"End of a Dream"

World No. 1 Henin quits pro tennis
Updated: May 14, 2008, 6:06 PM EST

The determination that helped Justine Henin beat bigger, stronger opponents time and again was fading.

"I decided," the 25-year-old Belgian said, "to stop fooling myself and accept it."
Henin retired from tennis Wednesday, an abrupt ending to a career in which she won seven Grand Slam singles titles and spent more than 100 weeks ranked No. 1.

She announced her decision at a news conference 1 1/2 weeks before the start of the French Open, where she has won the past three titles and four overall.

Put simply, she realized she was burned out, and became the first woman to quit the sport while atop the WTA rankings.

"I always based everything on this motivation — this flame — that was in me. And once I lost that, I lost many, many things," Henin said.

Surprising as her departure was to the rest of the world, it seemed somehow inevitable to her.

After reaching the final at each Grand Slam tournament in 2006, she won 10 tournaments in 2007, including two majors. But this season, she started to find it an ever bigger chore to pack her luggage to travel to tournaments. Her legs felt heavy when she should have been dancing in the backcourt, ready to turn another one of those sparkling backhands into a winner.

Full story here .

The Beauty of Venice on a Budget

Welcome to Venice, Italy...

Yes, the title is true. You can travel to Venice in a tight budget but your stay will surely be memorable.

The charms of Venice extend beyond its canals and historical treasures to some of its smaller hotels.

What better way to travel the canals but by Gondola.

Ai do Mori Hotel

The room are all quite compact and simply furnished but you won't get anything nearly as good at this price anywhere else in the city.


Link: Venice best budget hotels

A Shattered Dream?

My Dream Machine will take me to the future circa 2013...

My fellow Earthlings, GLOBAL WARMING IS A FACT! Unless we do something about it, we are into something terrible. A cataclysm of great magnitude never been seen since the deluge.

Be a part of a solution to the problem. Live and let live...

A NASA image shows the Arctic Polar ice cap in 2004. The 1979ice boundary is superimposed. Compared to 1979, thew north polar ice cap is now 20% smaller during the summer. Arctic temperatures are rising twice as fast as they are in the rest of the world.

Link/Links: Arctic summer circa '2013'

The Island of Dreams

Welcome to Ellis Island!

Have you seen the 1972 film adaptation of Mario Puzo's 1969 novel, The Godfather? Therefore, you're familiar with the scene in which the young Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) was getting in line and to have a medical inspection. That place is where my Dream Machine takes me today. The place is/was Ellis Island in New York Harbor.

If you immigrated to America by ship during the 1900's you'll enter by way of Ellis Island, once the main gateway to America. It was shut down in 1954, but now is getting a new look. A $250 million restoration project, which began three years ago, aims to repair the damage of time.

ELLIS ISLAND NOW...

Main Building today

Main Hall today

ELLIS ISLAND THEN...

Ellis Island circa 1900

Ellis Island circa 1910

Link: Ellis Island

Photos:

http://images.search.yahoo.com/

Superman: Up, Up and Away!

Are you a fan of superheroes? Who's your favorite? I am a big fan of Superman. I have a collection of his movies in DVD, tumblers, pencils, erasers, comics, paper bags, mugs, etc.

Do you know how much it will cost you to own the comic where Superman first appeared? It's so expensive that the only way have one is to dream about it. You will see the superhero lifting a car in the cover.

Superman was created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian born artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective Comics, Inc. in 1938.

The character of Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (June 1938).

It is the most valuable comic book today with a present day value in 'near mint condition': approximately $1,380,000.

Photo:
http://www.worldsgreatestcritic.com/

Ouray, Colorado: Revisited

WELCOME TO OURAY, COLORADO...

What better place to go to rekindle the memory of Ayn Rand than Ouray, Colorado- "the Switzerland of America"... please bring with you a copy of the book.

Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. The book is over one thousand pages in length and approximately 645,000 words. This was Ayn Rand's last work of fiction and her magnum opus.

The novel's title is an allusion to the Greek Titan Atlas who held up the pillars of the universe on his shoulders.

John Galt's speech is the core of Atlas Shrugged, Galt explains the philosophy of Objectivism in Chapter "This is John Galt Speaking." It comprises 56 pages of the book.

Throughout the novel, people repeat a platitude Dagny (Taggart) greatly resents: "Who is John Galt?" It is a reflection of their helplessness as the saying means "Don't ask important questions, because we don't have answers."

But towards the closing of the novel, it will be answered.

To answer the question "Who is John Galt?"

Visit:

http://www.amazon.com/

Photo:

http://www.mhsweblogger.com/

Link:

http://www.ouraycolorado.com/

In Memoriam

My Dream Machine back-pedal in the mid 1980's at Teacher's Village, Quezon City, Philippines.

My late dear friend, Jing Javier, was some kind of a visionary. What am I about to write here happened a few weeks prior to his departure. He's going to the US.

I visited him one day after work in his home. While we were talking about his favorite subject which was Philosophy, he suddenly stand-up and went to his room. After a while he returned with something in his hand. I noticed that he was holding a book, a paperback copy.

He was telling me to bring the book home with me and read it. The book was so thick that I told him, "Why don't we just play a game of chess and forget about the book?" "No, bring it home with you and read it," he said insistently.

But we did play chess and afterwards I go home with the book.

Many years have passed since then. One day, I was told by his uncle that he was already dead. I was speechless but my mind was full of questions. How come? He was still so young and yet... Another brilliant mind suddenly gone by. (He was a graduate of Philosophy and Economics).

Now I understand why he was insistent in wanting me to read the book. It's happening right now in our country. The philosophy that was the theme of the book is now being applied here by our government BUT in the reversed.

Brain drain is the name of the game in country nowadays. To those who are not familiar with the term, it simply means- migration of professional people ( as scientists, inventors, professors, physicians, nurses, etc.) from one country to another usually for higher salaries and better living conditions. These are intellectual people(s) which are needed here in our country. But why do they go elsewhere? Maybe our people in the government are downplaying the real meaning of this philosophy or they do not know how to apply it or they are not familiar with it.

I will try to tell something about this book and the philosophy behind it in my next post. I am a great fan of the author and must admit that she's very hard to discern.

Thank you my friend for sharing to me your wisdom and giving me a chance to know this brilliant woman. Hope we see each other in the spirit world.

The book: ATLAS SHRUGGED
The author: AYN RAND
The philosophical theme(s): The Philosophy of Objectivism

Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com

Photo:
www.cuddlecards.com/jufriend5.html

My Dream Machine

Our dream machine is the most perfect machine ever made. It is so versatile because God, Himself designed it for us.

My Dream Machine is actually the grey matter or the portion of the vertebrate central nervous system that constitute the organ of My thoughts.

As long as Mr. Alzheimer will not get in My way, it will work perpetually and perfectly well for as long as I live.

Photo:

www.harunyahya.com/

A Man's Dream Is An Index To His Greatness

Paul Potts' Finale Performance

Dreaming Again

Paul Potts' Semi Final Winning Performance

Mobile Phone Salesman's Dream

Paul Potts' 1st Audition on Britain's Got Talent Search

New Orleans the Crescent City

Much as I wanted to go to World Trade Center Memorial in Manhattan, I can't do it for now. If I'll do that, I would be late for Game 5 between New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks. As of this writing, Hornet's leads the series 3 games to 1. And this game will be the deciding factor.





I think I have to put-on my virtual reality Dream Machine to move faster. If not, from New York, I have to travel down South-East to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky (i'll be here some other time for sure, to feel the blue grass), Tennessee, Mississippi, and finally to Louisiana.





When we talk about New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina comes out readily in our mind. Such a tragic event to the people of New Orleans and also to the surrounding areas as well. A total devastion, if I may say. But life must go on. And it did. New Orleans today is alive and kicking. The place is ready for you...

BEFORE..

Jackson Square, the central plaza of New Orleans

Mardi Gras


Home of Dixieland Jazz

THE AFTERMATH...

TODAY...

New Orleans Arena, the new home of New Orleans Hornet's Basketball Team

New Orleans today, business as usual

Neighborhoods of New Orleans today

Photos/Links:

www.flickr.com

www.zfacts.com/p/108.html

www.homesparadise.com/homes/louisiana

www.store.gnpcrescendo.com/index.php?cPath

Portrait of Dr. Gachet

After a long journey from Srinagar, Kashmir to Ladakh. I took a rest under a tree on top of a plateau overlooking the majestic view of Aksai-Chin.

My mind is drifting to the past, circa 1990 May 15.

The place: Christie's, New York. It was a great day for art lovers, connoisseurs (real and unreal), art agents, and the artists themselves.

The Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh is to be auctioned. At the end of the day, it was sold to Ryoei Saito, head of Japanese Daishowa Paper Manufacturing.

The price: a staggering 44,378,696 British pound sterling.

How much is that in peso equivalent? Well, you could buy an island(s) of your choice in the Philippines or in the South Pacific and have extra more to live for the rest of your f$%:*&# life here on earth.

You might say, "But, my child can paint just like that!". Child art? No, sir! Many have said that line before but they are forgetting something. It was painted by van Gogh! He could paint realistically before he became an impressionist, just like Picasso.

After having their brand of art mocked and derided during their lifetimes, several of the pioneer Impressionists lived just long enough to see the public come to appreciate their work.

Please bear in mind that van Gogh didn't get a piece of that money.

It's actually the combination of the work of art and the artist himself at stakes here. Let us put it this way, you can have all the wonderful things in life but you can never buy happiness. Mr. Saito wants to be happy, give it to him.

Portrait of Dr. Gachet

The model

Photos:

www.flickr.com

www.homeoint.org

Ladak-Aksai Chin: The White Stone Desert

Kashmir is really a good destination for travelers, for adventurers, and for sightseers.

Wow! The place is breathtaking. The panoramic views are well suited for magazines and travel guide books.

Much as I want to stay one more day, my mind is raring for another travel. I have to go. The weather is fine and just right for trekking.

Where to? My schedule really was to go to Agra, India, to see the Taj Mahal. The place is farther south while I am nearer the North-East frontier. Maybe I'll just change my itinerary and go dream hunting in Ladakh. The memories of Ashton is still alive with me. I am still within the boundaries of my Far Pavilions, in the foothills of the Himalayas.

In the east is the region of Ladakh, where many of the people are of Tibetan ethnic stock and Buddhists. The 1962 Chinese invasion of India resulted in the Chinese takeover of a northern, uninhabited section of Ladak-Aksai Chin (see pictures below).

Ladak-Aksai Chin in the snow

Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/

http://www.news.indiainfo.com/

The Road to Kashmir

Tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, come with me and we will follow the footsteps of Ashton. Our guide would be the master storyteller, M.M. Kaye and she will lead us to some of the exotic places in the East.

This book (The Far Pavilions) has captivated my imagination ever since my friend in college told me about it.

You will miss a tremendous experience if you fail to read it.

Juma Masjid, the magnificent mosque that the Emperor Shah Jahan had built. The architectural style of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India was patterned after this mosque.

Kashmir (officialy called Jammu and Kashmir)

Jammu, winter capital

Srinagar, summer capital

Punjab (now part of India)

Peshawar (now part of Pakistan)

Potala Palace

Potala Palace

My mind is still lingering about the Himalayas. I have to go back there. I forgot to pass-by the Potala Palace, former residence of the Dalai Lama. This magnificent palace is located on Potala Hill, Lhasa, Tibet.

I could still remember that the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) was installed in 1940 and was forced to go to India because of Chinese Communist rule.

I knew for a fact that the Dalai Lama was no longer there. He was spirited to Dharmsala, India together with his followers, because of Chinese takeover in 1950 until 1959. And, just recently he was seen at CNN speaking about the recent happenings in Tibet.

Just the same, I just want to feel the serenity of the place. After this wandering in Tibet, my mind will travel to India, where I will follow the footsteps of Ash and Anjuli Bai in M.M. Kaye's The Far Pavilions.

Photo:
www.savetibet.org

The Miracle of Machu Picchu

Have you ever dream of going to a certain place and not actually getting there after all these years?

One place I am longing to see is Machu Picchu in Peru. It was the site of the Incan empire four centuries ago.

Aerial view of Machu Picchu

The American explorer Hiram Bingham came acrosss this old mountain (Machu Picchu = old mountain) in 1911. This place remained intact, sacred, and in secret after almost four centuries after the death of the Incan empire.

After reading about this ancient holy city, it has been my dream of setting foot atop this mountain. Dreaming of going there is easy but getting there is another story.

To get to Machu Picchu, you have to fly from Lima (capital of Peru) to Cuzco. After a one-hour flight, you step off the plane at an altitude of 11,155 feet, and gasp.

Timeless Timepiece

What do the following famous persons have in common?

Alexander Pushkin, "Eugene Onegin", 1829; Alexander Dumas, "The Count of Monte Cristo", 1845; John Fowles, "The French Lieutenant's Woman", 1969; Patrick O'Brian, "Blue at the Mizzen", 1999.

All of them have written about the Breguet wristwatch. This wonderful watch is a symbol of master craftmanship and elegance.

Not to be excluded were Napoleon Bonaparte, Arthur Rubinstein, and Sir Winston Churchill- all clients of Breguet's.

How could I ever have this timepiece? Guess I just leave it to my imagination.

My Dream Escape

Have you ever read the classic book by James Hilton entitled Lost Horizon?

If you would like to have an spiritual journey and trying to escape the vague realities of life, this book is a must read. This book will try to answer some of man's queries about the search for immortality.

I have read this novel twice and up to now I am still enchanted by the story. Just thinking about it will put me in a dreamy state. I've been dreaming eversince what's its like to be in Shangri-La, a place where people are calm, friendly, but somewhat mysterious.

If Shangri-La is true and believed to be somewhere in the foothills of the Himalayas, I would like to be there if only in my dream.

A Dreamy World

Welcome to my new blogsite! The title of which was taken from the grafix of my computer's screensaver. The picture is such an idyllic place and perfect title for my new blog. This blog is all about my dreams, goals, aspirations, yearnings, and my deep longing for continuous search to my Lost Horizon.