Photoblog - Day 177, Oct 3, 2010

My delayed stash:

One of the things I did right after arriving from Cebu, is to check my comic stash, and sure enough, I had a couple of comics waiting for me - mind you, this was when a lot of comics were connected to a current Daredevil storyline, so I naturally had a thick stash waiting for me.

True to form, I was too busy to read them when I got home, and I only got to read a couple of issues at a time - normally in between some break in what I was doing. This must be one of those really rare (though come to think of it, maybe not that rare these days) times when I'll have two stashes coming in quick succession. Ah well... I still enjoy reading them... and this Shadowland thing is just temporary.

Photoblog - Day 176, Oct 2, 2010

My Library:

I've accumulated my collection of all these books for years - some spanning even decades, and in the past they hardly warranted notice. But as early as the last two years, I started collecting books again at a quicker pace, and it eventually became apparent that I would need book selves to contain my collection.

This also brings me to one of my dreams... to have a house with it's own library, and though the dream is still that - at least, the library part was somehow fulfilled - you might even say, at the right time too, since these books were really stacking up on our headboard... and I don't know about the others, but should one of these hardbound books fall... oh, say 3 to 4 feet down your face, I'm sure it would at the very least leave one with a red face. So yeah... this bookshelf idea was long overdue.

I guess the reason it did not happen earlier was because we did not really have the extra funds, plus the discovery of a reasonably priced bookshelf - since both happened this last month, I was able to get two bookshelves (and realize that I apparently need a third already - imagine that).

I must say, it does look good... since these book cases are at our living area, it gives the place a 'learned' look, and now I get to see all my books - even the ones I've yet to read, neatly stacked together. Organizing them - and I plan to do so by subject matter... now that is a task for another day (or long weekend). For now, I'm simply glad I have these bookshelves. Besides, this particular bookshelf is where the X-mass tree will be in a few weeks time (I plan to start the tree project by end of October).

Photoblog - Day 175, Oct 1, 2010

Rajah Lobby:

This is the morning I return to Manila - and despite Cebu's many attractions, I can't wait to get home and be with my family again. Yet before this happens I have one last chance to sample the Rajah's buffet breakfast - and it better be a heavy meal because I anticipate a few trips around Metro Manila first before finally arriving home.

I woke up real early... guess you could say it was the anticipation, but Fiel and I needed to be in the airport by 7AM, so we really had to have an early breakfast anyway. Still, up at 4AM? I just leisurely packed all my stuff (and almost had to sit on my luggage due to the added 'pasalubongs' I stuffed it with), then went down around 5:30AM - time when the breakfast buffet would open.

It was at this same time - when the lights were rather subdued in the lobby, that I decided to take a picture (of said lobby) from the dining area - and when I looked at the picture I was surprised at how it looked more beautiful than I noticed. Guess there are certain things the camera reveals to us... things we take for granted. In this case, how the blue lights highlight or accentuate the lobby's looks.

Ah well... thanks for the experience guys.

Photoblog - Day 173, Sep 30, 2010

Basilica:

Funny, but in the three times I've previously been to Cebu (don't be surprised at the number, I hardly have had any reason to go there), I can't remember having stopped at the Cathedral and Basilica - both showing artifacts of early Christianity in Asia. Guess in the past, I had neither time nor real interest in them.

Nowadays I guess I'm more spiritual in nature, hence even in my busy schedule, I made it a point to find time to visit both... both to see these icons for myself - to satisfy my curiosity, and to have some quiet, reflection time.

I saw the Sto Niño, of course, and marveled at the line of devotees waiting their turn to 'greet' him. I stepped on one of the oldest streets in the Philippines and even viewed where Magellan's cross was supposedly encased in an outer layered wooden cross... I say supposedly because without seeing it, we can only accept the fact that it's there (or not, and just accept the current cross as a mere symbol of what was) - and naturally, I looked at the Basilica itself.

Having read 'Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follet, I better appreciated the workings of the old church, comparing it with the newer cathedral I came form earlier. I doubt I would have taken anything but an unappreciative cursory glance at this old church - even a historical one at that, had I not read the novel.

My only regret is that I was on the clock - so I really had only time to take selected pictures of all these things... and not get to create a near photo documentary of said church.

Maybe, on my 5th visit?

Photoblog - Day 172, Sep 29, 2010

The Terrace Garden:

This is Cebu's new pride - the Ayala Terraces, a well-designed (in my opinion) green mall concept; at least... from the gardening viewpoint. It's a great place to just hang around in the evening while enjoying your favorite coffee or brew. Hence the rows of restaurants, coffee shops and bistros overlooking the multi-tiered terrace overlooking the garden in the middle of the mall.

Since this place is literally walking distance to the PM training, Fiel and I went here almost on a nightly basis... not to drink though, but more to explore... admire the view (and take a few shots, naturally) while looking for some familiar things like a Fully Booked bookstore - where I had to get a new paperback, since the one I brought over with me to Cebu was already 'consumed' in two evenings.

The Terraces extends the old Ayala mall, thus adding more shopping space for those who wished to explore more - but I have to say that the main attraction of this place is the wonderfully manicured gardens, well-maintained trees and overall impact of serenity - even amidst the hustle and bustle of Metro Cebu.

Photoblog - Day 171, Sep 28, 2010

Cebu PM School:

Here's how our training in Cebu looked like... roughly around a dozen participants of varying levels and assignments, all inside one room - and wherever I looked I got to see similarities between one Accenture office and the next - proving the uniformity or standardized manner in the way the company handles its office designs.

As for the people, they were both friendly and accommodating - for example, when they realized that Fiel, who was in Cebu much loner than I, had just about enough of having Chicken for lunch (and dinner) they made sure that the next few days will nto see any form of Chicken in the snacks or lunch packages. I guess it was also a blessing that Fiel went ahead... so he got to properly coordinate the installation of files for the course to proceed normally.

Most importantly, this was a training that we were both comfortable to teach - having done it separately so many times. So yeah... clockwork comes to mind. Lastly... if you look at the picture hard enough, you'll see Fiel in lecture mode.

Photoblog - Day 170, Sep 27, 2010

Morning in Cebu:

Here's the view from inside the hotel looking outside to the rotunda of Fuente Osmeña on an early morning... while the sun has still to fully rise up. This is what greets me in Cebu as I have my breakfast before going to Accenture Cebu's office.

My coming to this trip in itself is a story... and let's just say it dealt this last minute adjustments, replacements and sunken expenses on the planner's viewpoint due to their... to put it politely, overblown bureaucracy. Luck for them, i was free to join Fiel (yes, it's us two again) for the PM school to be conducted here.

It's been at least a decade - maybe even two decades, since my last Cebu trip... and that, too, was training related. So much as it was a hassle to have those last minute changes, and reservations, I look forward to rediscovering Cebu... that is my silver lining in all this chaos.

Photoblog - Day 169, Sep 26, 2010

Meiji's Birthday!

Meiji is Bryce's girlfriend and I don't mind saying that she's someone who has had a relatively positive impact on both Bryce and us. Needless to say, Barbie likes her, and we have had on occasion, invited her with some family gatherings... the latest being (of course) Bryce's birthday.

This get together was not just us... but her family and friends coming out in force and getting together in California Pizza Kitchen in Greenbelt 5. I was definitely full, and we even got to chat with Meiji's mother and aunt a bit.

Too bad I had a sudden flight to Cebu early morning, so we had to go leave early. We were also not that prepared to get her a gift... but Bryce and I managed to get her her favorite flower... a Sunflower as her simple gift. Hope she liked it... and once again, thank you Meiji - not just for the food, but for the positive influence you've given Bryce.

Photoblog - Day 168, Sep 25, 2010

Comics this Week:

My weekly stash composed of a lot of Thor... two of them being independent of the regular run, and I have to give props to the Simon Bisly painted one... great work and worth the price. The other two... so so. Aside from that, I also caught up with the Neal Adams Batman story... and even if his art is still great, it lacks mood. I guess I really miss Dick Giordano both as writer/editor and inker.

Other noteworthy copies out this week... there's Iron Man, though the story is going rather slow - it is brilliant on characterization... and a build-up story in Fantastic Four, and in Green Lantern as well. Other than that... well, here's looking forward to the next releases.

Funny thing here is, despite it's relative small numbers - I still found little time to read them all in one sitting. Go figure...

Photoblog - Day 167, Sep 24, 2010

Lull time:

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 166, Sep 23, 2010

New Look:

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 165, Sep 22, 2010

Concentrating:

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

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 164, Sep 21, 2010

Sleek...

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 163, Sep 20, 2010

New Course Launched:

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

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

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 162, Sep 19, 2010

Old Friends

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

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 161, Sep 18, 2010

Market Time Again:

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 160, Sep 17, 2010

Cooling down:

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

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 159, Sep 16, 2010

My shades:

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 158, Sep 15, 2010

Shadows and Light:

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

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

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

Photoblog - Day 157, Sep 14, 2010

Orange Corydoras:

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

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