Wimbledon Chick

This is Maria Kirilenko. I took these pictures of her back in 2004 when she was a relative unknown. I forgot about these pictures until I read an article about her rising up the ranks of womens tennis. But even back then, I knew she was the next great hot tennis chick. Oh yeah, she plays great tennis too!



Unfortunately, we won't be seeing her in Wimbledon this year as she was upset in the first round. But I have a feeling we will see more of her in the future, whether she follows Anna Kournikova or Maria Sharapova's footsteps!

Life is Beautiful!

Warwick Castle

Beside the commercial town of Leamington Spa is the more traditional town of Warwick. How traditional is Warwick? Well, it doesn't have the malls or the nightlife that Leamington Spa has, but it does have one large castle right in the middle of it!

Since it was less than 30 minutes away, I decided to go there last Saturday to check out Warwick Castle. I was quite pleased. It is a real castle, beautifully maintained. And unlike some other castles I have visited, this one is more interactive... demonstrations of archers, and lots of exhibits to walk through.

The castle used to be the residence of the Earl of Warwick, who was nicknamed the 'Kingmaker', for he was the reputed power behind the throne. Enough of history, here are my pictures!




Picturesque, eh?


This is a trebuchet! The ultimate in siege weaponry, this was used to bombard heavily fortified structures by hurling rocks into the same point of the structure over and over again until it broke. I wish I had a video camera, since they had a demonstration... they hurled a fireball over 250 yards across a field! As someone who has interest in history and weapons of war, this was an awesome site to behold!

The castle is also the site for concerts, especially in the summer. It is normally held in the courtyard under the night sky, and people are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and dine as the concert goes on. I have been fortunate to watch a concert in Lincoln Castle last year, so I know how it feels like... trust me, nothing compares to a full orchestra playing, Russell Watson singing, and full fireworks overhead. It is an experience that I would like to repeat, this time in Warwick Castle one day!

La Vita e Bella!

Canadian Grand Prix Analysis

Ahh.... my other 'home' race. And this time I was able to watch it from start to finish!

I sure wish Kimi kept it much closer to Fernando. It was nice to see them race, as I think Kimi is an aggressive driver and can pull off daring overtaking maneouvers. Too bad for that error in the pits, and then in the last lap which led to his eventual third place finish. So, it was a (yawn) Alonso-Schumacher-Raikonnen 1-2-3 finish respectively.

Montoya and Rosberg were racing against each other really well in the first few laps, and then Rosberg took himself out by not seeing Montoya on his side. Montoya would soon retire too when he crashed into the Wall of Champions.

With each race, Honda seems to lag back. Now, Red Bull is catching up and overtaking them! I sure hope the new management will bring in some new changes. I would suggest bringing back David Richards, but since he has his own Prodrive team to worry about in 2008, he is out of the question!

Ralph Schumacher reminded me of myself whenever I play F1 Challenge in my computer... always lacking grip and spinning out in the hairpins! There was definitely lack of grip on his car, and I'm amazed he stayed out that long. Speaking of lack of grip, the marbles outside of the racing line proved to be Villeneuves demise. Too bad as I was cheering him on too.

Everyone else drove consistently and predictably... obviously the Renault is the best package around, and I think Ferrari and McLaren are equals, with the drivers styles being the main difference.

On to Indianapolis!

Life is Beautiful!

Work of Art to Work of Art

I love my Ipod. It is my companion whenever I take long trips by train or by airplane. It has made long hours more bearable by allowing me to listen to my catalogue of music. I like its form factor too. Its simple lines, smooth edges and white and chrome colour scheme is truly a beautiful example of a modern work of art.

However, as nice as it is to look and hold, it is extremely susceptible to smudges and scratches. I used to keep it in a little silicone jacket, but I thought it was too generic; alot of people protect their Ipods in cases that add bulk to its slim shape. So I looked in the internet, and a little company in Canada caught my eye.

Gelaskins

They make incredibly thin protection for the Ipod, and with cool designs too. From classic works to abstract designs, there is a gelaskin design for anyone.

I found a design I liked. It's called 'Kurumachi' by Ioworks. I picked it because its a modern graphic design. Its predominantly white too, which I thought preserved the original look of the Ipod. Take a look!

The Front


The Back


The only thing that I didn't like was that it was difficult at first to line up the gelaskin to the screen and click wheel. But after that, covering the rest of the Ipod was a cinch!

Its really not like me to plug a product, but I really like the way my Ipod looks now. It definitely sets it apart from the millions that are out there today!

Life is Beautiful!

Patriotism

These days, wherever I go, it is hard not to spot the England flag. Be it hanging from a window, printed on someones shirt, or fluttering at the back of a car, it is everywhere. All of this is to cheer on the England team participating in the World Cup.

I love how patriotic the English are. The English football team has not won the World Cup (nor the Euro Cup) since 1966, yet every other year when the football tournaments occur, the English cheer them on no matter what. They stick behind their country even if history and fact are against them.

I was at a small gathering with and the topic of the World Cup came up. A Filipino commented that it was all a bit too much, all this hype and cheering for the team. Is there such a thing as too much patriotism? Of course there is, when people resort to violence to prove their point. But I do not think it is too much to wear white and red (the England colours) during days when there are games, or fly St.George's cross everywhere.

This is not to say the English are not realistic about their chances. I spoke to a couple of people at the local pub, and as much as they cheer on, they also know that at their current form, it will be difficult to beat teams such as Spain and Argentina, should they encounter each other in the future. But it is always nice to know (especially if you are on the English squad) that your country will back you up no matter what.

I wish Filipinos had the same nationalistic pride as the English.

Life is Beautiful!

Hello Royal Leamington Spa

Having moved here almost 2 months ago, I think its time to post pictures of the town where I now live. It's called Royal Leamington Spa (Leamington Spa for short) and it about 1 1/2 hours north of London, in the West Midlands.

This is a proper town, where Horsley (my previous place) was more of a village.
I like it here. Everything is walking distance; the mall, the church, the park, and restaurants. And there are lots of things to do here too... I don't have to commute very far to see the sights. Warwick Castle is nearby, and Stratford-Upon-Avon (Shakespeare's birthplace) is not very far either. And being on the trainline directly to London, I can go there if I want to.

Enjoy the pictures!

The Building of my Flat


It's Where Lawn Tennis was Created


The Park Behind My Flat


The Royal Pump Rooms

As its name suggests, Leamington spa was once known for its baths and spa water. It earned the 'royal' prefix to its name when Queen Victoria visited and stayed in Leamington Spa. These used to be the pump rooms where they used to pump water from underground and from the river. Today though, it is a cafe, library, museum, and function room.

The Town Hall


Life is Beautiful!

Sports Statistics

If you are an avid sportsfan like me, you watch alot of sports on television. And if you do, I am sure you have wondered at least once where all the sports commentators get their statistics.

We take them for granted, how they get magic figures out of nowhere. We hear lines such as "Shaq is 0 for 17 from the line", or "England have taken 7 shots on goal". Statistics help pad out commentators lines and fill up dead air. I should know. My barkada once had a mini basketball tournament, and we all took turns commentating our games. This was videotaped and when we watched the playback, we all realized how hard it is to think of different verbs to describe the same thing (the jumpshot, haha). No wonder famous commentators have trademark words (3-point kaboom!, anyone?).

I wonder how many people work behind the scenes to supply Bill Walton (NBA), John Madden (NFL), or Guy Mowbray (English Football, World Cup) all the statistics they say during a typical match. It must be a team of people taking down stats for the current game, as well as some boffin sitting behind a computer creating strange SQL statements, finding exceptions in the database of figures. And that database must be huge, for it seems that everything about the game seems to be recorded... attendance, weather, temperature, waterboys, etc.

Because of the overwhelming amount of figures, I have noticed some statistics which are quite irrelevant. Here are some of them:
- the history between two teams over a period of time. This only makes sense within one season or during a best-of series because the teams are relatively unchanged. There is no sense drawing up the history over the years because the players then aren't the same now, so there is no sense in comparing
- where one stat seems to determine whether a team wins or loses. For example, whenever Phoenix limits their opponent to x rebounds a game, they win. This statistic begs to be broken, simply so that I dont have to hear or read about it anymore.
- if A stat is x, then B stat is y. This happens most in baseball. For example, Pujols batting average is .500 with runners in scoring position. If I was a batter, I would damn try to hit the ball no matter who was on base or not. Why can't they just annouce his normal batting average?

In addition, there are also some statistics in which I have no idea how they are taken:
- percentage possession. How do they do this? Is there a person who watches the game and presses a button or flicks a switch whenever the ball is turned over? That must be the simplest job in the world!
- the display that shows where each shot was taken and whether it was made or missed. How in the world do they track all of Kobe's 100 shots around the court? Again, is there just one person for this that has a touch screen of a basketball court in front of him?
- type of shot taken, and details. In basketball, they sometimes show how many times a player has taken a jumpshot compared to how many times he took a lay-up/dunk. Or in football, how many times a player has used his left or right foot to kick (yes, no joke).

I think baseball is the sport with the most 'useless' stats. It kind of makes sense, since the game moves at such a snails pace sometimes... announcers really grasp at straws thinking of what to say. Like all data, statistics are relevant if you know how to analyze them. Otherwise, its garbage in, garbage out! I am not a manager nor a coach, so I would not know. I do know that alot of teams in various sports use alot more statistics than what we hear and see on television. But I am really not sure how alot of the statistics really make sense to the average (or even more than average) sportsfan.

In conclusion, I salute you, sports statisticians! You are the unseen heroes that make sportscasters good, and the ones who supply sports trivia worldwide!

Life is 100 percent Beautiful!

Marathon Runner

Sunday, June 11, 2006.

One month of training culminated to this day.

Flashback to a month ago... My friend asked me if I wanted to join him and his girlfriend to run a marathon. It was for a good cause, he said... the BUPA Capital 10k. A charity run in Hyde Park to help raise money for disabled children. How could I refuse? I had always wanted to run a marathon at least once in my life, to challenge my body and mind in a grueling test of endurance. Granted, 10 kilometers may not seem very far to seasoned runners, but for me it was long enough.

Almost everyday, I went to the gym to train. I mixed my routine between aerobics and cardiovascular exercise. I ran on the treadmill on constant speed almost every day to train my heart to beat in a regular routine, while at the same time conditioning my knees and feet for the pounding it would take. I started out jogging for 20 minutes. By a week before the marathon, I was able to build it up to 60 minutes. On the days that I did not jog, I joined spinning (high intensity cycling) classes to strengthen my heart. It would make me used to the occasional bursts of speed that I would need and to ensure that my breathing was correct, even when my heart and lungs were working overtime.

It worked. By the time the morning of the marathon came, I was relaxed and confident that I could jog the full race distance.

Runner 7677


I met up with my friends and we went to join the other runners in the starting line. There were thousands, and I wondered how everyone would be timed. Fortunately, everyone was given a chip, which would record the time you crossed the start and finish line. So, it did not really matter who started the race out in front, as it was all timed. We started jogging, and I felt good. There were signs marking each kilometer, and by 3k, my heart and legs were working at their peak condition. By 5k, I was in a steady rhythm and did not feel tired. At 8k, I actually picked up the pace, as I was inspired by how far I had actually run to that point. And in the final stretch, they had a sign marking the last 100 metres. Using reserve energy, I sprinted as fast as I could towards the finish line.

Sweat dripped off my face... my lungs were screaming for air and my mouth wanted water badly... my legs felt wobbly... but it was all worth it. I finished the marathon.

The Fruit of My Labour

This medal was the only thing that the runners received for finishing the race. It may have been one of the thousands awarded, but I cherish it. I literally sweated for it, and I earned it.

But more importantly, I proved to myself that I am capable of accomplishing whatever I set my mind and body to do.

Check my race timehere.
Look for the Bupa Capital 10k - 11 Jun 06 under events, then in the next screen, enter my race number (7677)! I finished the race in just over 1 hour and 6 minutes... out of approximately 5400 runners who had their times registered, my time was good for the 2839th position. Not bad, but not good either. I know I can do better though I don't think I will be able to match the 32 minutes it took for the fastest runner to finish the race!

That's another thing I can cross off my list of the things to do before I die!

Life is Beautiful!

British Grand Prix Analysis

My 'home' grand prix, and I was not able to watch even a second of it! I do have a valid reason for not watching it, and I will explain in a future post.

I did watch the first part of qualifying on Saturday... not good if you are a Jenson Button fan (and I am). JB, JB, JB... what is happening? You are slipping further and further down the grid. Even if it was a problem with being called into the weighbridge by the stewards, there was still time to do one more run. Sigh... two races in a row where he did not even get the opportunity to compete with the front runners.

Looking back at the results of the race, I cannot help but yawn. Another Alonso win. Another Schumacher second. This season is beginning to be boring. Don't get me wrong, its nice to see Alonso win... but how about some variety? How about at least 3 teams fighting for the championship? My interest in Formula1 died a few years ago because it became too monotonous. Schumacher became too dominant in the end, and I fear this is happening with Alonso this year.

At least the Monaco race two weeks ago was interesting because it had controversy and a surprise podium finisher.

With the World Cup going on, time to shift to North America, where football (or soccer) fever has not taken over. Let's hope for some interesting races, and no more tire safety fiascos!

La Vita e Bella!

World Cup Fever

Today is the start of the World Cup in Germany. Every 4 years, 32 of the worlds greatest football teams gather in one country to play the Beautiful Game.

Living in England has given me great appreciation for football. I was never really interested before, although I knew teams such as Manchester United, and famous players from around the world such as Pele, Maradonna, and Beckham. But I never followed the game seriously. It would be limited to whatever game was being shown on ESPN or Star Sports back in high school and college.

That all changed over here of course. I used to follow basketball and baseball in America, but those sports are virtually nonexistent here. There are 3 major sports in England; Football, rugby, and cricket. Football is easily the most popular sport here, played almost the whole year round. Being an avid sportsfan, it was easy to get hooked, and before I knew it, I knew what the offside rule was and what 4-4-2 meant. Match of the Day has become my favourite television program every saturday night.

If you are a football fan, you cannot wish for more than this. 3 games of (mostly) quality football by good teams every day for the next 2 weeks. And the games will get even better once the knockout stages kick in. That, coupled with the passion that people in Europe have for the game, can make anyone interested. Go into any pub or bar where a football match is being shown, and I dare you not to get sucked into the atmosphere. Before long, you will be an avid fan too!

La Vita e Bella!

My Flat

Due to someones neverending persistence (hehe), I have finally posted the pictures of my flat. In posted pictures of it empty awhile back, when I was still flat hunting. Well, its been a month since I have moved in, so it now can pass as a livable area. But as you will see, there is still alot of work that needs to be done, especially in the bedroom!

Bathroom:


Bedroom (pardon the mess):


Living Room / Kitchen / Dining:



Life is Beautiful!

The Omen

It's supposed to be the day of the devil today.

06/06/06

Oooooh, I'm so scared I'm cringing in my boots.

This is so absurd. Just because a date can be written a certain way doesn't mean that it has a special meaning. The 2006 was just abbreviated and the last 2 digits retained.

This reminds me of that piece of toast that supposedly had Jesus' face on it. People have lots of strange and different ways of interpreting things in everyday life and giving it more meaning than necessary.

And unfortunately, the more gullible ones in this world soak it up. Is the world really full of people that can be easily influenced? I shudder to think so, but judging from the world leaders today, one has to sadly nod ones head...

La Vita e Bella!

Neverending Chips Theory

Have you ever munched on a bag of chips, popcorn, peanuts, etc and wondered to yourself, 'wow, there's alot of chips in this bag' and almost immediately after that, you are down to your last chip? It seems like more than just a coincidence that this happens almost all the time.

And that is my theory. All bags of chips (or whatever; I use chips as a generic term) are bottomless until the very thought of it being bottomless or neverending enters your head. Our minds then create the remaining quantity in the bag, and

It also works with drinks too, and even non-food items such as paperclips, etc.

These are the postulates for my theory (memories of Ms Bunagan back in junior year high school come flooding back):
1. The items have have to be a bag or other container in which the contents cannot be seen from the outside
2. It cannot have been packed by yourself or someone you know, nor should you have seen it being packed.
3. The quantity is not specifically stated; it is only shown in terms of weight, etc. and not a specific number.
4. The moment you remotely even think of how much is in the bag/container, no matter how much you think is inside, is the moment that the items inside become finite and the container is no longer 'bottomless'.
5. It only takes one thought, regardless of person. So if two people are munching a bag of chips, if one person thinks about the quantity of chips, that bag no longer is bottomless even if the other person doesn't think about it.

It sounds farfetched of course. But I think, in some physic-warping way, it is possible. The mind is very powerful, after all.

Well, now that I have told you my theory, it will be impossible for you to disprove it. For the moment you think about this entry, the bottomless bag of chips you hold in your hand will be no more, and you will be grasping the last few pieces of chip. Bwahahahah!

But on the other hand, this is also why I will never achieve that legendary bottomless bag...

Life is Infinitely Beautiful!

The Da Vinci Code (Picture Gallery)

For the sake of the people who haven't read or watched The Da Vinci code, I shall not
make any spoilers by revealing when these places show up in the story (or why). All I can say is that I have almost visited all of the locations mentioned. And if you don't know the story, I think the pictures are good enough to stand on their own.


Louvre by Night


The Inverted Glass Pyramid


Temple Church


Westminster Abbey

Recognize the places?

La Vita e Bella!