Cloud, Squall, Zidane, Tidus

Final Fantasy Summon/GF - Shiva

2011-10-23T16:18:00.003+08:00

The Evolution of Shiva Animations in Final Fantasy Games:

Enjoy! Isn't it amazing how technology has evolved. I wonder what's next?

Final Fantasy Summon/GF - IFRIT

2011-10-23T16:15:00.001+08:00

The Evolution of Ifrit.

Enjoy!

Queenbank Ringtone (MP3)

2011-08-13T14:56:00.003+08:00

Download Queenbank Ringtone for your phone that supports MP3 ringtones.
http://www.zedge.net

Get this on your phone | Make your own free ringtones

Enjoy!

New Queenbank Video

2011-07-23T15:05:00.001+08:00

2011 Queenbank Video on YouTube

30th Anniversary AD

Enjoy!

Queenbank Wikipedia Page

2011-07-16T15:22:00.001+08:00

Queen City Development Bank has now an updated wikipedia page. Visit it at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_City_Development_Bank

Happy Surfing!!!

Food Allergy Attack Symptoms

2011-06-21T07:23:00.002+08:00

What Are The Symptoms Of Food Allergy?

Last updated on January 23rd 2011

In an allergy attack, the symptoms experienced depend on where in the body histamine is released. Allergic reactions to foods most often involve the skin, the stomach and intestines (digestive tract), and the mouth and airways (respiratory system). A life-threatening reaction may involve all parts of the body including the cardiovascular system so that the individual goes into shock (the blood pressure falls dangerously low). A severe reaction could start very suddenly and involve only a fall in blood pressure (shock). It is important to know that a life-threatening reaction may occur with no skin symptoms.

Symptoms may appear within minutes or as long as several hours after eating the allergy-provoking food.

Skin Symptoms

An allergic reaction may cause:

Hives (urticaria)

Itchy, scaly rash called eczema (or atopic dermatitis)
Redness or flushing (erythema)
Swelling (edema)

Digestive Symptoms

An allergy affecting the digestive system may cause:

Stomach pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Respiratory Symptoms

Common respiratory symptoms from an allergic reaction include:

Sneezing
Coughing
Runny nose
Wheezing
Closing of the throat and breathing difficulties, as part of a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis
Itchy, watery eyes are often included with respiratory symptoms.

Life-Threatening Reactions (Anaphylaxis)

The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, a severe reaction that involves most of the body. Anaphylaxis can affect several parts of the body at the same time, including the skin and the digestive and respiratory systems or it might just involve respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms.

In addition to producing the symptoms of food allergy, it may also lead to difficulty in breathing, falling blood pressure and unconsciousness.

Although very rare, anaphylaxis can be fatal. Each year, about 150 people in the United States die of food-related anaphylaxis.

Need To Know:

People who have had a severe allergic reaction need to take special precautions in avoiding the allergy-causing food. In addition, they should always carry injectable epinephrine, a drug that can stop an anaphylactic reaction. This is available at pharmacies with a doctor's prescription.

Adam di Pietro Photography

2010-04-30T17:37:00.001+08:00

Come see for yourself...

http://www.adipietrophotography.com/

Nice pictures... very talented photographer...

Updated - Queenbank's Official Website

2009-02-16T07:49:00.000+08:00

Hello Bloggers!!!!

I would like to inform you all that Queenbank's website that I helped create was updated last February 15, 2009. Please feel free to visit the site and post your comments here or in the "E-mail Us" link right there in the content pages.

http://www.queenbank.com.ph

God Bless!!!

Happiness & Misery

2009-01-25T15:47:00.000+08:00

I had found someone who showed me the meaning of true happiness. I just couldn't believe that, in the end, that same someone would also show me the meaning of true misery....

If I could turn back time, I would have taken it slow - just give myself to someone a little at a time. But that is not me. I always give my all. Too bad, some would take me and spit me out like I'm the most undesirable person in the world.

Jan. 24, 2009 - Love made me drink until I was inebriated then said to me it's not right for me. I do not know if it was just being a coward because it wants an easy way out or it does not want me to get hurt. But when my system was cleared, the hurt flooded me immensely. Now there are a million questions in my head and a million more words I wish I have said.

Things I have said, things I have done or should have done - does it matter anymore? I am hurt! The what if's and if only's in my head seem trivial compare to what I am feeling now. But why am I still thinking about them?...

David Archuleta AOL Sessions

2008-12-06T00:43:00.000+08:00

Download David Archuleta Videos
AOL Sessions

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=6cec37fbef5b392eab1eab3e9fa335cafaa75e566f4c9476

AOL Sessions

Apple Store Philippines

2008-11-15T00:20:00.000+08:00

Just a shoutout to all Pinoys out there: The Apple Store is now available in the Philippines. Now you can purchase your iPods online via their official website and avail of exclusive offers like free shipping for orders above 3,000 pesos and the ultra awesome Apple exclusive engraving. Go check it out.

http://store.apple.com/ph

Happy shopping!!!!

I hope they will also make iTunes store available here too....

Final Fantasy X - Plot Synopsis

2008-10-07T17:06:00.000+08:00

-------------------------
Warning
Spoiler Contents
-------------------------

Final Fantasy X - Story Summary

Zanarkand

The game begins with a young man by the name of Tidus. Tidus is an aspiring
Blitzball player and has already achieved a good measure of fame as can be
seen from everyone who wants his autograph from the start. Tonight is a big
game for him, and judging by the crowd it's a big game for everyone. It's the
Jecht Memorial Cup, ten years after his disappearance. Jecht was quite
possibly the best Blitzball player who ever lived, but he mysteriously
vanished ten years ago. Tidus is the son of Jecht, living in his shadow and
hoping to someday live up to the expectations everyone has for him because of
his father. From the announcer's conversation of the loudspeaker we can see
that Jecht was not just an entertainment figure, but he represented much more
to some people and that's why the memorial cup is still being held.

Soon enough the game begins. Blitzball is a game played entirely underwater,
the players are trained rigorously to hold their breath for long periods of
time in order to play the sport. There is a triangular net on each of of the
hydro-sphere where the ball is shot to try and get past the goalkeeper to
score points. Similar to soccer except with a lot more hand contact and of
course... underwater. Briefly we see an ominous man in red standing calmly as
a tidal wave approaches, Tidus lines up a backflip kick shot suddenly he spies
something in the background. Before he can make heads or tails of it
explosions are going off and panic ensues quickly. His grip on a stone
structure quickly fails and he falls to the ground below, presumably saved by
the cushioning of the water.

Waking up Tidus meets this ominous figure who he recognizes as someone named
Auron, however their relationship is not clear at this point. Auron says that
he was waiting for Tidus and they quickly head on their way. Suddenly in the
sky a large entity appears, Auron identifies it as Sin. It dispatches a
smaller pods which lets loose even more pods and the large metropolis which
already lies in ruins is overrun by monsters. Tidus and Auron make their way
past these monsters, Tidus equipped with a new sword given to him my Auron.
Soon enough they find their path blocked by a large offspring of the monster
known as Sinspawn. Defeating it leads to an attack by an uncountable number
of the little creatures. That's when Auron gets the idea to knock over a
building onto them, crazy. As Tidus tries to keep escaping he finds himself
once again hanging on for dear life. Auron looks up and speaks as if he is
able to communicate with the monster, and ten grabs Tidus saying only "This is
your story" before being sucked into the void.

Ruins

Tidus wakes up in limbo, swimming through the air he descends down to see a
young boy who seems rather familiar. When he truly wakes up he finds himself
afrift among some broken ruins, however they are not the ruins of his town.
He makes his way toward the structure to the North but is ambushed by a large
aquatic monster known as the Geosgaeno. The temple itself is freezing, Tidus
quickly gathers the materials for a fire only to find he is not alone in the
temple. Before he knows it Tidus is fighting for his life against a monster
who might just get the upper hand. That's when the wall caves and a number of
oddly dressed people burst into the room. Without saying a word, a mysterious
girl dressed in a body suit joins Tidus and with her help the monster is
quickly defeated. The celebration won't last long, the people who helped
Tidus quickly decide to capture him, but their motive is unknown because they
speak an entirely different language.

Tidus wakes up on a mid-sized ocean vessel with the same people who kidnapped
him. He realizes the girl who he fought with speaks fluent English, and he is
able to communicate with her help. Basically she tells him that in order to
remain aboard (or alive) he's going to have to work. She tells Tidus that
there's some underwater ruins and she wants his help to salvage them. His
days as a Blitzball player make him the perfect candidate for the underwater
expidition. So he and the girl head down and find some kind of activation
panel in the ruins, but when they leave they realize they're not alone and
have to fend off an attack from a giant squid monster.

Back on the ship Tidus is disappointed as he is left out to sit alone on the
deck. Just when hunger sets in the girl reappears to help him out, she sayd
her name is Rikku and she is one of the Al Bhed. When Tidus says he comes
from Zanarkand she is a more than a little shocked. Zanarkand was indeed
destroyed by Sin, but it happened over 1000 years ago. When Tidus is trying
to wrestle with his denail of this fact Rikku tries to explain that often
neuroticism is a result of Sins toxins and Tidus may be siffering from a loss
of memory. This idea of course seems rediculous to him but he keeps quiet.
Since he mentioned he was the star player of the Zanarkand Abes, she says that
Luca is a town renowned for its Blitzball players and promises to take him
there. Her one condition is that he not reveal that he is from Zanarkand as
some group called Yevon identifies it as a holy place. Before Tidus has a
chance to absorb everything he's heard suddenly there is a disturbance in the
water and a huge creature is lurking around. The Al Bhed cry out that Sin is
attacking and before anyone can act Tidus is thrown from the boat.

Besaid

Tidus wakes up once again, but this time floating in the water near the
beaches of what appears to be an island paradise. It's long long before he's
knocked to his senses by a Blitzball. Showing off his superior kicking
ability he is able to impress everyone nearby, who turn out to be a practicing
Blitzball team called the Besaid Aurochs. Tidus meets a man named Wakka who
introduces himself as the captain of the team, and is extremely impressed by
Tidus' manoeuvre. As they decide to return to the nearby village Tidus asks
for confirmation that Zanarkand really was destroyed 1000 years ago and Wakka
gives it to him. He says that Sin appeared as punishment for letting things
get out of hand, that people 1000 years ago lived their lives while the
machines called "Machina" did all the work. Sin put an end to that, but Wakka
feels angry that they must suffer because of the mistakes of the past. He
accepts however that Sin is their punishment. Tidus realizes that he and
Rikku couldn't both know the same thing... unless it was true.

As Tidus and Wakka approach the village, Wakka explains about his past. How
he became a Blitzball player at age thirteen and retured ten years later,
never winning a single game. There's a special tournament coming up and he's
come out of returement to train for it. Wakka convinces Tidus to play for
him, reasoning that someone might recognize him at the tournament. Wakka
alludes to losing the last tournament because something was on his mind, but
Tidus brushes this off as a joke. He'll learn later what the true reason was.

Arriving at the village the extent of Tidus' "memory loss" becomes apparent to
Wakka when he realizes Tidus can't even remember the sacred prayer. He
teaches it to Tidus who learns fast, because unknown to Wakka the prayer was
actually the Blitzball sign for victory back where Tidus came from. With this
prayer in mind Tidus ventures alone to the village temple where he learns
about the high summoners. Tidus makes the mistake of asking what a high
summoner is, but blames his mistake on Sin's toxin quickly before he causes
any suspicion. The temple head explains that high summoners are practitioners
of the sacred art, and sworn to protect the people of Yevon. They call forth
the great power of beings known as Aeons. Tidus decides to return to Wakka's
place and get some well needed rest.

During the night he has a dream, or a flashback. He is standing in a city
with what appears to be his mother. They have just been informed that someone
is missing, this is Tidus' father Jecht. This is where we first become aware
that despite following in his footsteps Tidus harbored a deep hatred for his
father. The reasons for this are still unknown as Tidus awakens. Making his
way to the temple he learns that the apprentice summoner is taking quite a
long time to complete the trials of the temple. Without any respect for the
rules of the temple, he proclaims that he doesn't care about their practices
and is going to find out if the summoner's party is alright and with that he
enters the Cloister of Trials.

Before he enters he learns that Wakka too is a guardian. Beyond there is the
Chamber of the Fayth where the guardians of the summoner are waiting. The
summoner finally emerges to his surprise, back in the main part of the temple
he mentions that he thought all summoners were old fogies, and this summoner
is just a young woman. Outside Tidus finds himself witness to the summoner's
demonstration where she shows the power that she has acquired by calling a
large being from the sky called Valefor. Tidus is amazed when he sees this.

Besaid Cloister of Trials

That night after a quick pep talk with the Besaid Aurochs, Tidus goes over to
introduce himself to the summoner despite warnings of the villagers, they
don't trust him because he went against the temple and ran into the trials.
She introduces herself as Yuna, and seems to already be familiar with him.
Yuna mentions that they will be taking the same boat, and that perhaps he can
tell her more about his Zanarkand. It seems she knows quite a lot about him.

Besaid

During his sleep Tidus falls into a dream where he and Yuna are standing on
the dock. She tells him she would like to go with him to Zanarkand, but then
Rikku appears and says that he was going to bring her! In the middle of all
this suddenly Tidus is interrupted by his father Jecht, still in the dream.
Jecht is demeaning him, telling him he couldn't catch a ball let alone a
woman. He screams "I hate you!" loud enough to wake himself up. As he walks
toward the front of the tent Tidus spies Lulu and Wakka outside talking. They
mention that he (meaning Tidus) bears resemblance to someone named Chappu.
Lulu is angry that Wakka brought Tidus to the village and along on the trip.
When Wakka returns Tidus asks about Chappu and learns that he is in fact
Wakka's younger brother who was killed while fighting Sin alongside the
crusaders. This is the reason he was distracted during the final Blitzball
game as both events occurred in close proximity. He says that he became a
guardian to help get revenge for his brother, but he finds himself
concentrating more on Blitzball, which will change after this final game.

In the morning everyone gathers together and leaves the village. As they
approach the top of the hill Yuna looks back at the village. Tidus is
impatient but Wakka mentions they must give her time to look down upon the
village, Tidus seems very confused by this. Before leaving though, Wakka
wishes to pray to the holy statue. This statue is supposed to grant a safe
journey to those who pray, however he mentions that Chappu failed to pray
before going to fight Sin as he was afraid of missing his boat. They make
their way to the beach and a long goodbye with all the villagers ensues as
Yuna steps onto the boat and waves as they sail into the distance.

S.S. Liki

As the boat sails across the sea Tidus spends most of his time bounding around
making an idiot of himself. He wants to talk to Yuna but so many people are
gathered around her that he never gets the chance. He overhears two people
talking about how she has noble blood, that she's the daughter of someone
called High Summoner Braska. Wakka confirms this saying that Braska was the
summoner who defeated Sin ten years ago and brought something called the Calm,
a time when Sin does not exist and everyone lives in peace.

When Yuna finally finds herself alone Tidus approachers her and they begin to
talk. Yuna teels him that she believes him about being a Blitzball player
from Zanarkand, because another man told her all about the great wonderous
Blitzball dome in Zanarkand, that man was named Jecht. Tidus is perplexed but
exaplains it must be a different person because his father died out at sea ten
years ago, which is when Yuna tells him ten years ago was when Jecht appeared.
Suddenly before anything sinks in the boat is attacked by Sin! The crewman on
board fire harpoons at it to distract it from attacking their home village of
Kilika. A great battle bings and Tidus is knocked overboard, Wakka chases
after him and saves him from the water but unfortunately Sin cannot be stoped
and proceed to wipe out the entire port of Kilika with a tidal wave.

Kilika

When they arrive Yuna steps off the boat and offers her help to the survivors.
She says she is willing to "send" the dead to the relief of the villagers who
were worried that the dead would become fiends. Lulu explains that those who
die have grief over their death and this grief eventually leads to anger and
evy over the living. This anger manifests itself and they become fiends,
however if a summoner performs the ritual the spirits are sent to a place
called the Farplane to rest in peace. The next day Tidus meets up with Wakka
to learn what they're going to do next. When Wakka mentions Blitzball Tidus
asks if that's really an appropriate subject after such a tragic event, but
Wakka says that now more than ever Blitzball is important. It serves
entertain and bring happiness to all the people who live on, to serve as a
distraction from Sin. He also mentions that a high summoner named Ohalland
was a Blitzball player and trained in the Kilika Temple.

Kilika Woods

The group makes their way to the temple. In the forest Yuna expresses her
interest in having Tidus become a full fledged guardian. The keep the idea on
hold for now until their business is finished in the temple. When they come
to a large set of stairs Wakka takes the time to ask if there are any fiends
in Zanarkand indicating that he may finally believe Tidus. He explains that
maybe Sin doesn't really kill people but instead take them through time. Lulu
tells him that despite his theory there is nothing he can do, his little
brother Chappu is gone. As they approach the temple they are attacked by a
large Sinspawn. Defeating it gives Tidus his first real taste of what it's
like to be a real guardian. Wakka makes a comment that he really has a talent
for fighting and that's when he first starts to seriously consider the idea of
becoming a guardian. When Tidus asks Lulu what Sinspawn really are, she
explains to him that they come from Sin's body and if they aren't destoryed,
eventually Sin will return to collect them.

Kilika Cloister of Trials

In front of the temple they have their first encounter with the members of the
Luca Goers. The Luca Goers are the star Blitzball team of the famous city,
and they take every opportunity to undermine Wakka and his team. Inside the
temple they meet up with another summoner named Dona, she has a cold tone of
voice and a very unpleasant attitude. She tells Yuna that it's quality over
quantity and that she has far too many guardians, even her father Lord Braska
only needed two. Yuna explains that she only has as many guardians as people
she can trust, and she trusts them all with her life. The group decides to
enter the Cloister of trials so that Yuna can pray at the bottom, but since
Tidus is not officially a guardian he must remain outside. Dona and her
guardian Barthello have other plans however and force Tidus into the trial.

Tidus explains to Wakka and Lulu what happened, but they are still concerned
that Yuna is the one who would suffer the consequences. When Tidus asks what
goes on beyond the door where Yuna is, Lulu explains that inside is where the
Fayth are gathered. The Fayth have given their lives to battle Sin and Yevon
took their souls so that they could become the Aeons that Yuna collects to
assist in her battle against Sin. In the background a hymn can be heard,
Tidus recognizes the tune as something from his childhood and realizes that
there must be more of a connection between his world and Spira than he
originally thought. When leaving the temple he realizes he hasn't begun to
forget Zanarkand at all, on the contrary, he is thinking about it more and
more and the memories are very powerful ones. They leave and embark for Luca.

S.S. Winno

On the ship Tidus meets up with the Luca Goers again who haven't stopped their
constant insults for the Aurochs. When Yuna tells them that Tidus was the
star player for the Zanarkand Abes they laugh even harder. Tidus tries to
blame it on Sin's toxin but quickly realizes he just can't anymore. Tidus
overhears a conversation between Wakka and Lulu trying to determine what will
happen if Tidus doesn't find anyone in Luca. Lulu knows that Yuna wants him
to become a guardian and blames Wakka for this. When Tidus walks away he
finds a lone Blitzball on the ground and has a flashback of his father. Tidus
was young and trying to practice Blitzball, and not doing a very good job.
Jecht comes over and shows off his incredible Jecht Shot saying not to feel
bad because no one can do it, because he's the best.

This memory haunts Tidus even to this day. Tidus manages to perform the Jecht
shot successfully and give himself a huge boost of confidence. When Wakka
asks what he just did Tidus tells him it doesn't have a name and that anyone
can do it. Yuna however recognizes it as the "Sublimely Magnificent Jecht
Shot Mark III" and tells him he used to show it off all the time. When asked
what he would do if he finds his father, Tidus only replies that he would
smack him for everything that he and his mother went through. He thinks to
himself that Jecht never liked to watch Blitzball and there was little chance
of finding him in Luca, but he still had the feeling something bad was coming.

Luca

Arriving at Luca the loudspeaker comes on and starts to introduce the teams.
The Luca Goers get a warm welcomes while the Besaid Aurochs are barely
welcomed at all. Tidus decides to get the tema some attention but screaming
taunts at the Luca Goers though a conveniently places megaphone. They
announce that Maester Mika has arrived. Maester is the leader of Spira and is
here celebrating his 50th year as Maester. When he gets off the boat someone
is with him, this man is introduced as Maester Seymour who has been ordained
to be Maester of Yevon. He is of another people, the Guado and is son of
Jyscal Guado, a very respected man. He promises to improve relations with the
Guado as his father did. He gives Yuna an odd stare and walks away.

Wakka returns to tell everyone that the Aurochs have been seeded and only have
to win two games to take the cup, their first match is against the Al Bhed
Psyches. As they are preparing for the game Yuna informs Tidus that someone
recently saw Auron who she says was one of her two father's guardians. Tidus
doesn't even consider it could be someone different from the Auron he knew and
runs off to find him. On the way he truly starts to realize how famous Yuna
is when he sees how much attention she gets. He tries to get her attention by
whistling and instructs her to learn it herself, because that would be a good
way to get his attention is she ever had to.

When they arrive at the bar Auron is not there, however two large members of
the Ronso tribe (Kikahri's race) are. They are Biron and Yenke, they taunt
Kimahri saying that he has forgotten them, forgotten the people who taught him
when he knew after the "Horn-Molt." They say he is small and weak, too small
to even see their faces. Kimahri tries to fight them but runs off along with
Tidus when he soon realizes that Yuna has been kidnapped.

Lulu explains that Yuna was kidnapped by the Al Bhed in an attempt to get the
Aurochs to throw the game. Being only Blitzball players they determine Yuna
is in little danger and run off to save her. Along the way they encounter
many of the salvaged Al Bhed Machina. When they destroy the largest one and
save Yuna, Tidus says he was saved by Al Bhed when he first came to Spira and
hoped this was the same ship but it wasn't. Yuna asks if there was a man
named Cid on board, Cid is her mother's brother and he became distant when her
mother married, but she was told to seek him out if she was ever in trouble.
Tidus realizes that Yuna is indeed part Al Bhed, but Lulu says not to tell
Wakka because he harbors deep resentment for the Al Bhed. She gives a signal
to Wakka via magic who then goes on the offensive and manages to win the
Blitzball game against the Al Bhed Psyches 3-2.

Lulu is cynical about Wakka's performance saying Chappu could have done
better, but Tidus interrupts saying that no one will replace Chappu. When
they return Wakka is rather unsympathetic, asking how Yuna could let herself
be kidnapped by some Al Bhed. Wakka is in no condition to play so he decides
that he will be the one to warm the bench while Tidus takes his place in the
match against the Goers. As he leaves he reads an inscription written on the
wall: "My best memories are here - Wakka, captain of the Aurochs."

The Blitzball game begins. The victor is conditional based on how well you
play, but midway through the second round the crown begins cheering for Wakka
who then comes on the replace Tidus for the last minutes of the game. The
instant it's over however things are not well and suddenly fiends start
attacking the stadium. Tidus and Wakka fight their way through the aquatic
enemies in the Blitzball Sphere, then Auron appears and starts to battle
enemies as well. He meet up with Tidus and Wakka who recognizes him as one of
the two guardians of high summoner Braska. They fight together but cannot do
much against the onslaught of enemies. Then Maester Seymour begins a
summoner's chant and an enormous chained monster appears from the ground.
This monster slaughters every last fiend that is attacking the stadium.

The time has finally comefor Wakka to leave the Aurochs and become a full time
guardian. Elsewhere in town Tidus is yelling at Auron, blaming him for
everythign that has happened. Auron explains that he had been waiting to
bring Tidus to Spira, doing so because Jecht told him to long ago. When Tidus
asks if Jecht is still alive, Auron mentions that he should have felt Jecht's
presance numerous times by now, because Jecht is Sin. Tidus obviously refuses
to believe this, but Auron tells him he will discover more as long as he goes
with him. Tidus realizes he doesn't have a choice and joins Auron to return
and ask Yuna if they can become official guardians.

Yuna agrees happily to let them both come along. She spends some time alone
with Tidus at the upper end of the city. She shows him she has learned to
whistle quite well, but finds Tidus in a rather bad mood. The people of Spira
look up to summoners and their guardians she says, so they must try and smile
even if they're feeling said. She tells Tidus to practice smiling and
laughing, he does it in such a pathetic way that he just comes off looking
like an idiot. Done in Luca they make plans for the trip to Djose.

Mi'ihen Highroad

The party approaches a statue of a great man standing with arms high. The old
man standing next to it explains that this is Lord Mi'ihen who founded the
Crusaders. When Yevon accused him of Rebellion he walked down Mi'ihen
Highroad to confront them and won. Yevon labelled them Crusaders from that
day forward. This man explains that his name is Maechen and he is a scholar
on a quest for knowledge. Soon after you meet Lucil, captain of the Chocbo
knights on duty to protect the highroad. They warn Tidus and his party about
a large fiend up ahead which feeds on Chocobos. Tidus suggests that they try
and defeat it, Auron laughs saying that's just like what Jecht always used to
say, "It's the right thing to do" and it always led them to trouble.

Yuna meets another summoner who introduces herself as Belgemine. She is a
summoner as well and knows of Yuna because of her father. As a test she
offers to challenge Yuna to a battle of Aeons. After the fight Belgemine
explains that despite Yuna's comment, she cannot defeat Sin, or more
appropriately "was" not able to. A nearby girl asks Yuna is she is going to
bring the Calm. Tidus asks what the Calm is and Lulu explains it is a time
without Sin after it has been defeated but before it is reborn. When Tidus
suggests that maybe it's not worth it just for a short time, but Yuna is quick
to interrupt that it is! That a time when people can sleep safely is worth
anything no matter how short it is. Tidus remembers this well.

Along the road they meet an acolyte named Shelinda, she is deeply concerned
that the operation against Sin is using Machina which is against the teachings
of Yevon. Auron seems quick to dismiss her concerns as baseless. As the
group approaches a travel agency rest stop, Wakka refuses to enter because it
is run by the Al Bhed. He explains they're bad people and they kidnapped
Yuna. Auron asks Wakka where her guardians were when this happened and then
wanders toward the structure. That night Tidus and Yuna sit outside during
the subset, Tidus notes it is a very different sunset from the one he say in
Kilika, far more peaceful. Yuna says she wishes she could stay somewhere like
here all the time and Tidus tells her she can once Sin is defeated. But Yuna
says that Sin will never go away, not until they atone for their sins of the
past. Tidus asks if the sins of the past were really so bad and Yuna is no
longer sure. When he asks how she will defeat Sin, something so big, she
explains that the point of all summoner's journeys is to get the Final
Summoning which resides in the Fayth at Zanarkand.

After resting they are surprised to find a huge fiend outside the agency
called a Chocobo Eater. After defeating it the group at the agency are very
grateful and offer a free Chocobo ride as a token of appreciation. The group
rides ahead to the checkpoint where they meet the other summoner Dona again
who seems to be frustrated that they can't get past. One of the Crusaders
offers to explain what they're doing. It's called Operation Mi'ihen and their
plan is to bring all the Sinspawn to this area and thereby lure Sin where it
can be attacked. Because of this operation the group cannot get though to the
Temple of Djose and are forced to turn back. Before they leave Seymour
appears. He is there to observe the operation but makes a condition that
Yuna's group must be let through and he will take full responsibility. Wakka
doesn't understand how Seymour, a Maester of Yevon can possibly support the
sacreligious use of Machina. Seymour explains that will it may be against the
teachings, as a person and not a Maester he sees that their intentions are
good and will support them like that. Wakka still asks why he supports the
use of Machina, but Seymour's response is simply "Pretend you didn'tsee it."
When Wakka is outraged by this he says "Well then pretend I didn't say that."
Tidus thinks to himself that from when he first saw Seymour, he never liked
him very much...

Mushroom Rock

One of the soldiers comes down the path and informes Yuna that Maester Seymour
is wanting to see her at the command center. The party ventures across the
Mushroom Rock area to get there. At the end they find Luzzu and Gatta, Gatta
is complaining that he joined the Crusaders to fight Sin but he is being
forced to stand watch. Still Luzzu will not let him fight. Luzzu says
there's something he must say before going off the fight Sin, that he is the
one who convinced Wakka's brother Chappu to join the Crusaders. Wakka punches
Luzzu in the face out of anger. He exclaims that he remembered Chappu saying
that after they won the Blitzball cup together he was going to propose to
Lulu. Luzzu says there was another thing Chappu used to say. "Being with
your girl is good, but keeping Sin far away from her is better." Lulu says
that she knew this already, Luzzu had told her. She hit him just like Wakka
did supposedly. When Luzzu goes Wakka tells him not to get killed, he's still
got to smack him many more times.

On the front area Wakka is angry when he sees all the Machina. Lulu teels
Tidus that when Chappu joined the Crusaders, he left the sword that Wakka gave
him in Besaid and fought with an Al Bhed Machina weapon. Wakka denies this is
the basis for his anger, saying the Machina are wrong and are forbidden by
Yevon for a reason. They approach the command center and are greeted by
Gatta, Auron explains that he must first prove that he can follow orders
before anyone will give him the dangerous jobs. The party meets a man who
introduces himself as Wen Kinoc, one of the four Maesters of Yevon in charge
of the Warrior Monks and in command of the Crusaders. He recognizes Auron and
asks where he's been for the last ten years. Auron express distaste at seeing
this man as a Maester, but Kinoc tells him that a lot has happened in ten
years. When he asks Auron if he has seen Zanarkand yet, Auron just ignores
him and walks away. Yuna gets the feeling they don't belong.

Just before the operation begins, Tidus remembers what Auron told him, about
Sin being his father Jecht. Before the operation begins one of the Sinspawn
breaks free and attacks them. After the Sinspawn is subdued Sin appears and
the beach forces commence an attack. Their guns seem useless as they barely
graze Sin, then the ground forces on Chocobos attack. While this is
happeneing Sin charges a huge shield of energy which bursts in the direction
of the beach. All the ground troops are literally disintegrated
instantaneously. There's barely anything left. Few people survive but
fortunately Tidus' party was at a safe distance. The Sinspawn they defeated
wasn't quite dead and Auron and Yuna team up with Maester Seymour to kill it.

A final attempt to destroy Sin by a large electricity cannon by the Al Bhed
just led to more deaths. As Sin escapes Tidus without thinking jumps in the
water and begins to chase after him. He later thinks he didn't know why he
started chasing Sin, like a thief in a market. Yuna tries to summon one of
her Aeons but is stopped by Seymour telling her she's far too weak to make any
difference. Nothing can be done. Tidus has a dream sequence where he sees
people moving about, the little purple hooded boy who appeared in the crown at
the very beginning of the game appears there bu says nothing. He transforms
into a Blitzball and the dream is over. Tidus goes from a dream to a
flashback where he remembers a time when people lost respect for his father.
Tidus was telling his father that everyone said he was no good any more, he
never practiced because he drank all the time. Jecht laughs and says he can
quit whenever he wants, but why do today what you can do tomorrow? This of
course makes young Tidus start to cry.

Yuna does her dance and performs the sending on all the spirits of those
killed in Operation Mi'ihen. Auron tells Tidus that many stories ended today,
but his still goes on. Auron finds Wen Kinoc and asks if he's satisfied now
that all who oppose Yevon are dead. Seymour tells Yuna that no matter what
she must remain strong and keep smiling, for she must be the strength of many
people. He mentions two people by the names ot Yunalasca and Lord Zaon and
how he can be to her what Lord Zaon was to Yunalesca, her pillar of strength.

When Tidus speaks with Auron again, he is told that the reason Sin came today
was to see him. That Jecht wanted to show Tidus that he is capable of all
this, and Auron even goes so far to suggest that Jecht wants Tidus to kill
him. When Tidus leaves he finally hears Kimahri speak, saying that Yuna is
trying to be strong so they must all remain strong too. They make their way
to the Temple of Djose. Tidus asks if they can skip ahead to the final
summoning but Yuna explains that she must pray to the Fayth at all the temples
in order to prepare herself for the final summoning. When they all leave
Auron warns Tidus not to tell Yuna about Sin and Jecht, because he knows Yuna
would believe him, and they don't want her to have any additional stress.

Djose Temple

The party finds the Chocobo Knights near the temple who say they lost most of
their ground troops and all but one Chocobo in Operation Mi'ihen. The captain
says it must be their punishment for turning their backs on Yevon. When they
arrive at the temple they see it has become activate with electricity,
supposedly this only happens when someone is addressing the Fayth so there
must be someone inside. Tidus assumes it is Dona, but when they get inside
they meet a new summoner who says his name is Isaaru. Isaaru has heard much
about high summoner Braska and in fact that is why he became a summoner
himself. Her offers Yuna the challenge of a race to defeat Sin and she
accepts. Before entering the trial he returns and speaks to Tidus alone.
Supposedly many summoners have been going missing, he was told this by his
guardian and brother Maroda. He tells Tidus to be extra careful.

Djose Cloister of Trials

Down in the Chamber of the Fayth Dona arrives while Yuna is praying. Her
guardian Barthello approaches Auron but Dona tells her to stay away from that
riff-raff. Barthello realizes it is the legendary Sir Auron and asks to shake
his hand. The rest of the party condemn Dona for not knowing the legendary
guardian of Braska, Sir Auron. When Yuna comes out Dona remains in contempt
and tells her that everything she has is because of her father. Yuna denies
this but Dona remains unphased as she enters the chamber herself.

In the morning Tidus wakes Yuna who is infinitely apologetic as she didn't
mean to sleep so long. She rushed out apologizing to everyone who tell her
it's okay, they joke about how her hair is messedup, even Sir Auron and all
start laughing. As they walk off you can hear Tidus say that looking back on
this event, he realized he was the only one truly laughing...

As they leave the Temple they meet the Chocobo Knights one more time who say
they are heading across the Moonflow to find more Chocobos for their group.
The Moonflow is also's the party's next destination and so they head off.

Moonflow

The group meets up with Shelinda who says that after looking at Operation
Mi'ihen, she now knows that only the faithful to Yevon will be able to defeat
Sin. Further up Biron and Yenke wait again, they taunt Kimahri for awhile
then when he asks if they are only there to insult him, they warn Kimahri that
many summoners are disappearing and his may be next so to be careful. As they
continue to travel the path they finally arrive at the Moonflow. Small
creates known as Pyreflies float about the lake and supposedly make it very
beautiful at night. Tidus pipes and exclaims that this is where they should
all come back to after they defeat Sin, but he seems to be the only one
excited about it. Wakka tells him to hurry up or they'll mis the Shoopuf.

When they arrive at the boarding station Tidus sees a Shoopuf for himself, a
Shoopuf is a huhge mammoth creature with a long spiraling nose, kind of like
an elephant trunk but curled up. Auron tells Tidus that the first time Jecht
ever saw one he struck it with his sword because he was drunk, and after that
day he never drank again. The same Shoopuf still works at this station.
Before leaving Tidus has en ancounter with the Chocobo Knights who are
outraged that they can't bring their Chocobo on the Shoopuf but decide to find
another way across. Every gets ready and rides the Shoopuf across the water.

As they cross Wakka tells Tidus to look over the edge. Under the water is a
huge Machina City that looks like it's been down there for many years. Wakka
explains that the city was built on bridges over the water, just to prove they
could do it, and then it crashed into the water and sank. It serves as a good
lesson about the evils of Machina. They tell about the war 1000 years ago
where people kept building more and more Machina to destroy each other. The
war wasn't going to end, but then Sin cameand now Sin is their punishment for
that. Suddenly an Al Bhed jumps aboard and grabs Yuna and pulls her
underwater. Tidus and Wakka jump in to save her and must battle a huge
Machina device with Yuna trapped inside. THey manage to save her and bring
her back abord. Lulu suggests that perhaps it is the Al Bhed behind all the
summoner disappearances.

On the other side the groups gets off and departs on their way. Tidus goes
off alone and finds a girl washed up on the beach. He realizes that it is
RIkku who saved him when he first got to Spira, she yells at him for attacking
her because she was in that huge Machina they just fought. Before Tidus can
ask why she was helping kidnap Yuna, Wakka appears. Tidus almost accidentally
blurts out that she is an Al Bhed in front of Wakka but stops himself. Rikku
has a private chat with Yuna and Lulu and then asks to become one of Yuna's
guardians. Auron tells her to look at him and then he looks in her eyes, they
have an odd swirl to them. He says that he though so, and Rikku joins up.

Guadosalam

They soon arrive at Guadosalam where they meet a man by the name of Tromell
Guado. He works directly for Lord Seymour and is in charge of bringing the
group to him. Inside Seymour's place is a huge feast and everyone is waiting
for Seymour to arrive. Lulu begins to explain to Tidus that there is no
temple in Guadosalam and that most people just pass thorugh. He asks her why
she is telling him this before he even asked, maybe she believes him about
Zanarkand and that he knows nothing of this world. She says there are many
things she does not understand, and his Zanarkand is one of them.

Tromell explains that Lord Seymour is the child of a human and a Guado and
will bind the races together. Then he appears and gathers up the party. He
shows them a sphere hologram of Zanarkand as it looked 1000 years ago, and
shows them Lady Yunalesca who was the first person to ever defeat Sin. But
she did not do it alone, she made an unbreakable bond of love. With that
Seymour whispers something in Yuna's ear and walks away.

Back in the main room Yuna tells everyone that Seymour asked her to marry him.
Auron tells Seymour that this is no small matter but Seymour explains that he
did so as a Maester, and Yuna has a responsibility to bring joy to the people
of Spira, and as the wife of a Maester she can do just that. He says she does
not have to answer right away and so they begin to leave. As they do Seymour
asks Auron what he's still going here. He is then quick to apologize and say
that the Guado are just keen to the scent of the Farplane...

The group decides to go and visit the Farplane which is right here in
Guadosalam. Before entering Tidus wonders to himself why everyone is okay
with the idea of Yuna marrying Seymour, why is no one asking if she loves, or
even likes him? Arriving at the Farplane both Auron and Rikku opt to remain
outside. When they go in both Yuna and Wakka as viewing the images of people
from their past. Wakka talks to Chappu about how he quit Blitz to become a
guardian, how he gave Tidus Chappu's sword. The spirits on the Farplane just
float there and do not respond, people who come there only come to see the
images. Lulu explains that seeing Chappu really makes her realize he is gone,
saying that her time with Chappu were the happiest days of her life.

Yuna is over with her mother and father, Lord Braska. Tidus approaches her
and she tells him to try and call the image of Jecht. When he doesn't appear
Yuna says it is because he is stil lalive, but Tidus knowsn it is because he
is Sin. This calls up an image of his mother. He wonders how she could be in
the Farplane if she wasn't sent, but Yuna wonders maybe it's because she
accepted death during her life. Tidus looks back and remembers that maybe the
reason he hated his father is because his mother never paid attention to him
while Jecht was around, and she was so unhappy when he left. As they leave
the Farplane suddenly Lord Jyscal's spirit tries to escape too. Everyone
tells Yuna to quickly send his spirit back. Yuna wonders how such a great man
could have died without being sent, but they think he probably was sent and
this incient is the result of dying an unclean death...

Yuna says she has come up with her answer and goes back to tell Lord Seymour,
but Shelinda explains he already left for Macalania temple. Perhaps he wasn't
expecting an answer from her so soon. The group decides it's time to leave
Guadosalam and head toward Macalania through the Thunder Plains.

Thunder Plains

As they leave for the Thunder Plains it becomes very apparent that Rikku has a
fear of lightning. They proceed anyway despite her contant begging to go
back. Along the way Tidus speaks with Shelinda. She has heard that Yuna and
Seymour are to be wed and says it is a wonderous occasion. Tidus is quick to
tell her that she heard wrong however. Along the way the group decides to
stay at the Travel Agency and rest. Tidus tries to spy on Yuna because she's
acting suspiciously but trips and falls into her room. She says that the
sphere Jyscal dropped was his will and asks that his son Seymour be taken care
of. On their way out of the Thunder Plains Yuna tells everyone that she has
indeed decided to marry Seymour. Auron asks to see the sphere but Yuna says
she will not show it to him for now. Tidus gets the feeling now that perhaps
he doesn't really belong here, but the alternative, being alone in Spira is
far worse than anythign he can imagine. They continue on to Macalania Woods.

Macalania

When they arrive in Macalania Wood Auron and Tidus talk privately. He says
that Yuna truly wants it this way, she will marry Seymour in order to
negotiate with him and she will do it alone, not ask for anyone's help. Tidus
thinks to himself that he is relieved she isn't marrying for love. Along the
path the group meets Barthello who says that he has lost Dona, Auron tells him
to stop panicking and offers help, but he said he wasted enough of their time.
As they approach the end of the woods Auron stops and says there's something
Tidus must see. Inside is a pool of the material that spheres are created
from. They find a sphere made ten years ago by Jecht during his travel with
Braska and Auron. On this sphere he talks to the two of them saying he is
doing this for his wife and son, so he can have something to bring back to
them. In another scene on the sphere Jecht sits don't and addresses Tidus
directly, saying that if he's watching this he too must be stuck in Spira. He
says not to be a crybaby, that you have to grow out of that in order to grow.
When they leave the area Auron stops a moment to tell Tidus Jecht loved him.

Beyond the Travel Agency they meet up with Tromell Guado who will take Yuna to
see Seymour. The group is to wait however when they start off the Al Bhed
suddenly attack with a giant Gatling Gun Machina weapon. The party defeats it
and after Rikku's brother calls to her, Wakka realizes she is actually an Al
Bhed. He tells her she comes from a group of people who defy Yevon and use
Machina which brought Sin, but Rikku tells him to prove that was where Sin
really came from. She offers to explanation either, Tidus says she's no
different from who she was before and Rikku is Rikku. They take the Al Bhed
Machina snowmobile devices and head off toward Macalania Temple. Who Tidus
takes the ride with differs from time to time. Basically they discuss Rikku's
origin, and Wakka's prejudice. Basically agree to diisagree and continue

Macalania Temple

As they approach the temple they are told that Rikku is not allowed inside.
Rikku explains that she is now a guardian of Yuna, not just an Al Bhed. Auron
says that she's a guardian and that's good enough which convinces them to
allow her into the temple. Just as they get inside someone comes yelling out
of the room, saying something about a sphere in Yuna's belongings. The group
goes into the room and watches the sphere. To their horror it is Lord Jyscal
Guado's sphere telling whoever is watchign that his son has become corrupt and
there is nothing left for him to do as he will soon die by Seymour's hand. He
explains that it is his fault Seymour became corrupt, that he could not
protect him. He says he will accept death as his punishment but he pleads for
someone to stop his son, to stop Seymour.

Macalania Cloister of Trials

They quickly run to the Fayth room and Auron accuses Seymour of the murder of
Jyscal. Seymour asks Yuna why she was still going to marry him if she knew,
but she says it was so she could stop him. They gather together and Seymour
tries to kill them all by summoning the huge Aeon Anima, the same one that
saved everyone at the Blitzball tournament in Luca. When he is defeated he
lies on the ground. Auron tells Yuna to send him but suddenly Jyscal bursts
in and accuses them of being traitors, carrying Seymour off. In the main
chamber again Rikku says to check Jyscal's Sphere for proff but just then
Tromell lifts it up and shatters it! They have no choice but to escape.

Macalania

As they are trying to escape suddenly they are attacked by a large Wendigo!
Upon defeating it the Wendigo smashes the ground and sends them to the bottom
of the lake where the ruins of some kind of city remain. Everyone survives
and Yuna explains herself. She wanted to confront Maester Seymour about what
he did and convince him to turn himself in. In retrosept she realizes what a
bad idea it was. She was even willing to marry him if he surrendered.

Yuna agrees that they must keep going but is concerned that they will not be
allowed to by Yevon. Auron explains that the Fayth dictate whether a summoner
will proceed or not so they will go to every temple, defying Yevon if they
must. This of course upsets Wakka who says he will have no part of it. Yuna
says that they must atone by going to Bevelle and pleading their case to
Maester Mika. A hymn can be heard in the distance, this is the blessing of
the temple. Auron says Jecht used to sing the hymn all the time, as did Tidus
back in Zanarkand. Tidus asks how Auron got to Zanarkand and realizes it was
through Sin. He thinks that if Sin is defeated, he'll never get home.

All of a sudden the singing stops and Sin appears! Things get cloudy and
everything fades away. Tidus knows that Sin too was listening to the hymn.
He sees Blitzballs in a cloudy haze and starts speaking, he says that that
world is no longer your world, because you are Sin now. He sees himself too
and laughs about how he's a bit older than the young boy in front of him.
This is the first time when he really truly realizes and believe that his
father has become Sin. And Tidus knows that he wants it to end.

Sanubia Desert

Tidus wakes up floating in a desert oasis unaware fo where he is. He climbs
out and sort of talks aloud, saying I forgive you for this, just be good for
awhile, referring to Sin. He meets up with Auron and Lulu soon, and then
Wakka almost immedately after who is very discouraged at losing Yuna who they
still have not found. They meet Kimahri as well who is wandering aimlessly
ashamed of losing Yuna. When they meet up with Rikku she says that she may
know where Yuna is. Rikku says she recognizes this area as Bikanel Island and
that there is a place the Al Bhed call Home near here and they probably
rescued Yuna, Wakka is quick to interrupt and correct her, saying they
kidnapped Yuna. Rikku makes everyone agree they if she brings them to the Al
Bhed home they won't tell anyone. A long time ago Yevon did something bad to
them. Wakka said they probably deserved it whatever it was and agrees not to
tell anyone the location of the home. They continue their trek through the
desert and finally pop out in front of home to see it burning in flames...

Home

Rikku races down to see what's going on, an Al Bhed is knocked to the ground.
His name is Keyakku, he tells Rikku that it is the Guado attacking here to get
the summoner. He then dies in front of her eyes. An Al Bhed man appears
saying don't just stand there, Rikku identifies this man as the leader of the
Al Bhed, and her father, Cid. When they get inside Rikku explains to Wakka
that the Al Bhed used to have a home, but Sin destoryed their entire island.
Her father Cid gathered the Al Bhed together and they built a new home, now it
is under attack. When asked what the Summoner's Sanctum is, Rikku explains
that it is a place they put the summoners to keep them safe. Wakka says he
understands but Tidus doesn't, he says that if the guardians do their job then
the summoner will always be safe. Right? he asks... no one answers.

They enter the Summoner's Sanctum and find Dona and Isaaru but not Yuna. The
little brother of Isaaru asks Tidus what it means to sacrifice because that's
what the Al Bhed said the summoners were doing. When Tidus tries to
understand what's going on Rikku starts yelling that they must stop the
summoner's journey from ending because the end of the journey is when the
summoner calls the Final Aeon, and regardless of whether Sin is defeated or
not the Final Aeon will kill the summoner. Tidus gets extremely angry, asking
why no one told him after everything he said to Yuna, all the things they were
going to do after Sin was defeated. He looks back at the time in Luca when
Yuna said that summoners are Spira's ray of hope and that she always practices
smiling.

They leave the sanctum and get onto the airship. Tidus argues with Cid and
demands he tell him where Yuna is. Cid won't saying that these people are all
the same and don't care whether the summoner lives or dies. Tidus swears that
he will not let her die, and Cid says he better mean that or he'll make him
regret it. Cid doesn't know where Yuna is but offers the Airship to help look
for her. They take off and as they're flying away, Cid gives the order to
destroy the Al Bhed home with about three hundred billion missles.

Airship

When sked whether he'll stop Yuna's pilgrimage Cid responds that he will of
course, that he's not going to let his little niece go off and be killed.
Auron says that that's fine, Cid IS the captain so he decides what happens.
Tidus leaves the bridge and finds Dona sitting on the floor. She asks him
what he would think is she told him she was giving up her pilgrimage. He
responds to her and she decides that in the end, she won't be, and Yuna still
has a rival. When Tidus returns to the bridge he learns that they've located
Yuna, she's in Bevelle and about to be wed to Seymour. Rikku asks how Seymour
could possibly be alive but Auron responds that he isn't, he's just as dead as
Jyscal. Yuna must be down there with the intent of sending Seymour once they
are married. Suddenly the ship is attacked by the inside, there were some
Guado stowaways. When they fight their way through to the top of the ship
they spy the guardian wymn Evrae out the window, Bevelle's first line of
defense. With the help of Cid's airship, the group defeats the guardian.
They arrive at Bevelle where Kinoc orders the tropps to fire on the airship,
the airship launches grappling wires and the party surfs down from the sky.

Bevelle

Landing in Bevelle the group fights their way up to Maester Seymour where
their efforts are in vain as Kinoc holds them at gunpoint. Yuna and Seymour
are married in front of their eyes, as soon as this happens Seymour gives the
order to kill Tidus and the group. Before this happens though Yuna runs to
the ledge and threatens to jump if their aren't let free. She tells them to
run and not to worry as she falls off and plummets toward the ground below.
As she falls a bright light appears and Valefor drops out of the sky to save
her. The party runs off and enters the temple of Bevelle where they know it
is the one place that Yuna will go, to pray to the Fayth.

Bevelle Cloister of Trials

As they enter the cloister they are surrounded by different Machina. Wakka
asks what Machina are doing in a holy place like this, Rikku suggests that
they're probably useful but that's not what Wakka meant. Reaching the bottom
they find even more Machina. Auron says it looks like Yevon doesn't even
follow their own teachings... Wakka says that they've always been treated like
dirt. They make their way through the trials to the bottom. Unwilling to
wait Tidus enlists in Kimahri's help to pull open the door. Inside Yuna is
praying to the Fayth, Auron explains that the Fayth are human souls unable to
rest, imprisoned by Yevon. When they leave the chamber Kinoc is waiting.

Yuna is put on trial for being a traitor. They says she inflicted harm on
Maester Seymour and conspired with the Al Bhed. She explains to Maester Kelk
Ronso that Seymour killed his father. This surprises the Maester but it seems
he is the only one of the four who is surprised. Yuna pleads to Maester Mika
to send Seymour, however he says that if they were to send Seymour they would
have to send him too, for their were both already dead. They explain that
Spira is best ruled in death, that death rules Spira. Yuna asks then is the
summoner's pilgrimage is for nothing but they disagree, saying it gives hope
to the people of Spira. Their sentence is to be thrown in the Via Purifico.

Via Purifico

Yuna wanders around in the dungeon and finds Kimahri, Auron and Lulu.
Together they look for an escape route only to be confronted by Isaaru. He
was ordered by Yevon to kill the trator Yuna and though he is apologetic he
says it must be done. When she defeats him instead he tells her the exit is
near, and they leave him there in shame. The other group including Tidus,
Wakka and Rikku must swim through an underwater canal and battle the undead
spirit of the guardian wymn Evrae. When they manage to escape they are
reunited only to be confronted again by Seymour.

Maester Kimoc is dead, killed by Seymour. Seymour explains that the man he a
hunger for power and though he had it, he spent his days scheming for ways to
stop those who wanted his position. He was a very paranoid man. Seymour
tells Yuna to go with him to Zanarkand, there his will become Sin and destroy
all of Spira, for there is no suffering and worry in death. Kimahri holds him
back alone and tells everyone to run, Auron forces them to obey. As they get
away Tidus tells Yuna that they are guardians so they have to follow her
whever she chooses to go, and if that's back to help Kimahri then so be it.
The group return and battles Seymour to an eventual victory.

Calm Lands

Tidus goes to meet with Yuna by the lake in Macalania Forest, he apologizes
for everything he did and everything he said about all the things they could
to after defeating Sin, inclduing go to Zanarkand. He explains he had no idea
what was going to happen to her, and how sorry he is. He tells her she should
quit her pilgrimage, then they could go do anything they want. They could
visit Zanarkand and everyone could come. She thinks to herself maybe she will
quit the pilgrimage. Rikku would certainly agree, Lulu and Wakka would hold
out very long. But Sir Auron would surely contest. Yuna begins crying saying
it's something she just can't do, she must see the pilgrimage through to the
end. Tidus embraces Yuna for an underwater makeout scene and so on.

Another of Jecht's Spheres is found. Contained in the sphere is the events
that preceeded Jecht joining Braska as a guardian. Braska approaches him in
jail asking if he'd be willing to accompany him on a dangerous journey, he
heard that Jecht was from Zanarkand and that's where they're going. Jecht
says yes of course, anything to get out of jail and they head off despite
Auron's disageement saying they shouldn't bring such a drunkard with them.
Braska replies that he, wed to an Al Bhed and a fallen summoner, who would
expect them to succeed? What delightful irony if they actually did...

They arrive at the Calm Lands where Lulu explains that beyond this point the
path ends and there are no towns or villages. Many summoners lose their way
in this area and their pilgrimage ends. Tidus explains that he will find some
way so that Yuna will sirvive defeating Sin and vows to do so before it's too
late. In the central area of the Calm Lands they meet up with Father Zuke who
tells them they are officially wanted criminals in the eyes of Yevon, accused
of killing Maester Kinoc. Just beyond the Calm Lands they are ambushed by
some Guado who were ordered to bring them to Seymour dead or alive. They
defeat the Guado's giant rock golem and head toward the mountains. Yuna
stands for a moment and looks back at the Calm Lands, Tidus finally realizes
she has been doing this to say goodbye to the places she knew she'd never get
to see again. Yuna finishes and they begin to climb Mt. Gagazet.

Mt. Gagazet

When they arrive at the base of the mountain they are confronted by Maester
Kelk Ronso who informs them that traitors are not to set foot on the mountain.
Yuna explains that she has no regrets, she did what she did for the people of
Spira, and that Spira is the true reason she still aims to defeat Sin despite
people losing faith in her. Kelk says she has the will of tempered steel and
allows her group access to the mountain. Biron and Yenke appear saying
summoner may pass, guardians may pass but Kimahri may not pass! Biron
defeated Kimahri many years ago but Kimahri did not admit defeat so Biron took
his horn and Kimahri left Mt. Gagazet in shame. Kimahri says he will prove
his strength alone and goes on to beat Biron and Yenke who acknowledge his
strength. They says that someday a large statue will be made for the summoner
Yuna, and if no one else will make it, the Ronso will make it with big proud
horn on Yuna's head. She says she would love that and they continue.

As they start up the mountain they are interrupted by the Ronso once more who
gather together and start singing the Hymn of the Fayth before saying goodbye
to the summoner. Along the snowy ice path they find one of Braska's Spheres.
Inside it is a recording Braska made for Yuna saying that he chose his path
and that someday Yuna must choose hers. He doesn't know what that path is but
whatever she chooses she has his full support. At the top of the mountain
Rikku asks Tidus if he has figured out a plan to save Yuna yet but he hasn't.
Rikku looks up and suddenly Seymour is standing there. Tidus tells her to run
and get Auron and the whole group appears to challenge him. Seymour says that
he will soon become Sin with the help of Yuna and save Tidus' father in the
process, he should be happy. They battle Seymour and come out victories once
again. After the battle Tidus tells Yuna that Sin really is Jecht...

Further on the find a huge wall of frozen bodies, these are all Fayth and
someone is drawing energy from all of them. THen all of a sudden everything
goes hazy for Tidus and he collapses. He is back in Zanarkand and the yound
hooded boy from the very beginning is there. This boy is one of the Fayth,
Tidus asks if he is dreaming but the boy explains that Tidus himself is the
dream. Long ago there was a war between Bevelle and Zanarkand but Zanarkand's
Summoners were no match for Bevelle's Machina. The survivors of Zanarkand
become the Fayth and their memories are what keep Zanarkand alive, including
the people, including Tidus. Tidus is a dream of the Fayth. The boy explains
that the Fayth have been dreaming for a long time and are tired, perhaps Tidus
will be the dream that ends the dreaming of the Fayth...

He wakes up and shugs it off, saying to everyone that he is okay. They
navigate through a cave and come out on top where the Sanctuary Kepper is
waiting for them. They dispatch the monster and realize they are just around
the corner from Zanarkand. Despite Rikku's request to rest the group
continues on.

Zanarkand Cloister of Trials

They arrive at Zanarkand finally, a city dead for 1000 years and the end of
Yuna's journey. As they approach the city something falls out of Yuna's
possessions, it is a sphere. Tidus picks up the sphere and begins to watch.
The sphere details Yuna's feelings about everyone in the group. She tells
Auron that she really appreciated everything, that he was the one who told
Kimahri to bring her from Bevelle to Besaid. It was an honour having him as a
guardian and her final way of saying thanks will be to defeat Sin. She then
tells Kimahri she remembers when they first met and she was seven years old.
She remembers how everyone was celebrating after her father had defeated Sin,
but during this time of celebration whe came to realize her father wasn't
coming back. Then Kimahri appeared saying he was taking her to a safer place,
obviously he had not spoken much with children before. Ever since they first
met that day she had liked his broken horn...

To Wakka and Lulu she says you were both like a big brother and big sister...
no, you were a big brother and big sister. They had never wanted Yuna to
become a summoner but she did it anyway, and she's sorry. Finally she speaks
to Tidus saying that even though they haven't known each other long, she
finally knows what "it" feels like and it's a much more wonderful feeling than
she had ever imagined. Thank you for everything...

They begin their trek through Zanarkand and start seeing the spirits of old
summoners. One of them is Lady Yocun, the dome is filled with pyreflies so
that people's thoughts remain here forever. Next they see a vision of a young
boy crying as his mother says that the time has come for her to become a
Fayth, the yound boy is in fact Seymour. Even images of Braska's party start
appearing, while Jecht and Auron try and convince him to stop his journey so
close to the end, but Braska tells them that if he doesn't do it, do they
expect someone else to go through the same ordeal? Inside the deepest part of
Zanarkand they come to the Chamber of the Fayth but nothing remains. The
Fayth is Lord Zaon and it is an empty shell. Yunalesca however will grant the
final summoning. She explains that Yuna must choose one of her guardians to
become the final summoning, long ago Yunalesca chose her husband Lord Zaon and
now yuna must choose someone she shares a close bond with, and once she calls
this final Aeon, then her life will end...

They see a vision of Braska's party again. Jecht tells Braska to choose him
to become the final Aeon. He had always wanted to make the runt back in
Zanarkand into a start Blitzball player but he realizes that he won't be able
to go back. Maybe if he becomes the Final Summoning, his life will have
meaning because he isn't getting any younger. But Auron argues they must
stop, Sin will come back and their deaths will be meaningless! The real Auron
sees himself from long ago pleading with them and swings his sword as if angry
at his own weakness. Yunalesca explains that every Aeon which defeats Sin,
becomes Sin. Wakka says that they can stop Sin by atoning for their crimes
but Yunalesca asks if such a thing is even possible? Lulu yells out, saying
this principle is what has been keeping hope alive in Spira for so long. That
Yevon's teachings give hope. Yunalesca says that even knowing this Yuna's
father Braska gave his life but Yuna disagrees, she says that her father
wanted to make sorrow go away, not hide it or cover it with lies.

Yunalesca then says it is better to die in hope than live in despair. Even if
Sin is defeated, Yu Yevon will only create it anew. She and offers to give
the group the liberation they need. They resist her and manage to kill
Yunalesca. Tidus says there must still be someother way and they set out to
find an alternate method. On the way down Auron talks to Tidus privately,
saying that he too is an unsent. He was killed when attacking Yunalesca out
of anger for the death of his comerades. He crawled down Mt. Gagazet and told
Kimahri to find Yuna, only to die on that very spot. Now he wanders Spira as
an unsent. Tidus asks why he is here protecting him and Auron shows Tidus his
memories of Jecht telling Auron to look after his kid once he become the final
Aeon, that Auron would find some way back to Zanarkand, he knew it.

They arrive on the airship again and Yuna looks Cid in the eyes in a moment of
recognition and emotion. Yuna says now she realizes that she knows nothing
outside of the teachings of Yevon. When Tidus arrives on the bridge everyone
is eager to tell of their plan, Lulu blurts out that the key to their victory
is the Hymn of the Fayth. Jecht always loved this song and they will use it
to slow him down while they make their move, Maester Mika knows much and he is
the one they should contact first. So they make their way back to Bevelle.

When the group arrives in Bevelle they are stopped by two guards saying they
have been banded as traitors. Just when they are about to fight Sehlinda
appears and stops them, in this time of crisis she has been promoted to
captain, as there are few remaining followers of Yevon. She tells the guards
that the rumour of their being traitors was just a lie spread by the Al Bhed.
Shelinda explains that Yuna has become Maester Mika's only hope and she will
give them an audience. Mika appears and asks if they have obtained the Final
Aeon, but Yuna explains that the Final Aeon is gone. That there must be some
other way, but Mika disagrees saying there is no other way. Yu Yevon's spirit
of death will consume, Yu Yevon is the one who sets the dead clad in armour to
become Sin. Suddenly Mika disappears as if he had been sent, when Shelinda
comes back to ask where Maester Mika is Auron says he has yet to arrive...

The purple hooded Fayth boy appears and says to meet down in the Chamber of
the Fayth. There he asks what their plan is and Tidus explains it is to use
the Hymn of the Fayth, and then to defeat Yu Yevon. The boy agrees this plan
may work, Yu Yevon was once a summoner but now he lives inside Sin, neither
good nor evil. He is responsible for transforming the Final Aeon into Sin
once again. He says that Yuna must promise to summon them when the time
comes, for magic and swords will not be enough. He says that once Yu Yevon is
gone, they will stop dreaming. Tidus says he understands, they have been
dreaming for such a long time. Before they go Yuna sks Tidus if he's been
hiding something, he says no but she calls him a poor liar.

Sin

Cid begins playing the Hymn of the Fayth and everyone listens. Borther calls
out that Sin is directly in front of them. Cid explains that they'll take
care of ripping Sin a new blow hole, and they have to do is jump. Tidus tells
Yuna she doesn't need her goodbye sphere anymore and throws it off the
airship. Sin uses a huge burst of energy to create giant rifts in the planet,
sending tidal waves from all directions. They battle against Sin's fins and
with the help of a giant electricity cannon built into the airship, cut Sin's
fins off and let them fall down to the water below. After the second shot the
cannon is broken and Cid calls them back to make another plan, but they decide
to jump down anyway. They fight Sin's core along with one of its Sinspawn and
send it hurling into the ground. Tidus says this isn't enough though, they
may have weakened it but they still must defeat the man inside of Sin. Yuna
is curious why the Fayth is helping them, if they summon an Aeon Yu Yevon will
jump into it, but he will be weak and they can defeat him. She asks what he's
doing in there, something to do with the dreams of the Fayth. She asks Tidus
if he's going to disappear, but Rikku interrupts and Sin moves again.

Sin opens up and reveals a vortex, inside is a whole other world. Seymour
awaits in here, he has been absorbed by Sin and plans to learn to control it
with all the time in the world. Seymour is defeated and Yuna sends him.
Everyone moves forward through the void. A giant tower smashes into the
ground and everyone enters, there they find an odd looking world where the
stars are visible all around, like the broken ruins of a Blitzball stadium.
There stands Jecht with his back turned. They talk idly for awhile, about how
Tidus has grown. Tidus tells Jecht that he hates him, and Jecht says that he
knows. Jecht says they have to finish it, he will soon become Sin completely.
A glowing light appears and Jecht falls backward into a burning inferno.

The party fights and defeats Jecht's ultimate powerful forms. Jecht lays down
and Tidus holds him as he dies, saying "I hate you" once again just to
reinforce it, but Jecht tells him to save it for later. An odd glowing black
orb has emerged from the monster's body and is floating around. Jecht yells
to Yuna to call the Aeons, and the small purple hooden Fayth boy calls out as
well. They are brought to a floating platform somewhere off in a void where
Yuna must begin to call her Aeons. They fight all of Yuna's Aeons and don't
allow Yu Yevon to join with any of them. Afterwards Tidus announces that this
will be the last battle, because after they defeated Yu Yevon Tidus says he
will disappear. "I know it's selfish" he says, "but this is my story!"

With that the party battles Yu Yevon and defeats it. Slowly it's existence
fades away and we found ourselves back on Besaid Isle where it all started.
Everyone celebrates the defeat of Sin, and inside the temples the Fayth are
slowly beginning to fade away. Back in Zanarkand Yuna begins the sending
procedure and Auron slowly fades away. As Yuna dances Sin falls from the sky
and a great explosion ripples across the sky. Just as the Fayth did, the
Aeons too begin to disappear. As all the Fayth across the land fade away,
Tidus too says that he has to go. He ways that he's sorry to Yuna, that he
couldn't show her his Zanarkand. Yuna says she loves him and he leaps fro
mthe airship, totally high fiving Jecht as he falls.

Next we see Yuna standing at the end of the dock in Luca. Lulu summons her to
the Blitzball arena where she begins to address everyone. She says that
everyone has lost something dear, but Sin is finally dead. Now it is possible
to make new homes and new dreams. Never forget the people they have lost, or
the dreams that have faded... following the credits we see Tidus underwater,
he begins to swim upward toward the screen and in a flash, it fades out...

~ the end ~

Boyce Avenue - Youtube's Hottest Indie Band

2008-10-04T15:52:00.000+08:00

Check this out guys:

-----------------------------
I found this band on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/boyceavenue
-----------------------------

Go check them out, especially their covers of current popular songs. Here's a sample:

They also have original songs like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/user/boyceavenue
http://www.myspace.com/boyceavenue

Queenbank Radio Ad

2008-09-07T19:02:00.000+08:00

Radio Advertisement of Queenbank set in slideshow of Queenbank images

Visit us at: http://www.queenbank.com.ph

Visit us at: http://www.queenbank.com.ph

Copyright of images and the videos are owned by Queenbank, Inc.

Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince Trailer 1

2008-08-10T14:24:00.000+08:00

Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince Teaser Trailer 1:

Expected Movie Release: July 2009

I'm excited...

Carrie Underwood To Be Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry

2008-03-19T22:39:00.000+08:00

Truly Deserving...

ACM and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry during a sold out show. Carrie will be formally inducted into the Opry family on Saturday, May 10.

During Opry Live on GAC (Great American Country), Carrie sang “I Told You So,” a cut from her latest album, Carnival Ride, originally written and recorded by Opry member Randy Travis. As she accepted a standing ovation from the crowd, Travis, himself, surprised her on stage. Hugging a shocked and emotional Carrie, Travis said, “That’s a better performance than I will ever do of that song. Thank you. I’m honored.”

Travis went on to congratulate the artist who is on top of the charts this week with her single “All-American Girl” on having celebrated her 25th birthday earlier in the week. “To end your birthday week, I was asked by the management here at the Grand Ole Opry to come out here and ask you if you would like to be their next member,” he said.

“Let me think about it,” Carrie playfully smiled before immediately responding “yes!” wiping tears from her eyes. After regaining her composure, Carrie said to the crowd before launching into her song “Crazy Dreams,” “This is one of the best nights of my life, and it’s certainly something I’ll never forget. And I’m glad each and every one of you were here to share it with me. This has been absolutely amazing!”

Carrie made her Grand Ole Opry performance debut on June 10, 2005, just two weeks after winning American Idol. Her love for the Opry started as a child as she grew up watching and listening to the show, dreaming of one day performing there and even becoming a member herself.

“It is with great excitement that we invite Carrie to become the Opry’s newest member,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “Since her debut nearly three years ago, Carrie has not only created many memorable Opry moments with her numerous appearances and extraordinary talents, but she has also shown us that she shares a heartfelt connection and a commitment to country music and its rich legacy. We look forward to May 10 when she will be formally welcomed as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.”

Carrie’s debut CD, Some Hearts, released in 2005, is the best-selling solo female country debut album in RIAA history, with sales of seven million copies and five #1 singles, including “Jesus, Take The Wheel” and “Before He Cheats,” which won Grammys as Best Country Song in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Some Hearts also surpasses all other releases as the all-time U.S. top-selling album by any American Idol contestant. At the close of 2007, Billboard ranked Some Hearts as the Top Country Album for the second consecutive year, making Carrie the first female artist in Billboard history to earn back-to-back honors for Top Country Album. Her follow up CD, Carnival Ride, released in 2007, has currently sold over two million copies and contains #1 hits “So Small” and “All-American Girl,” which became her first co-written songs released as singles.

Carrie has garnered three Grammy Awards, eight Billboard Music Awards, five ACM’s, four CMA’s, four CMT Awards, four American Music Awards, and two People’s Choice Awards, among many others.

Congratulations, Carrie! Despite her many accolades, Carrie is still very much the same humble girl she was in her AI days.

Text from http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com
Information about the Grand Ole Opry ---> Here

Video:

Mhik's MySpace Profile

2008-02-24T17:34:00.000+08:00

Hello bloggers!!!

Please visit my Page in MySpace and add me:

http://www.myspace.com/mikejv425ms

Thanks!

Very Funny - HappySlip with David Choi

2008-02-16T16:51:00.000+08:00

HappySlip & David Choi. Really Funny!!!

See David Choi & HappySlip on YouTube

HappySlip - Mixed Nuts

2008-02-03T21:38:00.000+08:00

Here's one of my favorite videos in HappySlip's channel in YouTube. Enjoy!!!

See HappySlip on YouTube or her Official Website.

YouTube's #4 All-time Most Subscribed Channel

2008-01-26T22:37:00.000+08:00

Christine is a Filipina - and proud of it as you'll see in this video. She is now one of the ambassadors of Philippine Tourism for North America.

Go see her in YouTube or her Official Website

Her YouTube channel is #4 Most Subscribed (All-Time) as of January 26, 2008.

Trailer - JUNO

2007-12-15T10:35:00.000+08:00

Official Movie Trailer - JUNO

Enjoy!!!

How to come out of the Closet

2007-12-08T09:35:00.000+08:00

Dave's advice on how to come out of the closet:

http://www.breaktheillusion.com/

BLAKE LEWIS - Official Biography

2007-12-02T21:49:00.001+08:00

If you think Blake Lewis has been working on his debut album since finishing runner-up on "American Idol" last spring you are sorely mistaken.

It's been much longer in the making.

"I had books of lyrics and concepts, and demos from four years ago that say ADD on them," Lewis says, referring to the acronym for the 19 Recordings/Arista Records release, Audio Day Dream. "And I worked with people I was going to work with anyway, like [electronic music mastermind] BT, who is one of my main inspirations in music. I have my band on the album. It's exactly how I wanted it to come out."

A spectacular hodgepodge of styles as varied as synth-pop, alterna-funk and old school hip-hop, Audio Day Dream could only be the brainchild of a true visionary ... or at least a funk soul brotha with a studio addiction.

"I wanted to make a record where every song sounds like it could be on the radio, but my radio," explains Lewis, a 26-year-old Redmond, Washington native. "Each track is different and emotional. I've got drum-n-bass, James Brown-style break-beat. I've got a world beat track, a jazzy track, a Broadway musical track. The songs have huge choruses but also vocoders and talk boxes and robotic-sounding stuff mixed in with funky Jamiroquai-like music."

Certainly, there's an ADD quality to the album, but that's only half of the story behind the title. "I was an only child and I've been entertaining for as long as I can remember, annoying people, making noises, doing voices all the time," Lewis recalls. "Everyone has thought I had ADD my whole life, but I don't. I'm always focused."

While the acronym has been in place for years, Lewis finally spelled it out as he put the finishing touches on the album. (Audio Defying Diversity and Analog Digital Display were among the other contenders.) And how fitting to have the word "dream" on a project that was certainly one coming true.

When Blake wasn't recording in the Seattle studio where Pearl Jam helmed Ten, he was logging tracks on the same mixing console Pink Floyd used on Dark Side of the Moon. He worked with Dr. Dre's talk-box aficionado, was granted rare rights to Irving Berlin's classic "Puttin' on the Ritz" melody and even met his musical doppelganger along the way.

"My A&R guy hooked me up with [OneRepublic singer and Timbaland protege] Ryan Tedder," Lewis says. "Instantly, it was like 'How come you didn't tell us we were best friends?' We did eight songs together and [executive producer] Clive Davis loved every one of them."

Among their collaborations is first single "Break Anotha," which they co-wrote with former Color Me Badd singer-turned producer Sam Watters.

"When Clive first played it for me there was a girl singing and I didn't like the lyrics. There was no bridge. The chorus was strong and the melody was strong, but I didn't hear it until I took it home and listened to it a bunch more times and thought, 'This could be dope for me,'" Lewis recalls. "I had an idea, so I brought my drummer and my horn players in and Ryan fine-tuned it. The concept is the like on 'Heroes,' where the girl walks by a mirror and the reflection is the evil side of her. It's a sinister song, kind of dark and moody."

Along with Tedder and BT, who produced the dancefloor ditty "She's Makin' Me Lose It" (back-up vocals from Chris Kirkpatrick aren't the only thing it has in common with 'NSYNC's "Pop"), Audio Day Dream features production from Mike Elizondo (Maroon 5), S*A*M & Sluggo and J.R. Rotem, best known for Rihanna's "SOS."

The latter teamed with Lewis on "What'cha Got 2 Lose," co-written by fellow "Idol" finalist Chris Richardson. "We wrote it in 45 minutes on a tour bus," Lewis says. "I brought it to J.R. and he killed it. That one's my baby on the record. A true co-produced song. And it's fun, sexy and way different."

The tune opens with Lewis' signature beatboxing, which is sprinkled throughout the album and is showcased on "Bshorty Grabs the Mic!," named after Blake's pre-"Idol" hip-hop alias.

Other highlights include the epic club ballad "End of the World," the break-up anthem "How Many Words" and the Lupe Fiasco collaboration "Know My Name," which Blake admits is an homage to Natalie Portman. "Everybody has a celebrity crush and that was the concept," he smiles.

Audio Day Dream begins with an intro titled "Silence Is Golden ..." and ends with the outro "... I Choose Noise." Together, it's the mantra Lewis lives by.
"I've always been attracted to noise, even as a kid," he says. "I was obsessed with 'Mork and Mindy' because Robin Williams did so many sound effects when he was talking. I even love an annoying racket, especially if there's something rhythmic about it. You can beat-box to a car alarm."

Blake got both his love for music and rebel instincts from his mother, who ran away from home at 15 to pursue a singing career. He got into hip-hop as a kid through Rob Base and Fresh Prince cassettes and moved into grunge in junior high before discovering electronic music through "The Saint" soundtrack (with Moby and Orbital).

After learning piano and saxophone, he eventually began doing musicals and singing in choirs and a cappella groups, where he honed his skills beat-boxing. When he auditioned for "Idol" on a whim (he had never seen the show) the judges insisted he showcase his human turntable skills. He complied, beat-boxing through Seal's "Crazy." But then Blake made a request. He wanted to also sing Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning," which hadn't been cleared by the publisher, so he boldly said, "Turn off the cameras and let me sing it anyway." And thankfully they did.

Text and photo from http://www.blakelewisofficial.com/
Text as of December 2, 2007

Updated - Queenbank's Website

2007-12-02T15:57:00.000+08:00

Hello Bloggers!!!!

I would like to inform you all that Queenbank's website that I helped create was updated last December 2, 2007. Please visit the site and post your comments here or in the "E-mail Us" link right there in the content pages.

http://www.queenbank.com.ph

Thanks.

Peace out!!!!

News - Carrie Underwood Scores Three AMAs and Fifth #1 Single

2007-11-28T21:20:00.000+08:00

Tying For Most Wins At The American Music Awards, Underwood Continues The Celebration As “So Small” Becomes Her Fifth Consecutive Chart-Topper As An Artist and First #1 As A Songwriter.

Los Angeles, CA – 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville’s Carrie Underwood had a big night at the American Music Awards at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on November 18, 2007. Taking home three trophies for Favorite Country Female Artist, Favorite Country Album for Some Hearts, and the coveted all-genre interactive T-Mobile Text-In award, the country star shared most wins for the evening with her co-American Idol Alumni - Daughtry.

And, on the heels of her AMA award-winning night, Carrie Underwood receives further good news this morning as her current single, “So Small,” achieves the #1 slot on Billboard and R&R’s country airplay chart. Co-penned by Underwood, Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey, “So Small” becomes the country star’s first chart-topper as a songwriter and fifth single to go #1 on country airplay charts.

Congratulations Carrie!

Text from http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com

News - Carrie Underwood wins 2 CMA awards (2007)

2007-11-12T07:52:00.000+08:00

Carrie Underwood won Female Vocalist of the Year honors and her song "Before He Cheats" also captured a 2007 County Music Association Award for Single of the Year during the live broadcast of the ceremony on ABC last November 7, 2007.

"Here I go again... the waterworks have started," said Underwood after she accepted her second-straight Female Vocalist of the Year honor. "God has blessed me with so many wonderful things in my life, and I will spend my entire life trying to figure out why. If you had told me a few years ago that I would be nominated with the same people I've been nominated with, I would have called you absolutely insane... It all started for me with American Idol. Thank you everybody... Just all the great people in country music. You guys are absolutely amazing and I'm so proud to be in this format."

This is the second year in a row Underwood has received multiple CMA award victories. The Idol fourth-season champ won both Female Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon Award, an award given to up-and-coming country stars, during last year's ceremony.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD - Official Biography

2007-10-29T07:53:00.001+08:00

There is the whirlwind, and then there is the young woman at its center. The key to Carrie Underwood may lie in knowing that, three years down the road, the two remain separate. For all the awards, the record sales, the chart-topping hits, the non-stop schedule and the incessant media attention, Carrie remains firmly in touch with the shy Oklahoma college student she was before becoming a star. Through all of it, she retains a genuine likeability that, coupled with her enormous talent, goes a long way toward explaining the phenomenal nature of her success.

And it is indeed phenomenal, even when measured by the achievements of others who have found success as she did, via American Idol. The show's co-creator and acerbic judge Simon Cowell had predicted during the competition that she would win and that she would outsell all of Idol's previous winners. He was right on both counts. Carrie’s debut album, Some Hearts, is the biggest-selling American Idol album to date, selling more than 6 million records in the U.S. alone. Her debut CD, Some Hearts, released in 2005, has been the best-selling female country album of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Carrie hit #1 with every single she has released to date, and has won two Grammys as well as a host of trophies from the AMA, ACM, CMA, People’s Choice and Billboard, among many others.

Her own favorite metaphor for the journey, taken from the Hillary Lindsey/Chris Lindsey/Aimee Mayo song "Wheel Of The World," which closes her eagerly awaited second album, has become the project's title. "This part of my life has been absolutely crazy," she says, "and to think it all started from one little decision I made to get on that ride. That's why Carnival Ride works as my album title, because it describes the wonderful craziness I've been through over the past couple of years."

Some Hearts was a snapshot that captured a moment, dealing with coming of age and with establishing a foothold in a wider world. Its success speaks volumes about the attractiveness of its message and of the woman who delivered it. Carnival Ride, on the other hand, is a big-screen movie, wide-ranging in theme, cinematic in scope. It reflects Carrie's increasing strength as a vocalist, her continuing emergence as a songwriter, and her growing maturity as an artist and a person.

"Last time," she says, "I didn't set out to talk about a specific thing. I just picked songs that reminded me of home and made me think, 'Wow! I can relate to that,' and by the end, there was a theme." Taking a broader view this time, she drew on her instincts as a fan in selecting songs that range from the enchantingly light-hearted to the deeply inspiring. "It's a collection of songs I would want to hear on the radio," she says, "and songs I want to sing. I really hope my fans will get a little bit more of me out of these songs."

The presence of four songs co-written by Carrie will help them do just that. "All-American Girl" turns the story of a baby girl born to a man praying for a boy into a celebration of femininity. If there is a bit of autobiography in the song--Carrie is the youngest of three daughters--there is even more in "Crazy Dreams," an ode to "long shots" and a celebration of the fact that "even crazy dreams come true," something she knows better than almost anyone. "Last Name" is a bit of pure fun celebrating reckless abandon, and is one of two songs Carrie wrote with Hillary Lindsey. The other is the album's first single, "So Small," a song that announces the new project as a major step forward. With "So Small" Carrie focuses on what’s important in life and not worrying about the small things. It also focuses on the strength of her voice and personality, instilling it with freshness and relevance.

Lindsey, who co-wrote "Jesus, Take The Wheel," and Carrie have become fast friends since meeting when a group of songwriters gathered at a songwriter retreat in Nashville after her Idol win to help Carrie write and select songs for Some Hearts. In addition to "Wheel Of The World" and the pair of songs she wrote with Carrie, Lindsey co-wrote "Get Out Of This Town," a bit of upbeat restlessness, "Twisted," about a relationship on the edge, and "Just A Dream," a powerful song dealing with the effects of war on a young bride-to-be.

Carrie's emergence as a songwriter on Carnival Ride is another of the album's revelations. She brought together another group of top Nashville tunesmiths, including Brett James, Luke Laird, Kelley Lovelace, Aimee Mayo, Steve McEwan and others for a second writers' retreat. This one held at the Ryman Auditorium, the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry, throwing herself into the creative process and expanding greatly her confidence as a songwriter and her depth as a creative force in modern country music. The process of writing with and looking through the catalogs of the cream of Nashville songwriting helped make Carnival Ride the strong artistic statement it is.

"We had so many great songs to choose from it was really hard to narrow it down," she says. "We set the bar really high. Songs that would be hits hands-down might not have made it onto the album because one was a teeny notch better." The strength of those songs helped propel the subsequent recording sessions.

"We really took the first part of the year to make sure we had the best material we could possibly find," she says, "and then we went in every day to the studio, which is something I really love to do. It is a very controlled environment. Mark [Bright, her producer] is so easy to work with. He'll encourage me to play around with vocal approaches because, at the end of the day, it's my voice, and the song is something I'll be doing on stage every night. He trusts the instincts I have and I trust him. That makes us a good team."

Holding the entire package together is the passion and believability fans came to know and love on American Idol and which haven't dimmed a bit. The combination grew out of a lifelong love of country music nurtured in her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma.

"I had a very happy childhood full of the wonderful simple things that children love to do," she says. "Growing up in the country, I enjoyed things like playing on dirt roads, climbing trees, catching little woodland creatures and, of course, singing." She sang in church, then in grade school musicals and area talent shows, winning a savings bond here, a trophy there.

"After high school," she says, "I pretty much gave up on the dream of singing. I had reached a point in my life where I had to be practical and prepare for my future in the 'real world.'"

She attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, where her sorority sisters at Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority worked to bring her out of her shell.

"They always tried to make me sing at everything," she says, "but I was too embarrassed. During the summers I mustered up enough courage to sing at the Downtown Country show--a Branson-style show that included singing, dancing and comedy. It was mainly there that I learned what it was like to be in front of a crowd."

She majored in broadcast journalism, her sights set on a career in television news. Then, in her senior year, she saw news reports of tryouts for American Idol's 2005 season.
"People always told me that I should try out for the show, but I never thought I would be able to handle it." When her mother offered to drive her to St. Louis for tryouts, though, she decided to go. That, of course, set in motion the whirlwind.

"I remember certain things--Saturday Night Live was really cool," she says. "It was great to be added to the list of such great iconic artists who have performed on the show before. And of course, being on stage at the Grammys--that was an amazing moment. Who'd have thought? But each one runs together. I'd love to revel in the moment a little more sometimes."

Still, it is a mark of Carrie's level-headedness and determination that amid the demands of a star, she made it a goal to complete her college degree. Even among the madness of winning American Idol in May 2005, recording and launching her debut album in November 2005, she finished her credit hours and earned her B.A., graduating magna cum laude in May 2006. And while she has grown a little more accustomed to the elite circles in which she sometimes travels, now and then she can tap into the fan she has always been, as when she met Randy Travis not long ago.

"I've loved him ever since I was little," she says. "So, it was kind of like, 'Wow! This is the person I hoped would take home the awards when I watched as a little girl.' It was kind of a crazy day and I guess my emotions were running a little high when I got to meet him. I met him and he was so nice, and I started crying. I never know what to do with people when they cry when meeting me, so I was thinking, 'Gosh! I'm one of those people now! I'm being completely silly,' but it was just the way it happened." Her version of Travis's hit "I Told You So" appears on Carnival Ride.

She appears on Brad Paisley's album 5th Gear, joining him on "Oh Love" as her reach continues to expand. She recorded an original song called "Ever Ever After" for the Disney movie Enchanted and filmed a music video for the project. Her versatility is such that she has covered the work of artists including the Eagles and Bob Wills on the Grammys, Fleetwood Mac on Fashion Rocks, and she made the Pretenders' classic "I'll Stand By You" her own in a version that raised money for the "Idol Gives Back" charity effort. As part of her involvement, Carrie traveled to South Africa to visit and perform for schools, orphanages, hospices and health care centers in and around Johannesburg.

In 2006, Carrie performed over 150 shows on tour with Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley as well as headlining her own dates. She ended the year headlining a USO Tour during the Christmas holiday season and performing for U.S. troops in Kuwait and Iraq. Carrie, known for her love of animals, is also a major supporter of the Humane Society of the United States.

Such charitable efforts are yet another indication that, in a world where celebrity is often about mere self-indulgence, Carrie brings as much grace, style and substance to her life as she does to her stage performances. She has quickly become one of country music's most effective and best-loved ambassadors, using her success as a springboard for good. Now, with the release of Carnival Ride, we are reminded once again of the rich talent that underlies that humanitarian spirit, and of the bottom line when it comes to the popularity of this remarkable young woman.

Text from http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com/ as of 10/29/2007

Carrie Underwood - Carnival Ride

2007-10-29T07:42:00.000+08:00

Wow!!!! This CD is just phenomenal. It's one of those CD's where you do not skip any tracks. Even if they sold this CD 10 times it's price, It would still be worth it.

I especially like the tracks "So Small", "Flat on the Floor", "All-American Girl", "Last Name" and "The More Boys I Meet".

If you like country music, or love Carrie Underwood or adore "Some Hearts", you'll definely love Carnival Ride.

This CD will definitely win her more awards.

Voltron the Movie - Fleet of Doom

2007-10-21T09:02:00.000+08:00

I love this 80's Cartoon series when I was a kid. Here is one of the movies that was produced: (5 parts)

Enjoy!!

This is Interesting

2007-10-17T23:52:00.000+08:00

Subscribe to his channel on YouTube , his videos are interesting...

Here's a sample:

Here's another one:

And another:

____________________________________________

His official blog is at: http://www.breaktheillusion.com/

Answering Question from his bloggers
Part 1:

Part 2:

My Own Webpage

2007-09-30T16:56:00.000+08:00

How about visiting mym own webpage at geocities:

http://www.geocities.com.mikejv425/

Comments posted here will be appreciated. Thanks.

Queenbank's Website

2007-09-30T16:36:00.000+08:00

Please visit the website I helped create. It was placed online last April 2007.

http://www.queenbank.com.ph/

You can place your comments or suggestions about the website here.