The Carver's House

Fill'er up with weewee. We were treated years ago to news of a Filipino who claimed to develop a car engine that could run on water. While that technology has never seen the commercial light in this day of hybrids and alternative fuels, one Ohio scientist claims to have developed the means to run cars using urine. The hydrogen in urine is reportedly easier to extract compared to the hydrogen in water, thus requires less energy. Read all about it on Wired.com . If this technology becomes commercially available, our jeepney drivers wouldn't have to pee against their tires--they can relieve themselves while filling up the fuel tank. Abdul-less 'Idol?' It's almost certain that American Idol's next season won't have sweet Paula Abdul. This is according to her new manager David Sonenberg. So if she won't be on AI...what else could she be doing? She may not be the best judge on the show, but she balances out Simon Cowell quite effectively. Read more on Newswe...

The first time I saw Paula Abdul was in 1988, through the video, (It's Just) The Way That You Love Me . Tapdancing and Top40 weren't exactly a prizewinning combo in the late-80s, but she definitely stood out. Though that single didn't even break into the Top 40, it would be re-released the following year after the mega-success of the singles Straight Up, Forever Your Girl and Cold-Hearted . I bought all her studio albums (on cassettes) except the remix compilation. As she continued to bag one hit after another, my friend and I would joke about her voice. ("Kung mananalo siya ng award, magpapasalamat siya sa Macintosh computers for her voice.") Note that when her hit Rush, Rush came out, Mariah Carey had just hit the scene, Madonna was vogueing as Breathless Mahoney, Janet Jackson was ruling Rhythm Nation, and Whitney Houston was raking in the moolah with I'm Your Baby Tonight . Paula seemed to be the odd-girl out among the powerhouse divas, the light-footed...