Photoblog - Day 147, Sep 4, 2010

Five Warriors:

I'm a new fan of Matthew Riley! I went through his two books - 7 Ancient Wonders and 6 Sacred Stones, in record reading time... not speed reading them; mind you... but enjoying the story. What started out as an experiment (buying the books for a lack of having anything to get from my regulars) has turned into a great adventure.

Of course, it could be said that I had entered in the right time. Getting the first two books of an apparent trilogy in a book sale - and being able to get the third book two weeks later (even if it was a hardbound copy).

So yeah... I won't be surprised if I get to finish this book in less than a week. I wish Bryce would read this - I'm sure he'd find it a great adventure... as I'm sure Bing bing will really enjoy this as well.

As for the picture... I, once again, wanted to try blacks against black... hence taking the picture of said book '5 Greatest Warriors' without it's flyleaf cover and my phone on top of it - as both were on the opaque glass of the dining table. Since the book's spine had the title and author in silver print, I just wanted to make sure that was visible against the blacks.

Photoblog - Day 146, Sep 3, 2010

Relaxing:

It happens rarely... but in some days, I find myself in a situation where I have long bouts of rest... while my partner/facilitator does his/her spiel in a training. In which case, I get to move out of the class - specially during afternoons when if I just sit at the back of the class, I may end up falling asleep.

In this case, it was in Analysis... and thanks to Rex, I got the time to relax... read... and watch CNN in the LCD of Accenture's Ideas Exchange area. Yeah... that's me seriously listening to the news. I mean, if I could change channels to either Discovery or the History Channel, I would... but then I might entirely forget my class - so better that I catch a glimpse of what's happening around the world as I relax.

This also serves as my September picture; timer taken of course... and if you wonder why I'm in a not so formal get up - well, Fridays are dress-down (smart casual) days... and when in Rome... Get the picture?

Photoblog - Day 1445, Sep 2, 2010

Honing...

I chanced upon a few skateboarders in one of those times I were to meet barbie in Fully Booked at the Fort... and remembered one of my earlier attempts to take a picture of a similar situation as said skateboarder was going up a ramp - I also remembered how blurred that picture was... so, I thought, maybe I've learned a few things since then. Why not try again?

This skateboarder was several yards away, so I had to rely on my zoom lens (and further zooming in with the use of an editing software later), to try and capture the skateboarder in mid leap, as he tries to flip his board with his leap, and land on it again... so it was a leap-flip-land stunt.

I can't remember if he landed with success - though I did not see him fall either... so I guess that means he landed alright. After all... it's not the take of that'll kill you - but the landing. And any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. A lesson I learned... sometimes the hard way, in my high school years with an off-road, hybrid bicycle.

Photoblog - Day 144, Sep 1, 2010

New stash:

Yeah... I know I got this over the weekend - but it was only now that I found time to read these comics. First of all, it's not that many... guess the delivery schedules are still adjusting to the Labor Day holiday in the U.S.

Aside from that, well... this week's batch were almost uninteresting. I mean, I just got a few of these issues for completion of certain story arcs... but after which, I may just drop them altogether. I refer to the Avengers issues displayed here... I guess I'm not just a fan of Bendis' writing style.

Photoblog - Day 142 Aug 30, 2010

Monday skyline:

This Monday was rather unique in a sense that this Monday was a vacation - no work, no school... and since it was the end of a three-day weekend, Barbie, the kids and I decided to maximize the day by going out and enjoying the mall(s).

Obviously, as this picture suggests, we stayed out rather long and on our way home, as we returned to the car; which was parked at the mall's roofdeck - I saw how nice the lights of the distant buildings were in contrast to the dark clouds. Not having my trusty tripod, I had to content with setting my camera on the building ledge and taking the picture in a low ISO setting - thus having a long exposure... capturing the surrounding with more light. The results speak for themselves too.

Photoblog - Day 143 Aug 31, 2010

New Blood:

No... i don't mean in any vampiric connotation with the title. I mean, let's face it... there a re more than enough parodies of such things without me adding to it. Rather, I mean that the picture represents new hirees - and I... aft ernot handling such an orientation for nearly four years, found myself facilitating a large group (90 people) this Tuesday. How about that?

I was a bit rusty in execution - but still had a good grasp of the topics to be discussed (at least, those that had no speakers), so how different was this New Joiners' experience from those years ago? Not much really... at least, in the grand scheme of things. Ah well... if this is an indicator of the projected work that ACN will be having, it looks like things are indeed getting rosy for them.

Hope this is not false bravura.

Photoblog - Day 141 Aug 29, 2010

Relaxing Sunday:

One of the usual way I would relax would be to listen to music. Nothing unique about that in itself, true... but in this particular time, I got to listen to two Filipino albums that I actually got to like a lot. Now THAT is new. How so? Because I hardly have high expectations when listening to locally produced albums with local talents. You see, for me... these local talents rely too much on commercialism and not enough on quality.

Well, I'm glad to say that I was wrong in this case... on both counts! Wow! Like I said, it was not a normal Sunday. I got these albums the day before, but decided to listen to them this Sunday - seeing as I had noting to do this particular morning. Glad I did too. Be it Ogie's respectful rendition of classic (not old) Filipino tunes or Noel's take on Pinoy pop hits of yesteryears, these two cds gave me listening pleasure mixed with reminiscing and relaxation.

To top it off, I got to read the second Matthew Reilly book - Six Sacred Stones too. A great yarn with a very fast-paced plot. Did I say I finished the first book in just three days? I can't remember the last time I read a book that fast. Chances are, I'll repeat the process with this book.

So... having just the book or one of the cds for the day would have been enough to make this Sunday give me a good experience. All three in one morning? Like I said earlier... Wow!

Photoblog - Day 140 Aug 28, 2010

Morning Market:

It's my 3rd morning jaunt to Greenhills, accompanying Bryce to his Saturday review class sessions - but in reality, once I drop him off, I need to think of what to do for the succeeding hours.

Luckily, Greenhills isn't lacking in early morning activities - there's joining the early walkers/joggers, there's your typical breakfast nooks and eateries, and there's the Saturday morning mini-market targeting the early morning walkers... though lately, it seems that it's not just the early exercise-conscious that go here too.

Personally, I go here to get broccoli and a few other vegetables plus fruits that we use for shakes - or for eating. But today I also decided to get some sea food from the fresh section. I got shrimps, oysters and squids... so hopefully, I'll be having sea food galore this long weekend.

Photoblog - Day 139 Aug 27, 2010

Droplet:

What's so good about a rainy day? I mean, it normally means you struggle a bit more when waking up... driving becomes a challenge due to heavier traffic... and if you're really unlucky, you'll end up with soggy shoes. Lucky for me, these all did not happen - okay, maybe the getting up part did... a little; but I got to my destination without too much of a hassle - and the rain did happen a whole lot earlier, with just a few scattered rain showers here and there - but not too bad that it affected early morning traffic.

But to get back to the original question? Well for starters - if you happen to be a photo bug... it offers you opportunities to take shots with vivid colors - I mean, with most items wet - they offer brighter colors (maybe because they also get cleaned of their dust from said rain), pollution gets washed out - offering brighter backdrops... and let's not forget... the droplets, as my picture shows.

I always wanted to take a shot like this... and now I got my chance. I took several shots of wet leaves or branches - but I was looking for that hanging droplet... and as you can see - I did find one, so I definitely tried capturing it up close. The result is a macro shot... with focus on the droplet itself.

Photoblog - Day 138 Aug 26, 2010

Burgers and Movies anyone?

I've seen this place quite often whenever I pass the Piazza to get to the parking lot from work - and I always wondered how their sandwiches taste. I mean, heck... I've tried burgers from many places - and though I rarely eat burgers these days, its not as if I've forsworn eating them.

Thus when I was less enthusiastic with the lunch served to us in training, I asked my colleagues if they wanted to eat out - and we thought to try Stackers Burgers that noon. I got the quarter pounder with cheese and I can say that the sandwich tasted good, and it was a great feeling to be chewing on newly cooked burgers - they did hit the spot... were filling - but not excessively so, and we were even surprised with the movies the place was showing - in clear HDTV and Blueray capability (you can probably guess what we were watching from the picture). One small problem for me though was the noise level inside the place was drowning out the movie's dialogue.

Suffice it to say, though the burgers were good - the entertainment stole the show for us. Had we not had training to get back to, we wouldn't have minded staying a whole lot longer... at least, until the movie ended.

Photoblog - Day 137 Aug 25, 2010

Groovy!

This is the rear window of a classic Volkswagen Beetle - with a twist. Obviously, the owner of this bug happens to be a cool person... with an artistic flair, creative mind (notice the apple logo with the brand name not typically from apple?) and most probably owns the pair of Converse Chucks hanging in the rear.

I mean, who'd do graffiti in his (I'm assuming the owner's a he by the way the bug is presented) car's own window? You should see his side windows too - which unfortunately can't be seen from this angle... still, this design caught my attention enough to warrant a snapshot - and post to this blog. So whoever owns this beetle - I hope you don't think I'm stealing the idea by placing this picture here... I just liked what you did.

See... I used to drive a beetle... heck my first car was a beetle (my mom's beetle anyway) and it was a vintage beauty... 1953 beauty... with a really small rear window, fully restored... with the body of a tank, a German-inscribed plate indicating the model and year where the gas tank was (up front, of course), and speaking of the gas tank - I needed a dip stick to monitor my gas, since there was no gas gauge. So you could say I'm a Beetle fan - even if I don't have a beetle these days.

Photoblog - Day 136 Aug 24, 2010

New Book I'm Reading!

As can be seen by the cover's title, it's not really a new book - specially with Matthew Reilly fans who would know that this is at least two books older than his latest piece. But as far as I'm concerned, I never knew Reilly prior to this book - in fact I just took a chance with this, not knowing anyone who's read it, nor did I research on the author.

You see, I decided to get this book - and it's sequel on a book sale; thinking that if I was disappointed, well... it wouldn't be too painful an experiment - cost wise. Besides, I've been known to read books... even if I don't really like them, so no real loss would happen.

So as I began to read this particular story, I got drawn into adventure - Indiana Jones style... except that this was happening in the modern world and the protagonist had a team. The pacing was fast, the challenges intriguing - I could see that Reilly took pains to set the 'traps' in a realistic manner (or is this based on fact?) and executed the story in a fast-paced manner very reminiscent of Inidana Jones and Die Hard put together. In short, I like it! In fact, I like it so much that I may just finish this book within a few days... so I can get to the next one (and possibly buy the latest novel of Reilly too).

Photoblog - Day 134 Aug 22, 2010

Fiesta:

Sunday was the feast day of Mary the Queen - naturally, the parish wanted to celebrate it a bit by organizing a fiesta. Now... It may not be as widespread or large scaled as your typical provincial fiesta - but it at least captured some of the experience. Giving food away to whoever passed by and helped partake of the celebration.

I decided to check things out - and I have to be honest, as I arrived... I thought the fiesta was now happening - I mean, where was the crowd? the food? It looked like a flop, and here I was - camera in tow, hoping to see some fiesta action. So you could imagine how I felt as thought I'd go home with nary a picture.

Turns out, the fiesta celebration happened between mass. As each mass ended, the people would go directly to the fiesta grounds and partake of the food and drinks. Suddenly, the grounds did not look as empty - and I got to take some pictures after all.

Photoblog - Day 135 Aug 23, 2010

This week's pull list.

As I said before, I got these comics as early as yesterday - though some of them I did get today. So technically, I got these all within the weekend - and got them from two separate comic shops. Unfortunately, my Sunday was likewise busy, so I only had time to read these today... Monday... a day when I don't have any work so I get to update my blog, upload some pictures, pay the electric bill and yes... read comics.

Oh yeah... the Star Trek book? Serendipity... just felt like passing a book sale - and as i did, I saw it on the display window. No questions asked, I got it form said window - looked inside the pages, liked what I saw... and now have a nice book with lots of paintings to enjoy - after the comics, that is.

I should have more Mondays like this... assuming I can afford them.

Photoblog - Day 133 Aug 21, 2010

Inside out:

What this is happens to be a signage from the inside window of the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in the Promenade, Greenhills. That explains why it looks reversed - because it is meant to look correct, from the other side of the glass.

So what brings me here on a Saturday? Bryce apparently. It's day 2 of his review - and once again, I brought him to AHEAD. Once done, I then consider how to spend my time - whether I should go home, or just wait it out. In this case, he latter idea was what I went with... starting with a walk around the shopping center's grounds - 5 rounds, in fact. In between - in round 2 1/2, I went to their open market (only there on Saturday mornings) and got some fresh vegetables. After round 5, I take a detour to the car - wipe myself dry and have a change of shirt - then I went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Nothing like reading a book while enjoying a Biscotti and coffee, as I wait for 12 noon. Will I do this again next Saturday? Maybe... though by then, I'll probably get a new book.

Oh yeah... after coffee and book, I went to the comic shop - got a few issues... issues that I will only get to read by Sunday (if I'm lucky). You see, after this, I'm betting I'll be bringing Barbie and Bernice somewhere.

Photoblog - Day 131 Aug 19, 2010

Rainbow:

Scientifically, I know that rainbows are caused by light particles passing through some moisture in the air... reflecting multi-colors forming an arch in the sky. Then again, there are the stories - the urban legend of said rainbows... how they are tied to Leprechauns - and how a rainbow's end holds a crock of gold.

Personally I'd like to think that a rainbow is a phenomena that can be interpreted as a sign that hope is not far. Makes you wonder where this idea or belief comes from... well for starters - the bible. After the great deluge, God sends a sign of hope and renewal to Noah and company - and what is the sign? A rainbow. I'm sure there are other sources - but the bottom line is, to me... rational or not, a rainbow represents hope. So sue me for being naive or irrational in that sense.

For some reason, the human eye can better fathom - and appreciate rainbows better than cameras. Because of this, capturing a barely-visible rainbow, becomes much harder without having to up the picture's contrast - which I did. If there's a better way of capturing them... I'm all ears people.

Photoblog - Day 132 Aug 20, 2010

Empty Pantry:

Fridays are coding days for our car - this means, due to the ending digit of it's plate number, I have to make sure I'm out of the road before 7am until 10am and from 3pm to 7pm - heck, in some areas there is no middle window. Luckily McKinley isn't such a place. Still... for mornings, this means I have to be in location before 7am.

Any surprise therefore that I can have a picture of the office pantry when it's... for all intents and purposes, still empty... like nearly the rest of the office? Yeah - it looks quiet, and a bit warm (leading me to turn on the aircon in the area) - but it's nice to know that the coffee dispenser does not subscribe to a regular office hour schedule - and can service any needy person (specially one needy for having to wake up earlier than usual due to Coding).

If anything, days like these gives me a rest time before the start of a busy training day. It also makes me get out of the house and arrive in my destination way before traffic sets in. So it's not all bad.

As can be surmised, I used natural lighting from the window to give me all the light I needed - enough to take the shot... not too much to spoil the mood I was going for.

Photoblog - Day 130 Aug 18, 2010

Perspectives and Reflections:

Sometimes, during those days when i have a co-facilitator sharing the talking roles with me, I look for a quiet place. I do this so I can read a novel - or a comic book... at times, I even bring a journal and reflect on how life has been treating me. At other times, it's to reflect on how I've been treating myself.

Yeah... things can be heavy during those days - yet I also reflect on what I have... what I should be thankful for. This ensures that I do not feel any melancholy or feel really pissed with myself. I have a great self-awareness of my priorities - and I would like to think I could recognize my life having fulfilled most, if not all my dreams.

Of course, I likewise recognize some unresolved dreams... and so I consider - are they still worth pursuing? Will I sacrifice something in doing so... or in not doing so? Whatever happens... I know I can do something about what I want to pursue.

This picture is my August picture - a shot against a mirror and the angle was to see if I could capture a different perspective of me and the place I was in. The shot was set wide, so I could just turn it into anything I felt was interesting. The windows cutting across the wall made me pause and realize - what do I think of when I look outside?

To think that this was a set-up shot - with little regard for deeper thinking. Guess the subconscious was working overtime, huh?

Photoblog - Day 129 Aug 17, 2010

Morning coffee:

This is Starbucks at the Fort's Bonifacio High Street. It's one of the few open shops during the mornings... maybe because the proprietors of many shops and boutiques feel that their clients do not show up in this vicinity until lunchtime or after lunch. A pity, since they miss out on the morning crowds... including the call center people.

In my case, I hardly find myself free to hang around this vicinity - but in some instances, like today; I find myself enjoying a relaxing morning with Barbie, en route to my bringing her to her office. How is this possible? Simple... my training this day was scheduled for the after lunch to late evening session - so in my case, I did not have to rush to any location... and in Barbie's case? A meeting outside the office, then off to Parañaque - a trip I volunteered to take her to - and you could say that this breakfast was her way of thanking me.

Yeah... it doesn't always happen - but mornings like this are simple, mundane... and nice to share. Wonder when the next one will happen?

Photoblog - Day 128 Aug 16, 2010

Behind the Camera:

Monday found me working for 12 hours - the last four, officially helping Marimel (a colleague) with Presentation Dynamics... a two-day (or in this case, afternoon to late evening) session.

In such a training, part of the course is to film the participants... said film to be used by us to do a compare and contrast with the participants - to show them where they have (hopefully) improved while attending the course.

Naturally, someone needs to be behind the camera... and in this particular day, it happens to be Bismark... yup - named after the ship or the officer who's name it carried. It also cements my having an easy time to remember said name.

This was just a quick shot - as I decided to take pictures of the participants while they were having their first taping. So what was so special about the picture? Just the angle... and a chance to take the picture of the camera man.