Photoblog - Day 167, Sep 24, 2010

Lull time:

Believe it or not, this is a mall... and as the picture notes, its quite empty. No, there is no bomb scare... the answer to why this mall is empty is simply because it
is still closed to the public. It's still early... roughly around 7AM, and the usual mall opening time is around 10AM. So what am I doing here? How'd I get in?

I'll answer those in reverse order. For starters, there's a side entrance known bu people who need to get to the Cybermall training rooms and two, I'm here really because of the usual Friday coding scheme that affects the car 9and it's driver - me), and I have a Leadership training... day 2 of such, actually. After that last PM training, I needed this to unwind. True it's still work, but it's more relaxing work than the usual technical ones.

So why this picture? Well, its somethign I have not captured before - after all, how many of you get to see an empty mall... all right, aside from all you security guards, that is? So yeah... here is a glimpse of such.

Photoblog - Day 166, Sep 23, 2010

New Look:

This is the middle corridor in Cybermall's Accenture office, and aside from having a sleeker color scheme (the old one was more a combination of brown and mustard hues with wavy lines) the placing of these over-sized - or should I say, poster-sized pictures were a welcome to an otherwise plain wall no matter how good the new color scheme was.

These posters in particular (there are others in the other corridors), remind everyone in the know of the preferred personality traits of an Accenture employee. How do I know? Simple, I've talked about this many times in the past, as part of their New Joiners' Orientation.

And to think... a few days ago, I was thinking of printing some of my pictures in a slightly large format (or having them printed somewhere), framing them and displaying these captured images as a sort of gallery at home. Guess someone in Accenture thought the same way, huh? Overall... it does have a nice look - now we can imagine ourselves in a gallery whenever we walk these halls.

Photoblog - Day 165, Sep 22, 2010

Concentrating:

I did say that the estimating course that Fiel and I were handling was a three-day thing right? Well welcome to the image of me preparing for day 3. As a work around the limitations I previously mentioned, I found myself staying longer in the evening to explore the tools/estimators, read the powerpoint presentations and yes... studying the binder.

You see, exacerbating the situation is the fact that my laptop has yet to be fixed - if it can be fixed at all, so I have no way of studying these presentations at home - with two PCs and one of them having the monitor really showing of bad hues of pink and violet, plus the fact that the kids likewise need the PCs to study. I end up waiting for them to get done before sitting in front the the one sane PC at home.

Anyway, this is me before class... reviewing some notes in the binder before starting what would be day 3 of said class... the home stretch, and I must say it does feel great to see the end of this tunnel.

On a side note, September must be one month in this photoblog that I appeared the most times. Not my intent, mind you... its just that being focused to train a new course leaves me with little time to explore my surroundings for possible photo subjects. Still, it does capture the moment - the feeling (and frustration?) in time real well.

Photoblog - Day 164, Sep 21, 2010

Sleek...

I saw this Jaguar proudly displayed at the middle area of Greenbelts 4 and 5 - this while I went to the place to meet up with Barbie. It offered me a break from studying the estimating course, and allowed me to relax a bit. So I looked forward to the change of scenery... and what a scene it turned out to be.

This beauty attracted all passers-by, and with my trusty camera, I decided to take a few admiring shots at it. When I think of Jaguar, the first thing that comes to mind is the old TV show named The Equalizer... and even if the car in said show was just a prop, it added to the personality of said character... and since I admired said character, I felt attracted to his car.

You definitely don't see this outside of their usual show rooms or display windows - and I can but dream of the time I can own one... still, even if it still seems unreachable (for now) this does not stop me form admiring it... and taking pictures of it to share to all. (sigh)

Photoblog - Day 163, Sep 20, 2010

New Course Launched:

PM Estimating is a three-day course focused almost purely on the different estimating tools being used by Accenture, and I so happen to be half of a tandem that launched this course for this this September.

It was definitely a challenge with the limitations we've been given... like ably teaching the tool with hardly a decent preparation time, no access to the tools unless it's in the office premises - and even then, there was no dedicated machine for us to use for that sole purpose. Nope... even this thick binder, the one in the picture, was just present in the training day itself. So many reasons to fail, if you think of it... yet Fiel and I were able to conduct this dry run.

Along the way, Fiel even had to leave me to do day three solo, so he could fly to Cebu for other Accenture trainings - Oyyyyyy!

Needless to say, this was both challenging and taxing to me. I had late nights sleep as I studied the materials (mainly the lecture notes and some video faculty guides - given me the day before the training), and during the day, I had to sift through unexpected - yet viable queries.

To say I had a major-sized headache would be obvious. But we survived... hell, I survived. Just another day for a high achiever? Maybe... but this should not have happened the way it did. Lucky for them, Fiel and I were available.

Photoblog - Day 162, Sep 19, 2010

Old Friends

Yes, I will have to emphasize that they aren't old per se (hmmm... been a while since I used that term), rather that they represent friends that Barbie and I have had for a long time now; heck these guys have been around since before Barbie and I got married... so yeah, that long. I refer of course to Fred (middle) and Carlos (right) and life - or the busyness it hands us individually, has conspired to keep us from meeting each other on a regular basis.

Well not tonight. Barbie and I have hosted a few Bacardi nights in our place = normally with friends/work colleagues simply because its a lot easier to organize these with people you see almost every day. These two friends, though... had it not been for Facebook, I would not even know how to keep tans of them - and as it is, it is barely done. So when a suggestion to have a wine and cheese night instead of the usual cocktails night cropped up, Carlos said he'd be interested to have one and seeing this gem of an opportunity to try and have an old friends night, I also tried to contact Fred and Gerry.

SO the evening was spent enjoying the cheese and wine - thanks primarily to Carlos... and the conversations/catching up with each others lives. Nice night and I so nope there are sequels to this too - and hopefully, one with Gerry as well.

Who took the picture? Why Bryce did, after I had set the camera up... and even if this was technically a Saturday night get together... it did extend until Sunday, so technically it is a Sunday picture.

Photoblog - Day 161, Sep 18, 2010

Market Time Again:

This is turning into a semi-regular routine every Saturdays... I wake up early, so I can bring Bryce to his review class, I then wait him out in Greenhills shopping center, usually relaxing; enjoying the quiet of a coffee shop, armed with both my camera and some reading materials to while the time away. After this though, I check out the weekend market to get some veggies, fruits and sea food.

Now aside from buying, I obviously have an eye out for what could be an eye-catching picture, and fruits all bunched up happen to be one of my favorite subject matter. In this case, the lanzones (or is it lansones? - obviously, spell check can't help me here).

Aside from taking the picture, I would also like to remind my friends and relatives living abroad about the fruits them may be missing out on - ones we simply take for granted due to its availability (even the seasonal ones - like this one). Oh well... here's looking forward to some happy eating.

Photoblog - Day 160, Sep 17, 2010

Cooling down:

YGIFs normally mean my having to hang out a place near (and after) work - not just to unwind, but to wait out the number coding scheme in place within the metro, so chill out is what I definitely do - be it with companions (preferable) or alone (still okay, but I enjoy conversations with my brewskie).

This night, however, aside from being the latter option, also introduced me to a new light beer in town - Manila light. You see, there used to be a Manila beer in the market... though later, it seemed to have just vanish, a victim of it being the poorer option amongst beer drinkers choices - heck I even did not realize it was gone the first time, and just like me, I think it was simply below many other's radar.

Well the makers of Manila beer probably feel that now's the right time to reintroduce Manila beer - and mot just this one... but likewise introduce to the beer drinking public Manila Beer Light. In my case, I was expecting a brew with my usual San Mig Light but the place I went to somehow had a lack of supply for San Mig light on a Friday evening... go figure. Then they suggest I try Manila Beer Light - and adventurous/curious me took the offer.

End result? Well for one, the sleek new look is a plus factor, and the taste isn't bad either... plus I get to have a nice shot of the new product too. If you look close enough, you'll realize that this was not my first bottle. Where's the clue? Well, you find out.

Photoblog - Day 159, Sep 16, 2010

My shades:

This particular pair of sun glasses was a gift from Barbie when she last went to the U.S., I had asked her for a pair when she queried what I would like back there.

Having a strong practical bone, I am not one to consider brand names - as I would be more inclined to the aesthetics of the shades - and in a tropical country, the darker shade is the better option. Apparently, Barbie; who is the more brand conscious between us, was able to get a pair that represented both functionality and fashion recognition.

So... having said that, can you 'guess' the brand of this pair? Hint... I took the picture of this shades to not just show it clearly the picture, but to try and capture the brand as well. Come on... give it a try. It's such an easy task, I doubt you'll need more than one try to 'guess' the name.

Photoblog - Day 158, Sep 15, 2010

Shadows and Light:

This one is an experiment. I tried to take the barest of silhouettes from three statues - with just a candle's illumination as the only source of light... I also made this light come from a scent diffuser, so as to make it look like it was coming from a furnace (with controlled light direction) as against a bonfire ( which would cast light in all directions) which explains the seeming circular shadow at the picture's bottom - signifying the imaginary forge's shape.

I upped the contrast, to lessen the light's reflection and deepen the shadows, hoping to give this picture some darkness to signify some mystery as to the reason why these beings would meet at the night in front of said forge. The redness is caused by the statues colors - but I hoped it somehow reflected the unworldliness of the setting - but not too much as it to look like Hades.

Did I get the desired effects? I hope so... but come sometime soon, I'll see how to improve on this even further.

Photoblog - Day 157, Sep 14, 2010

Orange Corydoras:

Or at least, that is how the person selling it in the pet shop described it... the Corydoras in general are - for lack of a more accurate term, the maintenance crew of any aquarium. The reputation happened because these fishes are bottom feeders - meaning, they scrounge the aquarium's sands (or bottom) for their meals. Naturally, this helps keep the aquarium clean from food not digested by the other fishes either lingering at the top of the tank - or at their middle.

I saw this little guy just 'grazing' on the stone, and decided to grab my camera and take it's picture. It was not a shy fish either - not scampering away at the slightest hint of approach on my part; which made taking it's picture quite easy, thus leading to a nice macro shot if I say so myself (and Barbie agrees - she had to clarify with me if I was the one who really took the shot).

Photoblog - Day 156, Sep 13, 2010

Welcome Buffy!!!

With Bernice is a 6-month old Puppy whom we all decided to call Buffy - and I can honestly say that she matches the spunk of the TV series character of which she was coincidentally named.

When we got her, her previous owners said that of the litter, she was the most loving - and also the one with the most appetite. Buffy was given to us on account that her previous owners know we take good care of Bubbles (or Spitz-Chow).

We timed getting her with the long weekend, so we could be with her during her adjustment period... for all accounts, it looks like she seems to be adjusting just fine. This is good, because it means she won't get stressed - and won't suffer any illnesses. How is Bubbles reacting to her? Bubbles if very curious - and wants to approach (and smell) Buffy... but we're erring on the side of caution on this one - after all, with Neko, Bubbles barked a few days until they became friends... this time, Buffy won't be just adjusting to Bubbles - but with Neko as well.

Photoblog - Day 155, Sep 12, 2010

Night blooms:

Some things just look better at night. I guess it may be because in the dark - or with a dark background, the contrast between the subject being taken and the previously mentioned background is a whole lot farther apart - hence the background further emphasizing the subject's visibility.

That is exactly what seems to have happened to this stall filled with different flowers (orchids), I mean... I see this almost whenever I find myself in Greenhills - and yet I rarely stop to admire these flowers in the morning or afternoon. The yellows are most visible - but then again, so are the purples.

As for the picture per se... I was torn between taking just one subject, or getting the entire bunch. You can, of course, see which idea I finaly decided to take.

Photoblog - Day 154, Sep 11, 2010

High School Friends:

This is Bernice with a handful of her classmates, all of them enjoying the time together while their parents (Barbie and I included) await their turn; to talk to their teachers - you see, it happened to be a Parents-Teachers day, so we had to be in the kids' school this particular Saturday Morning, so we could converse with our kids' advisers to learn how they were doing.

Guess Bernice had the right to enjoy herself, as her teacher (surprisingly) informed us how helpful Bernice was in her class; that she was glad Bernice was in her class. Well, whadayaknow...

As for Bryce? He was okay too - well, except for Pilipino, but I guess that was not an outlier. We did learn from Bryce's adviser that he hangs around with a group, and they happen to all be good English speakers... hence him calling them the 'Nose Bleed' group - as in one could get a case of nose bleed, should they try to match the group's English acumen.

Overall, things were just great for the two - and I'm really glad.

As for the picture? Just a straightforward shot - no flash... with White Balance adjusted for the predominantly yellow light being used in the school's multi-purpose hall.

Photoblog - Day 153, Sep 10, 2010

Tasting Nirvana:

No I'm not into any philosophical discussion as I write this. The little domed chocolate cake you see with a fin (or rudder... depending on your imagination) at it's top, is indeed called 'Nirvana' at the place it is being sold - namely Bizu.

This particular evening, we found ourselves in Greenhills and decided to have dessert before heading home - Barbie suggested Bizu... a place known for it's cakes and pastries, so off we went. As we started choosing our preferred dessert, I spotted this little domed cake. The dark chocolate promised enjoyment while being consumed, and the fact that it was partially a mousse with pistachio bits lent further temptation... so, I gave in and ordered this little devil.

To say that I enjoyed it immensely would be a flat out lie... no sir, I didn't. You see, for it's size, it did not satiate my sweet tooth at all - though not because it was not sweet... perish the thought. I don't want my dessert sweet at all - nope, I wanted this to be a whole lot larger than it's standard serving size... THEN I would've really enjoy it.

Oh well. I guess a glimpse of Nirvana will have to do.

Photoblog - Day 152, Sep 9, 2010

New Supervisors:

Yesterday, I handled a training for New Supervisors in one of the rooms of the Cybermall. It was just a one day training... and a welcome break from my usual technical conducts. I like this training in particular since I get to help and influence Team Leads to hopefully consider some new ideas, concepts and naturally, adopt the Leader's Window by John Beck.

This particular group was receptive and inquisitive - just the way I like it. We also went smooth and fast - but I guess, that's what you can expect from having internalized the training real well.

My one peeve with this experience did not come form the training itself - but from the fact that we could hear the lectures from the other rooms too. Apparently, a lack of acoustic control.

Photoblog - Day 151, Sep 8, 2010

Wisdom Networks?

Yup... as you can no doubt guess, I've finished the Matthew Riley book - and after three high paced stories, I'd like ot get back to terra firma and read something else - something that will give me more knowledge... and with that said, I decided to start reading this particular book.

The premise? How to maximize the knowledge base that is just floating around the workplace. It's an interesting read - specially foe Knowledge Management practitioners... guess that includes me. So yeah... back to studying something new (at least, in my perspective).

Photoblog - Day 150, Sep 7, 2010

Training and games:

If there is one thing trainings should have, it's games that remove the monotony of the lectures - but at the same time, somehow reinforcing the lessons learned - or emphasizing concepts to be remembered. In light of this, one of the games I must admit I like, is the Jeopardy-inspired reviews in some of the trainings I've conducted for Accenture.

Here we have the participants gearing up for the game's start - almost the same rules apply (tweaked to make them realize that they should try to answer all questions). Apparently, based on the reaction of the participants, it seems like they too enjoy the game. So yeah... great idea - and one I'd like to preserve by giving it a place in my blog of memories.

Photoblog - Day 149, Sep 6, 2010

New comics:

This was a relatively large batch - but also because it finally saw the arrival of a few issues - of which delivery to the stores got delayed (maybe they got held up in customs? hmmm...) but since they're now released, they arrived with a vengeance - to my pocket that is.

I got these issues the day before, but owing to how busy we were, I only go t to read some of them (not all) today. Who'd a thought it... me... Butch Syyap, actually delaying reading comic books. If you told me about this particular habit - say 10 years ago, I'd probably think "maybe he was busy" - but if you told this to me - say 30 years ago, I'd probably say "huh? no way! you sure that's the same Butch we know?"

So... does this mean my interest is changing? Guess so. I still get them... still enjoy them - but I'm not that same die hard fan who won't mind talking comics for a day.

As for the batch itself... guess another reason I ended up with a lot is the X-men related one-shots against the vampires... some of which aren't really that good. Ah well... at least, I got Green Hornet, Legion and S.H.I.E.L.D.

Photoblog - Day 148, Sep 5, 2010

Sunday Market:

This is the Sunday market in Greenhills - corner of La Salle street and Connecticut (I think). This apparently looks a whole lot larger than the Saturday market I frequent in Greenhills shopping center - though I don't know if it's a regular fixture for Sundays or it's just because of the Christmas season fast approaching.

I would think it's the former... after all, I saw mostly food - and no Christmas decors (thank God). I even bought a few barbecues and grilled boneless bangus (a.k.a. milk fish) and had a great lunch with the family. I bumped into a friend (Fred) and his girlfriend. So it was a nice experience.

So how'd I stumble in on this market? Simple... I had to bring Bryce to Greenhills for his review (yes, on a Sunday) and had time to kill. Since the car needed gas, I went the nearest station who's brand we frequent (due to the car's corporate fleet card) and as I drove there... I saw the gates open and the crowds gathered. So... on the way back - with gas talk filled, I decided to stop, look... and partake of the market's many offerings.