Photoblog - Day 334 Mar 9, 2011

Pepper?

Technically, this one month old pup is a half black Labrador and half pit-bull, with obvious Lab features. A cute little bugger, with a lot of panache - and I say this after noticing him play with Buffy, with no fear at all.

I have not given him a name yet - you see, he's not going to stay here, as he's officially not our dog - though he seems adorable as pups go, he's been accepted by Tizza; and Linus is really eager to have him in Cuenca. They even asked me to post pictures of the pup in Facebook, so they could see him. Excited to have him there seems to be an understatement.

Anyway, as we await his Cuenca trip - we will have to contend with him. Not that hard to do; with exception to Ate Vicky, who has to clean up his mess. But I think it will be for the better. Tizza is used to caring for a big dog - and this pup will grow to be big (if the size of his paws are any indication), ands Li has always wanted a Black Lab it seems. I'm sure somewhere in the mix, Migs will want a dog to have around too... and with all the open spaces that Cuenca can offer, this dog will have a very great and active life there.

Yeah... as for a name, I've heard that LI had several to think of (including Batman), but Tizza put her foot down and said 'Pepper' (hence the title with a question mark), personally, I'd go for something a bit more masculine than Pepper - but as I said, he's not my dog.

Photoblog - Day 333 Mar 8, 2011

Roots Afloat:

If my mystery aquarium plant was just recently featured, well... here's a differing view of the same plant - this time, from the bottom. What you see here are the roots of said plants (I refer to them as mini-water lilies... though I've not seen them come up with lily like flowers).

Anyway, I like this take better... it looks mysterious and other-worldly, at least, to most non-aquarists or marine biologists. This time, the balance I was getting was to make as much roots visible, without having the surface too bright. As it stands, the shot looks a bit blurry, but I let it stand - to add to the other-worldly look.

Consider this as another work in progress... after all, it's had to focus on any shot when recovering form the flu, and apparently, I've a lot to recover.

Photoblog - Day 332 Mar 7, 2011

Tuk tuk:

This picture continues my experimenting with lights and shadows - this time, my subject is a model of Vietnam's more famous ride called the Tuk tuk. As you can see by the silhouette, the tuk tuk is basically a converted bicycle... with the front being transformed into a two-wheeled passenger carriage built for one - or two. Hence it technically is now a tricycle.

This model is painted black, which further allowed me to play with shadows. I deliberately lessened the brightness, to capture just the tuk tuk's basic shape. The model is a souvenir courtesy of Barbie's latest work-related trip.

Photoblog - Day 331 Mar 6, 2011

Water Karma?

I took a picture of these water plants (I honestly don't know their name) that just appeared out of nowhere in my aquarium, and apparently, is alive and thriving (multiplying). Since they give the aquarium a nice and cozy feel, I just allow the plants to propagate.

In fact, I get a net-full of these things occasionally, to transfer them into my other, larger aquarium - with hopes of seeing them propagate there too. No such luck yet on the this particular item - guess it's the light or maybe it's the relative calmness of the water in one, and not the other.

Either way, I have at least a seemingly unlimited supply of these things, so I can continue to experiment between this and the other aquarium. I also noted (more like wondered) if these plants would be compatible with shrimps - as they love hanging around plants... and do want to somehow stay by plants near the surface (and lighting) as well. So yeah... maybe I'll try some shrimps here next.

As for the karma? Well the picture seemed to represent balance between the dark waters and the green plants. Regarding this, to properly show the leaves, I had to dramatically lessen the brightness. I'll try another shot at this at a later date - once I get the puzzle of too much brightness fixed.

Photoblog - Day 330 Mar 5, 2011

What used to be tissue:

This was, until last night, my roll of tissue paper. One that I had beside me as I was experiencing a runny nose due to my flu. Well it's not a stretch of the imagination figuring out what happened here - the culprit's name is Buffy.

Apparently, I had thought that Buffy's chewy days were behind us all... unfortunately, this was not so, she has of late, renewed her chewing tactics and as a result has claimed two slippers - both of them Ben's, and th3e bad part was, the second one was newly bought and had not even lasted a day before she got to it.

As of now, I'm at a loss on ow to curb this nasty habit - short of rubbing the possible items of her attention with pepper, that is.

Photoblog - Day 329 Mar 4, 2011

Bryce saluting:

This happened prior turnover ceremony that would be where Bryce and around a few hundred other select students from the other OBMC branches. See I had hoped to accompany Bryce so I could witness the ceremony, but due to schedule mix-ups, I had training that morning that I could not get away from... plus the fact that I wanted to end the course ASAP so I could rest, as I was already feeling bad... possible flu.

Luckily, Barbie and Ben would be able to stay with Bryce and I even had them bring the DSLR so they could take as much pictures as possible. I even set the DSLR settings so they need not worry about bad pictures. Based on what they took, I'd say they got the job done real well.

As for my finishing the class early, I got that too - though not as early as I hoped, but I grabbed a cab and was glad to get home so I could rest. As it was, mu voice was really going, and I was partially deaf to my participants due to the bad cold in my head.

So of all the pictures taken that day, why this? Simple, Before leaving I told Bryce to pose for the camera - I wanted to take his picture, should Barbie and Ben not be able to take pics, at least I'd have one... so there you have it. This one I took, and did not even ask Bryce to salute.

Photoblog - Day 328 Mar 3, 2011

Pigeon shot:

Remember that pigeon shot I had in Piazza showing other people feeding the pigeons? Well this time I came prepared to take pictures of them even in motion. I had some difficulty finding the right combination to capture birds in flight without them looking blurry. Well I think I found the right combination.

Setting my F number really high (at 2000) and compensating for that with a relatively mid ISO at 400, I was ready to try capturing these pigeons... ah but first, I needed to test my shot with something moving and while I was waiting for cars to pass to test my combination, I spotted the water fountain -perpetually moving water... if I could get a shot of this with no blur, that would be it. Well shoot it I did and it did capture the water perfectly. So now I was ready.

This particular shot came in the middle of all the shots I was able to take - almost all with pigeons frozen in flight, or eating at the hands. Anyway, as the pigeons came in to land for food, this particular bird was zooming in on me... probably mistaking my camera for an outstretched hand. Needless to say, I really got a tight shot of the bird, but it was only later that I realized how tight it was.

So cool... scratch one from my list of try and do with the camera. I'm really proud of this (and the other) pictures I took that day.

Photoblog - Day 327 Mar 2, 2011

Lamp between bars:

We, that is Ariel, Mon and I, opted to have lunch at Reyes Barbecue at the second floor of the Piazza in McKinley, and as they were lining up to order their meals, I took it upon myself to try and take a few shots of the place.

This one was from a distinctive position so as to give the picture viewer a different look of the place. After all, how many people bother looking at the lampshades form different angles? But what made it even more unique were the iron bars. To further make the picture different, we have an added dimension by way of the lamp's reflection on the glass wall of Reyes.

So yeah, this picture holds mundane things - but put together, they cease to be mundane and look decidedly different... and by angling my shot, it gives an otherwise ordinary picture, some perspective. Thus giving the picture a unique look with the light, the bars, the light's reflection off the glass and the bars. Yeah... that's me thinking profound.

Photoblog - Day 326 Mar 1, 2011

New Comics for March

Well technically this was for February, but I got to read them this first day of March - you see I would not have gotten these comics had I not been to Makati for the luch with the board yesterday, however, I did not have time to read them back then, so I brought them with me to my PM training.

I reasoned to myself that since Ariel (my partner for PM) would be handling a few modules, then I will have some free time to enjoy these - and enjoy them I did. I was relatively a good pull list with Cap and Secret Avengers - both Brubaker greats, but add to that the final issue of Fantastic Four? Wonderful... only wish the art was better though. Iron Man was great too - though where Iron Man 2.0 will go I don't know yet, but I got the first issue. Legion Annual was okay, I guess... aside from the fact that it was a reunion of sorts for Levitz and Giffen, and lastly the Teen Titans was likewise okay.

Like I said, overall... a good pile of reading.

Photoblog - Day 325 Feb 28, 2011

Lunch with Board:

It's a rare occasion when most of us have no training at a particular day - but such was this day. After all, it being a week where February meets March it was a bit of a slow week for planners, as they planned for March, but not the last day of February - go figure.

Still if not for these types of thinking, we'd have had little or no chance to meet the PheonixOne BOD, and in this particular case, their CEO (who happened to sit beside me). It was a surprise lunch treat at that - most of us were expecting a simple lunch elsewhere, when suddenly we're treated to a lauriat set.

Needless to say it was enjoyable - even if I was a bit careful with the amount of intake on my end. Afterwards, we - my colleagues and I, set out for coffee at Starbucks before we all called it a day.

Photoblog - Day 324 Feb 27, 2011

Last batch for February:

Whereas many people get their comics on a regular weekly basis, I usually get mine in bulk and normally, this happens at the month's end. The reason I do this is the fact that the store I get them from has shown me great respect and appreciation by way of allowing to keep the comics I collect several weeks after their release.

This means that even suddenly collectible issues, like the death of Johnny Storm, that everyone who did not collect Fantastic Four seemed to suddenly want to get, thus making it a first come first served basis as most limited commodity would go through - except for the place I get my comics from.

At times I do get some titles from other shops - but should that happen, and I see similar titles reserved for me by the ship I go to on a regular basis, well... I get the title nonetheless - it may be a useless gesture since I have it already, but it is, to me, a payment for loyalty. For taking care of my wants.

Photoblog - Day 323 Feb 26, 2011

Down time:

After a long week, its nice to hang back and share a few drinks with colleagues... in this case, it was with Gina, Mon and Brian. Aside from the fact that this was unplanned, it was still a great down time after a relatively busy week.

We had some time to compare notes, to assess situations and yes... even vent out a few things - albeit somewhat a bit circumstantial, but logical enough to need to have this get together.

Could this be that same news that places Brian in a seemingly pensive mode? Or is it just the lighting? Either way, it was a nice picture to take - and add to this collection. Not to emphasize the pensiveness, but to show the mood as contributed by the light, the shadows and the pose.

Photoblog - Day 322 Feb 25, 2011

Batirol 2011!

This is at Tsoko.nut Batirol; a chocolate place / restaurant that we seem to frequent whenever we find time to get together... more so when we can't seem to organize a Bacardi Night for the month (or quarter, at times).

But really, who needs an excuse to get together? Benj asked me what was the special occasion - and I just blurted EDSA 25th anniversay, but we weren't really celebrating that... we just wanted to get together after a long time no see with him and Menchu... and yes, because we did not have a Bacardi night scheduled for the month of February.

Aside from the people in the picture, we don't see Marie, who came much later (and by that time, Jj left), and me (holding the camera). Though I was in other pictures - just not in this particular one. Shot taken as is... no post production changes.

Photoblog - Day 321 Feb 24, 2011

Coffee Beans:

This picture is a take two - in other words, it's something I took before... wasn't too happy with and so, decided to wait for the opportunity to take it again, this time, making sure I came away with a much cleaner... and better shot.

As you can see, they are coffee beans, enclosed in a flat glass frame, making an artificial wall (or in this case, wallpaper?) for the place's typical ambiance. That these coffee beans are used as display is quite appropriate, since this is a coffee shot after all.

As for the shot itself, I did not change anything in it... with exception to the contrast. Other than that, what you see is what I shot.

Photoblog - Day 320 Feb 23, 2011

New Collar!

Here's Buffy sporting her new collar - one I had just bought earlier to replace the seemingly dilapidated one she has been wearing... and although still functional, said collar had long ago lost it's golden shine, replaced by an awkward looking inner material. How did this happen to her old collar - one not even a year old? Simple... wear and tear... and the last one is a bit literal.

See, during the days when Buffy would be playing with Neko or Nek-nek for that matter (the mother son black cat tandem we have), they would bite Buffy's collar in an effort to try to get away from her. Well that move obviously did not work - and all it did was make the collar look ugly.

So since I take pictures of Buffy once is a while, I worry about the collar's look in the pictures. Well, with new collar... problem solved. She looks presentable again.

Photoblog - Day 319 Feb 22, 2011

Fiel in Action:

This is Fiel, my parter in training, at least, for this week and he's seen here emphasizing an idea to the the entire class. As facilitating goes, it's a nice feeling to help people learn new stuff... and Fiel is one of the more diligent facilitators I've known - not resting on his laurels, and wanting to always explore new ideas... often, to share with his participants and students, if not in Accenture, in his Master courses at Asia Pacific College.

Fiel comes across as professorial when he teaches... maybe it's because he is one... but in this line of business, that isn't a bad thing. It's not to say he's too serious too - after all, he does mention a few jokes here and there too. As for this particular training, it's all about Application Component Detailed Design (ACDD), and Fiel always makes it look effortless.

As I said, we're together (partners) in two sessions of ACDD covering Monday to Thursday and on Friday we'll meet the rest of the gang after a number of us get our checks... meanwhile, it's counting the days and hours with these conducts. Good thing that we've got each other as partners here, or we'd be straining our voices raw.

I've known Fiel for about five years now... having first taught with him in our PrimaryEdge days... usually with a 3rd partner, Benj Santilian. I miss those days... and good to know that we'll be seeing Benj on Friday.

Photoblog - Day 318 Feb 21, 2011

Wooden Beams:

These remind me of architectural patterns used by some homes or country clubs... usually in seemingly forested areas, or in places where wood is easily obtained... and these aren't cheap mind you. Of course the locations with these try to emulate the seeming log cabin feel, hence being right at home in Baguio locales.

But this isn't Baguio... far from it, actually - it's Selah, the dining area in Cyber2 that Fiel and I (plus other colleagues of ours) usually frequent. These beams are proudly isplayed on the ceiling... notice howo the dining place uses minimalist designes for it's ceiling... just the beams and pipings. No bother ti hide the place's skeletal configuration... to give it a semi-underground, unfinished look.

This is another example of the mundane, captured in a more interesting slant. I did not want to use flash photography here, because it would render the beams ither too bright... and the background too dark. Hence I opted for allowing background lighting to handle the light and brightness concern.

Photoblog - Day 317 Feb 20, 2011

Lamp:

It may be a mundane item - something rarely given a second glance in these parts... after all, products like these abound in many parts of the city, and how many people back here have not seen such a lampshade before? So yeah, thsi definitely borders on the mundane.

And yet... because of it's being non-unique, people forget it's elegance, it's artistry and it's ambiance. Had I a spare room... say a quiet or relaxation room, I'd probably adorn it with such a lampshade. I mean, look at it... isn't it simple; thus elegant?

Yeah... someday. Meanwhile, I satisfy myself with sharing the lamp - and it's ambiance in Bo's Coffee.

Photoblog - Day 316 Feb 19, 2011

Bubbles:

I wanted to capture kids at play without looking like a camera wielding perv taking pictures of kids I don't know... but the reason I was in seemingly stalking mode was because one kid in particular was blowing bubbles and the others were reacting to this. That was what I was trying to capture from a relatively safe distance from the kids and their guardians. I really wanted to see how bubbles would look as I took them.

First order of the business was to make sure they were visible to the camera's captured images. After all, bubbles are transparent, so I would need reflective lighting to make the bubbles visible... and lucky for me it was a sunny morning. I was also still getting used to the camera's focus, aperture, white light, etc... so it was really a challenge to try and capture the picture.

That said , I had to do some post-prod work on the picture to ensure the bubbles were really visible. Next time, I'll try to ask my nieces and/or nephews to do the bubbles stuff, so I can literally get closer to them and take better shots.

Photoblog - Day 315 Feb 18, 2011

Friday Reading?

Today was not my typical Friday - meaning it wasn't what I would be usually doing - and that was of course accompanying Barbie to the mall, so she could shop for some needed stuff for a Vietnam trip. Me? Walking around the mall entering different shops isn't my thing, si I prefer to go to the bookstore - peruse what they have, and if I find some interesting stuff, end up buying it.

Alas, such was the case with this pricey PM book (an investment - that's what I keep saying to myself), and the Time magazine. The Vanilla flavored yogurt is just to keep me company as I read the magazine and the Java book that I brought with me, while awaiting Barbie's eventual shopping ending (having visited all the shops she wants to), Not to mention lunchtime - yes... another uncharacteristic thing... waking up early to get to the mall on opening time.

Truly... the things I do for my wife.

Photoblog - Day 314 Feb 17, 2011

New Additions:

This is my new collections - still a relatively small number from what I usually get, but considering the need to stretch the budget until my next paycheck, a welcome rest for me considering the fact that these were the only comics that interested me... and even then the only item I'm collecting in a regular basis here is the JLA... the New Avengers... I'm still on the fence about this, but since it's got Chaykin as collaborator, I decided to try it out.

The Secret Avengers is the only reason I'm even considering this new Onslaught thing - and even then I'm really wondering if it's worth getting at all. Red Robin seems interesting, and this new Batman and Robin arc is likewise worth looking into seeing as I skipped their last arc due to really bad art... and not so interesting story.

Photoblog - Day 313 Feb 16, 2011

Spreading the SPARC:

The Acronym (if I can remember it right) stands for Strategic Partners and Affiliates with Red Cross. And the picture depicts our meeting in the Trophy Room of the Manila Polo Club.

Our reason for this meeting is to tie up with at least two international schools representatives and through them, tap the school's resources should the need arise.

This is technically, planning ahead of possible disasters - and since the Red Cross is a neutral and noble organization, I did not mind being part of the SPARC team. Technically, this is the second official SPARC meeting - though in this case, it's more a focussed discussion for one item.

The idea of SPARC was broached to me by John - an old College friend, and current chairman of the Makati Red Cross branch, and it's scope is (to say the least) vast - hence the real need to forge partnerships with volunteer citizens and companies. Our role is to play mentor roles to the Red Cross volunteer staff, forge partnership alliances with organizations or companies to enable us to use their resources should disasters strike, and basically have a network of volunteers representing various backgrounds and expertise to add diversity and strength to the institution.

Oh yeah, and in the process, I get to widen my network, have a more direct access to blood; should I need it for whatever reason... and mind you, it's not a need I look forward to - but it is nice to know that I can have access when such a time comes. Lastly, to find an excuse to link up once again with some old friends - namely John and hopefully soon, Rudy.

Volunteerism is nothing new to me... after all, at some times in my life, I was a Boy Scout, a Jaycee and a Toastmaster - in all these roles, I served as a volunteer in differing capacities. This is just another aspect... albeit, in a different arena.

Photoblog - Day 312 Feb 15, 2011

Prosperity Tree:

If I'm to understand correctly, this is supposed to be a prosperity tree - one that was set up in the Piazza at the last week of January, in preparation for the Chinese New Year. Well said new year came and went, and the tree stayed up until now.

It's nto something you see everyday, and this one had a promo connected to it. For every Php1,000 worth of accumulated receipts, one could choose a red envelope from the tree and win a prize. Well, thanks to the tea boxes Fiel and I got, I did accumulate receipts enough to join the promo. I then asked Barbie to do the honors of choosing an envelope - though we had been forewarned that the only prize we could get would be an audio CD.

We did get that as a prize - though it was for a local singer whom we weren't really a fan of. So we decided to give it instead to a friend who we know is a fan of said singer. Oh well... maybe this tree did not give me any prosperity - but that doesn't mean I can't get it elsewhere.

Photoblog - Day 311 Feb 14, 2011

Valentine Tea Box:

I was wondering what to give Barbie this Valentine - and contrary to what is the traditional option of flowers (one I never really chose - I guess I'm non-traditional, and a non-conformist in that sense), I wanted something a bit more useful - and definitely different.

So flowers that would wilt after a day or two (and ridiculously priced in Valentine's day at that) were impractical to me - and out of the question. I considered chocolates - on the sneaky thought that I'd get to taste them too, but I could get chocolates any time of the year... besides, I was choosing gifts together with Fiel, and his comment about not promoting health rang a tiny bell (one I could have easily ignored - but chose to heed that day). There were teddy bears too... stuffed toys that look cute (and equally ridiculously priced, just because they were repackaged), but what use were they as well. We've got lots of stuffed toys just gathering dust, and one would not be that much appreciated.

Then I saw this box filled with tea bags and I pointed it out to Fiel as well. We both agreed that the wooden box would be a presentable item in an office environment, and it's contents were also promoting a healthy lifestyle - so... right there and then, we decided to each get a box.

Technically it could be possible to get the tea and box cheaper elsewhere... but hey, time was of the essence too, so spending a little more was not too bad... and it did not feel like highway robbery as well. After all, what we got was not priced higher just because of Valentine, and it is reusable - just buy more tea bags. When I presented it to Barbie and she learned what it was (and opened it), she said the exact thing I thought... that it would look good in her office... and that the tea was seen as healthy. So yeah... she definitely appreciated the box filled with tea.

Photoblog - Day 310 Feb 13, 2011

My New Glasses:

Actually, it's just the frame that's new, on account of my old frame suddenly disassembling before me - apparently, the spring in the right side of the frame broke, separating the arm form the lens.

It was definitely frustrating - and I could not use the frame without either using crude solutions like tape - or have the optical shop do some welding. Unfortunately, should the welding option be done, it would melt the plastic material that my frame was made out of. So, I opted for 'door #3'; which was to consider getting a new frame - one close enough to my old one (they did not have one exactly like it), so I could still re-use my old lenses, which were still as good as new.

I got a good enough price for the frame - a bit pricey, but at least, it looks presentable - and yeah, not as pricey as the one it replaced... after all, the last one was a Ray Ban. Ah well...

The optical person I was talking to even suggested (and though it may come across as potential selling on his part, it still made good sense) that I have a spare set - should things like this happen again in the future. I'll really have to consider that... but not now. Maybe, in a few months time. Meanwhile, I hope this pair lasts longer than the last one.

Photoblog - Day 309 Feb 12, 2011

What's out there?

That seems to be the thoughts of Buffy and Bubbles as they look out through our second floor window at the rear room.

It was a great opportunity for me to try playing with natural lighting while taking something cute. I even set up the tripod with hopes to take more shots of them - alas, cooperative subjects they hardly are, and the cats were nowhere around to add ot their interest in looking out the window. So I had to make do with what I got.

What's not shown in this picture is where they're standing on. I placed my newest storage box filled with comics, beside the window, specifically for this purpose - though not for this particular day... meaning I wanted the dogs; specifically Buffy, to be able to use this to peek out. Bubbles can do it without the box, though I guess in this mode, she need not stretch too much.

Photoblog - Day 308 Feb 11, 2011

Training for Better Meetings:

Yup, this is me in action at an Achieving Meeting Results training session - specifically, me giving some pointers on how our participants could have improved their skills regarding facilitating their meetings.

Truthfully told, this picture was a surprise, I can just assume that Mon, my partner in said training, took it upon himslef to take the camera and take two shots of me in action - seeing as I was doing it the entire day to our participants, it was not an unlikely assumption that I wanted - but did not voice out to anyone, that my picture be taken.

So thanks, Mon... and since I did not take this picture, well... let's make this my official picture for February. After all, it shows what I look like at this time, it shows me in action - and best of all, it shows me in a situation where I am definitely unaware of the shot being taken. Not top mention, it shows me with my new shirt too.

I did little adjustment here - merely cropping a few background - thus making the subjects bigger, adding some contrast and balancing with a little over-all brightness, other than that, what you see is what was taken.

Photoblog - Day 307 Feb 10, 2011

Lunch with Friends:

This was unplanned - it just happened to be possible because everyone was in the vicinity with their respective trainings, hence we were able to set an impromptu get together for lunch.

You're looking at a handful of really great (meaning skillful) Corporate Trainers - colleagues all... and it is a rare thing to find us all in one place - as we're usually scattered by necessity of training locations. Today, however, was uniquely different, seeing as we (as in our trainings) were all near (if not beside) each other's rooms.

Everyone ended up eating in Max's and talking shop - meaning updating everyone with what was happening with their respective trainings. In the middle of all this, I asked everyone to smile - then announced to them all that thanks to them, I had my 'picture of the day'. They all laughed, since they all knew about this Photoblog.

As for me, I had lunch at home a little earlier, so I just accompanied them. The good news is, it looks like we'll still be able to repeat this lunch get together tomorrow. How cool is that?

Photoblog - Day 306 Feb 9, 2011

Slow day?

Yeah, it's actually been a slow day today - stayed home, watched some DVDs, got to charge my iPod (after not using it for at least two months), got some of my newer comics organized into a new plastic storage container, read two comic books - then emailed Marvel (for the first time) and updated my Photoblog... while finalizing my schedule for the rest of the week (hence my scheduler).

Not that I'm complaining, after all, I was able to rest... and despite all this, I found myself wanting for more time to do other stuff. After all, I'll need at least two days to organize my cabinet - one to clean it up... and another to rest.

Photoblog - Day 305 Feb 8, 2011

Simple yet Picturesque:

Getting a great sunset in the city is hard to accomplish. You've got too many buildings blotting out the horizon to see an actual setting sun the likes of which Boracay is known to produce.

Yet once in a while... like this instance, you see how the clouds, the weather, the buildings... all these seem to just form the right mix - and you have a simple, yet spectacular sunset... not by seeing the sun itself setting down - but with the effects it has on the building - creating a nice silhouette; how the sun's rays seem to visibly radiate from behind the building; and how the low cloud covering just allows enouhg sunlight to likewise shape it's outline.

I was obviously at the right place, at the right time to get this picture. Lucky for me, I had my camera to take the picture. Then it was a simple matter to increase the contrast to further emphasize the sunset. Nothing too exagerrated... nor too complicated. The better pictures just let the subject - in this case, nature and it's surroundings, speak for itself.

Photoblog - Day 304 Feb 7, 2011

Hunter's Instinct?

This peculiar behavior was something we all got surprised with - and by we, I mean Barbie, Ben and me. After all, Buffy never showed this particular behavior - then again, we never did pit a flashlight on her face... but it's not the flashlight's light that is keeping her so interested... so concentrated.

Yes, she's hardly moving... keeping still, almost like she were hunting. Notice the alert look, the erect tail and the one leg up... as if she were ready to sprint at a second's notice? Apparently, she was all that... you see, said flashlight happens to have another feature... that of a laser pointer, and when Buffy sees the red dot of said pointer on the floor, she goes gaga racing after it.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the reason for her alert look and hunter's stance. Buffy has been conditioned to anticipate the light's arrival (meaning we just turn the laser pointer on and aim at the floor) and give it her best (but failed) shot to capture the light... once and for all.

Photoblog - Day 303 Feb 6, 2011

New Fans:

The group's name is, believe it or not... the Rainmakers - yet their voices are hardly that bad to make the heavens weep. On the contrary, their blending is nice to listen to - and the songs they are known for happen to be categorized as within the pop ballad genre.

The four gentlemen have been around for a long time now - and I'm assuming they're all the original singers from the 80's - as those were their golden years (meaning golden as their hits, and not golden as their ages seem to imply these days).

Well, these gentlemen were guest performers for the launch of an internet show about parenting - and though I was not around to learn more about the show, I did get to hear the Rainmakers sing. In fact, when Barbie heard them, she did not believe me that these were the guys she heard of way back when in the radio and vinyl records, seeing as they sounded a lot younger than gentlemen of their age - just quoting how Barbie described them.

As my curiosity took the better of me, since we could just hear them from where we were drinking our coffee, I decided to look... and possibly take a picture. We were positioned one floor above from where they were performing, which afforded me a good view. So I also noticed the many children lingering by the stage's edge... possibly their new fans? Who knows?

I won't be surprised though, with timeless voices that they seem to possess, that may just be the case in five to ten years... that is, if they're still around. I mean, look at groups like the Rolling Stones. How long have they been around, right?

Photoblog - Day302 Feb 5, 2011

Playing with Fire:

Yes, this is a lady making the moves in a fire dance number - and no, I did not go to a club to pay and see this.

This little number happens to be just one of the many entertainments in a night of get together, camaraderie and home-coming celebration. I speak of course of the La Salle Greenhills High School reunion/home-coming for 2011.

To take this picture, I, and a multitude of camera-wielding, hot-blooded, green... er... 'hearted' alumni took our positions by the stage's edge. Security, took one understanding look at us - realized we weren't that rowdy, and thought... what the hey - you can take the man out of La Salle, but you can't take the La Sallite out of the man.

Anyway... I first used a flash - but not seeing the effect I was hoping for, I switched to non-flash mode, making the exposure stay open longer - thus giving the fire-trail effect I was hoping for. The down side here was the non-clear facial features of the performers, and as pretty as some of their faces may have been, I was more after the fire-trail effect, hence my taking the pictures this way (and a few flash shots for good measure), and choosing this particular picture amongst the dozens I had taken.

I mean, let's face it... I could have placed a picture of my batchmates here... maybe with me in the pciture as well... but how many opportunities will I have to capture a fire dancer in action? Not that many, so here it is... my picture of a fire dancer.

Yes, that is a tattoo at her lower right stomach area. I have a clearer picture of it... but with less dramatic flame movements.

Photoblog - Day 301 Feb 4, 2011

Urban Forest?

This seemingly lush vegetation is no virgin forest - in fact, it's not even a forest at all. It's what happens when you just let nature grow its shrubs - which later become trees, which later cover your usual concrete areas as well.

So where is this seeming lush jungle? It happens to be at the back of the Cyber3 building - an adjacent and seemingly abandoned lot to the warehouse converted to a series of badminton and basketball courts - in fact, I doubt if this vegetation is as lush at it seems from the ground view... then again, it could be.

What does this mean to me? For one, it's a spot of green; a break from the all concrete monotony of the city - a place to convert all the carbon dioxide to oxygen. Two, it is a possible area for airsoft games. Though I have not played airsoft for years now, that doesn't mean I don't see opportunities for it.

So, if anyone is reading this... anyone interested in looking for jungle (or forest) war games, this may be your place. Don't call me though... better to ask that badminton place at Pioneer in Mandaluyong.

Photoblog - Day300 Feb 3, 2011

Welcome Metal Rabbit!

Yup, like the usual New Year celebration, we made some preparation by buying fruits and other fortune-related practices, like Tikoy and those chocolate coins. Then we waited for midnight to celebrate - though not in the same intensity as the January 1st celebration. I will try to explain the practice.

The tikoy is a rice-based product that , when cooked, is slightly sticky and sweet (not to mention, oily). But the idea behind the tikoy is that it's stickiness is indicative of the family's closeness to each other... so in a way, this represents unity. On the other hand, the fruits represent having food on the table all year round., while the coins - albeit being made of chocolate, represents fortune and sweetness. Then there's the fortune cookies = technically props, but nice to have and open as we celebrated the first minutes of the Chinese New Year.

So yeah, this is a practice filled with old sayings...and as some people are quick to point out, these are just tales... with little or no proof ot their working - yet despite that, I know a lot of people still practicing these traditions.

Me? At the least, I know I've helped welcome the New Year properly - whether these tales happen or not, I find the presence of the fruits (and their consumption of course) healthy... so I guess, that's another reason - to assure one's self and family of health the whole year round. Wouldn't we want that?

On the side note... hey! My 300th post! Awesome!

Photoblog - Day 299 Feb 2, 2011

The Lion Dance:

As part of Chinese tradition, welcoming the lunar new year involves practicing fortune-attracting practices like Geomancy and the welcoming of the Lion and Dragon dance - sought for it's ability to ward off bad vibes, and in the process, attract more positive vibes.

This involves youths under the Lions (as seen in this picture) which usually needs two people to handle it - and the dragon, which entails close to a dozen (maybe more) people to handle it's long serpentine body... a body I could not take a clear picture of due ot it's length. Accompanying the Lions and Dragon is a drum and cymbal ensemble to supply the loud noise that is supposed to ward of the bad spirits.

Whether it really works or not - the Lion Dance is a worthy show to watch on the side... and it comes as a reminder that the new Lunar Calendar is about to start. In this case, it is to welcome the Year of the Rabbit - so Kung Hei fat Choi to everyone! May fortune smile upon us this 2011.

Photoblog - Day 298 Feb 1, 2011

Anachronistic Service?

This is the Philippine Postal Service's main building in Manila - a great looking edifice with architectural designs at least 50 years old.

For a building this age it's been preserved quite well - perhaps a testament to the architect and engineer's genius - and the building's sturdiness to weather the passing of time.

But with the advent of the email, the population of the service's visitors has drastically decreased - in fact, I can't remember when I had last used 'snail mail', as it is referred to often in online circles. So one has to really wonder - is the postal service still relevant in this day and age? For now, the answer will have to be yes.

You see, the reason why I went here was to pick up a package (a book mailed to me, and in the interest of economics, what used to be delivered to my doorstep, now has to be picked up in the post office), so in that vein, I found the need for the postal service. Technically this was just the second time I've visited this building (for the same reason) in recent months - prior to this, I probably last visited the post office decades ago... maybe in the '80s.

So as you can see, I hardly find the need or use for the postal service. In fact, should I have an iPad or a Kindle, I would hardly need a physical delivery of any book. I guess, that's progress - but until everyone can have access (and the education that comes with it) to the Internet, realistically speaking, the postal service will still be needed. Anachronistic it may be... but not totally useless.

Photoblog - Day 297 Jan 31, 2011

Artistic cream:

It's just an afterthought when added to your favorite drink in countless Starbucks coffee shops around the globe. I've been a welcome consumer of these things for years now - and though they are avoided by some calorie-conscious people, it still is a welcome artistic addition to my frap whenever I see these.

This one in particular seemed well placed, it was an artistic rendition to my drink - so much so that I decided to take a picture of it.

I had another picture with the rest of the drink, but this one had a better look at the cream's design, so I chose this. I then upped the contrast a bit, to add emphasis to the design, and viola! A picture perfect topping.

Photoblog - Day 296 Jan 30, 2011

Jude's First Birthday!

This Sunday, we celebrated Jude Brent's 1st Birthday - and although it actually happened a few days earlier, this was the first weekend we could all be together to celebrate it in a rather grand manner.

Over-all it was a nice celebration, and you could see how Jude was enjoying every minute of it. I mean, most kids' first birthdays I've seen, including those of my kids, I'd remember them seemingly either stressed or out of it for the duration of the party.

Some would even cry should the establishment's mascot suddenly appear... not Jude though - he was all smiles from start to end - playing with balloons, and yes welcoming the mascot as if he were welcoming an old friend... with much enthusiasm (as shown by this picture).

All in all, it was a memorable event and proud mom Bea nearly shed tears when she was asked to give a little speech for Jude.

No kid remembers their 1st birthday - some would be lucky if the event was videoed or like in this case, covered extensively with pictures. Jude may be looking at his pictures with wonder and awe in a few years - Bea, for sure will look at them fondly from time to time. We all enjoyed being a part of this. So here's to you Jude, may this be a great start of far greater things to come in your life. Happy First!

Photoblog - Day 295 Jan 29, 2011

CPR Training:

Whereas last Saturday's focus was on bandages, this particular day was more for CPR (and the Heimlich Maneuver) geared towards making sure someone's air passage was not blocked or his (or her) circulation was not stopped.

This was more intense - yet more fun as well. You could see that most people were really curious about learning CPR - after all, we knew of it's importance and potential life-saving benefits.

This time, Barbie was able to join us for the CPR lessons and I saw how earnestly she learned how to do it. Bernice and Bryce were likewise serious about it - in fact Bryce was the third highest in class, as far as scores were (meaning less mistakes made in applying CPR). What exactly do I mean by my last statement? Simple... we all went through a practical exam after the lessons were taught.

Red Cross Makati had several dummies to practice with - some adult-sized, others (like the one in the picture) kid-sized, and one baby-sized. Bryce can be seen giving a one-hand CPR to his dummy; which is the recommended option for children, as a trained Red Cross instructor observes and grades him.

Even if this took up a major portion of our Saturday, it was still enjoyable and worth the training time invested. Now, should the need arise, I'm more confident of my capabilities to help others - as I'm sure are my kids and Barbie. We'll have to get our recertification same time next year, so I'll be looking forward to doing this all over again. I'm also seriously considering enrolling my kids with more trainings, specially during summer.

Photoblog - Day 294 Jan 28, 2011

A Rabbit Year:

February 4 (or midnight of the 3rd) is the new year for all Chinese who follow the lunar calendar - and preparing for this auspicious occasion are the different groceries, department stores, book stores, restaurants - name it, and if it is an establishment that wishes to capitalize on marketing the Chinese New Year, they'll be having some decors reminding (some would even say, inundating) their shoppers with red colored posters, lanterns and other props signifying their intent to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

These have started sprouting up a few days ago - along with sales of fortune cookies, tikoy and other items that are usually associated with the celebration... including fore crackers!

Caught up in all this is the trend to buy fortune trinkets - to ensure that luck comes aplenty in 2011 - and with it... an abundance of fortune. Others even spend a little more to get items that cannot considered trinkets. Geomancers have a field day giving out their predictions connected to the 12 astrological signs - and it is now up to the people (forewarned in some instances) to take measures (or counter-measures) to ensure a prosperous year.

Do I involve myself in this? Not fanatically... but yes, I do practice a few safety precautions. After all, it's still better to be safe- than sorry. So yes, I make sure I have the trinkets at home or with me. The thing is... and this adds to the confusion - many Geomancers contradict each other with their predictions. In which case, I'd rather believe the optimistic one... after all, life is hard as it is without having to worry about you're bad luck due to the timing of when you were born.

So here's to the year of the Metal Rabbit - and all the luck it will bring us (I hope).

Photoblog - Day 293 Jan 27, 2011

Sharpening Saws:

This is the class I'm handling today and tomorrow (taking over from Ariel as I conduct the latter half of this course).

So yeah... these people are learning new methods and techniques about Testing Design. Many of these people are newbies - still undergoing training (at least, while awaiting their projects' assignments).

So ladies and gentlemen... let's hear it for the new Testing resources! (canned applause here).

Okay... so what are they doing? It's obvious that they're i the middle of making an assigned activity, and since it's group work, they're coordinating with each other - sharing ideas. Since most were standing, I wanted to capture this very active picture. No frills here - just a straight forward picture of a room full of testers (amazing? more so if you consider the fact that this was the very same course I was conducting last week... and it may not be the last I will see for the year.

Photoblog - Day 292 Jan 26, 2011

Ariel in Motion:

I met Ariel last week when he sat in to observe how Fiel and I conducted the Applying Test Design training. Ariel's reason to observe was the fact that he was being positioned to take a few technical trainings... and his arrival will hopefully make our ranks more manageable.

Well this week, Ariel and I are conducting the same course he sat in on last week - after all, he has the technical background - he just needed to know the process.

Over-all, it seem that Ariel can handle this course, as he seemed able to carry the training - keeping it lively - and it seems he's even being aligned to cover other courses real soon. So here's to Ariel... long may he train.

Photoblog - Day 291 Jan 25, 2011

The Disney Way:

When I saw this book in the bookstore, I did not let it go. You see, I heard (or read) about this book some time back - specifically referenced by another book I read (and liked); which was Lee Cockerell's 'Creating Magic' - another book about Disney management.

Cockerell kept mentioning the Disney Way program and training... so when I saw this, I remembered - hence had to get the book. But it is only today that I started reading this book (I finished my last book - all about Steve Jobs' Innovative secrets. last night), and I consider this an overdue read.

Will it be good? too early to tell, as I'm still in the first chapter - but I do hope Cockerell was right about promoting this book (and program). So here I go... I'm about to learn more of the Disney Way, and hope the journey is full of insights and practices I can use.

By the way, the green colored smileys were an added touch - I wanted something different, and just taking the book's picture did not add enough pizzaz to the picture -I mean I'd probably ask 'what made this picture worth taking?' Well... the smileys hopefully did add reason, symbolizing a happy read about a happy organization.

Photoblog - Day 290 Jan 24, 2011

New Comics:

Got these in the weekend, but only go to read them today.

What's so unique about these is the fact that DC for most of it's title covers (and as you can see from this picture), came up with a minimalist cover design. What makes it a minimalist design is the fact that these characters are just surrounded by a plain white background.

Why is this so? Perhaps it's to signify DC's start for the new year - and the fact that they have announced 'drawing the line at $2.99'; which means that they have buckled conventional trends by their competitors (like Marvel) raising comics cover prices. DC argues, and rightly so, that the practice is in danger of isolating the fans from enjoying more titles. Is it working? Well, it's too early to say, but if this grouping is any indicator, it seems that I've got more DC titles than Marvel.

However, these are titles I frequent, so it's not as if this is a vote of confidence by me to buy more DC instead of Marvel - I mean, with a higher price tag, I'd still get a few Marvel stuff - although I may be in trimming title purchase mode, right about now too. But am I feeling the pinch? You can bet I do... and I may very well drop a few of the more not so entertaining titles from my list either this month - or the next.

Of this current batch, I found Superboy entertaining... not as entertaining as issue #2, but still entertaining enough to continue getting. So long as this creative team does not change, I'll continue getting this title. The JLA was also a feel good type of issue - a realization that this team (composed mainly of ex-sidekicks and ex-Teen Titans) IS worthy of the group name they carry. What next? Who knows? As for the Detective Annual, it has a story with two Batmen - Bruce and Dick... so it's an interesting study... though it would probably have been better had more inner thoughts by these two characters been shared.

Photoblog - Day 289 Jan 23, 2011

January Bacardi Night!

Yup, this is our first Bacardi night get together - and we held it at Sheila's place... after all, it was also a belated birthday celebration for her.

Though this was technically a Saturday evening affair, it definitely extended to Sunday morning (we ended around 2AM, and some of us were still raring to continue - boy did we enjoy).

We also had the combination of Bacardi Mojitos types - with me doing your traditional Manila Mojitos and the well received Red Mojitos version as well. All in all, we finished two pitchers of each, with Marie getting a bit tipsy despite my very conservative mix. We also had a lot of food - courtesy of Sheila's mom.

That said, next Bacardi night seems to be planned for February - and this time, it's planned to be held at Mon's place - so he can showcase his newly refurbished ground floor, kitchen and mini-garden.

Photoblog - Day 288 Jan 22, 2011

First Aid.

You'll never know when you'll need it - but if you do, you'll definitely thank the day you took it.

I'm talking about First Aid training, and this should really be a course taught everyone - so we don't accidentally make matters worse for others, should we find opportunities to help them... and in our ignorance, actually contribute to their trauma - instead of helping alleviate it.

Make no mistake, I've seen footages from TV about these - accidents and people with no first aid... meaning well, but in the process... adding to one's injuries. Hence this first aid course, specially arranged for us by Red Cross Makati branch, is timely as it is important. I also insisted the kids join me here - after all, there may come a time that I might need first aid... and their being equipped with the right knowledge - and technique, could end up saving me. So yeah... this is likewise insurance.

Here we see Bryce in action, applying the foot (with shoes on) bandage technique on Bernice - and yes; we took a practical test about all these different bandage applications afterwards... after all, we are going after certification... at least, on basic first aid course.

Photoblog - Day 287 Jan 21, 2011

Training Pigeons...

The Piazza, in it's over-all vision of wanting to replicate the look and feel of it's original counterpart, has had some pigeons (I counted at least two dozen) roam the surroundings and hopefully - eventually, copy their Italian counterpart by not fearing... if not totally welcoming the fact that people are there giving them food.

Yeah... when I've seen pictures of the real deal, I thought to myself that I wanted to experience that. And when I saw the replica being built in McKinley Hill, one of the first things that came into my mind was pigeons (aside from cafes and eateries), and I thought... well, if they wanted to really simulate the place, they'd consider pigeons.

Well a week (or two ago) I started seeing these pigeons - albeit still little in population and not seemingly friendly... until today, that is. I was surprised to see someone calling them and feeding them - and them (the pigeons, that is) enthusiastically responding. It therefore dawned on me that the Piazza experience was now a lot closer than I thought it would ever be. How about that?

Now (and this is the pessimist side of me thinking) if only these pigeons do not become over complacent and approach everyone outside the Piazza (and get stolen); and assuming no one scares these pigeons silly (as kids would do accidentally, and some adults thinking like kids would do intentionally) and get stressed, thus preventing them from breeding and multiplying, maybe... just maybe the thought of replicating the Piazza pigeons experience in McKinley will definitely be a reality.

I'll definitely look forward to that.

Photoblog - Day 286 Jan 20, 2011

Taking a break:

When I'm in the middle of a training conduct, and I know I'll have some rest time while my co-facilitator does his (or her) part, I always make it a point to bring anything to read, look for a quiet spot - preferably, one not too far from our room so I can somehow monitor what's going on - and catch up on my reading.

This particular spot happened to be the room right beside our training room - in fact, that removable wall I'm leaning on is the only thing separating me from he class.

The absence of chairs and tables just signifies that this room is being readied for the next training... and I did not find the lack of chairs and tables a hindrance for me (as you can see with my sitting on the carpet).

Yup... I try to keep myself busy (and in some situations, awake) by busying myself with new reading materials - this way, even when I'm conducting a class... specially one that I've been handling for some time, I still come out at the end of the day, with something new learned or gleaned - with something read and enjoyed. I make it a point to never stop learning, to never stop growing with knowledge.

How'd I take this picture? with a timer - and my camera bag - no tripod used here... but now I understand the need for a small bean bag for my camera - or better appreciate the shortness and portability of my gorilla tripod (which I did not bring with me on this occasion).

Photoblog - Day 285 Jan 19, 2011

Expectations...

At the start of most our trainings, we collect expectations from our participants - to both gauge their interest in the training and to see if what they expect are par with the course.

In this instance, the use of Post-it notes to record their expectations, then the ability to arrange these expectations on the wall (as handily done with post-its) allows us to do just that for my first few minutes when conducting this testing-related course. Nice thing about this technique is it can be adapted to any training - whether, technical or non-technical... solutions-related or B.P.O. (that is, when the latter's 'training champions' / subject-matter experts / coordinators know what they're doing).

I've been doing this technique for several years now... so much so that it becomes a tool I subconsciously prescribe to... and it's never let me down. So there... I've shared one training tool/technique (vaguely, of course) so if you ever find it useful and wish to know more - well... you basically know where to ask me.