An F/A-18 Hornet photographed just as it breaks the sound barrier. From NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day site. Click here to read an astronomer’s explanation for the photo, and here for lots of other cool photos.

Grumpus and I took an ill-timed holiday in Boracay last week. Yes, in the middle of typhoons Chedeng and Dodong. Had it not been storming, apparently, it’s still Habagat and therefore windy and wet. What’s a couple to do when the pretty is gone and all the beach front resorts shielded from the wind by sandbags and wind harnesses? When the skies are grey and sodden and there’s nary a peep of sunshine to get a tan by? Turn to conversation and flights of fancy, is the answer. In this spirit, and inspired by the surroundings, we came up with plot outlines for not one, but four novels or movies about the island. Here goes:

Boracay, the Island of Magic. A coming-of-age story narrated by an island boy about a cabal of magicians that runs the island. The real reason Boracay’s sands are so white and the weather - mostly - so perfect. Benign magic mostly wins the day, except during the very short off-season when the malign magicians temporarily get the upper hand. Harry Potter on a tropical island, with tanning oil and swimming costumes instead of wizard robes. For those looking for a dose of eastern philosophy, this is not a linear narrative about the ultimate victory of good over evil, but about the cycles of life, the changing of the seasons, and other dippy things like that.

Boracay 2, Revenge of the Askals. A zombie movie centering around the island’s stray dogs and their pernicious droppings. 28 Days Later with dogs instead of monkeys. Watch what you step on!

Boracay 3, The Return of the Fat Man. A murder mystery in PD James style. The calm idyll of the island is broken when a returning German tourist in tight white speedos is found brutally slain in a local watering hole. In an attempt to discover the truth, taciturn island detective Pandoy Bordadora shakes off his island-induced lethargy and begins an investigation that will make his reputation and spawn many sequels. His investigation exposes the seamy underbelly of paradise, the truth behind those dancing girls, and what really goes into your rum Coke.

Boracay 4, The Sinking of Boracay. The Day After Tomorrow meets Jurassic Park, with crappy special effects. Al Gore visits the island to deliver a lecture on the imminent ecological disaster that is Boracay. Fire-breathing mutant dinosaurs sprout out of the landfill in Station 7, devour him, his party and his private jet, set the island on fire, and then sink it with a few well-placed jumps.

Mickey: So, who do you think would win in a fight? Jason Bourne or James Bond?

Maya: Huh? Jason Bourne, without a doubt! Bond is a wimp.

Mickey: Excuse me!

Maya: Oh! You mean the Daniel Craig Bond! I think it would be an even fight.

Mickey: Of course I meant the Daniel Craig Bond!

Thoughts and considerations after seeing The Bourne Ultimatum

Maya: Wow! That was awesome!

Mickey: Yeah! Now I’m convinced that the only person in the world who could beat Jason Bourne is Batman.

The “Computational Engine” for short. Link to the Datamancer’s webpage. What’s it all about, Alfie? Watch the explanatory vid here.

‘Tweren’t all that long ago that the little sister was wearing this t-shirt around Noo Yawk City - every single day the week before she got married. Y’all who’ve been following our exploits, and hers, know that she and the hubby moved to Oslo a few months after the big day. Oh, and that it’s been a year since her last birthday.

Birthday girl finally made a long-overdue public-service announcement that big sis hinted at in an earlier post. Happy birthday, birthday girl, and much love, many kisses, and a hundred million hugs to you, the Bean, and the Bean’s father.

Four years and counting, sweetheart. I love you.

May the Lord protect and defend you.
May He always shield you from shame.
May you come to be
In Israel a shining name.

Nishmata Eden, my beloved grandfather.

One more pic after the jump

Mr. Yang developed a reputation for taking contrarian positions on issues, helping him earn the nickname Grumpy.

They’re everywhere, I tell ya.