Scenic Drop

The Mystery of the W.C.

2006-02-14T14:55:00.000+08:00

(Someone in our class in Philosophy of Language shared this funny stuff with me.)

Sometime ago, an English lady was looking for a room in Switzerland. She asked the local schoolmaster if he could recommend any. He took her to several places, and she decided to take one of them.

When everything had been arranged, and she was on her way home to England, it occured to her that in the house she chose, she had not seen any bathroom. The English term for this is water closet. She immediately wrote to ask if there was a W.C. in or near the house. On receiving the letter, the schoolmaster was troubled. He did not understand the abbreviation. He finally asked the local barrister to help him. Together, they concluded that the English lady must mean a Wayside Chapel, or a place of worship. So he wrote in reply:

"I have the great pleasure to inform you that the W.C. is situated nine miles from the house, in the center of a beautiful grove of pine trees, surrounded by beautiful scenery. It is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday each week. It is capable of holding 250 people. You will be glad to know that a number of people come early and make a day of it. Others, whose schedules are limited, travel by car and arrive just in time. I would appreciatively adivise your ladyship to visit on Thursday, since there is an organ accompanist on that day.

It may interest you to know that my daughter was married in our W.C. and it was there that she first met her husband. I remember quite well the rush for seats. There were ten people on the seat I usually occupy, and it was wonderful to watch the expressions on their faces.

My father has been going there since he was christened. A wealthy resident of the district recently erected a bell in our W.C., which rings everytime a person enters. And now a bazaar is to be held soon. The proceeds will go towards helping furnish plush seats, as members feel it has been a long wait.

My wife is rather delicate. She cannot attend regularly. It is six months since she last went. Naturally, it pains her very much not to be able to go more often.

I shall be delighted to reserve a seat for you. I am eagerly waiting for an appropriate comment from you, and I hope to meet your ladyship at our W.C. one of these days."

Irish Blessing

2006-01-03T11:58:00.000+08:00

May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two
May the sun always shine on your window-pane
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain
May the hand of a friend always be near to you
And may God fill your heart
With gladness to cheer you always.

A blessing I received from a long time friend.

Painting by Gordon Mitchell

A Giant Wind Turbine

2005-10-09T17:09:00.000+08:00

A lone giant wind turbine and 14 others line along the shores of Bangui, Ilocos Norte. It is the first ever wind farm in Southeast Asia harnessing 25-megawatts worth of renewable energy from the breezes of the South China Sea.
When I went there last summer, I could breath easily without risks like those of other energy plants (carbon dioxide and toxic dust-emitting fossil fuel power plants) that harm the environment.

My Place of Peace

2005-09-30T14:18:00.000+08:00

One thing I ask of the Lord this I seek
To dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life.
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord
And contemplate his temple. (Ps. 27)

Down the Great Wall of China

2005-09-21T16:16:00.000+08:00

A little bravado here: My first death-defying stunt down the greatest of the walls man ever built.

Scenic sights to behold

2005-09-21T15:45:00.000+08:00

The towering sight of Paoay Church: For ages this church has provided refuge to many bleary souls.

The pristine white sand of Pagudpud beach sandwhiched by verdant groves and cool glistening waters.

Poem by Rainier Maria Rilke

2005-09-18T17:48:00.000+08:00

My life is not this steeply sloping hour
In which you see me hurrying
Much stands behind me, I stand before it like a tree
I am only one of my many mouths
And at that the one that will be still the soonest
I am the rest between two notes
Which are somehow always in discord
Because death's note wants to climb over
But in the dark interval, reconciled
They stay there trembling
And the song goes on beautiful.