Photoblog - day 35, May 15, 2010

My monthly stash...

No... I don't mean anything illegal or hallucinogenic... hardly at all - and if the picture is not obvious enough, then let me spell it out - my monthly stash means my comic buys for the month (or in this case, representing the titles I buy the past two weeks.

I've collected comics since I was... oh, about child of 9... and got more serious about the hobby by around high school. Back then, it was all Marvel comics - nowadays, it's a combination of Marvel and DC. I normally stick to the traditional heroes - thought I wouldn't mind trying a new title or two once in a while. I might even say that comics has given me the passion to read and learn more... and yes, I dabbled in a few fan fiction these past years... and may do so again.

So why has this hobby stayed with me? I guess I like the stories I read - and the characters I follow. I enjoy reading the adventures of heroes... and even find inspiration in them - even if they're just fictional characters.

Photoblog - day 34, May 14, 2010

Snack surprise:

This particular day found me at work at the usual McKinley place, teaching the usual course (Application Analysis), with a new set of participants... but that wasn't what was really different - nope.

Nor was it because we had a trainer-in-training (Lovern) who we asked to cover a few portions of the course - with Fiel and me playing support on the side, just in case she needed our help - turns out she didn't by the way. Nope... what was memorable for me was the fact that I was hungry during an awkward time in the training - with snack time still some ways off. Lucky for me, Lovern had a couple of snacks which I had not seen before - let alone tried... and truth be told, it's not a snack I'd normally get.

But had it not been for this particular day, I would definitely have not discovered how "combi" is a great tasting snack. Goes to show how I take a lot of local snacks for granted. Then again, was it just because I was hungry?

The funny thing is... the idea for this particular snack seemed so simple, I wondered why no one else thought of doing it - crackers used to sandwich wafers. For some strange reason, this worked - and I enjoyed eating this snack. Thanks for sharing, Lovern!

Photoblog - day 33, May 13, 2010

Ode to the carabao:

In the garden found between the Greenbelt buildings; situated near the garden's chapel stands several distinct statues of the carabao - a traditionally known companion to the lowly farmer.

Known for it's patience, gentle demeanor and strength, the carabao (a.k.a. water buffalo) can be seen in many artworks where the subject being portrayed is a farmland; often showing children and / or farmers either plowing the fields or just lazing under a shade... and with them can be found said carabao. If man's best friend is a dog... the carabao is definitely the farmer's best friend. These beasts of burden are usually tasked with pulling the hoe; plowing the lands before planting the seeds or saplings.

This particular sculpture has been around a long time now... and despite it's myriad changes in design, the Greenbelt has always kept these metallic sculptures around, but it is only now that I hve had the consideration to take a picture of it - not plainly, but to use it as a subject for varying lights and shades. The foreground of plants and the background of greens bring forth visuals of these gentle creatures being led by a boy, riding the lead carabao, from the fields - back home to the farm... at least, that is what comes to mind as I was taking the picture.

This was a challenge in itself since I wanted to capture the picture using no flash (to de-emphasize the statues themselves and capture their silhouette instead) but I did not have a tripod (still betting around to buying one), so the majority of the pictures I had with the night setting turned in with differing levels of blurry images - as my hands could not be as steady as the camera demanded.

This particular photo, though, was definitely clearer than most - as I was able to place the camera on top of a low light post - thus having the needed stability that a tripod would offer.

Photoblog - day 32, May 12, 2010

Barbie's new toy:

Yes. what she's holding as a Wii remote... thus, that look of determination is based on how concentrated she is in playing virtual bowling in our new Nintendo Wii.

This, I might add, is just the start of her 'game play', so she still looks dry and clean - he he he. As the games would progress, she would start building up sweat - and as she would switch to virtual golf, her screams of delight (or frustration) would be heard up at the second floor.

I got the Wii as a birthday gift for Barbie - who plans to get the virtual yoga later, and Bryce - who plans to play guitar hero. We chose the Wii over another game console due to the fact that the Wii is known to be more physically active - so it cold promote some cardio work-out for whoever is playing... myself included. I even got a second remote to ensure that two players could share the gaming experience.

Night two of the game console and I already notice a lesser number of hours using the computers. Now we can have more bonding moments - thanks to the Wii. I tried capturing some action shots... but did not find them to be worth sharing. Ah well... better luck next time.

Photoblog - day 31, May 11, 2010

Bernice modeling?

Not really, I just liked the effect that the green Marks & Spencer signage looked - lighted from inside and placed against a smooth, black wall. It definitely looked stylish, and I just thought - why not take it's picture?

To add a semblance of reason to take a picture of it, I asked Bernice to pose by it's side - thus allowing me to have my picture of the sign - and likewise having a reason to take Bernice's picture.

Nothing extra-ordinary about this picture... just a straight away shot. Unfortunately, it seems that the real color of the signage was not captured - as you can see, it looks white instead of green... with only a hint of green reflecting against the smooth black surface. Oh well... at least I got to take Bernice; who's fashion sense could possibly land her in billboards.

Photoblog - day 30, May 10, 2010

Dirty Finger:

By this, of course, I don't mean the usual universal (or at least, Earth-wide) gesture to insult others... nope... here in the Philippines - once every three years, we are tasked to vote for our government officials. Obviously, a task we Filipinos exercised today.

As a culmination of such exercise, we have our pointer finger (not the middle finger) dabbed with water-proof ink... also known as indelible ink. The practice is a fail-safe against unscrupulous characters who would try voting twice in separate locations.

Thus, this dirty finger is proud badge of citizenship - as it represents our collective efforts to elect new (and hopefully better) government leaders - and God knows we really need them at this juncture.

The finger you see here is mine, of course... as I display my badge of citizenship. I join the millions of Filipinos in showing of their proud and dirty fingers... and hope that in the coming months or years, it will not transform into the real, global symbol we are so fond of using to signify disgust and insult.

Photoblog - day 29, May 9, 2010

Small pepper:

You read my title right... this is a small pepper - roughly just the size of an inch long - and it's one of many currently growing in my in-laws' garden.

What's so special about this picture? Well for starters, my camera's lens does not have the capacity to take a picture of this pepper real up close - and though I could probably take this picture and then do the combination of crop and enlarge the picture using after shots' photo-editing software - I'm proud to say that this picture is natural... with minor exception to slightly tweaking the contrast. So how'd I do this? Using an unorthodox manner, actually.

Said unorthodox manner entails reversing the lens - post-focus - then really moving in to take the picture with much more details being captured. How'd I learn this? My sister-in-law showed me the technique (thanks Bea!), and suddenly... I need not have a really powerful lens to take these pictures.

Photoblog - day 28, May 8, 2010

The Blow Job:

This is the name of the drink that Jingo is displaying for us - a three layered wonder made up of the following alcoholic drinks - Kahlua, Baileys and Cointreau; all carefully placed in a shot glass... carefully, because the beauty of the drink is not just in it's taste - but in it's presentation as well. Notice how Jingo's glass visibly shows the three color bands? Oh yeah... this is Jingo - a friend, colleague and often time drinking buddy (and he's not alone, too).

Obviously, the preparation of said drink is not that easy to do - and if ever one would try, expect several 'mistakes' to happen before getting it right. But then again, that's part of the fun - I drink my mistakes... which, in turn, means it becomes more difficult to make succeeding Blow Jobs. Why, I even had a night when I started not to care about the aesthetics... yeah, I was getting drunk back then.

Now... this night was no exception, as my friends and I were already several pitchers of Mojitos down - in fact, I'd say we easily consumed a pitcher each - so getting it right late in the night of said drinking session; and having to successfully take it's picture? You can begin to appreciate the rarity of this photo... that I happened to have the faculty to create the drink is exceptional enough - and taking a clear picture to boot... priceless.

Hence this joining my photo blog. Cheers, Jingo!

Photoblog - day 27, May 7, 2010

Adidas Street Party:

This is what I noticed being set up early morning on my way to work, Friday morning, at the Piazza at McKinley Hill. Of course back then, it was just the tents and the framework for this stage.

By lunchtime, the Piazza'a place had been converted into a busy hub of tents and my colleagues and I were wondering who's concert it would be?

As it turns out, we were wrong - not a concert, as more sports fashion event organized by Adidas to promote their classic line designs. Guess it's back to basics for this line... which somehow explains the VW Combi occupying a big chunk of their small stage; back to basics being like going back in time - hence, a retro feel... and you can't get retro and cool any better than with a Combi.

As Friday's evening came, my colleagues and I hied over to our favorite watering hole for a few bottles of beer - and it was just coincidence that said place afforded a perfect balcony view of the Adidas Street Party/Fashion event. Unfortunately, this event was scheduled to start around 9PM - too late for our taste - but we already had an idea of what would transpire, since we watched them go through their rehearsals.

Photoblog - day 26, May 6, 2010

Drinks:

In preparation for Saturday, I've prepared a corner of the apartment (and I literally mean 'corner' too) as a makeshift bar for all my alcoholic bottles and cocktail mixers.

It's convenient, easy to clean and nice to look at too. Of course, I doubt these will be consumed in one night - and I'd seriously like to see someone try, but the point is, in small gatherings like those that I occasionally have at home, I like to have a variety of drinks I can mix up. It's not about consuming a lot either... it's about having great company, a time to bond, share experiences or play catch up with the lives and activities of friends and colleagues.

It's not seen in the picture, but above these bottles are my cocktail glasses - hanging just withing reach. So here's to evenings such as those... one's we've dubbed as Bacardi Nights... though definitely not just limited to Bacardi products.

Photoblog - day 25, May 5, 2010

Weathered but unique-looking:

This leaf did not look special at all - in fact, I may have just taken this picture as an afterthought. Yet when I started looking at the pictures I took for the day, it still drew my attention - not because it was attractive, but the picture's background actually enhanced the focus on said leaf.

Now, I have had the practice of taking macro shots before... but for some reason, this one looked very different. It also proves that great pictures are often times, accidentally captured - and I'm not ashamed to admit this.

I really liked this picture's composition - a simple subject... practically mundane. But taken differently - it looks new and unique... yes, even if the subject of said photo is a simple browning leaf

Photoblog - day 24, May 4, 2010

Fortune smiles...

That is what most people hope for when they see a healthy fortune plant growing in their homes - someone even said that should the fortune plant ever grow beyond the height of their roof, it promises their able to travel abroad - maybe even to seek greener pastures.

Of course, that's just hearsay... and even if it were true, this isn't a fortune plant at home... I just wish it were - after all, I've an affiliation to plants, and I've tried having a few indoor plants grow at home... not to forget the plants I try to cultivate in my 'planted' aquarium. I've had mixed success - but that does nto mean I'll stop. More likely, I'm just waiting for the right moment to try again.

That said, I was attracted by the growth of this fortune plant within the environs of a mall - maybe that was one reason it was flourishing... the very bright, natural lighting from the windows plus the air conditioned environment probably contributed to this, though I would also guess that the mall had it's own indoor gardener. Ah well... like I said, some day soon.

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.