Tale of Twin Cities

IT IS FASCINATING to know how people love and know their home city. Locals know the best places to go to. Some people have lived there long enough to know what the locals know but short enough to be called a local. Some people are passing by,  smitten, charmed, and enchanted by a city but don't see themselves living in it. 

New York is frenetic and bursting with energy night and day. Toronto is the tamed and POLITE New York. London is sophisticated and expensive. Bangkok is crazy beautiful and addicting. Manila is jam packed and confused in identity--but I still love it. Shanghai is a theme park. Tokyo is steep in culture, timid, and crowded. New Delhi is a constant assault to my senses (in a very beautiful way!) and sanity--I love it too. Berlin is too "cold" and high-strung (but it changed me as a person!). I could go on and on about tales of cities but one thing is sure: there's no place that I don't like because each is unique and requires an individualized understanding and love. 

How much do you love your city? Or, how well do you know your city? 

Watch this video and let the residents of the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis tell you what they think and feel about their cities:

   

Why We're Here: Twin Cities from Seven and Sixty Productions on Vimeo.

Afternoon Tickler

PLANKING PRANK PROBLEM. On last Monday's Afternoon Tickler, I posted a video from an Australian news broadcast about the "planking" craze that has swept the Land Down Under. Now, Australian authorities are cautioning people especially teenagers to be careful and not to attempt crazy stunts that might harm or put them in great danger.

COURAGE. Legendary boxer, Sugar Ray Leonard has revealed that he was sexually molested by a coach in 1976. This guy is nothing short of remarkable and to have the courage to speak out about his dark past makes him the true man of the ring.

TERRIBLE JOKES.  In serious talk, Nazi and Hitler topics are almost always cautioned to the side of sensitivity and respect. I say "almost always" because when talking about Hitler, let's say within the walls of the academe or in the scholarly context, political and social scientists agree that Hitler was a "great" leader in respect to his political acumen. Hitler too was pure evil and the epitome of a misguided fool. 

That said, when Danish director Lars von Trier said that "I am a Nazi," while in jest and deadpan attitude, during the recent Cannes Film Festival press conference for his new film "Melancholia" starring Kirsten Dunst, people were abuzz and the incident resulted in Festival organizers declaring him persona non grata. Clearly, he didn't mean it and the language barrier (he delivered it in German) added to the confusion. More importantly, let's just stay away from making jokes about such serious matters that killed more than 6 million people and changed the course of world history.  

LIKE LIKE. A couple from Central Israel have named their new born daughter "Like." Cute as a Facebook button and really likable. This is another case of people liking their own posts or comments but in this case their offspring. 

For a parting afternoon tickle, here's a photo of what seems to be a very direct advertising:

Note: This photo actually reminds me of someone whom I asked if he washed his hands after taking a leak in the washroom, his reply was: "I didn't pee on my hands!" Enough said.

Morning Juice: Wednesday Smiles

BEFORE you read on, watch this video first. Put your speakers on HIGH, sit back, and embrace positivity. Smile.



Okay, don't let that smile fade out yet.

OLD AND WISE. Brazilian great-great-grandmother, Maria Gomes Valentim is now officially the world's oldest and coolest living person.

LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY. Way too many people are misusing and/or abusing the word "literally."  Speaking of literally, take a look at this:

Light beer, anyone?

Or, how about this:

Keep your eye on the ball!

For more "literally" pictures, visit http://www.literal.ly/.

ANTHEMS. Philipp Sheppard of the UK has just recorded 200 national anthems for the 2012 London Summer Olympics. The guy clearly deserves a gold medal. Did you know that in Thailand, they play their national anthem in honor of their King before a movie starts playing in the movie house? If you don't stand, prison is your next destination. 

Oh HANG ON, why did you lose the smile. Here's something to bring it back. I know coffee is not everyone's cup of tea but still, this video will surely bring back the smile that would last till you start dreaming in your sleep tonight.

Patrick Schwarzenegger Loves Family & Stands by Dad

Here's what Arnold's son, Patrick, has to say about this morning's news that his father has finally admitted fathering a 10-year old child from a member of their house help:

some days you feel like shit, some days you want to quit and just be normal for a bit, yet i love my family till death do us apart. #familyless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyPatrick Shriver
PSchwarzenegger

This is after the separation. Also, this 10-year old child was born even before Arnold ran for Governor of California.

Afternoon Tickler

AFTERNOON Booze is now replaced by Afternoon Tickler. Someone made a convincing point regarding booze in the afternoon. Thanks.

Moving on...

MR. & MRS. SMITH: Uninspired Choice. Oprah's final guests are finally revealed. I am not a big Oprah fan. I follow her book club. Since it's already down to the last 10 episodes or so, the Oprah Show producers revealed that Mr. and Mrs Smith will be their final guests. Really? Of course, it's her show and she will end it the way she wants it to end. But I was thinking how about getting OJ Simpson to confess or why not invite the newlywed royals or perhaps invite the other Mr. and Mrs. Smith instead and their United Colors of Benetton poster kids. It's a sure dud.    

Best friends forever. Photograph: Jon Kent/SWNS.com/SWNS.com

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER. Alison Slavin and Sam Davies have been the best of friends  for almost  20 years  now. Funnily, the two often joked in the past that they are sisters and as it turns out, they really are. 

SAY NO TO BULLYING. Say goodbye to Facebook bullies. France's Ministry of Education has stepped up its campaign against bullying in schools. The Ministry in partnership with Facebook announced that it will shutdown a pupil's Facebook account if proven that it was used to bully someone.  

I CAN'T WAIT TILL I GROW UP. Watch this PSA from across the pond and be riveted by its message. WARNING: THIS IS HIGHLY GRAPHIC IN NATURE. Shock value in FULL MODE.

BEWITCHED. BOTHERED. BEWILDERED. Finally, watch this video of spontaneous singing strangers promoting British theater.  

Bill Maher: How UnChristian Some Christians Are

Maher being Maher.

BILL MAHER has a knack for saying only the brilliant and striking points about religion. And yes, he's a comedian and political satirist. Maher is a staunch supporter of the legalization of marijuana and same sex-marriage. He also serves as board member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA.  

I had a Bill Maher-like university professor of Sociology of Religion (who was also my thesis adviser) during my intellectually tumultuous university days. This professor always relied on shock value and somehow in-your-face provocative approach that always made me laugh inside. Not that the class was barred from laughing but it was just that I think I was the only one who felt it was utterly comical and outrageous.

Back to Maher, last May 13 he wrote a scathing but spot-on piece on his blog criticizing Christians and their unbecoming acts. Here's a snippet:

“Not to put too fine a point on it, but non-violence was kind 

of Jesus’ trademark. Kind of his big thing. 

To not follow that part of it is like joining Greenpeace 

and hating whales. I mean there’s interpreting 

and then there’s just ignoring. It’s just ignoring 

if you’re for torture. As are more evangelical 

Christians than any other religion.” READ MORE

This guy also serves as advisory board member of Project Reason, a not-for profit organization devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society.

NOTE: Make Google useful if you don't know the man or catch his show on HBO, "Real Time with Bill Maher."

Afternoon Tickler

GONE TOO SOON. 24-year old Olympic gold medalist Sammy Wanjiru died of internal injuries in his home country Kenya after jumping to his death from the balcony of his apartment in an attempt to escape from his angry wife who caught him in bed with another woman. 

You think I'm tasty? Huh?

TOP CHEF CANADA'S horse hors d'oeuvres sparks controversy in Canada and the US. Ask me what's the big fuss?
I'm a natural omnivore living with carnivores and although I have neither tasted nor feasted on horse meat before, I'm willing to give it a try. Detractors of the upcoming episode (which is tonight!) are weary of the horse meat's source and manner of procurement. They say, the system used to slaughter the horses was designed for cows and not for our equine friends. Did I just say I want to have a taste of our "friends"? 
The high-protein and low-fat horse meat is still consumed in many parts of the world including Italy, Japan, the Philippines, and Brazil. Taboo? I guess only in North America. What about other meats? Camel meat is eaten in the Middle East and Egypt. Norwegians and the Japanese people eat whale meat. Inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa feast on monkeys.

The more important issues here are: 
1.) Was the meat ethically sourced? Humane way of animal slaughter? (This always makes me confused because how in the world we put the words "humane" and "slaughter" next to each other?)   

2.) Is the animal included in the endangered species list or the protected animal list?

I'm going to eat you first!!! 

They have a different kind of water in the land Down Under. It makes people do "planking"!