Our garden is a mixture of various native perennials and annuals. The edgings are made with pine cones that fall from our pine trees, rocks, stones, sea corals and big sea shells.
When in bloom, the flowers would attract many bees which would suck their nectar. Unknown to the bees, pollination would result.
The shrubs which are located in front of the house provide a sort of haven for the birds. Some birds seek shelter here during a rainy day or during the cold winter months. The two towering pine trees, equipped with a bird feeder and a bird nester also give amenities to these winged creatures. Squirrels share food with them. Thus the garden, during the summer months, become a lively and busy bird bistro. The "diners" chat happily while they eat their grains.
One of the shrubs at the left side if you are facing towards the garden was trimmed to look like a person in reclining position and having a sunbath.
Between two shrubs is a huge concrete facial mask. It is surrounded by stone figures of frogs, turtles, rabbits, etc. They seem to be happily playing with stone figures of people holding hands. These figures are called "circle of friends.."
The stone face, for me, represents the Supreme Gardener ( Father Nature, maybe ) who looks after the flora and fauna of the immediate environment ( my garden ) and all other gardens in the whole, wide world.---#
--vdc
Angel Investing
Angel investors don’t lend you money- they acquire equity in your business. The name comes from the wealthy individuals known as "ANGELS" who fund Broadway shows. Angel investment- if we can demystify the terminology, merely refers to an investment from an individual, usually a stranger.
Angel investing is a hot topic on the Internet as I observed, and is sometimes portrayed as a magic bullet for investors who need money. Don’t be fooled, because there’s nothing particularly angelic about the relationship, according to my research. Basically, it involves finding and convincing a wealthy individual… some willing to take a risk buying a chunk of your business, as long as they have only 49% of your business, that’s not enough to take it away from you. Angel investors usually invest close to home, because they insist on direct involvement in the business, and want a high rate of return (20% to 50%) One has to expect that. This is what I found. Angels are also looking for a great team much in the same way that a gambler looks at the horse, the jockey, the trainer, and the owner.
Since Angels don’t lend the money, then what do Angels want? They want a piece of your invention: business- usually represented by corporate shares. Subsequently, your proprietorship will be converted to LLC or Corporation. of course it has to go public.
According to many, on average, angel investors typically receive about 20% equity in the businesses (or inventions) in which they invest. The actual amount an angel pays to your company for an ownership interest depends on how your business is valued. For example, if your business is valued 1Million$, an angel would, as a very general rule, expect to pay 250K$ for a 25% ownership. Much depends on how you deal from the start and how much percentage he will own from the company. Everything should be on paper. A part time lawyer should be hired.
Even I live very close to wealthy people like those in Beverly Hills which is about 4 miles away, however, it’s hard to find them. But I am no quitter… there would be the time my venture will end up one in of their nests.
Watch out for fraudulent BROKERS. Because of its popularity, angel financing has spawned a business for angel brokers, finders, or intermediaries… companies that find angel financing with no charges.
Unfortunately, many of these brokers are rip-off artists.Watch out for brokers who charge large up-front fees. When these people are getting more than a few hundreds of dollars from you, that money for sure is going down the drain.
I am attending seminars and meetings sponsored by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce 3 times a week for $70.00 which is good for 6 months. Free one on one consultation and mentoring on how to start your business or whatever enterprise you are in.
Please contact or go to their web site http://www.score.org/index.html or try our score here in Los Angeles http://www.scorela.org/
I gathered these info from Bill White one of our recent seminar speakers.
There is no harm trying it out. As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.---#
---AM
THE BIRD BISTRO
Ever since I hung that bird feeder on a branch of the crab apple in our backyard, the tree became a sort of Bird Bistro. Every minute of the day there are always the noisy brown birds enjoying some snacks on the portable "restaurant."
The feeder can only accommodate four "diners" so many would be waiting on the branches waiting for a bird to leave voluntarily or involuntarily. Thus there is always bird "music" in my backyard now when the it is not raining.
Once in a while two cardinals with gorgeous red plummage would come and check out what's going on. But they do not stay very long. I have also seen small yellow birds ( orioles?) some red breasted robins and lots of ghastly looking crows.
Mind you, the feeder is only made for small birds. But once in a while some crows would come and try to mooch. These black feathered "fiends" ( they are not very friendly to the brown birds ) would shoo away the small ones just to get their spot.
Occasionally, two squirrels would creep up the branches and try to help themselves. But only when I am not there. Otherwise, as soon as I see them creep into my yard heading towards the tree, I would run towards them and they would scamper to the bushes with their tails twitching madly.
I hate those guys. They look like big rats. I think they belong to the same family. And during the bulb planting season, they would dig up the bulbs as fast as you would plant them.
They are lucky they are protected by law. When I was in San Diego with Archie M. , I visited a friend of his. He has also a big backyard. We share the same loathing for the pesky squirrels. He said:
" You know I sometimes use them for target practice!" He uses a BB gun and being in the Navy one time, he was a good marksman.
"I never missed one yet," he said. " As soon as one drops to the ground, I would wait for about 15 minutes, then go about, pick it up hastily with a plastic grocery bag and dump it into the bin"
It reminds me about a Columbo (Peter Falk ) episode. He crashed into a party prior to questioning one of the guests. The host told him to help himself to the chili con carne. Knowing Columbo, he was one guy who does not say No when it comes togrub. After finishing a bowl of the delicacy, he asked the host..
"Hmmm, that was delicious!" he said. ""What meat did you use?"
The host answered: "Squirrel..."
Columbo just answered "Oh.."---#
Manong pakipublish mo nga itong mga kamatis ko para
kay Help. Dati panay rosas ang nakatanim dito pero
binunot ko lahat para makapagtanim ako ng kamatis.
Thank you very much
JV
Taga DC daw si Jesus Visperas..
Centro Asingan Taekwondo 2008 Milo Summer Taekwondo Clinic Pictures
more photos to come!!!
note: Miggie was wondering about the photo below..Something seems to be amissed..No, no it is not Arsenio's hair, it is there!..Anyway I copy pasted his original posting on the Asingan Board that prompted me to reprint the photo below..Just to show the difference..Before and after...So what shampoo did you use, Archie?..Share us your secret to the men in the board who are losing their hair...:D
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Manong Vic, impakitam met diay bokal kon... that was almost 2 years ago huh!pero icompare mo idiay latest picture ko kenni Ms French pim-moskolbassit, ha!ha!ha! intayo manen idiay Cambria attack mode idiay ayan ni ricky.
Yep, there is quite a difference...Vive le difference!!
Now that we got that settled, let us check some other business at hand..
Ben Hur Soloria, a kinfolk of Sonny Espejo , sent me this nice e-mail...
Thanks, bud. This is fantastic! 19 Dixon Street garden's lush greenery, exciting colors, scintillating background music and the innocently teasing pose of Emma gave me a refreshing break from a mercilessly hot Southern USA summer day.
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Flowers have magical powers of bringing peace. Looking at your flower story evokes a feeling of peace..I am certain that the first things the first human being
admired were flowers..And since then flowers continue to inspire with its own unique way that can't be explained.
Of all flowers and plants, I love orchids for their simplicity and elegance and that even with unintentional neglect they would
grow and bloom.
Thank you for the "PEACE" that your flower story brought to me.
Van
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The pleasure is all mine!
VIC
Emma, the photographer...
Each time she and her sister comes for a visit, they spend their time doing something creative to keep their eyes unglued from the boob tube.
One activity is photography..Let us face it, kids now a days are smarter than many of us in technological skills..The following are some shots Emma took recently around, about and outside 19 Dixon...
Emma's self portrait...
Boppy, waiting for a hand out...
Hmmmp! What's taking them so ?..%^&*( long??
She always call Miggie LOLA, and her other Grandma, her dad's Mom simply GRANDMA...
A treehouse for the birds..But they never use it. They prefer to eat their rice on the lawn..It is simply hard to teach the birds new eating habits..
The HANGING TREE...
Two shots of herelder sis, Mia...
She painted the banner and took a shot at it too!
Grandkids are really treasures..Tell your kids, as soon as they are able to, to get married and start making some..:)
Now that you are still strong to baby-sit!...:D
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at the front part of Ricky's garden
at the back part are various artistic ways of maximizing Nature's beauty
a bird feeder...
another for bigger birds
Sit down and take the load off your feet...
Two "newly weds" ( Archie & Benilda ) beside a nuptial bed..awright!
The newly weds and sponsors ( Ricky & Vic )
Welcome to our wedding reception!
First Kiss
Happy couple under a bower
Now they can go off for their honeymoon!
ALL IN A SATURDAY AFTERNOON
a view of the Phil. Independence Day exhibitor's booth under the looming Toronto Skyline...
Setting up the stage for the opening ceremonies...We did not hang around long enough to watch it. We ate and ran...
Another view of the Nathan Philip's Square..The gothic building with the clock tower is the Old City hall...At this time, there was not much crowd milling around..
Care for some Filipino handicrafts?..Interesting ones were erected phalli ( different sizes and length ), then a wooden nutcracker. It is the statue of a woman with legs that open. Just insert the walnut and there you go..:)
Assorted shell craft..Want to buy a blowfish?
Bicycles were being given away by the Toronto Police. These are used but repaired ones. A bike rodeo ( for kids and adults ) was part of the Morning festivities. Register for it and the bike you use will be yours permanently..Plus a bike helmet. The helmet is brand new...
From Nathan Philips square, we went to Yonge street..At the corner of Yonge and Dundas, I saw what seem to be robot men. They are ad gimmicks for various cel phones..
Miguelita beside two paleolithic hunters and a well preserved mastodon..A promo for the movie 10,000 BC, to be released next June 24 on DVD...
A closer look at the hunter...
Then there were these two figures: a beautiful "angel" ( her wings were real chicken hair ) and a "deserter" from the Iraqi war.. There was a heavy layer of white make up on her face. In between their jobs of enticing gawkers who might drop some coins, they were chatting away about who-knows-what...
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