Hans Beck

Photo AFP

German carpenter Hans Beck passed away last January 30th. I have many memories from my childhood of playing with his most famous creation: Playmobil figures. Somewhere in my parent's house there's still a big Playmobil pirate ship tucked away.

I stopped seeing playmobil toys for a while until I went to France. I found myself face to face with a great childhood memory. Now I know that they are still here in toy stores... and I still love them.

Thanks Mr. Beck. Rest in Peace.

In Memoriam

I first met Elisa Loyo almost 20 years ago. She must have been around 7 years old at the time. I remember seeing her on TV when my friend Lucía told me that her sisters were going to be on a kiddie game show.

Then I didn't see her again for ages. I knew that she had moved to Canada with her mother. We talked once or twice on the net as she was getting into culinary school. Then a couple years ago she went to my hometown. She helped me with a small cocktail I was making and then went along to one of my classes. She told me she was going off to Paris for a stage at Taillevent.

Last time I heard of her, she was off to work at the Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino Hotel just north of Manila.

Elisa went missing a few days ago and on friday night I received an e-mail about her passing. Details are sketchy and there is an "official" bullshit version (supported by the Hotel itself) that states that she took her life. Her family believes that she may have been tortured and murdered for trying to straighten up some theft that was going on her working place.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Elisa's family. I hope that truth is found in this case where someones's life was cut short at just 25 for trying to do things right, but in the state that the Philippines are now. It seems a long shot.

Injury

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

There goes the Super Bowl hopes... I wonder if Daunte's phone is ringing...

I'm such a geek

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