Photoblog - day 23, May 3, 2010

All that glitters...

As I was walking in the mall, I came upon the Swarovski store - more specifically, it's display window.

Normally, I would just admire the crystals handiwork from afar, but this was a different afternoon - after all, I had my trusty DSLR with me, so I thought 'why not?', it's not like I would be planning to steal anything - and I'll just take a picture (or two) - what harm would that do?

Besides, I had previously experimented with lights and shadows - well... more shadows actually, and now... my focus would be on light as reflected by crystals and their shapes. As you can see, I took a picture of two items - a bull and a lion. The lion is very visible due to all the lights reflecting in all the angles found in it's mane. The bull looks more straight forward - but regardless of which animal figurine you look at... they both exhibit exquisite craftsmanship... hence, I felt, well deserving of being included in my photo collection.

Photoblog - day 22, May 2, 2010

Experiment with the Dark:

What I tried to achieve here was to have minimal brightness - thus allowing only only certain portions of the objects to be recognized by their silhouettes or portions outlined by what little light reflects on them.

I placed things I usually wear or bring with me as the subjects after realizing that majority of them were likewise black or dark. It was my hope to have all these items almost blend in the background - yet still be recognized by their minimal outlines.

I could not find the proper setting to do this with the camera - or more likely, I still have to find the perfect setting, so I relied slightly on my photo-editing software to adjust the contrast and lighting further.

Photoblog - day 21, May 1, 2010

Labor of love:

Any aquarist can tell you that maintaining an aquarium - specially, one with live plants, isn't that easy - some people seem to thrive in it... while others suffer from not having any green thumb at all... then there's the subject of not just keeping the plants alive - but the fishes as well. While I've had success with the fishes - I still need to tweak my set-up to mke the plants thrive.

To cut it short, let me just say that aquariums need the attention - and it's not just about feeding the fishies, as well. That said, here's a picture of one of my two aquariums - it's got new plants and new light (the older light tipped into the aquarium and shorted out... luckily, not taking all the fishes with it, in that final act).

My fishes, of course , are happier for this - but I still need to fix up the set-up - add some carbon dioxide - to sustain the plants. Since it is the first of May... labor day to us... I say that this picture comes across as appropriate... since the aquarium is a labor of love from my part.

BTW - this is just a plain focus... no special setting... and I'm not 100% happy with the clarity of the fishes. I've done it before - and will continue to try again, until I get things right.

Photoblog - day 20, April 30, 2010

Urban Paradise:

I did a blog write-up about how I liked Greenbelt's park in the past complete with some picture shots from my Canon Ixus camera back then, and one of the things I liked about it was that the park offered a place that looked green and alive - maybe even relaxing, as a counterpoint to the usually busy and rushed working lifestyle of so many people working around the park's general vicinity.

I marveled at how the park's administration took the necessary effort to keep the park - well... open area garden actually, in pristine condition... well manicured and highly maintained; s I marveled once again at the same thing when I passed the park on my way to the Makati office of Phoenix One, this time, with my DSLR - I mean, just take a gander at the orchids found in the middle of said garden... far from the usual walk paths of the garden's offered shortcuts from one building to another, and you'll know what I'm talking about.

There are more pictures... and I'll most likely have a sequel to said blog post real soon - I'm just deciding to go back and take a whole lot more pictures to better convey the beauty of said place.

Photoblog - day 19, April 29, 2010

Night Rain:

After what seems like a really hot week punctuating the fact that Summer may very well be here for what seems like a long haul, we suddenly had two nights in a row with some mercifully cooling rain.

Despite the fact that rains - specially those that come in the afternoon to evening... further contribute to the metro traffic, I hardly heard any negative remark about this rain's arrival... with the possible exception of some people caught unawares with the situation by not having brought any umbrellas. Most everyone gave sighs of relief - knowing that we would all be experiencing a cooler night.

I took this picture from the building's parking area, wanting to try and capture the rain itself in an evening scene - though when I came around to taking the picture, the rain had already weakened to just a drizzle - hence hardly being visible. Still... the picture shows the wet street, which reminded me of what my dad said about how the rain literally cleanses not just the city, but the air s well... ridding the atmosphere of pollutants.

In this case, we get a double plus for this rain: the cooler weather (at least, for this night) that suspends the heat of summer... and a cleaner environment. Here's hoping the April showers are finally upon us as I, for one, think that Summer's worn out it's welcome.

Photoblog - day 18, April 28, 2010

Under our nose...

This picture is a close-up of something we take for granted, something we see daily when we go to work, and an item that allows us to work in a more comfortable environment.

It helps deafen what could otherwise turn into a lot of noise pollution - hence greatly enhance the people's productivity. It may come in many shapes and sizes, colors and patterns... can you guess what this mystery item is? I'll mention the answer later.

For additional clues, I could say that it, too, could be a bane to some people... not by itself, of course, but for what it can keep if not cleaned regularly - then again, I can say the same thing about most anything in the office. In some instances; and this can be considered a give-away clue (as if the title isn't a clue in itself too), it cn be known to contribute to static when people keep 'using' it. Got it now?

This is the carpet in the McKinley's training area - taken in it's regular manner and presented in a really up close view - thanks to the ability to enlarge the picture. So you could say that even the mundane objects... one's we take for granted for it's every day presence, can give us a differing viewpoint with the right camera and lens... plus software to help enlarge it, of course.

Photoblog - day 17, April 27, 2010

Nachos!

As you can no doubt guess, with Nachos in the foreground and a couple of beer bottles in the back - this is a picture indicating that I, with some friends - namely Rex and Fiel, decided to have a little relaxation after work, coupled with a little business talk... just a little.

The Nachos are from Carlo's Pizza and aside from this sumptuous appetizer, we also had their mouth-watering sausage and mushroom pizza. Oh yeah... we did not really hng round that long either - those beer bottles were not followed with more - after all, we just needed to unwind, and it being Tuesday, was way too early in the week for a more thorough 'whoop it up' night. Besides, this was just an exploratory venture... to see if Carlo's Pizza at the 'Venice' of McKinley Hills was worth turning into a relaxing hang out. Turns out it was.

Great company and great food with a bottle of beer each - what better way to end the day's work?

Photoblog - day 16, April 26, 2010

Business Analysts in the making:

These past few Mondays (including today), I find myself always assigned to conduct the Application Analysis School of Accenture in their McKinley Hills location. At times I find myself doing this alone (like today)... at other times, I find myself partnered with a co-facilitator (like last time).

This training is for Team Leads and Senior Developers (with an average of 5 years experience) who need to level up to the role of a Business Analyst (which used to be called Systems Analysts). This course training lasts for 3 days... short as far as such trainings go - but average in length as far as Accenture trainings go. The main focus here is to understand the client's needs and capture all the necessary requirements using some tools/templates and techniques.

I'm given the responsibility to train these people - having fun while going about it (like taking this shot) is a bonus. This was a straight-forward, no frills shot taken at the rear of the room; in the middle of an activity I gave them so they need not be aware of my taking such a shot.

Photoblog - day 15, April 25, 2010

Haircut day:

We normally do this once a month - by we, of course, I mean Bryce and me... most of the time anyway.

When we do have our haircut, we go to 'Boy', whose been my barber for many years - since Bryce was roughly two.

That said, this is Bryce having his hair cut and Boy in the process of finishing his work. As for me, I'm still sporting very short hair - and intend to do so until the weather gets cooler. Boy is not only my barber - he also goes with me to Batangas to, on occasion, and gives the folks there - like my mom and sister haircuts as well.

Photoblog - day 14, April 24, 2010

Bubbles and me:

The idea of a photoblog is all about taking pictures of what you see - and hoping these pictures remind you of what you did for the year... at times, I have a dearth of pictures to choose from - at other times, I agonize over choosing which among two - sometimes even several, pictures I would like to show... and I need to choose just one.

However, the photoblog is also an opportunity to have a picture of you - at least one per month... added to said blog, with the intent to show how you look at that particular time or moment of your life. That said, I will be inserting pictures of me - once per month (and maybe I'll try to do the same with the rest of my family) to accomplish just that. These pictures will naturally not be pictures by me - as I will be the subject - or at least, one of them.

Having finished that little introduction, here's a picture of me from yesterday, as I arrived home. It has become more of a practice that when I get home, Bubbles eagerly (sometimes over-eagerly at that) greets me, and regardless of how tired my day is, it really is great to have someone - even if just your pet, greet you happily. Not that the rest of my family does not greet me - it's just that Bubbles always jumps in front of the line of greeters.

This greeting ritual will normally end with Bubbles insisting that I carry her - which I'm doing in this here picture. You can see the satisfied and happy smile in her face. Guess she's elated that I'm finally and safely home.

This picture was taken by Bernice upon my prodding - while Bubbles was still in her happy face state.

Photoblog - day 13, April 23, 2010

Safe trip:

A rosary... you'll find it at many homes, pockets and... as in this case, cars in this predominantly Christian/Roman Catholic nation.

Our car has this particular rosary hung around the rear-view mirror... not obstructing the view of course, but meant to be a reminder of sorts that I - whenever I drive, need to be aware... conscious... and never angry or impatient towards my fellow drivers.

I need to remain cool and in control - and not let some crazy inconsiderate poor excuse of a driver force me to do car chases just to get even for a slight they may have done. Lord knows there are more than enough instances when my patience does get tried - and I do have the tendency to not want to be the aggrieved party... and yet.... and yet... I need to remind myself... maybe even ask: "What will I get out of this - really?"

I may get instant satisfaction or gratification that I was able to outdo a bad driver... maybe get even... and feel great for the moment - but at what risk? And did my actions solve the problem? Often enough. my honest answer would be 'no... not really' - and at times, I do need to remember that should any mishap happen to me due to my retaliation, I may end up worse off - than had I just allowed the other person to just get ahead or make their way in. Would my pride and strong sense of fairness help me and my family?

It's all about turning the other cheek... and by this , I don't mean mooning the guy. Nope... It's all about patience - and thanking a higher power for the safe journey you've had. Now let me put things into perspective... I'm no saint - far from it... and it's not about giving up one's principles - it's choosing one's battles - and knowing when it is worth it.

Hence my need for said reminders... and hence the need for a rosary in our car.

Photoblog - day 12, April 22, 2010

Modernist interior:

This picture shows a wall in a resto-cafe that my colleagues and I frequent at Robinson's Cybergate 2, in Boni. What attracted to me about this was its overall impact and artistry. You will notice that the masonry on the bricks is far from smooth - and yet, it is this effect that gives it the post-modernist/steam punk look that I thought of. Mind you, I'm no expert in interior design - but the wall was eye catchy due to how it was done.

To counter this rough interior, the cafe's proprietors placed two large mirrors on said wall - right above the long black sofa which serves as comfortable seating options for the cafe's patrons. The mirror reflects the lighting - thus making things brighter; as it likewise reflects the interiors to give the illusion of making the space look more roomy... bigger. But that's not all... If you look closer, the mirror here (as is it's twin) is framed by rough wood that matches the roughness of the walls.

Adding a finishing touch - the frame is back-lit by white lighting which gives a zen design - countering the roughness of the wood and wall... while seemingly supporting the smoothness and tranquility of the mirror's surface. Whether the owners or designers really had this in mind, I don't know... all I do know is that it's over-all impact impressed me enough to take this picture and share it. No special effects or adjustments made here... just wanted to show the scene.

Photoblog - day 11, April 21, 2010

Simple Cool Pleasure...

I created a pitcher of Margarita for Ben, Shirley and myself - so we could beat the heat of summer in a hot summer's night.

Since this was a Frozen Margarita, it allowed for unique shapes to form as I let the frozen part slide into the cocktail glass.

I noticed that it was difficult to see the texture of the drink just by the pictures I took. That said, I tried experimenting with higher contrasts just to see any proof that this was a frozen margarita. I would say that this picture shows me able to meet most of what I set out to do... though I still consider becoming even better. For starters, I can't seem to get the right focus to capture said texture... at least, not yet any way. That said, I will wait and continue practicing until things become clearer.

Photoblog - day 10, April 20, 2010

Sorcerer's apprentice?

This is a snow globe of Mickey reprising his role of the 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' in the film Fantasia. Despite being just one of a short spiel in the film - Mickey's sole appearance in said Disney film gave (at least in my viewpoint back then) the necessary Disney feel in an otherwise drab and different film. Take note though... this was from the viewpoint of a child so used to the usual Disney fare of colorful characters in great stories. Obviously, Fantasia's genius was lost to me back then... and it wold not be until Fantasia 2000 that I would get reacquainted with said film.

Going back to the Mickey snow globe - first of all, I'm not really a snow globe collector - but back when my family and I vacationed in Hong Kong Disneyland, I was naturally thinking of what would be the best souvenir program to remind me of our trip here. Naturally, I looked at the many shops offering trinkets and souvenirs - but could not decide on what I would like to get for myself... that is, until I saw this snow globe.

What I liked about it was that it was Mickey - the undisputed symbol/mascot of Disney... and it was in his role as the Sorcerer's Apprentice - though looking at this snow globe somehow gives me hints that this Sorcerer may not be an apprentice any more. I also remember that the price was very reasonable, so I thought 'why not?'

That said, I tried experimenting with this Mickey trying to take it from several angles - and seeing how the picture can be further enhanced via Microsoft's picture manager. I tweaked with the contrast a bit to make the background - which is actually our dining table's dark colored glass top, less obvious. Consider this an experiment with little to no lighting.

Just like the Lord of the Rings book-ends, I took a subject (in this case, Mickey) and created the opportunity for a photo shoot.

Photoblog - day 09, April 19, 2010

Black and White:

I've been opting to experiment with shapes and shadows for a while now... I even asked a friend (Brian) whose photos of faces I've found fascinating, how he was able to capture all the details of said faces of old people - wrinkles and all. He said that the trick was in making the pictures black and white. This way, the shadows would appear more visibly.

Since then, I've been waiting for the right opportunity to try my luck out on a similar endeavor. Today, as I was fetching my son, Bryce, from his swimming lessons, I spied this mural hanging on the outside wall of the country club where I met him and his girlfriend (Meiji), and thought... wow... it's got lots of shapes and intricate patterns - plus the sun was shining from one angle, thus casting a lot of shadows, so... take a picture of it I did.

Once done, I cropped it a bit - focusing on the main design of the two people, but making sure there was still enough of the patterns to work with. After this, I just turned it into a black and white picture... tweaked the contrast... and the rest is what you see.

Photoblog - day 08, April 18, 2010

Mirror to the Soul...

That is what they say about the eyes... in this case, this particular right eye belongs to my daughter, Bernice, who wanted me to try and capture her eye as close as possible - so... I set the camera at close-up Av (in case she blinked) setting; zoomed in and took the shot. Once done, I further zoomed into the picture by cropping the picture's background (and to get a pimple out of the picture, as requested) and make the eye's details grow further to see said details better.

If you look closely into the retina, you'll see my reflection focusing the camera to Bernice's eye. I tried enhancing the picture further using the crude - but effective Picture Manager of Microsoft (as I've still no time to study other more sophisticated picture management software - and their capabilities) to add to the picture's contrast.

An interesting experiment, this one.

Photoblog - day 07, April 17, 2010

Afternoon delight:

This afternoon, I happened to be in Greenhills, and while waiting for Barbie and Bernice (having their hair done in the parlor), I visited the local comic shop, got a few issues plus the latest Time magazine then headed for Bo's Coffee, where I ordered a cup of brewed coffee and enjoyed reading. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed my afternoon and did not get impatient.

Did I get to read all the issues? Almost... I just had one issue left to read before the ladies arrived - well, that and the Time magazine. I intend to finish the remaining issue, plus the magazine in a while.

This was a straight forward picture taken... no adjustments in Photoshop or anything like that. Since I was sitting beside the glass window, I had ample lighting without the need for any flash photography.

Photoblog - day 06, April 16, 2010

Extra-ordinary Friendship

This is a picture (just one of several) showing Bubbles and Neco in their playful mode. The fact that a dog and a cat are civil with each other is rare enough - one where they're close friends or feeling like family... well let's just say it's great to watch these two in action.

At times, Neco is the seeming aggressor - and Bubbles just lets her have her way. At times, they run around the ground floor and in this case, they share a playful moment while lying on my bed. Since Neco was introduced to Bubbles while still a kitten, she probably thinks herself a dog - at least, that's the way it seems... specially when she starts panting like a dog after running.

For this particular picture, I just used my auto-focus as they were moving quite actively. No adjustments to the picture's settings were made - this was purely a shoot and picture compress moment.

Photoblog - day 05, April 15, 2010

Morning Reading, marker, coffee and my glasses.

When I find myself in the training room relatively early, I bring out the book I'd be currently reading, and try to finish a few pages (or if things are really interesting to me, this can stretch to a few chapters).

It's a way for me to spend time while waiting for my training to officially start, i.e. the time to start - or sometimes to wait until 50% (or a relatively sizeable number) of attendees to arrive. This practice lets me actually finish reading books, where I would normally not get to even consider starting (let alone, finish) one for a seeming lack of time to really sit down, and enjoy reading one. It's also a time when I can reflect on some poignant lessons the book may offer.

The marker (a dry marker type) is for when I wish to highlight a passage, quote or message from within the pages. The coffee is courtesy of a coffee dispenser during those days when a Starbucks or it's likes are too inconvenient to purchase. The black mug is from one of the many pantries at the client's site which can normally be found on the same floor, so it's just a short walk to the dispenser and (limited) choice of coffee. Other than that, I naturally will be needing my reading glasses; though there are days I can and do try reading without them - but if the font is insensitively written small or when the color combination is such that it becomes hard to discern letter from background, then it's out with the reading glasses.

This was just a straight forward shot - no frills... having paused for a while as I was reading, I noticed the ordinary setting and thought that it would be cool to preserve this scene for posterity... hence my taking the shot.

Why did this picture appeal to me enough to choose it as my picture for the day? Simple... it reminds me of how I can be creative in finding time to continue my quest for knowledge; for my self-awareness or my self-improvement.

Photoblog - day 04, April 14, 2010

A play with perspective:

This what I was trying for here. Fans of Lord of the Rings will of course find my picture's subjects familiar... the Argonaths; which we all saw in the first film 'Fellowship of the Ring'. These were the two tall and imposing statues that the fellowship - while in boats, rowed through enroute to Mordor, close to the movie's end (before they encounter the Orcs and get split up).

I tried to take a picture of the statues from what I thought would be the viewpoint of the Fellowship as they paddled their way between the monolithic landmarks / sentry posts. Just to give you an idea, these statue replicas are just about 5 to 6 inches tall... the picture hopefully gives the illusion of these being tall and intimidating - just like in the movies.

To accomplish this, I just places the statues near the edge of our dining table and took the shot from below the table's surface. It was just a stroke of luck that the wall was somewhat grayish blue - replicating the effect of overcast skies seemingly signaling the ominous plight of the Fellowship. That said, I just adjusted the contrast and color a bit.

Photoblog - day 03, April 13, 2010

Tito Joseph:

This is Tito Joe Tipton, a balikbayan and one of my cooler uncles, though not really a blood relative type uncle... more like a family friend uncle - then again, he also happens to be one of Barbie and my god fathers in our wedding.

Around 7PM, I noticed several missed calls in my cell phone - with a number I did not recognize... so I called to find out who it was. Now, one of my unheralded talents is my ability to recognize peoples voices even if by phone... and the voice of Tito Joe did register after a few seconds. Apparently he was here (only for a limited time) and he was free this particular evening... so off I went (to his hotel) to meet him and catch up with what's been happening.

We spent the night (and had a light dinner) at Cafe Havana in Greenbelt 3, where I had two glasses of Mojitos, and I can honestly say that I prefer our own home brewed Mojitos over the Cafe Havana mix any time.

That said, I was about to post a picture from home until I got the unexpected call from Tito Joe. Guess I shouldn't consider the day ended just because I arrived home; as this evening's surprise twist showed me... and since Tito Joe rarely comes to Manila, I would say the picture I took of him wins, hands down, as picture of the day. If anything, it's a nice surprise and a great reminder of a unique event that happened this day.

Nice seeing you again, Tito Joe!

Photoblog - day 02, April 12, 2010

What a Clown...

This is one of my three Clown Loaches (the fresh water counterpart to the Clown fish of Finding Nemo fame). This picture was one of the latter pictures I took for today, and it was actually a toss-up choosing this and the harder to capture Rummy Noses.

My older camera... an Ixus V, had difficulties capturing moving fishes, hence my having a lot of blurred pictures - specially when we try capturing my smaller, but faster moving Cardinals and Rummy noses. As you can see, the DSLR does not have any problem capturing my fishes now, and I was able to capture the Rummy Nose as well. So why didn't I show that picture? Well... the over all composition of this picture looked much better. If I didn't know better, I'd think my Clown knew it's picture was being taken and posed deliberately for this shot.

Bottom line, I can now better capture my fishes - and I'll probably choose a better picture for my Cardinals and Rummy Noses at another day. Meanwhile, in case you're curious about said Rummy Nose and Cardinal shot, I'll be placing it in my FB pictures. I can now enjoy looking at my fishes for de-stressing sessions - plus look at and share pictures of them when I'm not home.

Technical aspect: I tweaked the contrast a bit to make the fish look less pale, and cropped the excess background. Other than that, I used a manual focus, rather than trying things out automatically.

Photoblog - day 01, April 11, 2010

Water and Wine:

As I was coming in for mass (which we usually attend in the Promenade mall) I spied these two bottles at the end of the makeshift aisle - which normally is where it wold be placed in preparation for offertory. The difference now though is that I brought my camera - so I sat behind the table... focused and took the shot.

Technical background: Cannon D1000 - in 'P' mode and manual focus (to get the closer item while the background becomes de-focused) using an EF-S18-55mm II lens.

Starting out a picture diary / photo blog.

I know it's been a while since my last entry here... guess one reason (aside from a lack of time at times) is my wondering what to write. I know it doesn't have to always be profound, but there are times I have writer's block. So one thing I can do in between - while waiting for my moments of brilliance to strike, is to borrow an idea from a friend (thanks Aodhan) and try out a photoblog with a daily picture that can somehow be used to show my growing skills (crossing fingers here) as a photographer.

Now that I've got that preamble out of the way, I'm wondering how to start it. What rules I should set and what leeway I should have. Let me explain... the original idea of a photoblog - at least, the one I know, is for the blogger to take a picture a day (a discipline I may not be able to always accomplish) and another thing... can I, for example, just present one picture when I may have several?

To answer that... discipline. I'll do my best to try and take a picture a day; and not necessarily from just my DSLR camera (I can likewise use my phonecam), so no real excuse. As for the wanting to show more than one photos - in case, you know, I've got more than one great one... well, I can always post the others in FB... they just won't officially be part of my photoblog. So problem solved.

Moments worth freezing in time...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you pause, take a step back - then realize you wished you could remember that one particular moment in your mind? That if you had a camera - or a blank canvas, you would try to preserve the moment? I know I've had them... and in some instances, they represent very simple - yet wonderful visuals that tell me life is worth living.

One such moment happened just a while ago - in fact, it happened twice around the same time yesterday and today. Of what do I talk about? Simple... it's the image of seeing my kids asleep - really peaceful and rested, while Bubbles, likewise enjoying the lull of the moment and the cool environment, is at times curled up at their feet (sometimes, she's stretched... at other times, she's got her head rested on a pillow).

So why does this merit a pause? Simple, it represents what I want in life... the peace, the quiet, the safeness, the fact that at that point in time, they are blissful and rested. My kids - though they technically are more teens now than kids, are two important aspects of my life... and Bubbles resting at their side - represents of course, the added love, loyalty and security offered them unconditionally. Bubbles stays with them - not because she is forced to... but because she does not think otherwise. It's not for her protection or sheer comfort either... she is very protective of anyone in my family - specially when we are asleep.

But yeah... going back to the topic on hand, this is one image worth remembering. It makes me think everything is okay in my world... and that both Barbie and I are able to continue giving them what they need - including the bliss of resting in a home... mindless of time passing.

Despite what I said earlier about wanting to preserve it with pictures though, I know it's inappropriate to do just that - so I will merely preserve it in my mind... and in this blog.

We should all be so lucky.

Bocelli Christmas album - my review

Few people can match the vocal and production excellence of Josh Groban's Christmas album 'Noel' - it's why I consider it my barometer or benchmark when thinking of 'quality' Christmas songs or albums. It may seem unfair to other artists... it may likewise seem unfair for Mr. Groban. I don't pretend to be an expert in deciding what's good or bad - but I do know what I want when I hear it.

So why start with talking about Mr. Groban? Well, I did say few, right? Here is one album that I feel matching that description. Andrea Bocelli's 'My Christmas' is a must have album. There, I've said it. It's production quality can best be discerned by listening to each song - the arrangement, the selection... and yes, definitely... the voice.

From the very start, with his soulful rendition of White Christmas, switching from English to Italian the obvious strength of Bocelli is his mastery of several languages and his seemingly effortless transitioning from one language to another as he sings without missing a beat... this lends to a universal (okay, maybe just global) theme that Christmas is definitely celebrated around the world... and this singer can definitely relate to that. BTW, I'm guessing about the Italian here, since I don't really speak the language, but if the song's other title 'Bianco Natale' is any clue... I'd guess it was Italian.

Now why'd I say global? Simple, his rendition of another classic Yuletide song, 'O Tanenbaum' starts of - rightly so, in German, then switches to English, and it's not the only song he does this too.

Andrea's other strength is his flexibility - not just with languages, but with his genre... many would say he's a classical singer... fine. Operatic in approach? Maybe so - and by the way, I don't really go for such songs or singers... and if Bocelli sang them, well then fine too... but as I said, I'm not really a fan of such genre. Luckily, Bocelli seems to have traversed such genre and found his mark continuously traversing from pop to classic.

For the most part, his Christmas songs are peppered with classical innuendos, but that's just fine - it does not come across as pretentious, nor forced. I still enjoy the songs, the rendition and... the arrangements. His 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town', for example, is sung with a choir of children... and he comes across as an adult who is reminding the children of their following some simple suggestions for when Santa comes to town - his low voice a pleasant counter to the children's high tones... that is, until he reaches a high note himself.

Another favorite of mine is his 'Jingle Bells' - see if you can place some names to the voices you'll hear him singing with.

One last thought, I believe I carped about Christmas albums carrying 'Ave Maria' as a song - not that I'm anti-Mother Mary or anything... heaven forbid, as I'm Roman Catholic, and I do admire the mother of Jesus, who is equally a central figure in the birth of Jesus... but, the song has been used in other - more sorrowful occasions, so I find it unbecoming of a Christmas tune selection. I won't blame the song - which is basically the 'Hail Mary' prayer... but I'll have to blame the practitioners using said song in sorrowful gatherings for giving me this bias. So why bring this up? Well, Josh added the song in his Christmas album - and so did David (Archuleta) for that matter, and when I hear the first few notes for said song, I simply press the 'next' button in my player whenever it comes up. So you see, even Josh could not remove form me this bias.

Well, apparently, Andrea did something different... he added into his album, the 'Lord's Prayer' - now I may say it isn't exactly a Christmas carol either, but since it's a newer - more contemporary version, it avoids the stigma of being related to less joyful practices... and yes, Andrea sings a good 'Lord's Prayer', so I let it play on.

I'm not saying I accept it as a Christmas tune, mind you... but I don't mind listening to it as part of the album. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my one little complaint to an otherwise, near perfect Christmas album. That said, I reiterate my advice... go buy this album, and enjoy it as a worthy addition to your Christmas holiday celebration. Right before creating this review, I looked at Amazon to seek more information about the album - and it's got some sample tunes for you to listen to... so listen and see if I was right. I also came across some pictures - one where I see Andrea with one of my favorite composers/arranges - David Foster. Maybe that explains the quality.

My rating? Four and a half stars... maybe five, even, that is... if I believed it was perfect.

Sting Christmas album - my review

Imagine yourself sitting in a relatively comfortable chair, as part of an audience who've gotten together in a hall - not unlike the inns of old. The winter night only kept at bay by a large fireplace's warmth... and in the middle of this inn's hall - or perhaps in a visible corner, sits the bard. As he strums his instrument, people ease up on their conversations so they can be entertained by this man.

The Bard starts singing stories - not just simple tunes to be repeated with certain refrains, and followed with a catchy beat... no sir. This bard tells us tales... stories that neither of us have heard - and are not privy to it's ending, so we strain to listen to every word. Got that in your mind? Good - now you're ready to listen to Sting's new album 'If on a Winter's Night...'

To say that this in not your regular Christmas album would be an understatement. If you're looking for songs of Rudolph, Santa and the likes - sorry, look elsewhere. Then again, listeners of Sting won't be surprised by this at all... after all, the man is known for his lyrics being deep, poetic at times, and definitely with a message. It's what makes Mr. Sumner someone I consider, not just as a simple singer - but an artist.

Having said that, how does his Christmas album come across? Well for starters, who says it is a Christmas album? Listening to it won't exactly set you up for Christmas joys - but the stories are indeed there. Like any Bard worth his ale and tale, Sting gives us songs of characters old - yet, looking at them in a new manner. Look to 'Gabriel's Message' and the 'Cherry Tree Carol' to get an idea of what I mean.

Then listen to his 13 other selections. As I said, it's not something you just set up and play in the background... instead, you need to focus on it, specially on the first run - or you'll be lost to the song's tales. In fact, I might even go far to suggest that you first listen to this with your iPod - that way, all the lyrics won't be missed.

So yeah, it bears some focus of attention, and for some this might be a big minus - after all, many people would rather sit back and relax with familiar songs of yore playing at the background while the Christmas lights flick on and off, and if you're the busy type this might not be the album for you - as I said, it can be entertaining... but not in an automatic manner.

If you're too tired to actively listen, I would very much advice you choose to listen to another - more traditional Christmas CD. But if you want to try something different... let the Bard entertain you. In a five star rating, I'd even be reluctant to say my piece... you see, I've listened to it... and realized that I need to listen to it some more. Sometimes, the stories take on a different light when listened to a second time, and a third, or fourth.

But this is just me... and in this instance, please don't take my word for it. Try it out. If you like it, great. If not... no harm done. For a relatively, risk-free trial, you might want to go see the Amazon site to preview a song or two.

David Archuleta Christmas album - a review

It's that time of the year again... when some of us look with mixed feelings to the wonderful gatherings and cheers the season will bring - and along side these, the seemingly madcap shopping for gifts and the traffic that magically swells because of said madcap shopping.

Meanwhile, so of us are already thinking of where to set up our decors and Christmas trees (at least, those of us who need not think about Thanksgiving and Turkeys) - dusting them off from a year's keeping and seeing to the lights - half-hoping they're still good for another season... or if that fails, buying new sets. Then there's the test of patience as we check these lights... and set them up in the tree.

But aside from the usual countdowns, shopping and decor dusting, I believe another manner for preparing is to simply make sure that the music we would like to hear all through the season will be just a touch away... in our iPods, connected to our theater systems' speakers.

That said, I make sure I do have hours of Christmas songs... form the glorious to the happy, from the classic to the new. It is in this latter category that I search, yearly for any new Christmas CD to add to my collection... and it is in this particular month - November - that I start my searching, simply because many of the newer CDs do get released around this time.

My first review spotlight goes to David Archuleta's 'Christmas from the Heart', and let me first give you an idea of what it has... 13 songs, mostly all traditional favorites like Joy to the World, O Holy Night and Silent Night... with one piece sung as a duet with Charice Pempengco - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

How does this CD feel? Note I said feel... as I believe most Christmas albums should evoke some kind of feeling with their listener. Archuleta fans may not like what I have to say though - and no, the fact that I'm a David Cook fan does not mean I'll automatically be biased against Archie. So I'll say my review (or reaction, if you like)anyway.

BY far, the album was unimpressive - at least from my expectations of Archie. Many artists come up with a Christmas album seemingly for the sake of saying they have one, and I was sorely tempted to dismiss this particular work as one such album... almost, anyway. But the song renditions are all not that bad. The previously mentioned duet with Charice does come out nicely... though I wonder if this was more because Charice was in it - and no, I'm not really that big a Charice fan either, so I'm not biased in that regard.

To be fair, David's 'O Holy Night' was good - almost getting that feeling I was talking about earlier. Now, am I being too critical - maybe, but let me explain why.

To better know where I'm coming from, let me take you - American Idol followers in general, and 'David fans' in particular, back to a time when a contestant from Hawaii named Jasmine Trias sang a song by Heart (the famous band with the two female leads)- and did a 'not too swell' number (she had a hard time with sustaining the high notes of which the song is known for). But never mind how it sounded. There was one comment by the judges that stood out.

Apparently. song selection was not just something they - the contestants, needed to consider... but there was also the fact that they had to be aware of how previous Idol contestants likewise sang the songs they chose to sing, and it may have been some time since, but the Idol judges - specifically Simon, could still remember the wonderful rendition of another Idol contestant to said song - this Idol contestant, of course, eventually won. So fair or not... Jasmine got the comparison (to Kelly Clarkson, if memory serves me right).

I have to confess to having similar comparison tendencies right now - and unfortunately for David, I'm comparing his song interpretations with the way Josh Groban sang them too.

Ah, now I'm getting some some nods amongst some readers - while Archie fans are questioning my being fair. Why do this? It's my basis to say if a song interpretation is good or bad; just outstanding or simply mediocre.

First of, Josh got those emotional buttons working with his 'Noel' album, and since most of the songs in Noel were similar to Archie's song selections - I, naturally - fairly or not, compared Archie's work to that of Josh - at least, on the emotional response thing.

And how did Archie fare?

Well let me again quote Simon when I say some of Archie's renditions - not all, mind you... seem uninspired - almost like being sung in a Karaoke. Now some of you might say - how can I say Karaoke and David in one sentence? I did earlier say it was almost uninspiring did I not? And to be fair - I've known some friends who do good Karaoke too. But we get Simon's diss, right? It meant that the song, as sung was not inspiring.

Would David even win against Josh? It will be hard to beat Josh - there is a reason why I use him as a barometer for quality songs and singing, after all. So why bother comparing the two at all, if I were to just end up dissing Archie? Well I've a surprise for you - I do prefer David's version of 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' - in a way - it was simpler, it did not sound too 'over the top' as Josh's version did with all those 'letters' from the home front and the battle field inserted in between. David's rendition was simpler - more direct to the point, so Archie fans... I'm giving this one small victory to David.

In making the songs David's - or putting a David spin, as some would say - at times, I could hear David's signature inhales - and I wonder if he really is grasping for air, could he finish the the song? I was therefore wondering if that was what made for his signature mark - it's not a David song without those gasps for air. If so, it can get distracting though. His rendition of 'Silent Night' - for example was soulful; as was his 'Ave Maria'. But... I could hear the 'breathing'. I also have some thoughts regarding 'Ave Maria' being part of a Christmas album selection - but that is another topic. Suffice it to say that David does not win any brownie points from me for his rendition of said song (and neither did Josh, by the way).

How is the CD in terms of Archie's singing? Well he does hit the right notes... but then again, studio recordings can be edited until thy get things right - right? The technical aspect is good, arrangements were cool and Christmassy (yes I know there's no such word, but I like using it) - quality was definitely implemented in the album's creation in a way that I can honestly say this sounds like it wasn't done in someone's garage.

By itself - 'Christmas from the Heart' is not bad... but it lacks some heart - some inspirational 'oomph'. Maybe David is better seen singing live than listened to? Not a chance... his old Idol studio recordings were great - so that's not it.

Did he not find a Christmas album worth doing? I can't answer that... but I hope not. Did he rush when making this? Again, I can't answer that - but it may seem that way. You see, after all is said and done - you don't have to be better than Josh, that would be too hard a goal for most - so nope... I can't ask for that. But I want my singer - when singing, to evoke a reaction from me - be it melancholy, blues, bliss, hope, happiness - or simply being merry.

If I were to use a 5-star rating manner - with 1 being 'not great' to 5 being 'totally great' - I'd give this album a '3.5 stars' Average... with it's few brilliant moments... but not enough to warrant a rating of 4. In my recommendation to buy... sure, why not - it's still an album that's nice to listen to.

(Note: Amazon buyers have rated it a 5-star. Must be Archie fans)

Surviving Ondoy

The Flood creeps in

Last Saturday, September 26, started out like any other rainy weekend... I had gotten up during my usual time (around 7am) and since everyone else was asleep, I decided to go down, set up the TV and tune in on the SciFi channel while having water heated for my morning tea.

The rains were constant, but not that strong - or I should say, it was pouring... but there were no strong winds to accompany it to make me think there was a storm brewing. My brother-in-law, Ben, got up early too - but unlike me, he had a reason to do so... that being the need to attend to his nursing exam preparation review class. Before he left, he mentioned something about how rain like what we were experiencing, was the type to not just stop after a few minutes - the basis of his assertion, the seemingly gray sky... with no break in the rain clouds at all.

By this time, approximately around 8am, I had been enjoying the TV, opened my laptop and looked at what was new in Facebook, Yahoo mail and other sites I frequent. Ben had left - making sure he had some rain wear, and decided that the review center did not merit clothing that was too constricting - thus he wore shorts, a t-shirt, a jacket and loafers... he then left, taking the black car with him.

That said, I just continued doing what I was doing. I even vaguely noticed 'Ate' (our house help) come in, presumable after having washed clothes (yes, she was still washing, even if there were rains - she uses two umbrellas as her only protection from the rain as she washes our clothes), and I half expected her to go out once again with Bubbles in tow for her (Bubbles that is) weekly bath.

As you can no doubt see, I was oblivious to my outside - with the possible exception of knowing it was raining hard - but then again it had rained hard before without any issue, so I did not see any need to monitor this rain. Heck, there were no warning bells or whistles regarding what was happening, ans since Ate apparently stayed in longer, there was no one in our household observing what was happening outside.

My only indicator that something was happening was when the house help from the apartment door beside ours, were seemingly laughing and screaming outside while I heard Angelo, a kid a foe doors ahead of our say "Ate Vicky, yung halaman ninyo lumulutang na!" (Ate Vicky, your plant is floating already).

Now that got me thinking... floating? What the...? and I immediately looked out to see about a foot of flood water in our garage - I mean, for our plants to float, they had to have more than enough water around them to make them more buoyant - and these plants were on higher ground than the garage.


Our car's fate

I was definitely surprised, but I could not move to get our car out and possibly seek higher ground at once, as a neighbor's SUV was still blocking the garage - you see it was a long common garage, and we would bring in our vehicles on a first to arrive drives to the end of the garage - to make sure the latter arrivals had more than enough space in the garage to park their vehicles... and the Friday before said date, we arrived ahead of everyone else, hence the car was the deepest in said garage.

Eventually, the SUV got out, but by that time, the waters had risen to the lower tip of my car's exhaust pipe. My dilemma now was that if I should try going out, I would be doing it in reverse (tail pipe meeting the flood waters - with a good chance of stalling if this happened), and to make matters worse, the road outside was deeper than that of our garage. I then decided it was more prudent to leave the car in the garage - rather than risk it stalling in the flood outside the garage. I was gambling on the fact that the waters would not rise any further... after all, floods in this area were a thing of the past ever since the drainage were enlarged - and they were enlarged just about a year (or two) ago. Besides, our car; a 2008 Toyota Altis, was an automatic... and automatics were known to be more problematic in floods.

Better to keep the car in the garage, than risk it stalling and staying stuck outside then. It was a logical decision, far as I was concerned... and the less risky, given the current situation.

Unfortunately, the rain continued on... and the waters continued rising.

Had our neighbors been more neighborly, maybe I would have been able to bring the car out. Alas, no one thought to inform us... until our plants started floating. Maybe they were too busy saving their cars... who knows?


Fighting to preserve what we could

Pretty, soon my battle shifted from car (to which I could do nothing else about), to the water entering our abode... and enter it started doing too. I used the typical dam of rags... pushing them under any cracks between the door and the floor, and only managed to slow down the entry of the water... but slow it down enough to allow me time to assess the situation properly. Obviously, the first things I had to consider were the extension plugs that were lying on the floor - so we (Ate and I) gingerly unplugged these before lifting them up... ditto with the electric fans and PC. Anything that was basically ground-based and vulnerable to water, we removed - including some CDs.

As the waters continued rising, talks on TV about floods started coming in, and announcements that the power would be cut started filtering in. I then thought about everything I needed to do to ensure our safety and comfort. Drinking water and candles had to be prioritized - and naturally, it was at this moment that I realized that our drinking water had run out. Normally not a problem, since the water's supplier was just next door to our apartment. Unfortunately, now it meant opening the door and letting the water in. By this time the difference between the water inside and outside was four to five inches.

We would need water - and if we did not get any now, later would be too late - specially if the floods got worse... so I reluctantly watched Ate open the door and let all the water in.

The water was delivered; with great sacrifice... as I could not return my makeshift dam anymore... the current coming in was just too strong, and by this time, the power was shut down. My next concern... appliances - of which there were two major ones, a 5-foot medium-sized ref, and a 29-inch television.

With Ben not around, the only other male in the house was my relatively lanky son - Bryce, who was still asleep, having stayed awake the entire night (as he is wont to do every weekend) communicating with friends in the internet and playing online games with some of them. Simply put, Bryce was not available - so it was just Ate and me. Barbie was staying upstairs... not coming down and probably watching the flood from upstairs.

The TV was hard, but do-able. I remember carrying it at times, and in this instance, I did it once again... with some help from Ate. We placed it on the first major step on our stairs. A little explanation here... our stairs to the 2nd floor goes up against the wall, then makes a U-turn to go all the way up. It was at this U-turn that we placed the TV. One down.

The ref, however, was another thing. Despite our best efforts, we simply did not have enough momentum (and maneuverable space) to bring the ref up, so we returned the ref to the ground...another flood victim that could not be helped. Thoughts of what could have been had Ben been around intruded my mind for a while - but I shook that out soon enough... after all, there were other things I had to consider.


Making the best of a bad thing

I was feeling the need to go to the toilet - but I knew that any flushing would be useless now... so I just shook the feeling off. This, however, made me realize the importance of comfort - specially in situations like these. I then knew that later on, cooking in the dirty kitchen... the lowest point indoors, would be difficult, so I asked Ate to clear a place upstairs (which be then was already filled with hastily dumped stuff from the ground floor) for cooking. We then moved the stove and LPG tank to the second floor... I gave Ate special instructions to make sure the cooking would happen near an open window - in case the gas leaked at any time.

This way, Ate was able to cook lunch... and much later, dinner, with little problem. If we could not have a decent rest room for the day, at least we'd have decently cooked meals. That done, I turned my attention to other things...

As afternoon came, the rain continued, and I was getting worried. Pretty soon, the door would not be a factor in stopping water, as the flood's level was still rising, and would eventually reach our windows. It was at this time that our car's alarm started blaring.


The car's 'cry' for help

I guess the car had a warning program placed in - one that would let us know that it was in danger of being deluged by the flood waters. But there was nothing I could do. Still it eeriely sounded like a plea for help. Barbie was likewise affected by this 'plea'as she called Toyota to ask for help - asking what we could do. Apparently, the people at Toyota were likewise at a loss in what to do... finally, someone just told her to remove the battery, and by no means think of starting the car.

I also came to the same conclusion, as apparently turning the alarm off was not working (sue me, it was the first time I was experiencing a car stuck in flood) and was slightly delayed by our needing ot search for the necessary tools to remove the battery - flood waters already covered the lower cabinet where the tools normally were.

My one concern was needing to open the car, with the mistaken assumption that it was an enclosed environment - but as I looked in the window, I saw that the inside was already submerged in water, so I did not have second thoughts opening the car and popping the hood. Barbie, though, saw it as another heart rending moment. After all, she - like me earlier, thought the car's interiors would be okay. So seeing me open the door to pop the hood gave her images of the water rushing into the car.

I was soaking wet - not bothering with an umbrella, though wearing a jacket, I removed the battery. Let me also say that it was already difficult to see where I was stepping, as the waist deep water was murky with a brownish color. It was no surprise that as I was moving around, my feet tripped on what was probably a plant, and I went down into the flood water. Luckily - maybe because of my years of swimming, I had the presence of mind to keep my mouth shut as I went down. Lucky as well, that I happen to do this while not carrying the battery.

I lifted the hood, removed the battery - and yes, thankfully the alarm stopped. I then brought the battery into the house and deposited it beside the TV. I just hoped I acted in time to prevent any electrical shortage in the car's wiring.

By this time, the flood waters inside the apartment, were reaching my pelvis, and I was worried about moving the monitor of the PC and the other electrical equipment like the microwave. Lunchtime passed - but I was too busy thinking what else I had to do... besides, by this time, the kids were basically having brunch with Barbie upstairs. I guess, you could say that Barbie was making sure Bryce and Bernice's morale were not being too affected. Thought I heard that one of them... Bernice, I think, wrote the words 'help' on our windows.


Preparing for dark

As afternoon came, darkness started creeping in. Candles became the need - and flashlights. I made sure all these were ready earlier, and now it was paying off. I encountered a slight problem... matches. Since no one smokes in the house, matches or lighters were hardly lying around. Luckily, we did have our stove, which served as a source for flames - at least, enough to light one candle... and that was all I needed.

Equally lucky was the fact that one set of our tea-light candles was actually a Citronella type candle a.k.a. mosquito repellent candles. I guess, I had bought this long time ago - then had forgotten about them... or found no need to use them. Well, now was the time to use them, specially during sleep time, as we were sure to sleep without electricity that night.

As I observed the flood water rising, I realized belatedly that we should have brought up the chairs - they did not have to get wet... and they could have helped make sure there were more things to place stuff on. Ah well... maybe the next flood, these things will be more automatic to me - not that I look forward to one, mind you - but at least, it will (hopefully) be less chaotic.


Goodbye comic collection

It was at this time that I realized that I forgot something. The stuff in storage under the stairs... including my comic collection and training stuff. I knew they were now wet and I could do nothing about them. I guess, in an out of sight, out of mind capacity, I had lost track of these items. Again, I could have continued to dwell on this, but instead, I just compartmentalized it and set it aside. It was over and done - with nothing else to be of help in constantly thinking of it, so I just set it aside... focusing, rather, on what I could still do.

Just to put things into perspective, I'm talking about a collection that spanned decades - and though they were not mint condition... they still represented a sizable (both literally and figuratively) collection of comics representing DC and Marvel. Equally as irreplaceable were my collection of training materials - anything spanning coaching, team-building, leadership, Toastmasters... all gone.

I had to sit down for a while on the stairs, knowing these were all literally under me... and most definitely wet. But, I just did this for a moment - then got back to the needed tasks at hand. If this is my way of compensating, I don't know... but I'd like to think of it as a strength. My way of making sure I prioritized; thought well under pressure, and not worry about things I could do nothing about... and Lord knows I needed to do this.


Surviving the blame and guilt

At the height of the car blaring it's alarm, Barbie looked at me and blamed me for wrecking her car... and whenever I looked at the car, I always thought

'Could I have done better?
Should I have tried bringing it out?
Did I err?'

But I also know that doing that (blaming myself, that is) would just make me miserable. What's done was done - at that time, I made a decision... whether it seemed to later turn out wrong was beyond the point, and second guessing myself... thinking about it with hindsight may be important - but blaming myself would have been useless and counter productive.

Still, seeing her crying was hard. I took it upon myself to embrace her and explain to her my thoughts leading to the decision not to bring the car out... and this soothed her a bit. I guess, she needed to let her emotion out. After all, to me, it was hard to see the car in it's condition, but I knew there would be insurance to cover for the damages. In Barbie's case, the car was her symbol of a hard earned reward for all the work she did... so it was harder to see the fruits of her labor go the way of the flood.

Don't get me wrong... I too hated to see the car in it's condition, specially since it was my decision to let it stay in the garage. Late at night, as I thought the water was no longer rising... or at least, would not rise and reach the U-turn level of the stairs (it reached 3 steps - and another two steps were all that remained between the water and the TV), I decided to rest. But I would leek out the window, see the car... and be haunted by me decision.


Before retiring

Before sleeping, I tried to set aside clean water in a pail and place it near the stairs, so should anyone wish to do so, they had clean water to use without having to get it by wading through the flood. Again, I tried to make the experience more comfortable for everyone else. The only other person who worked harder than I did was of course Ate... and she asked me, in one of those seemingly ironic moments if this type of flood was something that happened often here in Bacood, Sta. Mesa... and all I could think of was that maybe it did happen at least once a decade - and as shown by our furniture filled with foam - and was floating in the flood water by the way.

Heck, the ref also started floating... and I just anchored it down with the tool box, flood water and dumbbells so it would not just float around... besides I needed it to place the computer monitor on top of.

My sleep was fitful that night. I had to be a light sleeper, should the rains get stronger, and I would be needed to raise the TV and other stuff to the second floor. I also had to relieve myself, and in a perverse manner, I did not want to piss inside the house - so to the window I went... and added my fluids to the outside flood. I don't think anyone saw me anyway. since it was about 3am, and the rain somehow disguised the noise of my deed.



The next day

I woke up early... around 5:30am... maybe earlier. I just needed to get up and get busy doing something. The first sign of good news? The water level was lower than yesterday... than last night. Hopefully, I thought, it would mean that the flood would be gone that day - and it did... around noontime. Electricity got back by 2pm... but prior to that, Ate and I were already trying to clean what we could.

Ben arrived by 9am, and he was seemingly shocked to realize that the new Altis was part of the casualty... and we were glad to know that he was able to keep the black Altis out of flood waters. So we at least had one car left with us.

We then started cleaning out the place... and we were surprised to realize that others likewise experienced similar loss. I mean, you should see the image of everyone (or almost everyone) bring out their refs and letting the trash collectors pick them up - similarly, sofas were brought out - either to be cleaned or disposed... us? We decided to dispose of ours.

I was happy to realize that two boxes of comics survived - the ones at the top of the pile... the ones the flood waters did not reach. On the other hand, I realized later that my digicam, a Canon Ixus V was in the car... as I sometimes leave it in there - so, one water-logged camera. I'll have to bring it to the repair center to see if they can still save it. I also left me rubber shoes in the car - but at least, that's washable.

On a cute note, Bubbles - our pet dog, refused to wade in flood waters and decided to keep to herself until the outside was walkable... and then, she allowed herself to go out and relieve herself. Guess that's the downside of being trained to do her business in the garage... poor thing.


Lessons learned and realizations discovered

Well for one, we only realized the extent of the effect of this sudden flood when we were listening to and watching the news, suddenly we seemed dumbstruck at the damage wrought by Ondoy elsewhere... although we were affected, we suddenly realized that we were still lucky... at least everyone was alive and safe.

Another realization... as I was cleaning, one carpenter (who was busy fixing stuff in another door) picked up a dried comic and started reading it... and it made me realize - it's not for the mint condition that I collect my comics, but for the story. That said, I started to rescue my collection - or at least, the ones I felt were worth rescuing. So the past few days of the next week found me carefully cleaning up and drying most of my collection - a difficult task, since another storm was approaching, making it difficult to dry them out.

But I got to save most of what I considered as valuable - story-wise. Still... I lost a lot - some I can't even remember.

As for lesson - I'll start parking our car in the garage looking face out... should the need to rush out ever happen again, it won't be as vulnerable as a reverse driving manner. Oh yeah... and be in a more prepared state come next time... should there be a next time. Hope not.

Anything that does not kill us, makes us better... or so, I'd like to think. Hopefully, this becomes collective wisdom for all in the Philippines... including those nitwits who miscalculated the water level of the dams, and released a great deal that Saturday on an already water-logged metro... sure, no one's admitting it. But a lot of people say that Ondoy's flood waters were too many, and rose too swift. A tropical depression - even one with Katrina-like water levels would not have such a swift and sudden effect.

Luckily, the ineptness of a few seems to have given the chance for many more to shine and show their civil service capability, their self-sacrifice, their care for others. For that brief moment, Filipinos showed that we were not a race of uncaring individuals - at least, not all of us are.

I've been getting these series of questions in Facebook, and thought - well, why not include it in my blog? So here it is...

50 Things to know me better

1. What time did you get up this morning?
(note: it's a Saturday, August 27, 2009)
9am. ... then again, it’s a Saturday with no work to rush to. On those occasions, I’m on the road as early as 7am. Naturally, I have to get up before that and do my usual pre-driving to work routines.

2. How do you like your steak?
Medium rare

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
G.I. Joe with Bryce

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Eureka, Big Bang Theory, Heroes - I also watch Discovery channel, SciFi channel, Nat. Geo., and once in a while, Ellen.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
in a place where the weather is fine all year round, where traffic jams are just fiction, and where crime is unheard of… let me know if you know of such a place

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Fried rice, Scrambled Eggs, Corned Beef and English Breakfast Tea

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Italian, Japanese, Filipino

8. What foods do you dislike?
Chinese sweet and sour cooking

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
Max’s (chicken), Italliani’s (pasta)

10. Favorite dressing?
Vinegrette, Garlic and Ranch

11. Words you live by:
In service : “Do to others what they expect you to do”
In life: “Lead with an abundance of wisdom, integrity and patience”

12. What are your favorite clothes?
Comfortable, while fashionably stylish... but if I had to sacrifice one or the other, fashion goes out the window.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
for the sights - Paris, the Bahamas, NYC; for the experience – Pyramids, Great Wall, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amazon Jungle, the Vatican

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
it will always be seen as half full

15. Where would you want to retire?
retire? Why will I do that?

16. Favorite time of day?
After 6pm. – it’s normally when I’m with my family, discussing how the day went.

17. Where were you born?
Manila, Philippines

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Mud Wrestling (what? The last one’s not a sport?)

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
Those who've tagged me first, those too busy, or those I did not tag. ;-)

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
A real friend.

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this
Everyone!

22. Bird watcher?
Yes! They can be majestic in flight (Eagles) – or hilarious on the landing (Albatross)!

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
nowadays more a morning person – 20 years ago, night owl

24. Pets?
Bubbles, our Spitz/Chow, two aquariums with tropical fishes

25. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share?
Bacardi Night at my place tonight (Sat., Aug. 27, 9pm)!

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
An astronaut or an actor (hehehe)

27. What is your best childhood memory?
Sundays at Lola Nena's – where I’d b with my cousins and we’d be entertaining everyone (by singing)

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
More dog than cat – but I don’t mind cats cuddling to me

29. Are you married?
Yup

30. Always wear your seat belt?
Yup

31. Been in a car accident?
thrice – all not serious, just fender benders

32. Any pet peeves?
inconsiderate public transport (bus, jeeps, FX) drivers, inconsiderate private vehicle drivers – specially those that try to get away with their boorishness by using sirens

33. Favorite pizza topping?
Garlic and Cheese – lots of it, on a thin crust pizza. That, or, everything on top!

34. Favorite Flower?
Not really into flowers – but I guess, roses come to mind

35. Favorite ice cream?
Vanilla – you can take it plain, or become adventurous by adding stuff

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Jolibee

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
Never, ... I passed the first!

38. From whom did you get your last email?
a friend whom I’m doing some business with - Mike

39. At which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
I don’t max it out – I’d rather reserve it for emergency situations. But if I would… maybe more on books
40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
Sudden (unscheduled) Bacardi nights

41. Like your job?
There are days…

42. Broccoli?
Yes

43. What was your favorite vacation?
HK Disneyland and Ocean Park – it was our family’s first real out of the country vacation.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
Barbie

45. What are you listening to right now?
Black Eyed Peas, David Gruetta, Sting, Josh Groban, U2 – depending on the mood I’m looking for.

46. What is your favorite color?
Green

47. How many tattoos do you have?
None

48. How many friends are you tagging for this note?
25 – as instructed

49. What time did you finish this quiz?
16:00 (Whew…)

50. Coffee Drinker?
Yes, at least one cup a day! Specially when I’m not at home.

Done... so why did I bother to do this? Nothing much - just want to look back at this after a few years and see any possible changes to my answers (if any).

Camera Lens Effects - at affordable prices

Yesterday - June 21, Sunday, my family and I were celebrating Fathers' Day by going to the Shangri-La mall to have lunch after we wre done attending mass. Of course, there were other ulterior motives for going to the Shang... but they were Barbie's - not mine. Still, I was not one to just leave things as they were - and took the opportunity to look around as well.

Well, while Barbie and Bernice went their respective way (shopping for a gift), Bryce and I decided to window shop in a few of our favorite stores... and one store in particular, Hobes and Landes, offered a great number of novelty items that were also tools for scientific experimenting, however, their costs were - to say the least, worth reconsidering before purchasing - specially when one has the budget that relatively alienates them from getting so many of these gadgets. Some, after all, were trivial - others were simply too extravagantly priced to be considered as practical.

However, there are a few noteworthy items, that at first glance, looked like toys - but toys that can offer a great deal of entertainment and with it, some satisfaction.

I speak of one particular item in the store that helps any amateur photographer be able to experiment with effects that normally demand getting a pricey lens... for example the fish eye effect. Such a lens can give a sphre-like viewpoint to what the camera takes... a nice effect for landscapes - a funny effect when done with people. How much would such a lens cost? Not to mention the cost of the camera that can mount such a lens?

Then, of course, there's this product called 'Illusion lens', a tiny special effects lens, just large enough to connect to a digicam's lens, and small enough to accommodate most cellular phone camera lenses. It's a very simple device, really... it has a lens cover, and when said cover is removed, we expose a sticky gel, that can stick the lens against that of the camera's lens... so when the camera takes it's shots... the resulting images captured reflect the effect... and nice bubble effects, or fish eye pictures, if I say so myself... of course I could be biased.

There are some possible limitations... number one being the lens size... as you can see with the pictures taken, the outer corners have the greenish background, which happens ot be the illusion lens itself. Now maybe I can remove that by properly lacing the lens - or as a last resort, edit them out using either Photoshop or any other editing software, so it's not that big a problem.

Another effect Bryce and I were playing around with was the Starburst effect. Basically, this means having a clearly focused center and having the pictures background starting to become hazy... and rather than trying to describe it, I've also added some additional shots to show everyone the effects that such a lens allows us to play around with.

Our pictures show an interesting concept - like we were using some kind of power to force the effects. Again, I wonder... how much wold such a lens go for?

Well, let me tell you how much these lenses cost... Php200 - that's it. Bargain right? You bet, and the best part of it is there are more effects available.

So what do you think? Care to go to Hobbes and Landes to try these little babies out? I'm sure a lot of photography enthusiasts will find a gazillion flaws - but then again, for the price... I'd now have to say that these special effects are very reachable, and I shall be posting more of these effects, as we use them.

My paradise, lost? (or revisiting Santo Domingo church)

Have you ever been someplace where everything seemed perfect – left it as such, with hopes of returning another day to once again experience the 'idyllic', only to realize that the perfection was more a fluke than a constant?

I guess that’s how I can describe my visit to Santo Domingo church once again. Let me explain…

In a previous blog, I described how ideal Santo Domingo church was to me in terms of peaceful meditation right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city…. well, Quezon City, if you want specifics. That experience led me to believe that if one needed a break from it all – specifically a mental and/or spiritual paradisse in nature, then going to far off places need not be done – as the Santo Domingo church offered all these. In a sense, it still does – but let me explain the difference with this, my second visit, that made my experience less-idyllic when compared to the first.

This visit happened last Friday, June 19 at around fifteen minutes before 1pm. After I had dropped Barbie off (coming from lunch), I had about two to four hours to kill – and naturally, I thought ‘why not spend some time in Santo Domingo again, like I had done before?’ Parking is spacious and free, the place is quiet and peaceful and who knows – I could use it to meditate once again.

So tit came as a surprise to me when – as I entered the parking area, I saw vehicles parked… lots of them. My first reaction was, is there a special occasion? I knew not any holiday of obligation that day, so it could not be such… maybe a wedding? You could say that I was that clueless… the most obvious reason, of course, was the last one I thought of… a regularly scheduled Friday noontime mass (okay – before we continue, yes… I felt like a dunce for not thinking of it).

So my first disappointment came across as, no peaceful place – at least, for now. I was sure that once the mass ended and the people left, said peace and quiet would happen. As I waited in the wing, I decided to take a few pictures – this time, with my digicam. Here’s where my second observation of real vs. ideal intruded upon me… to call them beggars would belabor the obvious – yet, I am reluctant to label them as such. I will instead refer to them as the economically challenged. And at least two of them tried approaching me as I was trying to find said peace and quiet… no, not inside the church, rather, outside… waiting for people as they are about to leave, and hoping to get any semblance of alms.

The problem is, I too can consider myself part of this economically challenged group – of course, roaming around in a car while also holding a digicam is not the typical profile of one such person… and I would say that looks can be deceiving, as I really had no cash to spare… or to be more precise, no cash I was willing to part with that day.

So… my moment was spoiled because even as I refused to give, I felt a twinge of guilt for not helping out – yet in retrospect, are these people really needy? Why not approach the parish for help instead of just ambushing it’s parishioners for alms? Could this be just my cynical side thinking too much? Maybe. Needless to say, the idyllic peace and quiet was tarnished by these incidents.

As I entered, I went to various locations of the church – trying to find both a place of quiet and some cool wind to keep things comfortable; and this was when the third difference sunk in… during my last visit, it was in a window of calm after a storm, with the weather still being overcast with rain clouds. That meant that the church was cooler then - as it was slightly hot now, I could not really find that peaceful interlude… besides, the church’s many doors were still open likewise letting the traffic’s cacophony intrude the quiet stillness now present in the church.

Had I decided to stay a little longer… maybe 30 minutes more, I would guess that the noise would lessen – but the temperature would not be as comfortable as before… and unlike before, I had work to go to that evening, so I was avoiding any activities (or non-activities) where I would perspire… so I simply decided to leave.

That experience made me realize how lucky I was that previous time… how the weather, time and general spontaneity of it all contributed to the idyllic moment I experienced the last time. Will such be repeatable? Sure… it’s possible, but I would have to be in the vicinity, at a time I’ve nothing to do in the evening, at around 2pm – when the regular noontime parishioners would already be gone, when the economically challenged would have no reason to linger, and when the doors that help in keeping the cacophony that is just outside at bay are closed – oh yeah, and when the weather is that perfect coolness of almost – but not, raining.

How often will all these instances align themselves to achieve that idyllic environment again? Who knows? Not impossible, just almost improbable. Too bad… I really did enjoy the experience that last time. Oh well… guess that previous day was arranged for me to be there… and having just returned to see that the conditions of my previous visit were not the norm…but rather a uniquely perfect moment, I better appreciate the my previous visit and God’s hand in it. I mean, who else could make sure all those conditions would be repeated as is?