Our visit to Bohol Island

A few years ago we spent a pleasant day with friends and toured Bohol Island. It’s a short ferry ride from Cebu City to the ferry dock in Bohol where we were met by a friendly driver with his SUV and then we all settled by as he drove us around sightseeing. It’s a very clean and peaceful place to visit with charming old world church and lay back people. I wanted to share these few pictures with you all and if you ever get a chance do go there.

The crack of the bat

Well soon we’ll hear the crack of the bat as it hits the baseball over the center field wall. Which brings me to this photo of my Dad with his baseball coach back in Pratt, Kansas. He must had been around 10 or 11 years old when it was taken so long on a hot dusty summer day.

An-An becomes a businesswoman

We’re so proud of our niece An-An who I sometimes post about…. Last Wednesday my twenty something niece An-An was here baby sitting me as my wife was in Cebu with friends/visitors flying in from Hong Kong. I knew An-An had opened and started a sari-sari store about 5 or 6 months ago near her home so curiously I asked how was her business. I found out she works long hours and that every day rain or shine …. She opens for business at 4:00 AM and closes at 1 AM and after she opens she does her daily shopping at Danao's wet market while her boyfriend watches her store. With her gross profits she reinvests in the store. An-An is doing it right I can see her going far, onto bigger businesses. As far as security she locks up every night and sleeps in her tiny sari-sari store. Then with a smile I told her, she didn't much time for romance… she then answered me with a giggle.

I am impressed with her work ethic and how she takes out as little as possible for herself!

Mrs. Sunshine

My wife Belinda is the sunshine of my life… some days when I’m not feeling very good - unfortunately lately I take it out my aches and pains on her. Since I have gotten sick this past year I find I am deeply worried about her future. Nevertheless she is my ray of sunshine. She helps me get through the days and nights too.

Shameful behavior followed by embarrassed laughter

My Mom, Dad and me with their 1939 Dodge Coup - Photo was taken in 1942 World War 2, near Vallejo, California.

It's so awkward, isn't it when you’re growing up? I can still remember as a kid when I had done something terribly embarrassing… That evening everybody at the dinner table would be clearing their throats, hem-hawing, trying to find something safe to talk about. At other times then too there was lots of nervous laughter, and questions concerning a family relative who had done something incredibly embarrassing. And then at other times the table’s gossip would turn to a current topical of a relative’s shameful behavior followed by embarrassed laughter.

GOOD TIMES

Antelope Canyon

The most visited and photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest, the Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. It includes two separate, photogenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as Upper Antelope Canyon or “The Crack” - and Lower Antelope Canyon or “The Corkscrew.”

Hard Times

With the economy picture now is so tough and people hurting and struggling to meet make ends met I decide to add a job search on the side bar for you readers. I know things are hard for most since I’ve been there too. Should you have a particular job in mind please let me know and I will go my sources and see if I can find it.

Look on the sidebar

Family disaster struck

My great-grandfather, Archibald "Archy" Brown was born in Antrim County, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) and at the age of 19 years old immigrated to the U.S. in 1868. He lived for one year in New Jersey and later for awhile in Texas before moving to McPherson County, Kansas. Where he homesteaded some land and then worked to become a successful farmer. By 1885, their farm consisted of 240 acres, and they raised corn, oats, Irish potatoes, and wheat. They also had chickens, horses, cattle, and hogs, and an orchard of apple and peach trees added to their holdings.

And then family disaster struck. Their entire homestead including their home, barn and out buildings was wiped by out a tornado. My grandmother, Grace then a young girl along with her sisters and their mother Annie (who is my great-grandmother) hide frighten in the storm cellar. My Dad's uncle, Archy Jr. then just a boy was down the road crouched under a nearby bridge.... Meanwhile my great-grandfather, Archy, Sr., was out in the yard, holding onto a tree for dear life as the tornado passed. The only untouched was the family rocking chair. The rocking chair still exists by a distance family member somewhere in Kansas. As of today the only thing left of the Brown's homestead is a marble stepping stone with my great-grandfather's name "Archy Brown" inscribed on it. The rings were used to tie horses to. The location of this marble stone is where the family homestead had been at in the late 1800s.

A family farm on the prairies of Kansas.

Two interesting guys

These two interesting guys I recently found on the Internet and since I know my niece An-An is on the prowl looking for her future husband I decided to show her their picture. Right away without any pause she told me they weren’t her type. I then asked her why. And with a serious look she replied “her future husband had to be Filipino and very-very RICH.” After a moment or two had passed I ask her about her famous Mr. X – known as the man about town here in Danao City. She only laughed and giggled then a smile said “maybe!”

Big feet Big Shoes

Pictured here is my cute five year old great-nephew; he was here yesterday with his grandmother who is my wife’s sister Neng-Neng. I showed him this picture and told how his feet were getting REALLY BIG. In fact I said to him they are as big a two battleships. Then he looked at his feet and then back to the picture and then to me. I told him after that his feet should stop growing or I won’t be able afford to buy him shoes any longer. Did he believe me? Naw.

Yesteryear

A glimpse of my Dad’s aunts and uncles on the prairies.

Wind, blazing sun and harsh winters have etched faces of my Dad’s aunts and uncles on the plains of Kansas in this picture. I believe this photo was taken around 1890s in or around McPherson County, Kansas. As I look at their faces I wonder how their lives turned out.

Living on the Edge: A cliff top town

At the southern tip of the island of Corsica, Bonifacio is the largest commune of the island. This fragile looking citadel sits precariously at 70 meters (230 ft) over the white limestone cliffs, eaten away by the wind and waves of the Mediterranean Sea. A naval haven throughout the century, Bonifacio is now a small marina for expensive yachts from around the world. (photos by jacob metcalf and clivestanley)

Junior

I am an American ex-pat living in the Philippines. It strikes the cords of my heart whenever I see our Junior helping his Mom and me – his old Dad. Yesterday while Beng was away tending to some business for a few hours I became very sick and headed to bed with stomach pains. He stayed with me in the darken bedroom until his Mom came home to take charge. Some of his classmates call Junior “a Mommy’s Boy.” Since I cannot help much any longer he does what he can with his Mom, whether it’s marketing or doing everyday chores that I can’t help. He stands up to plate like a young man that he is.

Tata’s $2,000 Nano Car Hits the Market Next Month

Tata will start taking orders shortly for the world’s cheapest car, the Nano. The car retails for just over $2,000 and will be accessible to people living in India. The cars will actually begin shipping in July. Why is the car so cheap? There is no air conditioning, the steering is manual, the car doesn’t have any airbags, the body of the car is made of sheet-metal and plastic, and the engine is a 624cc two-cylinder. The car maxes out at about 43MPH.

Tata is hoping that people would rather buy this car than motorcycles.

Back to Basics

My wife Beng and I have talked often how often people generation lacks patience which has led to a lot of bad spending decisions. You and I have purchase something that we cannot afford. Even though we had been careful with our spending before the economy took a turn for the worse, this has made us even more determine to get back to the basics, to focus on what is important to us - our faith in God, love for others and focus on family. I am not one who believes that God is a “mean dictator or a genie in a bottle” however I believe that He allows for situations to happen to teach His people and grow them as individuals. Now we all have to admit that spending and luxuries had gotten out of hand. There were times in my life that the lines between needs and wants are blurred. I think He wants us to focus on the important things in life and this may have been what needed to happen to get us there. I also believe that this time we bring about an era of compassion and giving. As a society we need to get a way from the notion of “get rich schemes” by any means necessary, even if it hurts or oppresses people. My heart goes out when I hear about job losses and struggling families. It is easy when you start to realize that it could be you or someone you love down the road struggling.

Evolution of my Blog

Originally I thought this Blog was going to be another Political Blog. That was the reason URL is listed as “therottweilernews.” However since there are hundreds if not thousands Political Blogs on the Internet and most are darn right mean spirited I then decided against the whole idea. After that I tried several different approaches for my blog but not seemed to hit a homerun. Finally after several months had passed I settled on what is the dearest to me. My Blog is about my family, love ones, good friends I’ve met along the way and my journey through life. Please enjoy my posts since after all it’s my 73 year old journey. Mr. Chuckchuck

Britney Spears Miami Tour - Vido

Belinda

I love my wife and I think she is the best out there. When I look back and think how blessed I am that she wanted to marry me. Until we were married in 2002 I really never realized what unconditional love was until she taught me. Belinda is so patient and loving, through both the good and bad times. Now that my life has taken a turn to the worst my wife sees to my all needs and comforts met. And know what, the best part is I'm thankful that I get to go to bed and wake up with her every day.

Do these mysterious stones mark the site of the Garden of Eden?

For the old Kurdish shepherd, it was just another burning hot day in the rolling plains of eastern Turkey. Following his flock over the arid hillsides, he passed the single mulberry tree, which the locals regarded as 'sacred'. The bells on his sheep tinkled in the stillness. Then he spotted something. Crouching down, he brushed away the dust, and exposed a strange, large, oblong stone. The man looked left and right: there were similar stone rectangles, peeping from the sands. Calling his dog to heel, the shepherd resolved to inform someone of his finds when he got back to the village. Maybe the stones were important. They certainly were important. The solitary Kurdish man, on that summer's day in 1994, had made the greatest archaeological discovery in 50 years. Others would say he'd made the greatest archaeological discovery ever: a site that has revolutionized the way we look at human history, the origin of religion - and perhaps even the truth behind the Garden of Eden. FYI read.

Ranj, wishes everyone a happy St. Patty's Day!

Better Late Then Never.

My extended family

When I think back to my boyhood, some of my fondest memories with my Mom and Dad were our visits to our extended family that lived throughout the western US. Since we were not a close knitted family - I always looked forward to seeing my aunts, uncles and especially my cousins. To be honest I was impressed that my cousins lived in houses and their families had taken roots somewhere because we lived a 12’x50” trailer and my little family moved from town to another nameless town since my Dad worked in heavy construction we moved whenever the job was over. Now that I’m retired to Philippines I found how much I missed out.

Hot Rods & Me

Ah those were the days! I remember back to 1954 I when I took Betty Lou on her first date in my custom supped up hot rod. We drove to the nearest drive-in-hamburger joint where the girls were all about the same age as us, they waited on their customers wearing roller skates of all things. We put a nickel in the portable juke box hanging on the driver’s door window and listen to the latest popular song called “Earth Angel.” She was a sly sixteen year old and I wasn’t much older. On occasions we’d hear the roar of hot rod engine followed by a loud tooting of a horn as the driver announced he was there to all. I remember she wore a pink sweater with her hair tied in off a pony tail and I was soon to leave for the navy and the trials of boot camp. Ah yes, those were the days.

Spam

I’m sure others have grappled with spam. I really hate spam email messages and I wish there was a why to eliminate them from my email box. But in today’s digital world how can an average person do away with these electronic messages wanting to sale anything from a to z. Should a person has bad breath they have an answer, if a guy needs Viagra they have an answer for that too. So it goes on and on. Me I never cared for spam I’d rather have bacon for breakfast.

Spam - video

Whether you love it or hate it - it's here to stay!

My extended family

My Dad "Wid Catting" For Shell Oil in east Texas around 1938.

When I think back to my boyhood, some of my fondest memories with my Mom and Dad were our visits to our extended family that lived throughout the western US. Since we were not a close knitted family - I always looked forward to seeing my aunts, uncles and especially my cousins. To be honest I was impressed that my cousins lived in houses and their families had taken roots somewhere because we lived a 12’x50” trailer and my little family moved from town to another nameless town since my Dad worked in heavy construction we moved whenever the job was over. Now that I’m retired to Philippines I found how much I missed out.

ST Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin 2009

Happy ST. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day

My Great Grandfather in the late in 1880s.

They say St. Patrick's Day is serious business in many Irish families, which often involves a big dinner with extended family, lots of traditional cooking and excessive shamrock decorations and maybe a toast or two to their Irish ancestors. St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone in our household so far from America and so very far from the emerald island across the sea. Here’s a toast to my great grandfather who came to America without a penny in his pocket, worked as laborer with pick and shovel in hand building railroads across the plains of Texas in the late 1860s and then he arrived by horse homesteading in western Kansas. One can only imagine the hardships his family went through as he built his homestead into a large thriving farm. Bless you Archy Brown wherever you are. Your great grandson, Chuck

Meghan McCain On "The View": "Kiss My Fat Ass!"

This video says what I feel about Mr. Edward Liddy, chief executive officer of American International Insurance group (AIG).

American International Group

MR. GREED

"Out-to-lunch" Edward Liddy, chief executive officer of American International Insurance group (AIG).

How to Open a Beer with a Pen - CHOW

"Everyone has a trick to opening a beer bottle when you don't have an opener handy, even CHOW's staff photographer, Chris Rochelle. Here he shows how to open your beer with a pen."

President Norris?

Amigos; Proving he's bitter about Mike Huckabee's electoral demise than we ever imagined, the action movie star Chuck Norris declared in a radio interview recently that he is prepared to become president of an independent Texas. Norris added that his home state is free to secede at any point, due its exceptional state constitution and original agreement with the Congress upon joining the US. The state and Norris, he claims, might choose such an unprecedented divorce if the current administration way up north in Washington, D.C., continues on its path of pissing him off. I’m going have to accept the martial-arts action star's secession half-baked idea, since I’ve a standing policy against arguing the details of the American Constitution with a man who knows judo. Mr. Norris being the president of a breakaway republic is hard work! Think twice!

Who is An An's Mysterious Mr. X?

Yes who is my niece An An’s boyfriend the mysterious Mr. X? We’ve had family gatherings, Filipino festivals and An An always shows up with a smile but never with her boyfriend Mr. X. Or maybe he’s hovering not to be seen by me. Is the photo shown is he or possibly not – who knows for sure. I’ve yet to meet him or to see his face which makes me think is there really a Mr. X?

Violencia Doméstica - Violence Domestique.

Puerto Rico Celebrates Win over USA / World Baseball Classic / Miami

US so big PR so little – what happen? VIVA PUERTO RICO!

David Archuleta: Como La Flor (San Antonio-3/12/09)

A fan requested that David Archuleta sing a little something in Spanish at his San Antonio concert on Thursday night. The American Idol alum happily obliged, offering up an abridged version of slain Tejano legend Selena's Como La Flor.

Patrick Swayze Continues To Fight! Denies Reports He Is Close To Death

Patrick Swayze in Ghost

Patrick Swayze Continues To Fight! Denies Reports He Is Close To Death “Patrick Swayze wants you to know that he is doing well! After spotting the cover of a tabloid claiming the actor is reaching "The End" of his struggle with stage IV pancreatic cancer, Swayze has taken the time to release a statement on the true condition of his health. "It's amazing to me that the tabloids such as the National Enquirer print such negative stories about me and my health when there are so many positive things going on in my life right now. I've started a new chemotherapy and, one again, I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment," says Swayze.”

The “F” Word

I for one for am sick and tired of Hollywood’s loose use of the F word in their movies. “Sonsofabitches” is bad enough why can’t the money-making studios and poor liberal actors think something better word then using the F word I ask. There is no way anyone can tell me its freedom expression. Open-minded Hollywood goes too far! Chuck

The African Horn and the Japanese Navy

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force 2006 CM

Earlier this week I posted concerning the sailors facing the Somali coast. Since I am retired to a sea faring nation in S.E. Asia my concerns are real. Today I read on Yahoo that Japan moved ahead Friday with its plan to send two navy ships to the Somali coast to join an international anti-piracy mission. Furthermore, Japan's send-off marks the first policing action overseas for Japan's military, whose mission has been largely restricted to refueling, airlifting and other humanitarian activities. The two Japanese destroyers, Sazanami and Samidare, which are also carrying two SH-60K patrol helicopters and a pair of speedboats, are expected to reach Somali waters in early April. Japan has been conducting a naval refueling mission in the Indian Ocean since 2001 to support U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan. Three cheers for the Japanese Navy!

PARIS IN JAIL: The Music Video

I love Mexican Music

Yesterday I posted Selena YouTube video since I have always liked her energized signing – I plan to post a musical video from time to time of her. Although I’m not Latino I love the music from Mexico because it’s so spirited and it’s a delight for me to listen to. Chuck

Some thoughts

Hello Friends; Some ask me, “Do you miss the states?” Yes sometimes I do to be honest but this is where my love is and the Philippines has been my home since 2002. My life would be terrible without my wife and my youngest son Junior. I remember as a kid how much everything was then; the air we breathed, the water we drink, the earth we live on was pristine. Now it seems we can’t drink the water from our water tap but instead we drink sparkling water that comes from bottle. The air we take for granted is polluted from god only knows where. Chuck

Be Alert to the warning signs of a work at home scam

While the Internet has opened up a world of opportunity for people seeking to work from home, I'm hearing more and more stories lately of people being scammed out of their hard-earned money by some Internet huckster. It's unfortunate, but even as the Web has created a telecommuting boom, it has also spawned a new breed of cons. It pays to be cautious and do your homework before jumping into any potential job or business opportunity. You should always check the company's history with the Better Business Bureau. And it never hurts to Google the company's name and see what pops up. But what if the company is new and relatively unheard of? There are some warning signs you can look for when answering an online ad for a home business or employment. Some of the hallmarks of a work at home scam are:

First: Promising the moon. Exaggerated claims of income, earnings, or profits. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Second: No Experience Necessary. Most jobs - well, most good jobs - require some experience.

Third: Asking that you send money for instructions or products before fully disclosing what the business is about. If the person you're communicating with is not upfront about the name of the company and the type of business it is, back away.

Fourth: They assure you there is a huge demand for the product you'll be selling or promise to provide leads.If you've been scammed while looking for employment or think you've come across a scam, report it to The National Fraud Information Center at 1-800-876-7060. You might just save someone else the heartbreak.

Selena - Amor Prohibido

She was full so much of life.

Sleepy Bear Can't Stay Awake

Now that I'm 73 years old I seem to have to have more naps! Chuck

African Horn

I have been reading and watching T.V. with interest about the pirates off the coast of Somalia over the past several months. It's not just because the neighboring seas of S.E. Asia have traditionally been infested with pirates, but also because I have long wondered about how we can counter this nasty threat. Every year, pirates in Asia kill dozens of people and steal goods worth billions of dollars. Ships passing through the Strait of Malacca or around the Java Sea have to extremely cautious.

Today there seems to be little help to the poor sailors having to risk the Somali coast. Perhaps maritime nations should work-in-hand and patrol the African Horn on a rotation basis. Me, I'd love to hear what you think the world should do to make shipping safe. Chuck

73 and still kicking

Dear friends, This past Monday I turned 73 years old. I can’t believe I’m 73 years old. I remember the sweet days I was the youngest in any crowd and now, well I’m the oldest. What happen? On Sunday evening my wife Beng had a celebration marking the big event here at our home. No big Filipino festival but we had family and some dear friends. Of course being that I live in the Philippines there was immoral roasted pig. Chuck

I'm back!

Hello friends, after almost one month absent from my blog because of illness I’m back. I have retooled the forum to meet reader’s insights. So please leave your comments, whether they be good – the bad – and so-so. Thanks, Chuck