time a consumer needs something off the Internet.

Companies started to place images or corporate logos on the side their websites to boost sales and visibility as a marketing strategy. Internationally this has been proven an effective way of getting known in a pool where millions of people spend hours of their time each day. Effectiveness of subliminal advertising and the persuasiveness propaganda is still questionable but it does bring results. If you trust a reputable company that would be able to bring results in advertising then you would not have and problems with marketing your products.

A new form of advertising that is growing rapidly is blog advertising. In this form of online advertising, linking up with a sponsor is done. It has shown a lot of promises as advertisers are able to take advantage of the demographic information and metrics for a specific site. This is also more effective than unpaid advertising or merely spreading by word of mouth. It can provide good exposure at minimal cost but the audience would be severely limited. Personal recommendations through positive reviews, spreading information like what I usually do achieves equating a brand with products. This is why companies advertise on blogs. Filipinos call toothpaste "Colgate" here. When people need fast food they never say buy me a hamburger. They usually tell other folks to buy them "Jollibee" instead. This is normal and is somewhat the goal of advertising. This is sometimes good, sometimes bad for blog marketing. There are specific requirements you can only do for an advertiser to be able to get paid. Payingpost.com is one website you can go to get the best deals advertisers can give you. Give it a try now and get the most out of your online time and spot in cyberspace. I highly recommend it if you want to make money blogging.