Venice Piazza's Food Adventure

If you happen to find yourself hanging out in McKinley Hill, you'll not miss the Venice Piazza food court in the heart of McKinley - and if you happen to be a 'foodie' (translated as food lover - or lover of food), then this new adventure will be to your taste palette's liking.

Starting January 7, all the way until March 31 - every weekend will see the Piazza transform into a place where food lovers will experience food mecca with 14 participating restaurants offering specially prepared dishes to tickle the fancy of anyone brave (and hungry) enough to participate in said adventure simply dubbed 'Food Adventure'. This is apparently the Piazza's second year in offering this adventure, and they are proud to bring it back for everyone's enjoyment.

The mechanics are simple... each adventurer will be given a passport and wristband - the first will allow them to partake of said dishes prepared for this adventure as it acts as a sort of map to which establishment to try and what dish (or dishes) they offer in this adventure - while the second acts as their identification to the 14 establishments. Armed with these two items, the adventurer can then hop from one restaurant to another; experiencing, not just the food/drink, but the ambiance of each establishment.

These 14 restaurants collectively offer a complete range of appetizers, main courses, desserts and coffee/tea. For establishments offering two meals, the adventurer can choose one of the two options available. By sampling these best-selling dishes, one will be treated to a representation of international cuisine. The 14 establishments are Blackwood Bistro, Empire Deli, KBOP, Kuse, Little Asia, Old Vine Grille, PhoHoa, Pinchos Bar and Restaurant, Ramen Bar and Red Crab Alimango House. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Figaro offer the drinks while dessert will be coming from Sol Gelato and Yo Swirl... all these, for just Php600. Just take note that the passport is non-transferable, and should you find it difficult to finish all the dishes in one day (Saturday), you can return the next day (Sunday) to finish your adventure.

Should you find yourself finished with your restaurant-hopping adventure, your passport also offers special discounts and freebies any day of the week, so your experience continues on. That said, if you've got nothing planned for your weekend, and you would really like to go on a Food Trip - then simply head on over to the Piazza at McKinley Hill, and start your Food Adventure.

I've been privileged to be invited to sample the adventure as part of an advanced blogger group to help market the adventure, and I have to say that I had a hard time finishing the food - but soldier on I did, so I could review the dishes. I shall post these in a separate blog entry, as I will need to refer back to my passport where I jotted down my crude ranking system for each serving. For now, this is to just announce the adventure and of course to thank my friend Jinky Umali for making my experience possible, and likewise my appreciation to Andrea Ruth Padla of the Megaworld Commercial Division for inviting me to the launch of the Food Adventure.

For more information, call the Megaworld Lifestyle malls concierge at 7099888 or 09178380111.
They have a website: www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com
Like their Facebook page for more updates.

Facebook's new Timeline - any good?

I've been using Timeline for the better part of a month now, and frankly, I like how it allows me more control of the page - how it gives a webpage like look, and how it gives an easy to view two column layout.

For my part, I've selected as my timeline profile a picture of the moon (in eclipse mode) - a minimalist view... and why did I choose this? The moon picture gives an aura of mystery and simplicity... two traits I carry. If you've met me, you might agree.

In a way, I'm more open in Facebook than, say, when we meet personally - but you have to realize that this openness has percolated for months... years even, hence it looks like I share a lot more in FB, than I would in a party or social gathering. Not to mean I shun discussions - just that I choose what discussions to join and who to have it with. I envy those that can jump in a present a ease of opening up and sharing discussions with others. On my part, if I'm not talking, its because I would really like to listen.

I don't mind sharing... after all, some would even say I share too much info in FB - and forma security perspective, that may be true. But if you don't share... or if you're too afraid to share in FB, then why bother with it to begin with?

To me, this last idea is akin to people becoming xenophobic due to terrorism. If you change your life because of them - then they win. If, on the other hand, you choose to be open despite their actions, then they do not influence you (or me) and they don't win. So there it is... my real answer to why I share (sometimes too much) in FB.

This is the reason I love Timeline too - it allows me to organize my life - to share my milestones and memories. Lord knows I've a lot of blanks in Timeline... which makes me more appreciative of having a camera with me daily. Call it a vanity... but I don't want to leave this world without even a ripple. FB's timeline is my ripple. If only for that, I would say it is definitely good.

Revitalizing this blog

Yes, its been a while since I wrote something here - not because I have nothing to say, but I've other blogs that I write to... and yet, when I think of it, this is the place I should be placing those short thoughts. Maybe not Twitter short, but short none the less. I will definitely do this starting now. After all, I wouldn't want an ode to a past friend to be the last item ready by anyone visiting this site.

Goodbye Manny A.

I've known him since my high school days... long before he etched an image of himself as advocate for what is right and just for all... long before he earned his rep as a musician, I knew Manny Amador as brother to Ditto Amador. Back then, they were just a pair of Ateneans, and what most probably kept us connected was a shared passion for reading comics - that and a mutual friend, Maxi Fernandez.

In a seeming day and time when the rivalry between Ateneo and La Salle would prevent us from talking civilly to each other, we respected and even welcomed each other's interest in reading comics - and yes, even up to the point of discussing in near impassioned manner, what was happening in the comics, with the characters... just plain old discussions on what is... what if... what are the repercussions... in this imaginary universe filled with heroes.

Manny would play the younger, dutiful brother to Ditto - and they would hang around in the Manila and Makati night life... I would bump into them there as well, though I suspect they spent more time there than I did - but then again, that's the advantage of having a car - and Ditto, being the eldest, was the designated driver.

One thing that struck me was their use of nicknames - not necessarily their own... for example, Ditto was called 'Coach' by Manny - thus indirectly espousing the fact that he looked up to his older brother and sought some form of guidance. Ditto (or Deke, as we now call him) would call Manny 'Canon' - I never did get to ask them why they did that.

One particular time, I contracted the chicken pox - so naturally, I could not go to school - this despite my being a supposed DJ for the school disco... and since this was basically pre celular phone days, I just has no way of contacting friends. Well, Ditto - for some reason called - apparently wanting to read some comics that Maxi did not have... he was asking if it was okay ot drop by. I told him I had Chicken Pox and he just said no problem - they've had theirs already. So it was to my mom's surprise that I had my only visitors while in quarantine, and they were Ateneans to boot.

I really appreciated them for that visit.

From comics and night life, our interest seemed to have shifted to Role Playing Games, and though Ditto as very active in this, Manny on the other hand, was steering clear of the games for their known association with some devil worship - hence the start of Many becoming independent of his 'Coach'. Because of this, I would have lesser mingling time with Manny - in fact the only time I'd see Manny was when I'd visit the Amador home in Sta Ana and catch him there. He'd look at what we were doing and just be on his way, civilly keeping to himself.

This is not to say that Manny never tried role playing games - he just avoided the Dungeons and Dragons milieu- I know this for a fact, because when our group had a Vietnam-milieu RPG, he was one of the first to want to try it out. In fact, this was one of those rare games he and I were part of a game, and I remember a few instances when my character wanted to do something (you see, I was playing the demolitions expert) to his character's chagrin - who was our patrol lead. If I remember correctly, Ditto was the sniper and the GM for this was Allan

I first discovered Manny's musician side when Johnny Alegre and I watched a concert - and Manny was the guitarist... he performed a lot of Police hits, and whether Johnny will admit it or not, he felt like Manny was upstaging him... a fellow musician, albeit a semi-retired one at that point in time. I never got to see Manny play again - and I guess part of that is because I was not too keen on live and loud bands - of which Manny seemed to enjoy doing. So yeah, he was the Rock God-worshiper back then, something strangely considered as a viable combination.

I'd be seeing less and less of Manny - simply because our circles would not be the same. Even if he was Deke's brother, I don't think they were as close as before. Manny was doing a lot of things in his life and Deke was now the underachiever of the family. But I would read about Manny in the news - leading seemingly Quixotic battles for what is right against PLDT, Microsoft and yes... even the government. So as the public knew more of him... I got to know less of him.

Last I saw Manny alive was in - of all places, the grocery. I was with Bryce and we were getting some items for spaghetti (I think), and when we bumped into him, I introduced Bryce to him. Not missing this as a possible opportunity, I asked Manny to give Bryce a bit of advice in IT and Manny gamely gave Bryce his viewpoints. I know Bryce found Manny entertaining - and I wonder if this likewise put some impression on Bryce regarding IT.

So... that was Manny to me - an acquaintance, almost a friend, a good (some would argue 'great') guitarist, a man wiht a mission - be it against population control, metering of phones or the Microsoft juggernaut. But always a man with a smile. One who'd readily call you Dawg, even before I heard it from an American Idol judge, and he'd call himself (sometimes even declaring it to the sky) how handsome he was (Ang pogi ko!!!). Yup, definitely a character - but a sharing soul as well.

Manny died a few days ago - apparently of cardiac failure. The news was sudden... and definitely unexpected. That it happened in Cebu made it hard for us to help him. His remains lie in state at Don Bosco now... and I feel that I should see him for the last time.

Rock the heavens, Manny. I'm sure you shall be missed. Too bad we never had another conversation before you decided to clock out of here.

Wassup with me... oh, busy me...

Ever since I've moved my photoblog elsewhere, this particular blog has not been as active as it used to... and for that matter, it's not because I've little to talk about... okay, maybe I've little to talk about sometimes, but that's beside the point. What I see as the more obvious culprit here is my lack of time to blog what I want... when I want.

It's just that ever since I've shifted jobs, I've found myself really busy - easily filling up my day with work and when I get home, I'm just tired to do anything else... aside from wanting to spend what little waking time I have with my family before it's sleep and rest... only to repeat the process again.

SO that's what's up with me. What's worse? Things look like they will further escalate in - oh, say... three months down the line. So busy as I feel now, things will be even more hectic later.

Security prevents me from being more specific... but let me just say that I'm involved in the latter stages of a system's implementation project... and leave it at that. Maybe when all this is done, I'll talk further about it... or at least, weigh in what I can talk further about.

So where's Year 2?

In case you are one of the few who frequent this place to look at my Photoblog, and you've read my 365th entry where I said I'd do a Year 2, you probably wonder why I haven't started it yet here - or assume I'm awaiting the weekend before I start posting here... both are valid assumptions by the way, but hardly the right answer.

I've decided to dedicate the Photoblog into a separate site - and in case you're curious to see where this is, well... all you need do is follow this link:Butch 365 and you should find my ongoing photoblog. I'm returning this site to it's original intent of having minute ideas that I would like to share - not necessarily revolving around photos. Oh I'll still be posting photos in this site, of course I will... but not to cover 365 days of photography practice.

So there you have it folks... I am doing Year Two. Enjoy it via the link.

Photoblog - Day 365 Apr 09, 2011

Project 365 done.

Yup! I can't believe it's done... and I so look forward to reviewing the year that was.

So did I accomplish what I set out to do with this little experiment? Let's see...

Document the year - oh definitely... in fact I always joke about my having documented the year to remind me - in case I get Alzheimer's at some point in time... knock on wood that I don't, of course.

Use this exercise as a venue for enjoying my hobby? Yup!!! It taught me to take better pictures... maybe I could still improve - who am I kidding? I can still improve a lot - but as it stands, I really like a lot of what I took, and I can safely say that I learned a whole lot about photography in this one year... simply by exercising the skill. As documented, I've bought books (and read them occasionally too), magazines on the stuff - and will continue to do so.

I've learned to do macro shots... and can now do better macro shots, now with my reverse lens ring. I definitely know the rudiments of lighting, focus, shutter speed, ISO and even Photoshop, Lightroom and Microsoft Picture Manager. I've recently gotten a zoom lens, and know how to better use it now... and can capture decent shots for parties, occasions and more the usual roving eye - seeing something mundane, yet taking the shot and making it look anything but mundane. So yeah... definitely strides in the learning, shooting and cleaning/cropping department.

Learn to blog better? I hope so... I'm still far from being a regular blogger - I mean, after all, work can be tiring, or I may get distracted or I may nto be able to use the Laptop - bu I did get to finish this project! Because of this, my other blogs seem trivial in terms of content when compared to this. But on the more technical side, I did learn to re-use (or is that relearn how to use) HTML commands to spruce up my sites.

SO... I guess the question is, will I go for year two? Oh definitely... I'll just decide if it's going to be at once or in a while - after a few days rest, that is. But what I'll definitely do is change venue - maybe put this in my other blog - or create a different one just for this... the project could warrant such a move.
in fact

As someone said, it's the journey - not the destination, that counts... and now that I've completed this one, I can reminisce about it - in fact, I'll do just that, soon as I post this. Meanwhile - cheers to Photoblog Year 1 - 2010-2011. I was a great trip, with great learnings, counltess experiences and captured memories. I shall continue letting people know about it... make them think about doing it... and willingly show them what it can give.

Photoblog - Day 364 Apr 08, 2011

Morning grind:

This is a picture of constructions workers at a building a few lots away from where I sometimes teach - which is at Robinson's Cyber3 building... home of a few Accenture offices, and more importantly, HQ of the publishers to our local FHM magazine. Once again, I'm using my zoom lens to get a closer look.

Time of this shot is approximately 7:45am (yes I sometimes come in that early - though not always), and the workers are just getting ready for what promises to be another long day of labor. These guys have the concrete pillars in place... which is approximately their 20th floor (our building stands on higher elevation), and yes... they too are getting into the working groove - in fact one of them seems to be in the mindset of working already, while the other is still enjoying the sun's not too hot morning rays.

As for me, I'm in this place to conduct another Analysis training... which won't start yet. In fact, if we're lucky, we can start by 8:30am. Ah well... another day, another 8 hours. Man's gotta work after all. Even the rich ones - it's either that or they degenerate, wither and eventually die. Why do I say this? Less people may admit it - but work gives them a reason for feeling needed... relevant. Yeah, it may suck at times... and others may genuinely hate their work (or some aspects of work - like the boss, for example), but give them a week - or two to just stay home, and I bet they'll be raring to do something... anything... to alleviate the boredom.

Photoblog - Day 363 Apr 07, 2011

How many?

What's different about this picture? Did you count how many dogs there are? (not counting Ben, for all you smart alecks out there) If you said four... you'd be right.... after all, I'm not yet that good a Photoshop user to insert something into the picture like a chihuahua.

His name is Pepot (I think) - and he has been passed on to Ben by Ben's friend and Pepot's owner, to care for him while his owner does an Indonesia trip. Meanwhile, since Ben is closer here, he brings Popot here and hope that the dogs won't fight him.

Apparently they didn't. Oh sure... there was the customary smelling and awkward approaches - bt they all accepted him into their fold real fast... plus Buffy had found another playmate... who's size is not so far from that of a kitten.

Man... this place is getting to look like a half-way house for dogs. Lucky for me, Pepot (if that's his real name) isn't the really noisy type... and I had to restrain Buffy whenever she played with too much gusto. I mean, Bruce gives up on her when they're playing... so I think she forgets her strength and weight when sometimes playing with said chihuahua.

Photoblog - Day 362 Apr 06, 2011

Heeee's Baaaack!

It was seemingly only yesterday that Pepper was gone and things would get back to seeming normalcy in this place with just two dogs, when lo and behold... Bruce comes to give us a visit again.

Yup! This not always pugnacious pug has returned to color our lives... how long he'll stay? Well, not too long, I hope. I mean, yeah... I welcome him here - more so now that he's learned - by tagging along with both Bubble and Buffy, to do his business outside and not inside. But I guess, the real reason Bruce is welcome is to sort fo let Buffy have some other things to focus on instead of feeling bored and star chewing on anything she fancies.

Aside from that, who'd guess that this critter from Men In Black can actually pose in a cute manner (yes, that is his cute pose, right there). Oh yeah... MIB is not the first time - it seems, where Pugs were used as other worldly creatures. I recently got a DVD of the original Dune - the one with Sting as a Harkonen, and apparently, The Emperor Shadam IV (or was it the VI?) had Pugs (or at least, one pug) as his royal mascot. So yeah... it seems like Bruce has Hollywood SciFi potential.

Photoblog - Day 361 Apr 05, 2011

New Books!

I really should watch myself whenever I enter a bookstore... these were definitely unplanned purchases, but of there's anything I've learned form these serendipitous moments, it's that these bookstores are fickle when getting inventory, and they don't stock a lot, so if I don't get some promising books then, I may never see them again... or at the more favorable situation, I could reserve them - but this is only good for a week. Needless to say, I decided to get these now than risk fate's fickle favor that should I return another time, these would still be here.

Two books in particular were really hard to let go - the first is a book on design patterns... and not just focusing on one industry, but patters that are universally acceptable, regardless of industry... so wow... definitely useful in IT design considerations... and wherever else I get into. And while we're in the subject of great design...

The next one is a fanboy's dream... specially if that fanboy grew up enjoying the exploits of a certain Female alien who just happens to be a natural born Vampire - and not one converted by a bite. I naturally refer to Vampirella - who probably has the best iconic costume... or if not that, the best one many fanboy's enjoy looking at, should any worthy female model said costume.

The other two don't really figure into the bookstore treasure hunt... the Imag is a photography magazine with lots of tips, while the Teen Titans is, of course, a comic book. I still am wondering where this particular title is going... so I was just curious. Art wasn't bad... story, well... like I said - see where it's going. This issue, they intor a new character, hence my curiosity.

And now it's back to ogling Vampirella artwork for me. One I really enjoyed way back as a high school student... and still enjoy - specially the painted ones, up to now.

Photoblog - Day 360 Apr 04, 2011

Practice:

This was taken at the SM Mall of Asia's Ice Skating area. As I was scanning the activities within said oval, I notices this girl practicing her moves, her form and her skills with the help of a trainer/coach. I did not want to intrude by obviously taking in-your-face shots... so I just took them from afar.

I was hoping she would do aerial maneuvers like a jump or split - btu I could not find the right moment; after all, this was not a set up studio shot... but more like a roving reporter shot. Again, this was made more possible with my zoom lens - and I'm glad that the lens and I are getting more acquainted - in the manner that I'm learning hos to better use my camera with it to avoid shakes.

I was hoping to capture a moment when she's be in air... but I got a few pics of her doing this and turning... the turning pics are okay too - but noting quite shows a skater's elegance as this pose would.

Photoblog - Day 359 Apr 03, 2011

Second stack for April:

Remember that big load of comics I recently got? Well, most of them were March releases - these here mostly represent April releases, and of special mention in this batch is the new FF#1. Yup... from Fantastic Four, we shift to Future Foundation - a bold move for Marvel, through it's innovative team of Johnathan Hickman and Steve Epting.

The issue - as first issues go, is still a build-up. It starts pretty much with Spider-man joining the team, the introduction of the new costumes as well and a very surprising ending... though albeit a bit expected when one looks at the previous issues. But Val, has asked Doom to join said Future Foundation. So imagine that... Three of the original FF with Reed, Sue and Ben; Spider-man, and the FF's ages old nemesis now working as one team... Sorry for the geek moment folks - I guess to appreciate this all, one would have to have been following the old FF's exploits. Needless to say, I can't wait for issue two.

Other than that, it was mostly a Captain America list - what with nearly four issues dedicated to Steve Rogers. This is obvious preparation - and possible marketing for the character as his movie release approaches. Heck, even Secret Avengers was more about Cap than the team.

What made it non Marvel exclusive was my getting newer issues of Sherlock Holmes Year One. After having bought the first arc's compilation a few months back, I liked how Dynamite's creative people were treating Holmes, so was curious to see this new arc - and it's currently in it's third issue. Naturally, I'm still wondering where this is going - after all, it is a challenge to show Holmes with his deductive reasoning on the comic's visual medium... but let me say that it seems that getting these in trade may be a better idea.

Photoblog - Day 358 Apr 02, 2011

Bay Birds:

The title sounds tacky, like a B-quality TV series... but I just happen to be in the Cultural Center of the Philippines area - specifically the Starbucks at the bay area, and spotted these little - but fast flying birds swooping around the waters, near the boats. Dipping, diving up to the water's surface, catching food for them.

What was I doing here? I came - with Barbie, straight from La Salle Taft, where we made the proper reservations for Bryce's entrance to said University, and after which, we decided to enjoy some coffee and relaxation time - hence returning to the Starbucks at the bay area - Canon DSLR in tow (as usual), but this time, I was armed with my zoom lens (just your simple 55 - 250mm), wanting to take some pics of boats and the marina.

Well as it turned out, boats were aplenty - although moored at the far docks - which was fine, since I did have my zoom lens which was good enough for the job... after all, I just wanted to get cluster pictures and not need to see the faces of the people on said boats and yachts... would be nice if I could, but I'd need a lens that can see farther for this.

Anyway, as I was taking the boats into view, I did notice the birds (don't swooping in and out of my lens's view. So I thought, how about taking pictures of these birds as well? Buoyed by my earlier successes with capturing McKinley Plaza pigeons in motion, I gave it a try.

Seems like ther guys were harder to pinpoint - I did mention they were fast right? Well I tried getting a few shots - and since they were some distance away, I needed quick reactions from my camera and it's zoom. What I got wasn't exactly picture perfect... but they did show birds. Ah well... I hope that I';; get better shots next time.

Photoblog - Day 357 Apr 01, 2011

Large Batch!

Yup, as I've indicated in the past, my pull list (jargon for the comics I regularly buy), by virtue of customer service form my usual store, gets set aside for me to pick up every end of the month. This means that at times, I am behind everyone else on reading what is the latest adventure of my favorite heroes... on the other hand, it is a clear indicator that often enough, even if I don't show up for a prized issue that everyone must have and troop to the stalls to get one, I am sure to have it set aside... so long as I indicated it in my pull list.

Well this week represents nearly three weeks of comics pile up, so it's but natural that I have a lot of reading to catch up on, and although I got these when I had cashed my check, I was unable to fond time (believe it, or not) to read them until today. I was just too busy.

So what else is new? I got a letter of mine printed in one of the issues, specifically, this month's Iron Man - as a fan, I find that real cool... and so do my 'like-minded' friends. How was this possible? Email, baby... email.

Aside from this, the highlight of the bunch happens to be the Green Lantern issues, the above-mentioned Iron Man, Captain America and the Finch drawn Batman.

Photoblog - Day 356 Mar 31, 2011

Serene Fountain:

I'd like to think I've an eye for the artistic things in life... plus the fact that I'ma firm believer in the 'simple is more elegant and therefore classy' axiom, so it's no surprise that when I saw this fountain (if it can be really called that) in the lobby of Medical City, I was drawn to it's simplicity - it's artistic design and it's serenity.

You see, unlike most fountains that play with water spouting from some place to rise up and fall with artistic angles and maybe even some play with colors (and piped-in music) this simple... yet elegant fountain promotes peace of mind. Each pillar actually has bubbles flowing up with the water, and when it reaches the top, it simply slides back down... with hardly any ripple and noise, from the glass casing's outer wall.

The result is a series of pillars, showing bubbles going up and water seeping down to the fountain's surface, with hardly any noise at all. As you can see, people like sitting in the general vicinity as the place is shaded, cool and really peaceful to look at. I should know, I was sitting at a Starbucks chair, sipping some hot tea, and enjoying the view myself. The pillars with their bubbles reminded me of aquariums... and despite my rather long wait for Barbie, I hardly got tired of looking at those pillars and the relaxation it brings.

One day, I'd like to have something similar in my own large mansion.

Photoblog - Day 355 Mar 30, 2011

Batirol Once Again!

Even if it seems to be a near impromptu moment, it seems that some of us get to see each other during month-end times, which is not so surprising, since it coincides with our getting our paychecks. Thus most of us are indeed in the Makati area, and for those who are in no rush to proceed elsewhere, there is always Tsoko-nut in SM Makati to meet and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with other dishes.

In this particular case, we may have not been too many - just the people in the picture, namely Benj, Gina, Mon and Fiel; plus the photographer - me. But we still did enjoy each other's company, cheers, jeers and yes... even shamelessly talking about colleagues not around.

These get togethers last about two hours and stretch from lunch until mid-afternoon snack time; but they do make for great quality bonding time.

Photoblog - Day 354 Mar 29, 2011

Bryce Graduates!

This is it! Bryce steps out of High School and the corridors of O.B. Montessori - a school he has been attending for the better part of 10 years. He has proven that he can handle what High School has pitched at him, and nearly finished with an ease that shows that despite how he may be spending a lot of times playing computer games, he can definitely handle the challenges.

Now, however, the challenges will be greater - and not just because it will be a very different environment... but he will be with strangers. I don't know how many of his classmates he'll be seeing in his new school - but it really won't matter. He'll have to work harder.

I'm proud of what he's accomplished, and as the picture shows - so is Barbie... and all I can hope for is that we'll both still be able to help him in any way we can, so his new challenges will be surmountable.

Photoblog - Day 353 Mar 28, 2011

Fire:

This happens to be the insides of a baking oven - particularly, one where pizza can be cooked. I was contemplating on whether to get the over - both in and out... or just concentrate on the inside. Obviously, I opted for the latter because I also wanted to capture the texture of the flames against the logs... though obviously, the logs can't be seen here... just their silhouette.

The other thing different about this picture is the fact that I used my zoom lens for this. You see, I had to take this from across the dining area to the work area of the restaurant - plus I had to content with a glass wall - hence the need to make sure the glass was near-invisible, to look like it was not there at all.

So, basically, I wanted to capture the flames... to make sure they're recognizable as flames... and the rest can be left to everyone else's imagination. But I really liked how the flames emphasize the shape of the oven mouth top - with it's near Moorish-inspires shape; while the walls almost just give a hint on how the rest of said oven mouth's shape actually is.

Photoblog - Day 352 Mar 27, 2011

Earth Hour again!

First of all, as the title might give the wrong impression, I'm not complaining about Earth Hour, as more likely celebrating it - in fact, I've been helping celebrate it for three years now.

I understand that some see this as a publicity stunt... that the energy crisis that many carp about... or that the heating up of our weather as a supposed result of using too much fossil fuels, may be just a figment of someone's imagination.

Setting any political agenda aside, I still think that conservation - in any form, is a worthy effort to exercise. At the very least, it can help lower the bills... and I don't see anything artificial or crazy about that idea.

SO as part of this celebration, I had the dining table set up for some people who still have not had dinner... and well, why not? Isn't dinner by candle-light classy? Obviously, I did not want to use any flash photos here. I want to just use the natural lighting - and cumulative shadows that an evening celebrating Earth Hour can offer.