Photoblog - day 119 Aug 7, 2010

Jude Brent's Cake:

I had ordered this cake a few days ago in Goldilocks at the Robinson's Boni (a.k.a. the Forum), to become part of the lunch celebration that is Jude Brent's Baptism, scheduled tomorrow near noon. This will be held at Mary the Queen - with lunch to follow at Max's restaurant.

This will be the 3rd time I will be the 'official photographer' of an occasion - and I plan to put the camera (and my new tripod) to good use.

Going back to the cake, it was a relatively simple design - though you could say that the price of the design is almost like the original price of the cake. Still, when I finally picked this cake up around 9PM - amidst rainfall and some heavy traffic, I must say that the cake was very much worth the price tag. What I am showing in this picture is the main decor for said cake... a small cute Angel figurine (or is that icing? I really did not bother checking).

The icing was marshmallow and the cake's flavor was chocolate. A great cake, though I would have preferred a more moist cake instead of the chiffon we got.

Photoblog - day 118 Aug 6, 2010

Drafted!

Yup! Bryce and I have been drafted into the universal war that is StarCraft, and kudos to everyone that automatically noticed the symbol in the dog-tag. Guess you likewise made a reservation for the game and got a copy of this dog-tag, together with the game and a t-shirt (talk about marketing gimmicks - though I would have wanted a full-sized poster of the game too).

So I'll probably be expecting some busy weekends soon - not because of any other reason other than trying to accomplish the game's objectives and enjoying the adventures. If word from people can be a basis for deciding if the game is great, I guess we're getting mixed reactions - though I must emphasize that the negative comments are more from people who can't seem to get enough of the game.

Personally, I did enjoy Starcraft - in fact, it was one of those games that helped me bond with my staff way back in the I/ACT days. I may reminisce those days a few times... now, I can hopefully relive the enjoyment of those days gone by. After all, instead of network gaming (we used this to really test the classroom network's stability and integrity back then), we can now experience internet gaming.

Whoa...!

Photoblog - day 117 Aug 5, 2010

Zen... part deux:

As mentioned in my previous blog, I had scheduled my facial treatment this particular afternoon - and unlike yesterday, where I had to come from Boni, this day's training was in McKinley Hill (P.M. Planning and Initiate with Gina), so it was just a quick drive from there the Zen Institute. This happens to be the center table's main decor - with a few candlesticks and glossy magazines to greet and distract the Institute's clients while waiting for their treatments to start.

So how did this go? Well, I'm no stranger to facials, having had several in years past - though I would normally try the services of Let's Face It when it came to this... thus I also had a comparative analysis - experience-wise. Let me just say that Zen puts you in a private cubicle - as opposed to Let's Face It's more common area.

I would also have to say that the Zen Institute's facial treatment felt lighter... maybe less painful, or maybe my face was just not the dirty... who knows? I think there were at least two instances where the attendant (or therapist... i really don't know what to call this person) found some stubborn dirt in my face and had to resort to some pricking... btu even then it was done lightly... hardly intrusive.

So experience-wise, I'd say that the Zen's facilities and people are friendlier, cozier - and in my facial experience... less painful than with Let's Face It - but when you possibly consider price differences, I would understand why many would still prefer going to Let's Fae It... me included.

What I still find antsy... ans this is true for both Zen and LFI... is the long treatment and wait; all the while at one's back. I mean, it can really fet tiring if one has to lie down for an hour... maybe more - and pipe-in music does not help while the time away.

One last thing... I still am in the dark as to what a diamond peel is about. Maybe the attendant was doing it to me already, but I was too distracted with my getting antsy on my back already. Maybe they should allow for some stretching breaks.

Photoblog - day 116 Aug 4, 2010

Zen...

This orchid was at a side table found in the reception area of the Zen Institute in The Fort, Taguig... and why did I find myself in this area? Well, let's just say, I was making good on a gift certificate given me by Barbie to avail of the services offered by Zen Institute and Medical Spa (yup, that's it's name... and I bet you can understand my interest, just by that).

The thing is, I had this gift certificate for close to four months now... and the reason it was not used earlier was due to the need to make an appointment for said services - well, I found myself rather busy to make such an appointment - besides, with the certificate out of sight at times... well, let's just say the making of an appointment became 'out of mind'.

So what did I avail of? The massage, naturally - and they did give me a one hour Swedish massage (meaning my muscles were kneaded with the assistance of some fragrant massage oil), and though the experience was a bit relaxing, I guess I had gotten so used to harder massages that I found the experience a bit wanting.

Then again, their point-person did tell me that the Zen Institute was more a facial clinic than a massage spa... so I guess that explains it. So when in the Fort, I would still have to say The Spa is the place to go to for some serious massage.

Meanwhile, part two of my Zen experience will happen the next day - you see, said gift certificate included a facial and diamond peel service... one that would last an hour, so one I decided to try (and schedule for) the next day.

Photoblog - day 115 Aug 3, 2010

Inner Circle:

I 'discovered' this inner circle while doing my rounds in the Ideas Exchange area - during days when there are not too many people in it the place is somehow cordoned off by chairs, and with but a simple effort to move the chairs, one can really have a semblance of privacy in place that people will not look at because the more visible area would be the more obvious outside 'circle' - and by circle, I mean the area's arrangement as the chairs surround a round table, and the entire area is enclosed (and I use the word loosely here) by long thin strings (okay, maybe yarn-thick might be a better description) of cotton rope hanging from ceiling to floor.

The effect of the string makes an illusion of a divider, some reminiscent of Arabian inspired images where someone is veiled (though not truly hidden) from view by anyone outside. In normally lit days, this inner sanctum will hide little... but at times like this, one could probably snooze a bit and people passing by will hardly notice - unless one sleeps noisily, or is wearing reflectively bright colors that jump out of the shadows.

Yup... a nice place to hang - if one wants some semblance of privacy; specially when trying to come up with great ideas... or just wanting some down-time.

Photoblog - day 114, Aug 2, 2010

Gloomy Monday:

No I'm not talking about my feelings here - I literally mean that the weather, due to the seeming return of afternoon rains, has turned Monday into a gloomy afternoon; as shown by my picture. The view is of the Makati (Rockwell) area on the left of the Pasig River, and Mandaluyong rooftops to the river's right.

Not too obvious are the overcast clouds (due to my using some contrast adjustments to brighten some details), but believe me, this picture is almost grayish in both color and feeling (when one looks at it), hence the gloomy feeling. The silver lining to this is that the rains did not stay too long - and by the time people were on their way home, it had stopped, thus not contributing much to traffic... that is, until it resumed at a latter hour - but by then I was home.

This view is from the 18th floor of the Cyber2 tower of Robinson's in Boni, where I found myself conducting Component Application Design in Accenture around this time. My talking hours were more in the morning - thus affording me the time for such picture shots.

Photoblog - day 113, Aug 1, 2010

Lazy afternoon:

Bubbles lying down beside my comic collection - which happens to be where the door leading out our room is... this is representative of how we spent out Sunday. After all, most everything that needed to be done, was done yesterday (including going to mass). So there really was no pending stuff that needed my going out of the house (well, except one more item).

And it's not as if I was totally idle the entire day - I partially cleaned/changed the water of my two aquariums (and almost thought one of my discus would bite the dust in the process - it survived, thank you), and since the hose was already loose - I likewise decided to give my car a thorough outside clean... so now it's shiny, and new looking too.

That done, we had lunch - took a bath and all trooped up to the room to rest - use the internet and enjoy the aircon. It's a quiet Sunday with Barbie off to Thailand and Ate Vicky still enjoying her birthday leave... Ben was in charge of cooking, by the way, and the only thing pending for me is to do some groceries - and even that I'm contemplation on procrastinating. I mean, it is that kind of peace-filled Sunday. All Sundays should be like this... really.

Photoblog - day 112, Jul 31, 2010

Mary the Queen:

A few weeks ago, as I accompanied Barbie and Ben to inquire about baptismal requirements for Jude Brent, I witnessed a conversation between some people, as one of them was showing everyone else a shirt which I quickly correctly noted was a design for Ateneo's quest to try for a three-peat with this year's U.A.A.P. varsity basketball games. The gentlemen turned out to be priests of the parish and since I did open up the fact that I did glean the shirt's meaning, they asked me if I was from Ateneo too. Actually, I do come from La Salle, their chief rival - and I did say so... but these sporting events are harshly fought - but outside, we're all friends, relatives and peers.

Anyway, they also saw me with my camera and throughout our small talk, eventually asked if I could take pictures for them in their parish's celebration of the Feast day of their patron saint - St. Ignatius. I agreed. So that is how I ended up lugging my camera with gorilla tripod in tow (which I used to take this shot) and cover the mass... and yes, they did ask me to make it a labor of love. I did not mind... after all, I'm still in the process of wanting to practice my new hobby (or craft).

So yeah... this was how I spent my early evening.

Photoblog - day 111, Jul 30, 2010

New Comics:

I did not do too many things this day. See, it was one of those days when Accenture did not have too many trainings, and none came my way, so no work to wake up early to this day. However, it being a payday, I had to go to Makati to get my check - then cash it, deposit majority in the bank and use the rest to pay bills due the month-end.

Well, for starters, I could not get up too early to do things in the morning, because I had a relatively heavy drinking session the previous night. In fact, it took most of this day to just recover from such a situation.

I finally got to Makati in the afternoon (with Ben's help, since Fridays are coding for the car) and did all the things that needed to be done - in a manner of speaking. Oh yeah... in between, I made it a point to get my regular stash of comics from my friendly comic shop. I may be stuck with little spending capacity - but I won't be stuck with nothing to read.

Of this batch, I was finally given issue #1 of the Marvels Project - so now I'm complete, and I discovered Super Soldier #1 as well... decided to take a chance on a few issues of Batman and Robin to see how they link with the search for Bruce Wayne. Lastly, trying a few issues of Legion and Birds of Prey... although to my dismay, it seems that issue 2 of both are gone before I could notice. Hope they (friendly comic shop) can search for these issues soon.

Photoblog - day 110, Jul 29, 2010

Serious Reading:

Yup this is me, seriously catching up on my reading... or in this case, reacquainting myself with something I've read all those years ago. This hard cover is all about the very formation and early adventures of the Avengers West Coast branch. Reading the book as penned by Roger Stern, I wonder how the group would have progressed had Stern stayed to guide the team towards their succeeding adventures.

Anyway, as I said... serious reading... but I can explain. You see, I don't have my reading glasses on, hence the semi-squint and relatively distant (I'm slightly far-sighted) graphic novel to my face. Then again, I have the tendency to look serious, even when I'm not. Guess I could turn into a mean poker player if I wanted to.

Photoblog - day 109 Jul 28, 2010

Hopia anyone?

This is a small, mongo-based (mung beans, I believe they're called elsewhere) cake known in Chinese stores - called Hopia Mongo, this is a favorite snack of mine, specially since it does not offer too sweet a filling, as compared to it's pork-based counterpart. It happens to be a relatively light snack per piece, though don't be surprised to see me able to finish the entire pack in one sitting (which I try very much to avoid, of course... at least, not in one sitting).

This particular variety comes from a well known manufacturer of such mung-based cake and is one of the higher quality standard version. Such mung cake can be easily seen in Manila's very own Chinatown - but it is popular enough so that people can now see these products in groceries far from said manufacturing plant. Just be careful when eating this version. Remember that separating one piece from another is a very thin piece of paper... one that overeager patrons fall victim to biting, eating and chewing - without at times realizing that such paper was there.

Photoblog - day 108, Jul 27, 2010

Moth Up Close:

I saw this moth in (of all places) the Accenture lounge a.k.a. the Ideas Exchange area - and since I always wanted to have the opportunity to take an insect up close and try capturing some details, well let's just say I was glad I had my trusty DSLR with me at that instance.

Now I took a few shots using the regular manner - then I decided to try, once again, the enlarged style by reversing my camera's lens. Well, what you see is the result - a really up close picture of the moth. Problem is the focus is limited in size and depth... hence the limitations of having some parts of the moth not focused - and not captured at all.

Still, I was partially successful in being able to capture some details that are normally hidden from normal view... for example, I did not realize that the moth's wing looked like feathers. How about that...

Photoblog - day 107, Jul 26, 2010

Scaffolding to Heaven?

I know... it isn't exactly a Stairway, but when I saw this, I thought about taking the picture - after all, how often do we see such support structures outside the building we're in? By adjusting the angle of the shot, I'm able to present a seeming illusion of said steel structure seemingly going further up (and it does go up, since I'm taking this from the fourth floor - and the scaffolding goes all the way to the 6th floor. Thus reminding me of that old Led Zeppelin song "Stairway to Heaven".

Since this was also taken with the sun on the foreground, the scaffolding presented itself more like a silhouette, further adding to the contrast of the shot (or so I'd like to think). The clouds as backdrop - and natural filter to an otherwise overpowering sun's brightness likewise adds to the composition of said shot. Where'd I learn to take such a dramatic angle? Would you believe from a book that I've read so long ago entitled 'How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way'?

Photoblog - day 106, Jul 25, 2010

New Readings:

As the title suggests, these are the two new reading materials I always carry with me wherever I go, and should my schedule allow for it, I can definitely read up on a few chapters in the book - or a few articles in the magazine.

The 'Book of Fate' is a work by Brad Meltzer - an author I came to know by way of his controversial story in a D.C. comics title 'Identity Crisis'. Plus the fact that I had read a few remarks about the book by a few comics personalities - so naturally, I got curious. I'm a few chapters in and I can say that the plot is intriguing enough that I might even look for Brad's other books after this. Though I'm not in much of a hurry, seeing as I do have a lot of books on the waiting list (meaning ones that I own and are just waiting to be read by me).

On the other hand, the magazine Digital Photography by Mag is a compilation of tips in how to do many types of photographs - name it, they seem to have it. Some I've already done and as I read the article, I realized that I was correct in doing the technique, hence I could really say that I'd been there and done that. More importantly though are the tips for some other pictures I plan on taking as well - these will certainly save me time and effort by approaching those photo projects more prepared.

The magazine's tips are more than worth double the cover price - and I recommend it to all budding photographers.

Photoblog - day 105, Jul 24, 2010

Bubbles and Ben:

Sometimes, a picture is just begging to be taken - and this was one such occasion. Ben and Beatrice (with Brent in tow) came for a visit, so that Bea could attend a seminar at Mary the Queen - a requirement if they were to allow Jude Brent to be baptized there.

After the seminar, everyone stayed in the room - enjoying the air-conditioned atmosphere, and Ben holds Bubbles close to his face. Knowing that Bubbles has the tendency to lick people when they do that (at least with the people she likes), so I had camera handy for such a shot. After reviewing said shot, I noticed how nice it looked - nice enough to be added to my photoblog.

No technical knowhow considered here, no prep time and no theme considered - this is just a pure and simple moment being captured... and great pictures are meant to convey an emotion when seen - well this one offers such an emotional response. Isn't that what great pictures are all about? :)

Photoblog - day 104, Jul 23, 2010

Friday Hang-out in McKinley:

If you happen to be in McKinley Hills in the Fort, then this edifice will be easily seen in most parts of the Hill, as I'm sure it's tower will be one of the first things you'll see. The mall (though I;d probably say that it's more a restaurant row) is obviously an attempt to get the look and feel of Italy's known Piazza.

Since Friday is 'coding day' for me, I find myself hang out in one of the various eating places or bistros in said McKinley hill location. For that, at least, I am grateful - after all, prior to this place opening, McKinley Hill was somewhat like a Timbuktu location... and getting stuck for coding was really boring. Of course, said foray into said bistros is not something I'd do alone... after all, part fo the enjoyment is the conversations with the company you keep, so should I find myself in McKinley, alone on a Friday night... even the lights of this place fail to lure me to stay a little longer.

Photoblog - day 103, Jul 22, 2010

Inside looking out:

This is a view from the Accenture McKinley office - specifically the auditorium where one training was ongoing. Said view, to avoid it being a distraction, is located at the auditorium's rear windows - and said windows come with double shades/blinds to control the sunlight's entry to the room, specially when a projector need be used. Now normally, the distraction could be people looking outside when bored in what they are (supposedly) participating in. But this particular day was so hot that people preferred staying indoors. So no problem in that regard.

This picture shows the semi-covered walkway leading from the building to the gate - and we can see what is beyond the metallic gate. I have lost track of how many times I've walked this path... and come next week, I'll be walking this path again - at least one day... twice if you count walking in and out as two separate occurrences.

If you're wondering how hot things were - let's just say that the afternoon temperature would easily reach 38 degrees Celsius.

Photoblog - day 102, Jul 21, 2010

Afternoon Delight:

This is the typical hot fudge sundae one can order in any McDonalds around here... and as the title clues us in, I sometimes find myself getting one of these things on a hot afternoon - sometimes, right after lunch. Call it one of my cheaper guilty pleasures... I know I shouldn't take this too often, and that is what makes me do this just once a week. The combination of the thick fudge against the creamy vanilla ice cream is a simple, classic combination for dessert.

This particular hot fudge session happened while I was assigned to the Accenture McKinley office, where I had an Application Analysis training to conduct. Said McDonalds can be found that the 2nd floor of the Piazza... I make mention of this, in case some of you wonder where to get their hands on such a simple delight (like I said - it's a typical McDonalds dessert option).

Photoblog - day 101, Jul 20, 2010

Inside the 9-volt battery:

Okay, maybe not the 9-volt battery that you would readily notice, and we're not really inside one... but as this technically enlarged picture view (without the help of any zoom lens or zooming in of the image using 'post-shoot' Photo-editing software I might add) of one of said battery's terminals located at it's top.

And yes... we can almost see the insides to the hole of said terminal. So how'd I achieve this enlarged version without a zoom lens? Simply by focusing on my subject... and reversing the lens' view option (meaning quite literally reversing the lens to see a magnified version).

This method was a challenge to me because of 'shakes' - no... not Alzheimer or the sort - just unstable hands. Yet the technique may not lend itself to the use of tripods... so manual it has to be. That said, i still plan to use this style on an insect - when I find one.

Photoblog - day 100, Jul 19, 2010

Starbucks with a balcony view:

This particular Starbucks is located at the 3rd level of the Powerbooks main office at the Bonifacio High Street, just across Serendra's Commercial and Residential locations... and as cool place to hang out in (specially for a shutter bug like me), there would be few places I'd like to be while waiting for Barbie after work.

Fully Booked is our perceived middle-ground - it allows her to get more cooperative cab drivers, since the Fort is not far from cabs plying the Paranaque area, specially since they fear getting stuck in EDSA traffic.

On my end, going to Fully Booked from Boni isn't too hard - and it beats waiting long while Barbie still tries to seek said agreeing cab. I also normally choose Fully Booked since it's a great place to eat up time - its just that scanning the latest books can be frustrating to my pocket.

On a cool day - or close to the evening, there is the Starbucks balcony - if you don't mind contending with a few smokers and their smokes, that is. But as I said, the waiting can be easy... with coffee on one hand and a book in another - or in this case, a camera.

On a side note... Wow!!! My hundredth photo post! How about that?