One Second Here, One Second There

From AFP:

New Year on hold: leap second makes time stand still

PARIS (AFP) — Eager to see the back end of 2008? Be forewarned: the world's official timekeeper has decided to prolong the year -- by one full second, to be precise.

Which means a Champagne-soaked countdown to 2009 something like this: "...THREE, TWO, ONE-AND-A-HALF, ONE... Happy New Year!"

The extra second was mandated by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) in Paris, and is not to be taken lightly.

Satellites that orbit at speeds calculated in kilometres (miles) per second, the Internet, global positioning systems -- all depend on knowing exactly what time it is.

IERS head Daniel Gambis announced the time-stretching measure in July in a letter addressed to "authorities responsible for the measurement and distribution of time".

That would be the white-robed guardians of the 200-odd ultra-accurate atomic clocks scattered in national time temples around the globe.

"The last adjustment dates to 2005, and the next could happen in 2012 or 2013," Gambis told AFP.

Leap days occur once every four years because it takes 365 days plus six hours for our planet to complete an orbit around the Sun.

But leap seconds are added strictly on a case-by-case basis, depending on need. This year's will be the 24th bonus second since the practice was initiated in 1972.

The sleight-of-clock is necessary to reconcile two different time scales.

One is established by the atomic time pieces, which are accurate to billionth of a second per day.

The other is based on Earth's imperfect rotation on its own axis.

The two get out of sync because the planet's spin is affected by a host of slightly fluctuating variables, including solar and lunar gravity, the movement of the tides, solar wind, space dust and magnetic storms.

Even global warming has gotten into the act because melting ice caps have an impact too.

And so, at exactly 23:59:59 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) -- or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), to the scientifically literate -- on December 31, the world's clocks will add a beat to their metronomic tick tick tock.

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For more information on leap second, visit my friend Wiki.

Thanks Cholle for the link.

Every Day of 2008

Where did you begin 2008?
== At home with family and relatives.

What was your status by Valentine's day of 2008?
== Busy? Away? Idle? Ah, single. Hehe.

Did you have to go to the hospital?
== Yes. Dental checkups and internal medicine consultations.

Did you have any encounters with the police?
== Nope.

What did you purchase over $500?
== The closest to $500 is the wedding gift worth US$250 (or CND$350) I bought for Glenn&May. Since that was a group gift, divide that amount by 23. Haha.

Did you know anybody who got married?
== Neil, Nel&OJ, Kristine and my bestfriends Glenn&May. Did I miss anyone?

Did you know anybody who passed away?
== None in my family or close friends.

What sporting events did you attend?
== F1 viewings, The Aquino Cup, Bowling, Tennis and Volleyball games.

What concerts/shows did you go to?
== Loverage @ UP Fair and Incubus Pacific Rim Tour

Where do you live now?
== Taguig

Describe your birthday.
== Same as last year. Haha.

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did?
== Witness my two bestfriends getting married to each other. Aaaawwww.

Any new additions to your family?
== None.

What was your best month?
== None of the 12 months stood out from the rest. Wala akong maisip e. Haha.

Who was your best drinking buddy?
== Pugoy and Cholle! Haha. Puwede rin si Randy. Or si Domz... at si Apollo hahahahaha.

Made new friends?
== A lot! Check my FB. Hehe.

Any regrets?
== Yeah, quite a few.

What do you want to change in 2009?
== If change is equal to improve, then my answer is CAREER!

Overall, how would you rate this year?
== 9.42477795/10 --> this is basically 3pi.

Have any life changes in 2008?
== Meron naman.

Get a new job?
== In 2009? I sure will think about it.


How old did you turn this year?
== 24

Did anything embarrassing?
== All the time.

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
== Why should anyone deny it if he did? Labo men! And yeah, I know not just one, not two... but three Davids. Haha.

Start a new hobby?
== Why not?

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
== Who isn't? Move on guys!

Drank Starbucks in 2008?
== A lot. I have 1 1/2 planners - haha I mean, I was able to fill up 1 1/2 cards with stickers.

Been naughty or nice?
== More naughty than nice haha. Pero I'm still the same nice guy you know. C'mon, I'm serious. Hehe.

What are you wishing for in 2009?
== World peace. Seriously...

Done something you've regretted?
== Natanong na 'to ah. Yes, yes, yes! Kulit mo!

Lost someone?
== I thinks so.

Cut class?
== N/A

Was involved in something you'll never forget?
== Many times.

Cooked a gross meal?
== I don't cook. Haha. I mean, I don't cook gross meals.

Lost something important to you?
== I think so.

Got a gift you adore?
== I think so.

Tripped over a coffee table?
== I don't think so.

Dyed your hair?
== Never.

Came close to losing your life?
== Not yet. Haha. Knock on wood.

Went to a party?
== Partey! Tugs tugs tugs tugtugtugs tugs tugs!

Read a great book?
== No, 'cause I'm a loser. Hehe.

2008: FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

Did you meet any new friends this year?
== E natanong na rin 'to eh.

Did you dislike anyone?
== A few people.

Did you grow apart from anyone?
== Maybe.

Do you have any regrets when it comes to your friendships?
== No! I love my friends.



2008: YOUR BIRTHDAY

Did you have a cake?
== Yup.

Did you get any presents?
== Yup.



2008: ALL ABOUT YOU

Did you change at all this year?
== Just a bit.

Did you change your lifestyle?
== Just a bit.

Were you in school?
== Nope.

Did you have a job?
== Yup.

Did you drive?
== See (Read a great book?).

Did anyone close to you give birth?
== Zasha and Pam (?).

Did you go on any vacations?
== Short ones, yes.

Would you change anything about yourself now?
== Change is a constant thing. Bring it on!



2008: WRAP UP

Was 2008 a good year?
== Yes.

Do you think 2009 will top 2008?
== It can only get better.

My Bestfriends' Wedding

Yup, the apostrophe was appropriately placed after 's'. My two college best friends John Glenn Kilayko and Maydeline Que are getting married today.

I am part of their entourage as the Cord Sponsor. I can hardly put into words how happy I am to witness a very special moment in my friends' lives.

May God always nurture their bond with His blessings and guidance, and I wish them peace and happiness throughout their married life...

Okay, I need some rest now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everywhere

It has been a year since this post.

So let's all wish the world again a very merry holiday season!

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Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
Geseende Kerfees en 'n gelukkige
Edo bri'cho o rish d'shato brich'to!
Selamat Hari Natal dan Tahun Baru
Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok
Bon Nadal i feliç any nou!
Glædelig Jul og godt nytår
Hyvää Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua - 0nnellista uutta vuotta
Kala Christougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos
Mo'adim Lesimkha. Shanah Tova
Shubh Naya Baras
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!

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One way to spread the Christmas spirit around the world is through art - specifically, dancing. I got the link of the video below from my friend Roy. This is from wherethehellismatt.

Pacman will soon be nowhere in boxing, but everywhere in politics...

Pacquiao retiring next year; to run in 2010

MANILA, Philippines -- Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao on Monday said he is retiring from the ring next year and will be running again for public office in the 2010 elections.

“Sigurado na, na tatakbo ako [It is sure, I am running],” said Pacquiao at Camp Crame, headquarters of the Philippine National Police, where he was sworn in as member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi, Partner of the Free Filipino), by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who is also president of the party founded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Pacquiao, who said he is retiring August next year, made boxing history in June when he became the first Asian and first Filipino to win four world titles by knocking out David Diaz to take the WBC lightweight belt.

He is scheduled to fight Oscar “The Golden Boy” De la Hoya December 6 in Las Vegas and will be flying to the United States on September 14 to prepare for the bout.

“Isang malaking karangalan talaga na makalaban ko si Oscar. Hindi ko akalaing makasasagupa ko siya, [It is a great honor to fight Oscar. I never imagined I would go up against him,” Pacquiao said, adding that he would fight, at most, two more time before hanging up his gloves for good.

Pacquiao said his parents want the De La Hoya fight to be his last. The two will slug it out at the 147-pound welterweight division.

“My parents wanted me to retire after the De La Hoya fight. But I feel I can still fight two more fights,” Pacquiao said.

Puno said although there is no decision yet on what position Pacquiao will run for, “malaki ang maitutulong niya kung tatakbo siya bilang [he will be a great help if he runs for] congressman or as a local government official.”

In the May 2007 elections, Pacquiao contested the congressional seat of the first district of South Cotabato but lost by a landslide to Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

Puno said the one year lull between boxing and the elections should not be a disadvantage for Pacquiao.

“Magpapahinga siya, maglalaan ng isang taon para maghanda sa halalan. Siguro naman hindi siya makakalimutan ng tao sa loob ng isang taon. Baka sa isang dekada pa [He will rest [and] will have a year to prepare for the elections. Surely, people will not forget him in just one year. It might take a decade for them to do that],” Puno said.

Alcuin Papa, Phil Daily Inquirer

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Source:
http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080901-158009/UPDATE-Pacquiao-retiring-next-year-to-run-in-2010