Still Angry from the Election Results? Do Some Constructive Work by Cleaning your Closet

Samples of 1950 ties and cravat from the Cutter collection

I have done constructive work today-getting rid of my residual anger from the election results by partially cleaning my closet. I have finally donated 250 ties from my 300 ties collection that I started in 1964. Parting it was just like losing part of my life. My son and wife had been urging me to give it away to Good Will or Salvation Army for the last couple of years, since I had not used a tie since my retirement from FDA in 2002. The collection is just occupying needed space in my closet. So today, I unwillingly donated 250 ties, but I kept 50 most colorful ties in my closet.

One of the 50 remaining ties has a painting of nude woman, several others have art and embroidered flower designs, and another has the face of Marilyn Monroe. Looking at them reminded me of my professional career from 1964 to 2002. Nostalgic memories, Indeed!
Eight of the remaining 50 ties in my collection

Samples of 1970 ties that I donated to Goodwill today

For more information on men's ties from the 1920 to 1970 read: http://vintagedancer.com/vintage/mens-tie-history-1920s-to-1970s/

Time for Some Laughs after the Election

Trump is President Elect. But I will never forget his statement that if you are a star you can do anything, even grab a woman's p---sy. Today, I like to forget about this election and have a good day. I am reposting the following joke from my blog about 5 years ago. I hope it will put a smile in your Face and brightens your day.



"It is time to have some politically correct jokes for this week in this site. The following is from Sandee's Comedy Plus blog. Enjoy

Due to the climate of political correctness now pervading America , all Kentuckians, Tennesseans, and West Virginians will no longer be referred to as "HILLBILLIES." You must now refer to them as "APPALACHIAN-AMERICANS".

And furthermore, HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT WOMEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. She is not a "BABE" or a "CHICK" - She is a "BREASTED AMERICAN."
2. She is not "EASY" - She is "HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE."
3. She is not a "DUMB BLONDE" - She is a "LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY."
4. She has not "BEEN AROUND" - She is a "PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION."
5. She does not "NAG" you - She becomes "VERBALLY REPETITIVE."
6. She is not a "TWO-BIT HOOKER" - She is a "LOW COST PROVIDER."

And, not to discriminate.... HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY
CORRECT:

1. He does not have a "BEER GUT" - He has developed a "LIQUID STORAGE FACILITY."
2. He is not a " BAD DANCER" - He is "OVERLY CAUCASIAN."
3. He does not "GET LOST ALL THE TIME" - He "INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS."
4. He is not "BALDING" - He has "FOLLICLE IMPAIRMENT."
5. He does not act like a "TOTAL ASS" - He develops a case of RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION."
6. It's not his "CRACK" you see hanging out of his pants - It's "REAR CLEAVAGE."

Stolen from: Jonas of With a Smile

Post Election Comments from Some of my Face Book Friends

Trump and Putin Portrait

Friend from the UK: America, what have you done? Donald in the Oval Office and Melania as First Lady. Wake me up when it's over.

Friend from Maryland: CRASH. RESET😳. Whitelash. Malelash. Classlash.

From a Fil-American Friend in New Jersey: It's not the end of the world. Americans are resilient people. We'll see kon sin-o mas buang. Duterte or Trump. 😄😄😄. Watch out Philippines! Buang is an Ilonggo words for crazy.

I thought about that this morning. Right now, every time I read the phrase “President Trump,” I instinctively flinch and get frightened. But what really frightens me is the day that I get so used to the phrase “President Trump” that I don’t instinctively flinch.

I awoke to a sense of repressed fear, the morning air still, the light (the light that I knew) subdued. Like in the creepy fairy tales of our childhood, America has entered into a deep, ominously silent and nightmarish sleep from which I want to escape.

Terrified. Incredulous. Depressed. What country am I living in? Is this a nightmare?

“I don't imagine you will dispute the fact that at present the stupid people are in an absolutely overwhelming majority all the world over.”
― Henrik Ibsen

There is going to be a lot of people fired, and going to prison.

Goodbye, Social Security and Medicare. Welcome, Ivanka Trump Annuity and Health Insurance Company! Eric Trump Bread and Soup Kitchen Company! Donald Trump Jr. Funeral Homes!

Donald Trump’s victory will loom large over the UN climate talks underway in Marrakech this week.

The president elect has previously said he does not believe in climate change science, and has promised to pull the US out of the Paris climate change agreement, which came into force last Friday.

Last but not least: Take today to cry and grieve, because last night was an awful and terrible tragedy. And tomorrow, let's get back up and continue fighting, shouting, loving, caring and coming together because once upon a time the world was going to end but it didn't -from the FB page of a young relative, -C.A.

Topics for My Last Blog on Election Day

Today is Election day in the US. I am getting tired of all the political news, but I hope my candidate wins. Today also reminded me of my own mortality after reading deaths of two relatives and a close friend. The following post was inspired by a photo of my youngest grand daughter on her first day of school for her 8th grade class last September.

Last September, I saw Carenna KT photo ( above) on her first day of school for her 8th grade class. I kept pondering that in eight years she may out of College if she takes a four-year college degree. Will I still be alive and kicking for another 8 years? I really hope so. However, if I conked out earlier, I will have no regrets. I believe as of today I have lived a good and productive life. I have attained all my goals and raised a family who are not a burden to society. I am happy and thanks the Lord for all his blessings.

Today, I am also thinking of the subject topics of my last blog. It will not be lecture although, I used to be a teacher, Instructor, UP Chemistry(1956-1959)in the Philippines. What would be the subject of my last blog ? For sure it will not be an article filled with high sounding words. It would be a simple and a direct post that comes from the heart. It will probably be a summary of what I have done both professionally and personally. I hope that my last blog will continue to inspire the younger generation as they read the ups and down of my autobiography.

Here's a summary from my Pamana Award in Chemistry Nomination Package, perhaps my future epitaph with the addition that I was also a loving and caring husband, father and grand father and maybe a loving great grand father.

"Dr Katague is a trailblazer in the field of Chemistry and Drug Regulation. He is the first Filipino American to attain the position of Team Leader and Expert in the Center of New Drugs, Food and Drug Administration. He is also the first Filipino-American to be elected for two 5 year terms( 1995-2005) to the United States Pharmacopeia Council of Experts since its inception in 1820. Dr Katague's drive and energy to succeed is a representation of the Filipino people's talent and passion for excellence. He has shown that Filipinos can contribute significantly to the advancement of science, therefore help the world a better and safer place by insuring that only safe and better quality drugs are approved and marketed".


The lights that shines when my Spirit is Gone- Carenna's Iluminati

Finally, the following note I received the other day makes me very happy and feel very successful: Thanks Sir. I've been an avid reader of your blog. Keep on writing Sir. Your stories about your life's journey really makes everyone inspired. God bless Po to you and your family.

This note is definitely from a young Filipino who shows respect with words Po for his elders. I am glad to hear you consider me as your role model. Maraming Salamat! Thank You, Madamo guid nga Salamat and Gracias Mi Amigo!

Reminiscing My BBC Radio Interview-Re Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez

Below is my post on my BBC Radio Interview by Melvin Ricarby of Radio 4, BBC, Bristol, UK on July of 2013. My portion of the tape start 12:16 and ends at 16:02 of the 30 minutes tape. I am also reposting my post on this subject written on September 27, 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036k8v8 ( My portion start at 12:16 and ends at 16:02-It explained how the above music have touched my life.

Last July, Mr Melvin Rickarby of Radio 4, BBC, Bristol, UK interviewed me on how and why Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez touched my heart. The summary of the interview along with other fans of Rodrigo were taped and you could download it in the website as follows:

SoulMusic: Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar, Tuesday, July 09, 2013 4:00 AM

My three minute interview start at around 12 minutes and ends at 16 minutes of the 30 minutes tape. I felt weird hearing my own voice with my distinguishable Ilonggo-American accent. However, I am proud to be chosen by BBC as one of the fans of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml

A brief summary of the recording which was broadcasted live on July 9, 2013 at 4:00AM is as follows:

Written by Joaquin Rodrigo in 1939, the Concierto de Aranjuez is a guitar classic. It was written amid the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, and in circumstances of poverty and personal tragedy. This progamme explores how the piece touches and changes people's lives.

The composer's daughter Cecilia Rodrigo explains how the blind composer was inspired by the fountains and gardens of the palace of Aranjuez. Nelício Faria de Sales recounts an unforgettable performance deep inside one of Brazil's largest caves, while David B Katague remembers how the piece got him through a difficult period of separation from his family in the Philippines.

Guitarist Craig Ogden explains the magic of the piece for a performer, and actor Simon Callow recalls how hearing the piece was a formative experience for him during his schooldays, when it turned rural Berkshire into a piece of Spain.

Producer: Melvin Rickarby

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml
Media files: soul music_20130709-1200a.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 12.7 MB)

The Alhambra Gardens, Granada, Spain

A couple of weeks ago, while I was reading my FaceBook(FB) page, one of my FB friends from Spain shared a video of the Alhambra Gardens in Granada, Spain. This reminded me of our trip to Southern Spain and vicinity in 2000. The following are some photos of our trip.

http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2014/07/2000-photo-trip-down-memory-lane-trip.html

In case you have not been to the Alhambra Gardens, here's a video for your enjoyment.



Macrine and I as well as Ditas enjoyed this Southern Spain trip in 2000.



Note: The visit to Alhambra Gardens in 2000 is one of my childhood dreams that had been fulfilled.