Story The Island of the Dolls

There is an island just South of Mexico City called Xochimico. Xochimico is famous for its beautiful gardens, scenic canals, and ancient history. Thousands of tourists travel through the canals of this beautiful island to gaze in wonder at the hanging gardens of Mexico. Hidden deep in these canals, far away from the normal tourist routes is a swamp with that is thick with scraggly trees that are all hung heavy with with the broken and shattered remains of an army of dolls.

According to travelocity, it is the creepiest place on earth. Although I have never seen this island, I tend to agree. Fifty years ago, a little girl drown in the extensive canals that innervate the small island. At the time the island was occupied by a man named Don Julián Santana Barrera. Shortly after the little girl drowned, Barrera found a doll in the swampy waters of the isolated island. A few days later, he found another doll. Several days later he found another doll. Berrera became convinced that the dolls were a sign from the netherworld. He believed that the dolls were vessels that had been sent to keep the little girl company and prevent evil from seeping out through the swamp. Berrera took this message seriously and began to collect dolls from all over and hang dolls from the trees.

Berrera died mysteriously some time later and from that point the mystery grew. Many people said that the dolls had come to life and killed Berrera. Others insisted they had seen the dolls wandering the island at night. Some believe that the dolls have come to life to replace Berrera as the island's keeper. Whatever the case, the pictures of this location are terrifying. It is an island hung with decaying, glass eyed dolls that stare out vacantly at those that pass by in boats.

Malabon Citys Satan over St. Michael Statue

When I heard this story, I became interested. As well as feared of course. Satan - stepping over St. Michael?! It's kinda funny to think. I thought the creator just sculpted it by mistake, but if it was a mistake, then why he made it that way?

. . . And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old Serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceived the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him . . .
-------Revelations 12:7-9

The verse is describing a war in heaven about how St. Michael the Archangel defeated Satan. That's the bases of all the famous paintings and statues of St. Michael picturing his boldness and strength, symbolizing the power of light over darkness. However, in a tomb in Malabon City, instead depicting the original scene, it was opposite. The statue shows a peculiar and dislikable position of the two. Like what I said - Satan was stepping over St. Michael.

Well, there are reasons why the owner wanted it that way. Actually, he was a religious person and has that thinking-out-of-the-box mind to symbolize and extend his sympathy to mankind. He even put somewhat like a short script of a play beside his tomb.

This statue was featured in some television shows in the Philippines. Rated K of ABS-CBN Channel 2 hosted by Ms. Korina Sanchez featured it.

By the way, the HE I'm talking about is the one buried in the tomb. Just read the whole article so you'll understand why I'm refering to him.

The Story

The person buried in the tomb is Don Simeon Bernardo of Barangay Concepcion. One reason that brought this story here in urban legend is the belief, and also the rumor of many people that this person was a satanist which, in fact, he isn't.

According to his grandson, Don Simeon was a religious man, and a very prayerful person. He also expressly wished to have the statue placed over his tomb as symbolism and as reminder that the society was continuously and slowly being engulfed by darkness, and that the devil is winning against goodness, and people is forgetting and setting God aside of their lives. Well, making the statue as his reminder, I can say, it was successful.

Behind Don Simeon Bernardo's becoming popular and bizarre statue, he also had a very sad story. He suffered a bitter life in Spanish Regime here in the Philippines. He was accused by being a filibusterer, and then put him in prison in Fort Santiago. He was also tortured their mercilessly, like some of the Katipunero's . They also made him believed that God doesn't exist and they indocrinated the belief of his children. Don Simeon died in 1934.[a]

Maybe that's the reason why he ordered to have the image.

Like what I said above, there was a script-like thing beside it (located in the left side if you are facing the tomb). This was supposed to be a dialogue if Lucifer (Satan) and St. Michael are talking with each other.

LUCIFER: Bakit ka nakikialam sa kaharian ko dito sa lupa(,) ay hindi na kayo kundi ako ang hari, ako ang nagturo kay Eva at Adan kaya nagkaroon ng sangkatauhan. SAN MIGUEL: Ang lupa at langit ay gawa ng aking Panginoon, kaya hanggang dito ang aming kapangyarihan. LUCIFER: Bulaan(g) hambog, kung ano ang ibig ko(,) siya ritong masusunod at hindi ang ibig mo - digmaan, arihan, dayaan, sugal, (at) lahat ng layaw ng katawan naibibigay ko sa tao, pati mga alagad ng mga Panginoon mo, napapasunod ko, ano pa ang ginagawa mo rito? SAN MIGUEL (SA SARILI): Panginoon kong nasa langit nasaan ang kapangyarihan Mo? SAN MIGUEL: Tao, tulungan ninyo ako na labanan ang kasamaan, pairalin ang katarungan at pagibig sa kapwa, iwasan ang kasakiman sa salapi at kapangyarihan na pinagmumulan ng ligalig. [b]

LUCIFER: Why were you intruding my kingdom here on earth, which you're not the ruler anymore? I am the one who taught Eve and Adam, that's why mankind emerge. SAN MIGUEL (Saint Michael): The heaven and earth was both created by our Lord, so our powers even reaches here. LUCIFER: Arrogant liar! What I wanted here should be obeyed, and not what you like. War, wealth, fraud, gambling, and all the bodily comforts - I can gave it to every mankind. I can even make your Lord's servants obey me. So what are you doing here? SAN MIGUEL (TO HIMSELF): Oh my Lord God in heaven, where is Your power? SAN MIGUEL: Human, help me fight the evil, let peace exist, and love your neigbors, avoid greediness to wealth and the power coming from bodily wants.

Many believed that the passage was taken from the bible, but back in his time (Spanish Era), commoners were not allowed by friars to hold a bible. Well, prettilly obvious that it has no basis in the bible - no verse.

By the way, if you wanted to visit, the Malabon Municipal Cemetery, which is connected to Caloocan Public Cemetery, is located at Barangay Tugatog, Malabon City and Sangandaan, Caloocan City. It's one ride from Monumento to Sangandaan.

The Rumor

Aside of the rumor that Don Simeon Bernardo was a satanist which is not true, there are also rumors pointing to the supernatural ability of the devil statue.

Some people claimed that the image was originally small, but it seemed that it was growing each year.

Well, the main reason why this rumor sprouted is that in late 1970's the original was replaced by the one we see now. The first was actually smaller, and it was replaced because people destroyed it.

They also claimed that the devil statue moves at night and terrorizes people. That's why it was put in prison. (Hehehe ...)

Definitely NOT TRUE. People hate the structure because of its frightening look. Thus, people may intentionally throw rocks just to destroy it. And maybe this rumor emerged because of some tricky imagination, and perhaps just to scare drug addicts or some bad guys there who still wander over the place even at night. The cemetery is in the middle of the city.

The statue changes position. What I mean is, St. Michael sometimes on the top of Satan, and vice versa.

I don't know how to explain that. My professor told me this rumor - he's from Malabon. They said that in some circumstances, goodness prevail over evil, then goes back if the latter prevail over the former.

Source:
a. http://www.lakadpilipinas.com/2012/10/tugatog-city-demon-of-malabon-cemetery.html
b. http://www.mymalabon.net/2010/10/heres-unusual-reminder-at-tugatog.html
c. http://thehorrortree.blogspot.com/2013/02/simeon-bernardos-tomb.html

A Ghost Tour of Haunted Ebay

I find the number of creepy ghost stories that seem to slither their way off of  Ebay fascinating.   Items that have horrible histories and terribly haunting stories are common place on Ebay.  Check my story below "The Dibbuk Box" for a peek into one of my favorites.  A few of these haunted Ebay item stories have gone viral and spread. However, there are literally thousands more of these haunted items on Ebay that seem to go entirely unnoticed. The majority of these items are dolls, but there are other interesting items in the mix.  Many of these items have compelling back stories and interesting histories.  I'm going assume most of the haunted items on Ebay are Hokum, but the creativity that goes into these stories are worth noting.  It is also just interesting to explore haunted Ebay.

Haunted Doll Puppet Savannah:  Ebay Item #:  121154390486  Price$15.49

This is a very old haunted doll puppet named Savannah, I purchased her along with a few other items from a witch estate Salem Ma. on my last trip there a week and a half ago. This doll is beautiful I have never seen another like her, she is amazing, I love the little bird on her hand, and the black and red lace dress that she is wearing, when I purchased her the lady who sold me her, said that there is a soul of a woman attached to this doll vessel, and that she was very wealthy, she married into it, she met her husband at a convention, she was a waitress there, she was serving that night when he set eyes on her, she was breath taking, he fell in love with her at first site, he approached her and introduced himself, but she was of course intimidated by his hefty wallet, so she turned his offer of exchanging numbers down that night, but he was persistent, he found out where she lived, and he located her, a few weeks later, she was stunned by the effort that he made to find her, so when he asked her out she excepted, they dated a few months and by then she had also fell for him, so they married shortly after, they had a happy marriage, until one day all that changed, her husbands company began to seep down hill, and he became agitated, he turned into a man that she did not recognize, all they did was fight and argue about the littlest things, soon they felt like strangers, they began to thrift apart, the love that they once had for each other, was like a light in the farthest distance of the ocean, that neither one could grasp, soon the light had vanished completely, and there was no turning back, Savannah began to find comfort in a new love interest of hers, he was the grounds keeper, they began to form a love for each other, because when she was down about her husband, he was the shoulder that she cried on, they would sneak off together into the fields and make passionate love, soon the other staff began to talk, soon the whole town was talking, and sure enough the news had gotten back to her husband, who felt that he was not finished with the marriage, he wanted answers, she told him that it was just rumors, and that they were just friends, later that night while her husband was asleep she slowly slipped off the bed, and exited down the corridor, she had to see her love to assure him, that her heart was always with him, and that she had to lie because she did not want to cause trouble for him, because she loves him dearly, she found him sleeping in his room, she told him how she felt, and he said that he knew, he can feel their love for each other, and that they should leave together, they planned that the next morning they will leave and never return, they kissed goodbye and parted ways, Savannah was unaware that her husband had followed her and was listening to her sneaky plan, the next morning she woke and her husband was by her bedside, he was very polite and generous, he rubbed her feet and shoulders, and kissed her passionately, she pushed him away, she told him that she was upset that he accused her like he did, and that he should have never done that, he apologized, room service brought in breakfast, he told her to wash up, because they will be having breakfast in bed today, she was stunned and figured that he was trying to butter her up, so she went to freshen up, after breakfast she felt ill, her stomach began to cramp, she said I do not feel well, and she lied down, about 20mins later she was dead, her husband had poisoned her, later her lover saw all of the commotion and did not know what was going on, then he saw them taking out a body bag, he was still confused, he looked and looked around to try to figure who it could have been in the bag, then he overheard a lady speaking to her husband, asking if he had any idea of what may have happened to Savannah, and this is when he fell to his knees, screaming noooooo!!!! nooooo!!!! why? why? not Savannah! NOOOOO!!! everyone was starring at him, some staff even had tears in their eyes, because they knew how much he loved her, and her husband stood there with a smile on his face, later they found out that her husband did it, and he received the death penalty, but her poor love, never married, or had children, he died a lonely man, waiting for his lost love. Savannah became attached to this vessel, because it was a gift from him to her, he gave it to her on her 29th birthday, it reminded him of her because she loved to wear red, and black, they were her favorite colors, and she had a pet bird that was similar to this one, Savannah is a loving spirit she is great to enhance your relationship, she helps things work out for the best, she is a blessing and she will make an excellent addition to any haunted doll collection, she is a puppet and she does not have any legs, she is very unique anyone who owns her will be very lucky, thanks for reading, blessings, love, and light...

Vintage 1930's Rare Cocktail Ice Crusher from Haunted Collection Estate 

Ebay Item #:261261617936  Price$35.00

This item is from the estate collection of my friend Maggie, a respected medium. She collected highly unusual items for most of her life. Please read below the description for information on the estate that this item hails from. The description relates to you what was related to me and my own experience, if any with the item. I make no claims that you will have the same or any experience with this unique vintage barware item. I am not auctioning off anything other than a vintage ice crusher. 

This is a rare vintage cocktail ice crusher from the 1930's. Stainless steel (very rare in the 1930's) with a wood handle and razor sharp crushing blade things! Wicked looking for sure, but will not bring any wickedness to your home. Quite the opposite! Maggie acquired this old piece from the grand daughter of the original owner, Charlie. Charlie lived a good life, was a good man, but passed at the early age of 54 back in 1959. Charlie was a heavy drinker all of his life and struggled with it. On the mornings after, Charlie would get out this ice crusher and make a homemade hangover concoction - crushing ice, tomato juice and other stuff in this stainless cup. The ONLY time he used it was on these mornings. After Charile left this earth, his wife could hardly stand the sight of this ice crusher but could not bring herself to get rid of it. It was a prized possession of her late husband, who would often talk about the quality of stainless steel. To her...it was a memory of the alcoholism that killed him. Eventually the item passed on to Charlies daughter. The family felt his presence in the home and attributed it to the ice crusher. They experienced the sound of tinkling ice in glass, laughter, footsteps, knocking and doors opening/closing. Pranks.The item was finally given to Maggie as the disruptions became too much for a new family. My personal experience, and again, this may not be yours, but here at my house, my dogs have loved having a new playmate around. I think Charile loved dogs. I have heard him romping around with mine! It is a unique vintage item to add to a collection. 

Haunted Jewelry 

Ebay Item #:  111140201376  Price$89.99

This Ring is to powerful to even have in anyone's possession, but the witches cajinn the ring is known to contact the dead and let them thru and bring evil to your enemies you wish upon VERY DANGEROUS if you dont know what your doing! If you are not certified in witchcraft please don't purchase this ring something can go wrong and you have NO control over what is brought thru BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Antique Rogers Silver Plated Pitcher Large from Haunted Collection

Ebay Item #: 261262194754  Price$30.00

This antique pitcher would be beautiful if someone is willing to put some elbow grease into it and polish off the decades of tarnish. If you look at the 2nd photo, you can see I polished a section of it. I did not finish because as soon as I started, the activity began. I got my hair pulled, the phone rang with no one on the other end and there was a strong, strong scent of almonds. Too much for me. I am still very uneasy having all these "visitors". Maggies notes on this item say - "Jules. Found hidden in coal bin, 1947 - Denver, Co. Katherine. Homicide. Eternally pissed off (her words, not mine :) ) likes attention." So there you have it. Very old William Rogers. Engraved on bottom. I cannot make out the numbers. As I said - this could be a beautiful antique piece with a little TLC. Large - 9 inches high and 7 from handle to spout.

American Horror Storys Madame LaLaurie

Anyone who has ever heard me tell ghost stories knows that the positively diabolical tale of Madame LaLaurie is my absolute favorite tale of ghoulish, ghostly, evil.  Madame LaLaurie makes most serial killers look like house pets and the mansion that stands as a rembrance of her cruelty is often called the most haunted house in the nation.  It is one of the few haunted locations that holds ghosts that have actually killed their victims (according to legend).

This is why I literally jumped for joy when I found out that my favorite television series, American Horror Story, will feature Kathy Bates playing Madame LaLaurie this year.  It really doesn't get much better than this.  Kathy Bates plays evil as deftly as any master and I can't wait to see her bring this iconic monster to life.  In order to celebrate, I've done a little history of Madame LaLaurie below.  American Horror Story premiers on FX at 10 pm October 9th.  I'm already there, in spirit.

 According to haunted New Orleans tours and Haunted America, the LaLaurie Mansion is the most haunted site in New Orleans. Sources say that the house is filled with tormented screams and terrifying wails. They describe chains rattling at night and the apparitions in chains wandering the halls. The house has been many things since the famous Delphine de LaLaurie abandoned it, but it hasn't been anything for as it has been quickly abandoned by every resident afterwards. Some stories indicate that the ghosts here are aggressive and that they have attacked residents with whips and some even claim that multiple deaths have resulted from the hellish, supernatural residents of 1140 Royal Street.

The history of this mansion can only be confirmed to a point. It is known that Delphine LaLaurie was a wealthy, socialite who resided until 1833. Many accounts from contemporaries show that Madam LaLaurie was uncommonly cruel and beastly to her slaves, even for a time when cruelty to slaves was somewhat common. Following a kitchen fire in the house in 1833, the remains of over 100 dead slaves were found. After this, the evidence becomes weaker. Many sources indicate that firefighters entering the house found a room in the house in which slaves had been tortured in the most gruesome ways. It is said that some slaves had been subjected to many unnecessary surgeries and had had their sex organs removed, mutilated, or sewn onto other slaves. Other slaves had their mouths sewn shut with feces in them and their intestines removed and nailed to the floor. The list of atrocities goes on and on and are so vile that I shutter to even write about them.

Whether the more gruesome elements of this story are true or not, it is true that LaLaurie was a beast and a serial killer and that reports continue that this house is tormented by constant ghosts and spirits. Anyone curious about this house will be easily appeased, as it is a regular part of all haunted New Orleans tours and the guides stories about the house are beyond chilling.  However,  the house's inability to maintain an owner still remains a problem.  Nicolas Cage bought the house in 2007 and it was foreclosed on in 2008.  The house is still vacant and owned by the bank.

FINANCIAL DEPRESSION CONFESSION: Why My Money Woes Were The End of The World!

Have you (or someone you know) ever thought that your money or credit woes were the end of the world? I have.

 

Many of my private clients dealing with money or credit woes were also dealing with major depression as a result of their financial situation. Whether their challenging financial situation was due to a job loss, excessive debt, unexpected financial expense, or lack of money management skills and knowledge; the emotional stress caused significant mental and physical illnesses like high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, etc. 

I can absolutely relate. So, I am sharing my Financial Depression Confession of how my money woes made me feel like it was the end of the world and what I did to help myself get better. My hope is that my transparency with this experience will help someone get through their extremely sensitive and painful period of financial depression. 
  

IT WAS THE END OF THE WORLD!
  
I dealt with major depression. I didn’t want to get out of bed, wasn’t motivated to clean my house, didn’t want to talk or see anyone, and I cried … A LOT! I suffered from insomnia and exhaustion. I over ate and didn’t exercise, so of course I gained lots of weight, which killed my self-esteem. This vicious cycle made me feel like it was the end of the world! I even contemplated suicide, but honestly … I couldn’t even “financially” afford to kill myself. Wait! Before you judge … depression is a severe psychological illness and if not treated, it can cause the sanest person to consider or do insane things.

  
WHAT I DID: I got help! I went to clinical counselor to talk about my feelings. I know what you maybe thinking, but talking out some major emotional insecurities and feelings with a qualified third party helped me to deal with those emotions. It also gave me an unbiased support system. I was reminded that my emotions were normal, which helped me to realize that what I was going through was NOT the end of the world. By purging my private pain, I was able to free my mind to think more logically.

  
NO ONE UNDERSTANDS!

  
I didn't believe that anyone would understand what I was going through. I’m Madam Money! How could anyone understand how or why I was dealing with Money Woes? I didn't think that anyone would understand, so I isolated myself. It was a very lonely place to not have anyone I could trust to share that I was dealing with my deepest and darkest fears of about money.
  
WHAT I DID: Once I realized that this "lie" I was telling myself was bred from my PRIDE. I was too proud to ask for help. So, I had to humble myself and ask my a core circle of family and friends for help. I established specific roles for each of them to help me. For example, I had friends that helped me and held me accountable for eating better and exercising, friends that made me get out of the house to avoid isolation, and a family member that helped me financially when I absolutely needed. Asking for help was the hardest thing for me to do, but it was the best thing I could have ever done. And guess what, they understood because they experienced what I was going through.

I WAS EMOTIONALLY PARALYZED

  
Emotionally and mentally, I was paralyzed. I just couldn't move past what I was going through. Yes, I prayed and did my best to trust that God would get me through it, but I just couldn't do what was necessary to allow God to move. “Faith without Works is dead!” I knew that Bible verse and said it to myself every day. But … I felt helpless and hopeless which kept me paralyzed.
  
WHAT I DID: I changed my MIND! I realized that the eyes may be the strongest muscles in the body, but the Mind (brain) is the hardest muscle to change. So, I worked at it everyday. I changed what I watched, read and listened to. I became extremely protective about what I allowed to enter my mind because Thoughts turn into Words, Words turn into more Thoughts and those Thoughts turn into Actions or Non-Actions. What we visualize will actualize (positive or negative) so I only allowed positive and actionable thoughts, through affirmations, songs, books, etc.

  
OPERATION: FINANCIAL SELF-SABOTAGE

  
I medicated my pain through spending money on eating out every day, drinking and shopping. Oh yes I did! Dealing with the pain was too painful. So I tried to numb the pain by doing the opposite of was I know to do. Knowing what to do and how to do it but doing the opposite is “self-sabotage.” I become my own worst enemy. I became my most challenging client.

WHAT I DID: I got help from another financial coach. Yup! Coaches need coaching too. Even though I didn’t need my coach to tell me what to do; I needed my coach to hold me accountable to do what I know I’m supposed to do. My coach guided me through the process as a support system to stop my financial hemorrhaging caused by my financial self-sabotage. 

  
SELF DOUBT DESTROYED ME!

Everything I did to try to improve my situation, just didn't work. The more my attempts failed the more I doubted myself and my ability to fix my situation. How do you destroy the most confident person in the world … DOUBT! Doubt is the direct result of Fear, which is “False Evidence Appearing Real.” Bottom line … I was afraid to fail and because my attempts weren't working, this failure made me doubt everything.

  
WHAT I DID: Believe it or not … I connected with others! By connecting and networking with other people and professionals, I had intellectually stimulating conversations. Those conversations helped me build new relationships and networks. Those new relationships and networks valued my connection because of my personality, expertise or passion. This built up my confidence. Not only that, I connected with people who experienced my challenges, or knew someone who could assist me with my some of my challenges. This built up my confidence and reduced my doubt. 

 I’m not saying that everything that I did to help me will help you. But I am saying that there is HOPE and HELP for anything that you may be going through. 
  
Whatever you are going through, even though it may feel like it … it is NOT the end of the world.  It is the beginning of a new opportunity to make you stronger than ever to improve your current financial situation. 

  
I look forward to being a resource to help you through my pain, passion and purpose.

Making Money Matters Manageable,

Tarra Jackson

Madam Money's Q & A: Will Rent Reference Help Mortgage Application

Have you (or someone you know) ever wondered if a reference letter from a landlord would help with showing payment history for a mortgage application? 

Great Question!  Here the answer ... 



Do you have a personal finance or credit questions?  

Ask me and get answers! 

Just email your question to Tarra@TarraJackson.com. 

Making Money Matters Manageable, 

Tarra Jackson

Another Legend

Even before I started school I was interested in how things worked. That's probably why I eventually became an engineer. But it wasn't just how things were put together that fired my imagination. I often wondered how things were created. What was the spark that led to these things being invented?

It's the same with TV programmes and feature films. I'm fascinated by the story behind the story. How does a writer's idea get to the point where his words are being spoken on screen? I want to learn about the process and bits of trivia that occur in between those two endpoints. These days there are programmes that give us behind-the-scenes insights into some of our most popular series.

So, as promised in my last post, I'm now going to share some facts about one of my favourite TV series.

Some of you might be old enough to remember The Adventures Of Robin Hood. The one that starred Richard Greene.

The programme was commissioned by Lew Grade but was created by American writers who couldn't find work in the US, having fallen foul of the McCarthy communist witch-hunts in the 1950s. Because of their precarious position the writers could not be granted artistic credit for the episodes they worked on.

Apart from film actor Richard Greene, many other established and future stars appeared during the series. The one I remember is Paul Eddington of The Good Life and Yes Minister who played Will Scarlett if my memory serves me right.

You may also remember actress Patricia Driscoll, who played Maid Marion. She was the presenter of the Watch With Mother programme Picture Book.

The theme song was recorded as a single and rose quite high in the UK charts. I think I still have a copy somewhere in my loft. (On a 78rpm of course).

One episode of the 2006 BBC Robin Hood series was entitled Lardner's ring as a tribute to Ring Lardner, one of the original 1950s writers.

Does anyone else have memories of this drama?

Did he really do it ... or just an accident

I don't actually want to post this one here because the story is kinda sensitive, and somewhat provocative. However, people think this is an urban legend, so I thought, maybe, I should list this story here.

I don't know the whole truth behind the story, so I should be careful with my words. One thing is certain to me, it really did happen. What makes it questionable, is his statement when he was asked about the thing.

The Story

Jobert Sucaldito hospitalized after an accident with ... a cucumber? Showbiz talk show host Jobert Sucaldito is recovering at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City after a successful emergency surgery to remove a large piece of cucumber that got stuck in his rectum, according to reports. Sucaldito, one of the hosts of ABS-CBN's The Buzz, reportedly met with the accident Sunday night and was rushed to the hospital after complaining of extreme pain in his bottom. X-rays subsequently revealed that a broken piece of cucumber, about five inches in length, had gotten lodged into the lower end of his large intestine. It was not immediately clear how the cucumber got there. The surgeons who operated on Sucaldito were tight-lipped and refused to discuss his case with media, citing doctor-patient confidentiality. Oddly enough, they all looked like they were trying vainly to keep from laughing and refused to look reporters in the eye. Members of Sucaldito's household who declined to be named said they recovered the other half of the cucumber, also five inches in length, in Sucaldito's bedroom. They said it had bite marks and was in a soggy state. Besides the cucumber, they said they also found a bottle of Johnson's baby oil, pictures of scantily clad men, and lots of tissue paper.” Reached by phone, Sucaldito said he is fine and will be discharged from hospital soon. He explained that it was all an accident. Gumagawa kasi ako ng salad. Napaupo ako dun sa chair e meron palang pipino dun na patayo ang pusisyon. Basta, mabilis kasi ang mga pangyayari (I was making a salad. I sat on a chair but there was a cucumber there in an upright position. Everything just happened so fast), he said. In a related development, a group of vegan Filipinos is reportedly thinking of filing an abuse complaint against Sucaldito for allegedly molesting a harmless and defenseless vegetable. Source: Good Times Manila

Now that you have read the article above, its up to you if you will believe his statement ... or you know - guffaw?

Source:
http://es2pido.tumblr.com/post/606344574/jobert-sucaldito-hospitalized-after-accident-with

All Your Response Belong to Us

Electrolux Japan Ltd

Re: Legal Representative

Thanks for your response, Our customer the target company is 

(Local Business Here)

We like to know if you have conflict that will prevent you from representing our firm,  

Please see attached Letter of Intent for your review.

Please forward us your engagement letter and furnish us with the estimate for legal fee. 

Thanks for your previous understanding.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Yong Miyata

Electrolux Co. Ltd.

Yasuda Shibaura No.2 Bldg.

2-12, Kaigan 3-chome, Minato-ku, 

Tokyo ZIP 108-0022

Tel;(03)5445-3360   

Email; yongmiyata@gmail.com

http://www.electrolux.co.jp/

 Yong Miyata<yongmiyata@gmail.com> wrote:

We have communicate with a company whom are customers of ours in your state regards merging, we like to merge with the company to increased revenue, market share, and cross-selling opportunities.

We would like to retain you to help us in the process to review proposed transactions for acquisitions or purchase of businesses and creation of contracts for acquisition (merger), if you are interested

   

836226_2007>yongmiyata@gmail.com

http://www.electrolux.co.jp/

Madam Money's Q & A: Is Race Considered in the Credit Score?

Have you (or someone you know) ever wondered if a person's race for financial situation affects or is considered in the calculation of their Credit Score?

Great Question!  Here the answer ...

Do you have a personal finance or credit questions?  Ask me and get answers!

Just email your question to Tarra@TarraJackson.com.

Making Money Matters Manageable,

Tarra Jackson

Hell is ... Real?

Well, for Christians like me, we believe it is real. I don't know if others do believe as well. By the way, have you watched this Filipino documentary (from a Christian Channel) discussing everything about hell? I have watched it once when I was still in secondary school.

I don't mean by putting the videos here that it was an urban legend. Actually, I have read an UL story claiming they made a hole from surface to hell accidentally.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6

What Am I?

One of Patsy Collins' recent posts was about professionalism. She asked those of us who had been paid for our writing whether we considered ourselves professional writers. This got me thinking. Thanks, Patsy. As if I don't have enough to do with all the links you put up for competitions and other writing opportunities. Now I have to spend time thinking.

Where was I? Ah yes. I was thinking. Not just about being (or not being) a professional. But other stuff. Like am I working class or middle class? At sixty one am I old or still middle aged? Am I British or English? (Definitely not European). Do people think I'm a geek or just an enthusiast?

That last point got me worried. Well, not worried maybe. But puzzled. Surely we're all geeks in a way? We all have our skills and interests. There must be a fine line between nerdiness and just being an expert. Maybe it becomes geeky when you just can't resist showing off your knowledge to anyone within earshot. (Or blogshot?) Just like I did on my last blog post with those bits of trivia about The Lone Ranger.

The geek look was in vogue for a while with horn-rimmed glasses and braces becoming fashionable accessories. But it didn't last. More recently, the American sit-com Big Bang Theory (of which I'm a huge fan) has given a 21st century insight into the world of geeks. In any case, I think I prefer the term 'geek' to 'anorak'. The latter invokes images of train spotters. Not that I wish to alienate any railway enthusiasts.

So, to sum up: I'm a young-at-heart, English working class, semi-professional writer with geeky tendencies. Just to prove it – in my next post I'm going to bore you to death stir your interest with several facts about another legend. You have been warned, Patsy.

Cat Walk Wish (Part 2)

Cat Walk Wish (Part 2) The next day, I went to the old garden again. I sat in the deserted bench where I sat the last time I went there. I felt good and relaxed - especially I was picked by the couch of the college basketball. Minutes later, I heard a voice again. I ignored it. I thought it was normal in the place. Well, last time the same voice was badgering me. It kept calling at me, so I looked to the cat-walk. Upstairs, I found my friend, sitting in his wheelchair. "Hey!" He said. "Congratulations. I'm very proud of you." After he spoke, I went upstairs but not to talk to him. Instead, I just passed over him. I went straightly to my classroom. I waited at him, but he didn't come. Our teacher was in the classroom preparing to discuss our lesson, but still he's no where to be found. Three subjects passed but he's still no where. I felt worried. I left him in the old garden, in the cat-walk. I became exaggerated. I was thinking something bad happened to him. So I decided to go back there, but before I can make it to the exit, I found him approaching. I felt relieved. Then I went back to my table. [Click here to continue.]

The Fengdu Ghost City

The Fengdu Ghost City is located on the North end of the Yangthze River on Ming Mountain.   If you wander through this old Chinese City, you will cross a landscape of ghostly loss that is rarely seen in this world.   You can walk across The Bridge of Helplessness.  This is the bridge every soul must cross before it can enter the underworld.  You will find statues of the ghost king, the judge of hell, the drunkard ghost, and the the lustful ghost.  Every bend and turn of the road brings you to meet another building that would be found only in the land of the dead.  Every statue is a depitction of a ghost.  The Fengdu Ghost City is trully a ghost town..

Fengdu Ghost City got its name during the Han Dynasty when two officers came to Ming Mountain to practice toaist teachings.    On Ming Mountain, these officers sought immortality and accourding to legend, they eventually became the kings of hell.   During the Tang Dynasty a temple was built in this location to show life in hell.  The temple was meant to be horrifying.  It showed graphic depictions of the horrors that awaited those who did evil in hell.  Now, Fengdu is an entire city dedicated to Diyu, the underworld of Chinese mythology.

It isn't surprising that ghost stories linger in Fengdu.   It is said that Fengdu was a Taoist cemetery before it became the ghost city it is today.   Although the city bustles with tourists during the day, some believe it is crowded with ghosts after the night falls.   Fengdu is one of the creepiest places in the world on almost every list of creepy places I have seen.   It is certainly on my bucket list as one of the places I dream of going before I die.

Be careful, 6 Things It Can Trigger Unexpected Incidence of Heart Attack

A heart attack can come at any time for those who have risk factors, but researchers now reveal some other things unnoticed and unexpected fact can lead to a heart attack. Here are 6 things unforeseen that could lead to a heart attack, as reported by Prevention, Monday (08/19/2013).

Nonstick chemicals

Chemicals was felt nonstick cooking process makes everything easier. But in fact the medical side of the material is just the opposite. Previous anti-sticky material usage is associated with infertility, high cholesterol, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

But a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests a link between the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and heart disease. Regardless of age, body weight, presence of diabetes or other diseases, researchers found that people with high levels of PFOA in their blood had a 2 times greater risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those who had low levels of PFOA.

Climate change

Climate change is having a devastating effect on health, one heart attack. Excessive heat leads to the formation of small particles in polluted air, known as PM2.5. These particles will be entered and lodged in the lungs. Size is so small makes these particles can avoid the body's natural immune system defenses and migrate into the blood stream. Though hampered blood flow can clog arteries and form plaque, which is the trigger of heart attack and stroke.

Anti-bacterial soap

Triclosan is a chemical anti-bacterial soap and toothpaste is one of the causes of the risk of thyroid disease. Recent research suggests this material fact also can damage the heart and muscle tissue. As much as possible, should be the minimization of the use of soaps containing triclosan.

Canned foods

Sodium in fact not the only hazardous materials contained in canned foods. Other materials that bisphenol A or BPA, a hormone disruptor linked breast cancer, or aggressive anger problems in girls, obesity, and infertility.

Now a study published in the journal PLoS ONE reveals that small doses of BPA can cause cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. To avoid this, try to limit canned food and prefer fresh or frozen foods.

Congestion

Scientists have found a link between air pollution, traffic congestion, and heart attack risk. German researchers found that those who are stuck in traffic, either as a driver or passenger, had 3.2 times higher risk for heart attack compared with those who did not get stuck in a traffic jam.

Some seafood

Researchers from Syracuse University shows that you have to choose more carefully seafood. Because, they found that fish contaminated with high levels of mercury which can disrupt the body's response to stress and increase the risk of heart disease. Mercury raises this risk by interfering with the body's natural levels of the hormone cortisol.

First hearing...for real this time.

I've waited a few days to write this post, but wanted to do so before I lost a lot of my memories (aka: the rest of my mind). As plenty of people know, this week I attended my first court hearing. And what a hearing that was. I was supposed to have a hearing last week, but it was rescheduled with another judge due to a conflict with the previous judge.

Now, some background info about this hearing (but obvs not too much)....it was a custody dispute. And custody disputes are NEVER EVER EVARRRRRRR fun. They suck. People cry, kids act like assholes, and there are no true winners. None.

I went into this hearing expecting for everyone to give testimony, for a finding of the best interest of the child to be offered up by the judge, and for my client to get her kid back (that she's raised for 16 years with no friggin support from his deadbeat asshole of a father). Judge messed that over when he said he was inclined to grant custody....before testimony was given, before child had been interviewed, before any fights were made..and based on a piece of shit motion by OC.

What followed was a quick argument that involved the kitchen sink, and afterwards....six hours in court. Six long, looong, LOOOONG hours in court. My client did not win, but the one who did pissed the judge off. So though she didn't win custody, she got visitation, was ordered to pay no child support, and the asshole ex is going to have to come up with over $40K to pay my client within the next two years in back child support.

And that's just phase one. I implement phase two next week. Justice works in mysterious ways, but I've learned a shitton from my client, her case, and that proceeding. And I've figure out that sometimes justice isn't what you're asking for, or may come about in a different way than expected....

5 Quick Tips to Divorce Finances Through A Divorce

Do you (or someone you know) know someone who is going through a divorce that needs a few financial preservation tips?  I do!

Even though I have never had the unfortunate experience of a divorce, I have helped several of my clients through the financial transition from joint to individual finances.  When couples go through a divorce, they are not only divorcing each other; they are also divorcing their finances as well.  Financial Divorce can be just as, if not more, emotionally draining and frustrating.  Depending on how amicable the separation is, may determine the ease or complexity of the separation of finances.

Regardless of where a person is in the separation, here are 5 quick tips about How to Divorce Finances through a Divorce.

  

Get Organized!

Gather as many financial documents as possible. Financial statements and documents will be requested and may be required during the separation process.  Here is a Divorce Financial Checklist of documents that may need to be gathered. Consult with a divorce attorney for all of the documents that will be asked for and required to remit to the court.

  

Separate Bank Accounts

Make sure to open separate individual savings and checking accounts.  Don’t just open an account in desperation … rather; make sure to open up an account at a financial institution that is conducive to the financial needs and usage. Open an account with great customer service because they may be needed for assistance through the financial transition.  Avoid accounts or financial institutions with excessive fees.

  

Update Direct Deposit

Don’t forget to update direct deposit or payroll deductions through the employer from the joint account to the new individual bank account(s) established.  If the joint account is responsible for paying bills that may affect the credit reports, continue to make deposits just enough to pay those bills OR stop the bill payment or payroll deduction from that joint account and set it up in the individual account to maintain a positive credit history.

  

Do a “Clean Break” with Loans

Having joint debt is like having a child together.  Regardless of the status of the relationship, both borrowers are equally responsible to pay the debt until it is paid in full despite what the judge or divorce decree says.  So, first things first … get copies of all three credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union from www.annualcreditreport.com.  The best way to preserve credit history during a divorce is to do a “Clean Break.” Identify all credit accounts, and then try to negotiate who will take on what debt. Once that is agreed upon, each should try to get an individual loan to pay of the joint loan.  If either person does not qualify for an individual loan to do a “Clean Break,” try to agree that the other person will make timely payments on the joint loan. This is important because if the one person pays late or not at all, it will negatively affect the other person’s credit and ability to obtain the credit that may be needed after the divorce.  This is especially critical with credit cards.  Make sure to block the credit card lost/stolen and request a new card number to avoid future usage from the other part.

  

Update Beneficiaries

Don’t forget to update all financial documents! Update the beneficiary on your retirement savings account, insurance policies, bank accounts, etc.  Also, don’t forget to update the W-4 once the separation is final. During the divorce, many people forget to update this important information.

  

  

The best way to get through this tough situation is to try to think of the financial side as a business matter.  However, if the separation is not amicable, it may be best to have the divorce attorneys to discuss and negotiate these and other matters.

It is also a good idea to work with a financial professional or counselor for guidance during the financial divorce. Best wishes and contact us for further assistance.

  

  

Making Money Matters Manageable,

Tarra Jackson    

Aokigahara Forest: The Suicide Forest

Aokigahara Forest sits at the base of Mount Fugi in Japan.  The Forest has always been a place of death.  Poor families used to abandon  their elderly and infirm in the woods when they became a burden.   The abandoned would suffer long and horrible deaths from exposure in the gnarled trees.  The forest has also always been associated with people getting lost.  The Mountain has large deposits of volcanic, magnetic iron that cause malfunctions of compasses, GPS's, and cellphones.  It also has over 100 caves.  It is a treacherous landscape that is easy to lose your way in and slip into a cave and be forgotten.  In fact, many of the trail heads are blocked by ropes and labeled with signs that say not to enter because it is too easy to become lost.

As you enter the forest, signs read "Your life is precious.  Please think about your parents, siblings, and children.  Don't keep to yourself.  Talk about your troubles suicide prevention association."  Nooses dangle from trees where bodies used to hang. Old skeletons can be found amongst the undergrowth and suicide notes are nailed to trees.  Every year there are over 100 suicides in Aokigahara Forest.  Authorities are only able to sweep the forest for bodies annually and many bodies aren't found during these sweeps.  The bodies of the dead often linger for years, waiting to be found.  Although the forest has always been a place of death, since Seicho Matsomoto's novel "Kuroi Kaiju", or Black Sea of Trees, the forest has become the second most popular place in the world for suicides (The Golden Gate Bridge is the first.).  The novel tells the tale of two lovers who end their tragic lives via suicide in Aokigahara Forest. 

It isn't surprising that tales of ghosts and spirits abound in the shadows of Aokigahara Forest.   It is said that ghastly white spirits glide between the trees.  The spirits of the elderly that were once abandoned there wander with the spirits of those who ended their own lives.   Locals believe that death has so permeated the forest that the very soil and trees have taken on the evil of the place and that they actively prevent those who enter from finding their way out.  The darkness of the place ensnares travelers and traps them so that they get lost and never find their way out.

Spolarium

Songs are created by song writers to express their feelings, to tell their stories, and to say their disappointments for something. All of the songs are meaningful - they may expressly or impliedly say something from within.

One of our viewers suggested a topic to me through e-mail. She asked me to create an article of a song with a hidden meaning on it, or backmasking. I became interested, so I begun searching songs with hidden meanings. There were many, but only one caught my attention - the Spolarium of Eraserheads.

The Song

The song Spolarium was written and performed by the Eraserheads, and was included in their album - Sticker Happy. The song was allegedly hiding something puzzling behind the poetical lyrics. People who hear it might not understand instantly what was in there if they don't know the story. On the other hand, people may also misunderstood the song if not gently inspected and studied.

Now, let's have the lyrics of the said song.

[Taken from Internet [a]:]

Spolarium By: Eraserheads Dumilim ang paligid May tumawag sa pangalan ko Labing isang palapag Tinanong kung okay lang ako Sabay abot ng baso May naghihintay At bakit ba pag nagsawa na ako Biglang ayoko na At ngayon di pa rin alam Kung ba’t tayo nandito Pwede bang itigil muna ang pagikot ng mundo Lumiwanag ang buwan San Juan 'Di ko na masasakyan Ang lahat ng bagay ay gumuguhit na lang sa 'king lalamunan Ewan mo at ewan natin Sinong may pakana At bakit ba tumilapon ang gintong alak dyan sa paligid mo At ngayon 'di pa rin alam Kung ba’t tayo nandito Pwede bang itigil muna ang pagikot ng mundo Umiyak ang umaga Anong sinulat ni Enteng at Joey dyan Sa gintong salamin 'Di ko na mabasa Pagkat merong nagbura ahhh… Ewan mo at ewan natin Sinong may pakana At bakit ba tumilapon ang spolarium dyan sa paligid mo? At ngayon di pa rin alam Kung bakit tayo nandito Pwede bang itigil muna, ang pagikot ng mundo Pwede bang itigil muna, ang pagikot ng mundo Pwede bang itigil muna, ang pagikot nga mundo

Spolarium By: Eraserheads The surroundings dimmed Someone called my name Eleven(th) floor(s) And asked if I was okay While handing me a glass Someone was waiting And why is it when I’ve had enough Suddenly I don’t want it anymore And now, I still have no idea Why we're here Can we please just stop the earth from revolving The moon shone San Juan I may not be able to ride (on it) Everything is just drawing a line (trailing) across my throat You don’t know and we don’t know Who did it And why did the golden liquor spill all around you. And now I still have no idea Why we are here Can we please stop just for now, the world from revolving The morning cried What did Enteng and Joey write In the golden mirror I can’t read anymore Cause someone erased it ahh… You don’t know and we don’t know Who did it Why did the spolarium spill all around you? And now I still have no idea Why we are here Can we stop it for now, the world from revolving Can we stop it for now, the world from revolving Can we stop it for now, the world from revolving

Meaning of Terms

The title Spolarium was actually a 19th century painting of our hero - Juan Luna. The painting is now displayed in the Malacanang Palace. It depicts a picture of a scene in a Roman Coliseum with soldiers dragging cadavers of gladiator out of it. The painting signifies the death or absence of freedom or the lost of hope of a country.

Other than that, there were also other obvious words in the song that might imply something important.

According to a website[a], these are the words he considered are important facts of the song.

San Juan
This might refer to a place. The verse 'Di ko na masasakyan (I may not be able to ride on it.) might tell you a clue of a jeepney routing to the place named San Juan.

The word gumuguhit
Gumuguhit came from the simple verb guhit which means to draw. However, the song didn't really mean to draw. Gumuguhit is actually a kind of feeling - sensing something sharp that trails accross your throat, especially if you're drinking a liquor.

Enteng and Joey
Enteng is a name presumed to be Vic Sotto, as it was his name in his popular fantasy movie, Enteng Kabisote. And Joey is Joey De Leon. They are two famous comedic icons in Philippine entertainment scene, or more appropriate mass culture. (You can still watch them every noon of Monday to Saturday on Eat Bulaga in GMA Channel 7.)

The Alleged Story

Some people said that the song was actually telling us the story of Pepsi Paloma who was said to be a rape victim. They said, the rapist was Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Richie D'Horsie.

She was given a liquor till drunk. When her consciousness was lost, she was raped.

The case happened in 1982. Joey de Leon along with Vic Sotto and Richie D'Horsie made headlines when underaged actress Pepsi Paloma accused the trio of gang raping her. The case was settled out of court and the trio made a public apology to Paloma. According to Pepsi Paloma, it was mainly Tito Sotto who coerced her to sign the affidavit of desistance to throw out the filing of the rape case, which is punishable by death penalty at that time. Justice was stopped from moving when the comedians humbly made a public apology to the judge to where they admitted to the crime committed to the starlet. Paloma committed suicide by hanging herself afterwards in 1985, due to the trauma she experienced from the hands of the comedians.[b]

There were rumors that Pepsi didn't actually committed suicide, instead she was killed to stop her from testifying in court.

As the Spolarium resembles an absence of freedom, Pepsi's death indicates the absence of justice.

The True Story

It wasn't actually about the case of Pepsi Paloma. Yes, the story of the song did happen, but wasn't connected to the prior sad story.

In fact, it was telling us about how a drinking spree started.

It was evening, Ely Buendia was about to go home. Then he was called out by somebody in the eleventh floor of a condo in San Juan (particulary in Unit 1108 of that condominium). He was asked if he's alright (as it was our habit, saying Kamusta? or How are you?). Somebody hand him a glass of liquor. He stayed there till morning.

The gintong alak (golden liquor) is a Goldshlagger. Enteng was one of the Eraserheads' roadies that time; Joey a.k.a. Cowpunk, a classmate of Raims, was a member of the Eraserheads' posse. Thus, the song didn't have any connection with Vic Sotto as Enteng and Joey as Joey de Leon. What the two wrote using their hands in the mirror was Ely's true name but slightly erased. So he can't read it properly.

Source:
a. http://aragonasten.wordpress.com/2008/06/29/spolarium-by-eraserheads/
b. http://www.istorya.net/forums/general-discussions/550586-pepsi-paloma-and-meaning-behind-song-spolarium-eraserheads.html

The Bitterroot Footage

My sister found this footage for me and brought it to my attention.  I've heard many rumors about it.  Initially, people were saying it was an attempt at viral marketing for the movie "The Possession" but that movie has been out for a year now and was based on the Dibbuk Box I wrote about yesterday.  I've also heard that it was marketing for another movie called "The Lords of Salem" but that movie doesn't seem to fit the bill either.  The footage has been floating around for a while and no one seems to really know the story behind it.  The consensus is that it is a hoax or marketing but for what?  I thought the footing was haunting and creepy enough to merit a post here.  It certainly got my attention and I would love to hear the real story behind it.  I think I would also watch whatever movie this might be marketing for.   Here is the footage and the story that came with it.



My name is Chad. I'm a student at a university in New York.
I just moved to a studio apartment and needed some furniture.
I found a guy on Craigslist that wanted to desperately get
rid of his things at super cheap prices so I went to check it out.
He sold things in bulk to get rid of as much things as possible.
I bought a small table and it came with a bunch of other random things.
Some of it I gave away and some I kept.

An old wooden box caught my attention. It was locked and out
of curiosity, I kept it. I had to force open the lid with a screw-driver
and inside I found some old pictures. The word 'bitterroot'
was handwritten on the backs of all of them. There was also a tin can that
contained a reel of film that I later learned from my
friend Dario (a film student), was 8mm film.

The film was pretty damaged so I just kept it on my bookshelf
as decoration, but I couldn't get the images of the pictures out of my head.
I had to figure out a way to watch that film.

With help from Dario, we got an old 8mm projector in good
working condition on Ebay. The film skipped in several spots so
we put it together with a special tape and then watched it again.
What we found was disturbing.

I asked my friend to help me make this website so I can share my findings."

If you want to look at the actual website you can find it at:   http://thebitterrootfootage.com/

Not just a great man, but a good man too.

Yesterday I said goodbye to one of the greatest men I've ever met. His name was Mr. Louis Nabors.

While in undergrad, I pursued a science degree, though my passions generally lie with the arts. Throughout my time in college, I participated in operas, musical theatre, straight-laced theatre, and several choirs. This was difficult, because I took several hours of labs each week, and many of the labs lasted until five o'clock, at which time I'd have to run over to the theatre to begin rehearsals that lasted until 9:00 or later. I received scholarships for my efforts, and made many MANY friends through my participation in VAPA, our Visual and Performing Arts program.

Mr. Nabors was one of these friends. He was my voice teacher, and the one teacher I had every.single.semester of college. I started with 30 minute lessons, then my second semester of Freshman year, I swapped to an hour long lesson each week. And each week, he would threaten me with his cane, compliment me when I achieved something I thought I was unable to do, and pick songs that seemed to be made for my voice. He was tough, lethally honest, and always hilarious. My accompanist, a great man as well, used to chuckle throughout our voice lessons, which he dubbed Comedy Hour. My voice grew to something I never thought it could be. Mr. Nabors constantly bemoaned my lack of practice due to my dedication to sciences, but when he paid me a compliment, I knew he was being honest.

Plenty of people were afraid of Mr. Nabors, partially because of this honesty, but also because of his presence. He was at least 6'7, and had a voice that filled a room. He was a true bass, but had a clarity to his voice that many basses lack. When he spoke, you could hear him across a football field. And when he sang, you never wanted him to stop. I heard him perform as Sorastro in The Magic Flute, which was magnificent, but he was best known for his renditions of old Negro spirituals (and You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, but that was a rare treat indeed). Indeed, his presence was so large, so amazing, that you sometimes forgot he was a mortal man.

Mr. Nabors passed July 30, 2013 doing what he loved--performing. He was in Italy to teach and perform and while there, he suffered a fatal stroke. A man I considered to be immortal has passed away, but he has not died. I know that he is singing in God's choir in the sky.

Even now it seems surreal, but I have to be thankful for the things he has taught me and the memories we have shared, and I take comfort in the fact that I visited him numerous times since graduation, most recently a few months ago, during which time I was able to speak with him for over an hour.

Mr. Nabors was a great man, and he was a good man. He encouraged me to pursue my passions, and demonstrated this pursuit in his own life. I hope anyone reading this blog has their own Mr. Nabors, and I hope you tell him or her how much they have inspired you, how much they mean to you, and marvel at how they were put in your life. He certainly changed mine, and I am proud to say he was my mentor and an inspiration to me.